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what, though there be annexed a reason of universal application, yet, nevertheless, I Ver. 34. must consider a word of special consolation, to which is subjoined a special direction: "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's Ver. 32-36. good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, and a treasure in the heavens that faileth not; where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girded about, and [your] lights burning, and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for

* What is meant by "watchings," 2 Cor. xi. 27, as a distinct spiritual exercise? The duty of watching seems specially to be connected with preparation for the Lord's coming, Luke, xxi. 36, Matt. xxv. 13. Is it possible that, as fasting is more particularly useful in subduing the power of the flesh, so watching may be to resist the influence of the world? The world says, "all things continue the same;" revelation says, "the world passes away, and the fashion of it." The realisation of this truth is the great mean of defeating the power of the world. By one of the laws of the twelve tables (the ninth), attendance on nocturnal meetings of a seditious character was punished with death. This is represented by Taylor

their Lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately." Such should be the aspect, condition, character, and conduct of the "little flock;" they ought to shew plainly, that they are watch ag for the Lord's advent; such the Lord, over and Ver. 37, 38. over again, pronounces blessed: "Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching," &c. Then, having spoken of the parable of the thief, he applies it in ver. 40: "Be ye therefore ready also; for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not." Such is the direction; the following words mark to whom they specially belong: "Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even unto all?" Perhaps this question is capable of two interpretations:

Ver. 40.

to have been one of the reasons why Christians were persecuted, because they held their religious assemblies at night; from having understood in a literal sense certain passages in Scripture, which state that the second advent will take place at night. Here we appear to trace the exercise of watching, and the reason for it.

66 speakest thou this to us the apostles, or to all the disciples ?" or it may be understood, "speakest thou this unto us the ministers, or unto all the church ?" This, however, does not appear to be of much consequence; for there ems quite sufficient ground in our Lord's answer to justify our church in applying it to all the ministers and heads of the church until the time of Christ's second advent.

"And the Lord said, Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing." If the parable be referred only to the apostles, who, then, is the servant whom, when the Lord cometh, he will find so doing? But if it be referred to all the church, who then is the steward? I think, then, I am justified in saying, that our church, which expects her ministers to set forth God's word by their life as well as by their doctrine, calls upon the stewards of the mysteries of God speci

ally by their life to protest against the danger that there is of secular cares drawing us off Luke, xxi. from watchfulness for Christ's coming.

34

The order

ing of priests.

Matt. xxiv. 45-51.

The other point is, the duty of giving meat to the household in due season. From the connexion here, and still more so in Matt. xxiv. 45, it appears to refer to the discharge of that part of the weighty office of the priest which our church declares they are called upon to fulfil as "watchmen . . . . to premonish :" it must be watching the signs of the times, and premonishing the flock respecting the Lord's advent. This is made evident, first by its being the mean that is seasonable at the time of the Lord's second advent; and, secondly, by the opposite character of an evil servant, the distinctive mark of whom being his entertaining the idea of the Lord's delaying to return. "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing: verily I say unto you, that he shall make him ruler over

all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of; and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

I know not how I can more appropriately conclude this subject, than by praying, in the language of our church, that the ministers and stewards of God's mysteries may so prepare and make ready Christ's way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that, at his second coming to judge the world, we may be found an acceptable people in his sight.

THE END.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY ROBSON, LEVEY, AND FRANKLYN,

46 St. Martin's Lane.

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