A learned, pious, and practical commentary, upon the Gospel according to St. Mark wherein the sacred text is logically analyzed; the meaning of the holy Spirit clearly and soundly opened: doctrines naturally raised, strongly confirmed, vindicated from exceptions, and excellent inferences deduced from them: all seeming differences in the history between this and the other evangelists fairly reconciled: many important cases of conscience, judiciously, succinctly, and perspicuously solved. By that laborious and faithful servant of Christ, Mr. George Petter, late Minister of the Gospel at Bread in Sussex.

Mark 8. 1, unto the 10.

In those Dayes the Multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his Disciples unto him, and said unto them, &c.

THE principall parts of this Chapter are these:

• 1. Our Saviour himself miraculously feeding of 4000 with seven Loaves and a few Fishes, from Verse 1. unto the 10.
• 2. His Answer to the Pharisees questioning with Him, and tempting Him by seeking of him a Sign from Heaven, from Verse 10. unto the 14.
• 3. His Admonition given to his Disciples to take heed of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod, toge∣ther with his reproof of them for misunderstanding that his Admonition, from Verse 14. to the 22.
• 4. His miraculous Curing of a blind man near to the Town of Bethsaida, from Verse 22. unto the 27.
• 5. His questioning with his Disciples touching the opinion of the People, and touching their own opinion of his person; together with their Answer thereunto, Verse 27, &c. unto 31.
• 6. The foretelling of his Passion and Resurrection, Verse 31, &c. to the 34.
• ...

• 7. Lastly, A sum of Doctrine delivered by our Saviour to his Disciples and the Common People, Ver. 34. to the end of the Chapter.

Touching the first, The miraculous feeding of 4000 &c. we may consider, 1. The Circumstances of the Miracle, Ver. 1. unto the 6th. Verse. 2. The Miracle it self, or the manner of working it, Ver. 6, 7, 8, 9.

The Circumstances are three. 1. The time when it was wrought, In those dayes; that is, about the same time in which he cured the deaf and dumb man, at the Sea of Galilee, mentioned in the latter part of the for∣mer Chapter. See Matth. 15. 32. 2. The Occasion of it, The People's want of Food; which is ampli∣fied by the greatness of the Multitude which were in this want: The Multitude being very great, &c. Ver. 1. 3. A special Antecedent or Preparative going before the Miracle, and making way unto it, viz. The Con∣ference of Christ with his Disciples about the People's great want and distress; and about the supply of their want by using some means of ministring food unto them, Ver. 2, 3, 4, 5.

Touching the first Circumstance, viz. The time when this Miracle was wrought; I will not insist upon it, because there is no matter of great moment to be plainly gathered thence for our Instru∣ction.

[Observ.] Observ. Onely we may observe the unwearied pains and diligence of our Saviour, in doing good by his Miracles to the People, in that he wrought so many Miracles at or about one and the same time; for having before cured him that was deaf and dumb, and many others also which were lame, blind, &c. as may appear Matth. 15. 30. yet he is not weary of doing good; but unto all the former Miracles which he had wrought at this time, he addeth this also of feeding the whole Multitude miraculously. See Ver. 2. He had spent three dayes &c. This must teach us after his Example to be painful and diligent in doing good to others, and in shewing Love and Mercy to them according to our abilities, and as occasion is offered, Gal. 6. 9. Let us not be weary of well-doing, &c. True Love is laborious and diligent in doing good to others Souls and bodies at all times, upon all occasions, &c. 1 Thess. 1. 3. The Apostle mentioneth their Labour of Love.

Touching the second Circumstance, The Occasion of this Miracle: The People's want of Food, amplifi∣ed by the number of the People being very great.

Having nothing to eat,] that is, No Provision of Food or Victuals to satisfy their hunger.

[Observ. 1] Observ. 1. In that our Saviour took occasion from their want of Food to work this Miracle for the supply of their want, and relief of their necessity; Hence observe, that we should after his Example take occasion from the miseries and necessities of others to shew our love and mercy, in helping and relieving them as we are able. The consideration of their necessities, whether bodily or spiritual, should provoke and stirr up our Love and Mercy to help and relieve them. Gal. 6. 10. As we have Opportunity let us do good to all, &c. that is, as occasion is offered us by others wants and necessities. Isa. 58. 7. Is not this the Fast that I have chosen? when thou seest the naked that thou cover him, &c.

[Reason.] Reas. This is one cause why the Lord doth suffer others to be in misery and necessity; that so from their want we might take occasion to shew our Love and Mercy in relieving them: Their necessity is our best op∣portunity of doing them good.

[Ʋse 1] Use 1. See then how fit it is for us to take special notice of the miseries of others, both bodily and spiritu∣all; for else how can we take occasion by them to shew our love and mercy in relieving them? See then how fit it is to visit and go unto such as are in misery or want, in sickness, pain, poverty, &c. Exod. 2. 11. Moses being grown up went out to his Brethren and looked on their burthens: And Mat. 25. the Elect shall be com∣mended and rewarded at the last day, for visiting and coming unto Christ's faithful Members, being sick and in prison.

[Use 2] Use 2. Reproof of such as are not moved by consideration of others miseries and wants to help and re∣lieve them, being able; but neglect and let slip such good occasions of shewing their Love and Mercy to others. This shews want of true Love and Mercy, whose property it is to take all good occasions of doing good to others.

[Use 3] Use 3. This shews the great sin of those who take occasion, from others necessities and miseries, to insult over or upbraid them.

[Ʋse 4] Use 4. To stir us up to take special notice of others wants and miseries, both bodily and spiritual, and from thence to take occasion of comforting and relieving them, as we are able. Seest thou another in po∣verty and want, and art able to supply his want? Take occasion to shew thy love in helping him. Seest thou another suffer Hunger, Thirst, Nakedness? Take occasion, as thou art able, to supply him with Meat, Drink, and Raiment. Seest thou one that is in sickness, pain, &c? Take occasion to comfort him, to pray for him, &c. So in spiritual necessities of others, &c. See Mark 6. 34.

[Observ. 2] Observ. 2. In that the greatness of the Multitude (which wanted Food) is mentioned, the more to ampli∣fy and set out the greatness and weightiness of this occasion which moved our Saviour to work this Miracle; Hence gather, that the greater and more weighty occasion is offered us, the more careful and forward should we be at any time to do good to others. The greater multitude of People were now in want of Food, the more careful was our Saviour to work a Miracle for the relieving of them. So at other times, the greater oc∣casions were offered him of doing good, either by his Miracles or Doctrine, the more careful and forward was he to do good. Matth. 13. 2. when great Multitudes were gathered unto him, he took occasion to speak many things to them in Parables: And Mark 3. 20. we heard, that when a great multitude came together to hear him, and to be partakers of his Miracles, he was so forward to take that special occasion of doing them good, that he suffered himself and his Disciples to be hindred from eating their Meat. The like zeal and forwardness should we shew in doing good, when such special and extraordinary occasions are offe∣red us.

[Observ. 3] Observ. 3. Further, Note here the forwardness of the People in coming unto Christ, in so great a multi∣tude, to be partakers of his Doctrine and Miracles: For although many (as it is likely) came more for love of his Miracles than of his Doctrine; yet, no doubt but many also came out of love of his Doctrine, and with desire to profit by it; for otherwise our Saviour would not so commend their zeal and forwardness which

they shewed in coming so far to him, and continuing so long with him, as he doth afterward. But more of this hereafter. So much of the occasion of Christ's working this Miracle, which was the want of Food, in which this great multitude of people was.

Now followeth the special Antecedent or Preparative which went before the Miracle, viz. The confe∣rence of Christ with his Disciples, about the People's want, and the relieving of them. Where 1. Is laid down the Preparation to this Conference, which was his calling of his Disciples unto him: But this I will not insist upon. This was done, that they might conveniently hear him, and to stir up their Attention. 2. The Conference it self, which consisteth of four parts.

• 1. Our Saviour's first words or Speech used unto them, professing his compassion towards the People in regard of their necessity and want of Food, and his Unwillingness to send them away Fasting, in regard of the hurt and danger that might ensue thereof, ver. 2, 3.
• 2. Their Answer unto Christ's Speech, doubting and demanding how and by what means so great a multi∣tude could be provided for, and satisfied with Food, in the Wilderness? Ver. 4.
• 3. His Reply unto them, demanding how many loavs they had? Ver. 5.
• 4. Their Answer, certifying him of the number, Seven.

[Quest.] Quest. Why did our Saviour thus call his Disciples to him, and confer with them, before he wrought the Miracle?

[Answ.] Answ. Thereby the better to prepare and fit them to be meet partakers of the Miracle which he was about to work, and to profit by it, by stirring up their hearts and minds both to think seriously of the People's want of Food, and to be affected therewith (as himself was); and also to think of his Divine Power, which he had formerly shewed by the like Miracle, as we heard in the sixth Chapter; by which Power he was also now able to feed the People miraculously, as he had done before. See the thirty fifth Verse of the sixth Chap∣ter, &c.

Touching the first part of the Conference, viz. Christ's first words or speech unto his Disciples, we may consider in it two things:

1. A profession of his tender care and compassion over the People.

2. The Grounds or Motives moving him to this Compassion; which are two, 1. The necessity of the People, wanting provision of Food, having nothing to eat: which is amplified by the continuance of time, how long they had been with him, and had been in want of Food, even three dayes. 2. The hurt and dan∣ger which might ensue, if he should send them home Fasting; that is, unfed or unsatisfied with Food; they would be in danger to faint by the way, viz. through excessive weakness and weariness, caused by such long Fasting. And the Reason of this danger is given in the words following, Because many of them came from far; therefore having a long way to return home again, there was the more danger and likelihood of fainting by the way, in their return.

I have Compassion,] The word in the Original signifieth very tender compassion and pity, such as is in na∣tural Fathers or Mothers towards their Children, for whom their Bowels yearn inwardly with grief, if they see them in any misery.

[Observ. 1] Observ. 1. Our Saviour Christ perceiving the forwardness of the People to come unto him, and to stay long with him to hear him, and to be partakers of his Miracles; he shews his forwardness to care and pro∣vide for them in their necessity, even before they take care for themselves, and therefore, before they seek to him, and before his Disciples put him in mind of the People's want, (as they did Chap. 6.) he first takes occasion to testify his compassion on them, and his care to feed them in their hunger: Whence we may ob∣serve how ready and forward the Lord is to care and provide for his Servants and Children in temporal things of this life, being careful for themselves, pittying them when they pity not themselves; providing for supply of their wants before they use means to provide for themselves, preventing them with his Blessings in tem∣poral things, bestowing them upon them before they ask or seek for them by Prayer. Psal. 31. 3. David saith, the Lord prevented him with the Blessings of Goodness. As a kind loving Father takes care of his Child before it care for it self, when it is young; yea, when it is asleep; so the Lord &c.

[Ʋse.] Use. Great comfort to the faithful Servants of God and Followers of Christ; For if he be so carefull of them, to supply their wants in temporal Blessings, even before they care or use means for themselves: If he provide for them when they are too slack in providing for themselves; then how much more, when they are provident, and moderately careful for themselves? And if he many times bestow Blessings of this life upon them, and supply their wants before they ask or seek to him by Prayer; how much more will he do it, if they seek and Pray unto him, &c. Therefore fear not want or poverty, hunger, or thirst, &c. So long as thou art carefull to follow Christ and his Word, and art diligent and Conscionable in serving Him, he will pro∣vide for thee in Temporal things of this life, if thou first and principally seek Spiritual and Heavenly. Matth. 6. 33. Seek first the Kingdome, &c. Thou mayest be in some want for a time; yea, perhaps a long time; but the Lord will not suffer thee to want any thing that is good for thee, Psal. 84. 11. but he will in due time supply thy want; yea, perhaps when thou least thinkest of it, and art least carefull, he will pre∣vent thee with his fatherly Care and Mercy, &c.

[Observ. 2] Observ. 2. Christ Jesus our Lord is a very mercifull Saviour and High Priest towards his Faithfull Ser∣vants and Followers, being in any necessity or misery, ready to pitty them, and to shew compassion upon them in their miseries. So Chap. 1. 41. But this hath been often before observed. See the sixth Chapter, Ver. 34.

[Use 1] Use 1. Comfort to us in all miseries, &c.

[Ʋse 2] Use 2. Imitate Christ in being merciful. So much of our Saviour's tender Compassion toward this Peo∣ple.

Now to speak of the Grounds of his Compassion. And 1. Of the first, viz. The People's want of food, amplified by the continuance of time in which they had been with Christ, even three dayes.

[Quest.] Quest. Whether it be likely that the People did eat nothing at all for the space of these three whole dayes?

[Answ.] Answ. 1. In that hot Country of Judea, their appetite unto Meat being less than it is usually in colder Countryes; therefore it is likely, That they were able to Fast much longer than we are able in this colder Country.

2. It is also probable, as some think, That this People were not wholly, and altogether fasting all this time, but that they (or some of them at least) did eat some thing in the space of those three Dayes, though it is like it was not much; howsoever it be, no doubt but at this time when Christ spake these words, they had been very long fasting, or else he needed not to fear lest they should faint by the way as they returned home to their Houses.

[Observ. 1] Observ. 1. In that the Peoples want of Food was one cause moving Christ to have compassion on them, and to shew it by working this Miracle: Hence gather, That the Necessities and Miseries of others should move us to pitty and compassion towards them, and cause us to shew it by Fruits of Mercy in helping and relieving them: Job 6. 14. To him that is afflicted, pitty should be shewed from his Friend: Rom. 12. 15. Weep with them that weep. But of this before, sufficiently.

[Observ. 2] Observ. 2. The zeal and forwardness of the People, not onely in coming to Christ to hear Him, &c. and that far off, but also continuing with Him so long, even three Dayes, and that fasting: Hence learn to imitate their zeal and forwardness in taking pains to come unto the holy Ordinances of Christ and means of Salvation; as the Ministery of the Word, Sacraments, &c. being content to come far (if need be), and to continue long at holy Exercises (if occasion be offered); yea, to be content sometimes (if need require) to forbear our ordinary Food, or to break our sleep, rather than deprive our selves of the benefit of the Word and Sacrament when we may enjoy them, especially upon the Lord's Sabbaths. The Queen of Sheba came from far to hear the Wisdom of Salomon, Matth. 12. 42. how much more should we come far to hear the Word of Christ, able to make us wise unto Salvation? Psal. 84. 6. The People of God were content to take tedious Journyes, and to passe through dry and thirsty places to come to the place of God's Worship: so should we be content to do the like: Acts 20. 7. The Disciples at Troas were content to hold out very long in hearing Paul, even when he continued his Preaching till Mid-night. See more of this Point, Chap. 2. 2. and Chap. 6. 33.

It followeth, Ver. 3. If I send them away Fasting, &c.

[Observ.] Observ. See the tender care which the Lord hath over the Bodies of his Servants and Followers, to pro∣vide for them all necessaries for bodily sustenance and comfort, and to prevent all hurts and inconveniences that may come unto them. Our Saviour is very carefull here, That the Bodies of these which followed Him might not faint, or be over weak and weary by the Way: Matth. 6. 30. If God cloath the Grasse of Field, &c. shall He not much more cloath you? Matth. 10. 30. The very hairs of your Head are numbred See Mark 6. 31.

[Reason.] Reason 1. The bodies of the Faithfull are God's Creatures, the work of his Hands; therefore He takes care of them, &c.

2. They are redeemed by Him from the Power of Sin and Satan, and from Hell, &c.

3. They are the Temples of the Holy Ghost, &c. 1 Cor. 6. 19.

[Use 1] Ʋse 1. Great comfort to us against all bodily wants, and against bodily evils and dangers unto which we are of our selves lyable and subject. If we be true Disciples and Followers of Christ, carefully and consci∣onably serving Him, He takes speciall care and charge even of our Bodies, and of every part of them, even of the hairs of our Head: He is carefull to provide for us, and to bestow on us all things needfull for our bodily Life, and carefull to prevent those evils and dangers which may come unto our Bodies (so far as He seeth it good for us to escape them) insomuch that not a hair of our Heads can perish without his Will and Providence. Therefore cast our care on Him, who careth for us, even for our Bodies, which are precious unto Him, &c.

[Ʋse 2] Ʋse 2. How much more doth He take care of our Souls to provide for them all things needfull to Salva∣tion, to feed them especially with his Word and Sacraments, and to comfort and strengthen them by his Spirit, that they may hold out and not faint in the way unto Heaven and Salvation.

[Use 3] Ʋse 3. Seeing the Lord is so carefull, even of the Bodies of his Servants; This must teach them to be also carefull of the good of their own Bodies, to maintain and preserve the health, strength, and life of them by all good means; and to prevent those evils and dangers which may happen to them. Though we are chiefly to have care of our Souls, yet not to neglect our Bodies, lest we tempt God, and provoke Him also to cast off the care of them: Though He have the chief care, yet He will have us also to use the means, &c.

For divers of them came from far] Observe the zeal and forwardness of the People in coming so far to hear Christ, &c. Of this before.

Ver. 4, 5. And his Disciples answered him, &c.

The sense of these words may appear by that which was before spoken upon the 6 chap. from the 35, ver unto the 39. And the Instructions to be gathered hence were likewise there handled.

Ver. 6, 7, 8, 9. And he commanded the People to sit down, &c.

In these Verses he laid down the Miracle it self: The meaning of the words, and the Instructions to be learned from them may appear, from that which was before spoken of the like Miracle, Chap. 6. Ver. 39, &c. The difference between this and that former Miracle of the Loaves stands in this, That there a greater number was fed with a smaller quantity of Food, that is to say, 5000 persons with five Loaves and two Fishes; and a greater quantity of Fragments was left, even twelve Baskets full. Whereas here we see that there was a greater quantity of Food to feed a lesse number of persons, even seven Loaves and a few Fishes to feed 4000, and yet a lesse quantity of Fragments was left, but seven Baskets full. The reason hereof was two∣fold. 1. That the quality of the Miracles might be fitted to the present Times and Occasions; there∣fore there was now more store of Provision, and a less number of People to be fed than before, he therefore fitteth the Miracle to the present Time and Occasion. 2. That by this means our Saviour might shew the absolute freedom of his divine Power, That he was not at all tyed unto the means in working these Mira∣cles, but that his Power was above the means, and that he could have fed them without any means or provision of Bread or Fish at all; if it had so pleased him.

[Observ.] Observ. The Power and Providence of God, in blessing our Food unto us, is far above the means of Food, and is not at all tyed unto it, or to the quantity of it; but it is all one, and as easie with him (if he please) to sustain and nourish us with a small quantity of Food, as with a greater quantity. It is not the out∣ward means of Meat and Drink that of it self nourisheth us, but the blessing of God giving vertue to it, &c. Matth. 4. 4. Man liveth not by Bread alone, &c.

[Ʋse 1] Use 1. Comfort to such as have but small provision of Food, God is able to bless it, and make it sufficient, &c. Though they are not now to expect Miracles, &c.

[Ʋse 2] Use 2. Such as have most means, not to rest in them, but to seek to God for his Blessing, &c.

Notes

• Sept. 15. 1622.