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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>M A T T H E W.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. VIII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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The evangelist having, in the foregoing chapters, given us a specimen
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of our Lord's preaching, proceeds now to give some instances of the
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miracles he wrought, which prove him a Teacher come from God, and the
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great Healer of a diseased world. In this chapter we have,
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I. Christ's cleansing of a leper,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:1-4">ver. 1-4</A>.
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II. His curing a palsy and fever,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:5-18">ver. 5-18</A>.
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III. His communing with two that were disposed to follow him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:19-22">ver. 19-22</A>.
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IV. His controlling the tempest,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:23-27">ver. 23-27</A>.
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V. His casting out devils,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:28-34">ver. 28-34</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Mt8_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt8_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt8_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt8_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Leper Healed.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes
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followed him.
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2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying,
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Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
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3 And Jesus put forth <I>his</I> hand, and touched him, saying, I
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will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
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4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy
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way, show thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses
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commanded, for a testimony unto them.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The first verse refers to the close of the foregoing sermon: the people
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that heard him were <I>astonished at his doctrine;</I> and the effect
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was, that <I>when he came down from the mountain, great multitudes
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followed him;</I> though he was so strict a Lawgiver, and so faithful a
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Reprover, they diligently attended him, and were loth to disperse, and
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go from him. Note, They to whom Christ has manifested himself, cannot
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but desire to be better acquainted with him. They who know much of
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Christ should covet to know more; and <I>then shall we know, if we</I>
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thus <I>follow on to know the Lord.</I> It is pleasing to see people so
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well affected to Christ, as to think they can never hear enough of him;
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so well affected to the best things, as thus to flock after good
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preaching, and to <I>follow the Lamb</I> withersoever he goes. Now was
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Jacob's prophecy concerning the Messiah fulfilled, that <I>unto him
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shall the gathering of the people be;</I> yet they who gathered to him
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did not cleave to him. They who followed him closely and constantly
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were but few, compared with the multitudes that were but followers at
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large.</P>
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<P>
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In
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:1-4">these verses</A>
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we have an account of Christ's <I>cleansing a leper.</I> It should
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seem, by comparing
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+1:40,Lu+5:12">Mark i. 40, and Luke v. 12</A>,
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that this passage, though placed, by St. Matthew, after the sermon on
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the mount, because he would give account of his doctrine first, and
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then of his miracles, happened some time before; but that is not at all
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material. This is fitly recorded with the first of Christ's miracles,
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1. Because the leprosy was looked upon, among the Jews, as a particular
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mark of God's displeasure: hence we find Miriam, Gehazi, and Uzziah,
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smitten with leprosy for some one particular sin; and therefore Christ,
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to show that he came to turn away the wrath of God, by taking away sin,
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began with the cure of a leper.
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2. Because this disease, as it was supposed to come immediately from
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the hand of God, so also it was supposed to be removed immediately by
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his hand, and therefore it was not attempted to be cured by physicians,
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but was put under the inspection of the priests, the Lord's ministers,
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who waited to see what God would do. And its being in a garment, or in
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the walls of a house, was altogether supernatural: and it should seem
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to be a disease of a quite different nature from what we now call the
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leprosy. The king of Israel said, <I>Am I God,</I> that I am sent to,
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to <I>recover a man of a leprosy?</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+5:7">2 Kings v. 7</A>.
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Christ proved himself God, by recovering many from the leprosy, and
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authorizing his disciples, in his name, to do so too
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+10:8"><I>ch.</I> x. 8</A>),
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and it is put among the proofs of his being the Messiah,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+11:5"><I>ch.</I> xi. 5</A>.
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He also showed himself to be the Saviour of his people from their sins;
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for though every disease is both the fruit of sin, and a figure of it,
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as the disorder of the soul, yet the leprosy was in a special manner
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so; for it contracted such a pollution, and obliged to such a
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separation from holy things, as no other disease did; and therefore in
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the laws concerning it
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+13:1-14:57">Lev. xiii. and xiv.</A>),
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it is treated, not as a sickness, but as an uncleanness; the priest was
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to pronounce the party clean or unclean, according to the indications:
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but the honour of making the lepers clean was reserved for Christ, who
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was to do it as the <I>High Priest of our profession;</I> he comes to
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do that which the <I>law could not do, in that it was weak through the
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flesh,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+8:3">Rom. viii. 3</A>.
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The law discovered sin (for by the law is the knowledge of sin), and
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pronounced sinners unclean; it shut them up
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+3:23">Gal. iii. 23</A>),
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as the priest did the leper, but could go no further; it could not
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<I>make the comers thereunto perfect.</I> But Christ takes away sin;
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cleanses us from it, and so <I>perfecteth for ever them that are
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sanctified.</I> Now here we have,</P>
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<P>
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I. The leper's address to Christ. If this happened, as it is here
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placed, after the sermon on the mount, we may suppose that the leper,
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though shut out by his disease from the cities of Israel, yet got
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within hearing of Christ's sermon, and was encouraged by it to make his
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application to him; for he that taught <I>as one having authority,</I>
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could heal so; and therefore he <I>came and worshipped him,</I> as one
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clothed with a divine power. His address is, <I>Lord, if thou wilt,
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thou canst make me clean.</I> The cleaning of him may be
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considered,</P>
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<P>
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1. As a temporal mercy; a mercy to the body, delivering it from a
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disease, which, though it did not threaten life, embittered it. And so
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it directs us, not only to apply ourselves to Christ, who has power
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over bodily diseases, for the cure of them, but it also teaches us in
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what manner to apply ourselves to him; with an assurance of his power,
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believing that he is as able to cure diseases now, as he was when on
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earth, but with a submission to his will; <I>Lord, if thou wilt, thou
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canst.</I> As to temporal mercies, we cannot be so sure of God's
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<I>will</I> to bestow them, as we may of his <I>power,</I> for his
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<I>power</I> in them is unlimited by a regard to his glory and our
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good: when we cannot be sure of his will, we may be sure of his wisdom
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and mercy, to which we may cheerfully refer ourselves; <I>Thy will be
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done:</I> and this makes the expectation easy, and the event, when it
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comes, comfortable.</P>
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<P>
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2. As a typical mercy. Sin is the leprosy of the soul; it shuts us out
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from communion with God, to which that we maybe restored, it is
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necessary that we be cleansed from this leprosy, and this ought to be
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our great concern. Now observe, It is our comfort when we apply
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ourselves to Christ, as the great Physician, that if he will, he can
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make us clean; and we should, with an humble, believing boldness, go to
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him and tell him so. That is,
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(1.) We must rest ourselves upon his power; we must be confident of
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this, that Christ <I>can</I> make us clean. No guilt is so great but
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that there is a sufficiency in his righteousness to atone for it; no
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corruption so strong, but there is a sufficiency in his grace to subdue
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it. God would not appoint a physician to his hospital that is not
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<I>par negotio--every way qualified for the undertaking.</I>
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(2.) We must recommend ourselves to his pity; we cannot demand it as a
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debt, but we must humbly request it as a favour; "<I>Lord, if thou
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wilt.</I> I throw myself at thy feet, and if I perish, I will perish
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there."</P>
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<P>
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II. Christ's answer to this address, which was very kind,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.</P>
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<P>
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1. <I>He put forth his hand and touched him.</I> The leprosy was a
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noisome, loathsome disease, yet Christ touched him; for he did not
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disdain to converse with publicans and sinners, to do them good. There
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was a ceremonial pollution contracted by the touch of a leper; but
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Christ would show, that when he conversed with sinners, he was in no
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danger of being infected by them, for the prince of this world had
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nothing in him. If we touch pitch, we are defiled; but Christ was
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<I>separate from sinners,</I> even when he lived among them.</P>
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<P>
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2. He said, <I>I will, be thou clean.</I> He did not say, as Elisha to
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Naaman, <I>Go, wash in Jordan;</I> did not put him upon a tedious,
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troublesome, chargeable course of a physic, but spake the word and
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healed him.
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(1.) Here is a word of kindness, <I>I will;</I> I am as willing to help
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thee, as thou art to be helped. Note, They who by faith apply
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themselves to Christ for mercy and grace, may be sure that he is
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willing, freely willing, to give them the mercy and grace they come to
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him for. Christ is a Physician, that does not need to be sought for, he
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is always in the way; does not need to be urged, while we are yet
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speaking, he hears; does not need to be feed, he heals freely, not for
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price nor reward. He has given all possible demonstration, that he is
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as willing as he is able to save sinners.
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(2.) A word of power, <I>Be thou clean.</I> Both a power of authority,
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and a power of energy, are exerted in this word. Christ heals by a word
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of command to us; <I>Be thou clean;</I> "Be willing to be clean, and
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use the means; cleanse thyself from all filthiness;" but there goes
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along with this a word of command concerning us, a word that does the
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work; <I>I will that thou be clean.</I> Such a word as this is
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necessary to the cure, and effectual for it; and the Almighty grace
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which speaks it, shall not be wanting to those who truly desire it.</P>
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<P>
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III. The happy change hereby wrought: <I>Immediately his leprosy was
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cleansed.</I> Nature works gradually, but the God of nature works
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immediately; he speaks it, it is done; and yet he works effectually; he
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<I>commands, and it stands fast.</I> One of the first miracles Moses
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wrought, was curing himself of a leprosy
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+4:7">Exod. iv. 7</A>),
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for the priests under the law offered sacrifices first for their own
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sin; but one of Christ's first miracles was curing another of leprosy,
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for he had no sin of his own to atone for.</P>
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<P>
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IV. The after-directions Christ gave him. It is fit that they who are
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cured by Christ should ever after be ruled by him.</P>
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<P>
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1. <I>See thou tell no man;</I> "Tell no man till thou has shown
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thyself to the priest, and he has pronounced thee clean; and so thou
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hast a legal proof, both that thou wast before a leper, and art now
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thoroughly cleansed." Christ would have his miracles to appear in their
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full light and evidence, and not to be published till they could appear
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so. Note, They that preach the truths of Christ should be able to prove
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them; to defend what they preach, and <I>convince gainsayers. "Tell no
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man, till thou hast showed thyself to the priest,</I> lest if he hear
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who cured thee, he should out of spite deny to give thee a certificate
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of the cure, and so keep thee under confinement." Such were the priests
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in Christ's time, that they who had any thing to do with them had need
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to have been as wise as serpents.</P>
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<P>
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2. <I>Go show thyself to the priest,</I> according to the law,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+14:2">Lev. xiv. 2</A>.
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Christ took care to have the law observed, lest he should give offence,
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and to show that he will have order kept up, and good discipline and
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respect paid to those that are in office. It may be of use to those
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that are cleansed of their spiritual leprosy, to have recourse to
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Christ's ministers, and to open their case to them, that they may
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assist them in their enquiries into their spiritual state, and advise,
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and comfort, and pray for them.</P>
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<P>
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3. <I>Offer the gift that Moses commanded,</I> in token of thankfulness
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to God, and recompence to the priest for his pains; and this <I>for a
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testimony unto them;</I> either,
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(1.) Which <I>Moses commanded for a testimony:</I> the ceremonial laws
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were testimonies of God's authority over them, care of them, and of
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that grace which should afterwards be revealed. Or,
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(2.) "Do thou offer it for a testimony, and let the priest know who
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cleansed thee, and how; and it shall be a testimony, that there is one
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among them who does that which the high priest cannot do. Let it remain
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upon record as a witness of my power, and a testimony for me <I>to</I>
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them, if they will use it and improve it; but <I>against</I> them, if
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they will not:" for so Christ's word and works are testimonies.</P>
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<A NAME="Mt8_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt8_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt8_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt8_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt8_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt8_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt8_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt8_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt8_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Christ Heals the Centurion's Servant.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto
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him a centurion, beseeching him,
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6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy,
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grievously tormented.
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7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
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8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that
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thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and
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my servant shall be healed.
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9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and
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I say to this <I>man,</I> Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and
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he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth <I>it.</I>
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10 When Jesus heard <I>it,</I> he marvelled, and said to them that
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followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith,
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no, not in Israel.
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11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and
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west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in
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the kingdom of heaven.
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12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer
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darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
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13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou
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hast believed, <I>so</I> be it done unto thee. And his servant was
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healed in the selfsame hour.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We have here an account of Christ's curing the centurion's servant of a
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palsy. This was done at Capernaum, where Christ now dwelt,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+4:13"><I>ch.</I> iv. 13</A>.
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Christ went about doing good, and came home to do good too; every place
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he came to was the better for him.</P>
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<P>
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The persons Christ had now to do with were,</P>
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<P>
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1. A <I>centurion;</I> he was a supplicant, a Gentile, a Roman, an
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officer of the army; probably commander-in-chief of that part of the
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Roman army which was quartered at Capernaum, and kept garrison there.
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(1.) Though he was a soldier (and a little piety commonly goes a great
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way with men of that profession), yet he was a godly man; he was
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eminently so. Note, God has his remnant among all sorts of people. No
|
|
man's calling or place in the world will be an excuse for his unbelief
|
|
and impiety; none shall say in the great day, I had been religious, if
|
|
I had not been a soldier; for such there are among the <I>ransomed of
|
|
the Lord.</I> And sometimes where grace conquers the unlikely, it is
|
|
more than a conqueror; this soldier that was good, was very good.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Though he was a Roman soldier, and his very dwelling among the
|
|
Jews was a badge of their subjection to the Roman yoke, yet Christ, who
|
|
was <I>King of the Jews,</I> favoured him; and therein has taught us to
|
|
do good to our enemies, and not needlessly to interest ourselves in
|
|
national enmities.
|
|
|
|
(3.) Though he was a Gentile, yet Christ countenanced him. It is true,
|
|
he went not to any of the Gentile towns (it was the land of Canaan that
|
|
was Immanuel's land,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+8:8">Isa. viii. 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
yet he received addresses from Gentiles; now good old Simeon's word
|
|
began to be fulfilled, that he should be <I>a light to lighten the
|
|
Gentiles,</I> as well as <I>the glory of his people Israel.</I>
|
|
Matthew, in annexing this cure to that of the leper, who was a Jew,
|
|
intimates this; the leprous Jews Christ touched and cured, for he
|
|
preached personally to them; but the paralytic Gentiles he cured at a
|
|
distance; for to them he did not go in person, but <I>sent his word and
|
|
healed them;</I> yet in them he was more magnified.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. <I>The centurion's servant;</I> he was the patient. In this also it
|
|
appears, that there is no respect of persons with God; for <I>in Christ
|
|
Jesus,</I> as there is <I>neither circumcision nor uncircumcision,</I>
|
|
so there is <I>neither bond nor free.</I> He is as ready to heal the
|
|
poorest servant, as the richest master; for himself <I>took upon him
|
|
the form of a servant,</I> to show his regard to the meanest.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Now in the story of the cure of this servant, we may observe an
|
|
intercourse or interchanging of graces, very remarkable between Christ
|
|
and the centurion. See here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The grace of the centurion working towards Christ. Can any good
|
|
thing come out of a Roman soldier? any thing tolerable, much less any
|
|
thing laudable? Come and see, and you will find abundance of good
|
|
coming out of this centurion that was eminent and exemplary. Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. His affectionate address to Jesus Christ, which speaks,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) A pious regard to our great Master, as one able and willing to
|
|
succour and relieve poor petitioners. He came to him <I>beseeching
|
|
him,</I> not as Naaman the Syrian (a centurion too) came to Elisha,
|
|
demanding a cure, taking state, and standing upon points of honour; but
|
|
with cap in hand as a humble suitor. By this it seems that he saw more
|
|
in Christ than appeared at first view; saw that which commanded
|
|
respect, though to those who looked no further, his visage was marred
|
|
more than any man's. The officers of the army, being comptrollers of
|
|
the town, no doubt made a great figure, yet he lays by the thoughts of
|
|
his post of honour, when he addresses himself to Christ, and comes
|
|
<I>beseeching him.</I> Note, the greatest of men must turn beggars,
|
|
when they have to do with Christ. He owns Christ's sovereignty, in
|
|
calling him Lord, and referring the case to him, and to his will, and
|
|
wisdom, by a modest remonstrance, without any formal and express
|
|
petition. He knew he had to do with a wise and gracious Physician, to
|
|
whom the opening of the malady was equivalent to the most earnest
|
|
request. A humble confession of our spiritual wants and diseases shall
|
|
not fail of an answer of peace. Pour out thy complaint, and mercy shall
|
|
be poured out.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) A charitable regard to his poor servant. We read of many that came
|
|
to Christ for their children, but this is the only instance of one that
|
|
came to him for a servant: <I>Lord, my servant lieth at home sick.</I>
|
|
Note, it is the duty of masters to concern themselves for their
|
|
servants, when they are in affliction. The palsy disabled the servant
|
|
for his work, and made him as troublesome and tedious as any distemper
|
|
could, yet he did not turn him away when he was sick (as that Amalekite
|
|
did his servants,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+30:13">1 Sam. xxx. 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
did not send him to his friends, not let him lie by neglected, but
|
|
sought out the best relief he could for him; the servant could not have
|
|
done more for the master, than the master did here for the servant. The
|
|
centurion's servants were very dutiful to him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
and here we see what made them so; he was very kind to them, and that
|
|
made them the more cheerfully obedient to him. As we must not despise
|
|
the <I>cause of our servants, when they contend with us</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+31:13,15">Job xxxi. 13, 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
so we must not despise their case when God contends with them; for we
|
|
are made in the same mould, by the same hand, and stand upon the same
|
|
level with them before God, and must not set them <I>with the dogs of
|
|
our flock.</I> The centurion applies not to witches or wizards for his
|
|
servant, but to Christ. The palsy is a disease in which the physician's
|
|
skill commonly fails; it was therefore a great evidence of his faith in
|
|
the power of Christ, to come to him for a cure, which was above the
|
|
power of natural means to effect. Observe, How pathetically he
|
|
represents his servant's case as very sad; he is <I>sick of the
|
|
palsy,</I> a disease which commonly makes the patient senseless of
|
|
pain, but this person was <I>grievously tormented;</I> being young,
|
|
nature was strong to struggle with the stroke, which made it painful.
|
|
(It was not <I>paralysis simplex,</I> but <I>scorbutica</I>). We should
|
|
thus concern ourselves for the souls of our children, and servants,
|
|
that are spiritually sick of the palsy, the dead-palsy, the dumb palsy;
|
|
senseless of spiritual evils, inactive in that which is spiritually
|
|
good, and bring them to the means of healing and health.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Observe his great humility and self-abasement. After Christ had
|
|
intimated his readiness to come and heal his servants
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>),
|
|
|
|
he expressed himself with the more humbleness of mind. Note, Humble
|
|
souls are made more humble, by Christ's gracious condescensions to
|
|
them. Observe what was the language of his humility; <I>Lord, I am not
|
|
worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
which speaks mean thought of himself, and high thoughts of our Lord
|
|
Jesus. He does not say, "My servant is not worthy that thou shouldest
|
|
come into his chamber, because it is in the garret;" But <I>I am not
|
|
worthy that thou shouldest come into my house.</I> The centurion was a
|
|
great man, yet he owned his unworthiness before God. Note, Humility
|
|
very well becomes persons of quality. Christ now made but a mean figure
|
|
in the world, yet the centurion, looking upon him as a prophet, <I>yea,
|
|
more than a prophet,</I> paid him this respect. Note, We should have a
|
|
value and veneration for what we see of God, even in those who, in
|
|
outward condition, are every way our inferiors. The centurion came to
|
|
Christ with a petition, and therefore expressed himself thus humbly.
|
|
Note, In all our approaches to Christ, and to God through Christ, it
|
|
becomes us to abase ourselves, and to lie low in the sense of our own
|
|
unworthiness, as mean creatures and as vile sinners, to do any thing
|
|
for God, to receive any good from him, or to have any thing to do with
|
|
him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. Observe his great faith. The more humility the more faith; the more
|
|
diffident we are of ourselves, the stronger will be our confidence in
|
|
Jesus Christ. He had an assurance of faith not only that Christ could
|
|
cure his servant, but,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) That he could cure him at a distance. There needed not any
|
|
physical contact, as in natural operations, nor any application to the
|
|
part affected; but the cure, he believed, might be wrought, without
|
|
bringing the physician and patient together. We read afterwards of
|
|
those, who brought the <I>man sick of the palsy to Christ,</I> through
|
|
much difficulty, and set him before him; and Christ commended their
|
|
faith for a <I>working</I> faith. This centurion did not bring his man
|
|
<I>sick of the palsy,</I> and Christ commended his faith for a
|
|
<I>trusting</I> faith: true faith is accepted of Christ, though
|
|
variously appearing: Christ puts the best construction upon the
|
|
different methods of religion that people take, and thereby has taught
|
|
us to do so too. This centurion believed, and it is undoubtedly true,
|
|
that the power of Christ knows no limits, and therefore nearness and
|
|
distance are alike to him. Distance of place cannot obstruct either the
|
|
knowing or working of him that <I>fills all places. Am I a God at hand,
|
|
says the Lord, and not a God afar off?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+23:23">Jer. xxiii. 23</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) That he could cure him with a <I>word,</I> not send him a
|
|
medicine, much less a charm; but <I>speak the word only,</I> and I do
|
|
not question but <I>my servant shall be healed.</I> Herein he owns him
|
|
to have a divine power, an authority to command all the creatures and
|
|
powers of nature, which enables him to do whatsoever he pleases in the
|
|
kingdom of nature; as at first he raised that kingdom by an almighty
|
|
word, when he said, <I>Let there be light.</I> With men, saying and
|
|
doing are two things; but not so with Christ, who is therefore the
|
|
<I>Arm of the Lord,</I> because he is the <I>eternal Word.</I> His
|
|
saying, <I>Be ye warmed and filled</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+2:16">Jam. ii. 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
and healed, warms, and fills and heals.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The centurion's faith in the power of Christ he here illustrates by the
|
|
dominion he had, as a centurion, over his soldiers, as a master over
|
|
his servants; he says to one, <I>Go, and he goes, &c.</I> They were all
|
|
at his beck and command, so as that he could by them execute things at
|
|
a distance; his word was a law to them--<I>dictum factum;</I>
|
|
well-disciplined soldiers know that the commands of their officers are
|
|
not to be disputed, but obeyed. Thus could Christ speak, and it is
|
|
done; such a power had he over all bodily diseases. The centurion had
|
|
this command over his soldiers, though he was himself a <I>man under
|
|
authority;</I> not a commander-in-chief, but a subaltern officer; much
|
|
more had Christ this power, who is the supreme and sovereign Lord of
|
|
all. The centurion's servants were very obsequious, would go and come
|
|
at every the least intimation of their master's mind. Now,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Such servants we all should be to God: we must go and come at his
|
|
bidding, according to the directions of his word, and the disposals of
|
|
his providence; run where he sends us, return when he remands us, and
|
|
do what he appoints. <I>What saith my Lord unto his servant?</I> When
|
|
his will crosses our own, his must take place, and our own be set
|
|
aside.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Such servants bodily diseases are to Christ. They seize us when he
|
|
sends them; they leave us when he calls them back; they have that
|
|
effect upon us, upon our bodies, upon our souls, that he orders. It is
|
|
a matter of comfort to all that belong to Christ, for whose good his
|
|
power is exerted and engaged, that every disease has his commission,
|
|
executes his command, is under his control, and is made to serve the
|
|
intentions of his grace. They need not fear sickness, nor what it can
|
|
do, who see it in the hand of so good a Friend.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Here is the grace of Christ appearing towards this centurion; for
|
|
to the gracious he will show himself gracious.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He complies with his address at the first word. He did but tell him
|
|
his servant's case, and was going on to beg a cure, when Christ
|
|
prevented him, with this good word, and comfortable word, <I>I will
|
|
come and heal him</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>);
|
|
|
|
not <I>I will come and see him</I>--that had evinced him a kind
|
|
Saviour; but, <I>I will come and heal him</I>--that shows him a mighty,
|
|
an almighty Saviour; it was a great word, but no more than he could
|
|
make good; for he has <I>healing under his wings;</I> his coming is
|
|
healing. They who wrought miracles by a derived power, did not speak
|
|
thus positively, as Christ did, who wrought them by his own power, as
|
|
one that had authority. When a minister is sent for to a sick friend,
|
|
he can but say, <I>I will come and pray for him;</I> but Christ says,
|
|
<I>I will come and heal him:</I> it is well that Christ can do more for
|
|
us than our ministers can. The centurion desired he would heal his
|
|
servant; he says, <I>I will come and heal him;</I> thus expressing more
|
|
favour than he did either ask or think of. Note, Christ often outdoes
|
|
the expectations of poor supplicants. See an instance of Christ's
|
|
humility, that he would make a visit to a poor soldier. He would not go
|
|
down to see a nobleman's sick child, who insisted upon his coming down
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+4:47-49">John iv. 47-49</A>),
|
|
|
|
but he proffers to go down to see a sick servant; thus does he regard
|
|
<I>the low estate</I> of his people, and give <I>more abundant honour
|
|
to that part which lacked.</I> Christ's humility, in being willing to
|
|
come, gave an example to him, and occasioned his humility, in owning
|
|
himself unworthy to have him come. Note, Christ's gracious
|
|
condescensions to us, should make us the more humble and self-abasing
|
|
before him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He commends his faith, and takes occasion from it to speak a kind
|
|
word of the poor Gentiles,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:10-12"><I>v.</I> 10-12</A>.
|
|
|
|
See what great things a strong but self-denying faith can obtain from
|
|
Jesus Christ, even of general and public concern.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) As to the centurion himself; he not only approved him and accepted
|
|
him (that honour have all true believers), but he admired him and
|
|
applauded him: that honour great believers have, as Job; there is
|
|
<I>none like unto him in the earth.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] Christ admired him, not for his greatness, but for his graces.
|
|
<I>When Jesus heard it, he marvelled;</I> not as if it were to him new
|
|
and surprising, he knew the centurion's faith, for he wrought it; but
|
|
it was great and excellent, rare and uncommon, and Christ spoke of it
|
|
as wonderful, to teach us what to admire; not worldly pomp and
|
|
decorations, but the beauty of holiness, and the ornaments which are
|
|
<I>in the sight of God of great price.</I> Note, The wonders of grace
|
|
should affect us more than the wonders of nature or providence, and
|
|
spiritual attainments more than any achievements in this world. Of
|
|
those that are <I>rich in faith,</I> not of those that are <I>rich in
|
|
gold and silver,</I> we should say that they have <I>gotten all this
|
|
glory,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+30:1">Gen. xxx. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
But whatever there is admirable in the faith of any, it must redound to
|
|
the glory of Christ, who will shortly be himself <I>admired in all them
|
|
that believe,</I> as having done in and for them <I>marvellous
|
|
things.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] He <I>applauded</I> him in what he said to <I>them that
|
|
followed.</I> All believers shall be, <I>in the other world,</I> but
|
|
some believers are, <I>in this world,</I> confessed and acknowledged by
|
|
Christ before men, in his eminent appearances for them and with them.
|
|
<I>Verily, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.</I> Now
|
|
this speaks, <I>First, Honour to the centurion;</I> who, though not a
|
|
son of Abraham's loins, was an heir of Abraham's faith, and Christ
|
|
found it so. Note, The thing that Christ seeks is <I>faith,</I> and
|
|
wherever it is, he finds it, though but <I>as a grain of
|
|
mustard-seed.</I> He had not found <I>so great faith,</I> all things
|
|
considered, and in proportion to the means; as the poor widow is said
|
|
to <I>cast in more than they all,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+21:3">Luke xxi. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
Though the centurion was a Gentile, yet he was thus commended. Note, We
|
|
must be so far from grudging, that we must be forward, to give those
|
|
their due praise, that are not within our denomination or pale.
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> It speaks <I>shame to Israel,</I> to whom pertained
|
|
<I>the adoption, the glory, the covenants,</I> and all the assistances
|
|
and encouragements of faith. Note, When <I>the Son of man comes,</I>
|
|
he <I>finds</I> little <I>faith,</I> and, therefore, he finds so little
|
|
<I>fruit.</I> Note, the attainments of some, who have had but little
|
|
helps for their souls, will aggravate the sin and ruin of many, that
|
|
have had great plenty of the means of grace, and have not made a good
|
|
improvement of them. Christ said this <I>to those that followed</I>
|
|
him, if by any means he might provoke them to a holy emulation, as Paul
|
|
speaks,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:14">Rom. xi. 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
They were Abraham's seed; in jealousy for that honour, let them not
|
|
suffer themselves to be outstripped by a Gentile, especially in that
|
|
grace for which Abraham was eminent.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) As to others. Christ takes occasion from hence to make a
|
|
comparison between Jews and Gentiles, and tells them two things, which
|
|
could not but be very surprising to them who had been taught that
|
|
<I>salvation was of the Jews.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] That <I>a great many of the Gentiles should be saved,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
The faith of the centurion was but a specimen of the conversion of the
|
|
Gentiles, and a preface to their adoption into the church. This was a
|
|
topic our Lord Jesus touched often upon; he speaks it with assurance;
|
|
<I>I say unto you,</I> "I that know all men;" and he could not say any
|
|
thing more pleasing to himself, or more displeasing to the Jews; an
|
|
intimation of this kind enraged the Nazarenes against him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+4:27">Luke iv. 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ gives us here an <I>idea, First,</I> of the <I>persons</I> that
|
|
shall be <I>saved;</I> many <I>from the east and the west:</I> he had
|
|
said
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:14"><I>ch.</I> vii. 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Few there be that find the way of life;</I> and yet here <I>many
|
|
shall come.</I> Few at one time, and in one place; yet, when they come
|
|
altogether, they will be a great many. We now see but here and there
|
|
one brought to grace; but we shall shortly see the Captain of our
|
|
salvation <I>bringing many sons to glory,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+2:10">Heb. ii. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
He will come with <I>ten thousands of his saints</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jude+1:14">Jude 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
with such a company as <I>no man can number</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+7:9">Rev. vii. 9</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>with nations of them that are saved,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+21:24">Rev. xxi. 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
They shall come <I>from the east</I> and <I>from the west;</I> places
|
|
far distant from each other; and yet they shall all meet at the right
|
|
hand of Christ, the Centre of their unity. Note, God has his remnant
|
|
in all places; <I>from the rising of the sun, to the going down of the
|
|
same,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+1:11">Mal. i. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
The elect will be gathered from the four winds,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:31"><I>ch.</I> xxiv. 31</A>.
|
|
|
|
They are <I>sown in the earth,</I> some scattered in every corner of
|
|
the field. The Gentile world lay <I>from east to west,</I> and they are
|
|
especially meant here; though they were <I>strangers to the covenant of
|
|
promise</I> now, and had been long, yet who knows what <I>hidden
|
|
ones</I> God had among them then? As in Elijah's time in Israel
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+19:14">1 Kings xix. 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
soon after which they flocked into the church in great multitudes,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+60:3,4">Isa. lx. 3, 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, When we come to heaven, as we shall miss a great many there, that
|
|
we thought had been going thither, so we shall meet a great many there,
|
|
that we did not expect. <I>Secondly,</I> Christ gives us an idea of the
|
|
<I>salvation itself.</I> They shall come, shall come together, shall
|
|
come together to Christ,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:1">2 Thess. ii. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. They shall be admitted <I>into the kingdom of grace</I> on earth,
|
|
into the covenant of grace made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; they
|
|
shall be <I>blessed with faithful Abraham,</I> whose blessing comes
|
|
upon the Gentiles,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+3:14">Gal. iii. 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
This makes Zaccheus a son of Abraham,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+19:9">Luke xix. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. They shall be admitted into the <I>kingdom of glory in heaven.</I>
|
|
They shall come cheerfully, flying <I>as doves to their windows;</I>
|
|
they shall sit down to rest from their labours, as having done their
|
|
day's work; sitting denotes <I>continuance:</I> while we <I>stand,</I>
|
|
we are <I>going;</I> where we <I>sit,</I> we mean to <I>stay;</I>
|
|
heaven is a <I>remaining</I> rest, it is a <I>continuing</I> city; they
|
|
shall <I>sit down,</I> as upon a throne
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+3:21">Rev. iii. 21</A>);
|
|
|
|
as <I>at a table;</I> that is the metaphor here; they shall sit down to
|
|
be <I>feasted;</I> which denotes both <I>fulness</I> of
|
|
<I>communication,</I> and <I>freedom</I> and familiarity of communion,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+22:30">Luke xxii. 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
They shall <I>sit down with Abraham.</I> They who in this world were
|
|
ever so far distant from each other in time, place, or outward
|
|
condition, shall all meet together in heaven; ancients and moderns,
|
|
Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor. The rich man in hell <I>sees</I>
|
|
Abraham, but Lazarus <I>sits down with him,</I> leaning on his breast.
|
|
Note, Holy society is a part of the felicity of heaven; and they on
|
|
whom the ends of the world are come, and who are most obscure, shall
|
|
share in glory with the renowned patriarchs.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] That a great many of the Jews should perish,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>First,</I> A strange sentence passed; <I>The children of the kingdom
|
|
shall be cast out;</I> the Jews that persist in unbelief, though they
|
|
were by birth <I>children of the kingdom,</I> yet shall be cut off from
|
|
being members of the visible church: <I>the kingdom of God,</I> of
|
|
which they boasted that they were <I>the children,</I> shall be taken
|
|
from them, and they shall become <I>not a people,</I> not <I>obtaining
|
|
mercy,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:20,Ro+9:31">Rom. xi. 20; ix. 31</A>.
|
|
|
|
In the great day it will not avail men to have been <I>children of the
|
|
kingdom,</I> either as Jews or as Christians; for men will then be
|
|
judged, not by what they were <I>called,</I> but by what they <I>were.
|
|
If children</I> indeed, <I>then heirs;</I> but many are children in
|
|
profession, in the family, but not of it, that will come short of the
|
|
inheritance. Being born of professing parents denominates us
|
|
<I>children of the kingdom;</I> but if we rest in that, and have
|
|
nothing else to show for heaven but that, we shall be <I>cast
|
|
out.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> A strange punishment for <I>the workers of iniquity</I>
|
|
described; <I>They shall be cast into outer darkness,</I> the darkness
|
|
of those that are without, of the Gentiles that were out of the church;
|
|
into that the Jews were cast, and into worse; they were blinded, and
|
|
hardened, and filled with terrors, as the apostle shows,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:8-10">Rom. xi. 8-10</A>.
|
|
|
|
A people so unchurched and given up to spiritual judgments, are in
|
|
<I>utter darkness</I> already: but it looks further, to the state of
|
|
damned sinners in hell, to which the other is a dismal preface. <I>They
|
|
shall be cast out</I> from God, and all true comfort, and <I>cast into
|
|
darkness.</I> In hell there is fire, but no light; it is <I>utter
|
|
darkness;</I> darkness in extremity; the highest degree of darkness,
|
|
without any remainder, or mixture, or hope, of light; not the least
|
|
gleam or glimpse of it; it is darkness that results from their being
|
|
shut out of heaven, the land of light; they who are <I>without,</I> are
|
|
in <I>the regions of darkness;</I> yet that is not the worst of it,
|
|
<I>there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.</I>
|
|
|
|
1. In hell there will be great grief, floods of tears shed to no
|
|
purpose; anguish of spirit preying eternally upon the vitals, in the
|
|
sense of the wrath of God, is the torment of the damned.
|
|
|
|
2. Great indignation: damned sinners will <I>gnash their teeth</I> for
|
|
spite and vexation, <I>full of the fury of the Lord;</I> seeing with
|
|
envy the happiness of others, and reflecting with horror upon the
|
|
former possibility of their own being happy, which is now past.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. He cures his servant. He not only commends his application to him,
|
|
but grants him that for which he applied, which was a real answer,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) What Christ said to him: he said that which made the cure as great
|
|
a favour to him as it was to his servant, and much greater; <I>As thou
|
|
hast believed, so be it done to thee.</I> The servant got a cure of his
|
|
disease, but the master got the confirmation and approbation of his
|
|
faith. Note, Christ often gives encouraging answers to his praying
|
|
people, when they are interceding for others. It is kindness to us, to
|
|
be heard for others. God turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed
|
|
for his friends,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+42:10">Job xlii. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
It was a great honour which Christ put upon this centurion, when he
|
|
gave him a blank, as it were; <I>Be it done as thou believest.</I> What
|
|
could he have more? Yet what was said to him is said to us all,
|
|
<I>Believe, and ye shall receive; only believe.</I> See here the power
|
|
of Christ, and the power of faith. As Christ can <I>do</I> what he
|
|
will, so an active believer may <I>have</I> what he will from Christ;
|
|
the oil of grace multiplies, and stays not till the vessels of faith
|
|
fail.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) What was the effect of this saying: the prayer of faith was a
|
|
prevailing prayer, it ever was so, and ever will be so; it appears, by
|
|
the suddenness of the cure, that it was <I>miraculous:</I> and by its
|
|
coincidence with Christ's saying, that the miracle was <I>his; he
|
|
spake, and it was done;</I> and this was a proof of his omnipotence,
|
|
that he has a long arm. It is the observation of a learned physician,
|
|
that the diseases Christ cured were chiefly such as were the most
|
|
difficult to be cured by any natural means, and particularly the palsy.
|
|
<I>Omnis paralysis, præsertim vetusta, aut incurabilis est, aut
|
|
difficilis curatu, etiam pueris: atque soleo ego dicere, morbos omnes
|
|
qui Christo curandi fuerunt propositi, difficillimos sua matura curatu
|
|
esse--Every kind of palsy, especially of long continuance, is either
|
|
incurable, or is found to yield with the utmost difficulty to medical
|
|
skill, even in young subjects; so that I have frequently remarked, that
|
|
all the diseases which were referred to Christ for cure appear to have
|
|
been of the most obstinate and hopeless kind.</I> Mercurialis <I>De
|
|
Morbis Puerorum,</I> lib. 2. cap. 5.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Mt8_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt8_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt8_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt8_17"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Peter's Wife's Mother Healed.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>14 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his
|
|
wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.
|
|
15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she
|
|
arose, and ministered unto them.
|
|
16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were
|
|
possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with <I>his</I>
|
|
word, and healed all that were sick:
|
|
17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the
|
|
prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare <I>our</I>
|
|
sicknesses.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
They who pretend to be critical in the Harmony of the evangelists,
|
|
place this passage, and all that follows to the end of
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:14-9:38"><I>ch.</I> ix.</A>
|
|
|
|
before the sermon on the mount, according to the order which Mark and
|
|
Luke observe in placing it. Dr. Lightfoot places only this passage
|
|
before the sermon on the mount, and
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c. after. Here we have,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. A particular account of the cure of <I>Peter's wife's mother,</I>
|
|
who was ill <I>of a fever;</I> in which observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The <I>case,</I> which was nothing extraordinary; fevers are the
|
|
most common distempers; but, the patient being a near relation of
|
|
Peter's, it is recorded as an instance of Christ's peculiar care of,
|
|
and kindness to, the families of his disciples. Here we find,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That Peter had a <I>wife,</I> and yet <I>was called to be an
|
|
apostle of Christ;</I> and Christ countenanced the marriage state, by
|
|
being thus kind to his <I>wife's</I> relations. The church of Rome,
|
|
therefore, which forbids ministers to marry, goes contrary to that
|
|
apostle from whom they pretend to derive an infallibility.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That Peter had a <I>house,</I> though Christ had not,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus was the disciple better provided for than his Lord.
|
|
|
|
(3.) That he had a house at Capernaum, though he was originally of
|
|
Bethsaida; it is probably, he removed to Capernaum, when Christ removed
|
|
thither, and made that his principal residence. Note, It is worth while
|
|
to change our quarters, that we may be near to Christ, and have
|
|
opportunities of converse with him. When the ark removes, Israel must
|
|
remove and go after it.
|
|
|
|
(4.) That he had his <I>wife's mother</I> with him in his family, which
|
|
is an example to yoke-fellows to be kind to one another's relations as
|
|
their own. Probably, this good woman was old, and yet was respected and
|
|
taken care of, as old people ought to be, with all possible tenderness.
|
|
|
|
(5.) That she lay ill <I>of a fever.</I> Neither the strength of youth,
|
|
nor the weakness and coldness of age, will be a fence against diseases
|
|
of this kind. The palsy was a chronical disease, the fever an acute
|
|
disease, but both were brought to Christ.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The <I>cure,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
(1.) How it was <I>effected; He touched her hand;</I> not to know the
|
|
disease, as the physicians do, by the pulse, but to heal it. This was
|
|
an intimation of his kindness and tenderness; he is <I>himself touched
|
|
with the feeling of our infirmities;</I> it likewise shows the way of
|
|
spiritual healing, by the exerting of the power of Christ with his
|
|
word, and the application of Christ to ourselves. The scripture
|
|
<I>speaks the word,</I> the Spirit gives the touch, touches the heart,
|
|
touches the hand.
|
|
|
|
(2.) How it was <I>evidenced:</I> this showed that the <I>fever left
|
|
her, she arose, and ministered to them.</I> By this it appears,
|
|
|
|
[1.] That the mercy was perfected. They that recover from fevers by the
|
|
power of nature are commonly weak and feeble, and unfit for business a
|
|
great while after; to show therefore that this cure was above the power
|
|
of nature, she was immediately so well as to go about the business of
|
|
the house.
|
|
|
|
[2.] That the mercy was sanctified; and the mercies that are so are
|
|
indeed perfected. Though she was thus dignified by a peculiar favour,
|
|
yet she does not assume importance, but is as ready to wait at table,
|
|
if there be occasion, as any servant. They must be humble whom Christ
|
|
has honoured; being thus delivered, she studies what she shall render.
|
|
It is very fit that they whom Christ hath healed should minister unto
|
|
him, as his humble servants, all their days.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Here is a general account of the many cures that Christ wrought.
|
|
This cure of Peter's mother-in-law brought him abundance of patients.
|
|
"He healed such a one; why not me? Such a one's friend, why not mine?"
|
|
Now we are here told,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. What he did,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
(1.) <I>He cast out devils; cast out the</I> evil <I>spirits with his
|
|
word.</I> There may be much of Satan's agency, by the divine
|
|
permission, in those diseases of which natural causes may be assigned,
|
|
as in Job's boils, especially in the diseases of the mind; but, about
|
|
the time of Christ's being in the world, there seems to have been more
|
|
than ordinary letting loose of the devil, to possess and vex the bodies
|
|
of people; he came, <I>having great wrath, for he knew that his time
|
|
was short;</I> and God wisely ordered it so, that Christ might have the
|
|
fairer and more frequent opportunities of showing his power over Satan,
|
|
and the purpose and design of his coming into the world, which was to
|
|
disarm and dispossess Satan, to break his power, and to destroy his
|
|
works; and his success was as glorious as his design was gracious.
|
|
|
|
(2.) <I>He healed all that were sick;</I> all without exception, though
|
|
the patient was ever so mean, and the case ever so bad.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. How the scripture was herein fulfilled,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
The accomplishment of the Old-Testament prophecies was the great thing
|
|
Christ had in his eye, and the great proof of his being the Messiah:
|
|
among other things, it was written of him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+53:4">Isa. liii. 4</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows:</I> it is
|
|
referred to,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+2:24">1 Pet. ii. 24</A>,
|
|
|
|
and there it is construed, <I>he hath borne our sins;</I> here it is
|
|
referred to, and is construed, <I>he hath borne our sicknesses;</I> our
|
|
sins make our sicknesses our griefs; Christ bore away sin by the merit
|
|
of his death, and bore away sickness by the miracles of his life; nay,
|
|
though those miracles are ceased, we may say, that <I>he bore our
|
|
sicknesses</I> then, <I>when he bore our sins in his own body upon the
|
|
tree;</I> for sin is both the cause and the sting of sickness. Many are
|
|
the diseases and calamities to which we are liable in the body: and
|
|
there is more, in this one line of the gospels, to support and comfort
|
|
us under them, than in all the writings of the philosophers--that Jesus
|
|
Christ <I>bore our sicknesses, and carried our sorrows;</I> he bore
|
|
them before us; though he was never sick, yet he was hungry, and
|
|
thirsty, and weary, and troubled in spirit, sorrowful and very heavy;
|
|
he bore them for us in his <I>passion,</I> and bears them with us in
|
|
<I>compassion,</I> being <I>touched with the feeling of our
|
|
infirmities:</I> and thus he bears them off from us, and makes them sit
|
|
light, if it be not our own fault. Observe how emphatically it is
|
|
expressed here: <I>Himself took our infirmities, and bare our
|
|
sicknesses;</I> he was both able and willing to interpose in that
|
|
matter, and concerned to deal with <I>our infirmities and
|
|
sicknesses,</I> as our Physician; that part of the calamity of the
|
|
human nature was his particular care, which he evidenced by his great
|
|
readiness to cure diseases; and he is no less powerful, no less tender
|
|
now, for we are sure that never were any the worse for going to
|
|
heaven.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Mt8_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt8_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt8_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt8_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt8_22"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Christ's Answer to a Scribe and Another.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
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<FONT SIZE=+1>18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave
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commandment to depart unto the other side.
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19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will
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|
follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
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20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the
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|
birds of the air <I>have</I> nests; but the Son of man hath not where
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|
to lay <I>his</I> head.
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21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me
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|
first to go and bury my father.
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22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury
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|
their dead.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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|
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|
Here is,
|
|
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I. Christ's removing to <I>the other side of the sea of Tiberias,</I>
|
|
and his ordering his disciples, whose boats attended him, to get their
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|
transport-vessels ready, in order to it,
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
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|
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The influences of this Sun of righteousness were not to be confined to
|
|
one place, but diffused all the country over; he must go about to do
|
|
good; the necessities of souls called to him, <I>Come over, and help
|
|
us</I>
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|
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|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+16:9">Acts xvi. 9</A>);
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he removed <I>when he saw great multitudes about him.</I> Though by
|
|
this it appeared that they were desirous to have him there, he knew
|
|
there were others as desirous to have him with them, and they must have
|
|
their share of him: his being acceptable and useful in one place was no
|
|
objection against, but a reason for, his going to another. Thus he
|
|
would try the multitudes that were <I>about him,</I> whether their zeal
|
|
would carry them to follow him, and attend on him, when his preaching
|
|
was removed to some distance. Many would be glad of such helps, if they
|
|
could have them at next door, who will not be at the pains to follow
|
|
them to <I>the other side;</I> and thus Christ shook off those who were
|
|
less zealous, and the perfect were made manifest.</P>
|
|
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<P>
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|
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II. Christ's communication with two, who, upon his remove to <I>the
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|
other side,</I> were loth to stay behind, and had a mind to follow him,
|
|
not as others, who were his followers at large, but to come into close
|
|
discipleship, which the most were shy of; for it carried such a face of
|
|
strictness as they could not like, nor be well reconciled to; but here
|
|
is an account of two who seemed desirous to come into communion, and
|
|
yet were not right; which is here given as a specimen of the hindrances
|
|
by which many are kept from closing with Christ, and cleaving to him;
|
|
and a warning to us, to set out in following Christ, so as that we may
|
|
not come short; to lay such a foundation, as that our building may
|
|
stand.</P>
|
|
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|
<P>
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|
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|
We have here Christ's managing of two different tempers, one quick and
|
|
eager, the other dull and heavy; and his instructions are adapted to
|
|
each of them, and designed for our use.</P>
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|
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|
<P>
|
|
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|
1. Here is one that was <I>too hasty in promising;</I> and he was <I>a
|
|
certain scribe</I>
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|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>),
|
|
|
|
a scholar, a learned man, one of those that studied and expounded the
|
|
law; generally we find them in the gospels to be men of no good
|
|
character; usually coupled with the Pharisees, as enemies to Christ and
|
|
his doctrine. <I>Where is the scribe?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+1:20">1 Cor. i. 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
He is very seldom following Christ; yet here was one that bid pretty
|
|
fair for discipleship, a <I>Saul among the prophets.</I> Now
|
|
observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) How he expressed his forwardness; <I>Master, I will follow thee,
|
|
whithersoever thou goest.</I> I know not how any man could have spoken
|
|
better. His profession of a self-dedication to Christ is,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Very ready, and seems to be <I>ex mero motu--from his unbiased
|
|
inclination:</I> he is not called to it by Christ, nor urged by any of
|
|
the disciples, but, of his own accord, he proffers himself to be a
|
|
close follower of Christ; he is not a pressed man, but a volunteer.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Very resolute; he seems to be at a point in this matter; he does
|
|
not say, "I have a mind to <I>follow thee;</I>" but, "I am determined,
|
|
<I>I will</I> do it."
|
|
|
|
[3.] It was unlimited and without reserve; "<I>I will follow thee
|
|
whithersoever thou goest;</I> not only to <I>the other side</I> of the
|
|
country, but if it were to the utmost regions of the world." Now we
|
|
should think ourselves sure of such a man as this; and yet it appears,
|
|
by Christ's answer, that his resolution was rash, his ends low and
|
|
carnal: either he did not consider at all, or not that which was to be
|
|
considered; he saw the miracles Christ wrought, and hoped he would set
|
|
up a temporal kingdom, and he wished to apply betimes for a share in
|
|
it. Note, There are many resolutions for religion, produced by some
|
|
sudden pangs of conviction, and taken up without due consideration,
|
|
that prove abortive, and come to nothing: soon ripe, soon rotten.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) How Christ tried his forwardness, whether it were sincere or not,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
He let him know that this <I>Son of man,</I> whom he is so eager to
|
|
follow, <I>has not where to lay his head,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now from this account of Christ's deep poverty, we observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] That it is strange in itself, that the Son of God, when he came
|
|
into the world, should put himself into such a very low condition, as
|
|
to want the convenience of a certain resting-place, which the meanest
|
|
of the creatures have. If he would <I>take our nature upon him,</I> one
|
|
would think, he should have taken it in its best estate and
|
|
circumstances: no, he takes it in its worst. See here, <I>First,</I>
|
|
How well provided for the inferior creatures are: <I>The foxes have
|
|
holes;</I> though they are not only not useful, but hurtful, to man,
|
|
yet God provides holes for them in which they are earthed: man
|
|
endeavours to destroy them, but thus they are sheltered; their holes
|
|
are their castles. <I>The birds of the air,</I> though they take no
|
|
care for themselves, yet are taken care of, and <I>have nests</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+104:17">Ps. civ. 17</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>nests</I> in the field; some of them <I>nests</I> in the house; in
|
|
God's courts,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+84:3">Ps. lxxxiv. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> How poorly the Lord Jesus was provided for. It may
|
|
encourage us to trust God for necessaries, that the beasts and birds
|
|
have such good provision; and may comfort us, if we want necessaries,
|
|
that our Master did so before us. Note, Our Lord Jesus, when he was
|
|
here in the world, submitted to the disgraces and distresses of extreme
|
|
poverty; <I>for our sakes he became poor,</I> very poor. He had not a
|
|
settlement, had not a place of repose, not a house of his own, to put
|
|
his head in, not a pillow of his own, to lay his head on. He and his
|
|
disciples lived upon the charity of well-disposed people, that
|
|
<I>ministered to him of their substance,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+8:2">Luke viii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ submitted to this, not only that he might in all respects humble
|
|
himself, and fulfil the scriptures, which spake of him as <I>poor and
|
|
needy,</I> but that he might show us the vanity of worldly wealth, and
|
|
teach us to look upon it with a holy contempt; that he might purchase
|
|
better things for us, and so <I>make us rich,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+8:9">2 Cor. viii. 9</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] It is strange that such a declaration should be made on this
|
|
occasion. When a scribe offered to follow Christ, one would think he
|
|
would have encouraged him, and said, <I>Come, and I will take care of
|
|
thee;</I> one scribe might be capable of doing him more credit and
|
|
service than twelve fishermen: but Christ saw his heart, and answered
|
|
to the thoughts of that, and therein teaches us all how to come to
|
|
Christ. <I>First,</I> The scribe's resolve seems to have been sudden;
|
|
and Christ would have us, when we take upon us a profession of
|
|
religion, to <I>sit down and count the cost</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+14:28">Luke xiv. 28</A>),
|
|
|
|
to do it intelligently, and with consideration, and choose the way of
|
|
godliness, not because we know no other, but because we know no better.
|
|
It is no advantage to religion, to take men by surprise, ere they are
|
|
aware. They that take up a profession <I>in a pang,</I> will throw it
|
|
off again <I>in a fret;</I> let them, therefore, <I>take time,</I> and
|
|
they will have <I>done the sooner:</I> let him that will follow Christ
|
|
know the worst of it, and expect to lie hard, and fare hard.
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> His resolve seems to have been from a worldly,
|
|
covetous principle. He saw what abundance of cures Christ wrought, and
|
|
concluded that he had large fees, and would get an estate quickly, and
|
|
therefore he would follow him in hopes of growing rich with him; but
|
|
Christ rectifies his mistake, and tells him, he was so far from growing
|
|
rich, that he had not a place to <I>lay his head on;</I> and that if he
|
|
follow him, he cannot expect to fare better than he fared. Note, Christ
|
|
will accept none for his followers that aim at worldly advantages in
|
|
following him, or design to make any thing but heaven of their
|
|
religion. We have reason to think that this scribe, hereupon, <I>went
|
|
away sorrowful,</I> being disappointed in a bargain which he thought
|
|
would turn to account; he is not for following Christ, unless he can
|
|
<I>get by him.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Here is another that was too <I>slow in performing.</I> Delay in
|
|
execution is as bad, on the one hand, as precipitancy in resolution is
|
|
on the other hand; when we have taken time to consider, and then have
|
|
determined, let it never be said, we left that to be done to-morrow,
|
|
which we could do to-day. This candidate for the ministry was one of
|
|
Christ's disciples already
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
a follower of him at large. Clemens Alexandrinus tells us, from an
|
|
ancient tradition, that this was Philip; he seems to be better
|
|
qualified and disposed than the former; because not so confident and
|
|
presumptuous: a bold, eager, over-forward temper is not the most
|
|
promising in religion; sometimes the last are first, and the first
|
|
last. Now observe here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) The excuse that this disciple made, to defer an immediate
|
|
attendance on Christ
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>);
|
|
|
|
"<I>Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.</I> Before I come
|
|
to be a close and constant follower of thee, let me be allowed to
|
|
perform this last office of respect to my father; and in the mean time,
|
|
let it suffice to be a hearer of thee now and then, when I can spare
|
|
time." His father (some think) was now sick, or dying, or dead; others
|
|
think, he was only aged, and not likely in a course of nature, to
|
|
continue long; and he desired leave to attend upon him in his sickness,
|
|
at his death, and to his grave, and then he would be at Christ's
|
|
service. This seemed a reasonable request, and yet it was not right. He
|
|
had not the zeal he should have had for the work, and therefore pleaded
|
|
this, because it seemed a plausible plea. Note, An unwilling mind never
|
|
wants an excuse. The meaning of <I>Non vacat</I> is, <I>Non placet--The
|
|
want of leisure is the want of inclination.</I> We will suppose it to
|
|
come from a true filial affection and respect for his father, yet still
|
|
the preference should have been given to Christ. Note, Many are
|
|
hindered <I>from</I> and <I>in</I> the way of serious godliness, by an
|
|
over-concern for their families and relations; these lawful things undo
|
|
us all, and our duty to God is neglected, and postponed, under colour
|
|
of discharging our debts to the world; here therefore we have need to
|
|
double our guard.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) Christ's disallowing of this excuse
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>Jesus said to him, Follow me;</I> and, no doubt, power accompanied
|
|
this word to him, as to others, and he did <I>follow Christ,</I> and
|
|
cleaved to him, as Ruth to Naomi, when the scribe, in the
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:19,20">verses before</A>,
|
|
|
|
like Orpah, took leave of him. That said, <I>I will follow thee;</I> to
|
|
this Christ said, <I>Follow me;</I> comparing them together, it is
|
|
intimated that we are brought to Christ by the force of his call to us,
|
|
not of our promises to him; it is <I>not of him that willeth, nor of
|
|
him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy;</I> he calls whom he
|
|
will,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+9:16">Rom. ix. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
And further, Note, Though chosen vessels may make excuses, and delay
|
|
their compliance with divine calls a great while, yet Christ will at
|
|
length answer their excuses, conquer their unwillingness, and bring
|
|
them to his feet; when Christ calls, he will overcome, and make the
|
|
call effectual,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+3:10">1 Sam. iii. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
His excuse is laid aside as insufficient; <I>Let the dead bury their
|
|
dead.</I> It is a proverbial expression; "Let one dead man bury
|
|
another: rather let them lie unburied, than that the service of Christ
|
|
should be neglected. <I>Let the dead</I> spiritually <I>bury the
|
|
dead</I> corporally; let worldly offices be left to worldly people; do
|
|
not thou encumber thyself with them. Burying the dead, and especially a
|
|
dead father, is a good work, but it is not thy work at this time: it
|
|
may be done as well by others, that are not called and qualified, as
|
|
thou art, to be employed for Christ; thou hast something else to do,
|
|
and must not defer that." Note, Piety to God must be preferred before
|
|
piety to parents, though that is a great and needful part of our
|
|
religion. The Nazarites, under the law, were not to mourn for their own
|
|
parents, because they were <I>holy to the Lord</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+6:6-8">Num. vi. 6-8</A>);
|
|
|
|
nor was the high priest to <I>defile himself for the dead,</I> no, not
|
|
for <I>his own father,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+21:11,12">Lev. xxi. 11, 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
And Christ requires of those who would follow him, that they <I>hate
|
|
father and mother</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+14:26">Luke xiv. 26</A>);
|
|
|
|
love them less than God; we must comparatively neglect and disesteem
|
|
our nearest relations, when they come in competition with Christ, and
|
|
either our doing for him, or our suffering for him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Mt8_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt8_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt8_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt8_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt8_27"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Jesus Allays a Storm.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed
|
|
him.
|
|
24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea,
|
|
insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was
|
|
asleep.
|
|
25 And his disciples came to <I>him,</I> and awoke him, saying,
|
|
Lord, save us: we perish.
|
|
26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little
|
|
faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and
|
|
there was a great calm.
|
|
27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this,
|
|
that even the winds and the sea obey him!
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Christ had given sailing orders to his disciples
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
that they should <I>depart to the other side of the sea of
|
|
Tiberias,</I> into the country of Gadara, in the tribe of Gad, which
|
|
lay east of Jordan; thither he would go to rescue a poor creature that
|
|
was possessed <I>with a legion of devils,</I> though he foresaw how he
|
|
should be affronted there. Now.
|
|
|
|
1. He chose to go by water. It had not been much about, if he had gone
|
|
by land; but he chose to cross the lake, that he might have occasion to
|
|
manifest himself the God <I>of the sea</I> as well as of <I>the dry
|
|
land,</I> and to show that <I>all power is his, both in heaven and in
|
|
earth.</I> It is a comfort to those <I>who go down to the sea in
|
|
ships,</I> and are often in perils there, to reflect that they have a
|
|
Saviour to trust in, and pray to, who knows what it is to be at sea,
|
|
and to be in storms there. But observe, when he went to sea, he had no
|
|
yacht or pleasure-boat to attend him, but made use of his disciples'
|
|
fishing-boats; so poorly was he accommodated in all respects.
|
|
|
|
2. <I>His disciples followed him;</I> the twelve kept close to him,
|
|
when others staid behind upon the <I>terra firma,</I> where there was
|
|
sure footing. Note, They, and they only, will be found the true
|
|
disciples of Christ, that are willing to go to sea with him, to follow
|
|
him into dangers and difficulties. Many would be content to go the
|
|
land-way to heaven, that will rather stand still, or go back, than
|
|
venture upon a dangerous sea; but those that would rest with Christ
|
|
hereafter must follow him now wherever he leads them, into a ship or
|
|
into a prison, as well as into a palace. Now observe here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The peril and perplexity of the disciples in this voyage; and in
|
|
this appeared the truth of what Christ had just now said, that those
|
|
who follow him must count upon difficulties,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. <I>There arose a very great storm,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ could have prevented this storm, and have ordered them a
|
|
pleasant passage, but that would not have been so much for his glory
|
|
and the confirmation of their faith as their deliverance was: this
|
|
storm was <I>for their sakes,</I> as
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+11:4">John xi. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
One would have expected, that having Christ with them, they should have
|
|
had a very favourable gale, but it is quite otherwise; for Christ would
|
|
show that they who are passing with him over the ocean of this world to
|
|
the other side, must expect storms by the way. The church is <I>tossed
|
|
with tempests</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+54:11">Isa. liv. 11</A>);
|
|
|
|
it is only the upper region that enjoys a perpetual calm, this lower
|
|
one is ever and anon disturbed and disturbing.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Jesus Christ <I>was asleep in this storm.</I> We never read of
|
|
Christ's sleeping but at this time; he was in watchings often, and
|
|
continued all night in prayer to God: this was a sleep, not of
|
|
security, like Jonah's in a storm, but of holy serenity, and dependence
|
|
upon his Father: he slept to show that he was really and truly man, and
|
|
subject to the sinless infirmities of our nature: his work made him
|
|
weary and sleepy, and he had no guilt, no fear within, to disturb his
|
|
repose. Those that can lay their heads upon the pillow of a clear
|
|
conscience, may sleep quietly and sweetly in a storm
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+4:8">Ps. iv. 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
as Peter,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+12:6">Acts xii. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
He slept at this time, to try the faith of his disciples, whether they
|
|
could trust him when he seemed to slight them. He slept not so much
|
|
with a desire to be refreshed, as with a design to be awaked.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. The poor disciples, though used to the sea, were in a great fright,
|
|
and in their fear <I>came to</I> their Master,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
Whither else should they go? It was well they had him so near them.
|
|
They <I>awoke him</I> with their prayers; <I>Lord, save us, we
|
|
perish.</I> Note, They who would learn to pray must go to sea. Imminent
|
|
and sensible dangers will drive people to him who alone can help in
|
|
time of need. Their prayer has life in it, <I>Lord, save us, we
|
|
perish.</I>
|
|
|
|
(1.) Their petition is, <I>Lord, save us.</I> They believed he
|
|
<I>could</I> save them; they begged he <I>would,</I> Christ's errand
|
|
into the world was <I>to save,</I> but those only <I>shall be saved
|
|
that call on the name of the Lord,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:21">Acts ii. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
They who by faith are interested in the eternal salvation wrought out
|
|
by Christ, may with a humble confidence apply themselves to him for
|
|
temporal deliverances. Observe, They call him, <I>Lord,</I> and then
|
|
pray, <I>Save us.</I> Note, Christ will save none but those that are
|
|
willing to take him for their Lord; for he is a Prince and a Saviour.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Their plea is, <I>We perish;</I> which was,
|
|
|
|
[1.] The language of their fear; they looked upon their case as
|
|
desperate, and gave up all for lost; they had received a sentence of
|
|
death within themselves, and this they plead, "<I>We perish,</I> if
|
|
thou dost not save us; look upon us therefore with pity."
|
|
|
|
[2.] It was the language of their fervency; they pray as men in
|
|
earnest, that beg for their lives; it becomes us thus to strive and
|
|
wrestle in prayer; <I>therefore</I> Christ slept, that he might draw
|
|
out this importunity.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The power and grace of Jesus Christ put forth for their succour:
|
|
then the Lord Jesus awaked, as one refreshed,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+78:65">Ps. lxxviii. 65</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ may sleep when his church is in a storm, but he will not
|
|
outsleep himself: the time, the set time to favour his distressed
|
|
church, will come,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+102:13">Ps. cii. 13</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He rebuked the disciples
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?</I> He does not chide them
|
|
for disturbing him with their prayers, but for disturbing themselves
|
|
with their fears. Christ reproved them first, and then delivered them;
|
|
this is his method, to prepare us for a mercy, and then to give it us.
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) His dislike of their fears; "<I>Why are ye fearful?</I> Ye, my
|
|
disciples? Let the sinners in Zion be afraid, let heathen mariners
|
|
tremble in a storm, but you shall not be so. Enquire into the reasons
|
|
of your fear, and weigh them."
|
|
|
|
(2.) His discovery of the cause and spring of their fears; <I>O ye of
|
|
little faith.</I> Many that have true faith are weak in it, and it does
|
|
but little. Note,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Christ's disciples are apt to be disquieted with fears in a stormy
|
|
day, to torment themselves with jealousies that things are bad with
|
|
them, and dismal conclusions that they will be worse.
|
|
|
|
[2.] The prevalence of our inordinate fears in a stormy day is owing to
|
|
the weakness of our faith, which would be as an anchor to the soul, and
|
|
would ply the oar of prayer. By faith we might see through the storm to
|
|
the quiet shore, and encourage ourselves with hope that we shall
|
|
weather our point.
|
|
|
|
[3.] The fearfulness of Christ's disciples in a storm, and their
|
|
unbelief, the cause of it, are very displeasing to the Lord Jesus, for
|
|
they reflect dishonour upon him, and create disturbance to
|
|
themselves.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He <I>rebukes the wind;</I> the former he did as the God of
|
|
<I>grace,</I> and the Sovereign of the heart, who can do what he
|
|
pleases <I>in</I> us; this he did as the God of <I>nature,</I> the
|
|
Sovereign of the world, who can do what he pleases <I>for</I> us. It is
|
|
the same <I>power that stills the noise of the sea,</I> and the tumult
|
|
of fear,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+65:7">Ps. lxv. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
See,
|
|
|
|
(1.) How <I>easily</I> this was done, with a word's speaking. Moses
|
|
commanded the waters with a rod; Joshua, with the ark of the covenant;
|
|
Elisha, with the prophet's mantle; but Christ with a word. See his
|
|
absolute dominion over all the creatures, which bespeaks both his
|
|
honour, and the happiness of those that have him on their side.
|
|
|
|
(2.) How <I>effectually</I> it was done? <I>There was a great calm,</I>
|
|
all of a sudden. Ordinarily, after a storm, there is such a fret of the
|
|
waters, that it is a good while ere they can settle; but if Christ
|
|
speak the word, not only the storm ceases, but all the effects of it,
|
|
all the remains of it. Great storms of doubt, and fear in the soul,
|
|
under the power of the spirit of bondage, sometimes end in a wonderful
|
|
calm, created and spoken by the Spirit of adoption.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. This excited their astonishment
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>The men marvelled.</I> They had been long acquainted with the sea,
|
|
and never saw a storm so immediately turned into a perfect calm, in all
|
|
their lives. It has all the marks and signatures of a miracle upon it;
|
|
<I>it is the Lord's doing, and is marvellous in their eyes.</I>
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Their admiration of Christ; <I>What manner of man is this!</I>
|
|
Note, Christ is a Nonsuch; every thing in him is admirable: none so
|
|
wise, so mighty, so amiable, as he.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The reason of it; <I>Even the winds and the sea obey him.</I> Upon
|
|
this account, Christ is to be admired, that he has a commanding power
|
|
even over <I>winds and seas.</I> Others pretended to cure diseases, but
|
|
he only undertook to command <I>the winds.</I> We know not the way of
|
|
<I>the wind</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+3:8">John iii. 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
much less can we control it; but he that <I>bringeth forth the wind out
|
|
of his treasury</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+135:7">Ps. cxxxv. 7</A>),
|
|
|
|
when it is out, gathers it into his fists,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+30:4">Prov. xxx. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
He that can do this, can do any thing, can do enough to encourage our
|
|
confidence and comfort in him, in the most stormy day, within or
|
|
without,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:4">Isa. xxvi. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
The Lord <I>sits upon the floods,</I> and is <I>mightier than the noise
|
|
of many waters.</I> Christ, by commanding <I>the seas,</I> showed
|
|
himself to be the same that <I>made the world, when, at his rebuke, the
|
|
waters fled</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+104:7,8">Ps. civ. 7, 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
as now, <I>at his rebuke,</I> they fell.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Mt8_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt8_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt8_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt8_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt8_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt8_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt8_34"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec6"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Devils Cast Out of Two Men.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of
|
|
the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming
|
|
out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by
|
|
that way.
|
|
29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with
|
|
thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us
|
|
before the time?
|
|
30 And there was a good way off from them a herd of many swine
|
|
feeding.
|
|
31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out,
|
|
suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
|
|
32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they
|
|
went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine
|
|
ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in
|
|
the waters.
|
|
33 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the
|
|
city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the
|
|
possessed of the devils.
|
|
34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when
|
|
they saw him, they besought <I>him</I> that he would depart out of
|
|
their coasts.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here the story of Christ's casting the devils out of two men
|
|
that were possessed. The scope of this chapter is to show the divine
|
|
power of Christ, by the instances of his dominion over bodily diseases,
|
|
which to us are irresistible; over winds and waves, which to us are yet
|
|
more uncontrollable; and lastly, over devils, which to us are most
|
|
formidable of all. Christ has not only all <I>power in heaven and
|
|
earth</I> and all deep places, but has the keys of hell too.
|
|
<I>Principalities and powers were made subject to him,</I> even while
|
|
he was in his estate of humiliation, as an earnest of what should be at
|
|
his entrance into his glory
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+1:21">Eph. i. 21</A>);
|
|
|
|
he spoiled them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Col+2:15">Col. ii. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
It was observed in general
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
that Christ <I>cast out the spirits with his word;</I> here we have a
|
|
particular instance of it, which have some circumstances more
|
|
remarkable than the rest. This miracle was wrought in the country of
|
|
the Gergesenes; some think, they were the remains of the old
|
|
Girgashites,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+7:1">Deut. vii. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
Though Christ was sent chiefly <I>to the lost sheep of the house of
|
|
Israel,</I> yet some sallies he made among the borderers, as here, to
|
|
gain this victory over Satan, which was a specimen of the conquest of
|
|
his legions in the Gentile world.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Now, besides the general instance which this gives us of Christ's power
|
|
over Satan, and his design against him to disarm and dispossess him, we
|
|
have here especially discovered to us the way and manner of evil
|
|
spirits in their enmity to man. Observe, concerning this legion of
|
|
devils, What work they made where they <I>were,</I> and where they
|
|
<I>went.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. What work they made where they <I>were;</I> which appears in the
|
|
miserable condition of these two that were possessed by them; and some
|
|
think, these two were man and wife, because the other Evangelists speak
|
|
but of one.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. They dwelt among <I>the tombs;</I> thence they came when the met
|
|
Christ. The devil having <I>the power of death,</I> not as judge, but
|
|
as executioner, he delighted to converse among the trophies of his
|
|
victory, the dead bodies of men; but there, where he thought himself in
|
|
the greatest triumph and elevation, as afterwards in Golgotha, the
|
|
place of a skull, did Christ conquer and subdue him. Conversing among
|
|
the graves increased the melancholy and frenzy of the poor possessed
|
|
creatures, and so strengthened the hold he had of them by their bodily
|
|
distemper, and also made them more formidable to other people, who
|
|
generally startle at any thing that stirs among <I>the tombs.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. They were <I>exceeding fierce;</I> not only ungovernable themselves,
|
|
but mischievous to others, frightening many, having hurt some; <I>so
|
|
that no man durst pass that way.</I> Note, The devil bears malice to
|
|
mankind, and shows it by making men spiteful and malicious one to
|
|
another. Mutual enmities, where they should be mutual endearments and
|
|
assistances, are effects and evidences of Satan's enmity to the whole
|
|
race; he makes one man a wolf, a bear, a devil, to another--<I>Homo
|
|
homini lupus.</I> Where Satan rules in a man spiritually, by those
|
|
lusts that war in the members, pride, envy, malice, revenge, they make
|
|
him as unfit for human society, as unworthy of it, and as much an enemy
|
|
to the comfort of it, as these poor possessed creatures were.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. They bid defiance to Jesus Christ, and disclaimed all interest in
|
|
him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is an instance of the power of God over the devils, that,
|
|
notwithstanding the mischief they studied to do <I>by</I> and <I>to</I>
|
|
these poor creatures, yet they could not keep them from meeting Jesus
|
|
Christ, who ordered the matter so as to meet them. It was his
|
|
overpowering hand that dragged these unclean spirits into his presence,
|
|
which they dreaded more than any thing else: his chains could hold
|
|
them, when the chains that men made for them could not. But being
|
|
brought before him, they protested against his jurisdiction, and broke
|
|
out into a rage, <I>What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of
|
|
God?</I> Here is,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) <I>One</I> word that the devil spoke like a <I>saint;</I> he
|
|
addressed himself to Christ as <I>Jesus the Son of God;</I> a
|
|
<I>good</I> word, and at this time, when it was a truth but in the
|
|
proving, it was a <I>great</I> word too, what flesh and blood did not
|
|
reveal to Peter,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+16:17"><I>ch.</I> xvi. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Even the devils know, and believe, and confess Christ to be the <I>Son
|
|
of God,</I> and yet they are devils still, which makes their enmity to
|
|
Christ so much the more wicked, and indeed a perfect torment to
|
|
themselves; for how can it be otherwise, to oppose one they know to be
|
|
the <I>Son of God?</I> Note, It is not knowledge, but love, that
|
|
distinguishes saints from devils. He is the first-born of hell, that
|
|
knows Christ and yet hates him, and will not be subject to him and his
|
|
law. We may remember that not long since the devil made a doubt whether
|
|
Christ were <I>the Son of God</I> or not, and would have persuaded him
|
|
to question it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+4:3"><I>ch.</I> iv. 3</A>),
|
|
|
|
but now he readily owns it. Note, Though God's children may be much
|
|
disquieted in an hour of temptation, by Satan's questioning their
|
|
relation to God as a Father, yet the Spirit of adoption shall at length
|
|
clear it up to them so much to their satisfaction, as to set it even
|
|
above the devil's contradiction.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) <I>Two</I> words that he said like a <I>devil,</I> like
|
|
himself.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] A word of defiance; <I>What have we to do with thee?</I> Now,
|
|
<I>First,</I> It is true that the devils have nothing to do with Christ
|
|
as a Saviour, <I>for he took not on him the nature of the angels</I>
|
|
that fell, nor did he lay hold on them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+2:16">Heb. ii. 16</A>);
|
|
|
|
they are in no relation to him, they neither have, nor hope for, any
|
|
benefit by him. O the depth of this mystery of divine love, that fallen
|
|
man hath so much <I>to do with Christ,</I> when fallen angels have
|
|
nothing <I>to do with</I> him! Surely here was torment enough before
|
|
the time, to be forced to own the excellency <I>that is in Christ,</I>
|
|
and yet that he has no interest in him. Note, It is possible for me to
|
|
call Jesus <I>the Son of God,</I> and yet have nothing to do with him.
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> It is as true, that the devils desire not to have any
|
|
thing <I>to do with Christ</I> as a Ruler; they hate him, they are
|
|
filled with enmity against him, they stand in opposition to him, and
|
|
are in open rebellion against his crown and dignity. See whose language
|
|
they speak, that will have nothing <I>to do with the</I> gospel of
|
|
Christ, with his laws and ordinances, that throw off his yoke, that
|
|
<I>break his bands in sunder,</I> and <I>will not have him to reign
|
|
over them;</I> that say <I>to the Almighty</I> Jesus, <I>Depart from
|
|
us: they are of their father the devil, they do his lusts,</I> and
|
|
speak his language. <I>Thirdly,</I> But it is not true, that the devils
|
|
have nothing <I>to do with Christ</I> as a Judge, for they have, and
|
|
they know it. These devils could not say, <I>What hast thou to do with
|
|
us?</I> could not deny that the Son of God is the Judge of devils; to
|
|
his judgment they are bound over in chains of darkness, which they
|
|
would fain shake off, and shake off the thought of.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] A word of dread and deprecation; "<I>Art thou come hither to
|
|
torment us</I>--to cast us out from these men, and to restrain us from
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doing the hurt we would do?" Note, To be turned out, and tied up, from
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doing mischief, is a torment to the devil, all whose comfort and
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|
satisfaction are man's misery and destruction. Should not we then count
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it our heaven to be doing well, and reckon that our torment, whether
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|
within or without, that hinders us from well-doing? Now must we be
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tormented by thee <I>before the time;</I> Note, <I>First,</I> There is
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|
a time in which devils will be more tormented than they are, and they
|
|
know it. The great assize at the last day is the time fixed for their
|
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complete torture, in that Tophet which is ordained of old <I>for the
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|
king, for the prince of the devils, and his angels</I>
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|
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|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+30:33,Mt+25:41">Isa. xxx. 33; Matt. xxv. 41</A>);
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<I>for the judgment of that day</I> they are <I>reserved,</I>
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+2:4">2 Pet. ii. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those malignant spirits that are, by the divine permission, prisoners
|
|
<I>at large,</I> walking to and fro through the earth
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+1:7">Job i. 7</A>),
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|
|
|
are even now in a chain; hitherto shall their power reach, and no
|
|
further; they will then be made <I>close</I> prisoners: they have now
|
|
some ease; they will then be in torment without ease. This they here
|
|
take for granted, and ask not never to be tormented (despair of relief
|
|
is the misery of their case), but they beg that they may not be
|
|
tormented <I>before the time;</I> for though they knew not when the day
|
|
of judgment should be, they knew it should not be yet.
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> The devils have <I>a certain fearful looking for of
|
|
that judgment and fiery indignation,</I> upon every approach of Christ,
|
|
and every check that is given to their power and rage. The very sight
|
|
of Christ and his word of command to come out of the man, made them
|
|
thus apprehensive of their torment. Thus <I>the devils believe, and
|
|
tremble,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+2:19">Jam. ii. 19</A>.
|
|
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|
It is their own enmity to God and man that puts them upon the rack, and
|
|
<I>torments them before the time.</I> The most desperate sinners, whose
|
|
damnation is sealed, yet cannot quite harden their hearts against the
|
|
surprise of fearfulness, <I>when they see the day approaching.</I></P>
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<P>
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|
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|
II. Let us now see what work they made where they <I>went,</I> when
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they were turned out of the men possessed, and that was into <I>a herd
|
|
of swine,</I> which <I>was a good way off,</I>
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
These Gergesenes, though living on the other side Jordan, were Jews.
|
|
What had they to do with <I>swine,</I> which by the law were unclean,
|
|
and not to be eaten nor touched? Probably, lying in the outskirts of
|
|
the land, there were many Gentiles among them, to whom this <I>herd of
|
|
swine</I> belonged: or they kept them to be sold, or bartered, to the
|
|
Romans, with whom they had now great dealings, and who were admirers of
|
|
<I>swine's</I> flesh. Now observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. How the devils seized the <I>swine.</I> Though they were <I>a good
|
|
way off,</I> and, one would think, out of danger, yet the devils had an
|
|
eye upon them, to do them a mischief: for they <I>go up and down,
|
|
seeking to devour,</I> seeking an opportunity; and they seek not long
|
|
but they find. Now here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) They <I>asked</I> leave to enter <I>into the swine</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>they besought him,</I> with all earnestness, <I>If thou cast us out,
|
|
suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.</I> Hereby,
|
|
|
|
[1.] They discover their own inclination to do mischief, and what a
|
|
pleasure it is to them; those, therefore, are their children, and
|
|
resemble them, <I>whose sleep departeth from them, except they cause
|
|
some to fall,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:16">Prov. iv. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
"Let us go <I>into the herd of swine,</I> any where rather than into
|
|
the place of torment, any where to do mischief." If they might not be
|
|
suffered to hurt men in their bodies, they would hurt them in their
|
|
goods, and in that too they intend hurt to their souls, by making
|
|
Christ a burthen to them: such malicious devices hath that old subtle
|
|
serpent!
|
|
|
|
[2.] They own Christ's power over them; that, without his sufferance
|
|
and permission, they could not so much as hurt a <I>swine.</I> This is
|
|
comfortable to all the Lord's people, that, though the devil's power be
|
|
very great, yet it is limited, and not equal to his malice (what would
|
|
become of us, if it were?) especially that it is under the control of
|
|
our Lord Jesus, our most faithful, powerful friend and Saviour; that
|
|
Satan and his instruments can go no further than he is pleased to
|
|
permit; <I>here shall their proud waves be stayed.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) They <I>had</I> leave. Christ said unto them, <I>Go</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>),
|
|
|
|
as God did to Satan, when he desired leave to afflict Job. Note, God
|
|
does often, for wise and holy ends, permit the efforts of Satan's rage,
|
|
and suffer him to do the mischief he would, and even by it serve his
|
|
own purposes. The devils are not only Christ's captives, but his
|
|
vassals; his dominion over them appears in the harm they do, as well as
|
|
in the hindrance of them from doing more. Thus even their wrath is made
|
|
to praise Christ, and the remainder of it he does and will restrain.
|
|
Christ permitted this,
|
|
|
|
[1.] For the conviction of the Sadducees that were then among the Jews,
|
|
who denied the existence of spirits, and would not own that there were
|
|
such beings, because they could not see them. Now Christ would, by
|
|
this, bring it as near as might be to an ocular demonstration of the
|
|
being, multitude, power, and malice, of evil spirits, that, if they
|
|
were not hereby convinced, they might be left inexcusable in their
|
|
infidelity. We see not the wind, but it would be absurd to deny it,
|
|
when we see trees and houses blown down by it.
|
|
|
|
[2.] For the punishment of the Gadarenes, who perhaps, though Jews,
|
|
took a liberty to eat <I>swine's</I> flesh, contrary to the law:
|
|
however, their keeping <I>swine</I> bordered upon evil; and Christ
|
|
would also show what a hellish crew they were delivered from, which, if
|
|
he had permitted it, would soon have choked them, as they did their
|
|
<I>swine.</I> The devils, in obedience to Christ's command, came out of
|
|
the men, and having permission, <I>when they were come out, immediately
|
|
they went into the herd of swine.</I> See what an industrious enemy
|
|
Satan is, and how expeditious; he will lose no time in doing mischief.
|
|
Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. <I>Whither they hurried them,</I> when they had seized them. They
|
|
were not bid to <I>save their lives,</I> and, therefore, they were made
|
|
to <I>run violently down a steep place into the sea,</I> where they all
|
|
perished, to the number of about <I>two thousand,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+5:13">Mark v. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, The possession which the devil gets is for destruction. Thus the
|
|
devil hurries people to sin, hurries them to that which they have
|
|
resolved against, and which they know will be shame and grief to them:
|
|
with what a force doth the evil spirit <I>work in the children of
|
|
disobedience,</I> when by so many foolish and hurtful lusts they are
|
|
brought to act in direct contradiction, not only to religion, but to
|
|
right reason, and their interest in this world! Thus, likewise, he
|
|
hurries them to ruin, for he is Apollyon and Abaddon, the great
|
|
destroyer. By his lusts which men do, they are <I>drowned in
|
|
destruction and perdition.</I> This is Satan's will, to <I>swallow
|
|
up</I> and to <I>devour;</I> miserable then is the condition of those
|
|
that are led <I>captive by him at his will.</I> They are hurried into a
|
|
worse lake than this, a lake that <I>burns with fire and brimstone.</I>
|
|
Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. <I>What effect this had upon the owners.</I> The report of it was
|
|
soon brought them by the swine-herds, who seemed to be more concerned
|
|
for the loss of the swine than any thing else, for they went not to
|
|
tell <I>what was befallen to the possessed of the devils,</I> till the
|
|
swine were lost,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ went not <I>into the city,</I> but the news of his being there
|
|
did, by which he was willing to feel how their pulse beat, and what
|
|
influence it had upon them, and then act accordingly.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Now,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Their curiosity brought them out to see Jesus. The <I>whole city
|
|
came out to meet him,</I> that they might be able to say, they had seen
|
|
a man who did such wonderful works. Thus many go out, in profession, to
|
|
meet Christ for company, that have no real affection for him, nor
|
|
desire to know him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) Their covetousness made them <I>willing to be rid of him.</I>
|
|
Instead of inviting him into their city, or bringing their sick to him
|
|
to be healed, they desired him <I>to depart out of their coasts,</I> as
|
|
if they had borrowed the words of the devils, <I>What have we to do
|
|
with thee, Jesus thou Son of God?</I> And now the devils had what they
|
|
aimed at in drowning the swine; <I>they</I> did it, and then made the
|
|
people believe that <I>Christ</I> had done it, and so prejudiced them
|
|
against him. He seduced our first parents, by possessing them with hard
|
|
thoughts of God, and kept the Gadarenes from Christ, by suggesting that
|
|
he came into their country to destroy their cattle, and that he would
|
|
do more hurt than good; for though he had cured two men, yet he had
|
|
drowned two thousand swine. Thus the devil sows tares in God's field,
|
|
does mischief in the Christian church, and then lays the blame upon
|
|
Christianity, and incenses men against that. They besought him that he
|
|
would depart, lest, like Moses in Egypt, he should proceed to some
|
|
other plague. Note, There are a great many who prefer their swine
|
|
before their Saviour, and so come short of Christ, and salvation by
|
|
him. They desire Christ to depart out of their hearts, and will not
|
|
suffer his word to have a place in them, because he and his word will
|
|
be the destruction of their brutish lusts--those swine which they give
|
|
up themselves to feed. And justly will Christ forsake those that thus
|
|
are weary of him, and say to them hereafter, <I>Depart, ye cursed,</I>
|
|
who now say to the Almighty, <I>Depart from us.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
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