For the second, Christ was buried by rich men, First that the Scripture might be fulfilled, that said, He exposed his grave to the wicked, and to the rich man in his death: To the wicked, because he could not be buried without Pilates consent; and to the rich man, because he was buried by Joseph of Arimathea's means. Thus he was said to be buried and raised up according to the Scriptures, 1 Cor. 15. 4. ⟨p. 437⟩Secondly, he gave his dead body to rich men, to signify, that amongst rich men he had his elect, and that the virtue of his death should reach even to them: for though it be impossible in respect of men, that a rich man should be saved, yet it is not so unto Christ, who can effect wonderful things, and so can by the virtue of his death so untwist the gable of a rich mans heart, as to make it in true humility like a thread to go through the eye of a needle, Matth. 19. 24. Jam. 1. 10. 1 Cor. 1. 26. And hence rich men should learn of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, that they ought to profess their love of Christ and sincere Religion, not only when Christ is adorned with miracles and worldly applause, but even when he falls into the hands of wicked men, and is buried in ignominy, they must not fear danger or reproach. They must honour Christ not only in the peaceable times of the Church, but in troubled times: Even when Christ in his members is betrayed, persecuted, oppressed, forsaken of his own, condemned either in spiritual Courts or political, pursued by wars or any other vexations. And the poor servants of God that suffer for the testimony of Jesus, may hence take comfort, God that stirred up rich men to do this honour to the body of Jesus, will not forsake the afflicted members of Jesus; he can stir up men to provide for them, and honour them (even great men when it pleaseth him) both in their life time, and at their death, and after their death also.
For the second, Christ was buried by rich men, First that the Scripture might be fulfilled, that said, He exposed his graue to the wicked, and to the rich man in his death: To the wicked, because he could not be buried without Pilates consent; and to the rich man, because hee was buried by Ioseph of Arimatheas meanes. Thus he was said to be buried and raised vp according to the Scriptures, 1 Cor. 15. 4. ⟨p. 437⟩Secondly, he gaue his dead bodie to rich men, to signifie, that amongst rich men he had his elect, and that the vertue of his death should reach euen to them: for though it bee impossible in respect of men, that a rich man should be saued, yet it is not so vnto Christ, who can effect wonderfull things, and so can by the vertue of his death so vntwist the gable of a rich mans heart, as to make it in true humilitie like a thread to goe thorow the eye of a needle, Matth. 19. 24. Iam. 1. 10. 1 Cor. 1. 26. And hence rich men should learne of Ioseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, that they ought to professe their loue of Christ and sincere Religion, not only when Christ is adorned with miracles and worldly applause, but euen when he fals into the hands of wicked men, and is buried in ignominie, they must not feare danger or reproach. They must honour Christ not onely in the peaceable times of the Church, but in troubled times: Euen when Christ in his members is betrayed, persecuted, oppressed, forsaken of his owne, condemned either in spirituall Courts or politicall, pursued by warres or any other vexations. And the poore seruants of God that suffer for the testimonie of Iesus, may hence take comfort, God that stirred vp rich men to doe this honour to the bodie of Iesus, will not forsake the afflicted members of Iesus; he can stirre vp men to prouide for them, and honour them (euen greatmen when it pleaseth him) both in their life time, and at their death, and after their death also.
