N00187:252
The harmony of the Gospels, in the holy history of the humiliation and sufferings of Jesus Christ, from his incarnation to his death and burial. / Published by John Eliot, teacher of the church in Roxbury. ; [Two lines from Acts]
printed by John Foster, 1678
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. Jesus drank deep of this cup of reproaches, because he could do it Innocently without any contamination, or participation in sin, 2 Cor. 5.21. though he was made sin for us, yet he knew no sin, 1 Pet. 2.22, 23. he did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth, when he was reviled, he reviled not again, when he suffered, he threatened not.
2. Jesus drank deep of this cup of reproaches, because he could do it Innocently without any contamination, or participation in sin, 2 Cor. 5.21. though he was made sin for us, yet he knew no sin, 1 Pet. 2.22, 23. he did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth, when he was reviled, he reviled not again, when he suffered, he threatned not.
3. Jesus Christ drank of this cup even to the bottom, to the full satisfaction of Divine justice, that he might take out the sting of the curse and wrath out of them, for the sake of his Elect, who are to live in an evil world, where they are sure to suffer reproaches, and much evil and hard measure by the ill tongues of People 2 Cor. 6.8. by honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report, as deceivers and yet ⟨p. 55⟩true, 1 Cor, 4.12, 13. being reviled we bless, being persecuted, we suffer it; being defamed, we entreat, we are made the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. But none of these things can hurt us. Jesus Christ by his Sufferings hath took out the curse of them, they have much of mans wrath in them, but all Gods wrath is taken away by Jesus Christ.
3. Jesus Christ drank of this cup even to the bottom, to the full satisfaction of Divine justice, that he might take out the sting of the curse and wrath out of them, for the sake of his Elect, who are to live in an evil world, where they are sure to suffer reproaches, and much evil and hard measure by the ill tongues of People 2 Cor. 6.8. by honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report, as deceivers and yet ⟨p. 55⟩true, 1 Cor, 4.12, 13. being reviled we bless, being persecuted, we suffer it; being defamed, we intreat, we are made the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. But none of these things can hurt us. Jesus Christ by his Sufferings hath took out the curse of them, they have much of mans wrath in them, but all Gods wrath is taken away by Jesus Christ.
4. Jesus Christ suffered reproaches and abuses of mens tongues, to set us a Copy and pattern of patience, that we might learn of him how to carry our selves under such injuries, that we might learn of him to behave our selves patiently, and meekly, as our Lord Jesus did, 1 Pet. 2, 21. Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an Example that ye should follow his steps, Act. 8.32. he was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and like a Lamb before his shearers, so opened he not his mouth. Yea, before his Butchers he was silent and patient, Isai. 53.7. he was oppressed▪ he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth, but only to say, Father forgive them, even when he was brought as a Lamb to the Slaughter.
5. Jesus Christ suffered reproaches to sanctify them, that he by his love and wisdom may make them good medicines for his Church, his Elect, it is a •ery sharp Physic, but Jesus Christ by his experience knoweth how to qualify and commix them with other Ingredients, and make them very wholesome and operative for the good of his Elect; it is a powerful Physic to purge away pride, to hide and subdue it, and to teach humility and meekness, which are very needful lessons for Gods people to learn in this our militant condition, Jesus Christ by his Example in bearing reproaches doth set us sundry needful lessons to learn,
5. Jesus Christ suffered reproaches to sanctifie them, that he by his love and wisdome may make them good medicines for his Church, his Elect, it is a •ery sharp Physick, but Jesus Christ by his experience knoweth how to qualifie and commix them with other Ingredients, and make them very wholsome and operative for the good of his Elect; it is a powerful Ph•sick to purge away pride, to hide and subdue it, and to teach humility and meekness, which are very needful lessons for Gods people to learn in this our militant condition, Jesus Christ by his Example in bearing reproaches doth set us sundry needful lessons to learn,
1. We must learn to keep a strict watch o•er our whole conversation, that we may give no just matter or occasion. We must cut off occasion from them that watch for it, if there be a cause for their reproach we loose the glory of our suffering, 1 Pet. 2.20. for what glory is it; if when you be buffeted for your faults, ye take it patiently, you do well to take it patiently, and you may find inward comfort upon your humiliation, and outward pity, but there is no Christian glory upon such deserved sufferings; they may sin in rigour, and we may do virtuously in exercising patience; but we loose the glory of such Sufferings, because they are just.
1. We must learn to keep a strict watch o•er our whole conversation, that we may give no just matter or occasion. We must cut off occasion from them that watch for it, if there be a cause for their reproach we loose the glory of our suffer••g, 1 Pet. 2.20. for what glory is it; if when you be buffeted for your faults, ye take it pa•iently, you do well to take it patiently, and you may find inward comfort upon your humiliation, and outward pitty, but there is no Christian glory upon such deserved sufferings; they may sin in rigour, and we may do virtuously in exercising patience; but we loose the glory of such Sufferings, because they are just.
2. This pattern of Christ his patient suffering reproaches doth minister a lesson of comfort to such as suffer unjustly, because your Innocent and holy conversation doth confute those false and unjust aspersions▪ so did Christ confute those that reproached him, his Innocency so shined, that even Pilate himself did acquit Jesus Christ from such aspersions as they cast upon him, and he saw plainly that it was his Adversaries malice, and not his desert; Math. 27.18. for he knew that it was for envy that they had delivered him; no wise man will believe such reproaches as the Innocency of the party doth sufficiently confute, without any words of Apology, Innocency it self speaks a consolation, and maketh the Arrows to fall & light on their own pate, Daniel is a famous Example of an innocent sufferer, Dan. 6.5 Then said these men we shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the Law of his God, and he pleaded his innocency before the King, ver. 22. my God hath sent an Angel, and shut the Lyons mouths, that they have not hurt me, for as much as Innocency is found in me, before him, and also before thee O King I have done no hurt. Such was the pattern of Jesus Christ which he hath left us, as it is expressed in the Prophesy of David, Psal. 35.11, 12. false witnesses did rise up, they laid to my charge things that I knew not, they rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my Soul. Again, it is a matter of great consolation and holy joy, to suffer any thing for the sake of Jesus Christ, Act. 6.41. they departed from the presence ⟨p. 56⟩of the Council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his Name, Luk. 6.22, 23. Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their Company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your Name as evil for the Son of mans sake, rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy, for behold your reward is great in Heaven, blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake, rejoice ye and be exceeding glad, for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you, in this case it is good to say with David if this be to be vile, I will yet be more vile; grace is incensed, stirred up, & increased by such Tribulations and abuses, many graces are exercised and increased by such wrongs, Rom.
5.3, 4, 5. we glory in Tribulations, knowing that Tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us. The trial of our Faith is more precious then gold, and when a believer is reproached, Faith will make him wash his hands in Innocency; when men fly upon us in their wrath, Faith will fly to Christ who hath taken away the sting of them, and will turn them to prayers; and God will make them wholesome Physic for us. Yea, Faith will make us to imitate our Lord Jesus, who forgave his Persecutors and prayed for them. And among many benefits that believers gain by suffering the wounds of evil tongues, this is a chief one, that he will learn to watch and govern his own tongue, finding by experience the mischief of evil tongues, he will beware of doing the like to others▪ he will teach his tongue to bless when they curse, he will beware of staining his Religion, by an unbridled tongue, Jam. 1.26. If any man seemeth to be Religious and bridleth not his tongue, that mans Religion is vain.
5.3, 4, 5. we glory in Tribulations, knowing that Tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us. The tryal of our Faith is more pretious then gold, and when a believer is reproached, Faith will make him wash his hands in Innocency; when men fly upon us in their wrath, Faith will fly to Christ who hath taken away the sting of them, and will turn them to prayers; and God will make them wholsome Physick for us. Yea, Faith will make us to imitate our Lord Jesus, who forgave his Persecutors and prayed for them. And among many benefits that believers gain by suffering the wounds of evil tongues, this is a chief one, that he will learn to watch and govern his own tongue, finding by experience the mischief of evil tongues, he will beware of doing the like to others▪ he will teach his tongue to bless when they curse, he will beware of staining his Religion, by an unbridled tongue, Jam. 1.26. If any man seemeth to be Religious and bridleth not his tongue, that mans Religion is vain.
Never did any perform such; and so many good Works for a people, as Jesus Christ did for the Jews: and yet never was any man so ungratefully disaccepted, rejected and abused, Act. 10.38. God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed with the Devil, for God was with him. It is unutterable how many good works Jesus Christ did among them, even visible and bodily good which all men saw, a child might run and read them: besides these invisible, spiritual and heavenly works of Redemption and Salvation which he did for them, But what acceptance did he find among them? see Luk. 4.28, 29. All they in the Synagogue that heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him to the brow of a hill, whereon the city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. Though he taught them the heavenly Doctrine of the Gospel, and confirmed his Doctrine with many Miracles, yet they believed not. Jo•. 12.37. Though he had done so many Miracles before them, yet they believed not on him, yea they went about to stone him. Joh. 8, 59. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and w•at out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. Joh. 1•.31. They took up stones again to stone him. At another time he saw •eet to hide himself from them. Joh. 12.36. Jesus departed and did bide himself from them. At another time he was fain to do the same ⟨image ?⟩Joh. 11.39. They sought again •o take him, but he escaped out of their hands, and v. 40. He went away again beyond Jordan, into the place where John as first baptized, and abode there.
The man departed, and told the Jews, that it was Jesus that had made him whole, ungrateful wretch, for therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done this thing on the Sabbath day; Yet some have more charity for this man then I see cause for, Luk. 8.37. the whole multitude of the Gadarenes besought him to depart from them, when he had cast out a Devil and healed a mad man, Ma•. 3 5, 6, 7. he healed the withered hand of a man in the Synagogue, and the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took Counsel with the Herodians again•• him, how they might destroy him; but Jesus withdrew himself with his Disciples to the Sea, Job, 11.53, 54. then from that day forth they took Counsel together to put him to death. Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews, but went thence unto a Country near to the wilderness, into a City called Ephraim, and there continued with his Disciples, it is numbered among the blessings of the Tribes of Israel, as a great blessing, to be acceptable to his Brethren, Deut. 33.24. viz. when his virtuous actions deserve it, as it was with David, 2 Sam. 3.3.36 whatsoever the King did, pleased the people. But it was otherwise with our Lord Jesus, though he did for them the most famous and miraculous works that ever were done in the world, yet none of his holy words and good works pleased the Jews; but they picked up some occasion or other (no just cause) to disaccept him, quarrel at him, abuse him, and finally kill him.
The man departed, and told the Jews, that it was Jesus that had made him whole, ungrateful wretch, for therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done this thing on the Sabbath day; Yet some have more charity for this man then I see cause for, Luk. 8.37. the whole multitude of the Gadarens besought him to depart from them, when he had cast out a Devil and healed a mad man, Ma•. 3 5, 6, 7. he healed the withered hand of a man in the Synagogue, and the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took Counsel with the Herodians again him, how they might destoy him; but Jesus withdrew himself with his Disciples to the Sea, Job, 11.53, 54. then from that day forth they took Counsel together to put him to death. Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews, but went thence unto a Country near to the wilderness, into a City called Ephraim, and there continued with his Disciples, it is numbred among the blessings of the Tribes of Israel, as a great blessing, to be acceptable to his Brethren,
Quest. Why did Jesus Christ submit himself to suffer such sad and unworthy usage for those admirable good works which he did among them, and for them? to be so disaccepted and ill rewarded, when he so highly deserved at their hands?
Quest. Why did Iesus Christ submit himself to suffer such sad and unworthy usage for those admirable good works which he did among them, and for them? to be so disaccepted and ill rewarded, when he so highly deserved at their hands?
Answ. Though Jesus Christ never deserved any such usage, yet we have deserved it, and therefore he suffered this punishment, which our sins have deserved; he suffered to satisfy Divine justice for the sin of man, his innocent suffering that which our sin hath deserved, is part of the satisfaction of vindictive justice, and thereby removeth the curse out of our sufferings, and hath sanctified such abusive suffering to be wholesome medicines for us, and to encourage unto patient suffering of such usage in the world, Joh. 15, 18, 19, 20, 21. If the World hate you, you know it hated me before it hated you; if ye were of the World, the World would love his own, but because ye are not of the World, but I have chosen you out of the World, therefore the World hateth you. Remember the word that I have spoken unto you, the Servant is no• greater then his Lord, if they have persecuted me they will also persecute you; but all these things they will do unto you for my Name sake, because they know not him that sent me. When the Corinthians and Galatians did ungratefully abuse Paul, he bore it patiently, he had spiritual gain by it, & so it hath been with all the Prophets, Apostles Saints and Martyrs, of whom the world was not worthy, Heb. 11.38. who did eminent good works for the World, yet they did basely abuse them, and ill reward ⟨p. 57⟩them, and all this our Lord Jesus hath sanctified for our good, by his suffering such unworthy and ungrateful usage for our sakes.
Answ. Though Iesus Christ never deserved any such usage, yet we have deserved it, and therefore he suffered this punishment, which our sins have deserved; he suffered to satisfie Divine justice for the sin of man, his innocent suffering that which our sin hath deserved, is part of the satisfaction of vindictive justice, and thereby removeth the curse out of our sufferings, and hath sanctified such abusive suffering to be wholsome medicines for us, and to encourage unto patient suffering of such usage in the world, Joh. 15, 18, 19, 20, 21. If the World hate you, you know it hated me before it hated you; if ye were of the World, the World would love his own, but because ye are not of the World, but I have chosen you out of the World, therefore the World hateth you. Remember the word that I have spoken unto you, the Servant is no greater then his Lord, if they have persecuted me they will also persecute you; but all these things they will do unto you for my Name sake, because they know not him that sent me. When the Crointhians and Galatians did ungratefully abuse Paul, he bore it patiently, he had spiritual gain by it, & so it hath been with all the Prophets, Apostles Saints and Martyrs, of whom the world was not worthy,
There be two kinds of Temptations, some are for trial of Faith and other graces, which kind is usually expressed by a word which signifies Temptations that are exerted by afflictions, of this sort of Temptations I shall not speak in this place, though Jesus Christ drank deep of this cup also, as appeareth in the History of his life. The second sort of Temptations is to be tempted to sin, which kind of Temptation is usually expressed by a word signifying to tempt unto sin; of this sort of Temptations the Devil is the Author, and therefore he is called the Tempter, Math. 4.3. And it pleased Jesus Christ for our sakes to give the Devil leave to do his worst against him, the History whereof is recorded in Math. 4.1. Mark. 1.12, 13. Luk. 4.1. ad 14.
THere be two kinds of Temptations, some are for tryal of Faith and other graces, which kind is usually expressed by a word which signifies Temptations that are exerted by afflictions, of this sort of Temptations I shall not speak in this place, though Jesus Christ drank deep of this cup also, as appeareth in the History of his life. The second sort of Temptations is to be tempted to sin, which kind of Temptation is usually expressed by a word signifiing to tempt unto sin; of this sort of Temptations the Devil is the Author, and therefore he is called the Tempter, Math. 4.3. And it pleased Jesus Christ for our sakes to give the Devil leave to do his worst against him, the History whereof is recorded in Math. 4.1. Mark. 1.12, 13. Luk. 4.1. ad 14.
This History is asserted by three great witnesses, inspired by the Holy Ghost, to assure our Faith of the truth of it, the whole course of the public Ministry of Jesus Christ was filled with all kind of Temptations, Luk. 22.28, 29, 30. ye are they which have continued with me in my Temptations. And I appoint unto you a Kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me, that ye may eat and drink at my Table in my Kingdom, and sit on Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel, in which Text we may see, as I apprehend, 1. The virtuous Carriage of the Disciples, ye are they which have continued with me in my Temptations, viz. I called you to follow me, when I began my public Ministry, which hath been a time of great and manifold Temptations unto me. And you have with love, zeal, and faithfulness constantly stuck to me, and continued with me in all my Temptations, as opportunity and occasion served.
This History is asserted by three great witnesses, inspired by the Holy Ghost, to assure our Faith of the truth of it, the whole course of the publick Ministry of Jesus Christ was filled with all kind of Temptations, Luk. 22.28, 29, 30. ye are they which have continued with me in my Temptations. And I appoint unto you a Kingdome, as my Father hath appointed unto me, that ye may eat and drink at my Table in my Kingdome, and sit on Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel, in which Text we may see, as I apprehend, 1. The virtuous Carriage of the Disciples, ye are they which have continued with me in my Temptations, viz. I called you to follow me, when I began my publick Ministry, which hath been a time of great and manifold Temptations unto me. And you have with love, zeal, and faithfulness constantly stuck to me, and continued with me in all my Temptations, as opportunity and occasion served.
2. The honourable and holy reward freely given them by Chri•• a Kingdom, this Kingdom is described.
2. The honourable and holy reward freely given them by Chri•• a Kingdome, this Kingdome is described.
2. This pattern of Christ his patient s••fering reproaches doth minister a lesson of comfort to such as suffer unjustly, because your Innocent and holy conversation doth confute those false and unjust aspersions▪ so did Christ confute those that reproached him, his Innocency so shined, that even Pilate himself did acquit Jesus Christ from such aspersions as they cast upon him, and he saw plainly that it was his Adversaryes malice, and not his desert; Math. 27.18. for he knew that it was for envy that they had delivered him; no wise man will believe such reproaches as the Innocency of the party doth sufficiently confute, without any words of Apology, Innocency it self speaks a consolation, and maketh the Arrows to fall & light on their own pate, Daniel is a famous Example of an innocent sufferer, Dan. 6.5 Then said these men we shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the Law of his God, and he pleaded his innocency before the King, ver. 22. my God hath sent an Angel, and shut the Lyons mouths, that they have not hurt me, for as much as Innocency is found in me, before him, and also before thee O King I have done no hurt. Such was the pattern of Jesus Christ which he hath left us, as it is expressed in the Prophesy of David, Psal. 35.11, 12. false witnesses did rise up, they laid to my charge things that I knew not, they rewarded me evil for good to the spoyling of my Soul. Again, it is a matter of great consolation and holy joy, to suffer any thing for the sake of Jesus Christ, Act. 6.41. they departed from the presence ⟨p. 56⟩of the Council, rejoycing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his Name, Luk. 6.22, 23. Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their Company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your Name as evil for the Son of mans sake, rejoyce ye in that day, and leap for joy, for behold your reward is great in Heaven, blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsly for my sake, rejoyce ye and be exceeding glad, for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you, in this case it is good to say with David if this be to be vile, I will yet be more vile; grace is incensed, stirred up, & increased by such Tribulations and abuses, many graces are exercised and increased by such wrongs, Rom.
NEver did any perform such; and so many good Works for a people, as Jesus Christ did for the Jews: and yet never was any man so ungratefully disaccepted, rejected and abused, Act. 10.38. God anointed Jesus of Nazaret with the Holy Ghost and with power, who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed with the Devil, for God was with him. It is unutterable how many good works Jesus Christ did among them, even visible and bodily good which all men saw, a child might run and read them: besides these invisible, spiritual and heavenly works of Redemption and Salvation which he did for them, But what acceptance did he find among them? see Luk. 4.28, 29. All they in the Synagogue that heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him to the brow of a hill, whereon the city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. Though he taught them the heavenly Doctrine of the Gospel, and confirmed his Doctrine with many Miracles, yet they believed not. Jo•. 12.37. Though he had done so many Miracles before them, yet they believed not on him, yea they went about to stone him. Joh. 8, 59. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Iesus hid himself, and w•at out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. Ioh. 1•.31. They took up ston•s again to stone him. At another time he saw •eet to hide himself from them. Ioh. 12.36. Iesus departed and did bide himself from them. At another time he was fain to doe the same ⟨image ?⟩Ioh. 11.39. They sought again •o take him, but he escaped out of their hands, and v. 40. He went away again beyond Iordan, into the place where Iohn as first baptized, and abode there. Ioh. 10.20. Many of them said he hath a Devil, and is mad, why hear y• him? And when he cast Devills out of the people, the Scribes and Pharisees were so irrationally malitious, that they said he cast out Devills by Beelze•ub the Prince of Devils Mat. 12.24. We have cause to behold and wonder at these and many such like sad sufferings of our dear Lord Jesus Christ. Nay, we read of one, who when the Lord had healed him, went and betrayed him. Ioh. 5.5, 13, 14, 15, 16. A man had an infirmity thirty eight years; Jesus healed him, he wist not who it was that healed him. Iesus finding him in the Temple, said to him behold thou art made whole, sin no more lest a worse thing come unto thee.
