A compleat history and mystery of the Old and New Testament logically discust and theologically improved : in four volumes ... the like undertaking (in such a manner and method) being never by any author attempted before : yet this is now approved and commended by grave divines, &c. / by Christopher Ness ...

CHAP. VIII.

THE Fifth Place of Christ's Pilgrimage was Galilee, where he had his Peregrina∣tion, and Perambulation three several Times. The First was before the first Passover after his Baptism and Temptations, John 1.43. with John 2.12, 13. Some four Months Christ spent in walking up and down Galilee, whereof there were two sorts, 1. That of the Jews, and 2. That of the Gentiles, Mat. 4.15. the former, was in the Tribe of Zebulon, and the latter in the Tribe of Napthali; and this Division was occasion'd by the twenty Cities of Galilee which Solomon gave to Hiram the King of Tyre, 1 Kin. 9.11. Therefore was it call'd Galilee of the Gentiles, and a People that sat in Darkness, yet saw a great Light, Mat. 4.16. for the Day-spring from on High visited them, Luke 1.78. and the Bright Son of Righteousness, Mal. 4.2. (which had all P••∣lestina for his Zodiack, the twelve Tribes for his twelve Sings, &c.) stayed longest among them. These two Tribes (as Jerom observeth) were first carried into Captivity by the Assyrians, 2 Kin. 15.29. seemed farthest from Heaven, as bordering on the Gentiles, and in many things symbolizing with them, learning their Manners. So Redemption was first Preached in those Countries of Zebulon and Napthali, Isa. 9.1, ••. Our Lord was a long time in perfecting this perambulation, he walk'd or went about Doing Good, this whole Circuit, Acts 10.38. which contained many great Towns and Fa∣mous Cities, in Zebulon, were Nazareth, Bethsaida, Cana, Naim, &c. and in Na∣thali were Capernaum, Riblah, Caesaria, Philippi, &c. All which Populous Places pro∣mised a plentiful Increase and Income of the Evangelical Harvest. 'Twas the Pru∣dence of Christ, and of his Apostles to seat themselves as near as might be, where most need is, and where there was the greatest likelihood of doing most good. So ought all Christ's Ministers to do, spreading the Net of the Gospel, where most Fish•••• are found for catching them. In this Holy procession of our Messiah we find many Remarks Recorded in Scripture, as,

First, His leaving of Nazareth, Mat. 4.13. This was the Place of Christ's Concep∣tion and Education, Therefore did He marvelously Affect this City, and sought the Safety and Salvation of the Citizens, but they would not. Though it being his own Country, did draw his Heart to it (as our Native places do ours) by a kind of M••••∣netick Power and Property, yet when He would have healed them, their Iniquity was Dis∣covered, as Hos. 7.1. It broke out as the Leprosie in their Foreheads, they refused to be Reformed, and hated to be Healed. Though Christ (in his second Perambula∣tion) was admitted to be publick Reader in their Synagogue for that Sabbath, and Preached a most Powerful Sermon from his Text in Isaiah, 50. to the admiration of all his Auditors, yet because He pinched their wickedness by his Comparisons, He was in Danger of his Life, had he not Delivered himself in a miraculous manner, Luke 4.16, to 30. He could there do no mighty work saith Mark 6.5, 6. Therefore left them, say both Mat. 4.13. and Luke 4.31. than which they could scarce have incurr'd a greater Displeasure, for Wo be to You (saith He) when I depart from you, Hos. 9.12. and what Woes came into the City Jerusalem, when the Lord was quite gone out of it, Ezek, 11.23. God there makes many Removes, and still as he goes out, some Judgment came in, till at last that fatal Calamity (in the final Ruine of it) rush'd in upon that City. N.B. Note well. Oh Pray, Pray, Pray, That such a dismal Day of Removing our Can∣dlestick may not come, That our Sun of the Gospel may not go down at Noon, nor the Glo∣ry of God depart from our English Israel, that our Dear Redeemer may not be pro∣voked to turn his back upon this our Nazareth.

The Second Remark is, That when Christ left Nazareth (because that Great Prophet had no Honour in his own Country, nay he was in hazard of his Life among his Countrymen) he came and dwelt in Capernaum, &c. Mat. 4.13. Mark 1.14. Luke 4.31. and John 1.43 and 2.12. where he hired an House for Himself, his Mother, &c. for the Son of Man had not an House (of his own) wherein to lay his Head, Mat. 8.19. This City be∣came

the seat of the Evangelical Kingdom, fitly chosen, for the wholesomeness of the Air, Fertility of the Soil and its propinquity both to the River Jordan, and the Lake of Genesareth, besides many fair Towns and Populous Places were its Neighbours. Here the Corn was White unto the Harvest, John 4.35. and did solicite Labourers; then became it a Town of Consolation (as Capernaum signifies) when Nazareth (the Flower, as it signifies) withered by the withdrawment of the Sun of Righteousness from it. N. B. Note well. Contempt drives away Christ, but kind Hungrings constrain him to stay, Luke 24.29. and 4.42. We should earnestly contend for the Faith, which is but once delivered to the Saints, Jude ver. 3. We must not expect again ever a second Edition of it. But if we make Christ welcome as Capernaum did, He will dwell here (as He did there) he will utter Oracles and Work Miracles, &c. Oh happy Place and People in so sweet and pretious and Inhabitant among them. Hereby Capernaum is said to be lifted up to Heaven, Mat. 11.22. and some render the Reason why Judah was sealed first of Leah's Children, and Napithali of Rache's side, Rev. 7.5.6. because Our Lord sprang out of Judah, and dwelt in Capernaum of Napthali's Tribe. Here Christ paid Tribute, as a Citizen, and retired hither, when tired at any time with Preaching, &c.

The Third Remark is, He went about all Galilee. Sometimes walking from Town to Town, and sometimes walking upon the Sea Shore, Mat. 4.18, 23. not for Recreation-sake, or for a past time, nor as the Circumcelliones (of old) to make a vain shew of their Hypocritical Holiness, nor as the Jesuits (into whim the false Pharisees have fled and hid themselves) do now to make Proselytes and to pervert Passengers (that go right in their way) Prov. 9.15. but his end was to finish his Fathers Work, and for calling his Apostles, &c.

The Fourth Remark is, Christ came to Cana in Galilee, where he wrought his first Miracle Turning Water into Wine at a Marriage Feast, which (some say) was made at John (his Beloved Disciples) Marriage, John 2.1, 11. God the Son works his first Miracle, for the Confirmation of God the Father's first Ordinance, in Marrying Adam and Eve in Paradise. Hereby his Apostles (whom he had chosen and called) believed on him more than they did before, they proceeded from faith to faith, Rom. 1.17. and 1 John 5.13. N.B. Note well. Wine may be wanting, though Christ be at the Wedding, yea Bread, though Christ be at the Board. Yet 'tis good that Christ be an Invited Guest, his presence sanctifies what is present, supplies what is absent, and prevents extravagancies and disorders, &c. Sin in shamefaced when in Christ's Eye. Those Disciples (lighting their Torches one at another, John 1.41, 45.) must also come with Christ to be Witnesses of this first Miracle. John Baptist points at Christ to Andrew. He to Peter, &c. Christ calls them out of their Dark Cells to come and see this Sun of Righteousness. Christ was kinder to those Disciples than they ex∣pected (to he is and will be to all-Commers to him, He will in no wise cast them out, John 6.37.) They staid with him all the Day, and (as some say) all the night too though he had not an Hole or House of his own. N.B. Note well. 'Tis good to come near Christ, and not be shie, or keep at a sullen distance from Him, such as stay with him shall partake of his Grace and Goodness. N.B. Note well. Christ Honours Marriage with a Miracle, though Antichrist dishonour it with Mistakes and Prohi∣bitions. Those Miracles that are father'd upon Christ in his Minority are but Fables, for then this could not have been his first, now his Mother Mary both expected and desired to see some Miracle; for, supposing she had yet seen no domestick Miracles, yet had she seen enough to raise up her Desire and Expectation; the Star at his Birth did presage a famous life, and beside his Disputing with the Doctors, &c. She saw he had cast off his private Trade (the Carpenters calling) and betaken himself to the Pub∣lick Ministry. Now she longs to see something more than ordinary from her Son, especially upon this opportunity; the Bridegroom (John the Evangelist, or who else) and the Bride were but a poor Pair, who had more Company than Wine. Mary (a well-wisher to the new Couple) intimates this defect to Christ not without Hopes of a supply, Christ as Creator was above the Command of his Mother, and would not work this Wonder as his Mothers Instigation, but at God his Fathers Desig∣nation, &c.

From hence Note, N.B. Not well. 1. Seeing Christ honoured Marriage State thus with his Presence and Miracle, Married Persons must not Dishonour it by turn∣ing aside to strange flesh, what do such therein but dissolve their Relation to Christ, who declares himself an Husband to his Church; all acts of uncleanness ought to be avoided.

N.B. Note well. Christ and Satan walk in two contrary methods. For Satan always

gives the best first, and reserves the worst last, therefore Sin is never to be judged of by its coming to us but by its parting from us, for though it bring Honey in its Month, yet ever hath it a sting in the Tail. The Tempter is like the Panther, which enticeth men to him with his fragrant smell, and then devours them: On the con∣trary, Christ's work is worst at first, the best is behind. First the bitter Waters of Repentance, and then the Communication of Comforts. The sweetest of Honey lays in the bottom of the Pot, the best Wine Christ gave last at this Feast, John 2.10.

N. B. Note well. Order of time is not in this Discourse strictly observed, (save concerning the four Passovers which were the measure of Christ's Publick Life) as or∣der to place is, according to the Method of the Holy Pen-men, who upon mentioning a Place, take that occasion to relate stories out of their proper Time, because they would take up the whole story of that place all at once together. Therefore though Christ made three Perambulations of Galilee, yet what works Christ wrought at the same Place, but not at the same Time, is here related.

The Fifth Remark is, Christ's coming again to Capernaum (his own City, of Abode and Retreat when wearied with Travelling and Preaching abroad) this place Christ dignified with many Miracles of Mercy in his being oft there. As, 1. On the Sabbath Day he cast out of Devil in the Synagogue, Luke 4.31, 33, &c. and Mark 1.21, to 29. which Miracle hath these notable Marks. 1. The Devil can foist himself into places not only where Christ is taught, but where himself teacheth. Drexelius's Vi∣sion was His seeing ten Devils at a Sermon, and but one at a Market, for which this Rea∣son was rendred, that at a Sermon People are mostly serious, therefore Beelzebub (to divert them from profiting by the word) though ten Devils few enough for that tempting work; but at a Market, People are prone▪ enough to Tempt one another in∣to Sin, so one Devil would serve there. 2. Preaching with Authority (not frigidly and Jejunely as the Scribes) hath a power in it to startle Devils. Such Grace was poured into Christ's Lips, Psal 45.2. that all his Auditory was astonish'd at his Doctrine; as one saw him without Reverence, so none head him without Amaze∣ment, even this Demoniack was first disturbed, and then dispossessed. The Evil-Spirit was made to cry out as one pained by the Word that went out with Power. 3. The Unclean Spirit cried [What have we to do with thee, &c.] Oh horrible Im∣pudence! As if Christ were not concerned, where his Members are perplexed; the Devil grosly mistook here, in severing from the Head the sense of an injury done to Members; David felt his own Coat cut, and his own Cheeks shaven in the Coats and Cheeks of his Servants, 2 Sam. 10.5, 6. The Soveraign suffers in his Subject, nor is it other than Just, that the Arraignment of the meanest Malefactor runs in the stile of wrong to the King's Crown and Dignity N.B. Notewell. Christ is as sensible of the abuses done to his Saints, Acts 9.4. Their sufferings are held his, Col. 1.24. and their Reproach his, Heb. 13.13. & 11.26.4. But if the Devil hath nothing to do with Christ, Christ hath something to do with him (for vexing a Servant of Christ) notwithstanding his fair words he gives Christ to be rid of him (as some do the Mini∣sters of Christ that Torment their Evil Consciences) calling Christ the Holy One of God, Luke 434. N.B. Notewell. While the Pope with needs be called [the Most Holy] he lifts up himself above Christ, and Antichrist herein becomes worse than the Devil. Though the Devil thus confessed Christ, yet Christ muzzled him, and dispossess'd him, through his Soveraignty over him, he is but under a Reprieve, &c.

The Second Remarkable Miracle Christ wrought there at his own City (as Caper∣naum is call'd, Mat. 9 1. where he not only Hired and House, but also wore the stole or long Gown of a Citizen) was the Healing of Peter's Wives Mother of a Fever, Mat. 8.••4, 15. Mark 1.29, 30, 31. and Luke 4.38, 39. Christ came from the Syna∣gogue-Service to Dine at Peter's House, &c. which affords these following Marks. 1. Christ's Practice approves of a Sabbath-Day Dinner. N.B. Notwell. This distin∣guishes a day of Thanksgiving (as every Lords Day ought to be for our Redemption) from a day of Humiliation. 2. That Peter had a Wife, and all the Apostles (saith Am∣brose had Wives save only John and Paul, but if John were the Bridegroom in the Mar∣riage Feast at Cana (as is abovesaid) then had he his Bride also and Paul likewise had a Power to lead about a Sister Wife as well as the other Apostles, 1 Cor. 9.5. Yet those Pope-Holy Hypocrites (the pretended Successors of Peter) deny the lawfulness of Mi∣nisters Marriages, as a Defilement, though it be one (with them) to have many Harlots. These Popelings are condemned and cursed by their own Cannon-Law. Distinct, 29, & 31. Acts and Monuments, Fol. 1008. by Paphnutius (that famous Primi∣tive

Confessor) in the Nicene Council. By Ignatius (Scholar to the Evangelist John) who pronounceth all such as call Marriage a Defilement, to be possess'd with that old Dragon the Devil, Epist. ad Philadelph. But above all by the Apostle, who saith Marriage is Honourable to all, and the undefiled Bed is True Chastity, Heb. 13.4. 3. This good Women (Peter's Wife's Mother) was sick of a Fever, call'd by the Greeks [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] or Burning, from the heat that is in it. And the Germans call in the Shaking (as we do) from the Cold in that Distemper. N.B. Note well. They whom Christ Loves may be sick, John 11.3. his Love and our Sickness are not Inconsistent. 4. Christ heal'd her with a touch of his Hand. Hippocrates and Galen (with all their Citò Tutò & Jacunde, &c.) could never find such an easie and speedy cure; here a word and a touch only do the Deed in an instant, without long Diet-Drinks and many te∣dious Evacuation. 5. Christ can turn us to destruction, and then say return, Psal. 90.3. and when we are Dead to our selves and others, He can speak Life to us, and keep us from going down into the Pit, Psal. 30.3. 6. This Handmaid of the Lord (thus sig∣nally healed) arose and ministred to Christ, whereby not only the Truth of the Miracle was evinced, but also the Truth of her Thankfulness was evidenced, which likewise is a demonstration of an honest and good heart thus to pay the Redemption of her Life of God, Exod 21.30. &c.

The Third Remark is, There also He healed all manner of Diseases, and Dispossessed Devils with his word, Mat▪ 8.16. Not suffering those Evil Spirit to speak, because they knew him, Mark 1.34. & Luke 4.41. This was done at evening. Hence Note, (1.) Christ's diligence in doing his Father's work, In the morning he Sowed his Seed, and in the even∣ing he with held not his Hand, Eccles. 11.6. He was a President for Preaching twice a Day in the Forenoon and Afternoon, Mat. 13.1. The same Day (after convincing the Pharisees) He Preached again to his Disciples. (2.) Christ suffer'd not Devils to speak of him, He had better Witnesses than they, and what Call or Warrant had they to Preach The Gospel. (3.) To an Almighty Physician no Disease can be Incurable. Christ heal'd all manner, and none went away without healing, Exod. 15.26. Psal. 103.3. (4.) Capernaum was a place lifted up to Heaven (with means to Grace, and with Miracles of Mercy.) 'Twas a City highly blest with Christ's frequent presence, Dwel∣ling there, Mat. 4.13. Taught there, John 6.59. and oft returned Thither from his uttering Oracles, and working Miracles in other Cities, Mat. 8.5. & 17.24. Mark 1.21. & 2.1. Luke 7.1. & 9.33. John 2.12. & 6.24. yet is it doomed by the Judge of the World to be cast down to Hell, Mat. 11.23. & Luke 10.15. He saith, that Sodom shall suffer less than Capernaum, for its Infidelity (in setting so light by his Grace, though it even kneeled down to them, wooing acceptance, as 2 Cor. 5.20) was in some respect a worse Sin than Sodomy, and hath a heavier doom abiding it though they that suffer least in Hell, suffer more than they can either Abide or Avoid. The Destruction of those Cities should be for Instruction to our Cities, which have been likewise lifted up to Heaven by Means and Mercies, know we not that a misimprove∣ment of them, &c. will provoke God to thrust us down to Hell with Violence and with a vengeance. Alterius Perditio tua fit cantio. Take Example or God will make thee an Example. Herodotus (the Heathen) could say of the Destruction of Troy, That Na∣tional and Notorious Sins, bring down National and Notorious Plagues from a Sin-Reveng∣ing God. As to Christ's Pilgrimage it was prodigious, for some reckon the Travels of Christ from his Infancy to his Ascension, and compute them to be 3093 Miles, be∣side general Visits and Journey hither and thither, which If all were Recorded the World would not contain them, John 21.25. and 20.30. &c.