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. 30. [Vers. 30] And then shall appeare the signe of the Sonne of man in heaven.

What is meant by the signe of the Sonne of man? [Quest]

I dare not undertake to determine this question, [Answ.] but in the handling of it, will onely doe, as many more have done before me, that is, shew the opini∣ons of others, and which of them J rather adhere unto

First, Lyranus thinkes that this signe shall be y^e [Answ. 1] signe of the Crosse, and Speare, and nailes, and other instruments of Christs death, altogether, and not any one of them onely.

Secondly, Lactantius is of opinion, that before [Answ. 2] Christ descend to judgement Cadet repente gladius é Coelo, a sword shall suddenly fall from heaven, that the righteous may know, that the Captaine of the Lords hoast is comming. Lactant. lib. 7. Cap. 1.

Thirdly, Zaga Zabo the Aethiopike Bishop [Answ. 3] saith, That CHRIST shall beare the crosse before him, & in manu gladium, and a sword in his hand,

to avenge himselfe upon his crucifiers, and all the enemies of his Crosse. Damianus de morib. Ae∣thiop.

[Answ. 4] Fourthly, some by this signe understand the signe of the Crosse onely; but yet with some diffe∣rences: For

I. ••ome thinke this signe shall be the signe of the Crosse in mens foreheads.

II. Others think that this signe shall be a banner (with the signe of the Crosse in it) displayed before in signe of victory. Gloss. interlin.

III. Others avouch, that the Sonne of man shall appeare in the day of judgement, with a Crosse borne before him. Bellarm. de sanct. Lib. 2. Cap. 28 et Rhemist. in hunc locum et Chrysost. et Muscul. And Chrysostome renders the reason, why this sign of the Crosse shall appeare; namely, for the justi∣fication of Chrst, when he shall enter into judge∣ment with his enemies: as if a man being hurt by the throwing of a stone at him, should bring the stone along with him unto judgement, for the quicker convincing, and greater confusion of him that threw it at him. Musculus thinkes that it shall be borne in triumph, against all the wicked, and also against the Prince of the world himselfe, both to shew the freedome and deliveran¦ce of the Elect, and also to declare unto all the world, that this JESUS which was crucified is the Almighty Lord of Heaven and Earth.

[Answ. 5] Fifthly, some thinke, that by this signe is meant the very body of CHRIST, having the testimonies of his sufferings upon it, that is, the wounds of his hands and feet, and side: and Chrysostome thinkes that this may be: And Dr. Willet doth incline to this rather then the former, although simply he as∣sents to neither. It is more like (sai••h he) that Christ at his comming should shew the markes and prints of the nayles, and speare in his body, then the signe of the Crosse: for those were felt and seene in his body after the Resurrection, so was not the other. but it is a bare conjecture without any ground of Scripture, that the wounds are either now in Hea∣ven to be seene in the glorious body of Christ, or that they shall be beheld and looked upon in the day of Judgement. The wicked indeed shall behold him whom they have pierced; but it followeth not thereupon, th••t he shall appeare as pierced. How is it possible that either the body of Christ being perfectly glorified, should still retaine any spots or blemishes, or that they could be espied in so glorious a body, which with the brightnesse thereof shall obscure the Sunne.

[Answ. 6] Sixthly, our Ecclesiasticall Expositors doe un∣derstand the signe of the Sonne of man, to be the Sonne of man himselfe: Caelesti potentia praeditus, quasi signo in sublime erecto, &c. Being endowed with celestiall power, as with a signe he shall turne the eyes of the world towards him, Calvin et P. Martyr.

[Answ. 7] Seventhly, the signe of the Sonne of man in the heavens, is nothing else (as J conceive) but his conspicuous and glorious appearing, who shall come in great glory, as a signe in the heavens to be seene of all the world. Now I cannot imagine, that it signifies any such visible signe as is for∣merly conceived in the five former answers; be∣cause it is said (Mark 13.19. and Luke 21 27.) Then shall they see the Sonne of man. Whereby it appeares (or at least seemes) that the signe of the Sonne of man, is the Sonne himselfe in his glorious appearing.

Eighthly, it is great presumption, so boldly to [Answ. 8] affirme as Bellarmine doth, that it shall be the signe of the Crosse, having no Scripture for it at all. Other signes we find, that Christ hath appeared with, as the signe of the Raine-bow (Revelat. 10.1.) with a two edged sword (Revelat. 1.16.) and with a booke in his hand (Revelat. 10.2.) Now wee have more reason to beleeve, that Christ may appeare with those signes, by the which he hath sometime shewed himselfe, then they have for the signe of the Crosse.