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3640 lines
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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Matthew XXIV].</TITLE>
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"This site is for those friends and family members who may or may not know Our Lord Jesus Christ, and if not, they may come to know Our Lord through His Prophets."> <meta name="author" content="Brian Duncalfe">
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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<h3><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank">Back to Biblesnet.com Home Page</a>
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<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC40023.HTM">Previous</A>]
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[<A HREF="MHC40025.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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</TD></TR></TABLE>
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>M A T T H E W.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXIV.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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Christ's preaching was mostly practical; but, in this chapter, we have
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a prophetical discourse, a prediction of things to come; such however
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as had a practical tendency, and was intended, not to gratify the
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curiosity of his disciples, but to guide their consciences and
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conversations, and it is therefore concluded with a practical
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application. The church has always had particular prophecies, besides
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general promises, both for direction and for encouragement to
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believers; but it is observable, Christ preached this prophetical
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sermon in the close of his ministry, as the Apocalypse is the last book
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of the New Testament, and the prophetical books of the Old Testament
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are placed last, to intimate to us, that we must be well grounded in
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plain truths and duties, and those must first be well digested, before
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we dive into those things that are dark and difficult; many run
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themselves into confusion by beginning their Bible at the wrong end.
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Now, in this chapter, we have,
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I. The occasion of this discourse,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:1-3">ver. 1-3</A>.
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II. The discourse itself, in which we have,
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1. The prophecy of divers events, especially referring to the
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destruction of Jerusalem, and the utter ruin of the Jewish church and
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nation, which were not hastening on, and were completed about forty
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years after; the prefaces to that destruction, the concomitants and
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consequences of it; yet looking further, to Christ's coming at the end
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of time, and the consummation of all things, of which that was a type
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and figure,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:4-31">ver. 4-31</A>.
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2. The practical application of this prophecy for the awakening and
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quickening of his disciples to prepare for these great and awful things,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:32-51">ver. 32-51</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Mt24_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt24_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt24_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Awful Predictions.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his
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disciples came to <I>him</I> for to show him the buildings of the
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temple.
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2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily
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I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon
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another, that shall not be thrown down.
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3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came
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unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be?
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and what <I>shall be</I> the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the
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world?
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here is,</P>
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<P>
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I. Christ's quitting <I>the temple,</I> and his public work there. He
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had said, in the close of the foregoing chapter, <I>Your house is left
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unto you desolate;</I> and here he made his words good; <I>He went out,
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and departed from the temple.</I> The manner of expression is
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observable; he not only went out of the temple, but departed from it,
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took his final farewell of it; he departed from it, never to return to
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it any more; and then immediately follows a prediction of its ruin.
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Note, That house is left desolate indeed, which Christ leaves. <I>Woe
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unto them when I depart,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+9:12,Jer+6:8">Hos. ix. 12; Jer. vi. 8</A>.
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It was now time to groan out their <I>Ichabod, The glory is departed,
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their defence is departed.</I> Three days after this, the veil of the
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temple was rent; when Christ left it, all became <I>common and
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unclean;</I> but Christ departed not till they drove him away; did not
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reject them, till they first rejected him.</P>
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<P>
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II. His private discourse with his disciples; he left the temple, but
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he did not leave the twelve, who were the seed of the gospel church,
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which the casting off of the Jews was the enriching of. When he left
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the temple, his disciples left it too, and came to him. Note, It is
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good being where Christ is, and leaving that which he leaves. They came
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to him, to be instructed in private, when his public preaching was
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over; for <I>the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him.</I> He
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had spoken of the destruction of the Jewish church to the multitude in
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parables, which here, as usual, he explains to his disciples.
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Observe,</P>
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<P>
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1. <I>His disciples came to him, to show him the buildings of the
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temple,</I> It was a stately and beautiful structure, one of the
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wonders of the world; no cost was spared, no art left untried, to make
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it sumptuous. Though it came short of Solomon's temple, and <I>its
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beginning was small,</I> yet <I>its latter end did greatly
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increase.</I> It was richly furnished with gifts and offerings, to
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which there were continual additions made. They showed Christ these
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things, and desired him to take notice of them, either,</P>
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<P>
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(1.) As being greatly pleased with them themselves, and expecting he
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should be so too. They had lived mostly in Galilee, at a distance from
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the temple, had seldom seen it, and therefore were the more struck with
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admiration at it, and thought he should admire as much as they did
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<I>all this glory</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+31:1">Gen. xxxi. 1</A>);
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and they would have him divert himself (after his preaching, and from
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his sorrow which they saw him perhaps almost overwhelmed with) with
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looking about him. Note, Even good men are apt to be too much enamoured
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with outward pomp and gaiety, and to overvalue it, even in the things
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of God; whereas we should be, as Christ was, dead to it, and look upon
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it with contempt. The temple was indeed glorious, but,
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[1.] Its glory was sullied and stained with the sin of the priests and
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people; that wicked doctrine of the Pharisees, which preferred the gold
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before the temple that sanctified it, was enough to deface the beauty
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of all the ornaments of the temple.
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[2.] Its glory was eclipsed and outdone by the presence of Christ in
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it, who was <I>the glory of this latter house</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Hag+2:9">Hag. ii. 9</A>),
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so that the buildings had no glory, in comparison with that glory which
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excelled.</P>
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<P>
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Or,
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(2.) As grieving that this house should be left desolate; they showed
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him the buildings, as if they would move him to reverse the sentence;
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"Lord, let not this holy and beautiful house, where our fathers praised
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thee, be made a desolation." They forgot how many providences,
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concerning Solomon's temple, had manifested how little God cared for
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that outward glory which they had so much admired, when the people were
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wicked,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+7:21">2 Chron. vii. 21</A>.
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<I>This house, which is high,</I> sin will bring low. Christ had lately
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looked upon <I>the precious souls, and wept for them,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+19:41">Luke xix. 41</A>.
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The disciples look upon the pompous buildings, and are ready to weep
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for them. In this, as in other things, <I>his thoughts are not like
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ours.</I> It was weakness, and meanness of spirit, in the disciples, to
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be so fond of fine buildings; it was a childish thing. <I>Animo magno
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nihil magnum--To a great mind nothing is great.</I> Seneca.</P>
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<P>
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2. Christ, hereupon, foretels the utter ruin and destruction that were
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coming upon this place,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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Note, A believing foresight of the defacing of all worldly glory will
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help to take us off from admiring it, and overvaluing it. The most
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beautiful body will be shortly worms' meat, and the most beautiful
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building a ruinous heap. And shall we then set our eyes upon that which
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so soon is not, and look upon that with so much admiration which ere
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long we shall certainly look upon with so much contempt? <I>See ye not
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all these things?</I> They would have Christ look upon them, and be as
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much in love with them as they were; he would have them look upon them,
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and be as dead to them as he was. There is such a sight of these
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things as will do us good; so to see them as to see through them and
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see to the end of them.</P>
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<P>
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Christ, instead of reversing the decree, ratifies it; <I>Verily, I say
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unto you, there shall not be left one stone upon another.</I></P>
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<P>
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(1.) He speaks of it as a certain ruin; "<I>I say unto you. I,</I> that
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know what I say, and know how to make good what I say; take my word for
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it, it shall be so; <I>I, the Amen, the true Witness, say it to
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you.</I>" All judgment being committed to the Son, the threatenings, as
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well as the promises, are all <I>yea, and amen, in him.</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:17,18">Heb. vi. 17, 18</A>.</P>
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<P>
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(2.) He speaks of it as an utter ruin. The temple shall not only be
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stripped, and plundered, and defaced, but utterly demolished and laid
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waste; <I>Not one stone shall be left upon another.</I> Notice is
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taken, in the <I>building</I> of the second temple, of the <I>laying of
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one stone upon another</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Hag+2:15">Hag. ii. 15</A>);
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and here, in the <I>ruin,</I> of <I>not leaving one stone upon
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another.</I> History tells us, that this was fulfilled in the latter;
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for though Titus, when he took the city, did all he could to preserve
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the temple, yet he could not restrain the enraged soldiers from
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destroying it utterly; and it was done to that degree, that Turnus
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Rufus ploughed up the ground on which it had stood: thus that scripture
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was fulfilled
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mic+3:12">Mic. iii. 12</A>),
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<I>Zion shall, for your sake, be ploughed as a field.</I> And
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afterward, in Julian the Apostate's time, when the Jews were encouraged
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by him to rebuild their temple, in opposition to the Christian
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religion, what remained of the ruins was quite pulled down, to level
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the ground for a new foundation; but the attempt was defeated by the
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miraculous eruption of fire out of the ground, which destroyed the
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foundation they laid, and frightened away the builders. Now this
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prediction of the final and irreparable ruin of the temple includes a
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prediction of the period of the Levitical priesthood and the ceremonial
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law.</P>
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<P>
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3. The disciples, not disputing either the truth or the equity of this
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sentence, nor doubting of the accomplishment of it, enquire more
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particularly of the time when it should come to pass, and the signs of
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its approach,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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Observe,</P>
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<P>
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(1.) Where they made this enquiry; privately, <I>as he sat upon the
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mount of Olives;</I> probably, he was returning to Bethany, and there
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sat down by the way, to rest him; the mount of Olives directly faced
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the temple, and from thence he might have a full prospect of it at some
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distance; there he sat as a Judge upon the bench, the temple and city
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being before him as at the bar, and thus he passed sentence on them. We
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read
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+11:23">Ezek. xi. 23</A>)
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of the removing of the glory of the Lord from the temple to the
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mountain; so Christ, the great Shechinah, here removes to this
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mountain.</P>
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<P>
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(2.) What the enquiry itself was; <I>When shall these things be; and
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what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?</I>
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Here are three questions.</P>
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<P>
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[1.] Some think, these questions do all point at one and the same
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thing--the destruction of the temple, and the period of the Jewish
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church and nation, which Christ had himself spoken of as his coming
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+16:28"><I>ch.</I> xvi. 28</A>),
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and which would be the consummation of the age (for so it may be read),
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the finishing of that dispensation. Or, they thought the destruction of
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the temple must needs be the end of the world. If that house be laid
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waste, the world cannot stand; for the Rabbin used to say that the
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house of the sanctuary was one of the seven things for the sake of
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which the world was made; and they think, if so, the world will not
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survive the temple.</P>
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<P>
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|
|
[2.] Others think their question, <I>When shall these things be?</I>
|
||
|
|
refers to the destruction of Jerusalem, and the other two to the end of
|
||
|
|
the world; or Christ's coming may refer to his setting up his gospel
|
||
|
|
kingdom, and the end of the world to the day of judgment. I rather
|
||
|
|
incline to think that their question looked no further than the event
|
||
|
|
Christ now foretold; but it appears by other passages, that they had
|
||
|
|
very confused thoughts of future events; so that perhaps it is not
|
||
|
|
possible to put any certain construction upon this question of
|
||
|
|
theirs.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
But Christ, in his answer, though he does not expressly rectify the
|
||
|
|
mistakes of his disciples (that must be done by the pouring out of the
|
||
|
|
Spirit), yet looks further than their question, and instructs his
|
||
|
|
church, not only concerning the great events of that age, the
|
||
|
|
destruction of Jerusalem, but concerning his second coming at the end
|
||
|
|
of time, which here he insensibly slides into a discourse of, and of
|
||
|
|
that it is plain he speaks in the next chapter, which is a continuation
|
||
|
|
of this sermon.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt24_4"> </A>
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|
||
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|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Awful Predictions.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man
|
||
|
|
deceive you.
|
||
|
|
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and
|
||
|
|
shall deceive many.
|
||
|
|
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be
|
||
|
|
not troubled: for all <I>these things</I> must come to pass, but the
|
||
|
|
end is not yet.
|
||
|
|
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against
|
||
|
|
kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and
|
||
|
|
earthquakes, in divers places.
|
||
|
|
8 All these <I>are</I> the beginning of sorrows.
|
||
|
|
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall
|
||
|
|
kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's
|
||
|
|
sake.
|
||
|
|
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one
|
||
|
|
another, and shall hate one another.
|
||
|
|
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
|
||
|
|
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall
|
||
|
|
wax cold.
|
||
|
|
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be
|
||
|
|
saved.
|
||
|
|
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the
|
||
|
|
world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end
|
||
|
|
come.
|
||
|
|
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation,
|
||
|
|
spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso
|
||
|
|
readeth, let him understand:)
|
||
|
|
16 Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains:
|
||
|
|
17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any
|
||
|
|
thing out of his house:
|
||
|
|
18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take
|
||
|
|
his clothes.
|
||
|
|
19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give
|
||
|
|
suck in those days!
|
||
|
|
20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither
|
||
|
|
on the sabbath day:
|
||
|
|
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since
|
||
|
|
the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
|
||
|
|
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no
|
||
|
|
flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be
|
||
|
|
shortened.
|
||
|
|
23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here <I>is</I> Christ, or
|
||
|
|
there; believe <I>it</I> not.
|
||
|
|
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and
|
||
|
|
shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if <I>it were</I>
|
||
|
|
possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
|
||
|
|
25 Behold, I have told you before.
|
||
|
|
26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the
|
||
|
|
desert; go not forth: behold, <I>he is</I> in the secret chambers;
|
||
|
|
believe <I>it</I> not.
|
||
|
|
27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth
|
||
|
|
even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man
|
||
|
|
be.
|
||
|
|
28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be
|
||
|
|
gathered together.
|
||
|
|
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the
|
||
|
|
sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the
|
||
|
|
stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall
|
||
|
|
be shaken:
|
||
|
|
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven:
|
||
|
|
and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall
|
||
|
|
see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and
|
||
|
|
great glory.
|
||
|
|
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a
|
||
|
|
trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four
|
||
|
|
winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The disciples had asked concerning the times, <I>When shall these
|
||
|
|
things be?</I> Christ gives them no answer to that, after what number
|
||
|
|
of days and years his prediction should be accomplished, for <I>it is
|
||
|
|
not for us to know the times</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+1:7">Acts i. 7</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but they had asked, <I>What shall be the sign?</I> That question he
|
||
|
|
answers fully, for we are concerned to <I>understand the signs of the
|
||
|
|
times,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+16:3"><I>ch.</I> xvi. 3</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now the prophecy primarily respects the events near at hand--the
|
||
|
|
destruction of Jerusalem, the period of the Jewish church and state,
|
||
|
|
the calling of the Gentiles, and the setting up of Christ's kingdom in
|
||
|
|
the world; but as the prophecies of the Old Testament, which have an
|
||
|
|
immediate reference to the affairs of the Jews and the revolutions of
|
||
|
|
their state, under the figure of them do certainly look further, to the
|
||
|
|
gospel church and the kingdom of the Messiah, and are so expounded in
|
||
|
|
the New Testament, and such expressions are found in those predictions
|
||
|
|
as are peculiar thereto and not applicable otherwise; so this prophecy,
|
||
|
|
under the type of Jerusalem's destruction, looks as far forward as the
|
||
|
|
general judgment; and, as is usual in prophecies, some passages are
|
||
|
|
most applicable to the type, and others to the antitype; and toward the
|
||
|
|
close, as usual, it points more particularly to the latter. It is
|
||
|
|
observable, that what Christ here saith to his disciples tends more to
|
||
|
|
engage their caution than to satisfy their curiosity; more to prepare
|
||
|
|
them for the events that should happen than to give them a distinct
|
||
|
|
idea of the events themselves. This is that good understanding of the
|
||
|
|
time which we should all covet, thence to infer what Israel ought to
|
||
|
|
do: and so this prophecy is of standing lasting use to the church, and
|
||
|
|
will be so to the end of time; for <I>the thing that hath been, is that
|
||
|
|
which shall be</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+1:5,6,7,9">Eccl. i. 5, 6, 7, 9</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and the series, connection, and presages, of events, are much the same
|
||
|
|
still that they were then; so that upon the prophecy of this chapter,
|
||
|
|
pointing at that event, moral prognostications may be made, and such
|
||
|
|
constructions of the signs of the times as the wise man's heart will
|
||
|
|
know how to improve.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. Christ here foretels the going forth of deceivers; he begins with a
|
||
|
|
caution, <I>Take heed that no man deceive you.</I> They expected to be
|
||
|
|
told when these things should be, to be let into that secret; but this
|
||
|
|
caution is a check to their curiosity, "<I>What is that to you?</I>
|
||
|
|
Mind you your duty, follow me, and be not seduced from following me."
|
||
|
|
Those that are most inquisitive concerning the secret things which
|
||
|
|
belong not to them are most easily imposed upon by seducers,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:3">2 Thess. ii. 3</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The disciples, when they heard that the Jews, their most inveterate
|
||
|
|
enemies, should be destroyed, might be in danger of falling into
|
||
|
|
security; "Nay," saith Christ, "you are more exposed other ways."
|
||
|
|
Seducers are more dangerous enemies to the church than persecutors.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Three times in this discourse he mentions the appearing of <I>false
|
||
|
|
prophets,</I> which was,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. A presage of Jerusalem's ruin. Justly were they who killed the true
|
||
|
|
prophets, left to be ensnared by false prophets; and they who crucified
|
||
|
|
the true Messiah, left to be deceived and broken by false Christs and
|
||
|
|
pretended Messiahs. The appearing of these was the occasion of dividing
|
||
|
|
that people into parties and factions, which made their ruin the more
|
||
|
|
easy and speedy; and the sin of the many that were led aside by them,
|
||
|
|
helped to fill the measure.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. It was a trial to the disciples of Christ, and therefore agreeable
|
||
|
|
to their state of probation, <I>that they which are perfect, may be
|
||
|
|
made manifest.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now concerning these deceivers, observe here,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) The pretences they should come under. Satan acts most
|
||
|
|
mischievously, when he appears as an angel of light: the colour of the
|
||
|
|
greatest good is often the cover of the greatest evil.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] There should appear <I>false prophets</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:11-24"><I>v.</I> 11-24</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
the deceivers would pretend to divine inspiration, an immediate
|
||
|
|
mission, and a spirit of prophecy, when it was all a lie. Such they had
|
||
|
|
been formerly
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+23:16,Eze+13:6">Jer. xxiii. 16; Ezek. xiii. 6</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
as was foretold,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+13:3">Deut. xiii. 3</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Some think, the seducers here pointed to were such as had been settled
|
||
|
|
teachers in the church, and had gained reputation as such, but
|
||
|
|
afterward betrayed the truth they had taught, and revolted to error;
|
||
|
|
and from such the danger is the greater, because least suspected. One
|
||
|
|
false traitor in the garrison may do more mischief than a thousand
|
||
|
|
avowed enemies without.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] There should appear <I>false Christs, coming in Christ's name</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
assuming to themselves the name peculiar to him, and saying, <I>I am
|
||
|
|
Christ, pseudo-christs,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
There was at that time a general expectation of the appearing of the
|
||
|
|
Messiah; they spoke of him; as <I>he that should come;</I> but when he
|
||
|
|
did come, the body of the nation rejected him; which those who were
|
||
|
|
ambitious of making themselves a name, took advantage of, and set up
|
||
|
|
for Christ. Josephus speaks of several such impostors between this and
|
||
|
|
the destruction of Jerusalem; one Theudas, that was defeated by Cospius
|
||
|
|
Fadus; another by Felix, another by Festus. Dosetheus said he was the
|
||
|
|
Christ foretold by Moses. <I>Origen adversus Celsum.</I> See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+5:36,37">Acts v. 36, 37</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Simon Magus pretended to be <I>the great power of God,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+8:10">Acts viii. 10</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
In after-ages there have been such pretenders; one about a hundred
|
||
|
|
years after Christ, that called himself <I>Bar-cochobas--The son of a
|
||
|
|
star,</I> but proved <I>Bar-cosba--The son of a lie.</I> About fifty
|
||
|
|
years ago Sabbati-Levi set up for a Messiah in the Turkish empire, and
|
||
|
|
was greatly caressed by the Jews; but in a short time <I>his folly was
|
||
|
|
made manifest.</I> See Sir Paul Rycaut's <I>History.</I> The popish
|
||
|
|
religion doth, in effect, set up a false Christ; the Pope comes, in
|
||
|
|
Christ's name, as his vicar, but invades and usurps all his offices,
|
||
|
|
and so is a rival with him, and, as such, an enemy to him, a deceiver,
|
||
|
|
and an antichrist.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] These false Christs and false prophets would have their agents and
|
||
|
|
emissaries busy in all places to draw people in to them,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Then</I> when public troubles are great and threatening, and people
|
||
|
|
will be catching at any thing that looks like deliverance, then Satan
|
||
|
|
will take the advantage of imposing on them; they will say, <I>Lo, here
|
||
|
|
is a Christ, or there</I> is one; but do not mind them: the true Christ
|
||
|
|
did not strive, nor cry; nor was it said of him, <I>Lo, here! or Lo,
|
||
|
|
there!</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+17:21">Luke xvii. 21</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
therefore if any man say so concerning him, look upon it as a
|
||
|
|
temptation. The hermits, who place religion in a monastical life, say,
|
||
|
|
<I>He is in the desert;</I> the priests, who made the consecrated wafer
|
||
|
|
to be Christ, say, "He is <B><I>en tois tameiois</I></B>--<I>in the
|
||
|
|
cupboards, in the secret chambers:</I> lo, he is in this shrine, in
|
||
|
|
that image." Thus some appropriate Christ's spiritual presence to one
|
||
|
|
party or persuasion, as if they had the monopoly of Christ and
|
||
|
|
Christianity; and the kingdom of Christ must stand and fall, must live
|
||
|
|
and die, with them; "Lo, he is in this church, in that council:"
|
||
|
|
whereas Christ is All in all, not here or there, but meets his people
|
||
|
|
with a blessing <I>in every place where he records his name.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) The proof they should offer for the making good of these
|
||
|
|
pretences; <I>They shall show great signs and wonders</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
not true miracles, those are a divine seal, and with those the doctrine
|
||
|
|
of Christ stands confirmed; and therefore if any offer to draw us from
|
||
|
|
that by signs and wonders, we must have recourse to that rule given of
|
||
|
|
old
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+13:1-3">Deut. xiii. 1-3</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>If the sign or wonder come to pass,</I> yet follow not him that
|
||
|
|
would draw you <I>to serve other gods,</I> or believe in other Christs,
|
||
|
|
<I>for the Lord your God proveth you.</I> But these were <I>lying
|
||
|
|
wonders</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:9">2 Thess. ii. 9</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
wrought by Satan (God permitting him), who is <I>the prince of the
|
||
|
|
power of the air.</I> It is not said, <I>They shall work miracles,</I>
|
||
|
|
but, <I>They shall show great signs;</I> they are but a show; either
|
||
|
|
they impose upon men's credulity by false narratives, or deceive their
|
||
|
|
senses by tricks of legerdemain, or arts of divination, as the
|
||
|
|
magicians of Egypt by their enchantments.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) The success they should have in these attempts,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] <I>They shall deceive many</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and again,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Note, The devil and his instruments may prevail far in deceiving poor
|
||
|
|
souls; few find the strait gate, but many are drawn into the broad way;
|
||
|
|
many will be imposed upon by their signs and wonders, and many drawn in
|
||
|
|
by the hopes of deliverance from their oppressions. Note, Neither
|
||
|
|
miracles nor multitudes are certain signs of a true church; for <I>all
|
||
|
|
the world wonders after the beast,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+13:3">Rev. xiii. 3</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] <I>They shall deceive, if it were possible, the very elect,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This bespeaks, <I>First,</I> The strength of the delusion; it is such
|
||
|
|
as many shall be carried away by (so strong shall the stream be), even
|
||
|
|
those that were thought to stand fast. Men's knowledge, gifts,
|
||
|
|
learning, eminent station, and long profession, will not secure them;
|
||
|
|
but, notwithstanding these, many will be deceived; nothing but the
|
||
|
|
almighty grace of God, pursuant to his eternal purpose, will be a
|
||
|
|
protection. <I>Secondly,</I> The safety of the elect in the midst of
|
||
|
|
this danger, which is taken for granted in that parenthesis, <I>If it
|
||
|
|
were possible,</I> plainly implying that it is not possible, for they
|
||
|
|
are <I>kept by the power of God,</I> that <I>the purpose of God,
|
||
|
|
according to the election, may stand.</I> It is possible for those that
|
||
|
|
have been enlightened to fall away
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:4,5,6">Heb. vi. 4, 5, 6</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but not for those that were elected. If God's chosen ones should be
|
||
|
|
deceived, God's choice would be defeated, which is not to be imagined,
|
||
|
|
<I>for whom he did predestinate, he called, justified, and
|
||
|
|
glorified,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+8:30">Rom. viii. 30</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
They were given to Christ; and of all that were given to him, he will
|
||
|
|
lose none,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+10:28">John x. 28</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Grotius will have this to be meant of the great difficulty of drawing
|
||
|
|
the primitive Christians from their religion, and quotes it as used
|
||
|
|
proverbially by Galen; when he would express a thing very difficult and
|
||
|
|
morally impossible, he saith, "You may sooner draw away a Christian
|
||
|
|
from Christ."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(4.) The repeated cautions which our Saviour gives to his disciples to
|
||
|
|
stand upon their guard against them; <I>therefore</I> he gave them
|
||
|
|
warning, that they might watch
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:25">
|
||
|
|
<I>v.</I> 25</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Behold, I have told you before.</I> He that is told before where he
|
||
|
|
will be assaulted, may save himself, as the king of Israel did,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+6:9,10">2 Kings vi. 9, 10</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Note, Christ's warnings are designed to engage our watchfulness; and
|
||
|
|
though the elect shall be preserved from delusion, yet they shall be
|
||
|
|
preserved by the use of appointed means, and a due regard to the
|
||
|
|
cautions of the word; we are kept through faith, faith in Christ's
|
||
|
|
word, which he has told us before.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] We must not believe those who say, <I>Lo, here is Christ;</I> or,
|
||
|
|
<I>Lo, he is there,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We believe that the true Christ is at the right hand of God, and that
|
||
|
|
his spiritual presence is <I>where two or three are gathered together
|
||
|
|
in his name;</I> believe not those therefore who would draw you off
|
||
|
|
from a Christ in heaven, by telling you he is any where on earth; or
|
||
|
|
draw you off from the catholic church on earth, by telling you he is
|
||
|
|
here, or he is there; believe it not. Note, There is not a greater
|
||
|
|
enemy to true faith than vain credulity. The simple believeth every
|
||
|
|
word, and runs after every cry. <B><I>Memneso
|
||
|
|
apistein</I></B>--<I>Beware of believing.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] We must not go forth after those that say, <I>He is in the
|
||
|
|
desert,</I> or, <I>He is in the secret chambers,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We must not hearken to every empiric and pretender, nor follow every
|
||
|
|
one that puts up the finger to point us to a new Christ, and a new
|
||
|
|
gospel; "Go not forth, for if you do, you are in danger of being taken
|
||
|
|
by them; therefore keep out of harm's way, <I>be not carried about with
|
||
|
|
every wind;</I> many a man's vain curiosity to go forth hath led him
|
||
|
|
into a fatal apostasy; your strength at such a time is to sit still, to
|
||
|
|
have the heart established with grace."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. He foretels wars and great commotions among the nations,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:6,7"><I>v.</I> 6, 7</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
When Christ was born, there was a universal peace in the empire, the
|
||
|
|
temple of Janus was shut; but <I>think not that Christ came to
|
||
|
|
send,</I> or continue such a <I>peace</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:51">Luke xii. 51</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
no, his city and his wall are to be built even in troublesome times,
|
||
|
|
and even wars shall forward his work. From the time that the Jews
|
||
|
|
rejected Christ, and he <I>left their house desolate, the sword did
|
||
|
|
never depart from their house, the sword of the Lord</I> was never
|
||
|
|
quiet, because he had given it a charge against a hypocritical nation
|
||
|
|
and the people of his wrath, and by it brought ruin upon them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. A prediction of the event of the day; You will now shortly <I>hear
|
||
|
|
of wars, and rumours of wars.</I> When wars are, they will be heard;
|
||
|
|
for <I>every battle of the warrior is with confused noise,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+9:5">Isa. ix. 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
See how terrible it is
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+4:19">Jer. iv. 19</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Thou hast heard, O my soul, the alarm of war!</I> Even the quiet in
|
||
|
|
the land, and the least inquisitive after new things, cannot but hear
|
||
|
|
the rumours of war. See what comes of refusing the gospel! Those that
|
||
|
|
will not hear the messengers of peace, shall be made to hear the
|
||
|
|
messengers of war. God has a sword ready to avenge the quarrel of his
|
||
|
|
covenant, his new covenant. <I>Nation shall rise up against nation,</I>
|
||
|
|
that is, one part or province of the Jewish nation against another, one
|
||
|
|
city against another
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+15:5,6">2 Chron. xv. 5, 6</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and in the same province and city one party or faction shall rise up
|
||
|
|
against another, so that they shall be devoured by, and dashed in
|
||
|
|
pieces against one another,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+9:19-21">Isa. ix. 19-21</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. A prescription of the duty of the day; <I>See that ye be not
|
||
|
|
troubled.</I> Is it possible to hear such sad news, and not be
|
||
|
|
troubled? Yet, where the heart is fixed, trusting in God, it is kept in
|
||
|
|
peace, and is not afraid, no not of the evil tidings of wars, and
|
||
|
|
rumours of wars; no not the noise of <I>Arm, arm. Be not troubled;</I>
|
||
|
|
<B><I>Me throeithe</I></B>--<I>Be not put into confusion or
|
||
|
|
commotion;</I> not put into throes, as a woman with child by a fright;
|
||
|
|
<I>see that ye be not</I> <B><I>orate</I></B>. Note, There is need of
|
||
|
|
constant care and watchfulness to keep trouble from the heart when
|
||
|
|
there are wars abroad; and it is against the mind of Christ, that his
|
||
|
|
people should have troubled hearts even in troublous times.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We must not be troubled, for two reasons.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Because we are bid to expect this: the Jews must be punished, ruin
|
||
|
|
must be brought upon them; by this the justice of God and the honour of
|
||
|
|
the Redeemer must be asserted; and therefore <I>all those things must
|
||
|
|
come to pass;</I> the word is gone out of God's mouth, and it shall be
|
||
|
|
accomplished in its season. Note, The consideration of the
|
||
|
|
unchangeableness of the divine counsels, which govern all events,
|
||
|
|
should compose and quiet our spirits, whatever happens. God is but
|
||
|
|
performing the thing that is appointed for us, and our inordinate
|
||
|
|
trouble is an interpretative quarrel with that appointment. Let us
|
||
|
|
therefore acquiesce, because <I>these things must come to pass;</I> not
|
||
|
|
only <I>necessitate decreti--as the product of the divine counsel,</I>
|
||
|
|
but <I>necessitate medii--as a means in order to a further end.</I> The
|
||
|
|
old house must be taken down (though it cannot be done without noise,
|
||
|
|
and dust, and danger), ere the new fabric can be erected: the things
|
||
|
|
that are shaken (and ill shaken they were) <I>must be removed, that the
|
||
|
|
things which cannot be shaken may remain,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+12:27">Heb. xii. 27</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Because we are still to expect worse; <I>The end is not yet;</I>
|
||
|
|
the end of time is not, and, while time lasts, we must expect trouble,
|
||
|
|
and that the end of one affliction will be but the beginning of
|
||
|
|
another; or, "The end of these troubles is not yet; there must be more
|
||
|
|
judgments that one made use of to bring down the Jewish power; more
|
||
|
|
vials of wrath must yet be poured out; there is but one woe past, more
|
||
|
|
woes are yet to come, more arrows are yet to be spent upon them out of
|
||
|
|
God's quiver; therefore be not troubled, do not give way to fear and
|
||
|
|
trouble, sink not under the present burthen, but rather gather in all
|
||
|
|
the strength and spirit you have, to encounter what is yet before you.
|
||
|
|
Be not troubled to hear of wars and rumours of wars; for then what will
|
||
|
|
become of you when the famines and pestilences come?" If it be to us a
|
||
|
|
vexation but to <I>understand the report</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+28:19">Isa. xxviii. 19</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
what will it be to feel the stroke when it <I>toucheth the bone and the
|
||
|
|
flesh?</I> If running with the footmen weary us, how shall we contend
|
||
|
|
with horses? And if we be frightened at a little brook in our way,
|
||
|
|
<I>what shall we do in the swellings of Jordan?</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+12:5">Jer. xii. 5</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. He foretels other judgments more immediately sent of
|
||
|
|
God--<I>famines, pestilences, and earthquakes.</I> Famine is often the
|
||
|
|
effect of war, and pestilence of famine. These were the three judgments
|
||
|
|
which David was to choose one out of; and he was in a great strait, for
|
||
|
|
he knew not which was the worst: but what dreadful desolations will
|
||
|
|
they make, when they all pour in together upon a people! Beside war
|
||
|
|
(and that is enough), there shall be,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. <I>Famine,</I> signified by the <I>black horse</I> under the
|
||
|
|
<I>third seal,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+6:5,6">Rev. vi. 5, 6</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We read of a famine in Judea, not long after Christ's time, which was
|
||
|
|
very impoverishing
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+11:28">Acts xi. 28</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but the sorest famine was in Jerusalem during the siege. See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=La+4:9,10">Lam. iv. 9, 10</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. <I>Pestilences,</I> signified by the <I>pale horse, and death upon
|
||
|
|
him,</I> and <I>the grave at his heels,</I> under the <I>fourth
|
||
|
|
seal,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+6:7,8">Rev. vi. 7, 8</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This destroys without distinction, and in a little time lays heaps upon
|
||
|
|
heaps.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. <I>Earthquakes in divers places,</I> or from place to place,
|
||
|
|
pursuing those that flee from them, as they did from the earthquake
|
||
|
|
<I>in the days of Uzziah,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+14:5">Zech. xiv. 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Great desolations have sometimes been made by earthquakes, of late and
|
||
|
|
formerly; they have been the death of many, and the terror of more. In
|
||
|
|
the apocalyptic visions, it is observable, that earthquakes bode good,
|
||
|
|
and no evil, to the church,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+6:12">Rev. vi. 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Compare
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+6:15,11:12,13,19,16:17-19">Rev. vi. 15;
|
||
|
|
xi. 12, 13, 19; xvi. 17-19</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
When God <I>shakes terribly the earth</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+2:21">Isa. ii. 21</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
it is to <I>shake the wicked out of it</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+38:13">Job xxxviii. 13</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and to introduce <I>the desire of all nations,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Hag+2:6,7">Hag. ii. 6, 7</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
But here they are spoken of as dreadful judgments, and yet but <I>the
|
||
|
|
beginning of sorrows,</I> <B><I>odinon</I></B>--<I>of travailing
|
||
|
|
pains,</I> quick, violent, yet tedious too. Note, When God judgeth, he
|
||
|
|
will overcome; <I>when he begins</I> in wrath, <I>he will make</I> a
|
||
|
|
full <I>end,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+3:12">1 Sam. iii. 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
When we look forward to the eternity of misery that is before the
|
||
|
|
obstinate refusers of Christ and his gospel, we may truly say,
|
||
|
|
concerning the greatest temporal judgments, "They are but the beginning
|
||
|
|
of sorrows; bad as things are with them, there are worse behind."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
IV. He foretels the persecution of his own people and ministers, and a
|
||
|
|
general apostasy and decay in religion thereupon,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:9,10,12"><I>v.</I> 9, 10, 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The <I>cross</I> itself foretold,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Note, Of all future events we are as much concerned, though commonly as
|
||
|
|
little desirous, to know of our own sufferings as of any thing else.
|
||
|
|
<I>Then,</I> when famines and pestilences prevail, then they shall
|
||
|
|
impute them to the Christians, and make that a pretence for persecuting
|
||
|
|
them; <I>Christianos ad leones--Away with Christians to the lions.</I>
|
||
|
|
Christ had told his disciples, when he first sent them out, what hard
|
||
|
|
things they should suffer; but they had hitherto experienced little of
|
||
|
|
it, and therefore he reminds them again, that the less they had
|
||
|
|
suffered, the more there was behind to be filled up,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Col+1:24">Col. i. 24</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) They shall be <I>afflicted</I> with bonds and imprisonments,
|
||
|
|
<I>cruel mockings and scourgings,</I> as blessed Paul
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+11:23-25">2 Cor. xi. 23-25</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
not killed outright, but <I>killed all the day long, in deaths
|
||
|
|
often,</I> killed so as to feel themselves die, <I>made a spectacle to
|
||
|
|
the world,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+4:9,11">1 Cor. iv. 9, 11</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) They shall be <I>killed;</I> so cruel are the church's enemies,
|
||
|
|
that nothing less will satisfy them than the blood of the saints, which
|
||
|
|
they thirst after, suck, and shed, like water.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) They shall be <I>hated of all nations for Christ's name's
|
||
|
|
sake,</I> as he had told them before,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+10:22"><I>ch.</I> x. 22</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The world was generally leavened with enmity and malignity to
|
||
|
|
Christians: the Jews, though spiteful to the Heathen, were never
|
||
|
|
persecuted by them as the Christians were; they were hated by the Jews
|
||
|
|
that were dispersed among the nations, were the common butt of the
|
||
|
|
world's malice. What shall we think of this world, when the best men
|
||
|
|
had the worst usage in it? It is the cause that makes the martyr, and
|
||
|
|
comforts him; it was for Christ's sake that they were thus hated; their
|
||
|
|
professing and preaching his name incensed the nations so much against
|
||
|
|
them; the devil, finding a fatal shock thereby given to his kingdom,
|
||
|
|
and that his time was likely to be short, <I>came down, having great
|
||
|
|
wrath.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. <I>The offence of the cross,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:10-12"><I>v.</I> 10-12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Satan thus carries on his interest by force of arms, though Christ, at
|
||
|
|
length, will bring glory to himself out of the sufferings of his people
|
||
|
|
and ministers. Three ill effects of persecution are here foretold.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) The <I>apostasy</I> of some. When the profession of Christianity
|
||
|
|
begins to cost men dear, <I>then shall many be offended,</I> shall
|
||
|
|
first fall out with, and then fall off from, their profession; they
|
||
|
|
will begin to pick quarrels with their religion, sit loose to it, grow
|
||
|
|
weary of it, and at length revolt from it. Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] It is no new thing (though it is a strange thing) for those that
|
||
|
|
have known the way of righteousness, to turn aside out of it. Paul
|
||
|
|
often complains of deserters, who began well, but something hindered
|
||
|
|
them. They were with us, but went out from us, because never truly of
|
||
|
|
us,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+2:19">1 John ii. 19</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We are told of it before.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] Suffering times are shaking times; and those fall in the storm,
|
||
|
|
that stood in fair weather, like the <I>stony ground hearers,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+13:21"><I>ch.</I> xiii. 21</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Many will follow Christ in the sunshine, who will shift for themselves,
|
||
|
|
and leave him to do so to, in the cloudy dark day. They like their
|
||
|
|
religion while they can have it cheap, and sleep with it in a whole
|
||
|
|
skin; but, if their profession cost them any thing, they quit it
|
||
|
|
presently.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) The <I>malignity</I> of others. When persecution is in fashion,
|
||
|
|
envy, enmity, and malice, are strangely diffused into the minds of men
|
||
|
|
by contagion: and charity, tenderness, and moderation, are looked upon
|
||
|
|
as singularities, which make a man like a speckled bird. Then <I>they
|
||
|
|
shall betray one another,</I> that is,"Those that have treacherously
|
||
|
|
deserted their religion, shall hate and betray those who adhere to it,
|
||
|
|
for whom they have pretended friendship." Apostates have commonly been
|
||
|
|
the most bitter and violent persecutors. Note, Persecuting times are
|
||
|
|
discovering times. Wolves in sheep's clothing will then throw off their
|
||
|
|
disguise, and appear wolves: they shall <I>betray one another, and hate
|
||
|
|
one another.</I> The times must needs be perilous, when treachery and
|
||
|
|
hatred, two of the worst things that can be, because directly contrary
|
||
|
|
to two of the best (truth and love), shall have the ascendant. This
|
||
|
|
seems to refer to the barbarous treatment which the several contending
|
||
|
|
factions among the Jews gave to one another; and justly were they who
|
||
|
|
ate up God's people as they ate bread, left thus to bite and devour one
|
||
|
|
another till they were <I>consumed one of another;</I> or, it may refer
|
||
|
|
to the mischiefs done to Christ's disciples by those that were nearest
|
||
|
|
to them, as
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+10:21"><I>ch.</I> x. 21</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>The brother shall deliver up the brother to death.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) The general <I>declining</I> and <I>cooling</I> of most,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
In seducing times, when false prophets arise, in persecuting times,
|
||
|
|
when the saints are hated, expect these two things,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] The <I>abounding</I> of iniquity; though the world always lies in
|
||
|
|
wickedness, yet there are some times in which it may be said, that
|
||
|
|
<I>iniquity doth</I> in a special manner abound; as when it is more
|
||
|
|
extensive than ordinary, as in the old world, when <I>all flesh had
|
||
|
|
corrupted their way;</I> and when it is more <I>excessive</I> than
|
||
|
|
ordinary, when <I>violence is risen up to a rod of wickedness</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+7:11">Ezek. vii. 11</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
so that hell seems to be broke loose in blasphemies against God, and
|
||
|
|
enmities to the saints.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] The <I>abating</I> of love; this is the consequence of the former;
|
||
|
|
<I>Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.</I>
|
||
|
|
Understand it in general of true serious godliness, which is all summed
|
||
|
|
up in <I>love;</I> it is too common for professors of religion to grow
|
||
|
|
cool in their profession, when the wicked are hot in their wickedness;
|
||
|
|
as the church of Ephesus in bad times <I>left her first love,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+2:2-4">Rev. ii. 2-4</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Or, it may be understood more particularly of brotherly love. When
|
||
|
|
iniquity abounds, seducing iniquity, persecuting iniquity, this grace
|
||
|
|
commonly waxes cold. Christians begin to be shy and suspicious one of
|
||
|
|
another, affections are alienated, distances created, parties made, and
|
||
|
|
so love comes to nothing. The devil is the accuser of the brethren, not
|
||
|
|
only to their enemies, which makes persecuting iniquity abound, but one
|
||
|
|
to another, which makes the love of many to wax cold.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This gives a melancholy prospect of the times, that there shall be such
|
||
|
|
a great decay of love; but, <I>First,</I> It is of the love of
|
||
|
|
<I>many,</I> not of <I>all.</I> In the worst of times, God has his
|
||
|
|
remnant that hold fast their integrity, and retain their zeal, as in
|
||
|
|
Elijah's days, when he thought himself left alone. <I>Secondly,</I>
|
||
|
|
This love is grown cold, but not dead; it abates, but is not quite cast
|
||
|
|
off. There is life in the root, which will show itself when the winter
|
||
|
|
is past. The new nature may <I>wax cold,</I> but shall not <I>wax
|
||
|
|
old,</I> for then it would decay and vanish away.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. Comfort administered in reference to this offence of the cross, for
|
||
|
|
the support of the Lord's people under it
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>He that endures to the end, shall be saved.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) It is comfortable to those who wish well to the cause of Christ in
|
||
|
|
general, that, though many are offended, yet some shall endure to the
|
||
|
|
end. When we see so many drawing back, we are ready to fear that the
|
||
|
|
cause of Christ will sink for want of supporters, and his name be left
|
||
|
|
and forgotten for want of some to make profession of it; but even at
|
||
|
|
this time there is <I>a remnant according to the election of grace,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:5">Rom. xi. 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
It is spoken of the same time that this prophecy has reference to; a
|
||
|
|
remnant who are not of <I>them that draw back unto perdition,</I> but
|
||
|
|
believe and persevere <I>to the saving of the soul;</I> they endure to
|
||
|
|
the end, to the end of their lives, to the end of their present state
|
||
|
|
of probation, or to the end of these suffering trying times, to the
|
||
|
|
last encounter, though they should be called to resist unto blood.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) It is comfortable to those
|
||
|
|
who do thus endure to the end, and suffer for their constancy, that
|
||
|
|
they shall be saved. Perseverance wins the crown, through free grace,
|
||
|
|
and shall wear it. <I>They shall be saved:</I> perhaps they may be
|
||
|
|
delivered out of their troubles, and comfortably survive them in this
|
||
|
|
world; but it is eternal salvation that is here intended. They that
|
||
|
|
endure to the end of their days, shall then receive the end of their
|
||
|
|
faith and hope, <I>even the salvation of their souls,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+1:9,Ro+2:7,Re+3:20">1 Pet. i. 9;
|
||
|
|
Rom. ii. 7; Rev. iii. 20</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The crown of glory will make amends for all; and a believing regard to
|
||
|
|
that will enable us to choose rather to die at a stake with the
|
||
|
|
persecuted, than to live in a palace with the persecutors.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
V. He foretels the preaching of the gospel in all the world
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>This gospel shall be preached, and then shall the end come.</I>
|
||
|
|
Observe here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. It is called <I>the gospel of the kingdom,</I> because it reveals
|
||
|
|
the kingdom of grace, which leads to the kingdom of glory; sets up
|
||
|
|
Christ's kingdom in this world; and secures ours in the other world.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. This gospel, sooner or later, is to be preached in all the world,
|
||
|
|
to every creature, and all nations are to be discipled by it; for in it
|
||
|
|
Christ is to be <I>Salvation to the ends of the earth;</I> for this end
|
||
|
|
the gift of tongues was <I>the first-fruits of the Spirit.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. The gospel is preached <I>for a witness to all nations,</I> that is,
|
||
|
|
a faithful declaration of the mind and will of God concerning the duty
|
||
|
|
which God requires from man, and the recompence which man may expect
|
||
|
|
from God. It is a <I>record</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+5:11">1 John v. 11</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
it is a <I>witness,</I> for those who believe, that they shall be
|
||
|
|
saved, and against those who persist in unbelief, that they shall be
|
||
|
|
damned. See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+16:16">Mark xvi. 16</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
But how does this come in here?</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) It is intimated that the gospel should be, if not heard, yet at
|
||
|
|
least heard of, throughout the then known world, before the destruction
|
||
|
|
of Jerusalem; that the Old-Testament church should not be quite
|
||
|
|
dissolved till the New Testament was pretty well settled, had got
|
||
|
|
considerable footing, and began to make some figure. Better is the face
|
||
|
|
of a corrupt degenerate church than none at all. Within forty years
|
||
|
|
after Christ's death, the <I>sound</I> of the gospel was <I>gone forth
|
||
|
|
to the ends of the earth,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+10:18">Rom. x. 18</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
St. Paul <I>fully preached the gospel from Jerusalem, and round about
|
||
|
|
unto Illyricum;</I> and the other apostles were not idle. The
|
||
|
|
persecuting of the saints at Jerusalem helped to disperse them, so that
|
||
|
|
they <I>went every where, preaching the word,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+8:1-4">Acts viii. 1-4</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
And when the tidings of the Redeemer are sent over all parts of the
|
||
|
|
world, then shall come the end of the Jewish state. Thus, that which
|
||
|
|
they thought to prevent, by putting Christ to death, they thereby
|
||
|
|
procured; all men <I>believed on him, and the Romans came, and took
|
||
|
|
away their place and nation,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+11:48">John xi. 48</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Paul speaks of the gospel being <I>come to all the world, and preached
|
||
|
|
to every creature,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Col+1:6-23">Col. i. 6-23</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) It is likewise intimated that even in times of temptation,
|
||
|
|
trouble, and persecution, the gospel of the kingdom shall be preached
|
||
|
|
and propagated, and shall force its way through the greatest
|
||
|
|
opposition. Though the enemies of the church grow very <I>hot,</I> and
|
||
|
|
many of her friends very <I>cool,</I> yet the gospel shall be preached.
|
||
|
|
And even <I>then,</I> when many fall by the sword and by flame, and
|
||
|
|
many do wickedly, and are corrupted by flatteries, yet then the people
|
||
|
|
that do know their God, shall be strengthened to do the greatest
|
||
|
|
exploits of all, in instructing many; see
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+11:32,33">Dan. xi. 32, 33</A>;
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and see an instance,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:12-14">Phil. i. 12-14</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) That which seems chiefly intended here, is, that the end of the
|
||
|
|
world shall be <I>then,</I> and not till then, when the gospel has done
|
||
|
|
its work in the world. The gospel shall be preached, and that work
|
||
|
|
carried on, when you are dead; so that all nations, first or last,
|
||
|
|
shall have either the enjoyment, or the refusal, of the gospel; and
|
||
|
|
<I>then cometh the end,</I> when the kingdom <I>shall be delivered up
|
||
|
|
to God, even the Father;</I> when the mystery of God shall be finished,
|
||
|
|
the mystical body completed, and the nations either converted and
|
||
|
|
saved, or convicted and silenced, by the gospel; <I>then shall the end
|
||
|
|
come,</I> of which he had said before
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:6,7"><I>v.</I> 6, 7</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>not yet,</I> not till those intermediate counsels be fulfilled. The
|
||
|
|
world shall stand as long as any of God's chosen ones remain uncalled;
|
||
|
|
but, when they are all gathered in, it will be set on fire
|
||
|
|
immediately.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
VI. He foretels more particularly the ruin that was coming upon the
|
||
|
|
people of the Jews, their city, temple, and nation,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
&c. Here he comes more closely to answer their questions concerning the
|
||
|
|
desolation of the temple; and what he said here, would be of use to his
|
||
|
|
disciples, both for their conduct and for their comfort, in reference
|
||
|
|
to that great event; he describes the several steps of that calamity,
|
||
|
|
such as are usual in war.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The Romans <I>setting up the abomination of desolation in the holy
|
||
|
|
place,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Some understand by this an image, or statue, set up in the temple
|
||
|
|
by some of the Roman governors, which was very offensive to the Jews,
|
||
|
|
provoked them to rebel, and so brought the desolation upon them. The
|
||
|
|
image of Jupiter Olympius, which Antiochus caused to be set upon the
|
||
|
|
altar of God, is called <B><I>Bdelygma eremoseos</I></B>--<I>The
|
||
|
|
abomination of desolation,</I> the very word here used by the
|
||
|
|
historian,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<U>1 Mac. i. 54</U>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Since the captivity in Babylon, nothing was, nor could be, more
|
||
|
|
distasteful to the Jews than an image in the holy place, as appeared by
|
||
|
|
the mighty opposition they made when Caligula offered to set up his
|
||
|
|
statue there, which had been of fatal consequence, if it had not been
|
||
|
|
prevented, and the matter accommodated, by the conduct of Petronius;
|
||
|
|
but Herod did set up an eagle over the temple-gate; and, some say, the
|
||
|
|
statue of Titus was set up in the temple.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Others choose to expound it by the parallel place
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+21:20">Luke xxi. 20</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies.</I> Jerusalem was
|
||
|
|
the holy city, Canaan the holy land, the Mount Moriah, which lay about
|
||
|
|
Jerusalem, for its nearness to the temple was, they thought in a
|
||
|
|
particular manner holy ground; on the country lying round about
|
||
|
|
Jerusalem the Roman army was encamped, that was the abomination that
|
||
|
|
made desolate. The land of an enemy is said to be <I>the land which
|
||
|
|
thou abhorrest</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+7:16">Isa. vii. 16</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
so an enemy's army to a weak but wilful people may well be called
|
||
|
|
<I>the abomination.</I> Now this is said to be <I>spoken of by Daniel,
|
||
|
|
the prophet,</I> who spoke more plainly of the Messiah and his kingdom
|
||
|
|
than any of the Old-Testament prophets did. He speaks of an abomination
|
||
|
|
making desolate, which should be set up by Antiochus
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+11:31,12:11">Dan. xi. 31; xii. 11</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but this that our Saviour refers to, we have in the message that the
|
||
|
|
angel brought him
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+9:27">Dan. ix. 27</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
of what should come at the end of seventy weeks, long after the former;
|
||
|
|
<I>for the overspreading of abominations,</I> or, as the margin reads
|
||
|
|
it, <I>with the abominable armies</I> (which comes home to the prophecy
|
||
|
|
here), <I>he shall make it desolate.</I> Armies of idolaters may well
|
||
|
|
be called <I>abominable armies;</I> and some think, the tumults,
|
||
|
|
insurrections, and abominable factions and seditions, in the city and
|
||
|
|
temple, may at least be taken in as part of the abomination making
|
||
|
|
desolate. Christ refers them to that prophecy of Daniel, that they
|
||
|
|
might see how the ruin of their city and temple was spoken of in the
|
||
|
|
Old Testament, which would both confirm his prediction, and take off
|
||
|
|
the odium of it. They might likewise from thence gather the time of
|
||
|
|
it--soon after the cutting off of Messiah the prince; the sin that
|
||
|
|
procured it--their rejecting him, and the certainty of it--<I>it is a
|
||
|
|
desolation determined.</I> As Christ by his precepts confirmed the law,
|
||
|
|
so by his predictions he confirmed the prophecies of the Old Testament,
|
||
|
|
and it will be of good use to compare both together.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Reference being here had to a prophecy, which is commonly dark and
|
||
|
|
obscure, Christ inserts this memorandum, "<I>Whoso readeth, let him
|
||
|
|
understand;</I> whoso readeth the prophecy of Daniel, let him
|
||
|
|
understand that it is to have its accomplishment now shortly in the
|
||
|
|
desolations of Jerusalem." Note, Those that read the scriptures, should
|
||
|
|
labour to understand the scriptures, else their reading is to little
|
||
|
|
purpose; we cannot use that which we do not understand. See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+5:39,Ac+8:30">John v. 39; Acts viii. 30</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The angel that delivered this prophecy to Daniel, stirred him up to
|
||
|
|
<I>know and understand,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+9:25">Dan. ix. 25</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
And we must not despair of understanding even dark prophecies; the
|
||
|
|
great New-Testament prophecy is called a <I>revelation,</I> not a
|
||
|
|
<I>secret.</I> Now <I>things revealed belong to us,</I> and therefore
|
||
|
|
must be humbly and diligently searched into. Or, <I>Let him
|
||
|
|
understand,</I> not only the scriptures which speak of those things,
|
||
|
|
but by the scriptures let him <I>understand the times,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+12:32">1 Chron. xii. 32</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Let him observe, and take notice; so some read it; let him be assured,
|
||
|
|
that, notwithstanding the vain hopes with which the deluded people feed
|
||
|
|
themselves, the abominable armies will make desolate.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The means of preservation which thinking men should betake
|
||
|
|
themselves to
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:16,20"><I>v.</I> 16, 20</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Then let them which are in Judea, flee.</I> Then conclude there is
|
||
|
|
no other way to help yourselves than by flying for the same. We may
|
||
|
|
take this,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) As a prediction of the ruin itself; that it should be
|
||
|
|
irresistible; that it would be impossible for the stoutest hearts to
|
||
|
|
make head against it, or contend with it, but they must have recourse
|
||
|
|
to the last shift, getting out of the way. It bespeaks that which
|
||
|
|
Jeremiah so much insisted upon, but in vain, when Jerusalem was
|
||
|
|
besieged by the Chaldeans, that it would be to no purpose to resist,
|
||
|
|
but that it was their wisdom to yield and capitulate; so Christ here,
|
||
|
|
to show how fruitless it would be to stand it out, bids every one make
|
||
|
|
the best of his way.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) We may take it as a direction to the followers of Christ what to
|
||
|
|
do, not to <I>say, A confederacy</I> with those who fought and warred
|
||
|
|
against the Romans for the preservation of their city and nation, only
|
||
|
|
that they might consume the wealth of both upon their lusts (for to
|
||
|
|
this very affair, the struggles of the Jews against the Roman power,
|
||
|
|
some years before their final overthrow, the apostle refers,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+4:1-3">Jam. iv. 1-3</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but let them acquiesce in the decree that was gone forth, and with all
|
||
|
|
speed quit the city and country, as they would quit a falling house or
|
||
|
|
a sinking ship, as Lot quitted Sodom, and Israel the tents of Dathan
|
||
|
|
and Abiram; he shows them,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Whither they must flee--from Judea <I>to the mountains;</I> not
|
||
|
|
the mountains round about Jerusalem, but those in the remote corners of
|
||
|
|
the land, which would be some shelter to them, not so much by their
|
||
|
|
strength as by their secrecy. Israel is said to be <I>scattered upon
|
||
|
|
the mountains</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+18:16">2 Chron. xviii. 16</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and see
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+11:38">Heb. xi. 38</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
It would be safer among the lions' dens, and the mountains of the
|
||
|
|
leopards, than among the seditious Jews or the enraged Romans. Note, In
|
||
|
|
times of imminent peril and danger, it is not only lawful, but our
|
||
|
|
duty, to seek our own preservation by all good and honest means; and if
|
||
|
|
God opens a door of escape, we ought to make our escape, otherwise we
|
||
|
|
do not trust God but tempt him. There may be a time when even <I>those
|
||
|
|
that are in Judea,</I> where God is known, and his name is great, must
|
||
|
|
<I>flee to the mountains;</I> and while we only go out of the way of
|
||
|
|
danger, not out of the way of duty, we may trust God to provide <I>a
|
||
|
|
dwelling for his outcasts,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+16:4,5">Isa. xvi. 4, 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
In times of public calamity, when it is manifest that we cannot be
|
||
|
|
serviceable at home and may be safe abroad, Providence calls us to make
|
||
|
|
our escape. He that flees, may fight again.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] What haste they must make,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:17,18"><I>v.</I> 17, 18</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The life will be in danger, in imminent danger, the scourge will slay
|
||
|
|
suddenly; and therefore he <I>that is on the house-top,</I> when the
|
||
|
|
alarm comes, let him not <I>come down into the house,</I> to look after
|
||
|
|
his effects there, but go the nearest way down, to make his escape; and
|
||
|
|
so he that shall be <I>in the field,</I> will find it his wisest course
|
||
|
|
to run immediately, and not return to fetch his clothes or the wealth
|
||
|
|
of his house, for two reasons, <I>First,</I> Because the time which
|
||
|
|
would be taken up in packing up his things, would delay his flight.
|
||
|
|
Note, When death is at the door, delays are dangerous; it was the
|
||
|
|
charge to Lot, <I>Look not behind thee.</I> Those that are convinced of
|
||
|
|
the misery of a sinful state, and the ruin that attends them in that
|
||
|
|
state, and, consequently, of the necessity of their fleeing to Christ,
|
||
|
|
must take heed, lest, after all these convictions, they perish
|
||
|
|
eternally by delays. <I>Secondly,</I> Because the carrying of his
|
||
|
|
clothes, and his other movables and valuables with him, would but
|
||
|
|
burthen him, and clog his flight. The Syrians, in their flight, <I>cast
|
||
|
|
away their garments,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+7:15">2 Kings vii. 15</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
At such a time, we must be thankful <I>if our lives be given us for a
|
||
|
|
prey,</I> though we can save nothing,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+45:4,5">Jer. xlv. 4, 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>For the life is more than meat,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+6:25"><I>ch.</I> vi. 25</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Those who carried off least, were safest in their flight. <I>Cantabit
|
||
|
|
vacuus coram latrone viator--The pennyless traveller can lose nothing
|
||
|
|
by robbers.</I> It was to his own disciples that Christ recommended
|
||
|
|
this forgetfulness of their house and clothes, who had a habitation in
|
||
|
|
heaven, treasure there, and durable clothing, which the enemy could not
|
||
|
|
plunder them of. <I>Omnia mea mecum porto--I have all my property with
|
||
|
|
me,</I> said Bias the philosopher in his flight, empty-handed. He that
|
||
|
|
has grace in his heart carries his all along with him, when tripped of
|
||
|
|
all.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now those to whom Christ said this immediately, did not live to see
|
||
|
|
this dismal day, none of all the twelve but John only; they needed not
|
||
|
|
to be hidden in the mountains (Christ hid them in heaven), but they
|
||
|
|
left the direction to their successors in profession, who pursued it,
|
||
|
|
and it was of use to them; for when the Christians in Jerusalem and
|
||
|
|
Judea saw the ruin coming on, they all retired to a town called
|
||
|
|
<I>Pella,</I> on the other side Jordan, where they were safe; so that
|
||
|
|
of the many thousands that perished in the destruction of Jerusalem,
|
||
|
|
there was not so much as one Christian. See <I>Euseb. Eccl. Hist.</I>
|
||
|
|
lib. 3, cap. 5. Thus <I>the prudent man foresees the evil, and hides
|
||
|
|
himself,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+22:3,Heb+11:7">Prov. xxii. 3; Heb. xi. 7</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This warning was not kept private. St. Matthew's gospel was published
|
||
|
|
long before that destruction, so that others might have taken the
|
||
|
|
advantage of it; but their perishing through their unbelief of this,
|
||
|
|
was a figure of their eternal perishing through their unbelief of the
|
||
|
|
warnings Christ gave concerning the wrath to come.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] Whom it would go hard with at that time
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck.</I> To
|
||
|
|
this same event that saying of Christ at his death refers
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+23:29">Luke xxiii. 29</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
They shall say, <I>Blessed are the wombs that never bare, and the paps
|
||
|
|
that never gave suck.</I> Happy are they that have no children to see
|
||
|
|
the murder of; but most unhappy they whose wombs are then bearing,
|
||
|
|
their paps then giving suck: they of all others will be in the most
|
||
|
|
melancholy circumstances. <I>First,</I> To them the famine would be
|
||
|
|
most grievous, when they should see the <I>tongue of the sucking child
|
||
|
|
cleaving to the roof of his mouth for thirst,</I> and themselves by the
|
||
|
|
calamity made more cruel than the sea monsters,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=La+4:3,4">Lam. iv. 3, 4</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> To them the sword would be most terrible, when in the
|
||
|
|
hand of worse than brutal rage. It is a direful midwifery, when the
|
||
|
|
women with child come to be ripped up by the enraged conqueror
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+15:16,Ho+13:16,Am+1:13">2 Kings xv. 16;
|
||
|
|
Hos. xiii. 16; Amos i. 13</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
or the children <I>brought forth to their murderer,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+9:13">Hos. ix. 13</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Thirdly,</I> To them also the flight would be most afflictive,; the
|
||
|
|
women with child cannot make haste, or go far; the sucking child cannot
|
||
|
|
be left behind, or, if it should, <I>can a woman forget it, that she
|
||
|
|
should not have compassion on it?</I> If it be carried along, it
|
||
|
|
retards the mother's flight, and so exposes her life, and is in danger
|
||
|
|
of Mephibosheth's fate, who was lamed by a fall he got in his nurse's
|
||
|
|
flight.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+4:4">2 Sam. iv. 4</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[4.] What they should pray against at that time--<I>that your flight be
|
||
|
|
not in the winter, nor on the sabbath day,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observe, in general, it becomes Christ's disciples, in times of public
|
||
|
|
trouble and calamity, to be much in prayer; that is a salve for every
|
||
|
|
sore, never out of season, but in a special manner seasonable when we
|
||
|
|
are distressed on every side. There is no remedy but you must flee, the
|
||
|
|
decree is gone forth, so that God will not be entreated to take away
|
||
|
|
his wrath, no, not if <I>Noah, Daniel, and Job, stood before him. Let
|
||
|
|
it suffice thee, speak no more of that matter,</I> but labour to make
|
||
|
|
the best of that which is; and when you cannot in faith pray that you
|
||
|
|
may not be forced to flee, yet pray that the circumstances of it may be
|
||
|
|
graciously ordered, that, though the cup may not pass from you, yet the
|
||
|
|
extremity of the judgment may be prevented. Note, God has the disposing
|
||
|
|
of the circumstances of events, which sometimes make a great alteration
|
||
|
|
one way or other; and therefore in those our eyes must be ever toward
|
||
|
|
him. Christ's bidding them pray for this favour, intimates his purpose
|
||
|
|
of granting it to them; and in a general calamity we must not overlook
|
||
|
|
a circumstantial kindness, but see and own wherein it might have been
|
||
|
|
worse. Christ still bids his disciples to pray for themselves and their
|
||
|
|
friends, that, whenever they were forced to flee, it might be in the
|
||
|
|
most convenient time. Note, When trouble is in prospect, at a great
|
||
|
|
distance, it is good to lay in a stock of prayers beforehand; they must
|
||
|
|
pray, <I>First, That their flight,</I> if it were the will of God,
|
||
|
|
<I>might not be in the winter,</I> when the days are short, the weather
|
||
|
|
cold, the ways dirty, and therefore travelling very uncomfortable,
|
||
|
|
especially for whole families. Paul hastens Timothy to come to him
|
||
|
|
before winter,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:21">2 Tim. iv. 21</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Note, Though the ease of the body is not to be <I>mainly</I> consulted,
|
||
|
|
it ought to be <I>duly</I> considered; though we must take what God
|
||
|
|
sends, and when he sends it, yet we may pray against bodily
|
||
|
|
inconveniences, and are encouraged to do so, in that <I>the Lord is for
|
||
|
|
the body. Secondly,</I> That it might not be <I>on the sabbath day;</I>
|
||
|
|
not on the Jewish sabbath, because travelling then would give offence
|
||
|
|
to them who were angry with the disciples for plucking the ears of corn
|
||
|
|
on the day; not on the Christian sabbath, because being forced to
|
||
|
|
travel on the day would be a grief to themselves. This intimates
|
||
|
|
Christ's design, that a weekly sabbath should be observed in his church
|
||
|
|
after the preaching of the gospel to all the world. We read not of any
|
||
|
|
of the ordinances of the Jewish church, which were purely ceremonial,
|
||
|
|
that Christ ever expressed any care about, because they were all to
|
||
|
|
vanish; but for the sabbath he often showed a concern. It intimates
|
||
|
|
likewise that the sabbath is ordinarily to be observed as a day of rest
|
||
|
|
from travel and worldly labour; but that, according to his own
|
||
|
|
explication of the fourth commandment, works of necessity were lawful
|
||
|
|
on the sabbath day, as this of fleeing from an enemy to save our lives:
|
||
|
|
had it not been lawful, he would have said, "Whatever becomes of you,
|
||
|
|
do not flee on the sabbath day, but abide by it, though you die by it."
|
||
|
|
For we must not commit the least sin, to escape the greatest trouble.
|
||
|
|
But it intimates, likewise, that it is very uneasy and uncomfortable to
|
||
|
|
a good man, to be taken off by any work of necessity from the solemn
|
||
|
|
service and worship of God on the sabbath day. We should pray that we
|
||
|
|
may have quiet undisturbed sabbaths, and may have no other work than
|
||
|
|
sabbath work to do on sabbath days; that we may attend upon the Lord
|
||
|
|
without distraction. It was desirable, that, if they must flee, they
|
||
|
|
might have the benefit and comfort of one sabbath more to help to bear
|
||
|
|
their charges. To flee in the winter is uncomfortable to the body; but
|
||
|
|
to flee on the sabbath day is so to the soul, and the more so when it
|
||
|
|
remembers former sabbaths, as
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+42:4">Ps. xlii. 4</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. The greatness of the troubles which should immediately ensue
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Then shall be great tribulation;</I> then when the measure of
|
||
|
|
iniquity is full; then when the servants of God are sealed and secured,
|
||
|
|
then come the troubles; nothing can be done against Sodom till Lot is
|
||
|
|
entered into Zoar, and then look for fire and brimstone immediately.
|
||
|
|
<I>There shall be great tribulation.</I> Great, indeed, when within the
|
||
|
|
city plague and famine raged, and (worse than either) faction and
|
||
|
|
division, so that every man's sword was against his fellow; then and
|
||
|
|
there it was that the hands of the pitiful women flayed their own
|
||
|
|
children. Without the city was the Roman army ready to swallow them up,
|
||
|
|
with a particular rage against them, not only as Jews, but as
|
||
|
|
rebellious Jews. War was the only one of the three sore judgments that
|
||
|
|
David excepted against; but that was it by which the Jews were ruined;
|
||
|
|
and there were famine and pestilence in extremity besides. Josephus's
|
||
|
|
<I>History of the Wars of the Jews,</I> has in it more tragical
|
||
|
|
passages than perhaps any history whatsoever.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) It was a desolation unparalleled, such as <I>was not since the
|
||
|
|
beginning of the world, nor ever shall be.</I> Many a city and kingdom
|
||
|
|
has been made desolate, but never any with a desolation like this. Let
|
||
|
|
not daring sinners think that God has done his worst, he can heat the
|
||
|
|
furnace seven times and yet seven times hotter, and will, when he sees
|
||
|
|
greater and still greater abominations. The Romans, when they destroyed
|
||
|
|
Jerusalem, were degenerated from the honour and virtue of their
|
||
|
|
ancestors, which had made even their victories easy to the vanquished.
|
||
|
|
And the wilfulness and obstinacy of the Jews themselves contributed
|
||
|
|
much to the increase of the tribulation. No wonder that the ruin of
|
||
|
|
Jerusalem was an unparalleled ruin, when the sin of Jerusalem was an
|
||
|
|
unparalleled sin--even their crucifying Christ. The nearer any people
|
||
|
|
are to God in profession and privileges, the greater and heavier will
|
||
|
|
his judgments be upon them, if they abuse those privileges, and be
|
||
|
|
false to that profession,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Am+3:2">Amos iii. 2</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) It was a desolation which, if it should continue long, would be
|
||
|
|
intolerable, so that <I>no flesh should be saved,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:22">
|
||
|
|
<I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
So triumphantly would death ride, in so many dismal shapes, and with
|
||
|
|
such attendants, that there would be no escaping, but, first or last,
|
||
|
|
all would be cut off. He that escaped one sword, would fall by another,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+24:17,18">Isa. xxiv. 17, 18</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The computation which Josephus makes of those that were slain in
|
||
|
|
several places, amounts to above two millions. <I>No flesh shall be
|
||
|
|
saved;</I> he doth not say, "No <I>soul</I> shall be saved," for the
|
||
|
|
destruction of the flesh may be for <I>the saving of the spirit in the
|
||
|
|
day of the Lord Jesus;</I> but temporal lives will be sacrificed so
|
||
|
|
profusely, that one would think, if it last awhile, it would make a
|
||
|
|
full end.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
But here is one word of comfort in the midst of all this terror--that
|
||
|
|
<I>for the elects' sake these days shall be shortened,</I> not made
|
||
|
|
shorter than what God had determined (for <I>that which is determined,
|
||
|
|
shall be poured upon the desolate,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+9:27">Dan. ix. 27</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but shorter than what he might have decreed, if he had dealt with them
|
||
|
|
according to their sins; shorter than what the enemy designed, who
|
||
|
|
would have cut all off, if God who made use of them to serve his own
|
||
|
|
purpose, had not set bounds to their wrath; shorter than one who judged
|
||
|
|
by human probabilities would have imagined. Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] In times of common calamity God manifests his favour to the elect
|
||
|
|
remnant; his jewels, which he will then make up; his peculiar treasure,
|
||
|
|
which he will secure when the lumber is abandoned to the spoiler.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] The shortening of calamities is a kindness God often grants for
|
||
|
|
the elects' sake. Instead of complaining that our afflictions last so
|
||
|
|
long, if we consider our defects, we shall see reason to be thankful
|
||
|
|
that they do not last always; when it is bad with us, it becomes us to
|
||
|
|
say, "Blessed be God that it is no worse; blessed be God that it is not
|
||
|
|
hell, endless and remediless misery." It was a lamenting church that
|
||
|
|
said, <I>It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed;</I> and
|
||
|
|
it is for the sake of the elect, lest their spirit should fail before
|
||
|
|
them, if he should contend for ever, and lest they should be tempted to
|
||
|
|
put forth, if not their heart, yet their hand, to iniquity.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
And now comes in the repeated caution, which was opened before, to take
|
||
|
|
heed of being ensnared by false Christs, and false prophets;
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
&c.), who would promise them deliverance, as the lying prophets in
|
||
|
|
Jeremiah's time
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+14:13,23:16,17,27:16,28:2">Jer. xiv. 13;
|
||
|
|
xxiii. 16, 17; xxvii. 16; xxviii. 2</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but would delude them. Times of great trouble are times of great
|
||
|
|
temptation, and therefore we have need to double our guard then. If
|
||
|
|
they shall say, <I>Here is a Christ, or there is one,</I> that shall
|
||
|
|
deliver us from the Romans, do not heed them, it is all but talk; such
|
||
|
|
a deliverance is not to be expected, and therefore not such a
|
||
|
|
deliverer.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
VII. He foretels the sudden spreading of the gospel in the world, about
|
||
|
|
the time of these great events
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:27,28"><I>v.</I> 27, 28</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>As the lightning comes out of the east, so shall the coming of the
|
||
|
|
Son of man be.</I> It comes in here as an antidote against the poison
|
||
|
|
of those seducers, that said, <I>Lo, here is Christ,</I> or, <I>Lo, he
|
||
|
|
is there;</I> compare
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+17:23,24">Luke xvii. 23, 24</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Hearken not to them, for the coming of the Son of man will be as the
|
||
|
|
lightning.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. It seems primarily to be meant of his coming to set up his spiritual
|
||
|
|
kingdom in the world; where the gospel came in its light and power,
|
||
|
|
there the Son of man came, and in a way quite contrary to the fashion
|
||
|
|
of the seducers and false Christs, who came creeping <I>in the
|
||
|
|
desert,</I> or the <I>secret chambers</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:6">2 Tim. iii. 6</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
whereas Christ comes not with such a <I>spirit of fear,</I> but <I>of
|
||
|
|
power, and of love, and of a sound mind.</I> The gospel would be
|
||
|
|
remarkable for two things.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Its swift spreading; it shall fly as the lightning; so shall the
|
||
|
|
gospel be preached and propagated. The gospel is light
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+3:19">John iii. 19</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and it is not in this as the lightning, that it is a sudden flash, and
|
||
|
|
away, for it is sun-light, and day-light; but it is as lightning in
|
||
|
|
these respects:</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] It is light from heaven, as the lightning. It is God, and not man,
|
||
|
|
that sends the lightnings, and summons them, that they may go, and say,
|
||
|
|
<I>Here we are,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+38:35">Job xxxviii. 35</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
It is God that directs it
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+37:3">Job xxxvii. 3</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
to man it is one of nature's miracles, above his power to effect, and
|
||
|
|
of nature's mysteries, above his skill to account for: but it is from
|
||
|
|
above; <I>his lightnings enlightened the world,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+97:4">Ps. xcvii. 4</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] It is visible and conspicuous as the lightning. The seducers
|
||
|
|
carried on their depths of Satan in the desert and the secret chambers,
|
||
|
|
shunning the light; heretics were called
|
||
|
|
<I>lucifugæ--light-shunners.</I> But truth seeks no corners,
|
||
|
|
however it may sometimes be forced into them, as the <I>woman in the
|
||
|
|
wilderness,</I> though <I>clothed with the sun,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+12:1,6">Rev. xii. 1, 6</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Christ preached his gospel openly
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+18:20">John xviii. 20</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and his apostles on <I>the housetop</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+10:27"><I>ch.</I> x. 27</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
not <I>in a corner,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+26:26">Acts xxvi. 26</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+98:2">Ps. xcviii. 2</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] It was sudden and surprising to the world as the lightning; the
|
||
|
|
Jews indeed had predictions of it, but to the Gentiles it was
|
||
|
|
altogether unlooked for, and came upon them with unaccountable energy,
|
||
|
|
or ever they were aware. It was <I>light out of darkness,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+4:16,2Co+4:6"><I>ch.</I> iv. 16; 2 Cor. iv. 6</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We read of the discomfiting of armies by lightning,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+22:15,Ps+144:6">2 Sam. xxii. 15; Ps. cxliv. 6</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The powers of darkness were dispersed and vanquished by the gospel
|
||
|
|
lightning.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[4.] It spread far and wide, and that quickly and irresistibly, like
|
||
|
|
the lightning, which comes, suppose, out of the east (Christ is said to
|
||
|
|
ascend <I>from the east,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+7:2,Isa+41:2">Rev. vii. 2; Isa. xli. 2</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and lighteneth to the west. The propagating of Christianity to so many
|
||
|
|
distant countries, of divers languages, by such unlikely instruments,
|
||
|
|
destitute of all secular advantages, and in the face of so much
|
||
|
|
opposition, and this in so short a time, was one of the greatest
|
||
|
|
miracles that was ever wrought for the confirmation of it; here was
|
||
|
|
Christ upon his white horse, denoting speed as well as strength, and
|
||
|
|
<I>going on conquering and to conquer,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+6:2">Rev. vi. 2</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Gospel light rose with the sun, and went with the same, so that the
|
||
|
|
beams of it reached to the ends of the earth,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+10:18">Rom. x. 18</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Compare with
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+19:3,4">Ps. xix. 3, 4</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Though it was fought against, it could never be cooped up
|
||
|
|
in a desert, or in a secret place, as the seducers were; but by this,
|
||
|
|
according to Gamaliel's rule, proved itself to be <I>of God,</I> that
|
||
|
|
it <I>could not be overthrown,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+5:38,39">Acts v. 38, 39</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Christ speaks of <I>shining into the west,</I> because it spread most
|
||
|
|
effectually into those countries which lay west from Jerusalem, as Mr.
|
||
|
|
Herbert observes in his <I>Church-militant.</I> How soon did the gospel
|
||
|
|
lightning reach this island of Great Britain! Tertullian, who wrote in
|
||
|
|
the second century, takes notice of it, <I>Britannorum in accessa
|
||
|
|
Romanis loca, Christo tamen subdita--The fastnesses of Britain, though
|
||
|
|
inaccessible to the Romans, were occupied by Jesus Christ.</I> This was
|
||
|
|
the Lord's doing.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Another thing remarkable concerning the gospel, was, its strange
|
||
|
|
success in those places to which is was spread; it gathered in
|
||
|
|
multitudes, not by external compulsion, but as it were by such a
|
||
|
|
natural instinct and inclination, as brings the birds of prey to their
|
||
|
|
prey; for <I>wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be
|
||
|
|
gathered together</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
where Christ is preached, souls will be gathered in to him. The
|
||
|
|
<I>lifting up of Christ from the earth,</I> that is, the preaching of
|
||
|
|
Christ crucified, which, one would think, should drive all men from
|
||
|
|
him, will <I>draw all men to him</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+12:32">John xii. 32</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
according to Jacob's prophecy, that <I>to him shall the gathering of
|
||
|
|
the people be,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+49:10">Gen. xlix. 10</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+60:8">Isa. lx. 8</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The eagles will be where the carcase is, for it is food for them, it is
|
||
|
|
a feast for them; <I>where the slain are, there is she,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+39:30">Job xxxix. 30</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Eagles are said to have a strange sagacity and quickness of scent to
|
||
|
|
find out the prey, and they fly swiftly to it,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+9:26">Job ix. 26</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
So those whose spirits God shall stir up, will be effectually drawn to
|
||
|
|
Jesus Christ, to feed upon him; whither should the eagle go but to the
|
||
|
|
prey? Whither should the soul go but to Jesus Christ, who <I>has the
|
||
|
|
words of eternal life?</I> The eagles will distinguish what is proper
|
||
|
|
for them from that which is not; so those who have spiritual senses
|
||
|
|
exercised, will know the voice of the good Shepherd from that of a
|
||
|
|
thief and a robber. Saints will be where the true Christ is, not the
|
||
|
|
false Christs. This is applicable to the desires that are wrought in
|
||
|
|
every gracious soul after Christ, and communion with him. Where he is
|
||
|
|
in his ordinances, there will his servants choose to be. A living
|
||
|
|
principle of grace is a kind of natural instinct in all the saints,
|
||
|
|
drawing them to Christ to live upon him.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Some understand
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:29-31">these verses</A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
of the coming of the Son of man <I>to destroy Jerusalem,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+3:1,2,5">Mal. iii. 1, 2, 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
So much was there of an extraordinary display of divine power and
|
||
|
|
justice in that event, that it is called <I>the coming of
|
||
|
|
Christ.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now here are two things intimated concerning it.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) That to the most it would be as unexpected as a flash of
|
||
|
|
lightning, which indeed gives warning of the clap of thunder which
|
||
|
|
follows, but is itself surprising. The seducers say, <I>Lo, here is
|
||
|
|
Christ</I> to deliver us; or there is one, a creature of their own
|
||
|
|
fancies; but ere they are aware, the wrath of the Lamb, the true
|
||
|
|
Christ, will arrest them, and they shall not escape.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) That it might be as justly expected as that the eagle should fly
|
||
|
|
to the carcases; though they put far from them the evil day, yet the
|
||
|
|
desolation will come as certainly as the birds of prey to a dead
|
||
|
|
carcase, that lies exposed in the open field.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] The Jews were so corrupt and degenerate, so vile and vicious, that
|
||
|
|
they were become a carcase, obnoxious to the righteous judgment of God;
|
||
|
|
they were also so factious and seditious, and every way so provoking to
|
||
|
|
the Romans, that they had made themselves obnoxious to their
|
||
|
|
resentments, and an inviting prey to them.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] The Romans were as an eagle, and the ensign of their armies was an
|
||
|
|
eagle. The army of the Chaldeans is said <I>to fly as the eagle that
|
||
|
|
hasteth to eat,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Hab+1:8">Hab. i. 8</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The ruin of the New-Testament Babylon is represented by a call to the
|
||
|
|
birds of prey to come and feast upon the slain,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+19:17,18">Rev. xix. 17, 18</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Notorious malefactors have their eyes eaten out by <I>the young
|
||
|
|
eagles</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+30:17">Prov. xxx. 17</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
the Jews were hung up in chains,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+7:33,16:4">Jer. vii. 33; xvi. 4</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] The Jews can no more preserve themselves from the Romans than the
|
||
|
|
carcase can secure itself from the eagles.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[4.] The destruction shall find out the Jews wherever they are, as the
|
||
|
|
eagle scents the prey. Note, When a people do by their sin make
|
||
|
|
themselves carcases, putrid and loathsome, nothing can be expected but
|
||
|
|
that God should send eagles among them, to devour and destroy them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. It is very applicable to the day of judgment, the coming of our Lord
|
||
|
|
Jesus Christ in that day, and <I>our gathering together unto him,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:1">2 Thess. ii. 1</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now see here,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) How he shall come; <I>as the lightning,</I> The time was now at
|
||
|
|
hand, when he should <I>depart out of the world, to go to the
|
||
|
|
Father.</I> Therefore those that enquire after Christ must not go into
|
||
|
|
the desert or the secret place, nor listen to every one that will put
|
||
|
|
up the finger to invite them to a sight of Christ; but let them look
|
||
|
|
upward, for the heavens must contain him, and thence <I>we look for the
|
||
|
|
Saviour</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:20">Phil. iii. 20</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
he shall <I>come in the clouds,</I> as the lightning doth, and <I>every
|
||
|
|
eye shall see him,</I> as they say it is natural for all living
|
||
|
|
creatures to turn their faces towards the lightning,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+1:7">Rev. i. 7</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Christ will appear to all the world, from one end of heaven to the
|
||
|
|
other; nor shall any thing be hid from the light and heat of that
|
||
|
|
day.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) How the saints shall be gathered to him; as the eagles are to the
|
||
|
|
carcase by natural instinct, and with the greatest swiftness and
|
||
|
|
alacrity imaginable. Saints, when they shall be fetched to glory, will
|
||
|
|
be carried as on eagles' wings
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+19:4">Exod. xix. 4</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
as on angels' wings. <I>They shall mount up with wings, like
|
||
|
|
eagles,</I> and like them renew their youth.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
VIII. He foretels his second coming at the <I>end of time,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:29-31"><I>v.</I> 29-31</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>The sun shall be darkened,</I> &c.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Some think this is to be understood only of the destruction of
|
||
|
|
Jerusalem and the Jewish nation; the darkening of the sun, moon, and
|
||
|
|
stars, denotes the eclipse of the glory of that state, its convulsions,
|
||
|
|
and the general confusion that attended that desolation. Great
|
||
|
|
slaughter and devastation are in the Old Testament thus set forth (as
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+13:10,34:4,Eze+32:7,Joe+2:31">Isa. xiii. 10; xxxiv. 4;
|
||
|
|
Ezek. xxxii. 7; Joel ii. 31</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
or by the sun, moon, and stars, may be meant the temple, Jerusalem, and
|
||
|
|
the cities of Judah, which should all come to ruin. The <I>sign of the
|
||
|
|
Son of man</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
means a signal appearance of the power and justice of the Lord Jesus in
|
||
|
|
it, avenging his own blood on them that imprecated the guilt of it upon
|
||
|
|
themselves and their children; and the gathering <I>of his elect</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
signifies the delivering of a remnant from this sin and ruin.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. It seems rather to refer to Christ's second coming. The destruction
|
||
|
|
of the particular enemies of the church was typical of the complete
|
||
|
|
conquest of them all; and therefore what will be done really at the
|
||
|
|
great day, may be applied metaphorically to those destructions: but
|
||
|
|
still we must attend to the principal scope of them; and while we are
|
||
|
|
all agreed to expect Christ's second coming, what need is there to put
|
||
|
|
such strained constructions as some do, upon
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:29-31">these verses</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
which speak of it so clearly, and so agreeably to other scriptures,
|
||
|
|
especially when Christ is here answering an enquiry concerning his
|
||
|
|
coming at the end of the world, which Christ was never shy of speaking
|
||
|
|
of to his disciples?</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The only objection against this, is, that it is said to be
|
||
|
|
<I>immediately after the tribulation of those days;</I> but as to that,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) It is usual in the prophetical style to speak of things great and
|
||
|
|
certain as near and just at hand, only to express the greatness and
|
||
|
|
certainty of them. Enoch spoke of Christ's second coming as within ken,
|
||
|
|
<I>Behold, the Lord cometh,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jude+1:14">Jude 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) <I>A thousand years are</I> in God's sight <I>but as one day,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+3:8">2 Pet. iii. 8</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
It is there urged, with reference to this very thing, and so it might
|
||
|
|
be said to be immediately after. The tribulation of those days includes
|
||
|
|
not only the destruction of Jerusalem, but all the other tribulations
|
||
|
|
which the church must pass through; not only its share in the
|
||
|
|
calamities of the nations, but the tribulations peculiar to itself;
|
||
|
|
while the nations are torn with wars, and the church with schisms,
|
||
|
|
delusions, and persecutions, we cannot say that the tribulation of
|
||
|
|
those days is over; the whole state of the church on earth is militant,
|
||
|
|
we must count upon that; but when the church's tribulation is over, her
|
||
|
|
warfare accomplished, and what is behind of the sufferings of Christ
|
||
|
|
filled up, then look for the end.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now concerning Christ's second coming, it is here foretold,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] That there shall be then a great and amazing change of the
|
||
|
|
creatures, and particularly the <I>heavenly bodies</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>).
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>The sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her
|
||
|
|
light.</I> The moon shines with a borrowed light, and therefore if the
|
||
|
|
sun, from whom she borrows her light, is turned into darkness, she must
|
||
|
|
fail of course, and become bankrupt. <I>The stars shall fall;</I> they
|
||
|
|
shall lose their light, and disappear, and be as if they were fallen;
|
||
|
|
and <I>the powers of heaven shall be shaken.</I> This intimates,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>First,</I> That there shall be a great change, in order to the
|
||
|
|
making of all things new. Then shall be <I>the restitution of all
|
||
|
|
things,</I> when the heavens shall not be cast away as a rag, but
|
||
|
|
<I>changed as a vesture,</I> to be worn in a better fashion,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+102:26">Ps. cii. 26</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
They shall <I>pass away with a great noise,</I> that there may be
|
||
|
|
<I>new heavens,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+3:10-13">2 Pet. iii. 10-13</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> It shall be a visible change, and such as all the
|
||
|
|
world must take notice of; for such the darkening of the sun and moon
|
||
|
|
cannot but be: and it would be an amazing change; for the heavenly
|
||
|
|
bodies are not so liable to alteration as the creatures of this lower
|
||
|
|
world are. The days of heaven, and the continuance of the sun and moon,
|
||
|
|
are used to express that which is lasting and unchangeable (As
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+89:29,Ps+36:37">
|
||
|
|
Ps. lxxxix. 29; xxxvi. 37</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
yet they shall thus be shaken.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Thirdly,</I> It shall be a universal change. If the sun be turned
|
||
|
|
into darkness, and the powers of heaven be shaken, the earth cannot but
|
||
|
|
be turned into a dungeon, and its foundation made to tremble. <I>Howl,
|
||
|
|
fir trees, if the cedars be shaken.</I> When the stars of heaven drop,
|
||
|
|
no marvel if the <I>everlasting mountains melt,</I> and the
|
||
|
|
<I>perpetual hills bow.</I> Nature shall sustain a general shock and
|
||
|
|
convulsion, which yet shall be no hindrance to the joy and rejoicing of
|
||
|
|
heaven and earth <I>before the Lord, when he cometh to judge the
|
||
|
|
world</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+96:11,13">Ps. xcvi. 11, 13</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
they shall as it were <I>glory in the tribulation.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Fourthly,</I> The darkening of the sun, moon, and stars, which were
|
||
|
|
<I>made to rule over the day, and over the night</I> (which is the
|
||
|
|
first dominion we find of any creature,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+1:16-18">Gen. i. 16-18</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
signifies the <I>putting down of all rule, authority, and power</I>
|
||
|
|
(even that which seems of the greatest antiquity and usefulness),
|
||
|
|
<I>that the kingdom may be delivered up to God, even the Father,</I>
|
||
|
|
and he may be <I>All in all,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+15:24,28">1 Cor. xv. 24, 28</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The sun was darkened at the death of Christ, for then was in one sense
|
||
|
|
<I>the judgment of this world</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+12:31">John xii. 31</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
an indication of what would be at the general judgment.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Fifthly,</I> The glorious appearance of our Lord Jesus, who will
|
||
|
|
then show himself as the <I>Brightness of his Father's glory, and the
|
||
|
|
express Image of his person,</I> will darken the sun and moon, as a
|
||
|
|
candle is darkened in the beams of the noon-day sun; they will have no
|
||
|
|
glory, <I>by reason of the glory that excelleth,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+3:10">2 Cor. iii. 10</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Then <I>the sun shall be ashamed, and the moon confounded,</I> when God
|
||
|
|
shall appear,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+24:23">Isa. xxiv. 23</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Sixthly,</I> The sun and moon shall be then darkened, because there
|
||
|
|
will be no more occasion for them. To sinners, that choose their
|
||
|
|
portion in this life, all comfort will be eternally denied; as they
|
||
|
|
shall not have a drop of water, so not a ray of light. Now God causeth
|
||
|
|
his sun to rise on the earth, but then <I>Interdico tib sole et luna--I
|
||
|
|
forbid thee the light of the sun and the moon.</I> Darkness must be
|
||
|
|
their portion. To the saints that had their treasure above, such light
|
||
|
|
of joy and comfort will be given as shall supersede that of the sun and
|
||
|
|
moon, and render it useless. What need is there of vessels of light,
|
||
|
|
when we come to <I>the Fountain and Father of light</I>? See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+60:19,Re+22:5">Isa. lx. 19; Rev. xxii. 5</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] That <I>then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
the Son of man himself, as it follows here, <I>They shall see the Son
|
||
|
|
of man coming in the clouds.</I> At his first coming, he was <I>set for
|
||
|
|
a Sign that should be spoken against</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:34">Luke ii. 34</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but at his second coming, a sign that should be admired. Ezekiel was
|
||
|
|
<I>a son of man set for a sign,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+12:6">Ezek. xii. 6</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Some make this a prediction of the harbingers and forerunners of his
|
||
|
|
coming, giving notice of his approach; <I>a light shining before him,
|
||
|
|
and the fire devouring</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+50:3,1Ki+19:11,12">Ps. l. 3; 1 Kings xix. 11, 12</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>the beams coming out of his hand, where had long been the hiding of
|
||
|
|
his power,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Hab+3:4">Hab. iii. 4</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
It is a groundless conceit of some of the ancients, that this sign of
|
||
|
|
the Son of man, will be the sign of the cross displayed as a banner. It
|
||
|
|
will certainly be such a clear convincing sign as will dash infidelity
|
||
|
|
quite out of countenance, and fill their faces with shame, who said,
|
||
|
|
<I>Where is the promise of his coming?</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] That <I>then all the tribes of the earth shall mourn,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+1:7">Rev. i. 7</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>All the kindreds of the earth shall then wail because of him;</I>
|
||
|
|
some of all the tribes and kindreds of the earth shall mourn; for the
|
||
|
|
greater part will tremble at his approach, while the chosen remnant,
|
||
|
|
one of a family and two of a tribe, shall lift up their heads with joy,
|
||
|
|
knowing that their redemption draws nigh, and their Redeemer. Note,
|
||
|
|
Sooner or later, all sinners will be mourners; penitent sinners look to
|
||
|
|
Christ, and mourn after a godly sort; and they who sow in those tears,
|
||
|
|
shall shortly reap in joy; impenitent sinners <I>shall look unto him
|
||
|
|
whom they have pierced,</I> and, though they laugh now, shall mourn and
|
||
|
|
weep after a devilish sort, in endless horror and despair.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[4.] That <I>then they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of
|
||
|
|
heaven, with power and great glory.</I> Note, <I>First,</I> The
|
||
|
|
judgment of the great day will be committed to the Son of man, both in
|
||
|
|
pursuance and in recompence of his great undertaking for us as
|
||
|
|
Mediator,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+5:22,27">John v. 22, 27</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> The Son of man will at that day come in the clouds of
|
||
|
|
heaven. Much of the sensible intercourse between heaven and earth is by
|
||
|
|
the clouds; they are betwixt them, as it were, the <I>medium
|
||
|
|
participationis--the medium of participation,</I> drawn by heaven from
|
||
|
|
the earth, distilled by heaven upon the earth. Christ went to heaven
|
||
|
|
in a cloud, and <I>will in like manner come again,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+1:9,11">Acts i. 9, 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Behold, he cometh in the clouds,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+1:7">Rev. i. 7</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
A cloud will be the Judge's chariot
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+104:3">Ps. civ. 3</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
his robe
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+10:1">Rev. x. 1</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
his pavilion
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+18:11">Ps. xviii. 11</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
his throne,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+14:14">Rev. xiv. 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
When the world was destroyed by water, the judgment came in the clouds
|
||
|
|
of heaven, for the windows of heaven were opened; so shall it be when
|
||
|
|
it shall be destroyed by fire. Christ went before Israel in a cloud,
|
||
|
|
which had a bright side and a dark side; so will the cloud have in
|
||
|
|
which Christ will come at the great day, it will bring both comfort and
|
||
|
|
terror. <I>Thirdly,</I> He will <I>come with power and great
|
||
|
|
glory:</I> his first coming was in weakness and great meanness
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+13:4">2 Cor. xiii. 4</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but his second coming will be with power and glory, agreeable both to
|
||
|
|
the dignity of his person and to the purposes of his coming.
|
||
|
|
<I>Fourthly,</I> He will be seen with bodily eyes in his coming:
|
||
|
|
<I>therefore</I> the Son of man will be the Judge, that he may be seen,
|
||
|
|
that sinners thereby may be the more confounded, who shall see him as
|
||
|
|
Balaam did, <I>but not nigh</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+24:17">Num. xxiv. 17</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
see him, but not as theirs. It added to the torment of that damned
|
||
|
|
sinner, that <I>he saw Abraham afar off.</I> "Is this he whom we have
|
||
|
|
slighted, and rejected, and rebelled against; whom we have crucified to
|
||
|
|
ourselves afresh; who might have been our Saviour, but is our Judge,
|
||
|
|
and will be our enemy for ever?" <I>The Desire of all nations</I> will
|
||
|
|
then be their dread.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[5.] That <I>he shall send his angels with a great sound of a
|
||
|
|
trumpet,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Note, <I>First,</I> The angels shall be attendants upon Christ at his
|
||
|
|
second coming; they are called <I>his</I> angels, which proves him to
|
||
|
|
be God, and Lord of the angels; they shall be obliged to wait upon him.
|
||
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> These attendants shall be employed by him as officers
|
||
|
|
of the court in the judgment of that day; they are now ministering
|
||
|
|
spirits sent forth by him
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+1:14">Heb. i. 14</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and will be so then. <I>Thirdly,</I> Their ministration will be ushered
|
||
|
|
in with a great sound of a trumpet, to awaken and alarm a sleeping
|
||
|
|
world. This trumpet is spoken of,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+15:52,1Th+4:16">1 Cor. xv. 52, and 1 Thess. iv. 16</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
At the giving of the law on mount Sinai, the sound of the trumpet was
|
||
|
|
remarkably terrible
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+19:13,16">Exod. xix. 13, 16</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but much more will it be so in the great day. By the law, trumpets
|
||
|
|
were to be sounded for the calling of assemblies
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=nu+10:2">Num. x. 2</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
in praising God
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+81:3">Ps. lxxxi. 3</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
in offering sacrifices
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+10:10">Num. x. 10</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and in proclaiming the year of jubilee,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+25:9">Lev. xxv. 9</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Very fitly therefore shall there be the sound of a trumpet at the last
|
||
|
|
day, when the general assembly shall be called, when the praises of God
|
||
|
|
shall be gloriously celebrated, when sinners shall fall as sacrifices
|
||
|
|
to divine justice, and when the saints shall enter upon their eternal
|
||
|
|
jubilee.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[6.] That <I>they shall gather together his elect from the four
|
||
|
|
winds.</I> Note, At the second coming of Jesus Christ, there will be a
|
||
|
|
general meeting of all the saints. <I>First,</I> The <I>elect</I> only
|
||
|
|
will be gathered, the chosen remnant, who are but few in comparison
|
||
|
|
with the many that are only <I>called.</I> This is the foundation of
|
||
|
|
the saints' eternal happiness, that they are God's elect. The gifts of
|
||
|
|
love to eternity follow the thought of love from eternity; and <I>the
|
||
|
|
Lord knows them that are his. Secondly,</I> The angels shall be
|
||
|
|
employed to bring them together, as Christ's servants, and as the
|
||
|
|
saints' friends; we have the commission given them,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+50:5">Ps. l. 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Gather my saints together unto me;</I> nay, it will be said to them,
|
||
|
|
<I>Habetis fratres--These are your brethren;</I> for the elect will
|
||
|
|
then <I>be equal to the angels,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+20:36">Luke xx. 36</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Thirdly,</I> They <I>shall be gathered from one end of heaven to the
|
||
|
|
other;</I> the elect of God are scattered abroad
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+11:52">John xi. 52</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
there are some in all places, in all nations
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+7:9">Rev. vii. 9</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but when that great gathering day comes, there shall not one of them be
|
||
|
|
missing; distance of place shall keep none out of heaven, if distance
|
||
|
|
of affection do not. <I>Undique ad cœlos tantundem est
|
||
|
|
viæ--Heaven is equally accessible from every place.</I> See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:11,Isa+43:6,49:12"><I>ch.</I> viii. 11;
|
||
|
|
Isa. xliii. 6; xlix. 12</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt24_32"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt24_33"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt24_34"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt24_35"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt24_36"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt24_37"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt24_38"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt24_39"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt24_40"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt24_41"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt24_42"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt24_43"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt24_44"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt24_45"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt24_46"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt24_47"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt24_48"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt24_49"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt24_50"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt24_51"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Parable of the Fig-Tree; Awful Predictions; The Duty of Watchfulness; The Good and Evil Steward.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet
|
||
|
|
tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer <I>is</I> nigh:
|
||
|
|
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know
|
||
|
|
that it is near, <I>even</I> at the doors.
|
||
|
|
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till
|
||
|
|
all these things be fulfilled.
|
||
|
|
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not
|
||
|
|
pass away.
|
||
|
|
36 But of that day and hour knoweth no <I>man,</I> no, not the
|
||
|
|
angels of heaven, but my Father only.
|
||
|
|
37 But as the days of Noe <I>were,</I> so shall also the coming of
|
||
|
|
the Son of man be.
|
||
|
|
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were
|
||
|
|
eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the
|
||
|
|
day that Noe entered into the ark,
|
||
|
|
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away;
|
||
|
|
so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
|
||
|
|
40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and
|
||
|
|
the other left.
|
||
|
|
41 Two <I>women shall be</I> grinding at the mill; the one shall be
|
||
|
|
taken, and the other left.
|
||
|
|
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth
|
||
|
|
come.
|
||
|
|
43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in
|
||
|
|
what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would
|
||
|
|
not have suffered his house to be broken up.
|
||
|
|
44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think
|
||
|
|
not the Son of man cometh.
|
||
|
|
45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath
|
||
|
|
made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
|
||
|
|
46 Blessed <I>is</I> that servant, whom his lord when he cometh
|
||
|
|
shall find so doing.
|
||
|
|
47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all
|
||
|
|
his goods.
|
||
|
|
48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord
|
||
|
|
delayeth his coming;
|
||
|
|
49 And shall begin to smite <I>his</I> fellow-servants, and to eat
|
||
|
|
and drink with the drunken;
|
||
|
|
50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh
|
||
|
|
not for <I>him,</I> and in an hour that he is not aware of,
|
||
|
|
51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint <I>him</I> his portion
|
||
|
|
with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of
|
||
|
|
teeth.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We have here the practical application of the foregoing prediction; in
|
||
|
|
general, we must expect and prepare for the events here foretold.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. We must expect them; "<I>Now learn a parable of the fig-tree,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:32,33"><I>v.</I> 32, 33</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now learn what use to make of the things you have heard; so observe and
|
||
|
|
understand the signs of the times, and compare them with the
|
||
|
|
predictions of the word, as from thence to foresee what is at the door,
|
||
|
|
that you may provide accordingly." The parable of the fig-tree is no
|
||
|
|
more than this, that its budding and blossoming are a presage of
|
||
|
|
summer; for as the <I>stork</I> in the heaven, so the trees of the
|
||
|
|
field, <I>know their appointed time.</I> The beginning of the working
|
||
|
|
of second causes assures us of the progress and perfection of it. Thus
|
||
|
|
when God begins to fulfil prophecies, he will make an end. There is a
|
||
|
|
certain series in the works of providence, as there is in the works of
|
||
|
|
nature. The signs of the times are compared with the prognostics of
|
||
|
|
<I>the face of the sky</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+16:3"><I>ch.</I> xvi. 3</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
so here with those of <I>the face of the earth;</I> when that is
|
||
|
|
renewed, we foresee that summer is coming, not immediately, but at some
|
||
|
|
distance; after <I>the branch grows tender,</I> we expect the March
|
||
|
|
winds, and the April showers, before the summer comes; however, we are
|
||
|
|
sure it is coming; "so likewise ye, when the gospel day shall dawn,
|
||
|
|
count upon it, that through this variety of events which I have told
|
||
|
|
you of, the perfect day will come. <I>The things revealed must shortly
|
||
|
|
come to pass</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+1:1">Rev. i. 1</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
they must come in their own order, in the order appointed for them.
|
||
|
|
<I>Know that it is near.</I>" He does not here say what, but it is that
|
||
|
|
which the hearts of his disciples are upon, and which they are
|
||
|
|
inquisitive after, and long for; <I>the kingdom of God is near,</I> so
|
||
|
|
it is expressed in the parallel place,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+21:31">Luke xxi. 31</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Note, When the trees of righteousness begin to bud and blossom, when
|
||
|
|
God's people promise faithfulness, it is a happy presage of good times.
|
||
|
|
In them God begins his work, first prepares their heart, and then he
|
||
|
|
will go on with it; for, <I>as for God, his work is perfect;</I> and he
|
||
|
|
will <I>revive it in the midst of their years.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now touching the events foretold here, which we are to expect,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Christ here assures us of the certainty of them
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Heaven and earth shall pass away;</I> they continue this day indeed,
|
||
|
|
according to God's ordinance, but they shall not continue for ever
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+102:25,26,2Pe+3:10">Ps. cii. 25, 26; 2 Pet. iii. 10</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>but my words shall not pass away.</I> Note, The word of Christ is
|
||
|
|
more sure and lasting than heaven and earth. <I>Hath he spoken? And
|
||
|
|
shall he not do it?</I> We may build with more assurance upon the word
|
||
|
|
of Christ than we can upon the pillars of heaven, or the strong
|
||
|
|
foundations of the earth; for, when they shall be made to tremble and
|
||
|
|
totter, and shall be no more, the word of Christ shall remain, and be
|
||
|
|
in full force, power, and virtue. See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+1:24,25">1 Pet. i. 24, 25</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>It is easier for heaven and earth to pass,</I> than the word of
|
||
|
|
Christ; so it is expressed,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+16:17">Luke xvi. 17</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Compare
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+54:10">Isa. liv. 10</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The accomplishment of these prophecies might seem to be delayed, and
|
||
|
|
intervening events might seem to disagree with them, but do not think
|
||
|
|
that therefore the word of Christ is fallen to the ground, for that
|
||
|
|
shall never pass away: though it be not fulfilled, either in the time
|
||
|
|
or in the way that we have prescribed; yet, in God's time, which is the
|
||
|
|
best time, and in God's way, which is the best way, it shall certainly
|
||
|
|
be fulfilled. Every word of Christ is very pure, and therefore very
|
||
|
|
sure.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He here instructs us as to the time of them,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:34,36"><I>v.</I> 34, 36</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
As to this, it is well observed by the learned Grotius, that there is a
|
||
|
|
manifest distinction made between the <B><I>tauta</I></B>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and the <B><I>ekeine</I></B>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:36"><I>v.</I> 36</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>these things,</I> and <I>that day and hour;</I> which will help to
|
||
|
|
clear this prophecy.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) As to <I>these things,</I> the wars, seductions, and persecutions,
|
||
|
|
here foretold, and especially the ruin of the Jewish nation; "<I>This
|
||
|
|
generation shall not pass away, till all these things be fulfilled</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
there are those now alive, that shall see Jerusalem destroyed, and the
|
||
|
|
Jewish church brought to an end." Because it might seem strange, he
|
||
|
|
backs it with a solemn asseveration; "<I>Verily, I say unto you.</I>
|
||
|
|
You may take my word for it, these things are at the door." Christ
|
||
|
|
often speaks of the nearness of that desolation, the more to affect
|
||
|
|
people, and quicken them to prepare for it. Note, There may be greater
|
||
|
|
trials and troubles yet before us, in our own day, than we are aware
|
||
|
|
of. They that are old, know not what sons of Anak may be reserved for
|
||
|
|
their last encounters.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) But as to <I>that day and hour</I> which will put a period to
|
||
|
|
time, <I>that knoweth no man,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:36"><I>v.</I> 36</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Therefore take heed of confounding these two, as <I>they</I> did, who,
|
||
|
|
from the words of Christ and the apostles; letters, inferred that
|
||
|
|
<I>the day of Christ was at hand,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:2">2 Thess. ii. 2</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
No, it was not; <I>this generation,</I> and many another, <I>shall
|
||
|
|
pass,</I> before <I>that day and hour</I> come. Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] There is a certain day and hour fixed for the judgment to come; it
|
||
|
|
is called <I>the day of the Lord,</I> because so unalterably fixed.
|
||
|
|
None of God's judgments are adjourned <I>sine die--without the
|
||
|
|
appointment of a certain day.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] That day and hour are a great secret.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<CENTER>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD>Prudens futuri temporis exitum
|
||
|
|
<BR>Caliginosa nocte premit Deus.
|
||
|
|
<BR>
|
||
|
|
<BR>But Heaven has wisely hid from human sight
|
||
|
|
<BR>The dark decrees of future fate,
|
||
|
|
<BR>And sown their seeds in depth of nights.--H<FONT SIZE=-1>ORACE</FONT>.</TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
</CENTER>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>No man knows it;</I> not the wisest by their sagacity, not the best
|
||
|
|
by any divine discovery. We all know that there shall be such a day;
|
||
|
|
but none knows when it shall be, no, not the angels; though their
|
||
|
|
capacities for knowledge are great, and their opportunities of knowing
|
||
|
|
this advantageous (they dwell at the fountain-head of light), and
|
||
|
|
though they are to be employed in the solemnity of that day, yet they
|
||
|
|
are not told when it shall be: none <I>knows but my Father only.</I>
|
||
|
|
This is one of those <I>secret things</I> which <I>belong to the Lord
|
||
|
|
our God.</I> The uncertainty of the time of Christ's coming, is, to
|
||
|
|
those who are watchful, <I>a savour of life unto life,</I> and makes
|
||
|
|
them more watchful; but to those who are careless, it is <I>a savour of
|
||
|
|
death unto death,</I> and makes them more careless.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. To this end we must expect these events, that we may prepare for
|
||
|
|
them; and here we have a caution against security and sensuality, which
|
||
|
|
will make it a dismal day indeed to us,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:37-41"><I>v.</I> 37-41</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
In these verses we have such an idea given us of the judgment day, as
|
||
|
|
may serve to startle and awaken us, that we may not sleep as others
|
||
|
|
do.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
It will be a surprising day, and a separating day.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. It will be a surprising day, as the deluge was to the old world,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:37-39"><I>v.</I> 37-39</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
That which he here intends to describe, is, the posture of the world at
|
||
|
|
the coming of the Son of man; besides his first coming, to save, he has
|
||
|
|
other comings to judge. He saith
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+9:39">John ix. 39</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>For judgment I am come;</I> and for judgment he will come; for all
|
||
|
|
judgment is committed to him, both that of the word, and that of the
|
||
|
|
sword.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now this here is applicable,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) To <I>temporal judgments,</I> particularly that which was now
|
||
|
|
hastening upon the nation and people of the Jews; though they had fair
|
||
|
|
warning given them of it, and there were many prodigies that were
|
||
|
|
presages of it, yet it found them secure, crying, <I>Peace and
|
||
|
|
safety,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:3">1 Thess. v. 3</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The siege was laid to Jerusalem by Titus Vespasian, when they were met
|
||
|
|
at the passover in the midst of their mirth; like the men of Laish,
|
||
|
|
they dwelt careless when the ruin arrested them,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:7,27">Judg. xviii. 7, 27</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The destruction of Babylon, both that in the Old Testament and that in
|
||
|
|
the New, comes when she saith, <I>I shall be a lady for ever,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+47:7-9,Re+18:7">Isa. xlvii. 7-9; Rev. xviii. 7</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Therefore the plagues come in a moment, in one day. Note, Men's
|
||
|
|
unbelief shall not make God's threatenings of no effect.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) To <I>the eternal judgment;</I> so the judgment of the great day
|
||
|
|
is called,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:2">Heb. vi. 2</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Though notice has been given of it from Enoch, yet, when it comes, it
|
||
|
|
will be unlooked for by the most of men; the latter days, which are
|
||
|
|
nearest to that day, will produce scoffers, that say, <I>Where is the
|
||
|
|
promise of his coming?</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+3:3,4,Lu+18:8">2 Pet. iii. 3, 4; Luke xviii. 8</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Thus it will be when the world that now is shall be destroyed by fire;
|
||
|
|
for thus it was when the old world, being overflowed by water,
|
||
|
|
perished,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+3:6,7">2 Pet. iii. 6, 7</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now Christ here shows what were the temper and posture of the old world
|
||
|
|
when the deluge came.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] They were sensual and worldly; <I>they were eating and drinking,
|
||
|
|
marrying and giving in marriage.</I> It is not said, They were killing
|
||
|
|
and stealing, and whoring and swearing (these were indeed the horrid
|
||
|
|
crimes of some of the worst of them; <I>the earth was full of
|
||
|
|
violence</I>); but they were all of them, except Noah, over head and
|
||
|
|
ears in the world, and regardless of the word of God, and this ruined
|
||
|
|
them. Note, Universal neglect of religion is a more dangerous symptom
|
||
|
|
to any people than particular instances here and there of daring
|
||
|
|
irreligion. <I>Eating and drinking</I> are necessary to the
|
||
|
|
preservation of man's life; <I>marrying and giving in marriage</I> are
|
||
|
|
necessary to the preservation of mankind; but, <I>Licitus perimus
|
||
|
|
omnes--These lawful things undo us,</I> unlawfully managed.
|
||
|
|
<I>First,</I> They were unreasonable in it, inordinate and entire in
|
||
|
|
the pursuit of the delights of sense, and the gains of the world; they
|
||
|
|
were wholly taken up with these things, <B><I>esan trogontes</I></B>--<I>they
|
||
|
|
were eating;</I> they were in these things as in their
|
||
|
|
element, as if they had their being for no other end than <I>to eat and
|
||
|
|
drink,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+56:12">Isa. lvi. 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> They were unreasonable in it; they were entire and
|
||
|
|
intent upon the world and the flesh, when the destruction was at the
|
||
|
|
door, which they had had such fair warning of. They were eating and
|
||
|
|
drinking, when they should have been repenting and praying; when God,
|
||
|
|
by the ministry of Noah, called to <I>weeping and mourning, then joy
|
||
|
|
and gladness.</I> This was to them, as it was to Israel afterwards, the
|
||
|
|
unpardonable sin
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+22:12,14">Isa. xxii. 12, 14</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
especially, because it was in defiance of those warnings by which they
|
||
|
|
should have been awakened. "<I>Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we
|
||
|
|
die;</I> if it must be a short life, let it be a merry one." The
|
||
|
|
apostle James speaks of this as the general practice of the wealthy
|
||
|
|
Jews before the destruction of Jerusalem; when they should have been
|
||
|
|
<I>weeping for the miseries that were coming upon them, they were
|
||
|
|
living in pleasure, and nourishing their hearts as in a day of
|
||
|
|
slaughter,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+5:1,5">Jam. v. 1, 5</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] They were secure and careless; <I>they knew not, until the flood
|
||
|
|
came,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:39"><I>v.</I> 39</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Knew not!</I> Surely they could not but know. Did not God, by Noah,
|
||
|
|
give them fair warning of it? Did he not call them to repentance, while
|
||
|
|
his long-suffering waited?
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+3:19,20">1 Pet. iii. 19, 20</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
But they knew not, that is, they believed not; they might have known,
|
||
|
|
but would not know. Note, What we know of <I>the things that belong to
|
||
|
|
our everlasting peace,</I> if we do not mix faith with it, and improve
|
||
|
|
it, is all one as if we did not know it at all. Their <I>not
|
||
|
|
knowing</I> is joined with their <I>eating, and drinking, and
|
||
|
|
marrying;</I> for, <I>First, Therefore</I> they were sensual, because
|
||
|
|
they were secure. Note, the reason why people are so eager in the
|
||
|
|
pursuit, and so entangled in the pleasures of this world, is, because
|
||
|
|
they do not know, and believe, and consider, the eternity which they
|
||
|
|
are upon the brink of. Did we know aright that all these things must
|
||
|
|
shortly be dissolved, and we must certainly survive them, we should not
|
||
|
|
set our eyes and hearts so much upon them as we do. <I>Secondly,
|
||
|
|
Therefore</I> they were secure, because they were sensual;
|
||
|
|
<I>therefore</I> they knew not that the flood was coming, because they
|
||
|
|
were eating and drinking; were so taken up with things seen and
|
||
|
|
present, that they had neither time nor heart to mind the things not
|
||
|
|
seen as yet, which they were warned of. Note, As security bolsters men
|
||
|
|
up in their brutal sensuality; so sensuality rocks them asleep in their
|
||
|
|
carnal security. <I>The knew not, until the flood came.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The flood did come, though they would not foresee it. Note, Those
|
||
|
|
that will not know by faith, shall be made to know by feeling, <I>the
|
||
|
|
wrath of God revealed from heaven against their ungodliness and
|
||
|
|
unrighteousness.</I> The evil day is never the further off for men's
|
||
|
|
putting it far off from them.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. They did not know it till it was too late to prevent it, as they
|
||
|
|
might have done if they had known it in time, which made it so much the
|
||
|
|
more grievous. Judgments are most terrible and amazing to the secure,
|
||
|
|
and those that have made a jest of them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The application of this, concerning the old world, we have in these
|
||
|
|
words; <I>So shall the coming of the Son of man be;</I> that is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) In such a posture shall he find people, eating and drinking, and
|
||
|
|
not expecting him. Note, Security and sensuality are likely to be the
|
||
|
|
epidemical diseases of the latter days. All <I>slumber and sleep, and
|
||
|
|
at midnight the bridegroom comes.</I> All are off their watch, and at
|
||
|
|
their ease.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) With such a power, and for such a purpose, will he come upon them.
|
||
|
|
As the flood took away the sinners of the old world, irresistibly and
|
||
|
|
irrecoverably; so shall secure sinners, that mocked at Christ and his
|
||
|
|
coming, be taken away by <I>the wrath of the Lamb, when the great day
|
||
|
|
of his wrath comes,</I> which will be like the coming of the deluge, a
|
||
|
|
destruction which there is no fleeing from.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. It will be a separating day
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:40,41"><I>v.</I> 40, 41</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Then shall two be in the field.</I> Two ways this may be
|
||
|
|
applied.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) We may apply it to the success of the gospel, especially at the
|
||
|
|
first preaching of it; it divided the world; <I>some believed the
|
||
|
|
things which were spoken,</I> and were taken to Christ; <I>others
|
||
|
|
believed not,</I> and were left to perish in their unbelief. Those of
|
||
|
|
the same age, place, capacity, employment, and condition, in the world,
|
||
|
|
<I>grinding in the same mill,</I> those of the same family, nay, those
|
||
|
|
that were joined in the same bond of marriage, were, one effectually
|
||
|
|
called, the other passed by, and left in the gall of bitterness. This
|
||
|
|
is that division, that separating fire, which Christ <I>came to
|
||
|
|
send,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:49,51">Luke xii. 49, 51</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>This</I> renders free grace the more obliging, that it is
|
||
|
|
distinguishing; <I>to us, and not to the world</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+14:22">John xiv. 22</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
nay to us, and not to those in the same field, the same mill, the same
|
||
|
|
house.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
When ruin came upon Jerusalem, a distinction was made by Divine
|
||
|
|
Providence, according to that which had been before made by divine
|
||
|
|
grace; for all the Christians among them were saved from perishing in
|
||
|
|
that calamity, by the special care of Heaven. If two were at work in
|
||
|
|
the field together, and one of them was a Christian, he was taken into
|
||
|
|
a place of shelter, and had his life given him for a prey, while the
|
||
|
|
other was left to the sword of the enemy. Nay, if but two women were
|
||
|
|
grinding at the mill, if one of them belonged to Christ, though but a
|
||
|
|
woman, a poor woman, a servant, she was taken to a place of safety, and
|
||
|
|
the other abandoned. Thus <I>the meek of the earth are hid in the day
|
||
|
|
of the Lord's anger</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+2:3">Zeph. ii. 3</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
either in heaven, or <I>under</I> heaven. Note, Distinguishing
|
||
|
|
preservations, in times of general destruction, are special tokens of
|
||
|
|
God's favour, and ought so to be acknowledged. If we are safe when
|
||
|
|
thousands fall on our right hand and our left, are not consumed when
|
||
|
|
others are consumed round about us, so that we are as brands plucked
|
||
|
|
out of the fire, we have reason to say, <I>It is of the Lord's
|
||
|
|
mercies,</I> and it is a great mercy.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) We may apply it to the second coming of Jesus Christ, and the
|
||
|
|
separation which will be made in that day. He had said before
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
that the elect will be <I>gathered together.</I> Here he tells us,
|
||
|
|
that, in order to that, they will be distinguished from those who were
|
||
|
|
nearest to them in this world; the choice and chosen ones taken to
|
||
|
|
glory, the other left to perish eternally. Those who sleep in the dust
|
||
|
|
of the earth, two in the same grave, their ashed mixed, shall yet
|
||
|
|
arise, one to be taken to everlasting life, the other left <I>to shame
|
||
|
|
and everlasting contempt,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:2">Dan. xii. 2</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here it is applied to them who shall be found alive. Christ will come
|
||
|
|
unlooked for, will find people busy at their usual occupations, <I>in
|
||
|
|
the field, at the mill;</I> and then, according as they are vessels of
|
||
|
|
mercy prepared for glory, or vessels of wrath prepared for ruin,
|
||
|
|
accordingly it will be with them; the one taken <I>to meet the Lord and
|
||
|
|
his angels in the air, to be for ever with him and them;</I> the other
|
||
|
|
left to the devil and his angels, who, when Christ has gathered out his
|
||
|
|
own, will sweep up the residue. This will aggravate the condemnation
|
||
|
|
of sinners that others shall be taken from the midst of them to glory,
|
||
|
|
and they left behind. And it speaks abundance of comfort to the Lord's
|
||
|
|
people.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Are they mean and despised in the world, as the man-servant in the
|
||
|
|
field, or the maid at the mill
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+11:5">Exod. xi. 5</A>)?
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Yet they shall not be forgotten or overlooked in that day. The poor in
|
||
|
|
the world, if rich in faith, are <I>heirs of the kingdom.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] Are they dispersed in distant and unlikely places, where one would
|
||
|
|
not expect to find the heirs of glory, <I>in the field, at the
|
||
|
|
mill?</I> Yet the angels will find them there (hidden as Saul among the
|
||
|
|
stuff, when they are to be enthroned), and fetch them thence; and well
|
||
|
|
may they be said to be <I>changed,</I> for a very great change it will
|
||
|
|
be to go to heaven from ploughing and grinding.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] Are they weak, and unable of themselves to move heavenward? They
|
||
|
|
shall be taken, or <I>laid hold of,</I> as Lot was taken out of Sodom
|
||
|
|
by a gracious violence,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+19:16">Gen. xix. 16</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Those whom Christ has once apprehended and laid hold on, he will never
|
||
|
|
lose his hold of.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[4.] Are they intermixed with others, linked with them in the same
|
||
|
|
habitations, societies, employments? Let not that discourage any true
|
||
|
|
Christian; God knows how to separate between the precious and the vile,
|
||
|
|
the gold and dross in the same lump, the wheat and chaff in the same
|
||
|
|
floor.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. Here is a general exhortation to us, <I>to watch, and be ready</I>
|
||
|
|
against that day comes, enforced by divers weighty considerations,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:42"><I>v.</I> 42</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
&c. Observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The duty required; <I>Watch, and be ready,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:42,44"><I>v.</I> 42, 44</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) <I>Watch therefore,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:42"><I>v.</I> 42</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Note, It is the great duty and interest of all the disciples of Christ
|
||
|
|
to watch, to be awake and keep awake, that they may mind their
|
||
|
|
business. As a sinful state or way is compared to <I>sleep,</I>
|
||
|
|
senseless and inactive
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:6">1 Thess. v. 6</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
so a gracious state or way is compared to <I>watching</I> and
|
||
|
|
<I>waking.</I> We must watch for our Lord's coming, to us in particular
|
||
|
|
at our death, <I>after which is the judgment,</I> that is <I>the great
|
||
|
|
day</I> with us, the end of our time; and his coming at the end of all
|
||
|
|
time to judge the world, the <I>great day</I> with all mankind. To
|
||
|
|
watch implies not only to believe that our Lord will come, but to
|
||
|
|
desire that he would come, to be often thinking of his coming, and
|
||
|
|
always looking for it as sure and near, and the time of it uncertain.
|
||
|
|
To watch for Christ's coming, is to maintain that gracious temper and
|
||
|
|
disposition of mind which we should be willing that our Lord, when he
|
||
|
|
comes, should find us in. To watch is to be aware of the first notices
|
||
|
|
of his approach, that we may immediately attend his motions, and
|
||
|
|
address ourselves to the duty of meeting him. Watching is supposed to
|
||
|
|
be in the night, which is sleeping time; while we are in this world, it
|
||
|
|
is <I>night</I> with us, and we must take pains to keep ourselves
|
||
|
|
awake.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) <I>Be ye also ready.</I> We wake in vain, if we do not get ready.
|
||
|
|
It is not enough to <I>look</I> for such things; but we must therefore
|
||
|
|
<I>give diligence,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+3:11,14">2 Pet. iii. 11, 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We have then our Lord to attend upon, and we must have our lamps ready
|
||
|
|
trimmed; a cause to be tried, and we must have our plea ready drawn and
|
||
|
|
signed by our Advocate; a reckoning to make up, and we must have our
|
||
|
|
accounts ready stated and balanced; there is an inheritance which we
|
||
|
|
then hope to enter upon, and we must have ourselves ready, made meet to
|
||
|
|
partake of it,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Col+1:12">Col. i. 12</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The reasons to induce us to this watchfulness and diligent
|
||
|
|
preparation for that day; which are two.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Because the time of our Lord's coming is very uncertain. This is
|
||
|
|
the reason immediately annexed to the double exhortation
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:42,44"><I>v.</I> 42, 44</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and it is illustrated by a comparison,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:43"><I>v.</I> 43</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Let us consider then,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] That <I>we know not what hour he will come,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:42"><I>v.</I> 42</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We know not <I>the day of our death,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+27:2">Gen. xxvii. 2</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We may know that we have but <I>a little time to live (The time of my
|
||
|
|
departure is at hand,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:6">2 Tim. iv. 6</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but we cannot know that we have a long time to live, for our souls are
|
||
|
|
continually in our hands; nor can we know how little a time we have to
|
||
|
|
live, for it may prove less than we expect; much less do we know the
|
||
|
|
time fixed for the general judgment. Concerning both we are kept at
|
||
|
|
uncertainty, that we may, every day, expect that which may come any
|
||
|
|
day; may never boast of a year's continuance
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+4:13">James iv. 13</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
no, nor of tomorrow's return, as if it were ours,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+27:1,Lu+12:20">Prov. xxvii. 1; Luke xii. 20</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] That he may <I>come at such an hour as we think not,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:44"><I>v.</I> 44</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Though there be such uncertainty in the time, there is none in the
|
||
|
|
thing itself: though we know not <I>when</I> he will come, we are sure
|
||
|
|
he <I>will</I> come. His parting word was, <I>Surely I come
|
||
|
|
quickly;</I> his saying, "I come <I>surely,</I>" obliges us to expect
|
||
|
|
him: his saying "I come <I>quickly.</I>" obliges us to be always
|
||
|
|
expecting him; for it keeps us in a state of expectancy. <I>In such an
|
||
|
|
hour as you think not,</I> that is, such an hour as they who are
|
||
|
|
unready and unprepared, think not
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:50"><I>v.</I> 50</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
nay, such an hour as the most lively expectants perhaps thought least
|
||
|
|
likely. The bridegroom came when the wise were slumbering. It is
|
||
|
|
agreeable to our present state, that we should be under the influence
|
||
|
|
of a constant and general expectation, rather than that of particular
|
||
|
|
presages and prognostications, which we are sometimes tempted vainly to
|
||
|
|
desire and wish for.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] That the children of this world are thus wise in their generation,
|
||
|
|
that, when they know of a danger approaching, they will keep awake, and
|
||
|
|
stand on their guard against it. This he shows in a particular
|
||
|
|
instance,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:43"><I>v.</I> 43</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
If the master of a house had notice that a thief would come such a
|
||
|
|
night, and such a watch of the night (for they divided the night into
|
||
|
|
four watches, allowing three hours to each), and would make an attempt
|
||
|
|
upon his house, though it were the midnight-watch, when he was most
|
||
|
|
sleepy, yet he would be up, and listen to every noise in every corner,
|
||
|
|
and be ready to give him a warm reception. Now, though we know not
|
||
|
|
<I>just when</I> our Lord will come, yet, knowing that he <I>will</I>
|
||
|
|
come, and come quickly, and without any other warning than what he hath
|
||
|
|
given in his word, it concerns us to watch always. Note, <I>First,</I>
|
||
|
|
We have every one of us a house to keep, which lies exposed, in which
|
||
|
|
all we are worth is laid up: that house is our own souls, which we must
|
||
|
|
<I>keep with all diligence. Secondly,</I> The day of the Lord comes
|
||
|
|
<I>by surprise, as a thief in the night.</I> Christ chooses to come
|
||
|
|
when he is least expected, that the triumphs of his enemies may be
|
||
|
|
turned into the greater shame, and the fears of his friends into the
|
||
|
|
greater joy. <I>Thirdly,</I> If Christ, when he comes, finds us asleep
|
||
|
|
and unready, our house will be broken up, and we shall lose all we are
|
||
|
|
worth, not as by a thief unjustly, but as by a just and legal process;
|
||
|
|
death and judgment will seize upon all we have, to our irreparable
|
||
|
|
damage and utter undoing. Therefore be ready, <I>be ye also ready;</I>
|
||
|
|
as ready at all times as the good man of the house would be at the hour
|
||
|
|
when he expected the thief: we must put on the armour of God, that we
|
||
|
|
may not only stand in that evil day, but, as more than conquerors, may
|
||
|
|
divide the spoil.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Because the issue of our Lord's coming will be very happy and
|
||
|
|
comfortable to those that shall be found ready, but very dismal and
|
||
|
|
dreadful to those that shall not,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:45"><I>v.</I> 45</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
&c. This is represented by the different state of good and bad
|
||
|
|
servants, when their lord comes to reckon with them. It is likely to be
|
||
|
|
well or ill with us to eternity, according as we are found ready or
|
||
|
|
unready at that day; for Christ comes <I>to render to every man
|
||
|
|
according to his works.</I> Now this parable, with which the chapter
|
||
|
|
closes, is applicable to all Christians, who are in profession and
|
||
|
|
obligation God's servants; but it seems especially intended as a
|
||
|
|
warning to ministers; for the servant spoken of is a <I>steward.</I>
|
||
|
|
Now observe what Christ here saith,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Concerning the <I>good servant;</I> he shows here what he is--<I>a
|
||
|
|
ruler of the household;</I> what, being so, he should
|
||
|
|
be--<I>faithful</I> and <I>wise;</I> and what, if he be so, he shall be
|
||
|
|
eternally-<I>blessed.</I> Here are good instructions and encouragements
|
||
|
|
to the ministers of Christ.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>First,</I> We have here his place and office. He is one <I>whom the
|
||
|
|
Lord has made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due
|
||
|
|
season.</I> Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The church of Christ is his household, or family, standing in
|
||
|
|
relation to him as the Father and Master of it. It is <I>the household
|
||
|
|
of God,</I> a family named from Christ,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:15">Eph. iii. 15</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Gospel ministers are appointed <I>rulers</I> in this household; not
|
||
|
|
at princes (Christ has entered a caveat against that), but as stewards,
|
||
|
|
or other subordinate officers; not as lords, but as guides; not to
|
||
|
|
prescribe new ways, but to show and lead in the ways that Christ has
|
||
|
|
appointed: that is the signification of the <B><I>hegoumenoi</I></B>,
|
||
|
|
which we translate, <I>having rule over you</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+13:17">Heb. xiii. 17</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
as <I>overseers,</I> not to cut out new work, but to direct in, and
|
||
|
|
quicken to, the work which Christ has ordered; that is the
|
||
|
|
signification of <B><I>episkopoi</I></B>--<I>bishops.</I> They are
|
||
|
|
rulers by Christ; what power they have is derived from him, and none
|
||
|
|
may take it from them, or abridge it to them; he is one whom <I>the
|
||
|
|
Lord has made ruler;</I> Christ has the <I>making</I> of ministers.
|
||
|
|
They are rulers <I>under</I> Christ, and act in subordination to him;
|
||
|
|
and rulers <I>for</I> Christ, for the advancement of his kingdom.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. The work of gospel ministers is to give to Christ's household their
|
||
|
|
meat in due season, as stewards, and therefore they have the keys
|
||
|
|
delivered to them.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Their work is <I>to give,</I> not take to themselves
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+34:8">Ezek. xxxiv. 8</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but give to the family what the Master has bought, to <I>dispense</I>
|
||
|
|
what Christ has <I>purchased.</I> And to ministers it is said, that
|
||
|
|
<I>it is more blessed to give than to receive,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+20:35">Acts xx. 35</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) It is to give <I>meat;</I> not to give <I>law</I> (that is
|
||
|
|
Christ's work), but to deliver those doctrines to the church which, if
|
||
|
|
duly digested, will be nourishment to souls. They must give, not the
|
||
|
|
poison of false doctrines, not the stones of hard and unprofitable
|
||
|
|
doctrines, but the meat that is <I>sound</I> and <I>wholesome.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) It must be given <I>in due season,</I> <B><I>en
|
||
|
|
kairo</I></B>--<I>while there is time for it;</I> when eternity comes,
|
||
|
|
it will be too late; we must <I>work while it is day:</I> or <I>in
|
||
|
|
time,</I> that is, whenever any opportunity offers itself; or in the
|
||
|
|
stated time, time after time, according as the duty of every day
|
||
|
|
requires.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> His right discharge of this office. The good servant,
|
||
|
|
if thus preferred, will be a good <I>steward;</I> for,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He is <I>faithful;</I> stewards must be so,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+4:2">1 Cor. iv. 2</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He that is <I>trusted,</I> must be trusty; and the greater the trust
|
||
|
|
is, the more is expected from them. It is a great good thing that is
|
||
|
|
committed to <I>ministers</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+1:14">2 Tim. i. 14</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and they must be faithful, as Moses was,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+3:2">Heb. iii. 2</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Christ counts those ministers, and those only, that are
|
||
|
|
<I>faithful,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+1:12">1 Tim. i. 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
A faithful minister of Jesus Christ is one that sincerely designs his
|
||
|
|
master's honour, not his own; delivers <I>the whole counsel of God,</I>
|
||
|
|
not his own fancies and conceits; follows Christ's institutions and
|
||
|
|
adheres to them; regards the meanest, reproves the greatest, and doth
|
||
|
|
not respect persons.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He is wise to understand his duty and the proper season of it; and
|
||
|
|
in guiding of the flock there is need, not only of the integrity of the
|
||
|
|
heart, but the skilfulness of the hands. Honesty may suffice for a good
|
||
|
|
<I>servant,</I> but wisdom is necessary to a <I>good steward;</I> for
|
||
|
|
it is profitable to direct.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. He is doing; <I>so doing</I> as his office requires. The ministry is
|
||
|
|
a good work, and they whose office it is, have always something to do;
|
||
|
|
they must not indulge themselves in ease, nor leave the work undone, or
|
||
|
|
carelessly turn it off to others, but be doing, and doing to the
|
||
|
|
purpose--<I>so doing,</I> giving meat to the household, minding their
|
||
|
|
own business, and not meddling with that which is foreign; <I>so
|
||
|
|
doing</I> as the Master has appointed, as the office imports, and as
|
||
|
|
the case of the family requires; not <I>talking,</I> but <I>doing.</I>
|
||
|
|
It was the motto Mr. Perkins used, <I>Minister verbi es--You are a
|
||
|
|
minister of the word.</I> Not only <I>Age--Be doing;</I> but <I>Hoc
|
||
|
|
age--Be so doing.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
4. He is <I>found doing</I> when his Master comes; which intimates,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Constancy at his work. At what hour soever his Master comes, he is
|
||
|
|
found busy at the work of the day. Ministers should not leave empty
|
||
|
|
spaces in their time, lest their Lord should come in one of those empty
|
||
|
|
spaces. As with a good God the end of one mercy is the beginning of
|
||
|
|
another, so with a good man, a good minister, the end of one duty is
|
||
|
|
the beginning of another. When Calvin was persuaded to remit his
|
||
|
|
ministerial labours, he answered, with some resentment, "What, would
|
||
|
|
you have my Master find me idle?"
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Perseverance in his work till the Lord come. <I>Hold fast till
|
||
|
|
then,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+2:25">Rev. ii. 25</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Continue in these things,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+4:16,6:14">1 Tim. iv. 16; vi. 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Endure to the end.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Thirdly,</I> The recompence of reward intended him for this, in
|
||
|
|
three things.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He shall be taken notice of. This is intimated in these words, Who
|
||
|
|
then is that <I>faithful and wise servant?</I> Which supposes that
|
||
|
|
there are but few who answer this character; such an interpreter is
|
||
|
|
<I>one of a thousand,</I> such a faithful and wise <I>steward.</I>
|
||
|
|
Those who thus distinguish themselves now by humility, diligence, and
|
||
|
|
sincerity in their work, Christ will in the great day both dignify and
|
||
|
|
distinguish by the glory conferred on them.</P>
|
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|
<P>
|
||
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||
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2. He shall be blessed? <I>Blessed is that servant;</I> and Christ's
|
||
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|
pronouncing him blessed makes him so. All the dead that die n the Lord
|
||
|
|
are blessed,
|
||
|
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|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+14:13">Rev. xiv. 13</A>.
|
||
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|
||
|
|
But there is a peculiar blessedness secured to them that approve
|
||
|
|
themselves faithful stewards, and are found so doing. Next to the
|
||
|
|
honour of those who die in the field of battle, suffering for Christ as
|
||
|
|
the martyrs, is the honour of those that die in the field of service,
|
||
|
|
ploughing, and sowing, and reaping, for Christ.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
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|
<P>
|
||
|
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|
||
|
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3. He shall be preferred
|
||
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|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:47"><I>v.</I> 47</A>);
|
||
|
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|
||
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|
<I>He shall make him ruler over all his goods.</I> The allusion is to
|
||
|
|
the way of great men, who, if the stewards of their house conduct
|
||
|
|
themselves well in that place, commonly prefer them to be the managers
|
||
|
|
of their estates; thus Joseph was preferred in the house of Potiphar,
|
||
|
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|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+29:4,6">Gen. xxix. 4, 6</A>.
|
||
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|
||
|
|
But the greatest honour which the kindest master ever did to his most
|
||
|
|
tried servants in this world, is nothing to that weight of glory which
|
||
|
|
the Lord Jesus will confer upon his faithful watchful servants in the
|
||
|
|
world to come. What is here said by a similitude, is the same that is
|
||
|
|
said more plainly,
|
||
|
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|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+11:26">John xi. 26</A>,
|
||
|
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|
||
|
|
<I>Him will my Father honour.</I> And God's servants, when thus
|
||
|
|
preferred; shall be perfect in wisdom and holiness to bear that weight
|
||
|
|
of glory, so that there is no danger from these servants when they
|
||
|
|
reign.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] Concerning the <I>evil</I> servant. Here we have,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>First,</I> His description given
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:48,49"><I>v.</I> 48, 49</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
where we have the wretch drawn in his own colours. The vilest of
|
||
|
|
creatures is a wicked man, the vilest of men is a wicked Christian, and
|
||
|
|
the vilest of them a wicked minister. <I>Corruptio optimi est
|
||
|
|
pessima--What is best, when corrupted, becomes the worst.</I>
|
||
|
|
Wickedness in the prophets of Jerusalem is a <I>horrible</I> thing
|
||
|
|
indeed,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+23:14">Jer. xxiii. 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The cause of his wickedness; and that is, a practical disbelief of
|
||
|
|
Christ's second coming; He hath <I>said in his heart, My Lord delays
|
||
|
|
his coming;</I> and therefore he begins to think he will never come,
|
||
|
|
but has quite forsaken his church. Observe,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Christ knows that <I>they</I> say in their hearts, who with their
|
||
|
|
lips cry, <I>Lord, Lord,</I> as this servant here.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) The delay of Christ's coming, though it is a gracious instance of
|
||
|
|
his patience, is greatly abused by wicked people, whose hearts are
|
||
|
|
thereby hardened in their wicked ways. When Christ's coming is looked
|
||
|
|
upon as doubtful, or a thing at an immense distance, the hearts of
|
||
|
|
<I>men are fully set to do evil,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+8:11">Eccl. viii. 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+12:27">Ezek. xii. 27</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
They that walk by sense, are ready to say of the unseen Jesus, as the
|
||
|
|
people did of Moses when he tarried in the mount upon their errand,
|
||
|
|
<I>We wot not what is become of him,</I> and therefore <I>up, make us
|
||
|
|
gods,</I> the world a god, the belly a god, any thing but him that
|
||
|
|
should be.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The particulars of his wickedness; and they are sins of the first
|
||
|
|
magnitude; he is a slave to his passions and his appetites.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Persecution is here charged upon him. He begins to <I>smite his
|
||
|
|
fellow servants.</I> Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Even the stewards of the house are to look upon all the servants
|
||
|
|
of the house as their fellow servants, and therefore are forbidden to
|
||
|
|
<I>lord it over them.</I> If the angel call himself <I>fellow
|
||
|
|
servant</I> to John
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+19:10">Rev. xix. 10</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
no marvel if John have learned to call himself <I>brother</I> to the
|
||
|
|
Christians of the churches of Asia,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+1:9">Rev. i. 9</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] It is no new thing to see evil servants smiting their fellow
|
||
|
|
servants; both private Christians and faithful ministers. He smites
|
||
|
|
them, either because they reprove him, or because they will not bow,
|
||
|
|
and do him reverence; will not say as he saith, and do as he doeth,
|
||
|
|
against their consciences: he smites them with the tongue, as they
|
||
|
|
smote the prophet,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+18:18">Jer. xviii. 18</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
And if he get power into his hand, or can press those into his service
|
||
|
|
that have, as the ten horns upon the head of the beast, it goes
|
||
|
|
further. Pashur the priest smote Jeremiah, and put him in the stocks,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+20:2">Jer. xx. 2</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The revolters have often been of all others most <I>profound to make
|
||
|
|
slaughter,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+5:2">Hos. v. 2</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The steward, when he smites his fellow servants, does it under colour
|
||
|
|
of his Master's authority, and in his name; he says, <I>Let the Lord be
|
||
|
|
glorified</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:5">Isa. lxvi. 5</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but he shall know that he could not put a greater affront upon his
|
||
|
|
Master.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Profaneness and immorality; <I>He begins to eat and drink with the
|
||
|
|
drunken.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] He associates with the worst of sinners, has fellowship with them,
|
||
|
|
is intimate with them; he walks in their counsel, stands in their way,
|
||
|
|
sits in their seat, and sings their songs. The drunken are the merry
|
||
|
|
and jovial company, and those he is for, and thus he hardens them in
|
||
|
|
their wickedness.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] He does like them; <I>eats, and drinks, and is drunken;</I> so it
|
||
|
|
is in Luke. This is an inlet to all manner of sin. Drunkenness is a
|
||
|
|
leading wickedness; they who are slaves to that, are never masters of
|
||
|
|
themselves in any thing else. The persecutors of God's people have
|
||
|
|
commonly been the most vicious and immoral men. Persecuting
|
||
|
|
consciences, whatever the pretensions be, are commonly the most
|
||
|
|
profligate and debauched consciences. What will not <I>they</I> be
|
||
|
|
drunk with, that will be <I>drunk with the blood of the saints?</I>
|
||
|
|
Well, this is the description of a wicked minister, who yet may have
|
||
|
|
the common gifts of learning and utterance above others; and, as hath
|
||
|
|
been said of some, may preach so well in the pulpit, that it is a pity
|
||
|
|
he should ever come out, and yet live so ill out of the pulpit, that it
|
||
|
|
is a pity he should ever come in.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> His doom read,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:50,51"><I>v.</I> 50, 51</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The coat and character of wicked ministers will not only not secure
|
||
|
|
them from condemnation, but will greatly aggravate it. They can plead
|
||
|
|
no exemption from Christ's jurisdiction, whatever they pretend to, in
|
||
|
|
the church of Rome, from that of the civil magistrate; there is no
|
||
|
|
benefit of clergy at Christ's bar. Observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The surprise that will accompany his doom
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:50"><I>v.</I> 50</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>The Lord of that servant will come.</I> Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Our putting off the thoughts of Christ's coming will not put off
|
||
|
|
his coming. Whatever fancy he deludes himself with, his Lord will come.
|
||
|
|
The unbelief of man shall not make that great promise, or threatening
|
||
|
|
(call it which you will), of no effect.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) The coming of Christ will be a most dreadful surprise to secure
|
||
|
|
and careless sinners, especially to wicked ministers; <I>He shall come
|
||
|
|
in a day when he looketh not for him.</I> Note, Those that have
|
||
|
|
slighted the warnings of the word, and silenced those of their own
|
||
|
|
consciences concerning the judgment to come, cannot expect any other
|
||
|
|
warnings; these will be adjudged sufficient legal notice given, whether
|
||
|
|
taken or no; and no unfairness can be charged on Christ, if he come
|
||
|
|
suddenly, without giving other notice. Behold, he has told us
|
||
|
|
before.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The severity of his doom,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:51"><I>v.</I> 51</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
It is not more severe than righteous, but it is a doom that carries in
|
||
|
|
it utter ruin, wrapt up in two dreadful words, <I>death</I> and
|
||
|
|
<I>damnation.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Death. His Lord shall <I>cut him asunder,</I> <B><I>dikotomesei
|
||
|
|
auton</I></B>, "he shall cut him off from the land of the living," from
|
||
|
|
the congregation of the righteous, shall separate him unto evil; which
|
||
|
|
is the definition of a <I>curse</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+29:21">Deut. xxix. 21</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
shall cut him down, as a tree that cumbers the ground; perhaps it
|
||
|
|
alludes to the sentence often used in the law, <I>That soul shall be
|
||
|
|
cut off from his people;</I> denoting an utter extirpation. Death cuts
|
||
|
|
off a good man, as a choice imp is cut off to be grafted in a better
|
||
|
|
stock; but it cuts off a wicked man, as a withered branch is cut off
|
||
|
|
for the fire-cuts him off from this world, which he set his heart so
|
||
|
|
much upon, and was, as it were, one with. Or, as we read it, <I>shall
|
||
|
|
cut him asunder,</I> that is, part body and soul, send the body to the
|
||
|
|
grave to be a prey for worms, and the soul to hell to be a prey for
|
||
|
|
devils, and there is the sinner cut asunder. The soul and body of a
|
||
|
|
godly man at death part fairly, the one cheerfully lifted up to God,
|
||
|
|
the other left to the dust; but the soul and body of a wicked man at
|
||
|
|
death are cut asunder, torn asunder, for to them death is the <I>king
|
||
|
|
of terrors,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+18:14">Job xviii. 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The wicked servant divided himself between God and the world, Christ
|
||
|
|
and Belial, his profession and his lusts, justly therefore will he thus
|
||
|
|
be divided.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<!-- (End Body) -->
|
||
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|
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC40023.HTM">Previous</A>]
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[<A HREF="MHC40025.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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