John 20:14–15

The third particular in this narration, is, Maries meeting with Christ, and conferring with him, before she knew him: She turning about from the Angels, seeth Christ, but knew him not, v. 24. and he enquiring concerning her sorrow, and whom she was seeking after: She, supposing him to be the gardner, makes offer, that if he had removed his body, and would shew her where he had laid it, she would carry him away, not to trouble him any more, v. 15. Whence learn, 1. No company will satisfie nor refresh such as love and are seeking Christ, when they finde not him, nor satisfactory news concerning him, among them: Therefore, albeit Mary enjoy the company of Angels, yet since she saw not Christ there, and what they said (whatever it was in it selfe, yet) did not satisfie her, therefore, when she had thus said, she turned her selfe back. It is not needful to determine, whether she did this of her own proper motion, or whether some noise of one behind her, or some motion of the Angels upon Christs appearing, occasioned it; But this is certain, that not finding satisfaction there, she stayes not with them, but takes hold of all other occasions of finding him. See Cant. 3.3, 4. 2. When means do not afford present satisfaction to seekers of Christ, it is not because they shall not be satisfied; but because Christ will be more immediatly (though never without the use, or in the neglect of means) soon in comforting them; for, therefore is it, that Angels did not satisfie her to her sense, because Christ himselfe was to give her satisfaction; and Christ stops their further conference, by his appearing and causing her turn back, as delighting to comfort her himselfe. 3. Christ is not so far oft as readily affectionate Saints do apprehend; but is neere at hand to manifest himselfe and be found, when their hopes are lowest, and all probable means do faile; for, now when she knoweth not where they have laid Christ, and no mean had yet given her the comfort she desired, Christ is yet at her hand, she turned her selfe back, and saw Jesus standing, and not dead, as she supposed. 4. Christ is so condescending to his affectionate people, as when they faile exceedingly in their way of seeking him, yet he will seek them in their way, and will give them, not what they desire, but, what they need: for, albeit she fail in seeking a dead Christ, at or in his grave, yet, considering her affection and need, he cometh unto her, she saw Jesus standing. 5. Christ may be very present and neer unto his people, when yet he is not discerned, by reason of their weaknesse and short-coming in expectation; for, she saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus, not because he took on a strange shape, but because she was not only withheld, for a time, from knowing him as Luke 24.16, 31. but her weaknesse and not expecting a living Christ, made her not to discern him. 6. When Christ appeareth, even to give sensible satisfaction to his own, he will own and approve what any sent from him have said in his name, as sufficient to encourage them, and as a ground of reproofe that they made not use thereof accordingly; Therefore, doth he at first speak the same thing in substance which the Angels had said, woman why weepest thou, &c? that when she came to know him she might consider, that, that message had been sent by him for her encouragement, and that there was more in it then she saw. 7. Christ may, for a time, seem to carry himself strangely, even toward those whom he loveth dearly; That so he may bring out more of their affection, and more of their weaknesse also, both which are useful for them; Therefore, doth he, at first speak like a stranger. woman why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? which though it import much, yet it is not so homely nor so clear, as he speaks afterward. 8. Whatever be Saints apprehensions concerning Christ, or their enjoying of him; yet he is in such a case, and their condition so good, as may justly condemne all excessive sorrow; for, so much doth this question and challenge, why weepest thou? import, That however she mourned for him as dead, and for her own want of him; yet he was alive and near her, and therefore she had no cause so to weep. 9. People ought to take good heed how they set and employ their precious affections, and upon what, and for what, they pour them out liberally; for, so much also do these questions, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? import; that she should look whom she sought so affectionatly; And we all ought to examine whether our affections be let out upon things, according as they are of worth in themselves. 10. As Saints considering whom they seek, when they are seeking Christ, may help to beget affection in the pursute; so also it may hinder affection from being heartlesse and dejected in making enquirie; for, so mmch further do these questions import, that however her seeking Christ might kindle her affection toward so desireable an object; her very seeking of him portended so much, as might drive away all excessive or desperate sorrow. 11. As our own false and weak conceptions breed our mistakes of Christ, (for, she supposed him to be gardner, because she thought none other could be there so early;) So our mistakes of him do lead us to emprove opportunities of his presence but very poorly; for, this mistake causeth the force and importance of his questions sink nothing in her mind, and draweth out so poor and diffident (though affectionate) an answer. 12. Love to Christ will make us stoop low, even to the meanest, if thereby we may get a fight of him, or be furthered to do him service; Therefore doth she, with so much respect, petition the supposed gardner in this matter, Sir, saith he, if thou hast bourn him hence, &c. 13. Love to Christ will set him so high in Saints esteem, as they will think he should be so also in every bodies eyes; Therefore, saith she only, if thou hast born him hence, not naming him: and this she did, not only, because she might suppose he had heard what past betwixt the Angels and her, or might know whom she meant, if he had removed his body; But because Christ was the only One in her minde, therefore she thinks every one should know and esteem of him. Thus also doth the spouse designe him to others Him whom my soul loveth, Cant. 3.3. 14. Unbelief and mistakes are so prevalent with Saints, in the hour of their tentation, that they are not soon removed, and they will sooner apprehend any thing, then the truth concerning Christ; for, after all her doubts concerning the empty grave, and the taking away of Christ, v. 2. she now supposeth it might have been done by the gardner, if thou hast borne him hence, not to bury him in a more sitting place, but as troubling the garden; and that albeit Joseph had allowed him the grave. And so she supposeth him to be dead still. 15. Affection toward Christ will not stand to consult with ability, but with it selfe and its desires, and accordingly, will undertake and endeavour to do him service, though never so far above its strength; Therefore doth a weak woman all alone, offer to bear away the body of Christ, to see it more conveniently buried, Tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.