mh_parser/vol_split/42 - Luke/Chapter 8.xml

<div2 id="Luke.ix" n="ix" next="Luke.x" prev="Luke.viii" progress="53.14%" title="Chapter VIII">
<h2 id="Luke.ix-p0.1">L U K E.</h2>
<h3 id="Luke.ix-p0.2">CHAP. VIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Luke.ix-p1">Most of this chapter is a repetition of divers
passages of Christ's preaching and miracles which we had before in
Matthew and Mark; they are all of such weight, that they are worth
repeating, and therefore they are repeated, that out of the mouth
not only of two, but of three, witnesses every word may be
established. Here is, I. A general account of Christ's preaching,
and how he had subsistence for himself and his numerous family by
the charitable contributions of good people, <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.1-Luke.8.3" parsed="|Luke|8|1|8|3" passage="Lu 8:1-3">ver. 1-3</scripRef>. II. The parable of the sower, and
the four sorts of ground, with the exposition of it, and some
inferences from it, <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.4-Luke.8.18" parsed="|Luke|8|4|8|18" passage="Lu 8:4-18">ver.
4-18</scripRef>. III. The preference which Christ gave to his
obedient disciples before his nearest relations according to the
flesh, <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.19-Luke.8.21" parsed="|Luke|8|19|8|21" passage="Lu 8:19-21">ver. 19-21</scripRef>. IV.
His stilling a storm at sea, with a word's speaking, <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.22-Luke.8.25" parsed="|Luke|8|22|8|25" passage="Lu 8:22-25">ver. 22-25</scripRef>. V. His casting a legion
of devils out of a man that was possessed by them, <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.26-Luke.8.40" parsed="|Luke|8|26|8|40" passage="Lu 8:26-40">ver. 26-40</scripRef>. VI. His healing the
woman that had the bloody issue, and raising Jairus's daughter to
life, <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.41-Luke.8.56" parsed="|Luke|8|41|8|56" passage="Lu 8:41-56">ver. 41-56</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Luke.ix-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8" parsed="|Luke|8|0|0|0" passage="Lu 8" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Luke.ix-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.1-Luke.8.3" parsed="|Luke|8|1|8|3" passage="Lu 8:1-3" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.8.1-Luke.8.3">
<h4 id="Luke.ix-p1.9">The Ministry of Christ.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.ix-p2">1 And it came to pass afterward, that he went
throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad
tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve <i>were</i> with him,
  2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits
and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven
devils,   3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and
Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their
substance.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p3">We are here told,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p4">I. <i>What</i> Christ <i>made</i> the
<i>constant business</i> of his <i>life</i>—it was
<i>preaching;</i> in that work he was indefatigable, and went about
doing good (<scripRef id="Luke.ix-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.1" parsed="|Luke|8|1|0|0" passage="Lu 8:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>),
<i>afterward</i>—<b><i>en to kathexes</i></b>—<i>ordine,</i> in
the proper <i>time</i> or <i>method.</i> Christ took his work
before him and went about it regularly. He observed a <i>series</i>
or order of business, so that the end of one good work was the
beginning of another. Now observe here, 1. <i>Where</i> he
preached: <i>He went
about</i>—<b><i>diodeue</i></b>—<i>peragrabat.</i> He was an
<i>itinerant</i> preacher, did not confine himself to one place,
but diffused the beams of his light. <i>Circumibat—He went his
circuit,</i> as a judge, having found his preaching perhaps most
<i>acceptable</i> where it was <i>new.</i> He went about <i>through
every city,</i> that none might plead ignorance. Hereby he set an
example to his disciples; they must traverse the nations of the
earth, as he did the cities of Israel. Nor did he confine himself
to the <i>cities,</i> but went into the <i>villages,</i> among the
plain country-people, to preach <i>to the inhabitants of the
villages,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.5.11" parsed="|Judg|5|11|0|0" passage="Jdg 5:11">Judg. v. 11</scripRef>.
2. What he preached: <i>He showed the glad tidings of the kingdom
of God,</i> that it was now to be set up among them. Tidings of the
<i>kingdom of God</i> are <i>glad tidings,</i> and those Jesus
Christ came to bring; to tell the children of men that God was
willing to take all those <i>under his protection</i> that were
willing to return <i>to their allegiance.</i> It was <i>glad
tidings</i> to the world that there was hope of its being
<i>reformed</i> and <i>reconciled.</i> 3. Who were his attendants:
<i>The twelve were with him,</i> not to preach if he were present,
but to learn from him what and how to preach hereafter, and, if
occasion were, to be sent to places where he could not go. Happy
were these his servants that heard his wisdom.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p5">II. <i>Whence</i> he <i>had</i> the
<i>necessary supports</i> of life: He lived upon the kindness of
his friends. There were <i>certain women,</i> who frequently
attended his ministry, that <i>ministered to him of their
substance,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.2-Luke.8.3" parsed="|Luke|8|2|8|3" passage="Lu 8:2,3"><i>v.</i> 2,
3</scripRef>. Some of them are named; but there were <i>many
others,</i> who were zealously affected to the doctrine of Christ,
and thought themselves bound <i>in justice</i> to <i>encourage</i>
it, having themselves found benefit, and in <i>charity,</i> hoping
that many others might find benefit by it too.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p6">1. They were such, for the most part, as
had been <i>Christ's patients,</i> and were the monuments of his
power and mercy; they had been <i>healed by him of evil spirits and
infirmities.</i> Some of them had been troubled in mind, had been
melancholy, others of them afflicted in body, and he had been to
them a powerful healer. He is the physician both of body and soul,
and those who have been <i>healed by him</i> ought to study what
they shall <i>render to him.</i> We are bound in <i>interest</i> to
attend him, that we may be ready to apply ourselves to him for help
in case of a relapse; and we are bound in <i>gratitude</i> to serve
him and his gospel, who hath <i>saved</i> us, and saved us <i>by
it.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p7">2. One of them was Mary Magdalene, out of
whom had been <i>cast seven devils;</i> a certain number for an
uncertain. Some think that she was one that had been <i>very
wicked,</i> and then we may suppose her to be the woman that <i>was
a sinner</i> mentioned just before, <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.7.37" parsed="|Luke|7|37|0|0" passage="Lu 7:37"><i>ch.</i> vii. 37</scripRef>. Dr. Lightfoot, finding in
some of the Talmudists' writings that Mary Magdalene signified
<i>Mary the plaiter of hair,</i> thinks it applicable to her, she
having been noted, in the days of her iniquity and infamy, for that
<i>plaiting of hair</i> which is opposed to <i>modest apparel,</i>
<scripRef id="Luke.ix-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.2.9" parsed="|1Tim|2|9|0|0" passage="1Ti 2:9">1 Tim. ii. 9</scripRef>. But, though
she had been an immodest woman, upon her repentance and reformation
she found mercy, and became a zealous disciple of Christ. Note, The
greatest of sinners must not despair of pardon; and the worse any
have been before their conversion the more they should study to do
for Christ after. Or, rather, she was one that had been <i>very
melancholy,</i> and then, probably, it was Mary the sister of
Lazarus, who was a woman of a <i>sorrowful spirit,</i> who might
have been originally of Magdala, but removed to Bethany. This Mary
Magdalene was attending on Christ's cross and his sepulchre, and,
if she was not Mary the sister of Lazarus, either that particular
friend and favourite of Christ's did not attend then, or the
evangelists did not take notice of her, neither of which we can
suppose; thus Dr. Lightfoot argues. Yet there is this to be
objected against it that Mary Magdalene is reckoned <i>among the
women that followed Jesus from Galilee</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.ix-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Matt.27.55-Matt.27.56" parsed="|Matt|27|55|27|56" passage="Mt 27:55,56">Matt. xxvii. 55, 56</scripRef>); whereas Mary the
sister of Lazarus had her residence in Bethany.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p8">3. Another of them was <i>Joanna the wife
of Chuza, Herod's steward.</i> She had been his wife (so some), but
was now a widow, and left in good circumstances. If she was now his
wife, we have reason to think that her <i>husband,</i> though
preferred in Herod's court, had received the gospel, and was very
willing that his wife should be both a hearer of Christ and a
contributor to him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p9">4. There were many of them that
<i>ministered to Christ of their substance.</i> It was an instance
of the meanness of that condition to which our Saviour humbled
himself that he needed it, and of his great humility and
condescension that he accepted it. Though he was rich, yet for our
sakes <i>he became poor,</i> and lived upon alms. Let none say that
they scorn to be beholden to the charity of their neighbours, when
Providence has brought them into straits; but let them ask and be
thankful for it as a favour. Christ would rather be beholden to his
known friends for a maintenance for himself and his disciples than
be burdensome to strangers in the cities and villages whither he
came to preach. Note, It is the duty of those who are taught in the
word to <i>communicate to them who teach them in all good
things;</i> and those who are herein liberal and cheerful honour
the Lord with their substance, and bring a blessing upon it.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Luke.ix-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.4-Luke.8.21" parsed="|Luke|8|4|8|21" passage="Lu 8:4-21" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.8.4-Luke.8.21">
<h4 id="Luke.ix-p9.2">The Parable of the Sower.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.ix-p10">4 And when much people were gathered together,
and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:
  5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some
fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the
air devoured it.   6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as
it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
  7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with
it, and choked it.   8 And other fell on good ground, and
sprang up, and bare fruit a hundredfold. And when he had said these
things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.   9
And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
  10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries
of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they
might not see, and hearing they might not understand.   11 Now
the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.   12 Those
by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and
taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe
and be saved.   13 They on the rock <i>are they,</i> which,
when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root,
which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
  14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when
they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and
pleasures of <i>this</i> life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
  15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest
and good heart, having heard the word, keep <i>it,</i> and bring
forth fruit with patience.   16 No man, when he hath lighted a
candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth <i>it</i> under a
bed; but setteth <i>it</i> on a candlestick, that they which enter
in may see the light.   17 For nothing is secret, that shall
not be made manifest; neither <i>any thing</i> hid, that shall not
be known and come abroad.   18 Take heed therefore how ye
hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath
not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
  19 Then came to him <i>his</i> mother and his brethren, and
could not come at him for the press.   20 And it was told him
<i>by certain</i> which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand
without, desiring to see thee.   21 And he answered and said
unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word
of God, and do it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p11">The former paragraph began with an account
of Christ's industry in <i>preaching</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.ix-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.1" parsed="|Luke|8|1|0|0" passage="Lu 8:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>); this begins with an account of
the people's industry in hearing, <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.4" parsed="|Luke|8|4|0|0" passage="Lu 8:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. He <i>went into every city,</i> to
preach; so they, one would think, should have contented themselves
to hear him when he came to their own city (we know those that
would); but there were those here that came <i>to him out of every
city,</i> would not stay till he came to <i>them,</i> nor think
that they had enough when he left <i>them,</i> but <i>met him</i>
when he was coming towards them, and <i>followed him</i> when he
was going from them. Nor did he excuse himself from going <i>to the
cities</i> with this, that there were some <i>from</i> the cities
that <i>came to him;</i> for, though there were, yet the most had
not zeal enough to bring them to him, and therefore such is his
wonderful condescension that he will go to them; for <i>he is found
of those that sought him not,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.65.1" parsed="|Isa|65|1|0|0" passage="Isa 65:1">Isa.
lxv. 1</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p12">Here was, it seems, a vast concourse,
<i>much people were gathered together,</i> abundance of fish to
cast their net among; and he was as ready and willing to
<i>teach</i> as they were to be <i>taught.</i> Now in <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.4-Luke.8.21" parsed="|Luke|8|4|8|21" passage="Lu 8:4-21">these verses</scripRef> we have,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p13">I. Necessary and excellent rules and
cautions for hearing the word, in the parable of <i>the sower</i>
and the explanation and application of it, all which we had twice
before more largely. When Christ had put forth this parable, 1. The
disciples were <i>inquisitive</i> concerning the meaning of it,
<scripRef id="Luke.ix-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.9" parsed="|Luke|8|9|0|0" passage="Lu 8:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. They asked him,
<i>What might this parable be?</i> Note, We should covet earnestly
to know the true <i>in</i>tent, and full <i>ex</i>tent, of the word
we hear, that we may be neither mistaken nor defective in our
knowledge. 2. Christ made them sensible of what great advantage it
was to them that they had opportunity of acquainting themselves
with the mystery and meaning of his word, which others had not:
<i>Unto you it is given,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.10" parsed="|Luke|8|10|0|0" passage="Lu 8:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>. Note, Those who would receive instruction from
Christ must know and consider what a privilege it is to be
instructed by him, what a distinguishing privilege to be led into
the light, such a light, when others are left in darkness, such a
darkness. Happy are we, and for ever indebted to free grace, if the
same thing that is a <i>parable</i> to others, with which they are
only <i>amused,</i> is a <i>plain truth</i> to us, by which we are
<i>enlightened</i> and <i>governed,</i> and into the mould of which
we are <i>delivered.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p14">Now from the parable itself, and the
explication of it, observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p15">(1.) The <i>heart of man</i> is as
<i>soil</i> to the <i>seed of God's word;</i> it is capable of
receiving it, and bringing forth the fruits of it; but, unless that
seed be sown in it, it will bring forth nothing valuable. Or care
therefore must be to bring the <i>seed</i> and the <i>soil</i>
together. To what purpose have we the <i>seed</i> in the scripture,
if it be not <i>sown?</i> And to what purpose have we the soil in
our own hearts, if it be not sown with that seed?</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p16">(2.) The <i>success</i> of the
<i>seeding</i> is very much according to the nature and temper of
the <i>soil,</i> and as that is, or is not, disposed to receive the
seed. The word of God <i>is to us,</i> as <i>we are,</i> a
<i>savour of life unto life,</i> or <i>of death unto death.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p17">(3.) The devil is a subtle and spiteful
enemy, that makes it his business to hinder our profiting by the
word of God. He takes the word out of the hearts of <i>careless</i>
hearers, <i>lest they should believe and be saved,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.12" parsed="|Luke|8|12|0|0" passage="Lu 8:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. This is added here to
teach us, [1.] That we cannot be <i>saved</i> unless we
<i>believe.</i> The word of the gospel will not be a saving word to
us, unless it be mixed with faith. [2.] That therefore the devil
does all he can to keep us from <i>believing,</i> to make us not
believe the word when we read and hear it; or, if we heed it for
the present, to make us forget it again, and let it slip (<scripRef id="Luke.ix-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.2.1" parsed="|Heb|2|1|0|0" passage="Heb 2:1">Heb. ii. 1</scripRef>); or, if we remember it, to
create prejudices in our minds against it, or <i>divert</i> our
minds from it to something else; and all is <i>lest we should
believe and be saved,</i> lest we should believe and
<i>rejoice,</i> while he believes and <i>trembles.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p18">(4.) Where the word of God is heard
<i>carelessly</i> there is commonly a <i>contempt</i> put upon it
too. It is added here in the parable that the seed which fell by
the way-side was <i>trodden down,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.5" parsed="|Luke|8|5|0|0" passage="Lu 8:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. They that wilfully shut their ears
against the word do in effect trample it under their feet; they
<i>despise the commandment of the Lord.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p19">(5.) Those on whom the word makes
<i>some</i> impressions, but they are not <i>deep</i> and
<i>durable</i> ones, will show their hypocrisy in a time of trial;
as the seed sown upon the rock, where it gains no root, <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.13" parsed="|Luke|8|13|0|0" passage="Lu 8:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. These <i>for awhile
believe</i> a little while; their profession promises something,
but in <i>time of temptation they fall away</i> from their good
beginnings. Whether the temptation arises from the smiles or the
frowns, of the world, they are easily overcome by it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p20">(6.) The <i>pleasures of this life</i> are
as dangerous and mischievous thorns to choke the good seed of the
word as any other. This is added here (<scripRef id="Luke.ix-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.14" parsed="|Luke|8|14|0|0" passage="Lu 8:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>), which was not in the other
evangelists. Those that are <i>not entangled in the cares of this
life,</i> nor inveigled with the <i>deceitfulness of riches,</i>
but boast that they are dead to them, may yet be kept from heaven
by an affected indolence, and the love of ease and pleasure. The
delights of sense may ruin the soul, even lawful delights,
indulged, and too much delighted in.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p21">(7.) It is not enough that the fruit be
brought forth, but it must be <i>brought to perfection,</i> it must
be fully ripened. If it be not, it is as if there was no fruit at
all brought forth; for that which in Matthew and Mark is said to be
<i>unfruitful</i> is the same that here is said to <i>bring forth
none to perfection.</i> For <i>factum non dicitur quod non
perseverat</i>—<i>perseverance is necessary to the perfection of a
work.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p22">(8.) The good ground, which brings forth
<i>good fruit,</i> is an <i>honest</i> and <i>good heart,</i> well
disposed to receive instruction and commandment (<scripRef id="Luke.ix-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.15" parsed="|Luke|8|15|0|0" passage="Lu 8:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>); a heart free from sinful
pollutions, and firmly fixed for God and duty, an upright heart, a
tender heart, and a heart that <i>trembles at the word,</i> is an
honest and good heart, which, having heard the word,
<i>understands</i> it (so it is in Matthew), <i>receives</i> it (so
it is in Mark), and <i>keeps</i> it (so it is here), as the soil
not only <i>receives,</i> but keeps, the seed; and the stomach not
only receives, but keeps, the food or physic.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p23">(9.) Where the word is well kept there is
fruit brought forth <i>with patience.</i> This also is added here.
There must be both <i>bearing</i> patience and <i>waiting</i>
patience; patience to suffer the <i>tribulation</i> and
<i>persecution</i> which may <i>arise because of the word;</i>
patience to continue to the end in well-doing.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p24">(10.) In consideration of all this, we
ought to take <i>heed how we hear</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.ix-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.18" parsed="|Luke|8|18|0|0" passage="Lu 8:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>); take heed of those things that
will hinder our profiting by the word we hear, watch over our
hearts in hearing, and take heed lest they betray us; take heed
<i>lest</i> we hear carelessly and slightly, lest, upon any
account, we entertain prejudice against the word we hear; and take
heed to the frame of our spirits after we have heard the word, lest
we lose what we have gained.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p25">II. Needful instructions given to those
that are appointed to preach the word, and to those also that have
heard it. 1. Those that have <i>received the gift</i> must
<i>minister the same.</i> Ministers that have the dispensing of the
gospel committed to them, people that have profited by the word and
are thereby qualified to profit others, must look upon themselves
as <i>lighted candles:</i> ministers must in solemn authoritative
preaching, and people in brotherly familiar discourse, diffuse
their light, for a <i>candle</i> must not be <i>covered with a
vessel</i> nor <i>put under a bed,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.16" parsed="|Luke|8|16|0|0" passage="Lu 8:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. Ministers and Christians are to
be lights in the world, <i>holding forth the word of life.</i>
Their light must shine before men; they must not only <i>be
good,</i> but <i>do good.</i> 2. We must expect that what is now
done <i>in secret,</i> and from unseen springs, will shortly be
<i>manifested</i> and <i>made known,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p25.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.17" parsed="|Luke|8|17|0|0" passage="Lu 8:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>. What is committed to you <i>in
secret</i> should be made manifest <i>by you;</i> for your Master
did not give you talents to be buried, but to be traded with. Let
that which is now hid be <i>made known;</i> for, if it be not
manifested <i>by you,</i> it will be manifested <i>against you,</i>
will be produced in evidence of your treachery. 3. The gifts we
have will either be continued to us, or taken from us, according as
we do, or do not, make use of them for the glory of God and the
edification of our brethren: <i>Whosoever hath, to him shall be
given,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p25.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.18" parsed="|Luke|8|18|0|0" passage="Lu 8:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>. He
that hath gifts, and does good with them, shall have more; he that
<i>buries his talent</i> shall lose it. From him that hath not
shall be taken away even <i>that which he hath,</i> so it is in
Mark; that which he <i>seemeth to have,</i> so it is in Luke. Note,
The grace that is lost was but <i>seeming</i> grace, was never
<i>true.</i> Men do but <i>seem</i> to have what they do not
<i>use,</i> and shows of religion will be lost and forfeited. They
<i>went out from us, because they were not of us,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p25.4" osisRef="Bible:1John.2.19" parsed="|1John|2|19|0|0" passage="1Jo 2:19">1 John ii. 19</scripRef>. Let us see to it that
we have grace in sincerity, the <i>root of the matter</i> found in
us; that is a good part which shall never be taken away from those
that have it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p26">III. Great encouragement given to those
that prove themselves faithful <i>hearers of the word,</i> by being
<i>doers of the work,</i> in a particular instance of Christ's
respect to his disciples, in preferring them even before his
nearest relations (<scripRef id="Luke.ix-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.19-Luke.8.21" parsed="|Luke|8|19|8|21" passage="Lu 8:19-21"><i>v.</i>
19-21</scripRef>), which passage of story we had twice before.
Observe, 1. What crowding there was after Christ. There was no
coming near for the throng of people that attended him, who, though
they were crowded very so much, would not be crowded out from his
congregation. 2. Some of his nearest kindred were least solicitous
to hear him preach. Instead of getting <i>within,</i> as they might
easily have done if they had come in time, desiring to <i>hear
him,</i> they stood <i>without,</i> desiring to <i>see him;</i>
and, probably, out of a foolish fear, lest he should spend himself
with too much speaking, designing nothing but to interrupt him, and
oblige him to break off. 3. Jesus Christ would rather be busy at
his work than conversing with his friends. He would not leave his
preaching, to speak with his <i>mother</i> and his <i>brethren,</i>
for it was his <i>meat and drink</i> to be so employed. 4. Christ
is pleased to own those as his nearest and dearest relations that
<i>hear the word of God and do it;</i> they are to him more than
<i>his mother</i> and <i>brethren.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Luke.ix-p26.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.22-Luke.8.39" parsed="|Luke|8|22|8|39" passage="Lu 8:22-39" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.8.22-Luke.8.39">
<h4 id="Luke.ix-p26.3">Christ's Power over the Winds; Christ's
Power over the Devils.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.ix-p27">22 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he
went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us
go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.
  23 But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a
storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled <i>with water,</i>
and were in jeopardy.   24 And they came to him, and awoke
him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked
the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there
was a calm.   25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith?
And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner
of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and
they obey him.   26 And they arrived at the country of the
Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.   27 And when he
went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man,
which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in
<i>any</i> house, but in the tombs.   28 When he saw Jesus, he
cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said,
What have I to do with thee, Jesus, <i>thou</i> Son of God most
high? I beseech thee, torment me not.   29 (For he had
commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes
it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in
fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into
the wilderness.)   30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy
name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into
him.   31 And they besought him that he would not command them
to go out into the deep.   32 And there was there a herd of
many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he
would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.  
33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine:
and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and
were choked.   34 When they that fed <i>them</i> saw what was
done, they fled, and went and told <i>it</i> in the city and in the
country.   35 Then they went out to see what was done; and
came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were
departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right
mind: and they were afraid.   36 They also which saw <i>it</i>
told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was
healed.   37 Then the whole multitude of the country of the
Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they
were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and
returned back again.   38 Now the man out of whom the devils
were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus
sent him away, saying,   39 Return to thine own house, and
show how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way,
and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had
done unto him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p28">We have here two illustrious proofs of the
power of our Lord Jesus which we had before—his power over the
<i>winds,</i> and his power over the <i>devils.</i> See <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p28.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.4.1-Mark.5.43" parsed="|Mark|4|1|5|43" passage="Mk 4:1-5:43">Mark iv. and v</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p29">I. His power over the winds, those
<i>powers of the air</i> that are so much a terror to men,
especially upon sea, and occasion the death of such multitudes.
Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p30">1. Christ ordered his disciples to put to
sea, that he might show his glory upon the water, in stilling the
waves, and might do an act of kindness to a poor possessed man on
the other side the water: <i>He went into a ship with his
disciples,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p30.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.22" parsed="|Luke|8|22|0|0" passage="Lu 8:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>.
They that observe Christ's orders may assure themselves of his
presence. If Christ sends his disciples, he goes <i>with them.</i>
And those may safely and boldly venture any where that have Christ
accompanying them. <i>He said, Let us go over unto the other
side;</i> for he had a piece of good work to do there. He might
have gone by land, a little way about; but he chose to go by
<i>water,</i> that he might show his <i>wonders in the
deep.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p31">2. Those that put to sea in a calm, yea,
and at Christ's word, must yet <i>prepare for a storm,</i> and for
the utmost peril in that storm; There <i>came down a storm of wind
on the lake</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.ix-p31.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.23" parsed="|Luke|8|23|0|0" passage="Lu 8:23"><i>v.</i>
23</scripRef>), as if it were there, and no where else; and
presently their ship was so tossed that it was filled with water,
and they were in jeopardy of their lives. Perhaps the devil, who is
the <i>prince of the power of the air,</i> and who <i>raiseth
winds</i> by the permission of God, had some suspicion, from some
words which Christ might let fall, that he was coming over the lake
now on purpose to cast that legion of devils out of the poor man on
the other side, and therefore poured this storm upon the ship he
was in, designing, if possible, to have sunk him and prevented that
victory.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p32">3. Christ was <i>asleep</i> in the storm,
<scripRef id="Luke.ix-p32.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.23" parsed="|Luke|8|23|0|0" passage="Lu 8:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>. Some bodily
refreshment he must have, and he chose to take it when it would be
least a hindrance to him in his work. The disciples of Christ may
really have his gracious presence with them at sea, and in a storm,
and yet he may seem as if he were <i>asleep;</i> he may not
immediately appear for their relief, no, not when things seem to be
brought even to the last extremity. Thus he will try their faith
and patience, and quicken them by prayer to awake, and make their
deliverance the more welcome when it comes at last.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p33">4. A complaint to Christ of our danger, and
the distress his church is in, is enough to engage him to awake,
and appear for us, <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p33.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.24" parsed="|Luke|8|24|0|0" passage="Lu 8:24"><i>v.</i>
24</scripRef>. They cried, <i>Master, master, we perish!</i> The
way to have our fears silenced is to bring them to Christ, and lay
them before him. Those that in sincerity call Christ <i>Master,</i>
and with faith and fervency call upon him as <i>their Master,</i>
may be sure that he will not let them <i>perish.</i> There is no
relief for poor souls that are under a sense of guilt, and a fear
of wrath, like this, to go to Christ, and call him <i>Master,</i>
and say, "I am <i>undone,</i> if thou do not <i>help me.</i>"</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p34">5. Christ's business is to <i>lay
storms,</i> as it is Satan's business to <i>raise</i> them. He can
do it; he has done it; he delights to do it: for he came to
<i>proclaim peace on earth.</i> He <i>rebuked the wind and the
raging of the water,</i> and immediately <i>they ceased</i>
(<scripRef id="Luke.ix-p34.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.24" parsed="|Luke|8|24|0|0" passage="Lu 8:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>); not, as at
other times, by degrees, but all of a sudden, <i>there was a great
calm.</i> Thus Christ showed that, though the devil pretends to be
the prince of the power of the air, yet even there he has him in a
chain.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p35">6. When our dangers are over, it becomes us
to take to ourselves the shame of our own fears and to give to
Christ the glory of his power. When Christ had turned the
<i>storm</i> into a <i>calm, then were they glad because they were
quiet,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p35.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.107.30" parsed="|Ps|107|30|0|0" passage="Ps 107:30">Ps. cvii. 30</scripRef>.
And then, (1.) Christ gives them a rebuke for their inordinate
fear: <i>Where is your faith?</i> <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p35.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.25" parsed="|Luke|8|25|0|0" passage="Lu 8:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>. Note, Many that have <i>true
faith</i> have it to seek when they have occasion to use it. They
tremble, and are discouraged, if second causes frown upon them. A
little thing disheartens them; and <i>where is their faith</i>
then? (2.) They give him the glory of his power: <i>They, being
afraid, wondered.</i> Those that had feared the storm, now that the
danger was over with good reason feared him that had stilled it,
and <i>said one to another, What manner of man is this!</i> They
might as well have said, <i>Who is a God like unto thee?</i> For it
is God's prerogative to <i>still the noise of the seas, the noise
of their waves,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p35.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.65.7" parsed="|Ps|65|7|0|0" passage="Ps 65:7">Ps. lxv.
7</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p36">II. His power over <i>the devil,</i> the
<i>prince of the power of the air.</i> In the next passage of story
he comes into a closer grapple with him than he did when he
commanded <i>the winds.</i> Presently after the winds were stilled
they were brought to their desired haven, and <i>arrived at the
country of the Gadarenes,</i> and there went ashore (<scripRef id="Luke.ix-p36.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.26-Luke.8.27" parsed="|Luke|8|26|8|27" passage="Lu 8:26,27"><i>v.</i> 26, 27</scripRef>); and he soon met
with that which was his business over, and which he thought it
worth his while to go through a storm to accomplish.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p37">We may learn a great deal out of this story
concerning this world of infernal, malignant spirits, which, though
not working now ordinarily in the same way as here, yet we are all
concerned at all times to stand upon our guard against.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p38">1. These <i>malignant</i> spirits are very
<i>numerous.</i> They that had taken possession of this one man
called themselves <i>Legion</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.ix-p38.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.30" parsed="|Luke|8|30|0|0" passage="Lu 8:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>), because <i>many devils were
entered into him:</i> he had <i>had devils a long time,</i>
<scripRef id="Luke.ix-p38.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.27" parsed="|Luke|8|27|0|0" passage="Lu 8:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>. But perhaps
those that had been long in possession of him, upon some foresight
of our Saviour's coming to make an attack upon them, and finding
they could not prevent it by the storm they had raised, sent for
recruits, intending this to be <i>a decisive</i> battle, and hoping
now to be too hard for him that had cast out so many unclean
spirits, and to give him a defeat. They either were, or at least
would be thought to be, a <i>legion,</i> formidable as an <i>army
with banners;</i> and now, at least, to be, what the <i>twentieth
legion</i> of the Roman army, which was long quartered at Chester,
was styled, <i>legio victrix</i>—a <i>victorious legion.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p39">2. They have an <i>inveterate enmity</i> to
man, and all his conveniences and comforts. This man in whom the
devils had got possession, and kept it long, being under their
influence, <i>wore no clothes, neither abode in any house</i>
(<scripRef id="Luke.ix-p39.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.27" parsed="|Luke|8|27|0|0" passage="Lu 8:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>), though
<i>clothing</i> and a <i>habitation</i> are two of the necessary
supports of this life. Nay, and because man has a natural dread of
the habitations of the dead, they forced this man to <i>abide in
the tombs,</i> to make him so much the more a terror to himself and
to all about him, so that his soul had as much cause as ever any
man's had to be weary of his life, and to <i>choose strangling and
death rather.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p40">3. They are very <i>strong, fierce,</i> and
unruly, and hate and scorn to be restrained: <i>He was kept bound
with chains and in fetters,</i> that he might not be mischievous
either to others or to himself, but he <i>broke the bands,</i>
<scripRef id="Luke.ix-p40.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.29" parsed="|Luke|8|29|0|0" passage="Lu 8:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>. Note, Those
that are <i>ungovernable</i> by any other thereby show that they
are under Satan's government; and this is the language of those
that are so, even concerning God and Christ, their best friends,
that would not either bind them <i>from</i> or bind them<i>to</i>
any thing but for their own good: <i>Let us break their bands in
sunder. He was driven of the devil.</i> Those that are under
Christ's government are <i>sweetly led</i> with the cords of a man
and the bands of love; those that are under the devil's government
are <i>furiously driven.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p41">4. They are much enraged against our Lord
Jesus, and have a great dread and horror of him: <i>When the
man</i> whom they had possession of, and who spoke as they would
have him, <i>saw Jesus,</i> he <i>roared out</i> as one in an
agony, and <i>fell down before him,</i> to deprecate his wrath, and
owned him to be <i>the Son of God most high,</i> that was
infinitely above him and too hard for him; but protested against
having any league or confederacy with him (which might sufficiently
have silenced the blasphemous cavils of the scribes and Pharisees):
<i>What have I to do with thee?</i> The devils have neither
inclination to do service to Christ nor expectation to receive
benefit by him: <i>What have we to do with thee?</i> But they
dreaded his power and wrath: <i>I beseech thee, torment me not.</i>
They do not say, <i>I beseech thee, save me,</i> but only,
<i>Torment me not.</i> See whose language <i>they</i> speak that
have only a dread of hell as a place of torment, but no desire of
heaven as a place of holiness and love.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p42">5. They are perfectly <i>at the
command,</i> and under <i>the power,</i> of our Lord Jesus; and
they knew it, for they <i>besought him that he would not command
them to go</i> <b><i>eis ton abysson</i></b>—<i>into the deep,</i>
the place of their torment, which they acknowledge he could easily
and justly do. O what a comfort is this to the Lord's people, that
all the powers of darkness are under the check and control of the
Lord Jesus! He has them all in a chain. He can send them to
<i>their own place,</i> when he pleaseth.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p43">6. They delight in <i>doing mischief.</i>
When they found there was no remedy, but they must quit their hold
of this poor man, they begged they might have leave to take
possession of a <i>herd of swine,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p43.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.32" parsed="|Luke|8|32|0|0" passage="Lu 8:32"><i>v.</i> 32</scripRef>. When the devil at first brought
man into a miserable state he brought a curse likewise upon the
whole creation, and that became subject to enmity. And here, as an
instance of that extensive enmity of his, when he could not destroy
the man, he would destroy the swine. If he could not hurt them in
their bodies, he would hurt them in their goods, which sometimes
prove a great temptation to men to draw them from Christ, as here.
Christ <i>suffered them to enter into the swine,</i> to convince
the country what mischief the devil could do in it, if he should
suffer him. No sooner had the devils leave than they entered into
the <i>swine;</i> and no sooner had they entered into them than the
herd ran violently <i>down a steep place into the lake,</i> and
were <i>drowned.</i> For it is a miracle of mercy if those whom
Satan possesses are not brought to destruction and perdition. This,
and other instances, show that that roaring lion and red dragon
seeks <i>what</i> and whom he may devour.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p44">7. When the devil's power is broken in any
soul that soul recovers itself, and returns into a right frame,
which supposes that those whom Satan gets possession of are put out
of the possession of themselves: <i>The man out of whom the devils
were departed sat at the feet of Jesus,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p44.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.35" parsed="|Luke|8|35|0|0" passage="Lu 8:35"><i>v.</i> 35</scripRef>. While he was under the devil's
power he was ready to <i>fly in the face</i> of Jesus; but now he
<i>sits at his feet,</i> which is a sign that he is come to his
<i>right mind.</i> If God has possession of us, he preserves to us
the government and enjoyment of ourselves; but, if Satan has
possession of us, he robs us of both. Let his power therefore in
our souls be overturned, and let <i>him</i> come whose right our
hearts are, and let us give them to him; for we are never more our
own than when we are his.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p45">Let us now see what was the effect of this
miracle of casting the legion of devils out of this man.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p46">(1.) What effect it had upon the people of
that country who had lost their swine by it: <i>The swineherds went
and told it</i> both <i>in city and country</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.ix-p46.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.34" parsed="|Luke|8|34|0|0" passage="Lu 8:34"><i>v.</i> 34</scripRef>), perhaps with a design to
incense people against Christ. They told <i>by what means he that
was possessed of the devils was healed</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.ix-p46.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.36" parsed="|Luke|8|36|0|0" passage="Lu 8:36"><i>v.</i> 36</scripRef>), that it was by sending the
devils into the swine, which was capable of an invidious
representation, as if Christ could not have delivered the man out
of their hands, but by delivering the swine into them. <i>The
people came out, to see what was done,</i> and to enquire into it;
and <i>they were afraid</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.ix-p46.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.35" parsed="|Luke|8|35|0|0" passage="Lu 8:35"><i>v.</i>
35</scripRef>); they were <i>taken with great fear</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.ix-p46.4" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.37" parsed="|Luke|8|37|0|0" passage="Lu 8:37"><i>v.</i> 37</scripRef>); they were surprised and
amazed at it, and knew not what to say to it. They thought more of
the destruction of the swine than of the deliverance of their poor
afflicted neighbour, and of the country from the terror of his
frenzy, which was become a public nuisance; and therefore <i>the
whole multitude besought Christ to depart from them</i> for fear he
should bring some other judgment upon them; whereas indeed none
need to be afraid of Christ that are willing to forsake their sins
and give up themselves to him. But Christ took them at their word:
<i>He went up into the ship, and returned back again.</i> Those
lose their Saviour, and their hopes in him, that love their swine
better.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p47">(2.) What effect it had upon the poor man
who had recovered himself by it. He <i>desired</i> Christ's company
as much as others <i>dreaded</i> it: he besought Christ that <i>he
might be with him</i> as others were <i>that had been healed by him
of evil spirits and infirmities</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.ix-p47.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.2" parsed="|Luke|8|2|0|0" passage="Lu 8:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>), that Christ might be to him a
protector and teacher, and that he might be to Christ for a name
and a praise. He was loth to stay among those rude and brutish
Gadarenes that desired Christ to depart from them. <i>O gather not
my soul with these sinners!</i> But Christ would not take him along
with him, but sent him home, to publish among those that knew him
the great things God had done for him, that so he might be a
blessing to his country, as he had been a burden to it. We must
sometimes deny ourselves the satisfaction even of spiritual
benefits and comforts, to gain an opportunity of being serviceable
to the souls of others. Perhaps Christ knew that, when the
resentment of the loss of their swine was a little over, they would
be better disposed to consider the miracle, and therefore left the
man among them to be a standing monument, and a monitor to them of
it.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Luke.ix-p47.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.40-Luke.8.56" parsed="|Luke|8|40|8|56" passage="Lu 8:40-56" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.8.40-Luke.8.56">
<h4 id="Luke.ix-p47.3">The Issue of Blood Healed; The Ruler's
Daughter Raised.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.ix-p48">40 And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was
returned, the people <i>gladly</i> received him: for they were all
waiting for him.   41 And, behold, there came a man named
Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at
Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:
  42 For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age,
and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.  
43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had
spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of
any,   44 Came behind <i>him,</i> and touched the border of
his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.   45
And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they
that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and
press <i>thee,</i> and sayest thou, Who touched me?   46 And
Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is
gone out of me.   47 And when the woman saw that she was not
hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared
unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him,
and how she was healed immediately.   48 And he said unto her,
Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in
peace.   49 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the
ruler of the synagogue's <i>house,</i> saying to him, Thy daughter
is dead; trouble not the Master.   50 But when Jesus heard
<i>it,</i> he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she
shall be made whole.   51 And when he came into the house, he
suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the
father and the mother of the maiden.   52 And all wept, and
bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.
  53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
  54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and
called, saying, Maid, arise.   55 And her spirit came again,
and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.
  56 And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that
they should tell no man what was done.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p49">Christ was driven away by the
<i>Gadarenes;</i> they were weary of him, and willing to be rid of
him. But when he had crossed the water, and returned to the
<i>Galileans,</i> they <i>gladly received him, wished</i> and
<i>waited</i> for his return, and <i>welcomed</i> him with all
their hearts when he did return, <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p49.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.40" parsed="|Luke|8|40|0|0" passage="Lu 8:40"><i>v.</i> 40</scripRef>. If some <i>will not</i> accept
the favours Christ offers them, others <i>will.</i> If the
Gadarenes be not gathered, yet there are many among whom <i>Christ
shall be glorious.</i> When Christ had done his work on the other
side of the water he returned, and found work to do in the place
whence he came, fresh work. They that will lay out themselves to do
good shall never want occasion for it. The needy you have always
with you.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p50">We have here two miracles interwoven, as
they were in Matthew and Mark—the raising of Jairus's daughter to
life, and the cure of the woman that had an issue of blood, as he
was going in a crowd to Jairus's house. We have here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p51">I. A <i>public address</i> made to Christ
by <i>a ruler of the synagogue,</i> whose name was <i>Jairus,</i>
on the behalf of a little daughter of his, that was very ill, and,
in the apprehension of all about here, <i>lay a dying.</i> This
address was very humble and reverent. Jairus, though a <i>ruler,
fell down at Jesus's feet,</i> as owning him to be a ruler
<i>above</i> him. It was very importunate. He <i>besought him</i>
that he would <i>come into his house;</i> not having the
<i>faith,</i> at least not having the <i>thought,</i> of the
centurion, who desired Christ only to <i>speak the</i> healing
<i>word</i> at a distance. But Christ complied with his request;
<i>he went along</i> with him. Strong faith shall be applauded, and
yet weak faith shall not be rejected. In the houses where sickness
and death are, it is very desirable to have the presence of Christ.
When Christ was going, <i>the people thronged him,</i> some out of
curiosity to see him, others out of an affection to him. Let us not
complain of a crowd, and a throng, and a hurry, as long as we are
in the way of our duty, and <i>doing good;</i> but otherwise it is
what every wise man will keep himself out of as much as he can.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p52">II. Here is a <i>secret application</i>
made to Christ by a woman ill of a <i>bloody issue,</i> which had
been the consumption of her body and the consumption of her purse
too; for <i>she had spent all her living upon physicians,</i> and
was never the better, <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p52.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.43" parsed="|Luke|8|43|0|0" passage="Lu 8:43"><i>v.</i>
43</scripRef>. The nature of her disease was such that she did not
care to make a public complaint of it (it was agreeable to the
modesty of her sex to be very shy of speaking of it), and therefore
she took this opportunity of coming to Christ <i>in a crowd;</i>
and the more people were present the more likely she thought it was
that she should be <i>concealed.</i> Her <i>faith</i> was very
<i>strong;</i> for she doubted not but that by the <i>touch</i> of
the <i>hem of his garment</i> she should derive from him healing
virtue sufficient for her relief, looking upon him to be such a
full fountain of mercies that she should <i>steal</i> a cure and he
not <i>miss it.</i> Thus many a poor soul is <i>healed,</i> and
<i>helped,</i> and <i>saved,</i> by Christ, that is <i>lost in a
crowd,</i> and that nobody takes notice of. The woman found an
immediate change for the better in herself, and that her disease
was cured, <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p52.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.44" parsed="|Luke|8|44|0|0" passage="Lu 8:44"><i>v.</i> 44</scripRef>. As
believers have comfortable communion with Christ, so they have
comfortable communications from him <i>incognito</i>—<i>secretly,
meat to eat</i> that the <i>world knows not</i> of, and <i>joy</i>
that a <i>stranger does not intermeddle with.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p53">III. Here is a <i>discovery</i> of this
secret cure, to the glory both of the physician and the
patient.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p54">1. Christ takes notice that there is a cure
wrought: <i>Virtue is gone out of me,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p54.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.46" parsed="|Luke|8|46|0|0" passage="Lu 8:46"><i>v.</i> 46</scripRef>. Those that have been healed by
virtue derived from Christ must <i>own</i> it, for he <i>knows
it.</i> He speaks of it here, not in a way of <i>complaint,</i> as
if he were hereby either <i>weakened</i> or <i>wronged,</i> but in
a way of <i>complacency.</i> It was his delight that <i>virtue</i>
was gone out of him to do any good, and he did not grudge it to the
meanest; they were as welcome to it as to the light and heat of the
sun. Nor had he the less virtue <i>in him</i> for the going out of
the virtue <i>from him</i> for he is an <i>overflowing</i>
fountain.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p55">2. The poor patient owns her case, and the
benefit she had received: <i>When she saw that she was not hid, she
came, and fell down before him,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p55.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.47" parsed="|Luke|8|47|0|0" passage="Lu 8:47"><i>v.</i> 47</scripRef>. Note, The consideration of this,
that we cannot be <i>hid from Christ,</i> should engage us to
<i>pour</i> out <i>our hearts before</i> him, and to show before
him all our sin and all our trouble. <i>She came trembling,</i> and
yet <i>her faith saved her,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p55.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.48" parsed="|Luke|8|48|0|0" passage="Lu 8:48"><i>v.</i> 48</scripRef>. Note, There may be
<i>trembling</i> where yet there is saving faith. She <i>declared
before all the people for what cause she had touched him</i>
because she believed that a touch would cure her, and it did so.
Christ's patients should communicate their experiences to one
another.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p56">3. The great physician confirms her cure,
and sends her away with the comfort of it: <i>Be of good comfort;
thy faith hath made thee whole,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p56.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.48" parsed="|Luke|8|48|0|0" passage="Lu 8:48"><i>v.</i> 48</scripRef>. Jacob got the blessing from
Isaac clandestinely, and by a wile; but, when the fraud was
discovered, Isaac ratified it designedly. It was obtained
<i>surreptitiously</i> and <i>under-hand,</i> but it was secured
and seconded <i>above-board.</i> So was the cure here. He is
<i>blessed,</i> and he <i>shall be blessed;</i> so here, She
<i>is</i> healed, and she <i>shall be</i> healed.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p57">IV. Here is an <i>encouragement</i> to
Jairus not to distrust the power of Christ, <i>though his daughter
was now dead,</i> and they that brought him the tidings advised him
not to give <i>the Master any further trouble</i> about her:
<i>Fear not,</i> saith Christ, <i>only believe.</i> Note, Our
<i>faith in Christ</i> should be bold and daring, as well as our
<i>zeal for him.</i> They that are willing to do any thing for him
may depend upon his doing great things for them, above what they
are able to ask or think. When the patient is dead there is no room
for prayer, or the use of means; but here, though the child is
dead, yet <i>believe,</i> and all shall be well. <i>Post mortem
medicus</i>—<i>to call in the physician after death,</i> is an
absurdity; but not <i>post mortem Christus</i>—<i>to call in
Christ after death.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p58">V. The <i>preparatives</i> for the raising
of her to life again. 1. The <i>choice</i> Christ made of witnesses
that should see the miracle wrought. A <i>crowd</i> followed him,
but perhaps they were rude and noisy; however, it was not fit to
let such a multitude come into a gentleman's house, especially now
that the family was all in sorrow; <i>therefore</i> he sent them
back, and not because he was afraid to let the miracle pass their
scrutiny; for he raised Lazarus and the widow's son
<i>publicly.</i> He took none with him but Peter, and James, and
John, that triumvirate of his disciples that he was most intimate
with, designing these three, with the parents, to be the only
spectators of the miracle, they being a competent number to attest
the truth of it. 2. The <i>check</i> he gave to the mourners.
<i>They all wept, and bewailed her;</i> for, it seems, she was a
very agreeable hopeful child, and dear not only to the parents, but
to all the neighbours. But Christ bid them <i>not weep; for she is
not dead, but sleepeth.</i> He means, as to her peculiar case, that
she was not dead for good and all, but that she should now shortly
be raised to life, so that it would be to her friends as if she had
been but a few hours asleep. But it is applicable to all that die
in the Lord; therefore we should not sorrow for them as those that
have <i>no hope,</i> because death is but a <i>sleep</i> to them,
not only as it is a <i>rest</i> from all the <i>toils</i> of the
<i>days of time,</i> but as there will be a <i>resurrection,</i> a
waking and rising again to all the <i>glories</i> of the <i>days of
eternity.</i> This was a comfortable word which Christ said to
these mourners, yet they wickedly ridiculed it, and <i>laughed him
to scorn</i> for it here was <i>a pearl cast before swine.</i> They
were ignorant of the scriptures of the Old Testament who bantered
it as an absurd thing to call death a <i>sleep;</i> yet <i>this</i>
good came out of <i>that</i> evil that hereby the truth of the
miracle was evinced; for they <i>knew that she was dead,</i> they
were certain of it, and therefore nothing less than a <i>divine
power</i> could restore her to life. We find not any answer that he
made them; but he soon <i>explained himself,</i> I hope to their
conviction, so that they would never again laugh at any word of
his. But he <i>put them all out,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p58.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.54" parsed="|Luke|8|54|0|0" passage="Lu 8:54"><i>v.</i> 54</scripRef>. They were unworthy to be the
witnesses of this work of wonder; they who in the midst of their
mourning were so merrily disposed as to laugh at him for what he
<i>said</i> would, it may be, have found something to laugh at in
what he <i>did,</i> and therefore are justly shut out.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.ix-p59">VI. Her return to life, after a
<i>short</i> visit to the <i>congregation of the dead: He took her
by the hand</i> (as we do by one that we would awake out of sleep,
and help up), and he called, saying, <i>Maid, arise,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p59.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.55" parsed="|Luke|8|55|0|0" passage="Lu 8:55"><i>v.</i> 55</scripRef>. Thus the <i>hand of
Christ's grace</i> goes along with the <i>calls of his word,</i> to
make them effectual. Here that is expressed which was only implied
in the other evangelists, that <i>her spirit came again;</i> her
soul returned again to animate her body. This plainly proves that
the soul exists and acts in a state of separation from the body,
and therefore is immortal; that death does not extinguish this
<i>candle of the Lord,</i> but takes it out of a <i>dark
lantern.</i> It is not, as Grotius well observes, the
<b><i>krasis</i></b> or <i>temperament</i> of the body, or anything
that dies with it; but it is <b><i>anthypostaton
ti</i></b>—<i>something that subsists by itself,</i> which, after
death, is somewhere else than where the body is. Where the soul of
this child was in this interval we are not told; it was in the hand
of the <i>Father of spirits,</i> to whom all souls at death return.
When <i>her spirit came again</i> she arose, and made it appear
that she was alive by her motion, as she did also by her appetite;
for Christ <i>commanded to give her meat.</i> As babes newly born,
so those that are newly raised, desire spiritual food, that they
may grow <i>thereby.</i> In the <scripRef id="Luke.ix-p59.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.8.56" parsed="|Luke|8|56|0|0" passage="Lu 8:56">last
verse</scripRef>, we need not wonder to find <i>her parents
astonished;</i> but if that implies that <i>they only</i> were so,
and not the other by-standers, who had laughed Christ to scorn, we
may well wonder at their stupidity, which perhaps was the reason
why Christ would not have it proclaimed, as well as to give an
instance of his humility.</p>
</div></div2>