This verse containeth Christ's prohibition, or Christ's commission or charge. His prohibition, * Touch me not ;' and his reason, ' for I am not yet ascended to my Father.'
His charge, ' Go to my brethren ;' and then directeth what to say to them : ' I ascend to my Father, and your Father ; to my God, and your God.'
The words be very natural, and need no breaking up to you. But I shall handle them, as they follow one another. ' Jesus said to her. Touch me not.'
' Touch me not.' Why ? He would have Thomas not only touch, but to put his finger into his side ; that is more than touching him, John xx. 27. But our Saviour's intent is to meet with a disposition in Mary something carnal, something low and mean, in regard of this glorious occasion, Christ being now risen and glorified, for his resurrection was the first degree of his glorification. And therefore, ' Touch me not.' She came with too much a carnal mind to touch him, when she said, Piabboni. It was not satisfaction enough for her to answer, ' Rabboni,' but she runneth to him, and claspeth him, and clingeth about him, as the afi'ection of love did dictate to her. But saith he, ' Touch me not' in such a manner. This is not a fit manner for thee to touch me in, now I am risen again. In a word, she had thought to converse with Christ in as familiar a manner as before, when she poured ointment on his head. He was the same person, but the case is altered. That was in the days of his humiliation ; now he was risen again, and it was the first degree of his glorification. There was another manner of converse due to him ; and therefore, ' Touch me not.' Thou thinkest to touch me as thou didst before, but thou must not do it. She was too much addicted to bis bodily presence.
1. It is that that men ivill labour after, and have laboured for , even from the ber/iuni)ifi of the world, to be too much addicted to present things, and to sense. They will worship Christ, but they must have a picture before them. They will adore Christ, but they must bring his body down to a piece of bread ; they must have a presence. And so instead of raising their hearts to God and Christ in a heavenly manner, they pull down God and Christ to them. This the pride and base earthliness of man will do. And therefore saith Christ, ' Touch me not' in that manner ; it is not with me now as it was before. We must take heed of mean and base con- ceits of Christ. What saith Paul, 2 Cor v. 16 ? 'I know no man now, according to the flesh ; no, not Christ himself, now he is risen.' Christ was of such a tribe, stature, had such gifts and qualities. What is that to me ? Christ is now Lord of lords, and King of kings. He is glorious in heaven, and so I conceive of him : ' I know no man after the flesh ; no, not Christ himself.' I forget what he was on earth, and think of him what he is now in heaven. Therefore to bring him down to our base con-
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ceits, to sense, and the like, this is the humour of men that labour to cross the scope of the gospel. For why are men so addicted to outward things, outward comphments ? It is pride, it is Satauical pride. They think that God is delighted with whatsoever their folly is delighted withal. Because amongst men there must be a deal a- doing, therefore they think God is well pleased with such things. God is a Spirit, and though out- ward things be necessary, yet all must not be turned outward, as in popery. We must not bring God down to our foolish conceits, as if he were delighted as we are, Joshua iv. 24.
2. It is wonderful easy too. All outward things, any naughty* men have them with their sins.f Let a man perform a little outward compliment, he may be what he will be, let him live as he will, and be possessed that outward things will serve the turn, • He is safe ; his conscience is daubed up, till God by sense of wrath awakeneth conscience ; and then they shall find it another matter to deal with God than by compliment.
3. There is also a great glory in outward tilings. There is commenda- tions, and men's observance of them, as in the Pharisees, and in popery. But the spiritual worship of Christ hath no observance to the eye of the world. It is between God and the soul. Men naturally love those things that be glorious. It is said of Ephraim, that he loved to tread out the corn, but not to plough, Hosea x. 11 ; that is, Ephraim will take that which is easy, but not that in God's worship which is hard. There be two things in God's service : an easy thing, which is outward compliment ; an hard thing, which is to trust him, to deny ourselves, to rely upon him and live by faith. | And that Ephraim will not do. Ephraim will tread the corn, because the heifer may eat corn ; but there be hard things in religion wdiich he will not practise. He will not plough. ' Touch me not,' saith Christ, Thou hast not conceits spiritual enough to deal with me, now I am risen.