Matthew 10

Matthew 10:2

APostles] A Greeke word which sig〈…〉fied sent or deputed to doe some businesse, Ambassadours. So were the twelve called, because they were to have no certaine abode, and that their ministery was to be about the world as in a strange Country out of the Church, to carry the Ambassage of Gods reconciliation, and to gather his Elect together, the first] not onely in the order of the list as eldest, and first called with Andrew, Matth. 4. 18. but also as it should seeme in conduct, and presidencie by the Lords owne disposing, for the time they lived together, for when they were separate, there is no such thing spoken of and all without any superiority in degree, and much lesse in domination, is called] by a sur-name given him by Christ Himselfe.

Matthew 10:3

Lebbeus] Who is the same as is called Iudas the sonne of Iames, the sonne ofAlpheus, Luke 6:16. whose the Epistle is intituled of Saint Iude. It is thought thatLebbeus the Hebrew word, and Thaddeus the Syriacke word are of one and the same signification, that is to say a man of heart, or of breast.

Matthew 10:4

The Canaanite] which is according to some of the Citie of Cana, according to others, it is the name of a Religion or Sect Namely of Zelotes, or Zelautes, as it is set downe, Luke 6:15. Wherewith the Hebrew Word may very well agree Iscariot]it is not certainely knowne from whence this surname is taken. Some interpret it a mercenarie Apostata. Or the man that doth revolt, or shall revolt or profit, or for reward: It may be he was so named by way of anticipation, for his avarice which did appeare afterward. Others a man of Cheriot] a City of Juda, Ios. 15. 25.

Matthew 10:5

Goe not] This and those things which follow, are but onely concerning this mission or time they were sen Samaritans] it was a mixture of Pagan Nations who after the captivitie of the tenne Tribes were brought in, and seeled in their Country: where they set up a false worship in the mountaine of Garzim. See a King. 17. 24, 29 Iohn 4. 20 Whereupon it was but as a bastard Nation, and held as Pagans.

Matthew 10:6

The lost] That are in the way of perdition thorow their ignorance, and by meanes of the false doctrines, and evill conduct of their teachers, Isaiah 53:6. Ier. 5. 6.

Matthew 10:9

Your purses] The Italian Girdles,] wherein anciently they carryed their money, as in purses.

Matthew 10:10

Neither shooes] In Saint Marke, the Lord suffereth them to take shooes, and a staffe in their hands. Whereby it appeares that the meaning was plainely, that they should speedily and freely take their journey, without any peparation for to furnish themselves; being sure that God would provide for all their wants, being his Ministers.

Matthew 10:11

Is worthy] That is to say prepared by Gods inward grace and vertue to receave the preaching of the Gospell, with doilitie, humility and a servent desire. See 1 Corinthians 3:5 There] with such a man: yee goe the〈…〉] namely out of that Citie or Castle.

Matthew 10:13

Returne] Those desires and well wishings of yours, being unprofitable to the house, let them be as a witnesse before God of your zeale and good will.

Matthew 10:14

Shake off] in token that you will have no communion with that Nation, and also that Gods curse and vengeance shall bee powred downe upon them. See Nehemiah 5:13.

Matthew 10:16

A Serpents,] See ?Genesis 31:1-55. the meaning is, mix your simplicity and cleernesse of conscience towards me, with warinesse towards men, d no man wrong, and see that there be none done to you. Provoke ye no man, and keepe your selves from the worlds indignation by milde wayes, retiring your selves and going away. Finally, beware of offering or suffering any violence which is incompatible with the true profession and preaching of the Gospell and if that both these vertues will not free you, then remit your selves absolutely to God Harmelesse,] or sincere and innocent.

Matthew 10:17

But beware,] trust not nor associate not your selves with any that are against the Gospell: suspect them alwayes, for the hatred against the Gospell i above all naturall or civill respects. Beware therefore of them so farre as conscience and your vocation will suffer you Councels,] the Italian, Consistories,] they were the Iewes Courts of judgement, to whom it was permitted by the Romans to proceed against those who offended and did contrary to their law so farre as scourging, but not to any capitall judgement nor punishment, Matthew 23:34. Acts 5. 40. and 22. 19.

Matthew 10:18

For a testimony,] God shall suffer it and so dispose of it, to the end that the Iewes who shall give you up, and the Gentiles to whom you shall be given up may by your free confession of my name and truth, have notice thereof, and so be convinced, and made inexcusable for their obstinacy.

Matthew 10:23

Flee ye,] quickly go into another place where you may performe your charge, and doe not think it to be a lost labour to runne so up and down from place to place, for in a short time I shall make the truth of my comming appeare Till the Sonne,] till it doth cleerely appeare especially to the elect, that the promised Messiasis come in the flesh: such sall the power of my Spirit be joyned to your preaching.

Matthew 10:25

The master,] me that am the Lord and true owner of the Church, Hebrews 3:6.Beelzebub,] it was the name of the Idol of the Ekronites, 2 Kings 1:2. and signifies the god or the Lord of Flies, or according to some the driver away of Flies. The reason thereof is uncerte: though some other Pagan Idols were so called. Now the Iewes attributed it to the Prince of Devills, Matth. 12. 24. by reason that all the ancient Baals were called devills, Deuteronomy 32:17. Psalms 1:1-66. 37.

Matthew 10:26

Nothing covered] doe your offices freely and bee not affrighted for the worlds oppositions because that at the last the light of the Gospell shall breake forth, and shall overcome all obstacles.

Matthew 10:27

In darknesse] In particular, and as it were in secret, the house toppes] which house toppes in those Countries were made flat like open terraces.

Matthew 10:32

Therefore] for a conclusion therefore of the exhortaiion that I have made unto you to strengthen you against the oppositions of the world, I say thus much more unto you shall consesse me] shall make an open and free profession of beleeving in me. See Romans 10:9-10.

Matthew 10:33

Deny] put him out of the number of mine.

Matthew 10:34

But a sword] not by any naturall propertie of Christ or of his Gospell, which contrariwise is the only meanes of peace betwixt God and men, but by an accidentall consequence, the devill and the world opposing themselves against Christ and his Kingdome, and by reason of this deadly hatred violating all naturall and civill duties and respects.

Matthew 10:38

That taketh not] that doth not dispose himselfe in a voluntary obedience and patience to beare those afflictions which God shall lay upon him, as it were for his owne part, in imitation of me who shall be crucified for the Church.

Matthew 10:39

That findeth] that shall imagine he hath so well provided for the safety of his life, and for his worldly commodities, by renouncing the Gospell, shall fall into everlasting death.

Matthew 10:41

He that receiveth] He that thorow a spirit of Christian charity shall doe good to my servants, and those that beleeve in mee, by reason that they are such, and not for any other, civill or naturall or vicious respects, shall be rewarded by me, according to the diversitie of the persons to which hee hath done good, more or lesse profitable, to Gods service, necessary for the Church, and odious to the world, A Prophet.] a minister and speaker of my word, of a righteous man,] of a righteous and holy man, and commendable for his spirituall vertues.

Matthew 10:42

Of these 〈◊〉 ones,] One of the ordinary members of the Church, that is not eminent for any publike place; no noted for any singular qualitie, and therefore contemptible in the worlds eye. See Matth. 18. 6. and 5. 40, 45.