Fleetwood's Life of Christ

Preface

The first and greatest object that should engage the attention of men is, the pursuit of that knowledge which tends to promote their welfare in this world, and their eternal happiness in that which is to come. But where is this knowledge to be gained ? In the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make us wise unto salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus, 2 Tim. iii. 15. In these the blessed Redeemer is revealed as the way, the truth, and the life; as the only foundation of hope, and the Mediator of the New Covenant. To him we are called to look for salvation, who alone can save our souls from death, and bring us to everlasting life. He is the grand pattern of sanctity, meekness, humility, and love, — the King of glory, and the Guide to righteousness.

As, therefore, in our blessed Redeemer only rests the whole of our eternal salvation, let Him only engross our most serious attention ; and let the examples of his holy Apostles, who have sealed their faith with their blood, inspire us with resolution to be the servants of Christ, who condescended to suffer an ignominious and painful death, to save us from our sins, and the punishment due to our manifold offences.

In seriously perusing the Life and Transactions of the great Redeemer of mankind, we shall here find those balmy sweets, those solid comforts, which, if cordially received, and properly attended to, will promote our felicity here, and secure to us eternal happiness hereafter. If we endeavour to pursue the divine system laid down by our blessed Saviour, there is no reason to doubt but faith will be accepted, and our obedience will be crowned with that reward which he has been pleased to promise to all those who imitate his glorious example. Our blessed Lord himself tells us, that if we are poor in spirit we shall gain the kingdom of heaven — if we mourn here, we shall be comforted — if we hunger and thirst after righteousness, we shall be filled. All true knowledge, virtue, and perfection, that a Christian can desire, or attain to, are contained in the doctrines and transactions of our Glorious Redeemer ; who teacheth us, that righteousness and holiness consist in the inward iv PREFACE.

purity and integrity of the mind, and not barely in the outward shew of works — in a conscience void of offence, not in the pompous applause of men — in humility, not in ostentation — in contempt, not in pursuit, of worldly honours ; — and he farther teacheth us to love our enemies as well as our friends. Here we read of the nature of true faith ; of trusting in Christ alone ; and how we ought not to glory but in Him. Here we read also of the certainty of salvation, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and of life eternal.

We most sincerely hope, that the perusal of this Work will produce that effect for which it is adapted, namely, the promotion of the cause of Christianity, and making mankind wise unto salvation. A serious attention to the Divine transactions contained in this History, will fill the mind with awful, though pleasing ideas ; banish every doubt ; confirm the reader in the most sublime truths ; and fill his soul with divine ecstacies.

We shall only further observe, that in the execution of this Work we have endeavoured to improve the understanding, and warm the heart ; to inspire the mind with gratitude for the astonishing love of a dying Saviour, and to excite the soul to embrace his kind invitations of forgiveness, of happiness, and peace.

Introduction

JL HERE are two things in the Life of Christ which should be carefully considered — the remarkable circumstances ii our Saviour's more public life, and his manner of teaching.

" As to the former," says Bishop Law, " we cannot but observe a surprising mixture of humility and greatin dignity and self-abasement, in his general demeanour ; both which were equally instructive in their turns. Sometimes w< find him solemnly asserting his divinity ; at other times, the meekest and lowest of the sons of men : sometimes reminding his followers that he could command legions of angels, were it necessary ; at others apprising them, that he should be more destitute of common conveniencies than even the beasts of the field, or birds of the air : now telling them, that a greater than Solomon is among them; now washing his disciples' feet. Conscious of his own power and just prerogative, yet all submission to the powers in being ; complying with their laws and institutions, however hazardous or inconvenient to him; and paying their demands to the uttermost, though at the expense of a miracle. On some occasions publishing the character and office which he bore ; on others, carefully concealing them, in order to prevent the hasty misconstruction of his friends, to guard against the inveterate malice of his foes, and gain sufficient time to fix a good foundation for the faith of all. None more industrious and zealous in the cause of God ; none more indifferent and resigned in his own. He patiently endures the affronts and outrage to his person, and the frecpjent insults on his reputation, and intercedes for the forgiveness of his murderers : yet when his Father's honour is concerned, he vindicates it instantly ; and with uncommon warmth he publicly chastises the profaners of his temple, and threatens the severest punishment to such as would continue to blaspheme the Power and Spirit by which he was acting. He is ready to receive publicans and harlots; disdains not to converse with heretics and schismatics, persons most odious and of worst repute, but whom he sees to be truly penitent, and really desirous of instruction ; while he rejects the formal sanctimonious hypocrite, and reprimands the self-sufficient Pharisee. He detects, and with authority rebukes, the flattery of the proud designing querist; but satisfies each scruple, and resolves each doubt, of the sincere and humble searcher after truth, even before they can be intimated to him. He cherishes the broken-hearted ; comforts the desponding ; strengthens and supports the weak and wavering ; condescends to the infirmities of the meanest and most despicable that has the least spark of goodness in him, but never gratifies the vanity, or gives way to the petulancy, of the greatest. Vice from him meets with due discouragement and just reproof in all men, even those of the highest station ; virtue, with kind compassion, and a generous aid, in any of the lowest.

" For, Secondly, this mixture of so various, and seemingly opposite, qualities, which constituted the foregoing contrast, did not proceed from any variation in his temper, but wholly in that of those among whom he conversed. He steadilv adheres to the same principle, and constantly pursues one plain and uniform design of doing all the service possible on all occasions, to all sorts of people; of doing it in the most agreeable manner too, whenever that becomes consistent with their real interest; sympathizing with men in their several states and dispositions; suiting himself to every one's circumstances and capacity ; applying to each part of the human constitution for access ; and watching every motion of the heart to gain admittance ; being himself ever affable, and easy of access to all that seriously applied to him ; accepting any invitation, and admitting every well-meant instance of respect; nay, making a voluntary offer of his company whenever he knew it would be useful and acceptable ; indulging the most secret wish of such as would receive an obligation from him ; and enhancing that by his obliging readiness to confer it. He submitted to the lowest offices for the sake of others, and was at every body's service that desired his assistance. He condescended to the meanest company, when he had a prospect of doing any good upon them ; and was content to lose the reputation of being a good man, that he might more effectually serve the ends of piety and goodness.

" His conversation was free and familiar, open and undisguised, sober and rational ; his carriage, clear from all affected singularity, all rigid and unnatural severity, and any of those austere forbidding airs which used to be put on by others, and were apt to procure them so much reverence and awe upon the like occasion. His very miraculous works were no less evident signs of mercy, goodness, and generosity, than of power ; and equally adapted to convince men's understandings, and engage their affections, as to remove their maladies, or to relieve their wants : his first public miracle being no more than a proper act of kindness or humanity, in preventing the confusion of a poor relation, by a very seasonable supply of what was wanting in his entertainment; which want perhaps could not otherwise have been conveniently supplied ; and was most probably occasioned by the extraordinary concourse he himself drew thither: his last, being no less than an instance of the highest and most undeserved compassion, in calmly healing the wound of one of those who came with eagerness to take away his life ; and thereby shewing, that with the same ease he could have delivered himself or de stroyed them.

" The like might be observed in almost every other case, where he exerted an extraordinary power ; which he did in a manner that more particularly suited his own character.

A " But

INTRODUCTION.

" But what we are now considering in the Life of Christ, is, its more ordinary course and common tenor ; which we find chiefly conversant in social duties, as they come into use most frequently, and are of the greatest and most general benefit to mankind ; and setting us a pattern of performing these, which was the most inviting to us, and most imitable by us, and the least capable of ever being mistaken or perverted; a pattern, not only of perfect innocence, but usefulness, in every circumstance and situation; of joining sometimes in such relaxations, both of mind and body, as would tend to the comfort and support of each; such prudent moderate enjoyment of the good things of this world, as might convert them both to the present and future benefit of all who partook of them; of undergoing all the toils and difficulties, labours and distresses, to which we are subject; of bearing all the evils and afflictions, the crosses and calamities, of life, with so much patience, constancy, and perseverance, as would prevent our sinking under them, and at length make us more than conquerors over them. A pattern of particular affection and esteem for friends; of general kindness and good-will towards enemies; of gratitude and love for all good offices; of meekness and a most forgiving temper under any ill usage; of strict obedience to superiors, either in church or state, so far as is consistent with our duty to the Supreme Being; mildness and condescension to inferiors, in whatsoever respect, or whatsoever degree; of justice, fidelity, benevolence, and charity, to all. In short, his whole life was a lecture of true practical piety, and each part of it pointed out some virtue proper for our imitation.

" Which brings me in the next place to his manner of teaching; and this was likewise the most easy and natural that could be imagined. He generally draws his doctrine from the present occasion; the conversation that is passing; or the objects that surround him; from the most common occurrences and occupations; from the time of the day; the season of the year; the service of the Jewish church, or their solemnities; from some extraordinary accidents, remarkable places, or transactions ; and the like.

" Thus, upon curing a blind man, he styles himself the light of the world; and admonishes the Pharisees of their spiritual blindness, and inexcusable obstinacy, in refusing to be cured and enlightened by him. On little children beingbrought to him, he recommends the innocence and humility of that state as very proper qualities for all those who would be true members of his church; and, under the same figure, intimates the privileges that belong to all such. On being told that his mother and brethren came to seek him, he declares to all those among his disciples, who were desirous of learning, and disposed to follow his instructions, that they were equally dear to him, and should be equally regarded by him, as his very nearest friends and relations. Beholding the flowers of the field, and the fowls of the air, he teaches his disciples to frame right and worthy notions of that Providence which supports them, and therefore will support beings of a rank so superior to them. Observing the fruits of the earth, he instructs them to judge of men by their fruits; and not to be themselves unfruitful under all the means of grace. Taking notice of their behaviour at a feast, he first gives general advice therein to both the master and his guests; and from thence brings them to the consideration of a better entertainment, to which they were all invited; but of which few among them would be persuaded to render themselves worthy. From meat and drink, he leads them to the eating of his body, and drinking his blood, in a spiritual sense, — the being nourished with his doctrine, and partaking of his kingdom.

From outward washing, — to the purifying of the heart, and cleansing the affections. From tasting of the fruit of the vine after the paschal supper, — to the celebration of an eternal festival of freedom, rest, and happiness, in another world. From the salt, he takes occasion to acquaint them with the nature of their office, which was to season the minds of men, and keep them from the contagion of this world ; as well as to give them a true taste and relish for the enjoyments of that kingdom ; and at the same time reminds them of the absolute necessity for the duly executing this their office ; otherwise, instead of being the best, the purest, and most useful, they would become the most worthless, and incurable, and contemptible, among mankind. Those that were fishers, he teaches how to catch men; and shews them how far this would resemble their former employment, in taking of all kinds, both bad and good, which were at first inseparable, but would at length be carefully distinguished from each other. Seeing the money-changers, he exhorts his disciples to lay out their several talents to the best advantage. Being among the sheep-folds, he proves himself to be the true Shepherd of souls, describing the particular in which his character exactly answered that of a good shepherd, even so far as to the giving or laying down his life for the sheep, i. e. exposing himself to certain death in the protection and defence of his flock from beasts of prey. Among vines, he discourses on the spiritual husbandman and vine-dresser; and draws a parallel between his vineyard and the natural one.

At the sun-rising, he says, " I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life :" q. d. The sun rises to set again in a few hours, and may fail many of you, ere you have finished your journey; but every one that receives, and governs himself by, my doctrine, shall have a constant and continual guide, sufficient to direct him to eternal life. Upon the appearance of summer in the trees before him, he points out as evident signs of his approaching kingdom. At the season of fruits, he puts the Jews in mind that the time was come when some would be expected from them, in return of all the labour that had been bestowed upon them; and intimates the judgment that would shortly overtake all such among them as were found unprofitable. When the harvest comes on, he reminds them of the spiritual harvest, or the gathering of his church among men; admonishes them to labour diligently in that work, and add their prayers to heaven for success. From servants being made free on the Sabbatical year, he takes occasion to proclaim a greater and more noble freedom from the slavery of sin and bondage of corruption. And from the Jewish ceremony of fetching water on the last day of the feast of tabernacles, in commemoration of the miracle wrought for their fathers in the thirsty wilderness, he introduces an offer of that true living water which should be unto them a well springing up unto everlasting life — the gospel of immortal happiness and salvaiion, and the plentiful effusion of the Holy Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive. Upon a report that certain Jews were massacred by the Roman governor in the midst of their devotions, and that others had lately met with a no less untimely death by the fall of a tower in Jerusalem, he guards his audience against the common

vices

INTRODUCTION.

vices of pride and censoriousness, in judging such as these to be the greatest sinners, because they were the most eminent sufferers; and exhorts them all to repent of their own crimes before the divine judgments overtook them; which would shortly fall upon that people, and be the more distinguishable, as coming attended with the very same circumstances. From the conspicuous eminence of a city standing on a mountain, he turns his discourse to the no less remarkable situation of his own disciples. From the temple before him, he points to that of his body; which was most properly BO call< d from the Divinity residing in him. From Herod's unadvisedly leading his army out to meet the king of Arabia, who cai against him with superior forces and defeated him, a lesson is laid down to all who entered on the Christian warfare, that they should first well weigh, and carefully compute, the difficulties that attended it, before they were engaged in a matt< c of such consequence. From the robberies which were more particularly frequent in that age and place, he forms a beautiful story of a certain traveller, who fell among thieves, was stripped and wounded, and could find relief from none of Ins own country or persuasion, but met with it in one of those from whom he had the least reason to expect any, as being so much used to despise and hate that people, and their way of worship. From whence he forces his opponent to approve this amiable instance of humanity, even in the odious character of a Samaritan; and thereby shews him incontestibly, that the like good office would no less become a Jew in the like circumstances. And from what happened about this time, namely, that those who obtained the kingdom of Judea went to Rome to be confirmed in it; and, on their return, called such to account as had been wanting in their duty, and took ample vengeance on those who rebelled against them, (which was the case particularly under Archelaus, a few years before our Lord delivered that parable,) he gives his followers to understand, that after he had ascended into heaven, and taken full possession of his spiritual kingdom, he would come again in power and great glory, and not only punish that rebellious nation of the Jews with exemplary judgments, but at length condemn all those who willully opposed his gospel, as well as those who continued to neglect and disregard it.

" Many more instances might be given, where Christ has formed his arguments and exhortations on such things as offered themselves to him, applying each most aptly to his present purpose ; and where this does not so immediately appear, we have reason to believe it chiefly owing to the omission of some circumstances in the history, as is observed by a very eminent writer. By this means he improved every thing into an useful moral ; made every object and event serve for a constant monitor and remembrance of his instructions ; which by these means must be more easily retained, than they could be by a long train of abstract reasoning, or under any artificial arrangement of a number of particulars laid down together.

" Again, it is observable, that he delivered many things by way of story, or parable; a most engaging, and a most effectual method of instruction; gradually informing those who in reality were disposed for information, and not too violently disgusting those who were not. This way of teaching is of all others most apt to raise, and to keep up, the attention, and set each faculty of the mind on work ; it gains the easiest admission into both head and heart; it strikes the deepest; sticks the longest; gives most delight, by leaving something for the hearers themselves to discover; and disobliges least, by putting them upon making their own application. On these accounts it has been admired in all ages and nations from the beginning of the world ; and was particularly celebrated in the East. This, among many other excellent uses to which Christ applied it, in a manner the most delicate and masterly, was peculiarly fitted to insinuate such points, as more immediately opposed the prejudices or the inclinations of all those to whom Christ preached ; and which, though necessary for them to be apprised of. so far as might help afterwards to reconcile their thoughts to these things, when they were able to recollect that they had been intended and foretold from the beginning, yet were not at that time to be laid down in a more open direct manner ; such as related chiefly to the external circumstances of his person and doctrine, and the effects thereof upon both Jew and Gentile.

" As to the fundamental parts of his religion, and his manner of declaring them ; both these were easy and obvious, such as the weakest and most ignorant (unless affectedly so) could not mistake ; and proposed in that plain and popular way, to which they were most accustomed, and in which they would be most likely to apprehend him; and it is worth remarking, that wherever his words seem capable of different senses, we may with certainty conclude that to be the true one which lay most level to the comprehension of his auditors, allowing for those figurative expressions which were so frequent and familiar with them, and which therefore are no exceptions to this general rule ; this necessary canon of interpretation, which of all others, I think, wants most to be recommended.

" The bulk of his doctrine was of a practical nature, always pertinent to the case in hand, and of an immediate and apparent tendency to the most beneficial purposes; and he is so far from seeking reputation by an artful and elaborate manner of explaining it, that he seems barely to propose each point, together with its proper sanction, and leaves it to shine forth by its own light. 'Tis neither versed in any nice subtle speculations, nor involved in pompous paradoxes, nor adorned with flowers of rhetoric. We find it free from all ostentatious and unnatural flights, as well as from that load of superstitious rites and slavish ceremonies which encumbered every other system ; consisting of solid and substantial duties ; containing general comprehensive rules to try them by; and grounded on such never-failing principles of action, as must quickly enable his disciples to determine for themselves, and judge aright in each particular case : as in that of the sabbath; which, like all other solemnities, was instituted for the sake of man; and therefore should be made subservient to his good; and, in that, to the glory of his Maker, which are inseparable from each other. In meats and drinks, and every thing, by consequence, of the same kind; which, as being merely external things, must likewise be of an indifferent nature, and therefore could not of themselves defile a man. In that of oaths, the several kinds whereof were really of the same import, as including the same virtual appeal to God, and therefore must needs be of equal force, and should alike exclude all fraudulent evasive artifices. In that of vows, which bind only to things otherwise innocent at least, and by which none ever could exempt themselves from duties of a prior and perpetual obligation. In that of contracts, and more especially

the

INTRODUCTION.

the great general one of matrimony, which ought not to be rashly violated by either party, or dissolved for any cause less than such an one as proves inconsistent with the very foundation and origin thereof, e. g. fornication or adultery; and by the universal rule, of mercy being preferable to sacrifice, whenever a moral and positive precept interfere with one another.

" Such doctrine must appear not only excellent in itself, when taken independently, but more especially so in the circumstances under which it was delivered; as fully obviating the several false maxims, and fallacious glosses, advanced by the Jewish teachers of our Saviour's time ; in which respect it must be doubly useful as an instruction in truths of the last importance, and a guard against so many popular errors; and maybe considered as another instance of his exquisite manner of accommodating things, both to the general benefit of mankind, and the particular exigencies of his hearers.

" Lastly, our Saviour's whole discourse and way of arguing must carry something of a peculiar force and poignancy along with it, and be attended with extraordinary degrees both of conviction and astonishment, as he knew thoroughly what was in man, and therefore could speak to his heart directly; and needed not that any man should either ask him, or inform him of any thing; as he saw into the most secret thoughts and purposes of all those whom he had to deal with; and often shewed them plainly that he did so, by removing the latent prejudices of his weaker friends, and obviating their several doubts and difficulties as they arose in their own minds, before they durst give utterance to them, by answeringsuch objections as had been made only in private, or at least out of his hearing; by refuting every plausible pretence, and laying open the most artful stratagems of his inveterate enemies; detecting their hypocrisy, exposing their true aim, and thereby cutting off all possibility of reply; on which account his word must needs be " quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword." — In this respect too it might well be said, " Never man spake like this man." Many instances whereof will occur upon a diligent perusal of the Gospels.

" Thus did Christ live, and teach; shewing himself as much superior to the rest of the world in each of these respects as he did in his miracles."

THE LIFE

OF

OUR BLESSED LORD AND SAVIOUR

JESUS CHRIST.

Chap. I

Presage of the Birth of Christ. — Prediction of the Birth of John the Baptist. — Salutation of the Blessed Virgin by the Angel. — Visitation of the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth. — Birth of the Baptist.

l^TO event that ever did, or perhaps will, happen, can more remarkably display the wisdom and power of the great Jehovah, than the glorious manner in wh'ch he brought life and immortality to light, by the gospel of his only Son, manifested in the flesh.

History, as it refers merely to human events, is a pleasing and instructing subject; but that which relates to our immortal interest, certainly claims our most serious regard.

The mind of man cannot be more delightfully employed than in the contemplation of the wisdom and goodness of the Creator of the universe, who, by means the least thought of and imagined, confirmed and established that glorious Gospel, which points out the only foundation of a sinner's hopes of eternal salvation Notwithstanding the strength and number of its enemies, the church of Christ grew from the most inconsiderable beo innings, to an immense fabric or building in the Lord ; nor shall the united efforts of earth and hell be able to prevail against it. As it was planted, so it was reared, by an almighty hand, which, like the careful husbandman, pruned and cultivated each tender sprig, till it arrived at full perfection ; or, to use the words of our blessed Lord, the least of all seeds grew up and waxed a great tree, and spread out its branches, and filled the earth.

Thus prevailed eternal truth : nor could the inveterate Jews, or superstitious Heathens, resist its progress, though Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and people of Israel, gathered themselves together against the Lord, and against his Anointed : for the doctrine of God confounded the wisdom of the one, and overcame the folly of the other.

If we survey the stupendous works of creation, we shall find that few arrived at perfection at once. This observation is amply confirmed by the various productions in the natural, and changes in the moral world. The Supreme Being, who conducts all his operations according to his infinite wisdom, appears to have retained the same maxim in regulating his kindest dispensations to the sons of men. The divine will was not revealed, at first, in its clearest evidence and fullest splendour ; the dawn, in a spiritual as well as in a natural sense, preceded the meridian glory. The former revelation was but a type or earnest of the latter, and, in comparison with it, intricate and mysterious.

The all-gracious God, as it seemed best to his unerring wisdom, was pleased, by degrees, to open and unfold his glorious counsels ; and man, by degrees, attained to the knowledge of the great plan of salvation, and the means used by its great Author to promote and establish it.