Matthew 19

Matthew 19:2

HEaled them] namely those that were sicke and impotent amongst them as Matthew 12:15.

Matthew 19:3

Tempting him] to catch and accuse him, either for being contrary to Moses and the Law of God if he had absolutly reproved divorces. Or for favouring, and authorizing lasciviousnesse, wickednes and inconstancy amongst men, if hee had approved of them For every] indifferently at the Husbands pleasure.

Matthew 19:4

Made them] the Italian Made men] that is to say in the first marriage, which he appointed for an example and rule to all subsequent marriages he created but one man to one woman, and one woman to one man to condemne poligamy and appointed that they should be one and the selfe same flesh, to reprove divorces. See Malachi 2:15.

Matthew 19:5

And said] that is to say he inspired Adam, and in aftertimes Moses to give this instruction and Law Leave] See upon Gen. 2 24.

Matthew 19:8

Suffered] the Law for the indissoluble bond of matrimony, was the first, and everlasting law, and God altered nothing therein by Moses, only seeing your Nations rebellion in the liberty they tooke in divorcing themselves, he did set down a rule therefore for a time, in regard of some civill order. But I who am the supreame Law-giver will now in the dayes of grace and of the spirit bring all things unto their first forme.

Matthew 19:10

If the case] if matrimony have so strict a bond, it is better to abstaine from it, then to come into such a case, of necessitie to suffer so many things by a woman as may cause a man to repent that ever he was marrried to her. Words of persons which were as yet too carnall, and used to this liberty.

Matthew 19:11

Cannot receive] that is to say they have not the gift of continency by Godsspecial grace that they can be without the use and remedy of matrimony, 1 Cor. 7. 2. 7, 8, 17.

Matthew 19:12

Have made] who have a firme resolution grounded upon the feeling & firm perswasion of Gods gift, to abstaine from woman, for to keep an undefiled holinesse, and from the use of matrimony to employ himselfe freely in Gods service either in a publicke, or in a private calling, 1 Corinthians 7:32. That isable] let every one examine himselfe, what gift hee hath from God, and left him do accordingly.

Matthew 19:13

Put his hands] that he should blesse them, and recommend them to God by his prayer Rebuked them] as importune, and respectlesse people, requiring of Christ too base and mean a thing in the Apostles judgments, who were in that deceaved.

Matthew 19:14

For of such] so farre are you deceaved in thinking that children by reason of their weakenesse and contemptible qualities, are unworthy to bee presented unto mee; that contrary wise no bodie is capable of my Kingdome, unlesse hee be first by the spirit of regeneration brought into a spirituall estate, to bee like a little Childe in the order of nature.

Matthew 19:17

Why callest] the sence wherein thou qualifiest me to be good, is not that in which I ought to bee acknowledged and honoured: humane and morall goodnesse cannot make mee a Law-giver to mens soules, as you desire me to do, and according to that degree wherein you place your Doctors: To attribute that title unto me in that sence as you should do you ought to acknowledge me to be true God If thou wilt]not to remit him againe to his own workes, by which no man can be justified nor saved, Romans 3:20. Ephes. 2. 8, 9. 2 Timothy 1:9. Titus 3:5. but to draw him to the service of God from those traditions: in which the Pharisees reposed most of their righteousnesse and Pietie: and to beate downe his presumption, whereby he thought the Law was easie for him to accomplish: And to bring his conscience to a severe examination, according to the spirituall sence of the Law, by which man comes to have knowledge of his sinne, Romans 3:20. to learne thereby to seeke his salvation in Gods favour thorow Christ, Romans 10:4.

Matthew 19:20

All these] words of a lying arrogant hypocrite, and one that was ignorant of the true spirituall sence of the Law, which requireth of man not only the externall discipline of manners and actions: but puritie, and righteousnesse in all his thoughts, internall motions and affections of the heart.

Matthew 19:21

If thou] an answer sitted to his vaine boast. The meaning is, if what thou sayest of perfectly observing each commandement be true, shew it in thine obedience to the summary of the Law, which is to love God above all things, and thy neighbour as thy selfe. Performe the first in following of me who am the true God as he had signified. ver. 17. And the second in giving thy goods to the poore. And if thou wilt doe neither, thou shewest thy selfe to bee an Hypocrite in all the rest.

Matthew 19:24

For a rich man] for it is very hard for such a man not to put his trust, and settle his heart and affection upon his wealth.

Matthew 19:26

This is] without Gods speciall grace no man can be saved, and much lesse rich men, as being full of worldly cares, not feeling the necessity of Gods grace and assistance; enemies to the Crosse, proud, insolent and made drunke with their temporall happinesse and Idolaters to their goods, &c.

Matthew 19:27

We have] that is to say we have done that which this young man would not doe, an ordinary defect in the Apostles to have a respect to worldly rewards.

Matthew 19:28

In the regeneration] that is to say in the life to come when there shall bee new heavens and a new earth, 2 Peter 3:13. Revelation 21:1. thereby correcting his Apostles for their coveting of worldly greatnesse Judging] according to your measure, and under mee you shall be made partakers of the glory of my Kingdome: and raised up in glory above the common of my Church, signified by the Twelve Tribes, Daniell 12. 3. Luke 22:28-29. 1 Corinthians 6:2. Revelation 2:26.

Matthew 19:29

An hundred fold] in spirituall goods, far more excellent then temporall ones, in true and full contentment of spirit, as it were in ful plenty and also in the charitable communion of beleevers in the Church.

Matthew 19:30

But many] do not trust to that you have been the first that followed mee and that you have begun well, you must persevere unto the end, otherwise you shall fall from your prerogatives, Galatians 3:4. Revelation 3:11.