The works of the Reverend Thomas Townson ... : to which is prefixed an account of the author with an introduction to the discourses on the Gospels, and a sermon on the quotations in the Old Testament

Front matter

| THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, ? *+ Princeton. N. J. [^

M

THE

Contents

Introduction -. - - - - - l — 10

Harmony and Paraphrase - - 11 — 71

SECT.' I.

Introduction

T

HE chief difficulties that occur in the Evangelical History of the Lord Jesus from his death to his ascension are found in the morning of his resurrection. The events related of it fell within a short space of time ; and were either nearly coincident, or quickly successive to each other. They are told briefly and but in part by the Evangelists, with few notes of time or order in one Gospel relative to another. No wonder then that learned men have judged variously of their connection, and have pursued different methods of reducing them into one narrative. Many of them have succeeded so far, as to show by a very probable arrangement, that the Gospels are wholly reconcileable wTith each other.

This is an important point ; yet what may suffice to prove that there are no characters of disagreement in the facts recorded may not quite satisfy us that they are altogether rightly methodized. But in matters of such moment the mind must feel a certain content, and even edification, in tracing out the real order in which high Providence disposed them. And this we may hope is not unattainable by diligent inquiry, and a devout attention to the letter and spirit of the Gospels.

Vol. II. . B O Thou,

0 Thou, that art the way and the truth and the life, who by thy Spirit didst enable the Evangelists to compose their Gospels with perfect truth and sanctity, give thy blessing to these endeavours of thy unworthy servant to explain a part of their holy writings. " O let thy scriptures be my pure delight; let me not be deceived in them, neither let me deceive by them."1 Amen, Lord Jesus, Amen.

Mary Magdalene is mentioned by St. Matthew, St. Mark, and St. John, as going early to the sepulchre on the first day of the week. St. Mark joins two others with her; Mary the mother of James, and Salome the mother of Zebedee's children. He names these three ; and his context will not allow us to suppose that there was any other person of their party. St. Luke, who speaks of a greater number of women going to the sepulchre, has so guarded his account of them as not to include the three just mentioned : and what is said by him of their vision and behaviour at the sepulchre is totally unlike any thing that is related of the two Maries and Salome. If these things. can be made appear evident, from a comparison of the Evangelists, we must then in justice to them consider the women as soing to the sepulchre m a less and larger company.

The first, I believe, that regularly pursued this plan, was the late Mr. West in his " Observations on the History and Evidence of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ." It is no small pleasure to me to tread nearly in the steps of one, for whose character, moral as well as literary, I have a high respect ; and to whom I esteem our part of the Christian world greatly indebted for standing forth with equal zeal

1 The words of St. August in in his Confessions, quoted by the Translators of our English Bible towards the conclusion of their very learned Preface.

^ind and ability an advocate for the cause the most interesting to mankind, the cause of Christianity. His work, when it was published, had considerable influence : and the excellent remarks and dissertations with which it abounds, I hope, will make it long regarded.

For the readier comprehension of the order here observed, I shall prefix a summary of it : in which it does not seem necessary to refer to particular texts. They may be seen at large in the Harmony that follows it, and easily found under the corresponding sections.

Summary Account of the following Sections.

Section I. Friday Evening

Our Lord's disciples and the women that had followed him from Galilee were not absent from his crucifixion. " They stood beholding afar off."

Only his Virgin Mother, Mary her sister mother of James and Joses, and Mary Magdalene, with the disciple whom Jesus loved, and to whose protection he then recommended his mother, are mentioned as venturing to approach his cross.

But when Joseph of Arimathea had obtained leave from Pilate to inter the body, the Galilean women in general followed it to the sepulchre, and saw where and how it was laid. They then hastened to the city, to purchase and prepare spices that evening, for anointing it as soon as might conveniently be done after the Sabbath; which, as beginning about sun-set, was then coming on. But Mary

b 2 Magdalene

Magdalene and the other Mary, two of those who had been standing by his cross, did not depart with the rest. They continued " sitting over against the tomb."

Section II. Saturday

Towards the close of this day, which was the Jewish Sabbath, the chief priests and Pharisees with Pilate's permission set a guard upon the sepulchre, which was to secure it till the end of the third day.

The same evening, when the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, who had lost their opportunity before, bought their share of spices, with the concurrence of a third, Salome the mother of Zebedee's children ; who had probably been engaged the foregoing evening in attending and supporting the mother of our Lord ; whom he had recommended to the protection of her son, the beloved disciple.

SECTION III. SUNDAY MOPvNING

Very early the next morning, and probably before the time settled for opening the sepulchre, these three women hastened to visit it by themselves.

The two Maries set out before it was day-light, I presume because they lodged further from the sepulchre than Salome; whom they called upon to accompany them : and while they were on their way an angel descended, and rolled away the stone that closed the entrance of the tomb ; and Christ arose.

The guard, terrified at the sight of the angel, retired from the sepulchre as he approached it, and,

when

INTRODUCTION. O

when they were a little recovered from their consternation, quitted the garden in which it stood.

The women arrived when the soldiers were gone, and at the rising of the sun. On drawing near to the sepulchre they perceived that the stone was rolled away ; and Mary Magdalene, concluding that the body was removed, hurried back to tell Peter and John.

When she was gone, the other Mary and Salome came to a resolution of examining more exactly ; and ventured into the sepulchre: in the first part of which, it being divided into two, they beheld an angel sitting on the right side ; who bid them not be afraid, assured them that Jesus was risen from the dead, and sent a message to his apostles by them. Having heard his speech, they hastened out of the sepulchre, and to a distance from it, with fear and great joy.

Soon after came Peter and John ; and having inspected the tomb, without seeing the angel, or speaking to the women that had seen him, departed.

Section IV. Sunday Morning

Mary Magdalene followed, as fast as she was able, and, when they went away, staid behind, weeping at the sepulchre; then, after a little pause, stooped down, and looked into the tomb ; where two angels were sitting, who asked her why she wept ; to whose question having returned an answer expressive of her anxiety about the body of her Lord, she drew back and saw him standing by her, but at first did not perceive who he was. He quickly made himself known to her, and sent a message to his apostles by her.

SEC-

INTRODUCTION.

Section V. Sunday Morning

Mary Magdalene, in going to communicate her happy intelligence to them, fell in again with her two friends, the other Mary and Salome. In their way Christ met them, and bid them. All hail. He then permitted them to embrace his feet, and repeated the substance of the message to the apostles, which the angel, seen in the sepulchre, had delivered to the two latter.

While these things Mere doing, a party of the guard came into the city to the chief priests ; by whom, and a council of the elders called together, they were instructed what report they should spread on this occasion.

Section VI. Remaining Transactions Of Sunday Morning

Another company of women, at the head of whom was Joanna, came now to the sepulchre. Some of these had been ready to set out early for it. But while they were collecting their whole party, and proceeding slowly in waiting for each other, the time, which they had probably agreed on for meeting there to anoint the body, might be a little past. They therefore expressed no wonder, as had the former party, at seeing the tomb open. Their surprize was, when they had entered and searched it, not to find the body of the Lord Jesus ; when two Angels stood by them, and assured them that he was risen, and reminded them of a prophecy concerning his own death and resurrection, which they had heard hi in utter in Galilee. The women recollected the prophecy, and

went went and reported " all these things unto the Eleven, and to all the rest."

Other evidences of the Lord's resurrection had been laid before them by the two Maries and Salome ; but to little purpose. So strong were their prejudices, that the words of the women seemed to them as idle tales.

Yet St. Peter was so struck with their accounts, that he ran again to the sepulchre, to see if he could there behold the angels, of whom they had spoken.

Section VII. Sunday Afternoon And Evening

It is not said in what time of this day our Lord appeared to St. Peter; but it was probably after Cleopas and his companion were set out from Jerusalem. These two were joined on the road by a stranger, whom they discovered at Emmaus to be the Lord himself. On this discovery they hastened back to Jerusalem to the apostles assembled privately with some others of the disciples ; and found them in possession of the fact respecting St. Peter. They then began to relate their own story, when the Lord himself stood in the midst of them, and having composed their minds alarmed at his appearance, and having satisfied their doubts, left them full of joy that they had seen the Lord.

Section VIII. The Six Days Following That Of The Resurrection

It is not recorded that our Lord showed himself to any of his disciples during this interval. He

seems seems to have left them to the testimony of those who had seen him : and They endeavoured to persuade their brethren of the reality of his resurrection, but without working a thorough conviction in their minds. Among those, who had been absent when he appeared on Sunday night, was St. Thomas ; who spoke his own and the sentiments of others in declaring, that nothing short of ocular demonstration could clear up his doubts.

Section IX. The Octave Of The Resurrection

On this day the apostles were assembled, probably in the same place, plainly at Jerusalem, and with others of the disciples ; when the Lord came to them as before, the door beingr a^ain fastened, and reproved them, at least in addressing himself to St. Thomas, " for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen." St. Thomas with -all humility confessed his offence : and no more difficulty remained with him and those of the company who were in the same situation.

It is likely that our Lord now appointed the time and place in Galilee, where they should see him again.

Section X. The Time In Which The Disciples Were In Galilee

The apostles then left Jerusalem, and went into Galilee ; and it seems as if they were allowed to communicate the design of their going to many of

the the followers of Christ ; and that a multitude of them resorted to the mountain in Galilee, where he had promised to meet them. As soon as they beheld him, they paid their adoration to him. Some however that had not seen him before, and then saw him at some distance, were not without their doubts of his bodily presence. But he graciously came and conversed with them, and satisfied all, that it was He himself, risen from the dead. He then declared, that all power was given unto him in heaven and in earth.

Section XI. The Disciples Still In Galilee

Before the disciples quitted Galilee, our Lord again showed himself to seven of them by the lake of Tiberias. He there signified in what manner St. Peter should die, and that St. John should long survive.

Section XII. From The Return Of The Disciples To Jerusalem To The Ascension

The disciples went back to Jerusalem, earlier I presume than was necessary to prepare for the feast of Pentecost; Acts xx. J 6. and that therefore they went by a divine direction.

While they were assembled there, Christ instructed them in the things pertaining to the kingdom of God ; and when the fortieth day, including that of his resurrection, was come, he led them out as fatas to Bethany ; and he lifted up his hands and blessed them ; and, while he blessed them, he was parted

from from them and carried up into heaven, and sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.

The disciples having paid their adoration to him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and passed their time in the temple, praising and blessing God, and preparing their hearts for the promised descent of the Holy Spirit upon them ; who was to enable them to go forth and preach the glad tidings of salvation successfully to Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles.

Such is the method, in which the part of the sacred history, with which we are here concerned, is laid down. The Texts containing it now follow, with a collateral Paraphrase : and these will be succeeded by Observations, either to explain facts, or justify the order in which they are disposed. In the Paraphrase and succeeding Observations the liberty will be taken, in a few instances, of departing a little from our very valuable. Translation, where it is of some consequence that the Original should be somewhat more literally rendered.

HARMONY AND PARAPHRASE

EVANGELICAL HISTORY

FROM THE

INTERMENT TO THE ASCENSION

OF OUR LORD

JESUS CHRIST

IN TWELVE SECTIONS.

Section I. The Preparation

OR

FRIDAY EVENING.

TH E chief acquaintance of our Lord, who had followed him to mount Calvary, remained afar off, beholding his crucifixion and the signs and wonders attending it : as did also many women that had come up with him to Jerusalem; some of whom had ministered unto him of their substance both in Galilee, Luke viii. 2. and in his progress to the city: among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the sister of our Lord's mother, wife of Cleopas, called also Alpheus, and mother of James the less and Joses, and Salome mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.

His friends in general stood lamenting at a distance. But a few of them were induced by the power of affection and grief to approach very near to his cross. These were his Virgin Mother, her sister Mary wife of Cleopas, Mary Magdalene, and John, one of his Apostles.

When

Matth. xxvii.

Mark xv.

55. And many women were there '(beholding afar off) which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him.

5 6. Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children

Luke xxiii.

40. There were also women lookon afar off;

among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the ess, and of Joses, and Salome ;

41. Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him ; and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem

John xix.

49. And all h acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off,beholding these things.

25. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

14 PARAPHRASE. SECT. I.

When Jesus therefore, looking down from the cross, saw his mother and the disciple standing by M'hom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son. Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother: behave to her now and at all times with filial kindness and duty. And from that hour that disciple, leading her away from that sad and awful scene, took her to his own home, attended by his mother Salome, one of those " which stood beholding these things;" with whom leaving her for the present, to yield her all possible support, r while the sword was piercing through her soul," he himself returned to his attendance by the cross. See John xix. 35.

Our Lord having expired on the cross on the Preparation or day before the Sabbath, about the ninth hour, when the early evening began, Heaven stirred up the spirit of a rich man, an honourable counsellor, to take care of his most holy body.

This "man was Joseph of Arimathea, ti Jewish city a good and just man, and one who had not consented to their late proceedings. For he himself waited for the kingdom of God, and was a disciple of Jesus, through secretly for fear of the Jews.

Yet now he went in boldly to Pilate, and besought him that he might take away the body of Jesus.

Pilate at first thought it strange that he should be so soon dead ; and calling unto him the Centurion, he asked him whether, as Joseph represented the matter, he had been any while dead; and, being satisfied by the Centurion that he really had been so some time, he commanded the body to be delivered to Joseph.

He

Matth. xxvii.

57. When the even was come there came a rich man of Arima thea, named Joseph, who also limself was Jesus' disciple.

53. He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus Then Pilate com manded the body to be delivered.

Mark xv. Lukexxiii. Johnxix.

26. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother.

Woman, behold thy son !

27. Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mo ther ! And from that hour that di sciple took hei unto his own home.

42. And now when the even was come, (because it was the preparation, that is the iay before the sabbath,)

43. Joseph of Arimathea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came and went in boldly unto Pilate and craved the body of Jesus.

44. And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.

45. And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Jo seph.

50. And behold there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor ; and h was a good man, and a j ust :

51. (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them) he was of Arimathea, a city of the Jews (who also himself waited for the kingdom of God).

38. And after this, Joseph of Arimathea (being a disciple of Je-

, but secretly for fear of the Jews)

52. This man went unto Pilate ; and begged the body of Jesus.

besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus :

and Pilate him leave.

PARAPHRASE. SECT. I.

He went therefore, and without delay took down the body of Jesus, and wrapped it in a robe of fine linen, which he had purchased.

There came also Nicodemus (who at first came to Jesus by night) and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

Then they took the body of Jesus to a place of sepulture, and wrapped it in linen bandages with the spices, as is the manner of the Jews of rank to prepare for interment. His grave was appointed with the wicked ; but with the rich man was his tomb. Isai. liii. 9. Bishop Lowth's Translation.

Now in the place where he was crucified was a garden, and in the garden a sepulchre belonging to Joseph, which he had caused to be hewn out of the rock ; a new sepulchre, in which no one had ever yet been laid, consisting of a tomb and court before it.

This sepulchre being nigh at hand, they laid the body of Jesus in it, because it was the_ Jews' preparation, and the sabbath drew on. Joseph having rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre departed K

And the women also, that came with him from Galilee, followed after and beheld the sepulchre, and where and how his body was laid.

And most of them then returned in haste and prepared spices and ointments before the sabbath came on, on which they rested according to the commandment.

But Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses staid behind, and sat weeping over against the tomb.

1 See Index under Sepulchre ; a quotation from Gori.

SEC-

Matth. xxvii.

59. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in ; ilean linen cloth

60. And laid it his own new tomb, which he lad hewn out in he rock : and he rolled a great stone to the dooi of the sepulchre, ind departed.

61. And there was Mary Magdalene, and tht other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

Vol. IT.

Mark xv. Luke xxlii. 1 John xix.

46. And he bought tine linen, •ind took him down, and wrapped him in the inen, and laid him in a sepulchre, which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.

47. And Man Magdalene, and Wary the motliei )f Jo?es, beheld where he was laid.

53. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, ind laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

54. And that day was the pre paration, and the -abbath drew on

55. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, fol lowed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.

5' . And they relumed, and prepared spices and >intinents ; au>1 rested the sab bath-day, aeeordng to the com nandment.

He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

39. And there came also Nicodemus (which at the first came to Jesus by night) and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

40. Then took they the body ol Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes, with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

41. Now in the place where h was crucified ther was a garden ; and in the garden z new sepulchre wherein was never man yet laid.

42. There laid they Jesus there 'ore, because of the Jews' preparation day, for the sepulchre was nigl at hand.

c

]g PARAPHRASE. SECT. II.

SECTION II. Saturday, towards the conclusion of the sabbath

On the next day that followed the day of the preparation, and which was consequently the second day of our Lord's interment, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver, who was yesterday crucified, declared while he was living, that he would rise again the third day. We intreat you therefore to command that the sepulchre, in which you have permitted his friends to deposit him, may be well secured till this third day is past ; lest his disciples should come by night and steal away his body, and then tell the people that he has verified his prediction, and is risen from the dead : in which case the last deceit will be worse than any that has preceded.

Pilate answered them, Ye have a guard of our soldiers. Take as many of them as are requisite, and make the place as sure as you can.

Having thus obtained leave from the governor, they ordered a sufficient number of soldiers to the sepulchre: and then repairing thither, and satisfying themselves that the body was in it, they secured the sepulchre with a guard, and set a seal upon the stone that closed the door of it ; all which was managed so secretly, that the disciples of Christ had no suspicion of it.

SATURDAY,

HARMONY.

Matth. xxvii.

62. Now the next day that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,

63. Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again : '

64. Command therefore that the sepulchre be madesure until the third day ; lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and

ay unto the peo plej He is risen from the dead : So the last erroi shall be worse than the first.

65. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch : your way, make it as sure as ye can.

66. So they went and made the Sepulchre sure sealing the stone, and setting watch.

Mark,

Luke.

John.

See Index of Texts C 2

■20

PARAPHRASE. SECT. II.

SATURDAY, WHEN THE SABBATH WAS OVER, AND THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK BEGAN.

Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, the mother of James and Joses, sat too long by the tomb of their Lord, and Salome was too much engaged in another act of duty to him, to procure any spices before the sabbath commenced ; but as soon as it was over on Saturday evening they joined together in purchasing their share of sweet spices, that they might be ready next morning to go and anoint his body, in concurrence with other pious women, who had on Friday evening prepared unguents for the same purpose.

Section III. First Day Of The Week, Easter Morning

Mary Magdalene was not certain whether the body of her Lord was to continue or not in the sepulchre of Joseph, and was anxious that, wherever it was to rest, it should be treated with all imaginable respect.

When therefore, the sabbath being past1, it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, but was yet not light, she and the other Mary set out, and taking Salome with them, went, in the first instance, to see the sepulchre, and next, when the time suited, to anoint the body.

1 See Index -pf Texts ; Matth. xxviii. 1.

But

Matth.xxviii.

HARMONY.

Mark xvi. Luke.

1. And when he sabbath wa past, Mary Mag clalene, and Mary the mother o James, and Sa lome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him

John xx.

1 . Tn the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary to set the sepulchre.

2. And v< early in the morning, the first day •»f the week, they same unto the sepulchre

1. The first (.lay of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre,

2# PARAPHRASE. SECT. UJ.

But soon after they set out, behold, there was a great earthquake : for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven; and, being come down into the garden, near enough to the sepulchre to be seen by the soldiers that guarded it, advanced slowly towards it, to give them a little time to retire from before him. And he came and rolled away the stone from the door; and the Holy One of God arose, in a manner which no one of the Evangelists offers to describe.

The countenance of the angel was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow ; and for fear of him they who watched did quake, and became as dead men.

That the entrance into the court of the sepulchre might not be obstructed, and the door of the tomb might be open to view, the angel rolled the stone on one side, and there sat upon it.

As soon as the consternation of the guards was a little abated, they were glad to flee from so majestic and terrifying a presence, and quitted the garden.

The sun was rising when the women drew near to the sepulchre. They then reflected on the great size of the stone that closed the tomb ; and, expressing rather a wish than any immediate hope of assistance, said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre ?

But when they were so nigh that they could see into the court, they saw that the door-way of the tomb was open ; the stone being removed from its place.

Alarmed at this they stop short ; and Mary Magdalene, surmising that the body was taken away, and

without

HARMONY.

Matth. xxviii. Mark xvi. Luke.

2. And behold, there was a great earthquake : for the angel of thc- Lord descended from heaven, an-1 came and rolled ack the stone from the door, md sat upon it.

I. His counte nance «-as like lightning, and hs raiment white as snow -.

4 And for fear o* him the keep ers did shake, and became as dead men.

John xx.

at the rising "of the sun.

3. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the pukhre ?

4. (And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away) for it was very reat, and seeth the

stone taken away

from the sepulchre.

24 PARAPHRASE. SECT, III.