That

"fome ecclefiaftical writers Luke published his Gospel fifteen, according "to others two and twenty years after Chrift's ascension . . . . "he transcribed many things from Matthew, and yet more from Mark, " is manifeft.”

But if St. Luke wrote within two and twenty years after Christ's afcenfion, and transcribed a great deal from St. Mark; St. Mark's Gospel must have been first published, and very early. If St. Mark's Gospel was not published, till the year 64. and St. Luke transcribed from him; St. Luke could not write, till a good while after two and twenty years from Chrift's afcenfion. I do not perceive therefore, that Mr. Westfein had any determined opinion concerning the date of these two Gofpels. Nor can I, as yet, perfuade myself, that any of the Evangelifts tranfcribed each other.

VII. I will now observe some characters of time in the Gospel itself, like thofe before taken notice of in St. Matthew.

Marks of Time in the Gospel itself.

1. From ch. vii. 14.. 23. it appears, that St. Mark fully understood the fpirituality of the doctrine of Chrift, recommending righteousnesse and true holineffe, without an obligation to Jewish ritual ordinances and appointments.

2. His hiftorie of the Greek or Gentil woman, in the fame chap. vii. 24. 30. who befought Jefus to heal her daughter, and obtained her request, deserves notice here.

3. The call of the Gentils, and the rejection of the Jews, as a People, are intimated in ch. xii. I . . 12. in the parable there recorded, of the Householder, who planted a vineyard, and let it out to husbandmen: to whom after a while he fent fervants, and then his fon, to receive from them the fruit of the vineyard. But they abused the fervants, and killed the fon. It is added: What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do? He will deftroy the husbandmen, and will let out the vineyard unto others. And what follows.

4. In ch. xiii. are predictions concerning the deftruction of the temple, and the defolations of the Jewish People. And, particularly, at ver. 14.. 16. are remarkable expreffions, intimating the near approach of thofe calamities, and fuited to excite the attention of fuch as were in danger of being involved in them.

5. In his account of the inftitution of the eucharift our Lord fays: ch. xiv. 24. This is my blood of the New Teftament, which is fhed for many: that is, for all men, not for Jews only, but for Gentils alfo.

6. In ch. iv. 30. 32. is the parable of the grain of mustard feed, the left of all feeds, which becometh greater than all herbs: representing the swift and wonderful progreffe of the gofpel in the world. Of which it is very likely, St. Mark, at the time of writing, had fome knowledge.

7. It is manifeft, that he well understood the extent of our Saviour's commiffion to the twelve Apostles. For he has recorded it in these words, ch. xvi, 15. Go ye therefore into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature: or the whole creation, that is, Jews and Gentils, all mankind of every denomination.

8. Yea, it appears from the conclufion of his hiftorie, that before he wrote, the Apostles (at left divers of them,) had left Judea, and had

E 4

preached

preached in many places. ver. 20. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with figns following.

9. Ch. xvi. 18. They fhall take up ferpents. Some may think, that here is a reference to the hiftorie, which we have in Acts xxviii. 3. . 6. I do not say, there is. But allowing it, I fhould not reckon it an objec tion to the genuinneffe of this part of that chapter. It would only be an argument for the late_date of this Gofpel. And it has been fo underftood by (b) fome. For my own part, I cannot say, that St. Mark has referred to it. But I make no queftion, that he was acquainted with the event there related, when he wrote his Gospel.

Obfervations upon VIII. I fhall conclude this chapter with some obserthis Gospel. vations upon St. Mark's Gofpel.

1. It confirms the accounts given by the ancients, that it is the fubftance of Peter's preaching.

This was taken notice of just now in our recollection. But I choose to enlarge upon it here, and fhew, that the Gospel itself affords evidences of it's being writ according to that Apoftle's discourses, or according to informations and directions given by him to this Evangelift.

1.) In the first place I would here remind my readers of a long paffage of Eufebius, the learned Bishop of Cefarea, formerly transcribed, of which I take here a very small part only.

Having observed several things very honourable to Peter, related in the other Gospels, he adds: "Though (i) fuch things were faid to Peter by "Jefus, Mark has taken no notice of them: because, as is probable, "Peter did not relate them in his fermons. For he did not think fit to "bear testimonie to himself by relating what Jefus faid to him, or of " him. Therefore Mark has omitted them. But what concerned his ❝ denial of Jefus, he preached to all men, because he wept bitterly. . . . "For all things in Mark are faid to be memoirs of Peter's dif"courses."

2.) And (k) Chryfoftom, reconciling Matthew's and Mark's accounts of Peter's denying Chrift, fays: "These things Mark had from his master. "For he was a difciple of Peter. And what is very remarkable, though "he was a difciple of Peter, he relates his fall more particularly, than any of the reft."

3.) The (1) fame great preacher explaining the historie of our Lord's paying the didrachm or tribute-money to the temple, which is in Matth. xvii. 24. 27. and particularly thofe words: That take and give unto them for me and thee, fays, " Mark, who was a difciple of Peter, omits "this, because it was honourable to that Apostle. But he relates the "hiftorie

(b) Poftremo, in ipfis Evangeliis quædam exftare videntur criteria, ex quibus ea fero effe confcripta colligi poteft. Phrafis uixes The onμreor, ufque ad bunc diem. Mat. xxviii. 15. juftum fpatium inter Chrifti refurrectionem et Evangelium exaratum poftulare videtur. Ita quæ Marcus cap. xvi. 18. de Serpentibus a Chrifti difcipulis fine damno tollendis habet, ad Paulum, Romam tendentem, et quod ei in itinere in infula Mileto contigit, refpicere videntur. Herman. Venema Diff. fecund, de titulo ep. ad Ephef. Ephef. Cap. v. num. iv. (i) Vol. viii. p. 86, ... 88. (k) Vol. x. p. 318.

(1) P. 319.

"hiftorie of his denial of Christ. And perhaps his master forbid him to "infert fuch things, as tended to aggrandife him."

4.) No one has more largely treated this point, than Mr. Jones, who has (m) a catalogue of feveral places in the Gospels, containing things tending to Peter's honour, which are not mentioned in St. Mark's Gospel.

(1.) The account of Christ's pronouncing Peter blessed, when he had confeffed him: Chrift's declaring, that he had his faith and knowledge from God: the promise of the keys, and of that large power, which is made to him: are omitted by St. Mark, though the former and the fucceding parts of this difcourfe are both told by him. See Matt. xvi. 16. .. 20. compared with Mark viii. 29. 30.

(2.) The relation of St. Peter's being commiffioned by Christ to work the miracle, by getting money out of the fifh's mouth, to pay the tributemoney, is told by St. Matthew. ch. xvii. 24. 28. but omitted by St. Mark: though the preceding and fubfequent ftories are the very fame as in St. Matthew. See Mark ix. 30... 33.

(3.) Chrift's particular expreffions of love and favour to St. Peter, in telling him of his danger, and that he prayed particularly for him, that his faith might not fail, is omitted by St. Mark, but related Luke xxii. 31. 32.

(4.) St. Peter's remarkable humility above the rest of the Apostles ex! preffed in an unwillingneffe, that Christ should wash his feet, which none of the reft did exprefs, with Chrift's particular discourse to him. John xiii. 6. &c. is omitted by Mark,

(5.) The inftance of St. Peter's very great zeal for Chrift, when he was taken, in cutting off the High-Prieft's fervant's ear. John xviii. 10. is not mentioned by Mark in particular, but only told in general, of a certain person that stood by. Mark xiv. 47.

(6.) St. Peter's faith in casting himself into the sea, to go to Christ. John xxi. 7. is not mentioned by St. Mark. (A)

(7.) Chrift's discourse with Peter concerning his love to him, and his particular repeated charge to him, to feed his fheep. John xxi. 15. is omitted by St. Mark.

(8.) Our Saviour's predicting to Peter his martyrdom, and the manner of it. John xxi. 18. 19. is not related by St. Mark.

"Thefe, adds that diligent author, are fome inftances of things, tending to St. Peter's honour, recorded by the other Evangelifts, none of which are so much as hinted by St. Mark. . . . All which cannot be accounted for any way more probable, than fuppofing, that this Apoftle did not publish thofe circumftances, which were fo much to his ho

nour."

...

Indeed, I think, they do confirm the accounts given of this Gospel by the ancients, For thefe omiffions cannot be fo well afcribed to any thing, as to St. Peter's modeftie and reservedneffe, who had not mentioned fuch things in his preaching, and difcouraged the putting them down

(A) There is a like thing, and more extraordinarie, related by Matthews only, ch. xiv. 28. 31. I do not know, why Mr. Jones omitted it.

down in writing: infomuch, that as Tertullian fays, the (n) Gospel publifhed by Mark, may be faid to be Peter's.

5.) Nevertheless I must acknowledge, that there are fome things in St. Mark's Gofpel honourable to Peter, which are not in any other. I fhall mention two or three.

Says St. Mark ch. i. 36. And Simon, and they that were with him, fol lowed after him. If thereby be intended the whole companie of the Apoftles, that way of defcribing them is very honourable to Peter. But fome may suppose, none to be intended, befide thofe mentioned ver. 29. If fo, it refembles Luke ix. 32. But Peter, and they that were with him: meaning John and James, and referring to ver. 28.

In Mark xiv. 3. Peter is mentioned, as one of the four Apoftles, to whom our Lord addreffed himself, when he foretold the deftruction of the temple, and the calamities attending it. Which is a paffage peculiar to St. Mark.

And Ch. xvi. 7. The meffage, which the angels fent to the difciples by the women at the fepulchre, is thus expreffed: But go your way. Tell bis difciples, and Peter, that he goes before you into Galilee. Peter is not mentioned, upon this occafion, by Matthew xxviii. 7. nor by any other of the Evangelifts.

Upon this text Whitby fays very well: "Peter is here named, not as "Prince of the Apostles, but, as the Fathers fay, for his confolation, and "to take off the fcruple, which might be upon his fpirit: whether by "his threefold denial of his mafter, he had not forfeited his right to be "one of Chrift's difciples."

I now proceed to another obfervation.

2. St. Mark's Gofpel, as is evident to all, is the fhorteft of the four. Jerome, as before cited, fays, Mark (0) wrote a fhort Gofpel. And Chryfoftom observed, that (p) Mark had the concifeneffe of Peter, following his master.

3. Nevertheless there are in St. Mark many things peculiar to himself, not mentioned by any other Evangelift.

I fhall here put down feveral fuch things, and not those, which are omitted by Matthew only, but fuch things, as are in Mark, and in no other of the Evangelifts.

1.) In the account of our Saviour's temptation in the wilderneffe, St. Mark fays, ch. i. 13. and was with the wild beasts: not mentioned by any other Evangelift, and yet very proper to fhew the hardships, which our Lord underwent at that season.

2.) Ch. i. 20. In the account of the call of fames and John, the fons of Zebedee, he fays, they left their father in the ship, with the hired fervants. A circumftance not mentioned by any other.

3. Ch. i. 29. And forthwith, when they were come out of the fynagogue, they entred into the boufe of Simon, and Andrew, with James and John. In Matth. viii. 14. it is only, come into Peter's house. In Luke iv. 38. and entered into Simon's houfe.

4. Ch. i. 33. And all the city was gathered together at the door. Not in any other Evangelift. Compare Matt. viii. 16. Luke iv. 40. 41.

(n) See Vol. ii. p. 581.

5.) Ch.

(a) See here. p. 175. (p) See Volume x. p. 322. ›

5.) Ch. i. 35; And in the morning rifing up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a folitarie place, and there prayed. 36. And Simon, and they that were with him, followed after him. 37. And when they had found him, they faid unto him: All men feek thee. This is not at all in Matthew, and is here much fuller, and with more particulars, than in Luke iv. 42.

6.) Ch. i. 45. Of the leper, cured by our Saviour, he fays: But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter. Not particularly mentioned by the other Evangelifts. Compare Matth. viii. Luke v. 14. 15.

4.

7. In the cure of the paralytic. ch. ii. 2. And ftraitway many were gathered together, infomuch that there was no room to receive them, not fo much as about the door. 3. And they come unto him, bringing one fick of the palfie, which was born of four. 4. And they uncovered the roof. No other Evangelift has fo particularly described the croud. In d the Mark only is it faid, that this fick man was born of four. He likewise more particularly describes the uncovering the roof. Compare Matt. ix. 1. 2. Luke v. 18. 19.

8.) In the hiftorie of the man with a withered hand, cured in the fynagogue, on a fabbath. ch. iii. 5. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardneffe of their hearts, he faith unto the man: Stretch forth thy hand. Not fo full in any other Evangelift. Compare Matt. xii. 9... 13. Luke vi. 6... 11.

9.) Ch. iii. ver. 6. And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counfel with the Herodians against him. Matth. xii. 14. mentions Pharifees only. Luke vi. 11. mentions no perfons by name.

10.) Ch. iii. 17. And James the fon of Zebedee, and John the brother of Fames. And he named them Boanerges. Not in any other Evangelift.

11. Ch. iii. 19. And they went into the house. 20. And the multitude cometh together again, fo that they could not fo much as eat bread. 21. And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold of him. For they faid: He is befide himself, Whether that expreffion, he is beside himfelf, is to be understood of Chrift, or of the multitude, this paffage is pe

culiar to St. Mark.

12.) Ch. iv. 26. And he faid: So is the kingdom of God, as if a manfhould caft his feed into the ground, 27. and should sleep, and rife night and day, and the feed fhould fpring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of itself, firft the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29. But when the fruit is ripe, immediately he putteth in the fickle, because the harveft is come. This parable is peculiar to St. Mark. See Whitby upon the place, and likewife (g) Grotius.

13.) After the parable of the grain of muftard-feed, befide other things common to him and Matthew, he adds. ch. iv. 24. And when they were alone, he expounded all things to his difciples. Compare Matt. xiii. 31... 34.

This

(9) Hæc parabola, aliis omiffa, cum fuam hic explicationem non habeat, explicari debet ex fimili comparatione, quæ eft apud Matth. xiii. 24. Grota ad Marc. iv. 26.