Against causing offence.

Duty of servants.

"If they hear not Moses and the prophets, they -will not be persuaded, though one should arise from the dead."

CHAPTER XVII.

A. D. 33. To avoid giving offence; one to forgive another; ten lepers cleansed; of the kingdom of God and the coming of the Son of man.g

1‹ THEN Jesus said to his disciples, "It is impossible that causes of offending should not come : 2 but alas for him, by whom they come. It were better for him that an upper milstone were hung about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to offend. Take heed to yourselves.

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"Now if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAPTER XVI. 1. We are admonished by the parable of the unjust steward to reflect how soon we must part with all our present possessions: how soon we must give an account of our stewardships and be no longer stewards. Be it then our concern so to manage them as to promote most effectually the great end of our being the glory of God, and our everlasting happiness. Let us abound in the works of merey and charity, and thus render whatever we possess subservient to our highest interests. Let us never imagine that we can ever find out the secret of serving God and wealth, since Jesus represented it as an utter impossibility; but let us lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven. And if the same temper which influenced the Pharisees to deride our Lord, should influence the men of the world to deride us, let us consider, that another day and another world will show that real religion is the only true wisdom.

2. From the parable of the rich man and Lazarus we learn that it is impossible to know either love or hatred by any thing that is before us under the sun! Who that had seen the pomp and splendour of this rich sinner, and compared it with the indigence and misery of Lazarus, would have thought, that the latter had been the child, and the former the enemy of God, and the object of his hot displeasure? Let us judge nothing before the time. Our Lord shows, that soon there will be an end to all the prosperity of the wicked, and to all the calamities and 'miseries with which the righteous have been tried and exercised.

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admit, one returning from the dead could not convince them. Were one to return and assure them what he had seen, some might wonder, but more would ridicule; for the circumstance of returning from the dead would be disputed, &c. Newcome observes that the last verse may be regarded as a prophecy of what would soon occur in respect to himself; and a declaration that the unbelief of the Pharisees was incurable..

CHAP. XVII. 1, 2. It is impossible, &c. See Matt. xviii. 6, 7.

3, 4. Thy brother trespass, &c.. This was said in answer to a question put by Peter, Matt. xviii. 21, and might be repeated.

I repent; thou shalt forgive him." And the 5 Apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." And the Lord said, “If ye had faith as a grain 6 of mustard seed, ye might say to this sycamoretree, 'Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea;' and it should obey you. But which of you, having a servant plow- 7 ing or feeding cattle, will immediately say to him, when he is come from the field, Go and place thyself at table.' And will not rather say 8 to him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and.. gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunk; and afterwards thou shalt eat and drink?' Doth he thank that servant because 9 he did the things which were commanded him? I suppose not. So likewise ye, when ye shall 10 have done all those things which are command

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Of what avail was the wealth of the rich man when God took away his soul? Of what avail to have lived in luxury, when his soul was tormented in the flames of hell? Surely the recollection of past indulgence must be as oil to those flames, and render them more fierce and more insupportable. Envy not rich and proud sinners; but if poor as Lazarus, and like him interested in the special love of God, cheerfully suffer his will, and at length you shall be carried to Abraham's bosom, to share in the glories and felicities of heaven.

3. Let none excuse themselves from believing the revelation God has given, on a pretence that if they saw signs and wonders they would believe. Do not imagine that if one should come from the dead and tell you the awful realities of another world, your objections would cease, your indifference be removed, and your souls awakened to the most holy diligence. It is possible for the heart to be so hardened, that the most evident and striking miracles would make no lasting impression; but it is not for us to dictate to God in what manner he shall make known his will, or with what degree of evidence he shall accompany it. Every unbiassed mind may be satisfied that Moses and the prophets, Jesus and the apostles, revealed the will of God; and if we regard not them, neither should we though one came from the dead. O let us keep eternity in view, and live in the full persuasion that we must in a short time be with Lazarus in Abraham's bosom, or with the rich man in tormenting flames.

Ten lepers cleansed...

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ed you, say, We are unprofitable servants: for we have only done that which it was our duty to do."

And it came to pass, as he journeyed to Jerusalem, that he passed through Samaria and 12 Galilee. And as he entered into a certain town, there met him ten men that were lepers, 13 who stood afar off: And they raised their voices, and said, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us." 14 And when he saw them, he said to them, "Go show yourselves to the priests." And it came to pass that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15. And one of them, when he saw that he was cured, turned back; and with a loud voice 16 glorified God; And fell down on his face at the feet of Jesus, giving him thanks: and he 17 was a Samaritan. And Jesus spoke and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? but where are 18 the nine? Not any are found that have returned to give glory to God, except this stranger." 19 And he said to him, "Arise, depart: thy faith hath restored thee."

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Being now asked by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them and said, "The kingdom of God cometh not 21 with outward show. Nor will men say of it, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the king 22 dom of God is among you." And he said to the disciples, "The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son 23 of man, and shall not behold it. And they will say to you, Lo, he is here; or, lo, he is

The awful security of sinners.

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there: go not after them, nor follow them. For as the lightning, which lighteneth out of 24 the one part under heaven, shineth unto the the other part under heaven; so will the Son of man be in his day. But first he must suffer 25 many things, and be rejected by this generation. And as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be 26 also in the days of the Son of man. They ate, 27 they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage; until the day that Noah entered.. into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. In like manner as it was also in the 28 days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; But on the 29 same day, that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus will it be, in the day 30 when the Son of man is revealed. In that day, 31 whoever shall be upon the housetop, and his goods in the house, let him not come down to take them away and in like manner, let not him that is in the field turn back. Remember 32 Lot's wife. Whoever shall seek to save his 33 life, shall lose it; and whoever shall lose his life, shall preserve it. I say to you, In that 34 night there will be two men in one bed; the one will be taken, and the other left." Two 35 women will be grinding together; the one will be taken, and the other left. [Two men shall 36 be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.]" And they answered and said to 37 him, "Where, Master?" And he said to them,

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thing of him by the strictest obedience to his commands, but ought still to be humble and look for all blessings as freely bestowed according to God's promise.

11. As he journeyed, &c. Our Lord set out from Galilee, and in his way to Jerusalem must pass through some part of the land which the Samaritans possessed.

12. Stood afar off. They were forbidden by the law to come near such as were sound, lest they should infect them. Levit. xiii. 46. Numb. v. 2.

14. Go show yourselves, &c. As directed, Levit. xiii. 2, &c. He did not tell them that they should be cured; but it is probable that they expected this favour would be conferred when they came to the priest.

18. Except this stranger. That is, one of another nation, not a Jew. It seems that as they went their complaint was removed; and this Samaritan perceiving it, full of admiration and gratitude, returned to honour the Lord and Saviour. The rest, being Jews, perhaps thought that they did enough by showing themselves to the priest.

20. Not with outward show. This answer is opposed to the commonlyreceived opinion, that the kingdom of Messiah was to be a splendid earthly kingdom.

21. Is among you. I have followed many of the ablest critics in ren

dering ros among. Campbell objects that it has no such sense in the Sept. or new Testament; but is obliged to give a forced turn, when it is asked, how it could be in or within the Pharisees! Our Lord meant his own kingdom, which he was then establishing by his doctrine, laws, and miracles. This was among them, and, what he said to his disciples, that they would desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, such as they now saw, but should not see it, I think favours the version given.

23. And they will say, &c, Our Lord cautions them against the vain expectations of the Jews, who would be ready to hearken to every rumour. 24. So will the Son of man be, &c. That is, his coming will be as extensive and as destructive to his enemies as the lightning is. See Matt. xxiv. 23-27.

26-29. In the days of Noah, &c. See Gen. vii. 23, and xix. 24. 31. In the field turn back. That is, to take any thing away. The admonition, to remember Lot's wife, strongly enforces the above caution not to turn back. She looked back and most probably lingered, and was struck dead.

33. To save his life, &c. See Matt. x. 39.

34. In that night, &c. In that time of calamity the following things

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The importunate widow.

Pharisee and publicán.

CHAPTER XVIII.

A. D. 33. The importunate widow; the Pharisee and Publican ; children brought to Christ; the young ruler; the reward of those who forsake all

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for Christ; he restoreth sight to a blind man.

JESUS then spoke a parable unto them to this end, that they ought to pray always, and not 2 to grow weary; Saying, "In a certain city there was a judge, who feared not God, nor 3 regarded man: And there was a widow in that city, who came unto him, saying, "Do me justice 4 against mine adversary.' And he would not for a while: but afterwards he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 05 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAPTER XVII. While we are careful to avoid giving offence, let us imbibe the forgiving spirit of the gospel, as conformable to what we need when we approach the throne of God. And under a sense of the weakness of our faith, let us pray to Christ to increase it; and then those duties will be discharged with ease and delight which were supposed to be most difficult. Still when faith and patience have been called into exercise and done their most perfect work; when we have suffered as well as performed the righteous will of God, let us not suppose there is any merít in our sufferings and performances: no, we are but servants, yea, unprofitable servants, whose goodness extendeth not to our Maker. We ought ever to ascribe it to the riches of bis grace that we have in any measure been enabled to comply with his will, and that our imperfect services are accepted.

2. From the account of the ten lepers, let us learn to seek with the greatest importunity the purifying grace of Christ, to cleanse us from the stains of guilt and of sin. These have deeply infected our souls; and unless removed, we cannot share in the pure and holy joys of heaven. And if by faith we receive the blessings, after the example of the Samaritan, let us give to God the glory and the praise of it. It is affecting to think how many receive peculiar favours from God, and

she tire me.' And the Lord said, Hear what 6 the unjust judge saith. And will not God do 7 justice in behalf of his own elect, who cry unto him day and night? and will he be slow in their cause? I say to you, He will speedily do 8 justice for them. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, will he find faith in the land?"

And he spoke this parable to some who trust- 9 ed in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others; "Two men went up to the 10 temple to pray; the one a Pharisee and the other a publican. And the Pharisee stood by 11 himself and prayed thus, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that 12

yet show no gratitude; they enjoy the benefit, but neglect, and in many instances despise the hand which confers it. O let us remember that gratitude to God is not only what he expects from us, but is in itself reasonable and delightful, and like the incense which the Jewish high priest offered, which while it did honour to God, refreshed and rega led with its fragrance, the person by whom it was offered.

3. What our Lord says of his coming to the destruction of Jerusalem, may justly be applied to his coming to the final judgment. In a similar manner will the men of that period be immersed in business and pleasure; and that awful day will come upon them as unexpectedly as the thief of the night; and when they are crying, 'Peace and safety', they will be overwhelmed with sudden and irresistible destruction. And thus doth the awful hour of death, which consigns men over to judgment, surprise the generality amidst their worldly schemes and pursuits, and while they are wholly unprepared for it. How needful to be always ready, and to live as on the verge of eternity. To quicken us in the pursuit of our chief good, let us remember Lot's wife. We are fleeing as for our lives; let us not look behind us; and whatever we lose or leave, let us rejoice that our souls shall be saved. This surely should be our greatest care and concern.

will occur. Griesbach omits the 36th verse, and it is wanting in all the best mss. and several versions; but as it is in others I have retained it as doubtful. 37. Where Lord? Where will these things occur? Our Lord replies that wherever the body or carcase is, &c. that is, wherever the Jews are found, the conquering armies will meet with and destroy them. Matt. xxiv. 40.

CHAP. XVIII. 1. To pray always. That is, frequently and habitually, as well as fervently. Rom. xii. 12.; Eph. v. 20.; Phil. iv. 4.; and Thess. v. 17, &c.'.

2-5. Who feared not God, &c. He was very unfit for his office; but it that he could be influenced by intreaty, to do justice, though his appears motive was of the lowest kind. I have rendered, 'Do me justice' 'as giving the sense of the text more properly than avenge.' Adversary means her opponent in the suit or cause.

6-8. Hear what the, &c. If such a man be induced to do justice, will not God do it to persons whom he loves, and who love and serve him? Will

not he listen to their cries? "Will he be slow in their cause?" The origi nal word is commonly used to denote delay in punishing the wicked';' but here it signifies delay in helping a good man.' For critical reasons see Pearce and Campbell, who both follow Grotius. The next verse supports this sense of the text.

8. He will speedily, &c. By the destruction of their enemies, the Jews. -Will he find faith, &c. That is, faithful persons, who will endure the trials which will then be experienced. Those calamities would sift many, and many would be found but chaff.

11. Pharisee stood by himself, &c. As the Pharisees were exceedingly strict observers of the ceremonial law, and guarded against every kind of impurity, I prefer the version given, as more characteristic than that which refers pose to the manner of his praying. This circumstance shows his pride.

12. I fast twice, &c. The days which the stricter Jews kept as fasts,

and commanded him to be brought unto him and when he had come near, he asked him, 41 Saying, "What desirest thou that I should do 'unto thee?" And he said, " Master, that I may 42 receive my sight." my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Receive thy sight: thy faith hath restored 43 thee.?? And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

CHAPTER XIX.

· triumph enters Jerusalem'; weepeth over it; driveth traffickers out of the temple and teacheth daily in it.

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Zaccheus the publican.

of stature. So he ran before, and climbed up 4 into a sycamore tree to see him: because he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus 5 came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said to him, "Zaccheus, make haste and, come down; for to-day I must abide at thy house." house." And he made haste and came down, 6 and received him joyfully. And when they all 7 saw this, they murmured, saying, "He is gone in to be guest with a sinner." And Zaccheus 8 stood forth, and said to the Master; "Behold,

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1 - Nowo Jesus had entered and was passing 2 through Jericho, And, behold, there was a man named Zaccheus, who was a chief of the 3 publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see what kind of person Jesus was; but could not because of the multitude; for he was little

12 REFLECTIONS UPON CHAPTER XVIII. 1. While we learn the influence of continued prayer from the conduct of the unjust judge, and how God will do justice in behalf of his elect, let us remember that it is not every request offered which God will regard, but such as come from an upright and sincere heart. This is illustrated in the parable of the Pharisee and Publican. Behold the arrogant Pharisee, standing afar from the Publican; but as near as he could to the seat of the divine majesty! Hear him boldly celebrating his own praises rather than those of his Maker. God I thank thee that I am not as other men.' We see that a man may acknowledge that the grace of God has made him to differ from others; and yet while he professes this bumbling doctrine may be filled with pride. Mistaken creature! that imagined this encomium on himself was a prayer, and trusted in the performance of ceremonies of human device, while an utter stranger to vital religion. How different the language of the Publican! How much more becoming and happy his temper and spirit, when humbling himself in the dust; when smiting on his breast; when owning himself

For the Son of man is come to seek and 10 to save that which was lost."

And while they listened to these things, he 11 added and spoke a parable; because he was

an unworthy sinner, and imploring the divine mercy as his only hope! O may we feel as he felt, that our prayers may be accepted, and ourselves finally justified and saved. ';

2- How ensnaring to the soul are riches! So many present enjoyments are connected with them that they are thought to be the chief ingredient in our happiness. Hence they are eagerly sought and with difficulty forsaken. The young ruler finally preferred this world to the future; and his wealth to the salvation of his soul. O let us avoid this snare, and lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven; and let us not think much of any thing which Christ demands, knowing that whatever we may lose, or whatever we may resign, we shall gain far more by his favour. The testimony of a good conscience before him, a life of friendship with God, the consolations of his spirit, and the hope of his glory, will yield even in the present world, a hundred-fold more satisfaction than the possession of the greatest riches, or the enjoyment of the society and love of the dearest relatives. How much more abundantly will all be repaid in the heavenly state.

generally discovered this temper, when Jesus associated with persons whom they disliked.

8. The half of my goods, &c. We learn from Josephus, that some of the publicans were very rich; and enjoyed the honour of being Roman knights. It does not appear that Zaccheus had been a wicked man, or an oppressor, notwithstanding what the Pharisees said. His present offer shows that, when he had given half, and restored four-fold to any he might have wronged, he supposed he would have sufficient left. Exod. xxi. 1. The language and conduct of Zaccheus proved that salvation had come to his house and to his

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11. He was near to, &c. Jericho was not above twenty miles from Jerusalem. In this parable two things are clearly intended; first, the behaviour of the citizens to the nobleman; and secondly, that of his own servants. By the first is meant that of the Jews to himself in rejecting him, and refusing to own