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. 15] VERS. 15. And Iesus said unto them, can the chil∣dren of the Bride-chamber mourn, as long as the Bride∣groome is with them? But the dayes will come, when the Bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

[Sect. 1] §. 1. Can the Children of the Bride-chamber mourn?

Our Saviour in these words alludes to the cu∣stome of the Jewes in their marriages; the rites and Ceremonies wherof were performed in the assembly of ten men at the least, with blessings, and thankesgivings unto God, whence the house it selfe was called (Beth-hillula) the house of praise; and their mariage Song (Hillulim) pray∣ses, and the Bride-groomes intimate friends which accompanied him, and sung the Epithala∣mium, or mariage song, were termed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Children of the Bride-chamber: as in this verse; The forme of the marriage Song in effect was this: The chiefe of the Bridegroomes friends takes a Cup, and blesseth it, saying; Blessed art thou oh Lord our God, the King of the world, which crea∣test the fruit of the vine: Afterward then he saith, Blessed be the Lord our God, the King of the world, who hath created man after his own Image, according to the Image of his owne likenesse, and hath thereby prepared unto himselfe an everlasting building, blessed bee thou oh Lord, who hast created him. Then followeth again; Blessed art thou oh Lord our God, who hast created joy and gladnesse, the Bride-groome, and the Bride, Charity, and brotherly love, rejoycing and pleasure, peace and socie∣ty: I beseech thee, oh Lord, let there suddenly be heard in the Cities of Iudah, and the streets of Ierusalem, the voice of joy, and gladnesse, the voice of the Bridegroome and the Bride; the voice of exultation in the Bride-chamber is sweeter then any feast, and children sweeter then the sweetnesse of a song: And this being ended, h•••• drinketh to the married couple.

§. 2. But the Bride-groom shall be taken away, and [Sect. 2] then they shall fast.

It is controverted, betwixt us and the Papists; [Object:] whether the institution of Lent, be an Apostolike tradition, or not? they affirming that it is: and Bellarmine (lib. 2. de bon. operib. Cap. 14) sheweth seven causes of the institution therof; the third wherof is this; Lent by the Apostles was or∣dained, and instituted to be observed, to fulfill this saying of Christs: When the Bridegroome shall be taken away, then shall they fast.

First, this saying of our Saviours, was spoken [Answ. 1] only to his Apostles, that enjoyed his carnall presence.

Secondly, if the words be largely taken, then [Answ. 2] the Montanists did come neerer to the sense, then the Papists, that observed the Lenton fast straight after Christs ascension.

Thirdly, if the Papists will expound the ta∣king [Answ. 3] away of the Bridegroom, of Christs death, then by this reason they should not fast before the celebration of the Passion, but after.

Our Saviour in this place doth expresly teach us; That there shall be a time, [Observ.] when the children of God shall weepe, and mourn for the absence of Christ, Iohn 13.33. and 16.16. &c. and 14.3.16.19.27.

Which is the fittest time for fasting, because [Quest. 1] our Saviour saith here, there shall be a time when we must fast?

The true time of fasting & mourning, [Answ.] is when Christ is absent, so saith our Saviour in this place; that is,

First, when wee are under some temporall scourge, and chastisement.

Secondly, when the peace is broken betweene us, and our God; when wee have offended him, and set him against us, by our sins, (Psal. 51.8.) and are not sure of reconciliation.

Thirdly, when some lust, or strong temptation doth assault us, and wee are not sensible of the presence, and grace of Christ within us, sustaining us.

Fourthly, when our former light is eclipsed; that is, when the assurance we had in God, and joy in the enjoyment of Christ is departed, and gone from us: for as the clearest day hath his clouds, so the best sometimes hath his doubtings: the day hath his night, and clearest faith his eclipses: And this is the fittest time for fasting and mourning, because now the Bridegroom is taken away from us.

How can Christ be taken away from us, or wee [Quest. 2] mourn for his absence, seeing he hath otherwise promised, Mat. 28.20. Behold I am with you unto the end of the world.

First, Augustine distinguisheth generally of the [Answ. 1] presence of Christ; that there is praesentia Deita∣tis, & Humanitati••, a presence of his humanity, and this they were deprived of, and a presence of his deitie, and thus Christ was alwayes with them.

Secondly, there is a presence of Christs Deitie, [Answ. 2] in a generall providence, and presence of sight: thus Christ is never absent, either from good, or bad, but alwayes, and every where present with all.

[Answ. 3] Thirdly, there is a presence of Christs Deitie, in a particular providence; and this is two-fold, viz. either,

I. Spirituall; and thus Christ

First, directs, and disposes of the Ministery of the word. And

Secondly, annoints with the Spirit, and fits with gifts, those whom hee cals to the worke of the Ministery. And

Thirdly, wounds, and weakens Sathans power in that manner that hee cannot prevaile against his Church, Mat. 18. Or,

II. Temporall, and thus Christ

First, sometimes hides, and preserves his chil∣dren from evill, and danger, Psal. 31.20. and 91. And

Secondly, sometimes lets them fall into dan∣ger, and then freeth and delivereth them. And

Thirdly, sometimes neither preserveth them from evils, nor delivereth them out of evils, but only comforteth them in, and under evils; and so as that the evill of the evill is taken away, Psal. 30.7.

[Answ. 4] Fourthly, there is a presence of Christs flesh, or humanity; Sic absens, cum passionis temp•••• ad∣venerit, Hieron. s. And this the Apostles were deprived of after Christs suffering: for now the heavens containe him, Act. 3.21. and 1.11. and 2 Cor. 5.16.

[Answ. 5] Fifthly, there is a presence of temporal pros∣perity; and this our Saviour speaks of here ac∣cording to the letter: For as the Nurse leadeth, and carefully cherisheth the Infant while it is young and weak, so doth Christ, who will not suffer his Apostles to weep, and mourn, and be af∣flicted as yet, because they were not able to en∣dure it.

[Answ. 6] Sixthly, there is a spirituall absence of Christ in the heart; and that in a double regard; to wit,

I. In respect of internall strength, when the children of God are assaulted, and tempted by Sathan, and overcome by sin; as was David, 2 Sam. 11. and Peter, Mat. 27. For

First, wee grieve the Spirit of God, Ephes. 4.30. and quench the good motions of the Spi∣rita 1.1: And

Secondly, then God leaves us unto our selves, and takes away his hand, and we fall unto the groundb 1.2.

II. In respect of peace of conscience, and joy of the Holy Ghost: For

First, sometimes there is a veile over the heart, and an insensibility of joy, and comfort; we not feeling the presence of the blessed Spirit in our hearts, nor sensible of the fruits, and effects of his presence.

Secondly, sometimes the children of God are sensible of his wrath, and ire, Psalm. 27.9. Deut. 32.20. Esay 57.17. Now the cause of this is sin, and that either,

I. Some sin committed already, which is in∣deed hainous; as was Davids, Psal. 5.1.2.7.9.14. Or,

II. Some inherent corruption, or lust, which is not subdued; and this certainly is the most grievous condition, Psal. 120.5. Rom. 7.23. when internall corruptions violently prevaile against us, and lead us captive to the law of sinne. And thus we may learn, when and how, Christ is ab∣sent from, and present with his children on earth.

Notes

• a 1.1

  1 Thess. 5.19.
• b 1.2

  Psal. 104.29. 2 Chron. 32.31.