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 34.* 1.1 All these things spake Iesus unto the multitude

in Parables, and without a Parable spake hee not unto them.

[Quest.] How is it said that Christ spake nothing unto them without Parables, when as at sometime he taught plainly.

[Answ. 1] First, Augustine (qu. Evang.) answereth, that although some things were at sometimes spoken plainly, yet at no time did he speak so plainly, but somthing therein was parabolicall.

[Answ. 2] Secondly, others rather answer thus, that at this time of his teaching, hee spake nothing with∣out parables. Chrysost. qu. 3.

Some condemne too much knowledge, and pre∣ferre ignorance before it, setting up Trophees thereunto: but this is not answerable to the pre∣cepts and practise of Christ and his Apostles: for S. Paul makes the Gospell knowne unto the Co∣rinthians, 1 Corinth. 15.1. It being a light not to be hid under a Bushell, but to bee held forth, and declared unto all: yea Christ, wee see, taught o∣penly in the Temple, never secretly. Iohn 18.20. And commands his Apostles to goe and preach unto all nations, Matth. 28.19. And hence Paul saith, that the word of salvation is sent to all that feare God. [Object.] Acts 13.26. Now against this the Papist object this place, That Christ spake unto the common sort, or people in parables and with∣out a Parable spake he not unto them.

[Answ. 1] First, with Augustine above, I might answer that in many things which he taught, although something was difficult, yet there was some∣thing easie.

[Answ. 2] Secondly, this verse hath reference to the pre∣sent time, or present preaching of Christ, not to his preaching alwaies: For in this verse it is said 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, all these things spake Iesus unto the multi∣tude in Parables: and without a Parable spake he not unto them; that is, at that particular time: for at other times we see, hee teacheth them plainly without Parables, as Luke 4. But principally in his Sermon upon the mount. Matth. 5, 6, 7.

[Answ. 3] Thirdly, although our Saviour here teacheth in Parables, yet he doth not hereby excuse igno∣rance, (much lesse to commend it) but rather doth accuse them hereby of obstinacy and per∣versenesse: and therefore in judgement teacheth them in Parables and not plainly: for Parables are used for the punishment of hearers:

[Answ. 4] Fourthly, the principall cause why our Savi¦our spake so much in Parables, was because hee was not yet glorified: neither had as yet suffered. Hence he could not send the Comforter to his Apostles, untill hee was glorified: but after his glorification he sent him not onely to his Apo∣stles, but also by their Ministerie to others; and taught them, that is, brought to their remem∣brance what they had heard before, that they might make it knowne unto others. Matth. 10.17. And therefore Christs preaching in Parables is no plea for the excuse of ignorance.

Notes

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  Ʋers. 34