12.* Now was it that a Centurion came unto Christ, beseeching him, and saying, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy grievously Tormented. Many Suitors come to Christ, one for a Son, another for a daughter, a third for himself, but I see none come for his servant but this one Centurion; and if we observe Christs answers to his suit, we see how well pleased is Christ with his request; And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. When the Ruler entreated him for his Son, Come down ere he dye, Christ stirred not a foot, but now this Centurion complains only of his servants sickness, and Christ offers himself, I will come, and heal him; he that came in the shape of a servant, would rather go down to the sick servant than to the Rulers Son: He is no respectre of persons, but he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted of him: It may be this poor sick servant had more grace, or very probable it is he had more need, and therefore Christ (to choose) will go down to visit this poor sick servant. Nay says the Centurion,3 I am not worthy Lord, that thou shouldst come under my roof, q. d. Alas Lord, I am a Gentile, an Alien, a man of blood, but thou art holy, thou art omnipotent; and therefore only say the word, and my servant shall be whole; Mark this, O my soul, it is but a word of Christ, and my sins shall be remitted, my soul healed, my body raised, and soul and body glorified forever. The Centurion knew this by the command he had over his own servants,4 I say to this man go and he goes, and to another come and he comes, and to a third do this and he doth it: In way of Application; Oh that I were such a servant to my heavenly Master. Alas, every of his commands says, Do this, and I do it not; every of his inhibitions says, Do it not, and I do it: He says, Go from the world, and I run to it; He says, Come to me, and I run from him. Woe is me, this is not service, but enmity; Oh that I could come up to the faith and obedience of this exemplar, that I could serve my Christ as these Soldiers did their Master!5 Jesus marvels at the Centurions faith; we never find Christ wondering at Gold, or Silver, or costly and curious works of humane Skill, yea when the Disciples wondered at the Magnificence of the Temple, he rebuked them rather, but when he sees the grace or acts of Faith, he so approves of them that he is ravished with wonder;
12.* Now was it that a Centurion came unto Christ, beseeching him, and saying, my servant lyeth at home sick of the palsie grievously Tormented. Many Suitors come to Christ, one for a Son, another for a daughter, a third for himself, but I see none come for his servant but this one Centurion; and if we observe Christs answers to his suit, we see how well pleased is Christ with his request; And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. When the Ruler entreated him for his Son, Come down ere he dye, Christ stirr'd not a foot, but now this Centurion complains only of his servants sickness, and Christ offers himself, I will come, and heal him; he that came in the shape of a servant, would rather go down to the sick servant than to the Rulers Son: He is no respecter of persons, but he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted of him: It may be this poor sick servant had more grace, or very probable it is he had more need, and therefore Christ (to chuse) will go down to visit this poor sick servant. Nay sayes the Centurion,3 I am not worthy Lord, that thou shouldst come under my roof, q. d. Alas Lord, I am a Gentile, an Alien, a man of blood, but thou art holy, thou art omnipotent; and therefore only say the word, and my servant shall be whole; Mark this, O my soul, it is but a word of Christ, and my sins shall be remitted, my soul healed, my body raised, and soul and body glorified forever. The Centurion knew this by the command he had over his own servants,4 I say to this man go and he goes, and to another come and he comes, and to a third do this and he doth it: In way of Application; Oh that I were such a servant to my heavenly Master. Alas, every of his commands sayes, Do this, and I do it not; every of his inhibitions sayes, Do it not, and I do it: He sayes, Go from the world, and I run to it; He says, Come to me, and I run from him. Wo is me, this is not service, but enmity; Oh that I could come up to the faith and obedience of this exemplar, that I could serve my Christ as these Souldiers did their Master!5 Jesus marvels at the Centurions faith; we never find Christ wondering at Gold, or Silver, or costly and curious works of humane Skill, yea when the Disciples wondered at the Magnificence of the Temple, he rebuked them rather, but when he sees the grace or acts of Faith, he so approves of them that he is ravished with wonder;
- 1Mat. 8.5, 6.
- *If I mistake not in the year, I shall not contend, because in this year only I shall mention his miracles. Ver. 7. Acts 10, 34, 35.
- 3Ver. 8.
- 4Ver. 9.
- 5Ver. 10.
