The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as…

4. The words our Saviour spake to them: and those if the Evangelists be compared, are

4. The words our Sauiour spake to them: and those if the Euangelists be compared, are

1. Words of upbraiding or reprehension: He upbraided them for their unbelief, Mark. 16. 14. and for their hardness of heart, in not believing them that had seen him after his Resurrection; which he doth most wisely and seasonably: First, it would do them good to be humbled, before they received so glorious a commission; they might know it was not for any merit in them, that they were so advanced. Secondly, it might warn them to take heed of that sin of unbelief, not only as that which was most hateful to Christ, but as that they would be often tempted to, when they went about their work, by reason of the oppositions and troubles would befall them. Thirdly, most fitly doth he now tell them of their unbelief, that they might be the more compassionate and patient when they were to deal with the Nations about their unbelief; and not think it much if their report were at first rejected, seeing they themselves had been so slow of heart to believe what was written. In general, we may see here what comes of perverseness in any infirmity: We may perhaps hear Christ upbraiding us, at such times when we look for nothing but comfort: and therefore let all men and women be warned to take heed of this sin of way wardnesse, and unteachableness, we may hear of it when we think Christ hath forgiven and forgotten it.

1. Words of vpbraiding or reprehension: Hee vpbraided them for their vnbeleefe, Mark. 16. 14. and for their hardnesse of heart, in not beleeuing them that had seene him after his Resurrection; which hee doth most wisely and seasonably: First, it would doe them good to be humbled, before they receiued so glorious a commission; they might know it was not for any merit in them, that they were so aduanced. Secondly, it might warne them to take heed of that sinne of vnbeleefe, not only as that which was most hatefull to Christ, but as that they would be often tempted to, when they went about their worke, by reason of the oppositions and troubles would befall them. Thirdly, most fitly doth he now tell them of their vnbeleefe, that they might be the more compassionate and patient when they were to deale with the Nations about their vnbeleefe; and not think it much if their report were at first reiected, seeing they themselues had been so slow of heart to beleeue what was written. In generall, we may see here what comes of peruersenesse in any infirmitie: We may perhaps heare Christ vpbraiding vs, at such times when we looke for nothing but comfort: and therefore let all men and women be warned to take heed of this sinne of way wardnesse, and vnteachablenesse, we may heare of it when we thinke Christ hath forgiuen and forgotten it.