Theologicall questions, dogmaticall observations, and evangelicall essays, vpon the Gospel of Jesus Christ, according to St. Matthew Wherein, about two thousand six hundred and fifty necessary, and profitable questions are discussed; and five hundred and eighty speciall points of doctrine noted; and five hundred and fifty errours confuted, or objections answered: together with divers arguments, whereby divers truths, and true tenents are confirmed. By Richard VVard, sometimes student in the famous vniversities of Cambridge in England: St. Andrews in Scotland: and Master of Arts of both the kingdoms; and now a preacher in the famous city of London.

[Vers. 20] §. 1. VERS. 20. Saying, arise, and take the babe, [Sect. 1] and his mother, and goe into the land of Israel: for they are dead, which sought the babes life.

[Quest.] It may bee demanded, What was the end of Christs flying into Egypt, and returning from thence?

[Answ. 1] I answer first, this was done, that in the begin∣ning of Christs nonage, he might show that hee was borne to undergoe many temporall mis∣eries.

Secondly, that in regard of that estate of hu∣manity, [Answ. 2] which he had undertaken, he might as a man have a care of his life, in foreseeing and pre∣venting all dangers, that may ensue.

Thirdly, this was done, that Christ hereby [Answ. 3] might shew, that it was he alone, that was ap∣pointed by God to bring us out of spirituall E∣gypt into the promised land of eternall rest.

[Sect. 2] §. 2. And goe into the land of Jsrael.

[Quest.] It may be asked, why must Ioseph returne with Christ into Israel?

[Answ. 1] I answer first, that he might be educated, and brought up amongst his owne people:* 1.1 where was the law of God, and the true Church of God; teaching us, that parents should be very carefull of the pious education of their children, that they may have both good instruction, and discipline, and also good example? Now there is a three-fold good education, the I. Learned, this is good for those that are able, to allow un∣to their children, some learning, that they may be the more capable of religion. The II. Is sober, to teach them humanity, and humilitie towards all, and sobriety and temperance in themselves. The III. Pious and holy, and this is required (as well as the former) of all parents, to endeavour by Catechising, instructing, and godly example to educate their children, in the feare and nurture of the Lord.

Secondly, this was done also that it might be [Answ. 2] knowne, that Christ was an Israelite, least o∣therwise hee should have beene called an Egyp∣tian.

Thirdly, this was done for Iosephs and Maries [Answ. 3] sake, that they might be no longer afflicted, then was necessary, God not suffering his to bee af∣flicted, save onely for a moment.

§. 3. Because they are dead, who sought the babes life. [Sect. 3]

Here it may bee demanded, who were they [Quest. 1] that sought the childs life, and now are dead?

First, Hierome thinkes it was the Pharisees [Answ. 1] and Sanhedrina 1.2, and he is moved to this opini∣on for these reasons, I. Because it is spoken in the plurall number, mortui, not mortuus, they are dead, not he is dead. II. Because they were trou∣bled, as well as Herod, vers. 3. and (as Hierome thinkes) consulted also with Herod against Christ. III. Because they were slaine by He∣rod, as we shewed before, vers. 3. Someb 1.3 deny S. Hieromes second reason, affirming that the Parisees did neither lye in wait for the life of Christ, nor consult to kill him.

Secondly, this is certaine, from this verse, [Answ. 2] that whosoever they were, that sought the childes life, were by death removed out of the way: Teaching us, [Observ.] that whosoever opposeth himselfe against Christ, shall bee destroyed; Christ is now at the right hand of the Father, in power & gloryc 1.4, and therfore they that spurne at him, doe but kicke against the prickes. Hence a question may be propounded.

Who are they that oppose themselves against [Quest. 2] Christ? I answer, those that persecute him, 1. [Answ.] in his Person, 2. in his Power, 3. in his Preaching: all such being 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, sighters against Christ, and which shall never goe unpunishedd 1.5.

First, in Persona, they oppose Christ that per∣secute him in his person: the person of Christ taken largely, consists of an Head, and a Body, and therefore they are opposers of Christ, that I. persecute him in Capite, that blaspheme Christ, or refuse to be subject unto him (as ma∣ny doe in all places, where Christ is preached) or directly oppose Christ himselfe, as Herod did here, and the Iewes afterwards, when they persecuted him, and crucified him: all these sin against their own heads, this their oppositi∣on being treason in the highest degree. II. They are opposers of Christ in his person, that persecute him in membris, in his body; that is, they that persecute the true professors of the Gospell of Christ, or the children of God.

Secondly, they oppose Christ, that persecute him in potestate, in his power, as, I. traytors

doe, that imagine and practise evill against Kings, the Lords Vice-gerents, as the Pope doth, that sometimes opposeth Kings, some∣times deposeth Kings, sometimes interdicteth and excommunicateth Kings, sometimes free∣eth their subjects from the oath of allegeance, & either by secret policie, or open power, labou∣reth to murther those Protestant Princes, that will not be subject to his Antichristian power; yet this should no whit dismay any of the Lords Vicegerents, upon earth: for although they bee craftie, fraudulent, malicious, cruell, and bloudy, yet they need not feare them, because they op∣pose themselves against Christ, in opposing themselves against Christian Kings; and they shall not prevaile against them, God having promised to protect his Vice-royes, who are de∣fenders of the true faith, and hath graciously performed his promise to our late dread Sove∣raignes of famous and blessed memory, King Iames, and Queene Elizabeth, against whom, none of the plots or practises of the Jesuites, or Seminaries (seedsmen of mischiefe) ever tooke effect. These, I say, are opposers of Christ, and therefore shall be destroyede 1.6: yea, many are the examples that might be produced of Gods hea∣vie judgements inflicted upon those that have opposed Protestant Princes; but I referre the Reader to Doctor Beard his Theater of Gods Judgementsf 1.7.

II. There are others that oppose Christ in his Power, besides Papists, and those are Ana∣baptists, who deny obedience unto all Christian Magistrates: and although the Apostle posi∣tively sayth, that they are ordained of Godg 1.8, yet these Separatists doe deny all superioritie and Magistracie, amongst Christian people, as shall be shewed more largely elswhere.

Thirdly, they are opposers of Christ, that per∣secute, or oppose him in Praedicatione, in his preaching; and that either, I. By the patro∣nage of sinne, or sinners, many delight to sup∣port and uphold wicked men in their wicked∣nesse; but such must remember, that herein they oppose Christ, which opposition will bring de∣struction at last. Or, II. by an obstinacie in sinne, transgressing with an high hand, and will not be reclaimed by theh 1.9 preaching of the word: some will sinne, let the preacher say what hee will, stat pro ratione voluntas, their owne will shall be their law, not the will of God published by the Minister: some would leave some sinnes, if Christ did not forbid them: that is, because the preacher reprehends them, therefore they will not amend, to vex him. Or, III. Those that hate the preachers of the Gospell, and en∣devour that all preaching were left. These must beware, because this is a direct opposition of Christ, as appeares most clearly by this one ex∣ample: Paul breathes out threatnings against the Disciples of the Lord, persecuting and pro∣secuting them to the uttermost of his poweri 1.10, to whom Christ from heaven calls, Oh Saul, why persecutest thou mea 1.11, and fore-warnes him of it, as a Scylla, that will suddenly dash him to piecesb 1.12. And therefore all these must take heed of Herods sinne, (in opposing themselves unto Christ) lest that Herods punishment (mentio∣ned before, vers. 19.) be their portion: for none are stronger than Christc 1.13, none are able to pre∣vaile one ••ot-against him; but hee is able to throw both the bodies and souls of all those into everlasting burnings, that, like Herod, set them∣selves against him, either in his person, or in his power, or in his preaching.

§. 4. Returne, for they are dead that sought the [Sect. 4] babes life.] We may observe here, that as soon as ever they are dead, which sought the childes life, Ioseph was called back againe: the cause of his going into Egypt, was the preservation of Christ, and as soone as this storme was blowne over, and this danger past, hee is reduced, and brought backe againe. Hence it may bee as∣ked,

Why doth the Lord remove the affliction from his children, [Quest.] as soone as the danger is re∣moved?

I answer, First, because his mercie is infinite, [Answ. 1] immense, and unspeakable towards his children, Psal. 103.8.9.11.12.

Secondly, hee doth not afflict his children [Answ. 2] willingly, but by a certaine coaction: Gangrens are necessarily to be corroded, or cured by cor∣rosives, but as soone as the dead flesh is eaten out, the Chyrurgion changeth his plaister: so affliction is sometimes necessary, to weane us from sinne; and when wee are so weaned, then the Lord turnes our mourning into mirth.

Thirdly, because the Lords end in the affli∣ction [Answ. 3] of his children, is the prevention of some danger; which once being prevented, the Lord returnes againe unto them in mercie. And thus the Lord doth with Christ, and Ioseph, and Ma∣ry in this verse: when their enemies are dead, then they are called home againe.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Observa.
• a 1.2

  Hiero. 1.
• b 1.3

  Gualt ••
• c 1.4

  Phil. 1.8.9.
• d 1.5

  Matth. 21.44. & Act. 3.23.
• e 1.6

  Psa: 2.4.5.6.
• f 1.7

  sol. 541:
• g 1.8

  Rom. 13 1.2.
• h 1.9

  Ephes. 4.19.
• i 1.10

  Act. 9.1.2.
• a 1.11

  Act. 9.4.
• b 1.12

  Vers. 5.
• c 1.13

  1. Cor. 10.22.