Matthew Poole and continuators on Luke 2:35

35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Simeon blessed them, some may question how it was that Simeon blessed Christ, when as the Apostle tells us, The lesser is blessed of the greater. But we must distinguish, betwixt a Prophetical Blessing, as Iocob blessed his Sons, which was nothing but a Prediction how God would bless them. 2. An Authoritative Blessing, as the Priests blessed the People in the Name of the Lord, Numb. 6. Which is nothing but a pronouncing them blessed by Authority from God, whom God hath blessed. 3. a Charitable or Precatory Blessing. Praying God to Bless them. Thus Inferiors may bless Superiors, as well as Superiors may bless Inferiors. The first or last or both those is to be understood here, not the second. And he said to Mary his Mother. Not to Ioseph who he knew was not his Natural, but Legal and Reputed Father. Behold this Child is set for the fall, &c. that by the fall and rising again, is here meant the Salvation and Damnation of many is doubted by no valuable Interpreters. The Apostle so applyeth, Isaiah 8.14. where he is said to be for a Stone of stumbling, and for a Rock of offence, to both the Houses of Israel, for a Gin, and for a Snare, to the Inhabitants of Jerusalem, and many amongst them shall Stumble and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken, so doth Peter, 1 Pet. 2.8. neither is it more then Christ telleth us, Ioh. 9.39. For Iudgment I am come into this World, that they which see not might see, and that they which see might be made blind. Accordingly the Apostle saith, 2 Cor. 2.16. that they were to some, the Savour of Death unto Death, to others the Savour of Life unto Life. The reason is, because they that believe in him shall be saved, they that believe not shall be Damned, Mar. 16.16. Iohn 3.19.36. This is now granted on all Hands, That Christ will be the occasion of many Peoples Damnation, even all that reject, and oppose them, and believe not in him, and the cause of many Peoples Salvation, even all that shall be saved. For there is no other name given under Heaven, by which any can be saved, Acts 4.12. see Matth. 21.44. 1 Pet. 2.4.5. and it is observable, that the Salvation of Souls by Christ is expressed by the Term Rising. So as all are fallen, Eph, 2.1. and have need of the application of a greater Power to them for their Salvation, then an under-propping of the innate power of their Wills. But the great question is about [non-Latin text not transcribed] is set, whether it signifyeth only, an event or some Counsel and Ordination of God, let us compare it with other Texts, where the same Word is used, Phil. 1.1[illegible: 1 letter]. [illegible: 1 word] 3.3. How such grea[illegible: 1 letter] [illegible: 1 word] of Providence, should [illegible: 1 word] without the fore knowledge of God, or how Go[illegible: 1 letter] should have any such fore-knowledge, without a previous Act of his Will, determining the thing▪ let any one consider, in the mean time it is freely granted, that the intervening of Mens Unbelief, and M[illegible: 3 letters]ce, and Opposition to Christ, and his Gospel is the Proximate Meritorious Cause of the fall of any Soul by occasion of him. It follows. And for a Sign that shall be spoken against. Such a Mark as Iob speaks of, Iob. 16.12. or such a Sign as Isaiah speaketh of, Isaiah 8.18. Simeon here prophesieth. That Chri[illegible: 1 letter]t and his Ministers and People, should be Rediculed, and all the Arrowes of ungodly Men, should be shot again[illegible: 1 letter]t him, which proved true in that Age as to Christ, and his Apostles and in succeeding Ages as to all that derive from him, and will so hold to the end of the World; Yea, a Sword shall pierce through thine own Soul also, as the Irons entred into the Soul of Ioseph, Psal. 10[illegible: 1 letter].18. He tells the Virgin her Soul should be wounded with the Reproaches and Indignities, which should be offered to this blessed Babe, as it proved afterwards, when she heard him Reviled, and saw him Crucifyed. That the thoughts of many Hearts may be revealed. The Gospel-times, especially times of Persecution will discover, whom God hath chosen, and whom he hath not, by discovering the thoughts of their Hearts, it will then be seen who will receive, and who will reject the Messias, who is on his side, and who will be against him. The Term [That] doth denote the Consequent not the Effect. The Preaching of the Gospel is the Lords Fan, by which he purgeth his Floor. Persecution is the Lords Sieve, by which he winnoweth Churches, and separateth the Dirt, and Darnel, and Tares from the Wheat. Gospel-times, and times of Persecution are both of them times which make great Discovery of Mens Spirits.

Marginal references: Joh. 19.25.