Matthew 28

IN the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn, towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary to see the sepulcher. We are now come to that part of the Gospel, which Treateth concerning the Resurrection of Christ, and the Converse which he had upon the Earth, for forty Days, Acts 1.3. until the time of his Ascension into Heaven. Matthew and Mark are the shortest in this Narration. I shall therefore only consider what Matthew says, and what the other Evangelists speak, as to the same things which he mentioneth, leaving out what the other Evangelists have (not at all mentioned by him) to be Discoursed in their Proper Place. We heard before that Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary had prepared Spices and Ointment, to Anoint the Body of Christ, but the Sabbath day being at Hand, they would not by that unnecessary Action profane the Sabbath, as Luke tells us, Ch. 23.56. They rested on the Sabbath, according to the Commandement. The Sabbath ended with them, at the Setting of the Sun. They did not go as soon as the Sabbath was ended, but after it was ended, as it began to dawn towards the first Day of the Week. The first Day of the Week, began with them as soon as the Sabbath was ended, so as the first Day of the Week, was a third part spent, therefore Mark reports the time, Mark 16.1, 2. And when the Sabbath was spent, and says that Mary Magdalene, and Mary the Mother of Iames, and Salome had bought sweet Spices, that they might come, and Anoint him. And very early in the Morning, the first Day of the Week they came unto the Sepulcher at the rising of the Sun. Luke, Ch. 24.1. says, that upon the first Day of the Week very early in the Morning, they came unto the Sepulcher, bringing the Spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. Iohn says, Ch. 20.1. The first Day of the Week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet dark unto the Sepulcher. As to the time, Three Evangelists say it was upon the first day of the Week early in the Morning, about Sun Rising (says Mark) while it was yet dark (says Iohn) these how interpret Matthews which does not signify, In the Evening of the Sabbath, but in the Evening of the Sabbaths, the end of the Week. The Jews in Honour to the Sabbath, called all the Days of the Week Sabbaths. The first of the Sabbath, the second of the Sabbath, &c. So as is well Translated by our Translators, In the end of the Sabbaths. The Evening or Night following the Sabbaths, following the seventh Day, which was the Sabbath. Nor is to be taken here, strictly for that time of the Night, which we call the Evening, but for the whole Night, which must be reckoned to continue untill the Sun-Rising, of the first Day of the Week and so Matthew expounds himself, adding, as it began to dawn towards the first Day of the Week that is, the first Artificial Day (as the Day is accounted from the Sun Rising, to Sun Setting) otherwise it was upon the first Natural day of the Week which began from the Sun Setting before. Matthew mentions the coming of Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, who Mark says, was the Mother of Iames and Salome, to the Sepulcher. Iohn mentioneth only Mary Magdalene, but it is not probable, she went alone, and two other Evangelists say also the other Mary. Luke says, there was certain others with them, there might be Divers with them, tho one only be named by Iohn, Two by Matthew and Mark as being the Principal Persons in the Company. And tho Matthew only mentioneth their going to see the Sepulcher, yet Mark telleth us, that they went also to Anoint his Body, and Luke says, they carryed the Spices prepared for that end, their Faith, as it seemeth, was yet but weak as to our Saviours Resurrection.

And behold, there was a great earthquake, for the Angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sate upon it.

His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.

And for fear of him, the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. Matthew alone telleth us this, all the other Evangelists agree, that when the women came, they found the stone rolled away, which eased the women of the sollicitude they had as they came; saying amongst themselves, Who sha ro l u away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? Ma ew says, an Angel descended and rolled away the stone, and ca e and ate upon it. This Angel had assumed a shape, for he appeared to those that saw him, as to his countenance like lightning. As to his garment, as one clothed in exceeding white linnen, white as Snow. What does the watch all this while? Matthew says, they were afraid, shook, and became like dead men. Luke and Iohn make mention of two Angels; nor indeed needed there any Angel at all, to remove the Stone, if this had been all he had come down for: He that was quickned by the Spirit, could by the same power have rolled away the stone: But as it was fit that the Angels who had been witnesses of his Pa sion, should also be witnesses of his Resurrection; that he who was iustified in the spirit, should be seen of Angels: 1 Tim. 3.16. So it was necessary, that the keepers might give a just account to Pilate, the chief Priests and Scribes. And no wonder that they were afraid, and as dead men; when as all Apparitions of this nature naturally affright us; and they had such a conscience of guilt upon them, and might justly fear what their Masters should say to them, when they found the body was missing; especially also seeing, or being sensible of the earthquake, or great concussion of the air. (For though we translate it earthquake, yet the Greek says no more then.) Besides, that the presence of the Angels seemed reasonable to prevent a cheat, by putting some other dead body into the Sepulchre, and to direct the women who were now coming towards the Sepulchre; for they were not yet come: when they were come, they found the stone rolled away; and Matthew's relation, how the stone came removed, was doubtless, not from them, but from the Keepers, or some to whom they had related it.

And the angel answered, and said unto the woman, Fear not ye, for I know that ye seek Jesus, who was crucified.

He is not here: for he is risen as he said, Come see the place where the Lord lay.

And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead, And behold, he goeth before you into Galilee, there shall ye see him, Lo, I have told you.

And they departed quickly from the sepulcher, with fear, and great joy, and did run to bring his disciples word. Mark Ch. 16.5, 6, 7. And entring into the Sepulcher they saw a young Man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white Garment, and they were affrighted. And he says to them, Be not affrighted, you seek Iesus of Nazareth, which was Crucified, He is risen, he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, and tell his Disciples, and Peter, that he goeth before you into Galilee, there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. And they went out quickly, and fled from the Sepulcher, for they trembled, and were amazed, neither said they any thing to any Man, for they were afraid. Luke says, Ch. 24, 3, 4. And they entred in, and found not the Body of the Lord Iesus, And it came to pass as they were much Perplexed thereabout, behold two Men stood by them in shining Garments. And as they were afraid, and bowed down their Faces to the Earth, and said unto them. Why seek ye the Living among the Dead? He is not here, he is Risen. Remember how he spake unto you, while he was yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of Man must be delivered into the Hands of Sinful Men, and be Crucified, and the third Day rise again. And they Remembred his Words, and returned from the Sepulcher, and told all these things unto the Eleven, and all the rest, it was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the Mother of James, and other Women which were with them, which told these things to the Apostles, and their Words seemed to them idle Tales, and they believed them not. Iohn says, of Mary Magdalene only Ch. 20.2. Then she runeth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and the other Disciple whom Iesus loved, and said unto them, they have taken away the Lord out of the Sepulcher, and we know not where they have laid him. Matthew in this Relation omitteth many things more distinctly related by the other Evangelists, when the Women came to the Sepulcher, they first entred in. So says Mark and Luke, it was within that they saw the Angel, Habited as it were in a long, white shining Garment, they were affrighted, (as we Naturally are upon Apparitions) they bowed down their Faces to the Earth. The Angel bids them not to fear, he knew that they sought Iesus of Nazareth, who was Crucified, Why seek you the Living amongst the Dead? He is not here, he is Risen. Shows to them the place where his Body was laid, mindeth them of Christs Words to them in Galilee, Chap. 17.23. bids them go tell his Disciples (Mark adds and Peter) that he was going before them into Galilee, and that there they should see him, as he had said unto them, Matth. 26.32. Mar. 14.28. They quickly departed from the Sepulcher (as Matthew says) with fear and great joy, Mark says, Trembling and Amazed. Iohn does not say unbelieving, but he says it in effect, for he says, that they said to Simon Peter, They have taken away the Lord out of the Sepulcher, and we know not where they have laid him. The cause of their fear, and amazement, was doubtless the Apparition of the Angel. The cause of their sudden Joy, was the News, That he was Risen, told them by the Angel. It appeareth that their Joy was but a sudden ash of Passion, not rising from the certainty of their Souls, as to the Truth of what they heard, because they said to the Disciples, that they did not believe it, but upon second thoughts concluded that some body had removed our Savioursbody, neither did the Apostles themselves believe it, as appeareth by Luke, he says, they looked upon it as an idle Tale. Iohn says expresly, Chap. 20, v. 9. As yet they knew not the Scripture, that he must rise again from the Dead. They knew it Notionally, but they did not give a firm and a fixed assent to it, they did not believe it. It was not, it seemeth, in the Power of their Wills, to believe this Article of Christs Resurrection, for as they had a Divine Revelation of the thing from Christ himself: So we cannot but think they had mind, and good Will enough to believe it. But God had not given them the Power of Faith as to this point.

And as they went to tell his disciples, behold Jesus met them, saying All hail: And they came, and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid, go tell my brethren, that they go unto Galilee, and there shall they see me. Matthew repeateth this very shortly. Mark says, Chap. 16.9. Now when Iesus was Risen early, the first Day of the Week he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he ad cast seven Devils. And she went, and told them that she had been with him, as they Mourned, and W pt. And they when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. Luke says, Then (that is, when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary had come, and told the Disciples what they had seen and heard, tho at first they gave no credit to it) a ise Peter and ran unto the Sepulcher, and stooping down, he beheld the Linnen Cloths laid by themselves, and departed wondring in himself, at that which was come to pass, Luke 24.12. Iohn relateth this more distinctly, in Chap. 20. v. 3, 4, 5. &c. Peter therefore went forth, and the other Disciple (whom Iesus loved, as v. 2. (and that was Iohn himself, who wrote that Gospel, Iohn 13.23.) and came to the Sepulcher, so they ran both together, and the other Disciple did out-run Peter, and came first to the Sepulcher, and he sto ping down, and looking in, saw the Linnen Cloths lying, yet he went not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went in to the Sepulcher, and seeth the Linnen Cloths e, and the Napkin that was about his Head, not lying with the Linnen Cloths, but wrapped ogether, in a place by it self. Then went in also that other Disciple, which came first to the Sepulcher, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the Scripture, that he must Rise again from the Dead. Then the Disciples went away again unto their own Home. But Mary stood without at the Weeping, and as she Wept, she stooped down, and looked into the Sepulcher, and seeth two Angels in white, the one at the Head, the other at the Feet, where the Body of Iesus had, and they say unto her, Woman! why weepest thou? She says unto them, because they have taken away my Lord, and I kn w not where they have laid him,—and when she had said thus she turned her self back and saw Iesus standing, and knew not that it was Iesus. Iesus says unto her, Woman! why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She (supposing him to be the Gardener) says unto him, Sir if thou hast Born him hence, tell me where thou hast aid him, and I will take him away. Iesus says unto her. Mary, She turneth, and s th unto him, Rabboni, which is to say, Master, Iesus sa h unto her, Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my Brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto your Father, and my Father, and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came, and told the Disciples, that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. What there is particularly to be Noted upon the several particulars in Iohns Relation, I shall observe when I come to that Chapter of Iohn, I have only at present Transcribed it, that from the comp ring it with the other Evangelists, we might understand the order of this History. And as they went to tell his Disciples. 3. This seemeth to be their second going, and the order to be thus. When Mary and the rest came to the Disciples, and told them they had been at the Sepulchre, and what they had there seen, and eard, they believed it not. But yet it being close by the City, and not knowing what to think, Peter resolves to go and see, and so does Iohn, they both run, but Iohn comes there first, but goes not into the Sepulchre, but only looks in, and saw the linnen cloaths lying. Peter comes (for it was very near the Gates of the City) he goeth in, seeth the linneth clothes, and the Napkin. Then Iohn also adventureth to go in and saw and believed; he is the first is said to have believed. Then they went home. But Mary staid, weeping, and now and then looking into the Sepulchre, she seeth not the clothes only, but two Angels, sitting the one at the Head, the other at the Feet of the place where the Body of Christ did lie They ask her why she wept, she tells them, Because they had taken away her Lord, and she did not know where they had laid him. Now says Iohn, when she had said thus we translate it. She turned her self back, and saw Iesus s anding, Ioh. 20.14. which seemeth to contradict our Evangelist Matthew who says, As they went to tell his Disciples, behold Iesus met them, and said, All Hail, our translation now would make one think, that Mary was still at the Sepulcher, and there looking back she saw Iesus, and this seemeth either to assert that Mary saw Christ twice, once at the Sepulchre, once in her return to the City, or else to contradict Matthew, but the Gr. words may be translated, She was turned backward, that was going back to tell his Disciples, and met Christ, who saluted her saying, All Hail; tho Mary Magdalene be only named, and po sibly all the Women who were with her at first, did not come back with her the second time, yet it is plain she was not alone, for Matthew says, They came, and held him by the feet, and Worshipped him, he bids her b not afraid, but go, and tell his Disciples, they should meet him in Galilee, for the other discourse betwixt him and Mary, we shall meet with it when we come to that Chapter, in St. Iohns Gospel, where it is mentioned. Mark says, that when they had heard he was alive, and had been seen of her, they believed not. We do not read that the Angels appeared either to Peter or Iohn, much less that Christ as yet showed himself to them; so they had only the Testimony of Mary as to these things, and their own view of the empty Sepulchre, and the clothes lying by. How hard a thing it is to believe Spiritual Mysteries, above the reach of our Reason? so hard, that no revelation of Flesh and Blood, is sufficient to beget such a Faith.

Now when they were going: behold some of the watch came into the city, and showed unto the chief Priests all the things that were done.

And when they were assembled with the Elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large mony to the souldiers.

Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night and stole him away, while we slept.

And if this come to the governours ears we will persuade him, and secure you.

So they took the money, and did as they were taught; And this saying is commonly reported amongst the Jews to this day. No other Evangelist has this passage which was necessary to be inserted by Matthew. 1 To satisfie Readers how it could come to pass, that Matthew should know of the Earthquake, or concussion of the Air rather, and that an Angel came and rolled away the Stone, for all this was done, and Christ risen, before the Women came, it came out by the Watch, or by Pilate to whom the Watch related it, or else by some of the Priests and Elders, who did not keep Counsel so well as others. 2 To show the horrible Wickedness of these Priests and Elders, that would thus cover the Blood they had spilt with a Lye, and Subornation. Thus one Sin requires more to defend it. 3 To let us see how simple People will show themselves in their Malice. What a Story here was? If they were asleep, how could they know that Christ's Disciples came by Night and stole him away? Would no noise of rolling away the stone wake them? Malice will not allow Men deliberation enough to show themselves wise. God infatuated these Men, that succeeding ages might know they were suborned. Here we have also the ground of that Fable with which the Jews presently f lled all the World.

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee into a Mountain, where Jesus had appointed them.

And when they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. The other Evangelists mention several other appearances of Christ, which we shall consider when we come to them. This was in Galilee, upon Christs appointment, either before, or after his Resurrection, we cannot certainly say when, or how. Some think (upon what grounds I know not, but because the Evangelists mentions no more) That this was the famous appearance mentioned by the Apostles, when he was seen of more then five hundred Brethren at nce, 1 Cor. 15.6. The text speaks but of eleven that went into Galilee, it is possible more might meet him there, but we have no guidance of Scripture to conclude it. Some Worshipped him, some doubted. Thomas we know did so, so might others, but some think that it had been better translated. Some had doubted; I understand no sufficient reason for it, for it is not certain that this was after his other Appearances mentioned by the other Evangelists.

And Jesus came, and spake unto them, saying, All power is given to me, in heaven, and in earth.

Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost.

Teaching them to observe all things what seever I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you alway even to the end of the world, Amen. Mark says Ch. 16.15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the World, and Preach the Gospel to every Creature. Hee that believeth, and is Baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe, In my Name they shall cast out Devils, they shall speak with new Tongues. They shall take up Serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them, they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. Our blessed Lord in these three last verses, 1. Asserteth his Power and Authority. 2. He delegates a Power. 3. He subjoineth a Promise. The Power and Authority which he asserteth to himself is, All Power both in Heaven and Earth. Acts 10.36.42. Eph. 1.20.21.22. Power of Remission of Sins. Luke 24.47. of Congregating, teaching, and Governing his Church, a Power to give Eternal Life to whomsoever he pleased. This was inherent in him as God blessed for ever. Given to him as our Mediator, and Redeemer, given him when he came into the World, but more especially confirmed to him, and manifested to be given him at his Resurrection, and Assention. Philip. 2.9.10. Having declared his Power he delegates it. Go ye therefore and teach all Nations, the Greek is make Disciples all Nations, but that must be first by Preaching and instructing them in the principles of the Chrstian Faith, and Mark expounds it, telling us our Saviour said, Go ye into all the World, and Preach the Gospel to every Creature, that is, to every reasonable Creature, capable of hearing and receiving it. I cannot be of their Mind, who think that Persons may be Baptized before they be Taught, we want Presidents of any such Baptism in Scripture, tho indeed we find Presidents of Persons Baptized who had but a small degree of the knowledge of the Gospel, but it should seem that they were all first taught, that Iesus Christ was the Son of God, and were not Baptized, till they professed such belief Acts 8.37. and Iohn Baptized them in Iordan confessing their Sins, Mat. 3.6. but it does not therefore follow, that Children of such Professors are not to be Baptized, for the Apostles were commanded to Baptize all Nations; Children are a great part of any Nation, if not the greatest part, and altho amongst the Jews those that were converted to the Jewish Religion, were first instructed in the Law of God, before they were Circumcised, yet the Fathers being once admitted, the Children were Circumcised at eight days old, nor were they under any Covenant different from us, tho we be under a more clear manifestation of the same Covenant of Grace, of which Circumcision was a Sign and Seal to them: as Baptism is to us. Infants are capable of the Obligations of Baptism, for the Obligation ariseth from the Equity of the thing, not from the Understanding and Capacity of the Person, they are also capable of the same Priviledges, for of such is the Kingdom of God, as our Saviour has taught us. All Nations. The Apostles were by this Precept obliged to go up and down the World Preaching the Gospel, but not presently. So it is plain that the Apostles understood their Commission from Acts 1.8. & 3.26. & 13.46. & 18.6.7. Gal. 2.7. They were first to Preach, and to Baptize amongst the Iews, and then thus to Disciple all Nations. Pastors, and Teachers who succeded the Apostles, were not under this Obligation, but were to be fixed in Churches gathered, as we learn from the Acts of the Apostles, and the Epistles of the Apostles. They by this Commission have Authority in any place to Preach, and to Baptize, but are not under an Obligation to fix no where, but to go up and down Preaching in all Nations. Baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Baptizing them is no more then washing them with Water. We read of the Baptisme of Pots and Cups, Mark 7.8. (we translate it Washing) which we know may bee, by dipping them in Water, or by pouring, or sprinkling of Water upon them. It is true, the first Baptismes of which we read in holy Writ, were by dippings of the Persons Baptized. It was in an hot Country, where it might be at any time without the danger of Persons Lives, where it may be, we judge it reasonable, and most resembling our burial with Christ by Baptism into Death, but we cannot think it necessary, for God loveth Mercy, rather then Sacrifice, and the thing signified by Baptism, viz. The washing away of the Soul Sins with the Blood of Christ, is in Scripture expressed to us by pouring, and sprinkling, Ezek. 36.25. Heb. 12.24. 1 Pet. 1.2. In the Name of the Father, &c. In the Greek it is into the Name. In the Name, does not only import the naming of the Names of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, upon them, but, In the Authority, or (which is indeed the chief) into the Profession of the Trinity of the Persons in the one Divine being. Dedicating the Persons Baptized to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and thereby obliging them to Worship and serve God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for in Baptisme there is both a Solemn Dedication of the Person to God, and a Solemn Stepulation. The Person Baptized, either Covenanting for him self, that he will be the Lords, or his Parents Covenanting for him, that he shall be the Lords, which Covenant does both oblige the Parents to do what in them lyeth in order to that end, and also the Child, the Parents Covenanting for no more, then the Child was under a Natural, and Religious Obligation to perform, if such Covenant had never been made by its Parents on its behalf. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. There is a Teaching must go before Baptisme of Persons grown up, and this was the constant practice of the Apostles. It is fit Man should Act as rational Creatures, understanding what they do. And there is a Teaching which must follow Baptisme, for Baptisme without Obedience, and a living up to that Covenant, in which we are ingaged, will save no Soul, but but lay it under a greater Condemnation. The Apostles might Teach nothing, but what Christ had Commanded them and they were bound to Teach, whatsoever Christ had Commanded them. Here now is the Rule of the Baptized Persons Obedience. We are bound to no Obedience, but of the Commands of Christ, and to a perfect Obedience of them, under the Penalty of Eternal Condemnation. When Mark says, He that believeth, and is Baptized shall be saved. It does not imply that Baptisme is absolutely necessaryto Salvation or in the same order with Faith in Christ, but that the Contempt of it is Damnable, as being a piece of Presumptuous Disobedience, and such a Faith is to be understood there, under the Notion of Believing as worketh by Love. And lo I am with you to the end of the World. I am, and I will be with you, and those who succeed you in the Work of the Ministry, being called of me thereunto, I will be with you, protecting you, and upholding that Ordinance and ble ing, you, and all others of my Faithful Ministers, that Labours for making, me, and my Gospel known, with success to the End of the not of this Age only, but of the World, my Ministry you shall not fail, nor shall the adding o Souls to he of them who shall be saved (as a Token of my with you) fail, till the World shall be determined, ew Heavens, and the New Earth shall appear what oncerning the Signs that should follow th se that particular reference to the times immediately ollowi Ascension into Heaven and to be understood of those Operations, which were to be wrought by the Apostles, and others, for a further Confirmation of the Doctrine of the Gospel by them Preached. Matthew says nothing of them here. There is no Promise of Christs presence with his Mini ters, to inable to such Operations to the end of the World, but with his Ministers, Preaching, Baptizing, and teaching Men to observe, and to do whatsoever he has Commanded them, he has promised to be, till time shall be no more.