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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 R K.</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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In this chapter, we have,
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I. Christ's miraculous feeding of four thousand with seven loaves and a
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few small fishes,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:1-9">ver. 1-9</A>.
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II. His refusing to give the Pharisees a sign from heaven,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:10-13">ver. 10-13</A>.
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III. His cautioning his disciples to take heed of the leaven of
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Pharisaism and Herodianism,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:14-21">ver. 14-21</A>.
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IV. His giving of sight to a blind man at Bethsaida,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:22-26">ver. 22-26</A>.
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V. Peter's confession of him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:27-30">ver. 27-30</A>.
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VI. The notice he gave his disciples of his own approaching sufferings
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:31-33">ver. 31-33</A>),
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and the warning he gave them to prepare for sufferings likewise,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:34-38">ver. 34-38</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Mr8_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr8_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr8_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr8_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr8_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr8_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr8_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr8_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr8_9"> </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>Christ Feeds the Four Thousand.</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 In those days the multitude being very great, and having
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nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples <I>unto him,</I> and saith
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unto them,
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2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now
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been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:
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3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they
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will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.
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4 And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy
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these <I>men</I> with bread here in the wilderness?
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5 And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said,
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Seven.
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6 And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he
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took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to
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his disciples to set before <I>them;</I> and they did set <I>them</I>
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before the people.
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7 And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and
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commanded to set them also before <I>them.</I>
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8 So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the
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broken <I>meat</I> that was left seven baskets.
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9 And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent
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them away.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We had the story of a miracle very like this before, in this gospel
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+6:35"><I>ch.</I> vi. 35</A>),
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and of this same miracle
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+15:32">Matt. xv. 32</A>),
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and here is little or no addition or alternation as to the
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circumstances. Yet observe,</P>
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<P>
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1. That our Lord Jesus was greatly followed; <I>The multitude was very
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great</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>);
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notwithstanding the wicked arts of the scribes and Pharisees to blemish
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him, and to blast his interest, the common people, who had more
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honesty, and therefore more true wisdom, than their leaders, kept up
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their high thoughts of him. We may suppose that this multitude were
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generally of the meaner sort of people, with such Christ conversed, and
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was familiar; for thus he humbled himself, and made himself of no
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reputation, and thus encouraged the meanest to come to him for life and
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grace.</P>
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<P>
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2. Those that followed him, underwent a great deal of difficulty in
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following him; <I>They were with him three days, and had nothing to
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eat,</I> that was hard service. Never let the Pharisee say, that
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<I>Christ's disciples fast not.</I> There were those, probably, that
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brought some food with them from home; but by this time it was all
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spent, and they had a great way home; and yet they <I>continued</I>
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with Christ, and did not speak of leaving him till he spoke of
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dismissing them. Note, True zeal makes nothing of hardships in the way
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of duty. They that have a full feast for their souls may be content
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with slender provision for their bodies. It was an old saying among the
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Puritans, <I>Grown bread and the gospel are good fare.</I></P>
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<P>
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3. As Christ has a <I>compassion</I> for all that are in wants and
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straits, so he has a special <I>concern</I> for those that are reduced
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to straits by their zeal and diligence in attending on him. Christ
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said, <I>I have compassion on the multitude.</I> Whom the proud
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Pharisees looked upon with disdain, the humble Jesus looked upon with
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pity and tenderness; and thus must we <I>honour all men.</I> But that
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which he chiefly considers, is, <I>They have been with me three days,
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and have nothing to eat.</I> Whatever losses we sustain, or hardships
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we go through, for Christ's sake, and in love to him, he will take care
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that they shall be made up to us one way or other. <I>They that seek
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the Lord, shall not</I> long <I>want any good thing,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+34:10">Ps. xxxiv. 10</A>.
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Observe with what sympathy Christ saith
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
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<I>If I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by
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the way,</I> for hunger. Christ knows and considers our frame; and he
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is <I>for the body,</I> if we glorify him, <I>verily we shall be
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fed.</I> He considered that <I>many of them came from afar,</I> and had
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a great way home. When we see <I>multitudes</I> attending upon the word
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preached, it is comfortable to think that Christ knows whence they all
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come, though we do not. <I>I know thy works, and where thou
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dwellest,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+2:13">Rev. ii. 13</A>.
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Christ would by no means have them go home fasting, for it is not his
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manner to send those <I>empty</I> way from him, that in a right manner
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attend on him.</P>
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<P>
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4. The doubts of Christians are sometimes made to work for the
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magnifying of the power of Christ. The disciples could not imagine
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whence so many men should be <I>satisfied with bread</I> here in the
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wilderness,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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That therefore must needs be <I>wonderful,</I> and appear so much the
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more so, which the disciples looked upon as <I>impossible.</I></P>
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<P>
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5. Christ's time to act for the relief of his people, is, when things
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are brought to the last extremity; when they were ready to
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<I>faint,</I> Christ provided for them. That he might not invite them
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to follow him for the <I>loaves,</I> he did not supply them but when
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they were utterly reduced, and then he <I>sent them away.</I></P>
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<P>
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6. The bounty of Christ is inexhaustible, and, to evidence that, Christ
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<I>repeated</I> this miracle, to show that he is still the same for the
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succour and supply of his people that attend upon him. His favours are
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renewed, as our wants and necessities are. In the former miracle,
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Christ used all the bread he had, which was <I>five loaves,</I> and fed
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all the guests he had, which were <I>five thousand,</I> and so he did
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now; though he might have said, "If five loaves would feed five
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thousand, four may feed four thousand;" he took all the seven loaves,
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and fed with them the four thousand; for he would teach us to take
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things as they are, and accommodate ourselves to them; to use what we
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have, and make the best of that which is. Here it was, as in the
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dispensing of manna, <I>He that gathered much had nothing over, and he
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that gathered little had no lack.</I></P>
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<P>
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7. In our Father's house, in our Master's house, <I>there is bread
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enough, and to spare;</I> there is a fulness in Christ, which he
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communicates to all that passes through his hands; so that from it we
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receive, and <I>grace for grace,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+1:16">John i. 16</A>.
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Those need not fear wanting, that have Christ to live upon.</P>
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<P>
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8. It is good for those that follow Christ, <I>to keep together;</I>
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these followers of Christ continued in a body, <I>four thousand</I> of
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them together, and Christ fed them all. Christ's sheep must abide by
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the flock, and go forth by their footsteps, and verily they shall be
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fed.</P>
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<A NAME="Mr8_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr8_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr8_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr8_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr8_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr8_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr8_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr8_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr8_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr8_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr8_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr8_21"> </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>The Leaven of Herod and the Pharisees; Christ Reproves His Disciples.</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>10 And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples,
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and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.
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11 And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with
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him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.
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12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this
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generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall
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no sign be given unto this generation.
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13 And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed
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to the other side.
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14 Now <I>the disciples</I> had forgotten to take bread, neither had
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they in the ship with them more than one loaf.
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15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven
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of the Pharisees, and <I>of</I> the leaven of Herod.
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16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, <I>It is</I> because
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we have no bread.
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17 And when Jesus knew <I>it,</I> he saith unto them, Why reason ye,
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because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither
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understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?
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18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and
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do ye not remember?
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19 When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many
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baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
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20 And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets
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full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.
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21 And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Still Christ is upon motion; now he visits the parts of Dalmanutha,
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that no corner of the land of Israel might say that they had not had
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his presence with them. He came thither <I>by ship</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>);
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but, meeting with occasions of dispute there, and not with
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opportunities of doing good, he <I>entered into the ship again</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>),
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and came back. In these verses, we are told,</P>
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<P>
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I. How he refused to gratify the Pharisees, who challenged him to give
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them a <I>sign from heaven.</I> They <I>came forth</I> on purpose to
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<I>question with him;</I> not to propose questions to him, that they
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might learn of him, but to cross question with him, that they might
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ensnare him.</P>
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<P>
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1. They demanded of him a <I>sign from heaven,</I> as if the signs he
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gave them on earth, which were more familiar to them, and were more
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capable of being examined and enquired into, were not sufficient. There
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was a sign <I>from heaven</I> at his baptism, in the descent of the
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dove, and the voice
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+3:16,17">Matt. iii. 16, 17</A>);
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it was public enough; and if they had attended John's baptism as they
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ought to have done, they might themselves have seen it. Afterward, when
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he was nailed to the cross, they prescribed a new sign; <I>Let him come
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down from the cross, and we will believe him;</I> thus obstinate
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infidelity will still have something to say, though ever so
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unreasonable. They demanded this sign, <I>tempting him;</I> not in
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hopes that he would give it them, that they might be satisfied, but in
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hopes that he would not, that they might imagine themselves to have a
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pretence for their infidelity.</P>
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<P>
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2. He denied them their demand; He <I>sighed deeply in his spirit,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
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He <I>groaned</I> (so some), being grieved for the <I>hardness of their
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hearts,</I> and the little influence that his preaching and miracles
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had had upon them. The infidelity of those that have long enjoyed the
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means of conviction, is a great grief to the Lord Jesus; it troubles
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him, that sinners should thus stand in their own light, and put a bar
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in their own door.
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(1.) He expostulates with them upon this demand; "<I>Why doth this
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generation seek after a sign;</I> this generation, that is so unworthy
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to have the gospel brought to it, and to have any sign accompanying it;
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<I>this generation,</I> that so greedily swallows the traditions of the
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elders, without the confirmation of any sign at all; <I>this
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generation,</I> into which, by the calculating of the times prefixed in
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the Old Testament, they might easily perceive that the coming of the
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Messiah must fall; <I>this generation,</I> that has had such plenty of
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sensible and merciful signs given them in the cure of their sick? What
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an absurdity is it for them to desire a sign!"
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(2.) He refuses to answer their demand; <I>Verily, I say unto you,
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there shall no sign,</I> no such sign, <I>be given to this
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generation.</I> When God spoke to particular persons in a particular
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case, out of the road of his common dispensation, they were encouraged
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to ask a sign, as Gideon and Ahaz; but when he speaks in general to
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all, as in the law and the gospel, sending each with their own
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evidence, it is presumption to prescribe other signs than what he has
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given. <I>Shall any teach God knowledge?</I> He denied them, and then
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<I>left them,</I> as men not fit to be talked with; if they will not be
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convinced, they shall not; leave them to their strong delusions.</P>
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<P>
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II. How he warned his disciples against the leaven of the Pharisees and
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of Herod. Observe here,</P>
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<P>
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1. What the caution was
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>);
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"<I>Take heed, beware,</I> lest ye partake of the <I>leaven of the
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Pharisees,</I> lest ye embrace the tradition of the elders, which they
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are so wedded to, lest ye be proud, and hypocritical, and ceremonious,
|
|
like them." Matthew adds, <I>and of the Sadducees;</I> Mark adds,
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|
<I>and of Herod:</I> whence some gather, that Herod, and his courtiers
|
|
were generally Sadducees, that is, deists, men of no religion. Others
|
|
give this sense, The Pharisees demanded a <I>sign from heaven;</I> and
|
|
Herod was long <I>desirous</I> to see some miracle wrought by Christ
|
|
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+23:8">Luke xxiii. 8</A>);
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|
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such as he should prescribe, so that the leaven of both was the same;
|
|
they were unsatisfied with the signs they had, and would have others of
|
|
their own devising; "Take heed of <I>this leaven</I>" (saith Christ),
|
|
"be convinced by the miracles ye have seen, and covet not to see
|
|
more."</P>
|
|
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<P>
|
|
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|
2. How they misunderstood this caution. It seems, at their putting to
|
|
sea this time, they had <I>forgotten to take bread,</I> and <I>had not
|
|
in their ship more than one loaf,</I>
|
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|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
When therefore Christ bid them <I>beware of the leaven of the
|
|
Pharisees,</I> they understood it as an intimation to them, not to
|
|
apply themselves to any of the Pharisees for relief, when they came to
|
|
the other side, for they had lately been offended at them for eating
|
|
with <I>unwashen hands.</I> They <I>reasoned among themselves,</I> what
|
|
should be the meaning of this caution, and concluded, "<I>It is because
|
|
we have no bread;</I> he saith this, to reproach us for being so
|
|
careless as to go to sea, and go among strangers, with but one loaf of
|
|
bread; he doth, in effect, tell us, we must be brought to <I>short
|
|
allowance,</I> and must eat our bread by weight." They <I>reasoned
|
|
it</I>--<B><I>dielogizonto</I></B>, they <I>disputed</I> about it; one
|
|
said, "It was owing to you;" and the other said, "It was owing to you,
|
|
that we are so ill provided for this voyage." Thus distrust of God
|
|
makes Christ's disciples quarrel among themselves.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. The reproof Christ gave them for their uneasiness in this matter, as
|
|
it argued a disbelief of his power to supply them, notwithstanding the
|
|
abundant experience they had had of it. The reproof is given with some
|
|
warmth, for he knew their hearts, and knew they needed to be thus
|
|
soundly chidden; "<I>Perceive ye not yet, neither understand,</I> that
|
|
which you have had so many demonstrations of? <I>Have ye your hearts
|
|
yet hardened,</I> so as that nothing will make any impression upon
|
|
them, or bring them to compliance with your Master's designs? <I>Having
|
|
eyes, see ye not</I> that which is plain before your eyes? <I>Having
|
|
ears, hear ye not</I> that which you have been so often told? How
|
|
strangely stupid and senseless are ye! <I>Do ye not remember</I> that
|
|
which was done but the other day, <I>when I broke the five loaves among
|
|
the five thousand,</I> and soon after, the <I>seven loaves among the
|
|
four thousand?</I> Do ye not remember <I>how many baskets full ye took
|
|
up</I> of the fragments?" Yes, they did remember, and could tell that
|
|
they took up <I>twelve</I> baskets full one time, and <I>seven</I>
|
|
another; "Why then," said he, "<I>how is it that ye do not
|
|
understand?</I> As if he that multiplied <I>five</I> loaves, and
|
|
<I>seven,</I> could not multiply one." They seemed to suspect that the
|
|
one was not matter enough to work upon, if he should have a mind to
|
|
entertain his hearers a third time: and if that was their thought, it
|
|
was indeed a very senseless one, as if it were not all alike to the
|
|
Lord, to save by many or few, and as easy to make one loaf to feed five
|
|
thousand as five. It was therefore proper to remind them, not only of
|
|
the sufficiency, but of the overplus, of the former meals; and justly
|
|
were they chidden for not understanding what Christ therein designed,
|
|
and what they from thence might have learned. Note,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The experiences we have had of God's goodness to us in the way of
|
|
duty, greatly aggravate our distrust of him, which is <I>therefore</I>
|
|
very provoking to the Lord Jesus.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Our <I>not understanding</I> of the true intent and meaning of
|
|
God's favours to us, is equivalent to our not remembering of them.
|
|
|
|
(3.) We are <I>therefore</I> overwhelmed with present cares and
|
|
distrusts, because we do not <I>understand,</I> and remember, what we
|
|
have known and seen of the power and goodness of our Lord Jesus. It
|
|
would be a great support to us, to <I>consider the days of old,</I> and
|
|
we are wanting both to God and ourselves if we do not.
|
|
|
|
(4.) When we thus <I>forgot the works of God,</I> and distrust him, we
|
|
should chide ourselves severely for it, as Christ doth his disciples
|
|
here; "Am I thus without understanding? How is it that my heart is thus
|
|
hardened?"</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Mr8_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr8_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr8_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr8_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr8_26"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>A Blind Man Restored to Sight.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto
|
|
him, and besought him to touch him.
|
|
23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of
|
|
the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands
|
|
upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.
|
|
24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.
|
|
25 After that he put <I>his</I> hands again upon his eyes, and made
|
|
him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.
|
|
26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into
|
|
the town, nor tell <I>it</I> to any in the town.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
This cure is related only by this evangelist, and there is something
|
|
singular in the circumstances.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Here is a <I>blind man</I> brought to Christ by his friends, with a
|
|
desire that he would <I>touch him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
Here appears the faith of those that brought him--they doubted not but
|
|
that one touch of Christ's hand would recover him his sight; but the
|
|
man himself showed not that earnestness for, or expectation of, a cure
|
|
that other blind men did. If those that are spiritually blind, do not
|
|
pray for themselves, yet let their friends and relations pray for them,
|
|
that Christ would be pleased to <I>touch them.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Here is Christ <I>leading</I> this blind man,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
He did not bid his friends lead him, but (which bespeaks his wonderful
|
|
condescension) he himself <I>took him by the hand, and led him,</I> to
|
|
teach us to be as Job was, <I>eyes to the blind,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:15">Job xxix. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
Never had poor blind man such a Leader. He led him <I>out of the
|
|
town.</I> Had he herein only designed privacy, he might have led him
|
|
into a house, into an inner chamber, and have cured him there; but he
|
|
intended hereby to upbraid Bethsaida with the <I>mighty works</I> that
|
|
had <I>in vain</I> been done <I>in her</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+11:21">Matt. xi. 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
and was telling her, in effect, she was unworthy to have any more done
|
|
within her walls. Perhaps Christ took the blind man <I>out of the
|
|
town,</I> that he might have a larger prospect in the <I>open
|
|
fields,</I> to try his sight with, than he could have in the <I>close
|
|
streets.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. Here is the cure of the blind man, by that blessed Oculist, who
|
|
came into the world to <I>preach the recovering of sight to the
|
|
blind</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+4:18">Luke iv. 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
and to <I>give</I> what he <I>preached.</I> In this cure we may
|
|
observe,
|
|
|
|
1. That Christ used a <I>sign;</I> he <I>spat on his eyes</I> (spat
|
|
<I>into</I> them, so some), and <I>put his hand upon him.</I> He could
|
|
have cured him, as he did others, with a word speaking, but thus he was
|
|
pleased to assist his faith which was very weak, and to help him
|
|
against his <I>unbelief.</I> And this spittle signified the
|
|
<I>eye-salve</I> wherewith Christ anoints the eyes of those that are
|
|
spiritually blind,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+3:18">Rev. iii. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. That the cure was wrought <I>gradually,</I> which was not usual in
|
|
Christ's miracles. He <I>asked him if he saw aught,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
Let him tell what condition his sight was in, for the satisfaction of
|
|
those about him. And he <I>looked up;</I> so far he <I>recovered his
|
|
sight,</I> that he could open his eyes, and he said, <I>I see men as
|
|
trees walking;</I> he could not distinguish men from trees, otherwise
|
|
than he could discern them to move. He had some glimmerings of sight,
|
|
and betwixt him and the sky could perceive a man erect like a tree, but
|
|
<I>could not discern the form thereof,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+4:16">Job iv. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
But,
|
|
|
|
3. It was soon completed; Christ never doeth <I>his work</I> by the
|
|
halves, nor leaves it till he can say, <I>It is finished.</I> He <I>put
|
|
his hands again upon his eyes,</I> to disperse the remaining darkness,
|
|
and then bade him look up again, and he <I>saw every man clearly,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now Christ took this way,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Because he would not <I>tie himself to a method,</I> but would
|
|
show with what liberty he acted in all he did. He did not cure by
|
|
<I>rote,</I> as I may say, and in a <I>road,</I> but <I>varied</I> as
|
|
he thought fit. Providence gains the same end in different ways, that
|
|
men may attend its motions with an <I>implicit faith.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) Because it should be to the patient <I>according to his faith;</I>
|
|
and perhaps this man's faith was at first very weak, but afterward
|
|
gathered strength, and accordingly his cure was. Not that Christ always
|
|
went by this rule, but thus he would sometimes put a rebuke upon those
|
|
who came to him, doubting.
|
|
|
|
(3.) Thus Christ would show how, and in what method, those are healed
|
|
by his grace, who by nature are <I>spiritually blind;</I> at first,
|
|
their knowledge is confused, they see <I>men as trees walking;</I> but,
|
|
like the light of the morning, it <I>shines more and more to the
|
|
perfect day,</I> and then they <I>see all things clearly,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:18">Prov. iv. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
Let us enquire then, if we <I>see aught</I> of those things which
|
|
<I>faith</I> is the <I>substance</I> and <I>evidence</I> of; and if
|
|
through grace we see <I>any thing</I> of them, we may hope that we
|
|
shall see yet <I>more</I> and <I>more,</I> for Jesus Christ will
|
|
<I>perfect</I> for ever those that are <I>sanctified.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. The directions Christ gave the man he had cured, not to <I>tell it
|
|
to any in the town of Bethsaida,</I> nor so much as to <I>go into the
|
|
town,</I> where probably there were some expecting him to come back,
|
|
who had seen Christ lead him out of the town, but, having been
|
|
eyewitnesses of so many miracles, had not so much as the curiosity to
|
|
follow him: let not those be gratified with the sight of him when he
|
|
was cured, who would not show so much respect to Christ as to go a step
|
|
out of the town, to see this cure wrought. Christ doth not forbid him
|
|
to tell it to others, but he must not tell it to <I>any in the
|
|
town.</I> Slighting Christ's favours is forfeiting them; and Christ
|
|
will make those know the worth of their privileges by the want of them,
|
|
that would not know them otherwise. Bethsaida, in the day of her
|
|
visitation, would not know the things that belonged to her peace, and
|
|
now they are <I>hid from her eyes.</I> They will not see, and therefore
|
|
shall not see.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Mr8_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr8_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr8_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr8_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr8_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr8_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr8_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr8_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr8_35"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr8_36"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr8_37"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr8_38"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Peter's Enlightened Testimony; Peter Rebuked.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>27 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of
|
|
Cæsarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying
|
|
unto them, Whom do men say that I am?
|
|
28 And they answered, John the Baptist: but some <I>say,</I> Elias;
|
|
and others, One of the prophets.
|
|
29 And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter
|
|
answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.
|
|
30 And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.
|
|
31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer
|
|
many things, and be rejected of the elders, and <I>of</I> the chief
|
|
priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise
|
|
again.
|
|
32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and
|
|
began to rebuke him.
|
|
33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he
|
|
rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou
|
|
savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be
|
|
of men.
|
|
34 And when he had called the people <I>unto him</I> with his
|
|
disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me,
|
|
let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
|
|
35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but
|
|
whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the
|
|
same shall save it.
|
|
36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole
|
|
world, and lose his own soul?
|
|
37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
|
|
38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words
|
|
in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the
|
|
Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father
|
|
with the holy angels.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have read a great deal of the doctrine Christ preached, and the
|
|
miracles he wrought, which were many, and strange, and well-attested,
|
|
of various kinds, and wrought in several places, to the astonishment of
|
|
the multitudes that were eye-witnesses of them. It is now time for us
|
|
to pause a little, and to consider what these things mean; the wondrous
|
|
works which Christ then forbade the publishing of, being recorded in
|
|
these sacred writings, are thereby published to all the world, to us,
|
|
to all ages; now what shall we think of them? Is the record of those
|
|
things designed only for an amusement, or to furnish us with matter for
|
|
discourse? No, certainly <I>these things are written, that we may
|
|
believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+20:31">John xx. 31</A>);
|
|
|
|
and this discourse which Christ had with his disciples, will assist us
|
|
in making the necessary reflections upon the miracles of Christ, and a
|
|
right use of them. Three things we are here taught to infer from the
|
|
miracles Christ wrought.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. They <I>prove</I> that he is <I>the true Messiah,</I> the Son of
|
|
God, and Saviour of the world: this the works he did witnessed
|
|
concerning him; and this his disciples, who were the eye-witnesses of
|
|
those works, here profess their belief of; which cannot but be a
|
|
satisfaction to us in making the same inference from them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Christ enquired of them what the sentiments of the people were
|
|
concerning him; <I>Who did men say that I am?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, Though it is a small thing for us to be judged of men, yet it may
|
|
sometimes do us good to know what people say of us, not that we may
|
|
seek our own glory, but that we may hear our faults. Christ asked them,
|
|
not that he might be informed, but that they might observe it
|
|
themselves, and inform one another.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The account they gave him, was such as plainly intimated the <I>high
|
|
opinion</I> the people had of him. Though they came short of the truth,
|
|
yet they were convinced by his miracles that he was an extraordinary
|
|
person, sent from the invisible world with a divine commission. It is
|
|
probable that they would have acknowledged him to be the Messiah, if
|
|
they had not been possessed by their teachers with a notion that the
|
|
Messiah must be a temporal Prince, appearing in external pomp and
|
|
power, which the figure Christ made, would not comport with; yet
|
|
(whatever the Pharisees said, whose copyhold was touched by the
|
|
strictness and spirituality of his doctrine) none of the people said
|
|
that he was a Deceiver, but some said that <I>he was John Baptist,</I>
|
|
others <I>Elias,</I> others <I>one of the prophets,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
All agreed that he was one <I>risen from the dead.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. The account they gave him of their own sentiments concerning him,
|
|
intimated their abundant satisfaction in him, and in their having left
|
|
all to follow him, which now, after some time of trial, they see no
|
|
reason to repent; <I>But whom say ye that I am?</I> To this they have
|
|
an answer ready, <I>Thou art the Christ,</I> the Messiah often
|
|
promised, and long expected,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
To be a Christian indeed, is, sincerely to believe that Jesus is the
|
|
Christ, and to act accordingly; and that he is so, plainly appears by
|
|
his wondrous works. This they knew, and must shortly publish and
|
|
maintain; but for the present they must keep it secret
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>),
|
|
|
|
till the proof of it was completed, and they were completely qualified
|
|
to maintain it, by the pouring out of the Holy Ghost; and then <I>let
|
|
all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this same
|
|
Jesus, whom ye crucified, both Lord and Christ,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:36">Acts ii. 36</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. These miracles of Christ <I>take off the offence of the cross,</I>
|
|
and assure us that Christ was, in it, not conquered, but a Conqueror.
|
|
Now that the disciples are convinced that Jesus is the Christ, they may
|
|
bear to hear of his sufferings, which Christ now <I>begins</I> to give
|
|
them notice of,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Christ <I>taught</I> his disciples that he must <I>suffer many
|
|
things,</I> Though they had got over the vulgar error of the Messiah's
|
|
being a temporal Prince, so far as to believe their Master to be the
|
|
Messiah, notwithstanding his present meanness, yet still they retained
|
|
it, so far as to expect that he would <I>shortly</I> appear in outward
|
|
pomp and grandeur, and <I>restore the kingdom to Israel;</I> and
|
|
therefore, to rectify that mistake, Christ here gives them a prospect
|
|
of the contrary, that he must be <I>rejected of the elders, and the
|
|
chief priests,</I> and <I>the scribes,</I> who, they expected, should
|
|
be brought to own and prefer him; that, instead of being crowned, <I>he
|
|
must be killed,</I> he must be crucified, and <I>after three days he
|
|
must rise again</I> to a heavenly life, and to be <I>no more in this
|
|
world.</I> This he spoke <I>openly</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>),
|
|
|
|
<B><I>parresia</I></B>. He said it freely and plainly, and did not
|
|
wrap it up in ambiguous expressions. The disciples might easily
|
|
understand it, if they had not been very much under the power of
|
|
prejudice: or, it intimates that he spoke it cheerfully and without any
|
|
terror, and would have them to hear it so: he spoke that saying
|
|
<I>boldly,</I> as one that not only knew he <I>must</I> suffer and die,
|
|
but was resolved he <I>would,</I> and made it his own act and deed.</P>
|
|
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|
<P>
|
|
|
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2. Peter opposed it; <I>He took him, and began to rebuke him.</I> Here
|
|
Peter showed more love than discretion, a zeal for Christ and his
|
|
safety, but not according to knowledge. He <I>took
|
|
him</I>--<B><I>proslabomenos auton</I></B>. He took hold of him, as it
|
|
were to stop and hinder him, took him in his arms, and embraced him (so
|
|
some understand it); he fell on his neck, as impatient to hear that his
|
|
dear Master should suffer such hard things; or he took him aside
|
|
privately, and <I>began to rebuke</I> him. This was not the language of
|
|
the least authority, but of the greatest affection, of that
|
|
<I>jealousy</I> for the welfare of those we love, which is <I>strong as
|
|
death.</I> Our Lord Jesus allowed his disciples to be free with him,
|
|
but Peter here took too great a liberty.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. Christ checked him for his opposition
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>);
|
|
|
|
He <I>turned about,</I> as one offended, and <I>looked on his
|
|
disciples,</I> to see if the rest of them were of the same mind, and
|
|
concurred with Peter in this, that, if they did, they might take the
|
|
reproof to themselves, which he was now about to give to Peter; and he
|
|
said, <I>Get thee behind me, Satan.</I> Peter little thought to have
|
|
had such a sharp rebuke for such a kind dissuasive, but perhaps
|
|
expected as much commendation now for his love as he had lately for his
|
|
faith. Note, Christ sees that amiss in what we say and do, which we
|
|
ourselves are not aware of, and knows what manner of spirit we are of,
|
|
when we ourselves do not.
|
|
|
|
(1.) Peter spoke as one that did not rightly understand, nor had duly
|
|
considered, the purposes and counsels of God. When he saw such proofs
|
|
as he every day saw of the <I>power</I> of Christ, he might conclude
|
|
that he could not be <I>compelled to suffer;</I> the most potent
|
|
enemies could not overpower him whom diseases and deaths, whom winds
|
|
and waves and devils themselves, were forced to obey and yield to: and
|
|
when he saw so much of the <I>wisdom</I> of Christ every day, he might
|
|
conclude that he would not <I>choose to suffer</I> but for some very
|
|
great and glorious purposes; and therefore he ought not thus to have
|
|
contradicted him, but to have acquiesced. He looked upon his death only
|
|
as a <I>martyrdom,</I> like that of the prophets, which he thought
|
|
might be prevented, if either he would take a little care not to
|
|
provoke the chief priests, or to keep out of the way; but he knew not
|
|
that the thing was necessary for the glory of God, the destruction of
|
|
Satan, and the salvation of man, that the Captain of our salvation must
|
|
be <I>made perfect through sufferings,</I> and so must <I>bring many
|
|
sons to glory.</I> Note, The wisdom of man is perfect folly, when it
|
|
pretends to give measures to the divine counsels. The cross of Christ,
|
|
the great instance of God's power and wisdom, was to some a
|
|
stumbling-block, and to others foolishness.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Peter spoke as one that did not rightly understand, nor had duly
|
|
considered, the nature of Christ's kingdom; he took it to be
|
|
<I>temporal</I> and <I>human,</I> whereas it is <I>spiritual</I> and
|
|
<I>divine.</I> <I>Thou savourest not the things that are of God, but
|
|
those that are of men;</I> <B><I>ou phroneis</I></B>--<I>thou mindest
|
|
not;</I> so the word is rendered,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+8:5">Rom. viii. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
Peter seemed to mind more the things that relate to the lower world,
|
|
and the life that now is, than those which relate to the upper world,
|
|
and the life to come. Minding the <I>things of men</I> more than the
|
|
<I>things of God,</I> our own credit, ease, and safety, more than the
|
|
<I>things of God,</I> and his glory and kingdom, is a very great sin,
|
|
and the root of much sin, and very common among Christ's disciples; and
|
|
it will appear in suffering times, those times of temptation, when
|
|
those in whom the <I>things of</I> men have the ascendant, are in
|
|
danger of falling off. <I>Non sapis--Thou art not wise</I> (so it may
|
|
be read) <I>in the things of God,</I> but in the <I>things of men.</I>
|
|
It is important to consider what <I>generation</I> we appear <I>wise
|
|
in,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+16:8">Luke xvi. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
It seems policy to shun trouble, but if with that we shun duty, it is
|
|
fleshly wisdom
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:12">2 Cor. i. 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
and it will be folly in the end.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. These miracles of Christ should engage us all to <I>follow
|
|
him,</I> whatever it cost us, not only as they were
|
|
<I>confirmations</I> of his <I>mission,</I> but as they were
|
|
<I>explications</I> of his <I>design,</I> and the tendency of that
|
|
grace which he came to bring; plainly intimating that by his Spirit he
|
|
would do that for our blind, deaf, lame, leprous, diseased, possessed
|
|
<I>souls,</I> which he did for the <I>bodies</I> of those many who in
|
|
those distresses applied themselves to him. Frequent notice had been
|
|
taken of the great flocking that there was to him for help in various
|
|
cases: now this is written, that we may believe that he is the great
|
|
Physician of souls, and may become his patients, and submit to his
|
|
<I>regimen;</I> and here he tells us upon what terms we may be
|
|
admitted; and he <I>called all the people to him,</I> to hear this, who
|
|
modestly stood at some distance when he was in private conversation
|
|
with his disciples. This is that which all are concerned to know, and
|
|
consider, if they expect Christ should heal <I>their souls.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. They must not be <I>indulgent</I> of the <I>ease of the body;</I>
|
|
for
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>),
|
|
|
|
"<I>Whosoever will come after me</I> for spiritual cures, as these
|
|
people do for bodily cures, <I>let him deny himself,</I> and live a
|
|
life of self-denial, mortification, and contempt of the world; let him
|
|
not pretend to be his own physician, but renounce all confidence in
|
|
himself and his own righteousness and strength, and let him <I>take up
|
|
his cross,</I> conforming himself to the pattern of a crucified Jesus,
|
|
and accommodating himself to the will of God in all the afflictions he
|
|
lies under; and thus let him continue to <I>follow me;</I>" as many of
|
|
those did, whom Christ healed. Those that will be Christ's patients
|
|
must attend on him, converse with him, receive instruction and reproof
|
|
from him, as those did that <I>followed</I> him, and must resolve they
|
|
will never forsake him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. They must not be <I>solicitous,</I> no, not for <I>the life of the
|
|
body,</I> when they cannot keep it without quitting Christ,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>.
|
|
|
|
Are we invited by the words and works of Christ to follow him? Let us
|
|
sit down, and count the cost, whether we can prefer our advantages by
|
|
Christ before life itself, whether we can bear to think of losing our
|
|
life <I>for Christ's sake and the gospel's.</I> When the devil is
|
|
drawing away disciples and servants after him, he conceals the worst of
|
|
it, tells them only of the pleasure, but nothing of the peril, of his
|
|
service; <I>Ye shall not surely die;</I> but what there is of trouble
|
|
and danger in the service of Christ, he tells us of it before, tells us
|
|
we shall <I>suffer,</I> perhaps we shall <I>die,</I> in the cause; and
|
|
represents the discouragements not <I>less,</I> but <I>greater,</I>
|
|
than commonly they prove, that it may appear he <I>deals fairly</I>
|
|
with us, and is not afraid that we should know the worst; because the
|
|
<I>advantages</I> of his service abundantly suffice to <I>balance</I>
|
|
the <I>discouragements,</I> if we will but impartially set the one over
|
|
against the other. In short,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) We must <I>not dread the loss of our lives,</I> provided it be
|
|
<I>in the cause of Christ</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>Whosoever will save his life,</I> by declining Christ, and refusing
|
|
to come to him, or by disowning and denying him after he has in
|
|
profession come to Christ, he shall <I>lose it,</I> shall lose the
|
|
comfort of his natural life, the root and fountain of his spiritual
|
|
life, and all his hopes of eternal life; such a bad bargain will he
|
|
make for himself. But <I>whosoever shall lose his life,</I> shall be
|
|
truly willing to lose it, shall venture it, shall lay it down when he
|
|
cannot keep it without denying Christ, he shall <I>save it,</I> he
|
|
shall be an unspeakable gainer; for the loss of his life shall be made
|
|
up to him in a better life. It is looked upon to be some kind of
|
|
recompence to those who lose their lives in the service of their prince
|
|
and country, to have their memories honoured and their families
|
|
provided for; but what is that to the recompence which Christ makes in
|
|
eternal life to all that die for him?</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) We must <I>dread the loss of our souls,</I> yea, though we should
|
|
<I>gain the whole world</I> by it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:36,37"><I>v.</I> 36, 37</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>For what shall it profit a man, if he should gain the whole
|
|
world,</I> and all the wealth, honour, and pleasure, in it, by denying
|
|
Christ, and <I>lose his own soul?</I> "True it is," said Bishop Hooper,
|
|
the night before he suffered martyrdom, "that <I>life is sweet,</I> and
|
|
<I>death is bitter,</I> but <I>eternal death is more bitter,</I> and
|
|
<I>eternal life is more sweet.</I>" As the happiness of heaven with
|
|
Christ, is enough to countervail the loss of life itself for Christ, so
|
|
the gain of all the world <I>in sin,</I> is not sufficient to
|
|
countervail the ruin of the soul <I>by sin.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
What that is that men do, to <I>save their lives,</I> and <I>gain the
|
|
world,</I> he tells us
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+8:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>),
|
|
|
|
and of what fatal consequence it will be to them; <I>Whosoever
|
|
therefore shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, in this adulterous
|
|
and sinful generation, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed.</I>
|
|
Something like this we had,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+10:33">Matt. x. 33</A>.
|
|
|
|
But it is here expressed more fully. Note,
|
|
|
|
[1.] The disadvantage that the cause of Christ labours under this
|
|
world, is, that it is to be owned and professed in an <I>adulterous and
|
|
sinful generation;</I> such the generation of mankind is, gone a
|
|
whoring from God, in the impure embraces of the world and the flesh,
|
|
lying in wickedness; some ages, some places, are more especially
|
|
adulterous and sinful, as that was in which Christ lived; in such a
|
|
<I>generation</I> the cause of Christ is opposed and run down, and
|
|
those that own it, are exposed to reproach and contempt, and every
|
|
where ridiculed and <I>spoken against.</I>
|
|
|
|
[2.] There are many, who, though they cannot but own that the cause of
|
|
Christ is a righteous cause, are <I>ashamed</I> of it, because of the
|
|
reproach that attends the professing of it; they are <I>ashamed</I> of
|
|
their relation to Christ, and <I>ashamed</I> of the credit they cannot
|
|
but give to <I>his words;</I> they cannot bear to be frowned upon and
|
|
despised, and therefore throw off their profession, and go down the
|
|
stream of a prevailing apostasy.
|
|
|
|
[3.] There is a day coming, when the cause of Christ will appear as
|
|
bright and illustrious as now it appears mean and contemptible; when
|
|
the Son of man comes <I>in the glory of his Father with his holy
|
|
angels,</I> as the true Shechinah, the brightness of his Father's
|
|
glory, and the Lord of angels.
|
|
|
|
[4.] Those that are ashamed of Christ in this world where he is
|
|
despised, he will be ashamed of in that world where he is eternally
|
|
adored. <I>They</I> shall not share with him in his glory then, that
|
|
were not willing to share with him in his disgrace now.</P>
|
|
|
|
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