George Hutcheson
31 The Jewes then that were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave, to weep there.
In the third place, is recorded how the Jewes who comforted her, constructed of her going out, as if she were going to weep at the grave, (as it seems this custome had crept in among them) and therefore they follow her, to interrupt her. Whence learn, 1. Such as are most tender, and most sensibly affected and burdened with trials, may expect not only greater sympathy from Christ, but also that (in so far as it is good for them) he will stir up other instruments, to take a more hearty life at their condition; for, so much appears in the practice of these Jewes, who perceiving Maries greater need, sate with her in the house, and comforted her, and rose up hastily and followed her, when she went out, whereas, it appears, they had taken little notice of Martha’s going out or coming in. 2. It is a sinful practice of our nature, to ad to the burdens laid upon us by God, and feed our own sorrows, by pensive thinking or looking upon that wherein God afflicts us; for, their apprehension upon her going out, intimates they had some such custome among them, of going to graves, to weep there, that the sight of their losse might waken their sorrow. 3. It is no wonder to see the world and natural men mistake the wayes of the godly, and to see, even their natural comforters in trouble, judge of them according to their own carnal principles and dispositions; for, albeit there be no appearance that Mary had used this practice before, yet they misconstruct her going out, she goeth to the grave to weep there, not only because they knew not her calling to go to Christ, but this being natures practice, they could judge no better of her. 4. It is our duty to restrain carnal sorrow, if it were but by interrupting thereof, if we cannot be comforted under it; for, so much doth their practice teach, they rose up hastily, and followed her, thinking to interrupt and scarre her from her weeping, if she would not be recalled by them. 5. The Lords providence doth oft-times tryst men, in following their ordinary duty, with very unexpected favours; for, while they are following Mary, to moderate her sorrows, providence leads them out to Christ, and to be witnesses of a glorious miracle. 6. There is much good to be gotten in the fellowship of the godly, and in studying to be steadable and comfortable to them in their distresse; for, it is in Maries company, and while they are comforting her, they meet with this favour.
