N00187:260
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.
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. Joh. 10.20. Many of them said he hath a Devil, and is mad, why hear y• him? And when he cast Devils out of the people, the Scribes and Pharisees were so irrationally malicious, that they said he cast out Devils by Beelzebub 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. Joh. 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. Jesus finding him in the Temple, said to him behold thou art made whole, sin no more lest a worse thing come unto thee.
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 Beelzeub the Prince of Devils
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,
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.
1. By the Authority of it, I appoint it unto you.
2. By the Exemplar pattern, as my Father hath appointed unto me.
3. By the parts of it, which are most honourable and eminent, and these are such as show, that it is an estate that the Church doth attain unto in this life, and is only a preface to the glorious Kingdom to be attained in the life to come, as I conceive with submission.
3. By the parts of it, which are most honourable and eminent, and these are such as shew, that it is an estate that the Church doth attain unto in this life, and is only a preface to the glorious Kingdome to be attained in the life to come, as I conceive with submission.
The particulars are,
1. To eat and drink at my Table in my Kingdom, which the Church enjoyeth in our Sacramental Communion with the Father and the Son, at the Lords Table, which is a way of worship suitable to this life, but not suitable to our estate in heaven.
1. To eat and drink at my Table in my Kingdome, which the Church injoyeth in our Sacramental Communion with the Father and the Son, at the Lords Table, which is a way of worship suitable to this life, but not suitable to our estate in heaven.
2. To sit on Thrones judging the Church, (called the twelve Tribes) viz. in exercising of Gospel Discipline, which also is suitable to the state of the Church in this life, but not suitable to the state of the Church in Heaven, there will be no use of discipline in Heaven.
So that by this we see, that the Gospel Church springeth up, and groweth in the field of Temptation, wherein Jesus Christ walked, and his Disciples continued […] ⟨p. 58⟩him, and the product was, the Institution of a Gospel Church, a stone hewed by the Axe and Hammer of Temptations, is fit to be built into a Gospel Church, and to enjoy full Communion at the Lords Table, and voting in the Church, and one fitted and humbled by Temptations, is fit to undertake the Gospel Ministry in a Gospel Church.
So that by this we see, that the Gospel Church springeth up, and groweth in the field of Temptation, wherein Iesus Christ walked, and his Disciples continued 〈…〉 ⟨p. 58⟩him, and the product was, the Institution of a Gospel Church, a stone hewed by the Axe and Hammer of Temptations, is fit to be built into a Gospel Church, and to injoy full Communion at the Lords Table, and voting in the Church, and one fitted and humbled by Temptations, is fit to undertake the Gospel Ministry in a Gospel Church.
Jesus Christ suffered himself to be tempted both by men and Devils, among men he suffered himself to be tempted both by bad & good men, consider some Instances of his being tempted by bad men, Math, 22.15, 16, 17, 18. Then went the Pharisees & took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk, & they sent out their Disciples with the Herodians saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in Truth, neither carest thou for any man, for thou regardest not the persons of men, tell us therefore what thinkest thou, is it lawful to give Tribute to Cesar or no? but Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, why tempt ye me hypocrites. Luke expresseth this, or the like Temptation more fully, Luk. 20.20. and they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, and so they might deliver him unto the power and Authority of the Governor. See another Instance, Math. 22.35, 36. then one of them which was a Lawyer asked him a question, tempting him, saying, Master, which is the great Commandment in the Law? see another Instance, Luk. 10.25. and behold a certain Lawyer stood up and tempted him saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? see another Instance, Math. 16.1. the Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting, desired him that he would show them a sign from Heaven, unto these he maketh a sad Answer, Mark. 8.12. and he sighed deeply in his Spirit and saith, why doth this Generation seek after a sign, verily, I say unto you, there shall be no sign given to this Generation. See another Instance, Math. 19.3. the Pharisees also came unto him tempting him, is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause, See one Instance more, Luk. 11.53, 54. and as he said these things unto them, the Scribes and Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things, laying wait for him and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him, It was an hour of great Temptation that Jesus Christ was in! He also suffered himself to be tempted by good men, as it appeared in that famous Instance of Peter,
Iesus Christ suffered himself to be tempted both by men and Devils, among men he suffered himself to be tempted both by bad & good men, consider some Instances of his being tempted by bad men, Math, 22.15, 16, 17, 18. Then went the Pharisees & took counsel how they might intangle him in his talk, & they sent out their Disciples with the Herodians saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in Truth, neither carest thou for any man, for thou regardest not the persons of men, tell us therefore what thinkest thou, is it lawful to give Tribute to Cesar or no? but Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, why tempt ye me hypocrites. Luke expresseth this, or the like Temptation more fully, Luk. 20.20. and they watched him, and sent forth spyes, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, and so they might deliver him unto the power and Authority of the Governour. See another Instance, Math. 22.35, 36. then one of them which was a Lawyer asked him a question, tempting him, saying, Master, which is the great Commandment in the Law? see another Instance, Luk. 10.25. and behold a certain Lawyer stood up and tempted him saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? see another Instance, Math. 16.1. the Pharisees also with the Sadduces came, and tempting, desired him that he would shew them a sign from Heaven, unto these he maketh a sad Answer, Mark. 8.12. and he sighed deeply in his Spirit and saith, why doth this Generation seek after a sign, verily, I say unto you, there shall be no sign given to this Generation. See another Instance, Math. 19.3. the Pharisees also came unto him tempting him, is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause, See one Instance more, Luk. 11.53, 54. and as he said these things unto them, the Scribes and Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things, laying wait for him and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him, It was an hour of grea• Temptation that Jesus Christ was in! He also suffered himself to be tempted by good men, as it appeared in that famous Instance of Peter, Math. 16, 22, 23.
