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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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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. VII.</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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This chapter continues and concludes Christ's sermon on the mount,
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which is purely practical, directing us to order our conversation
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aright, both toward God and man; for the design of the Christian
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religion is to make men good, every way good. We have,
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I. Some rules concerning censure and reproof,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:1-6">ver. 1-6</A>.
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II. Encouragements given us to pray to God for what we need,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:7-11">ver. 7-11</A>.
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III. The necessity of strictness in conversation urged upon us,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:12-14">ver. 12-14</A>.
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IV. A caution given us to take heed of false prophets,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:15-20">ver. 15-20</A>.
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V. The conclusion of the whole sermon, showing the necessity of
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universal obedience to Christ's commands, without which we cannot
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expect to be happy,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:21-27">ver. 21-27</A>.
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VI. The impression which Christ's doctrine made upon his hearers,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:28,29">ver. 28, 29</A>.</P>
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<A NAME="Mt7_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt7_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt7_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt7_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt7_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt7_6"> </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>The Sermon on the Mount.</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 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
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2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with
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what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
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3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye,
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but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
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4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote
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out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam <I>is</I> in thine own eye?
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5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye;
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and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy
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brother's eye.
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6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye
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your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their
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feet, and turn again and rend you.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Our Saviour is here directing us how to conduct ourselves in reference
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to the faults of others; and his expressions seem intended as a reproof
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to the scribes and Pharisees, who were very rigid and severe, very
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magisterial and supercilious, in condemning all about them, as those
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commonly are, that are proud and conceited in justifying themselves. We
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have here,</P>
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<P>
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I. A caution <I>against judging</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:1,2"><I>v.</I> 1, 2</A>.
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There are those whose office it is to judge-magistrates and ministers.
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Christ, though he made not himself a Judge, yet came not to unmake
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them, for by him <I>princes decree justice;</I> but this is directed to
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private persons, to his disciples, who shall hereafter <I>sit on
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thrones judging,</I> but not now. Now observe,</P>
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<P>
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1. The prohibition; <I>Judge not.</I> We must judge ourselves, and
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judge our own acts, but we must not judge our brother, not
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magisterially assume such an authority over others, as we allow not
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them over us: since our rule is, to be <I>subject to one another.</I>
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<I>Be not many masters,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+3:1">Jam. iii. 1</A>.
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We must not sit in the judgment-seat, to make our word a law to every
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body. We must not judge our brother, that is, we must not <I>speak
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evil</I> of him, so it is explained,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+4:11">Jam. iv. 11</A>.
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We must not <I>despise him,</I> nor <I>set him at nought,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+14:10">Rom. xiv. 10</A>.
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We must not judge rashly, nor pass such a judgment upon our brother as
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has no ground, but is only the product of our own jealousy and ill
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nature. We must not make the worst of people, nor infer such invidious
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things from their words and actions as they will not bear. We must not
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judge uncharitably, unmercifully, nor with a spirit of revenge, and a
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desire to do mischief. We must not judge of a man's state by a single
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act, nor of what he is in himself by what he is to us, because in our
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own cause we are apt to be partial. We must not judge the hearts of
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others, nor their intentions, for it is God's prerogative to try the
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heart, and we must not step into his throne; nor must we judge of their
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eternal state, nor call them <I>hypocrites, reprobates,</I> and
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<I>castaways;</I> that is stretching beyond our line; what have we to
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do, thus to judge another man's servant? Counsel him, and help him, but
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do not judge him.</P>
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<P>
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2. The reason to enforce this prohibition. <I>That ye be not
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judged.</I> This intimates,
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(1.) That if we presume to judge others, we may expect to be ourselves
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judged. He who usurps the bench, shall be called to the bar; he shall
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be judged of men; commonly none are more censured, than those who are
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most censorious; every one will have a stone to throw at them; he who,
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like Ishmael, has his hand, his tongue, <I>against every man,</I>
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shall, like him, have <I>every man's</I> hand and tongue <I>against
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him</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+16:12">Gen. xvi. 12</A>);
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and no mercy shall be shown to the reputation of those that show no
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mercy to the reputation of others. Yet that is not the worst of it;
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they shall be judged of God; from him they shall receive the <I>greater
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condemnation,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+3:1">Jam. iii. 1</A>.
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Both parties must appear before him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+14:10">Rom. xiv. 10</A>),
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who, as he will relieve the <I>humble sufferer,</I> will also resist
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the <I>haughty scorner,</I> and give him enough of judging.
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(2.) That if we be modest and charitable in our censures of others, and
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decline judging them, and judge ourselves rather, <I>we shall not be
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judged of the Lord.</I> As God will forgive those that forgive their
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brethren; so he will not judge those that will not judge their
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brethren; the <I>merciful shall find mercy.</I> It is an evidence of
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humility, charity, and deference to God, and shall be owned and
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rewarded by him accordingly. See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+14:10">Rom. xiv. 10</A>.</P>
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<P>
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The judging of those that judge others is according to the law of
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retaliation; <I>With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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The righteous God, in his judgments, often observes a rule of
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proportion, as in the case of Adonibezek,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+1:7">Judg. i. 7</A>.
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See also
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+13:10,18:6">Rev. xiii. 10; xviii. 6</A>.
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Thus will he be both justified and magnified in his judgments, and all
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flesh will be silenced before him. <I>With what measure ye mete, it
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shall be measured to you again;</I> perhaps in this world, so that men
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may read their sin in their punishment. Let this deter us from all
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severity in dealing with our brother. <I>What shall we do when God
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rises up?</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+31:14">Job xxxi. 14</A>.
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What would become of us, if God should be as exact and severe in
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judging us, as we are in judging our brethren; if he should weigh us in
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the same balance? We may justly expect it, if we be extreme to mark
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what our brethren do amiss. In this, as in other things, the violent
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dealings of men return upon their own heads.</P>
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<P>
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II. Some cautions <I>about reproving.</I> Because we must not judge
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others, which is a great sin, it does not therefore follow that we must
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not reprove others, which is a great duty, and may be a means of
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<I>saving a soul from death;</I> however, it will be a means of saving
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our souls from sharing in their guilt. Now observe here,</P>
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<P>
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1. It is not every one who is fit to reprove. Those who are themselves
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guilty of the same faults of which they accuse others, or of worse,
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bring shame upon themselves, and are not likely to do good to those
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whom they reprove,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:3-5"><I>v.</I> 3-5</A>.
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Here is,</P>
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<P>
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(1.) A just reproof to the censorious, who quarrel with their brother
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for small faults, while they allow themselves in great ones; who are
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quick-sighted to spy <I>a mote</I> in his eye, but are not sensible of
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<I>a beam in their own;</I> nay, and will be very officious to <I>pull
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out the mote out of his eye,</I> when they are as unfit to do it as if
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they were themselves quite blind. Note,
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[1.] There are degrees in sin: some sins are comparatively but as
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<I>motes,</I> others as <I>beams;</I> some as a <I>gnat,</I> others as
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a <I>camel:</I> not that there is any sin little, for there is no
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little God to sin against; if it be a <I>mote</I> (or <I>splinter,</I>
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for so it might better be read), it is in the eye; if a <I>gnat,</I> it
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is in the throat; both painful and perilous, and we cannot be easy or
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well till they are got out.
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[2.] Our own sins ought to appear greater to us than the same sins in
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others: that which charity teaches us to call but a <I>splinter in our
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brother's eye,</I> true repentance and godly sorrow will teach us to
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call a <I>beam in our own;</I> for the sins of others must be
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extenuated, but our own aggravated.
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[3.] There are many that have <I>beams in their own eyes,</I> and yet
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do not consider it. They are under the guilt and dominion of very great
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sins, and yet are not aware of it, but justify themselves, as if they
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needed no repentance nor reformation; it is as strange that a man can
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be in such a sinful, miserable condition, and not be aware of it, as
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that a man should have a beam in him eye, and not consider it; but the
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god of this world so artfully blinds their minds, that notwithstanding,
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with great assurance, they say, <I>We see.</I>
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[4.] It is common for those who are most sinful themselves, and least
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sensible of it, to be most forward and free in judging and censuring
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others: the Pharisees, who were most haughty in justifying themselves,
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were most scornful in condemning others. They were severe upon Christ's
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disciples for <I>eating with unwashen hands,</I> which was scarcely a
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<I>mote,</I> while they encouraged men in a contempt of their parents,
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which was a <I>beam.</I> Pride and uncharitableness are commonly
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<I>beams</I> in the eyes of those that pretend to be critical and nice
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in their censures of others. Nay, many are guilty of that secret,
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which they have the face to punish in others when it is discovered.
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<I>Cogita tecum, fortasse vitium de quo quereris, si te diligenter
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excusseris, in sinu invenies; inique publico irasceris crimini
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tuo--Reflect that perhaps the fault of which you complain, might, on a
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strict examination, be discovered in yourself; and that it would be
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unjust publicly to express indignation against your own crime.</I>
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Seneca, <I>de Beneficiis.</I> But,
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[5.] Men's being so severe upon the faults of others, while they are
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indulgent of their own, is a mark of hypocrisy. <I>Thou hypocrite,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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Whatever such a one may pretend, it is certain that he is no enemy to
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sin (if he were, he would be an enemy to his own sin), and therefore he
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is not worthy of praise; nay, it appears that he is an enemy to his
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brother, and therefore worthy of blame. This spiritual charity must
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begin at home; "<I>For how canst thou say,</I> how canst thou for shame
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say, to thy brother, <I>Let me help to reform thee,</I> when thou
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takest no care to reform thyself? Thy own heart will upbraid thee with
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the absurdity of it; thou wilt do it with an ill grace, and thou wilt
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expect every one to tell thee, that <I>vice corrects sin: physician,
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heal thyself;" I præ, sequar--Go you before, I will follow.</I>
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See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+2:21">Rom. ii. 21</A>.
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[6.] The consideration of what is amiss in ourselves, though it ought
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not to keep us from administering friendly reproof, ought to keep us
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from magisterial censuring, and to make us very candid and charitable
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in judging others. "Therefore <I>restore with the spirit of meekness,
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considering thyself</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+6:1">Gal. vi. 1</A>);
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what thou has been, what thou art, and what thou wouldst be, if God
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should leave thee to thyself."</P>
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<P>
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(2.) Here is a good rule for reprovers,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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Go in the right method, <I>first cast the beam out of thine own
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eye.</I> Our own badness is so far from excusing us in not reproving,
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that our being by it rendered unfit to reprove is an aggravation of our
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badness; I must not say, "I have <I>a beam in my own eye,</I> and
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therefore I will not help my brother with the <I>mote out of his.</I>"
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A man's <I>of</I>fence will never be his <I>de</I>fence: but I must
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first reform myself, that I may thereby help to reform my brother, and
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may qualify myself to reprove him. Note, Those who blame others, ought
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to be blameless and harmless themselves. Those who are <I>reprovers in
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the gate,</I> reprovers by office, magistrates and ministers, are
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concerned to <I>walk circumspectly,</I> and to be very regular in their
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conversation: an <I>elder must have a good report,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+3:2,7">1 Tim. iii. 2, 7</A>.
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The snuffers of the sanctuary were to be of pure gold.</P>
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<P>
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2. It is not every one that is fit to be reproved; <I>Give not that
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which is holy unto the dogs,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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This may be considered, either,
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(1.) As a rule to the disciples in preaching the gospel; not that they
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must not preach it to any one who were wicked and profane (Christ
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himself preached to publicans and sinners), but the reference is to
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such as they found obstinate after the gospel was preached to them,
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such as blasphemed it, and persecuted the preachers of it; let them not
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spend much time among such, for it would be lost labour, but let them
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turn to others,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+13:41">Acts xiii. 41</A>.
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So Dr. Whitby. Or,
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(2.) As a rule to all in giving reproof. Our zeal against sin must be
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guided by discretion, and we must not go about to give instructions,
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counsels, and rebukes, much less comforts, to hardened scorners, to
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whom it will certainly do no good, but who will be exasperated and
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enraged at us. Throw a pearl to a swine, and he will resent it, as if
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you threw a stone at him; <I>reproofs</I> will be called
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<I>reproaches,</I> as they were
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+11:45,Jer+6:10">Luke xi. 45; Jer. vi. 10</A>),
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therefore give not to dogs and swine (unclean creatures) holy things.
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Note,
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[1.] Good counsel and reproof are a holy thing, and a pearl: they are
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ordinances of God, they are precious; as an <I>ear-ring of gold, and an
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ornament of fine gold,</I> so is the wise reprover
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+25:12">Prov. xxv. 12</A>),
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and a wise reproof is <I>like an excellent oil</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+141:5">Ps. cxli. 5</A>);
|
|
|
|
it is <I>a tree of life</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:18">Prov. iii. 18</A>).
|
|
|
|
[2.] Among the generation of the wicked, there are some that have
|
|
arrived at such a pitch of wickedness, that they are looked upon as
|
|
dogs and swine; they are impudently and notoriously vile; they have so
|
|
long <I>walked in the way of sinners,</I> that they have sat down <I>in
|
|
the seat of the scornful;</I> they professedly hate and despise
|
|
instruction, and set it at defiance, so that they are irrecoverably and
|
|
irreclaimably wicked; they return with <I>the dog to his vomit,</I> and
|
|
with the <I>sow to her wallowing in the mire.</I>
|
|
|
|
[3.] Reproofs of instruction are ill bestowed upon such, and expose the
|
|
reprover to all the contempt and mischief that may be expected from
|
|
dogs and swine. One can expect no other than that they will trample the
|
|
reproofs under their feet, in scorn of them, and rage against them; for
|
|
they are impatient of control and contradiction; and they will turn
|
|
again and rend the reprovers; rend their good names with their
|
|
revilings, return them wounding words for their healing ones; rend them
|
|
with persecution; Herod rent John Baptist for his faithfulness. See
|
|
here what is the evidence of men's being <I>dogs</I> and <I>swine.</I>
|
|
Those are to be reckoned such, who <I>hate reproofs</I> and reprovers,
|
|
and fly in the face of those who, in kindness to their souls, show them
|
|
their sin and danger. These sin against the remedy; who shall heal and
|
|
help those that will not be healed and helped? It is plain that God has
|
|
determined to destroy such.
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+25:16">2 Chron. xxv. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
The rule here given is applicable to the distinguishing, sealing
|
|
ordinances of the gospel; which must not be prostituted to those who
|
|
are openly wicked and profane, lest holy things be thereby rendered
|
|
contemptible, and unholy persons be thereby hardened. <I>It is not meet
|
|
to take the children's bread, and cast it to the dogs.</I> Yet we must
|
|
be very cautious whom we condemn as dogs and swine, and not do it till
|
|
after trial, and upon full evidence. Many a patient is lost, by being
|
|
thought to be so, who, if means had been used, might have been saved.
|
|
As we must take heed of calling the <I>good,</I> <I>bad,</I> by judging
|
|
all professors to be hypocrites; so we must take heed of calling the
|
|
<I>bad,</I> <I>desperate,</I> by judging all the wicked to be
|
|
<I>dogs</I> and <I>swine.</I>
|
|
|
|
[4.] Our Lord Jesus is very tender of the safety of his people, and
|
|
would not have them needlessly to expose themselves to the fury of
|
|
those that will <I>turn again and rend</I> them. Let them not be
|
|
<I>righteous over much,</I> so as to destroy themselves. Christ makes
|
|
the law of self-preservation one of his own laws, and <I>precious is
|
|
the blood</I> of his subjects to him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Mt7_7"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt7_8"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt7_9"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt7_10"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt7_11"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Sermon on the Mount.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find;
|
|
knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
|
|
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh
|
|
findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
|
|
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will
|
|
he give him a stone?
|
|
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
|
|
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto
|
|
your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven
|
|
give good things to them that ask him?
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Our Saviour, in the foregoing chapter, had spoken of prayer as a
|
|
commanded duty, by which God is honoured, and which, if done aright,
|
|
shall be rewarded; here he speaks of it as the appointed means of
|
|
obtaining what we need, especially grace to obey the precepts he had
|
|
given, some of which are so displeasing to flesh and blood.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Here is a precept in three words to the same purport, <I>Ask, Seek,
|
|
Knock</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>);
|
|
|
|
that is, in one word, "Pray; pray often; pray with sincerity and
|
|
seriousness; pray, and pray again; make conscience of prayer, and be
|
|
constant in it; make a business of prayer, and be earnest in it.
|
|
<I>Ask,</I> as a beggar asks alms." Those that would be rich in grace,
|
|
must betake themselves to the poor trade of begging, and they shall
|
|
find it a thriving trade. "<I>Ask;</I> represent your wants and
|
|
burthens to God, and refer yourselves to him for support and supply,
|
|
according to his promise. <I>Ask</I> as a traveller asks the way; to
|
|
pray is to <I>enquire of God,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+36:37">Ezek. xxxvi. 37</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Seek,</I> as for a thing of value that we have lost, or as the
|
|
merchantman that <I>seeks goodly pearls.</I> <I>Seek by prayer,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+9:3">Dan. ix. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Knock,</I> as he that desires to enter into the house knocks at the
|
|
door." We would be admitted to converse with God, would be taken into
|
|
his love, and favour, and kingdom; sin has shut and barred the door
|
|
against us; by prayer, we knock; <I>Lord, Lord, open to us.</I> Christ
|
|
knocks at our door
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+3:20,So+5:2">Rev. iii. 20; Cant. v. 2</A>);
|
|
|
|
and allows us to knock at his, which is a favour we do not allow to
|
|
common beggars. Seeking and knocking imply something more than asking
|
|
and praying.
|
|
|
|
1. We must not only <I>ask</I> but <I>seek;</I> we must second our
|
|
prayers with our endeavors; we must, in the use of the appointed means,
|
|
<I>seek</I> for that which we <I>ask</I> for, else we tempt God. When
|
|
the dresser of the vineyard asked for a year's respite for the barren
|
|
fig-tree, he added, <I>I will dig about it,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+13:7,8">Luke xiii. 7, 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
God gives knowledge and grace to those that search the scriptures, and
|
|
wait at Wisdom's gates; and power against sin to those that avoid the
|
|
occasions of it.
|
|
|
|
2. We must not only <I>ask,</I> but <I>knock;</I> we must come to God's
|
|
door, must <I>ask</I> importunately; not only pray, but plead and
|
|
wrestle with God; we must <I>seek</I> diligently; we must continue
|
|
knocking; must persevere in prayer, and in the use of means; must
|
|
endure to the end in the duty.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Here is a promised annexed: <I>our labour</I> in prayer, if indeed
|
|
we do labour in it, <I>shall not be in vain:</I> where God finds a
|
|
praying heart, he will be found a prayer-hearing God; <I>he shall give
|
|
thee an answer of peace.</I> The precept is threefold, <I>ask, seek,
|
|
knock;</I> there is <I>precept upon precept;</I> but the promise is
|
|
sixfold, <I>line upon line,</I> for our encouragement; because a firm
|
|
belief of the promise would make us cheerful and constant in our
|
|
obedience. Now here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The promise is made, and made so as exactly to answer the precept,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Ask, and it shall be given you;</I> not lent you, not sold you, but
|
|
<I>given you;</I> and what is more free than gift? Whatever you pray
|
|
for, according to the promise, whatever you <I>ask, shall be given
|
|
you,</I> if God see it fit for you, and what would you have more? It
|
|
is but <I>ask</I> and have; <I>ye have not, because ye ask not,</I> or
|
|
<I>ask</I> not aright: what is not worth asking, is not worth having,
|
|
and then it is worth nothing. <I>Seek,</I> and <I>ye shall find,</I>
|
|
and then you do not lose your labour; God is himself <I>found of those
|
|
that seek</I> him, and if we find him we have enough. "<I>Knock, and
|
|
it shall be opened;</I> the door of mercy and grace shall no longer be
|
|
shut against you as enemies and intruders, but opened to you as friends
|
|
and children. It will be asked, <I>who is at the door?</I> If you be
|
|
able to say, a friend, and have the ticket of promise ready to produce
|
|
in the hand of faith, doubt not of admission. If the door be not
|
|
<I>opened</I> at the first <I>knock, continue instant in prayer;</I> it
|
|
is an affront to a friend to <I>knock</I> at his door, and then go
|
|
away; though he tarry, yet wait."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. It is repeated,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is to the same purport, yet with some addition.
|
|
|
|
(1.) It is made to extend to all that pray aright; "Not only you my
|
|
disciples shall receive what you pray for, but <I>every one that
|
|
asketh, receiveth,</I> whether Jew or Gentile, young or old, rich or
|
|
poor, high or low, master or servant, learned or unlearned, they are
|
|
all alike welcome to <I>the throne of grace,</I> if they come in faith:
|
|
<I>for God is no respecter of persons.</I>"
|
|
|
|
(2.) It is made so as to amount to a grant, in words of the present
|
|
tense, which is more than a promise for the future. <I>Every one that
|
|
asketh,</I> not only <I>shall</I> receive, but <I>receiveth;</I> by
|
|
faith, applying and appropriating the promise, we are actually
|
|
interested and invested in the good promised: so sure and inviolable
|
|
are the promises of God, that they do, in effect, give present
|
|
possession: an active believer enters immediately, and makes the
|
|
blessings promised his own. What have we in hope, according to the
|
|
promise, is as sure, and should be as sweet, as what we have in hand.
|
|
<I>God hath spoken in his holiness,</I> and then <I>Gilead is mine,
|
|
Manasseh mine</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+108:7,8">Ps. cviii. 7, 8</A>);
|
|
|
|
it is all mine own, if I can but make it so by believing it so.
|
|
Conditional grants become absolute upon the performance of the
|
|
condition; so here, <I>he that asketh, receiveth.</I> Christ hereby
|
|
puts his <I>fiat</I> to the petition; and he having all power, that is
|
|
enough.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. It is illustrated, by a similitude taken from earthly parents, and
|
|
their innate readiness to give their children what they ask. Christ
|
|
appeals to his hearers, <I>What man is there of you,</I> though never
|
|
so morose and ill-humoured, <I>whom if his son ask bread, will he give
|
|
him a stone?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:9,10"><I>v.</I> 9, 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
Whence he infers
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>If ye then, being evil,</I> yet grant your children's requests,
|
|
<I>much more will your heavenly Father give you the good things you
|
|
ask.</I> Now this is of use,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) To <I>direct</I> our prayers and expectations.
|
|
|
|
[1.] We must come to God, as children to a <I>Father in heaven,</I>
|
|
with reverence and confidence. How naturally does a child in want or
|
|
distress run to the father with its complaints; <I>My head, my
|
|
head;</I> thus should the new nature send us to God for supports and
|
|
supplies.
|
|
|
|
[2.] We must come to him for <I>good things,</I> for those he <I>gives
|
|
to them that ask him;</I> which teaches us to refer ourselves to him;
|
|
we know not what is good for ourselves
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+6:12">Eccl. vi. 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
but he knows what is good for us, we must therefore leave it with him;
|
|
<I>Father, thy will be done.</I> The child is here supposed to <I>ask
|
|
bread,</I> that is necessary, and <I>a fish,</I> that is wholesome; but
|
|
if the child should foolishly ask for <I>a stone,</I> or <I>a
|
|
serpent,</I> for unripe fruit to eat, or a sharp knife to play with,
|
|
the father, though kind, is so wise as to deny him. We often ask that
|
|
of God which would do us harm if we had it; he knows this, and
|
|
therefore does not give it to us. Denials in love are better than
|
|
grants in anger; we should have been undone ere this if we had had all
|
|
we desired; this is admirably well expressed by a heathen, Juvenal,
|
|
<I>Sat.</I> 10.</P>
|
|
|
|
<CENTER>
|
|
<TABLE BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><I>Permittes ipsis expendere numinibus,quid
|
|
<BR>Conveniat nobis, rebusque sit utile nostris,
|
|
<BR>Nam pro jucundis aptissima quæque dabunt dii.
|
|
<BR>Carior est illis homo, quam sibi: nos animorum
|
|
<BR>Impulsu, et cæca, magnaque cupidine ducti,
|
|
<BR>Conjugium petimus, partumque uxoris; at illis
|
|
<BR>Notum est, qui pueri, qualisque futura sit uxor.</I>
|
|
<BR>
|
|
<BR>Entrust thy fortune to the powers above.
|
|
<BR>Leave them to manage for thee, and to grant
|
|
<BR>What their unerring wisdom sees thee want:
|
|
<BR>In goodness, as in greatness, they excel;
|
|
<BR>Ah, that we lov'd ourselves but half so well!
|
|
<BR>We, blindly by our headstrong passions led,
|
|
<BR>Seek a companion, and desire to wed;
|
|
<BR>Then wish for heirs: but to the gods alone
|
|
<BR>Our future offspring and our wives are known.</TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
</CENTER>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) To <I>encourage</I> our prayers and expectations. We may hope that
|
|
we shall not be denied and disappointed: we shall not have <I>a
|
|
stone</I> for <I>bread,</I> to break our teeth (though we have a hard
|
|
crust to employ our teeth), nor <I>a serpent</I> for <I>a fish,</I> to
|
|
sting us; we have reason indeed to fear it, because we deserve it, but
|
|
God will be better to us than the desert of our sins. The world often
|
|
gives <I>stones for bread,</I> and <I>serpents for fish,</I> but God
|
|
never does; nay, we shall be heard and answered, for children are by
|
|
their parents.
|
|
|
|
[1.] God has put into the hearts of parents a compassionate inclination
|
|
to succour and supply their children, according to their need. Even
|
|
those that have had little conscience of duty, yet have done it, as it
|
|
were by instinct. No law was ever thought necessary to oblige parents
|
|
to maintain their legitimate children, nor, in Solomon's time, their
|
|
illegitimate ones.
|
|
|
|
[2.] He has assumed the relation of a Father to us, and owns us for his
|
|
children; that from the readiness we find in ourselves to relieve our
|
|
children, we may be encouraged to apply ourselves to him for relief.
|
|
What love and tenderness fathers have are from him; not from nature but
|
|
from the God of nature; and therefore they must needs be infinitely
|
|
greater in himself. He compares his concern for his people to that of a
|
|
father for his children
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+103:13">Ps. ciii. 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
nay, to that of a mother, which is usually more tender,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:13,Isa+49:14,15">Isa. lxvi. 13; xlix. 14, 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
But here it is supposed, that his love, and tenderness, and goodness,
|
|
far excel that of any earthly parent; and therefore it is argued with a
|
|
<I>much more,</I> and it is grounded upon this undoubted truth, that
|
|
God is a better Father, infinitely better than any earthly parents are;
|
|
<I>his thoughts are above theirs.</I> Our earthly fathers have taken
|
|
care of us; we have taken care of our children; much more will God take
|
|
care of his; for they are evil, originally so; the degenerate seed of
|
|
fallen Adam; they have lost much of the good nature that belonged to
|
|
humanity, and among other corruptions, have that of crossness and
|
|
unkindness in them; yet they <I>give good things to their children,</I>
|
|
and they <I>know how to give,</I> suitably and seasonably; <I>much more
|
|
will</I> God, for he takes up when they forsake,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+27:10">Ps. xxvii. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
And, <I>First,</I> God is more knowing; parents are often foolishly
|
|
fond, but God is wise, infinitely so; he knows what we need, what we
|
|
desire, and what is fit for us. <I>Secondly,</I> God is more kind. If
|
|
all the compassions of all the tender fathers in the world were crowded
|
|
into the bowels of one, yet compared <I>with the tender mercies of our
|
|
God,</I> they would be but as a candle to the sun, or a drop to the
|
|
ocean. God is more rich, and more ready to give to his children than
|
|
the fathers of our flesh can be; for he is the Father of our spirits,
|
|
an ever-loving, ever-living Father. The bowels of Fathers yearn even
|
|
towards undutiful children, towards prodigals, as David's toward
|
|
Absalom, and will not all this serve to silence disbelief?</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Mt7_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt7_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt7_14"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Sermon on the Mount.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do
|
|
to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the
|
|
prophets.
|
|
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide <I>is</I> the gate, and
|
|
broad <I>is</I> the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there
|
|
be which go in thereat:
|
|
14 Because strait <I>is</I> the gate, and narrow <I>is</I> the way, which
|
|
leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Our Lord Jesus here presses upon us that righteousness towards men
|
|
which is an essential branch of true religion, and that religion
|
|
towards God which is an essential branch of universal
|
|
righteousness.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. We must make righteousness our rule, and be ruled by it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Therefore,</I> lay this down for your principle, to do as you would
|
|
be done by; therefore, that you may conform to the foregoing precepts,
|
|
which are particular, that you may not judge and censure others, go by
|
|
this rule in general; (you would not be censured, therefore do not
|
|
censure), Or that you may have the benefit of the foregoing promises.
|
|
Fitly is the law of justice subjoined to the law of prayer, for unless
|
|
we be honest in our conversation, God will not hear our prayers,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+1:15-17,58:6,9,Zec+7:9,13">Isa. i. 15-17; lviii. 6, 9;
|
|
Zech. vii. 9, 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
We cannot expect to receive <I>good things</I> from God, if we do not
|
|
<I>fair</I> things, and that which is <I>honest,</I> and <I>lovely, and
|
|
of good report</I> among men. We must not only be devout, but honest,
|
|
else our devotion is but hypocrisy. Now here we have,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The rule of justice laid down; <I>Whatsoever ye would that men
|
|
should do to you, do you even so to them.</I> Christ came to teach us,
|
|
not only what we are to know and believe, but what we are to do; what
|
|
we are to do, not only toward God, but toward men; not only towards our
|
|
fellow-disciples, those of our party and persuasion, but towards men in
|
|
general, all with whom we have to do. The golden rule of equity is, to
|
|
do to others as we would they should do to us. Alexander Severus, a
|
|
heathen emperor, was a great admirer of this rule, had it written upon
|
|
the walls of his closet, often quoted it in giving judgment, honoured
|
|
Christ, and favoured Christians for the sake of it. <I>Quod tibi, hoc
|
|
alteri--do to others as you would they should do to you.</I> Take it
|
|
negatively (<I>Quod tibi fieri non vis, ne alteri feceris</I>), or
|
|
positively, it comes all to the same. We must not do to others the evil
|
|
they have done us, nor the evil which they would do to us, if it were
|
|
in their power; nor may we do that which we think, if it were done to
|
|
us, we could bear contentedly, but what we desire should be done to us.
|
|
This is grounded upon that great commandment, <I>Thou shalt love thy
|
|
neighbor as thyself.</I> As we must bear the same affection to our
|
|
neighbour that we would have borne to ourselves, so we must do the same
|
|
good offices. The meaning of this rule lies in three things.
|
|
|
|
(1.) We must do that to our neighbour which we ourselves acknowledge to
|
|
be fit and reasonable: the appeal is made to our own judgment, and the
|
|
discovery of our judgment is referred to that which is our own will and
|
|
expectation, when it is our own case.
|
|
|
|
(2.) We must put other people upon the level with ourselves, and reckon
|
|
we are as much obliged to them, as they to us. We are as much bound to
|
|
the duty of justice as they, and they as much entitled to the benefit
|
|
of it as we.
|
|
|
|
(3.) We must, in our dealings with men, suppose ourselves in the same
|
|
particular case and circumstances with those we have to do with, and
|
|
deal accordingly. If I were making such a one's bargain, labouring
|
|
under such a one's infirmity and affliction, how should I desire and
|
|
expect to be treated? And this is a just supposition, because we know
|
|
not how soon their case may really be ours: at least we may fear, lest
|
|
God by his judgments should do to us as we have done to others, if we
|
|
have not done as we would be done by.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. A reason given to enforce this rule; <I>This is the law and the
|
|
prophets.</I> It is the summary of that second great commandment, which
|
|
is one of the two, <I>on which hang all the law and the prophets,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+22:40"><I>ch.</I> xxii. 40</A>.
|
|
|
|
We have not this in so many words, either in <I>the law</I> or <I>the
|
|
prophets,</I> but it is the concurring language of the whole. All that
|
|
is there said concerning our duty towards our neighbour (and that is no
|
|
little) may be reduced to this rule. Christ has here adopted it into
|
|
this law; so that both the Old Testament and the New agree in
|
|
prescribing this to us, to do as we would be done by. By this rule the
|
|
law of Christ is commended, but the lives of Christians are condemned
|
|
by comparing them with it. <I>Aut hoc non evangelium, authi non
|
|
evangelici.--Either this is not the gospel, or these are not
|
|
Christians.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. We must make religion our business, and be intent upon it; we must
|
|
be strict and circumspect in our conversation, which is here
|
|
represented to us as entering in at a <I>strait gate,</I> and walking
|
|
on in a <I>narrow way,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:13,14"><I>v.</I> 13, 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The account that is given of the bad way of sin, and the good way of
|
|
holiness. There are but two ways, right and wrong, good and evil; the
|
|
way to heaven, and the way to hell; in the one of which we are all of
|
|
us walking: no middle place hereafter, no middle way now: the
|
|
distinction of the children of men into saints and sinners, godly and
|
|
ungodly, will swallow up all to eternity.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here is,
|
|
|
|
(1.) An account given us of the way of sin and sinners; both what is
|
|
the best, and what is the worst of it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] That which allures multitudes into it, and keeps them in it;
|
|
<I>the gate is wide, and the way broad,</I> and there are many
|
|
travellers in that way. <I>First,</I> "You will have abundance of
|
|
liberty in that way; <I>the gate is wide,</I> and stands wide open to
|
|
tempt those that go right on their way. You may go in at this gate with
|
|
all your lusts about you; it gives no check to your appetites, to your
|
|
passions: you may <I>walk in the way of your heart, and in the sight of
|
|
your eyes;</I> that gives room enough." It is a <I>broad way,</I> for
|
|
there is nothing to hedge in those that walk in it, but they wander
|
|
endlessly; a <I>broad way,</I> for there are many paths in it; there is
|
|
choice of sinful ways, contrary to each other, but all paths in this
|
|
<I>broad way.</I> <I>Secondly,</I> "You will have abundance of company
|
|
in that way: <I>many there be that go in</I> at this gate, and walk in
|
|
this way." If we <I>follow the multitude,</I> it will be <I>to do
|
|
evil:</I> if we go with the crowd, it will be the wrong way. It is
|
|
natural for us to incline to go down the stream, and do as the most do;
|
|
but it is too great a compliment, to be willing to be damned for
|
|
company, and to go to hell with them, because they will not go to
|
|
heaven with us: if many perish, we should be the more cautious.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] That which should affright us all from it is, that it <I>leads to
|
|
destruction.</I> Death, eternal death, is at the end of it (and the way
|
|
of sin tends to it),--everlasting <I>destruction from the presence of
|
|
the Lord.</I> Whether it be the high way of open profaneness, or the
|
|
back way of close hypocrisy, if it be a way of sin, it will be our
|
|
ruin, if we repent not.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) Here is an account given us of the way of holiness.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] What there is in it that frightens many from it; let us know the
|
|
worst of it, that we may sit down and count the cost. Christ deals
|
|
faithfully with us, and tells us,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>First,</I> That <I>the gate is strait.</I> Conversion and
|
|
regeneration are <I>the gate,</I> by which we enter into this way, in
|
|
which we begin a life of faith and serious godliness; out of a state of
|
|
sin into a state of grace we must pass, by the new birth,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+3:3,5">John iii. 3, 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
This is a <I>strait gate,</I> hard to find, and hard to get through;
|
|
like a passage between two rocks,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+14:4">1 Sam. xiv. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
There must be <I>a new heart, and a new spirit,</I> and <I>old things
|
|
must pass away.</I> The bent of the soul must be changed, corrupt
|
|
habits and customs broken off; what we have been doing all our days
|
|
must be undone again. We must swim against the stream; much opposition
|
|
must be struggled with, and broken through, from without, and from
|
|
within. It is easier to set a man against all the world than against
|
|
himself, and yet this must be in conversion. It is a <I>strait
|
|
gate,</I> for we must stoop, or we cannot go in at it; we must become
|
|
as little children; high thoughts must be brought down; nay, we must
|
|
strip, must deny ourselves, put off the world, <I>put off the old
|
|
man;</I> we must be willing to forsake all for our interest in Christ.
|
|
<I>The gate is strait</I> to all, but to some straiter than others; as
|
|
to the rich, to some that have been long prejudiced against religion.
|
|
<I>The gate is strait;</I> blessed be God, it is not shut up, nor
|
|
locked against us, nor kept with a flaming sword, as it will be
|
|
shortly,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:10"><I>ch.</I> xxv. 10</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> That <I>the way is narrow.</I> We are not in heaven as
|
|
soon as we have got through the <I>strait gate,</I> nor in Canaan as
|
|
soon as we have got through the Red Sea; no, we must go through a
|
|
wilderness, must travel a <I>narrow way,</I> hedged in by the divine
|
|
law, which <I>is exceedingly broad,</I> and that makes <I>the way
|
|
narrow;</I> self must be denied, the body kept under, corruptions
|
|
mortified, that are as a <I>right eye</I> and a <I>right hand;</I>
|
|
daily temptations must be resisted; duties must be done that are
|
|
against our inclination. We must endure hardness, must wrestle and be
|
|
in an agony, must watch in all things, and walk with care and
|
|
circumspection. We must go <I>through much tribulation.</I> It is
|
|
<B><I>hodos tethlimmene</I></B>--<I>an afflicted way,</I> a way hedged
|
|
about with thorns; blessed be God, it is not hedged up. The bodies we
|
|
carry about with us, and the corruptions remaining in us, make the way
|
|
of our duty difficult; but, as the understanding and will grow more and
|
|
more sound, it will open and enlarge, and grow more and more
|
|
pleasant.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Thirdly, The gate</I> being so <I>strait and the way so narrow,</I>
|
|
it is not strange that there are but <I>few that find it,</I> and
|
|
choose it. Many pass it by, through carelessness; they will not be at
|
|
the pains to find it; they are well as they are, and see no need to
|
|
change their way. Others look upon it, but shun it; they like not to be
|
|
so limited and restrained. Those that are going to heaven are but few,
|
|
compared to those that are going to hell; a remnant, a little flock,
|
|
like the grape-gleanings of the vintage; as the eight that were saved
|
|
in the ark,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+3:20">1 Pet. iii. 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>In vitia alter alterum trudimus; Quomodo ad salutem revocari potest,
|
|
quum nullus retrahit, et populus impellit--In the ways of vice men
|
|
urge each other onward: how shall any one be restored to the path of
|
|
safety, when impelled forwards by the multitude, without any
|
|
counteracting influence?</I> Seneca, <I>Epist.</I> 29. This discourages
|
|
many: they are loth to be singular, to be solitary; but instead of
|
|
stumbling at this, say rather, If so few are going to heaven, there
|
|
shall be one the more for me.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] Let us see what there is in this way, which, notwithstanding this,
|
|
should invite us all to it; it <I>leads to life,</I> to present comfort
|
|
in the favour of God, which is the life of the soul; to eternal bliss,
|
|
the hope of which, at the end of our way, should reconcile us to all
|
|
the difficulties and inconveniences of the road. Life and godliness are
|
|
put together
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:3">2 Pet. i. 3</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>The gate is strait and the way narrow</I> and up-hill, but one hour
|
|
in heaven will make amends for it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The great concern and duty of every one of us, in consideration of
|
|
all this; <I>Enter ye in at the strait gate.</I> The matter is fairly
|
|
stated; life and death, good and evil, are set before us; both the
|
|
ways, and both the ends: now let the matter be taken entire, and
|
|
considered impartially, and then choose you this day which you will
|
|
walk in; nay, the matter determines itself, and will not admit of a
|
|
debate. No man, in his wits, would choose to go to the gallows, because
|
|
it is a smooth, pleasant way to it, nor refuse the offer of a palace
|
|
and a throne, because it is a rough, dirty way to it; yet such
|
|
absurdities as these are men guilty of, in the concerns of their souls.
|
|
Delay not, therefore; deliberate not any longer, but <I>enter ye in at
|
|
the strait gate;</I> <I>knock</I> at it by sincere and constant prayers
|
|
and endeavors, <I>and it shall be opened;</I> nay, a wide door shall be
|
|
opened, and an effectual one. It is true, we can neither go in, nor go
|
|
on, without the assistance of divine grace; but it is as true, that
|
|
grace is freely offered, and shall not be wanting to those that seek
|
|
it, and submit to it. Conversion is hard work, but it is needful, and,
|
|
blessed be God, it is not impossible if we strive,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+13:24">Luke xiii. 24</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Mt7_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt7_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt7_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt7_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt7_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt7_20"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Sermon on the Mount.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's
|
|
clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
|
|
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of
|
|
thorns, or figs of thistles?
|
|
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a
|
|
corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
|
|
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither <I>can</I> a
|
|
corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
|
|
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down,
|
|
and cast into the fire.
|
|
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here a caution against <I>false prophets,</I> to take heed that
|
|
we be not deceived and imposed upon by them. <I>Prophets</I> are
|
|
properly such as foretel things to come; there are some mentioned in
|
|
the Old Testament, who pretended to that without warrant, and the event
|
|
disproved their pretensions, as Zedekiah,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:11">1 Kings xxii. 11</A>,
|
|
|
|
and another Zedekiah,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:21">Jer. xxix. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
But <I>prophets</I> did also teach the people their duty, so that
|
|
<I>false prophets</I> here are false teachers. Christ being a Prophet
|
|
and <I>a Teacher come from God,</I> and designing to send abroad
|
|
teachers under him, gives warning to all to take heed of counterfeits,
|
|
who, instead of healing souls with wholesome doctrine, as they pretend,
|
|
would poison them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
They are false teachers and <I>false prophets,</I>
|
|
|
|
1. Who produce false commissions, who pretend to have immediate warrant
|
|
and direction from God to set up for <I>prophets,</I> and to be
|
|
divinely inspired, when they are not so. Though their doctrine may be
|
|
true, we are to <I>beware</I> of them as <I>false prophets.</I> False
|
|
apostles are those who <I>say they are apostles, and are not</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+2:2">Rev. ii. 2</A>);
|
|
|
|
such are <I>false prophets.</I> "Take heed of those who pretend to
|
|
revelation, and admit them not without sufficient proof, lest that one
|
|
absurdity being admitted, a thousand follow."
|
|
|
|
2. Who preach false doctrine in those things that are essential to
|
|
religion; who teach that which is contrary to <I>the truth as it is in
|
|
Jesus,</I> to <I>the truth which is accordingly to godliness.</I> The
|
|
former seems to be the proper notion of <I>pseudo-propheta,</I> a
|
|
<I>false</I> or pretending <I>prophet,</I> but commonly the latter
|
|
falls in with it; for who would hang out false colours, but with
|
|
design, under pretence of them, the more successfully to attack the
|
|
truth. "Well, beware of them, suspect them, try them, and when you have
|
|
discovered their falsehood, avoid them, have nothing to do with them.
|
|
Stand upon your guard against this temptation, which commonly attends
|
|
the days of reformation, and the breakings out of divine light in more
|
|
than ordinary strength and splendour." When God's work is revived,
|
|
Satan and his agents are most busy. Here is,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. A good reason for this caution, <I>Beware of</I> them, for they are
|
|
<I>wolves in sheep's clothing,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. We have need to be very cautious, because their pretences are very
|
|
fair and plausible, and such as will deceive us, if we be not upon our
|
|
guard. They <I>come in sheep's clothing,</I> in the habit of
|
|
<I>prophets,</I> which was plain and coarse, and unwrought; they
|
|
<I>wear a rough garment to deceive,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+13:4">Zech. xiii. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
Elijah's mantle the Septuagint calls <B><I>he melote</I></B>--<I>a
|
|
sheep-skin</I> mantle. We must take heed of being imposed upon by men's
|
|
dress and garb, as by that of the scribes, who <I>desire to walk in
|
|
long robes,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+20:46">Luke xx. 46</A>.
|
|
|
|
Or it may be taken figuratively; they pretend to be sheep, and
|
|
outwardly appear so innocent, harmless, meek, useful, and all that is
|
|
good, as to be excelled by none; they feign themselves to be just men,
|
|
and for the sake of their clothing are admitted among the sheep, which
|
|
gives them an opportunity of doing them a mischief ere they are aware.
|
|
They and their errors are gilded with the specious pretences of
|
|
sanctity and devotion. Satan turns himself <I>into an angel of
|
|
light,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+11:13,14">2 Cor. xi. 13, 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
The enemy has <I>horns like a lamb</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+13:11">Rev. xiii. 11</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>faces of men,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+9:7,8">Rev. ix. 7, 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
Seducers in language and carriage are <I>soft as wool,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+16:18,Isa+30:10">Rom. xvi. 18; Isa. xxx. 10</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Because under these pretensions their designs are very malicious and
|
|
mischievous; <I>inwardly they are ravening wolves.</I> Every
|
|
<I>hypocrite</I> is a <I>goat</I> in sheep's clothing; not only not a
|
|
sheep, but the worst enemy the sheep has, that comes not but to tear
|
|
and devour, to <I>scatter the sheep</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+10:12">John x. 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
to drive them from God, and from one another, into crooked paths. Those
|
|
that would cheat us of any truth, and possess us with error, whatever
|
|
they pretend, design mischief to our souls. Paul calls them <I>grievous
|
|
wolves,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+20:29">Acts xx. 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
They raven for themselves, <I>serve their own belly</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+16:18">Rom. xvi. 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
make a prey of you, make a gain of you. Now since it is so easy a
|
|
thing, and withal so dangerous, to be cheated, <I>Beware of false
|
|
prophets.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Here is a good rule to go by in this caution; we must <I>prove all
|
|
things</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:21">1 Thess. v. 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>try the spirits</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+4:1">1 John iv. 1</A>),
|
|
|
|
and here we have a touchstone; <I>ye shall know them by their
|
|
fruits,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:16-20"><I>v.</I> 16-20</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The illustration of this comparison, of the fruit's being the
|
|
discovery of the tree. You cannot always distinguish them by their bark
|
|
and leaves, nor by the spreading of their boughs, but <I>by their
|
|
fruits ye shall know them.</I> The fruit is according to the tree. Men
|
|
may, in their professions, put a force upon their nature, and
|
|
contradict their inward principles, but the stream and bent of their
|
|
practices will agree with them. Christ insists upon this, the
|
|
agreeableness between the fruit and the tree, which is such as that,
|
|
|
|
(1.) If you know what the tree is, you may know what fruit to expect.
|
|
Never look to gather <I>grapes from thorns, nor figs from thistles;</I>
|
|
it is not in their nature to produce such fruits. An apple may be
|
|
stuck, or a bunch of grapes may hang, upon a thorn; so may a good
|
|
truth, a good word or action, be found in a bad man, but you may be
|
|
sure it never grew there. Note,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Corrupt, vicious, unsanctified hearts are like thorns and
|
|
thistles, which came in with sin, are worthless, vexing, and for the
|
|
fire at last.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Good works are <I>good fruit,</I> like grapes and figs, pleasing
|
|
to God and profitable to men.
|
|
|
|
[3.] This <I>good fruit</I> is never to be expected from bad men, and
|
|
more than <I>a clean thing out of an unclean:</I> they want an
|
|
influencing acceptable principle. <I>Out of</I> an <I>evil treasure</I>
|
|
will be brought forth <I>evil things.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) On the other hand, if you know what the fruit is, you may, by
|
|
that, perceive what the tree is. <I>A good tree cannot bring forth evil
|
|
fruit;</I> and <I>a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit,</I>
|
|
nay, it cannot but <I>bring forth evil fruit.</I> But then that must be
|
|
reckoned the fruit of the tree which it brings forth naturally and
|
|
which is its genuine product--which it brings forth plentifully and
|
|
constantly and which is its usual product. Men are known, not by
|
|
particular acts, but by the course and tenour of their conversation,
|
|
and by the more frequent acts, especially those that appear to be free,
|
|
and most their own, and least under the influence of external motives
|
|
and inducements.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The application of this to the false prophets.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) By way of terror and threatening
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down.</I> This
|
|
very saying John the Baptist had used,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+3:10"><I>ch.</I> iii. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ could have spoken the same sense in other words; could have
|
|
altered it, or given it a new turn; but he thought it no disparagement
|
|
to him to say the same that John had said before him; let not ministers
|
|
be ambitious of coining new expressions, nor people's ears itch for
|
|
novelties; to write and speak the same things must not be grievous, for
|
|
it is safe. Here is,
|
|
|
|
[1.] The description of barren trees; they are trees that do <I>not
|
|
bring forth good fruit;</I> though there be fruit, if it be not <I>good
|
|
fruit</I> (though that be done, which for the matter of it is good, if
|
|
it be not done well, in a right manner, and for a right end), the tree
|
|
is accounted barren.
|
|
|
|
[2.] The doom of barren trees; <I>they are,</I> that is, certainly they
|
|
shall be, <I>hewn down, and cast into the fire;</I> God will deal with
|
|
them as men use to deal with dry trees that cumber the ground: he will
|
|
mark them by some signal tokens of his displeasure, he will bark them
|
|
by stripping them of their parts and gifts, and will cut them
|
|
<I>down</I> by death, <I>and cast</I> them <I>into the fire</I> of
|
|
hell, a fire blown with the bellows of God's wrath, and fed with the
|
|
wood of barren trees. Compare this with
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+31:12,13,Da+4:14,Joh+15:6">Ezek. xxxi. 12, 13;
|
|
Dan. iv. 14; John xv. 6</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) By way of trial; <I>By their fruits ye shall know them.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] <I>By the fruits</I> of their persons, their words and actions,
|
|
and the course of their conversation. If you would know whether they be
|
|
right or not, observe how they live; their works will testify for them
|
|
or against them. The scribes and Pharisees sat in Moses's chair, and
|
|
taught the law, but they were proud, and covetous, and false, and
|
|
oppressive, and therefore Christ warned him disciples to <I>beware
|
|
of</I> them and of their <I>leaven,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+12:38">Mark xii. 38</A>.
|
|
|
|
If men pretend to be prophets and are immoral, that disproves their
|
|
pretensions; those are no true friends <I>to the cross of Christ,</I>
|
|
whatever they profess, <I>whose God is their belly,</I> and <I>whose
|
|
mind earthly things,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:18,19">Phil. iii. 18, 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those are not taught nor sent of the holy God, whose lives evidence
|
|
that they are led by the unclean spirit. God puts the treasure into
|
|
earthen vessels, but not into such corrupt vessels: they may declare
|
|
God's statutes, but what have they to do to declare them?</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] <I>By the fruits</I> of their doctrine; their fruits as prophets:
|
|
not that this is the only way, but it is one way, of trying doctrines,
|
|
<I>whether they be of God</I> or not. What do they tend to do? What
|
|
affections and practices will they lead those into, that embrace them?
|
|
If <I>the doctrine be of God,</I> it will tend to promote serious
|
|
piety, humility, charity, holiness, and love, with other Christian
|
|
graces; but if, on the contrary, the doctrines these prophets preach
|
|
have a manifest tendency to make people proud, worldly, and
|
|
contentious, to make them loose and careless in their conversations,
|
|
unjust or uncharitable, factious or disturbers of the public peace; if
|
|
it indulge carnal liberty, and take people off from governing
|
|
themselves and their families by the strict rules of <I>the narrow
|
|
way,</I> we may conclude, that <I>this persuasion comes not of him that
|
|
calleth us,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+5:8">Gal. v. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>This wisdom is from above,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+3:15">James iii. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Faith and a good conscience</I> are held together,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+1:19,3:9">1 Tim. i. 19; iii. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, <I>Doctrines of doubtful disputation</I> must be tried by graces
|
|
and duties of confessed certainty: those opinions come not from God
|
|
that lead to sin: but if we cannot <I>know them by their fruits,</I> we
|
|
must have recourse to the great touchstone, to the law, and to the
|
|
testimony; do they speak according to that rule?</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Mt7_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt7_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt7_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt7_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt7_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt7_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt7_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt7_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt7_29"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Sermon on the Mount.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter
|
|
into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my
|
|
Father which is in heaven.
|
|
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not
|
|
prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and
|
|
in thy name done many wonderful works?
|
|
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart
|
|
from me, ye that work iniquity.
|
|
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth
|
|
them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house
|
|
upon a rock:
|
|
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds
|
|
blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was
|
|
founded upon a rock.
|
|
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth
|
|
them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his
|
|
house upon the sand:
|
|
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds
|
|
blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the
|
|
fall of it.
|
|
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the
|
|
people were astonished at his doctrine:
|
|
29 For he taught them as <I>one</I> having authority, and not as the
|
|
scribes.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here the conclusion of this long and excellent sermon, the
|
|
scope of which is to show the indispensable necessity of obedience to
|
|
the commands of Christ; this is designed to clench the nail, that it
|
|
might fix in a sure place: he speaks this to his disciples, that sat at
|
|
his feet whenever he preached, and followed him wherever he went. Had
|
|
he sought his own praise among men, he would have said, that was
|
|
enough; but the religion he came to establish is in power, not in word
|
|
only
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+4:20">1 Cor. iv. 20</A>),
|
|
|
|
and therefore something more is necessary.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. He shows, by a plain remonstrance, that an outward profession of
|
|
religion, however remarkable, will not bring us to heaven, unless there
|
|
be a correspondent conversation,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:21-23"><I>v.</I> 21-23</A>.
|
|
|
|
All judgment is committed to our Lord Jesus; the keys are put into his
|
|
hand; he has power to prescribe new terms of life and death, and to
|
|
judge men according to them: now this is a solemn declaration pursuant
|
|
to that power. Observe here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Christ's law laid down,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Not every one that saith, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom
|
|
of heaven, into the kingdom of</I> grace and glory. It is an answer to
|
|
that question,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+15:1">Ps. xv. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Who shall sojourn in thy tabernacle?</I>--the church militant;
|
|
<I>and who shall dwell in thy holy hill?</I>--the church triumphant.
|
|
Christ here shows,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) That it will not suffice to say, <I>Lord, Lord;</I> in word and
|
|
tongue to own Christ for our Master, and to make addresses to him, and
|
|
professions of him accordingly: in prayer to God, in discourse with
|
|
men, we must call Christ, <I>Lord, Lord;</I> we <I>say well,</I> for
|
|
<I>so he is</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+13:13">John xiii. 13</A>);
|
|
|
|
but can we imagine that this is enough to bring us to heaven, that such
|
|
a piece of formality as this should be so recompensed, or that he who
|
|
knows and requires the heart should be so put off with shows for
|
|
substance? Compliments among men are pieces of civility that are
|
|
returned with compliments, but they are never paid as real services;
|
|
and can they then be of an account with Christ? There may be a seeming
|
|
importunity in prayer, <I>Lord, Lord:</I> but if inward
|
|
<I>im</I>pressions be not answerable to outward <I>ex</I>pressions, we
|
|
are but <I>as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.</I> This is not to
|
|
take us off from saying, <I>Lord, Lord;</I> from praying, and being
|
|
earnest in prayer, from professing Christ's name, and being bold in
|
|
professing it, but from resting in these, in the <I>form of
|
|
godliness,</I> without <I>the power.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) That it is necessary to our happiness that we <I>do the will
|
|
of</I> Christ, which is indeed <I>the will of</I> his <I>Father in
|
|
heaven.</I> <I>The will of</I> God, as Christ's <I>Father,</I> is his
|
|
will in the gospel, for there he is made known, as <I>the Father of our
|
|
Lord Jesus Christ:</I> and in him our Father. Now this is his will,
|
|
that we believe in Christ, that we repent of sin, that we live a holy
|
|
life, that we <I>love one another. This is his will, even our
|
|
sanctification.</I> If we comply not with the will of God, we mock
|
|
Christ in calling him <I>Lord,</I> as those did who put on him a
|
|
gorgeous robe, and said, <I>Hail, King of the Jews.</I> Saying and
|
|
doing are two things, often parted in conversation of men: he that
|
|
said, <I>I go, sir,</I> stirred never a step
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:30"><I>ch.</I> xxi. 30</A>);
|
|
|
|
but these two things <I>God has joined</I> in his command, and <I>let
|
|
no man</I> that <I>puts</I> them <I>asunder</I> think to <I>enter into
|
|
the kingdom of heaven.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The hypocrite's plea against the strictness of this law, offering
|
|
other things in lieu of obedience,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
The plea is supposed to be <I>in that day,</I> that great day, when
|
|
every man shall appear in his own colours; <I>when the secrets of all
|
|
hearts shall be</I> manifest, and among the rest, the secret pretences
|
|
with which sinners now support their vain hopes. Christ knows the
|
|
strength of their cause, and it is but weakness; what they now harbour
|
|
in their bosoms, they will then produce in arrest of judgment to stay
|
|
the doom, but is will be in vain. They put in their plea with great
|
|
importunity, <I>Lord, Lord;</I> and with great confidence, appealing to
|
|
Christ concerning it; <I>Lord,</I> does thou not know,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That <I>we have prophesied in thy name?</I> Yes, it may be so;
|
|
Balaam and Caiaphas were overruled to prophesy, and Saul was against
|
|
his will <I>among the prophets,</I> yet that did not save them. These
|
|
<I>prophesied in</I> his <I>name,</I> but he did not send them; they
|
|
only made use of his name to serve a turn. Note, A man may be a
|
|
preacher, may have gifts for the ministry, and an external call to it,
|
|
and perhaps some success in it, and yet be a wicked man; may help
|
|
others to heaven, and yet come short himself.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That <I>in thy name we have cast out devils?</I> That may be too;
|
|
Judas <I>cast out devils,</I> and yet was a <I>son of perdition.</I>
|
|
Origen says, that in his time so prevalent was the name of Christ to
|
|
<I>cast out devils,</I> that sometimes it availed when named by wicked
|
|
Christians. A man might <I>cast devils out</I> of others, and yet have
|
|
a devil, nay, be a devil himself.
|
|
|
|
(3.) That <I>in thy name we have done many wonderful works.</I> There
|
|
may be a faith of miracles, where there is no justifying faith; none of
|
|
that <I>faith which works by love</I> and obedience. Gifts of tongues
|
|
and healing would recommend men to the world, but it is real holiness
|
|
or sanctification that is accepted of God. Grace and love are <I>a more
|
|
excellent way</I> than <I>removing mountains,</I> or <I>speaking with
|
|
the tongues of men and of angels,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+13:1,2">1 Cor. xiii. 1, 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
Grace will bring a man to heaven without working miracles, but working
|
|
miracles will never bring a man to heaven without grace. Observe, That
|
|
which their heart was upon, in doing these works, and which they
|
|
confided in, was the wonderfulness of them. Simon Magus wondered at the
|
|
miracles
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+8:13">Acts viii. 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
and therefore would give any money for power to do the like. Observe,
|
|
They had not many good works to plead: they could not pretend to have
|
|
done many gracious works of piety and charity; one such would have
|
|
passed better in their account than <I>many wonderful works,</I> which
|
|
availed not at all, while they persisted in disobedience. Miracles
|
|
have now ceased, and with them this plea; but do not carnal hearts
|
|
still encourage themselves in their groundless hopes, with the like
|
|
vain supports? They think they shall go to heaven, because they have
|
|
been of good repute among professors of religion, have kept fasts, and
|
|
given alms, and have been preferred in the church; as if this would
|
|
atone for their reigning pride, worldliness, and sensuality; and want
|
|
of love to God and man. <I>Bethel is their confidence</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+48:13">Jer. xlviii. 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
they are <I>haughty because of the holy mountain</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:11">Zeph. iii. 11</A>);
|
|
|
|
and boast that they are <I>the temple of the Lord,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+7:4">Jer. vii. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
Let us take heed of resting in external privileges and performances,
|
|
lest <I>we deceive ourselves,</I> and perish eternally, as multitudes
|
|
do, <I>with a lie in our right hand.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. The rejection of this plea as frivolous. The same that is the
|
|
Law-Maker
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>)
|
|
|
|
is here the Judge according to that law
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>),
|
|
|
|
and he will overrule the plea, will overrule it publicly; he <I>will
|
|
profess to them</I> with all possible solemnity, as sentence is passed
|
|
by the Judge, <I>I never knew you,</I> and therefore <I>depart from me,
|
|
ye that work iniquity.</I>--Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Why, and upon what ground, he rejects them and their plea--because
|
|
they were <I>workers for iniquity.</I> Note, It is possible for men to
|
|
have a great name for piety, and yet to be <I>workers of iniquity;</I>
|
|
and those that are so will <I>receive the greater damnation.</I> Secret
|
|
haunts of sin, kept under the cloak of a visible profession, will be
|
|
the ruin of the hypocrites. Living in known sin nullifies men's
|
|
pretensions, be they ever so specious.
|
|
|
|
(2.) How it is expressed; <I>I never knew you;</I> "I never owned you
|
|
as my servants, no, not when you <I>prophesied in</I> my <I>name,</I>
|
|
when you were in the height of your profession, and were most
|
|
extolled." This intimates, that if he had ever known them, as <I>the
|
|
Lord knows them that are his,</I> had ever owned them and loved them as
|
|
his, he would have known them, and owned them, and <I>loved them, to
|
|
the end;</I> but he <I>never</I> did <I>know</I> them, for he always
|
|
knew them to be hypocrites, and rotten at heart, as he did Judas;
|
|
therefore, says he, <I>depart from me.</I> Has Christ need of such
|
|
guests? When he came in the flesh, he called sinners <I>to</I> him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:13"><I>ch.</I> ix. 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
but <I>when he shall come again in glory,</I> he will drive sinners
|
|
<I>from</I> him. They that would not <I>come to</I> him to be saved,
|
|
must <I>depart from</I> him to be damned. To <I>depart from</I> Christ
|
|
is the very hell of hell; it is the foundation of all the misery of the
|
|
damned, to be cut off from all hope of benefit from Christ and he
|
|
mediation. Those that go no further in Christ's service than a bare
|
|
profession, he does not accept, nor will he own them in the great day.
|
|
See from what a height of hope men may fall into the depth of misery!
|
|
How they may go to hell, by the gates of heaven! This should be an
|
|
awakening word to all Christians. If a preacher, one that <I>cast out
|
|
devils,</I> and wrought miracles, be disowned of Christ for <I>working
|
|
iniquity;</I> what will become of us, if we be found such? And if we
|
|
<I>be</I> such, we shall certainly be found such. At God's bar, a
|
|
profession of religion will not bear out any man in the practice and
|
|
indulgence of sin; therefore <I>let every one that names the name of
|
|
Christ, depart from all iniquity.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He shows, by a parable, that hearing these sayings of Christ will
|
|
not make us happy, if we do not make conscience of doing them; but that
|
|
if we hear them and do them, we are <I>blessed in our deed,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:24-27"><I>v.</I> 24-27</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The hearers of Christ's word are here divided into two sorts; some
|
|
that hear, and do what they hear; others that hear and do not. Christ
|
|
preached now to a mixed multitude, and he thus <I>separates them, one
|
|
from the other,</I> as he will at the great day, when <I>all nations
|
|
shall be gathered before him.</I> Christ is still speaking from heaven
|
|
by his word and Spirits, speaks by ministers, by providences, and of
|
|
those that hear him there are two sorts.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) Some that <I>hear his sayings and do them:</I> blessed be God that
|
|
there are any such, though comparatively few. To hear Christ is not
|
|
barely to give him the hearing, but to obey him. Note, It highly
|
|
concerns us all to do what we <I>hear</I> of the saying of Christ. It
|
|
is a mercy that we <I>hear</I> his <I>sayings: Blessed are those
|
|
ears,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+13:16,17"><I>ch.</I> xiii. 16, 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
But, if we practise not what we hear, we <I>receive</I> that <I>grace
|
|
in vain.</I> To <I>do</I> Christ's <I>sayings</I> is conscientiously to
|
|
abstain from the sins that he forbids, and to perform the duties that
|
|
he requires. Our thoughts and affections, our words and actions, the
|
|
temper of our minds, and the tenour of our lives, must be conformable
|
|
to the gospel of Christ; that is the doing he requires. All the
|
|
<I>sayings</I> of Christ, not only the laws he has enacted, but the
|
|
truths he has revealed, must be done by us. <I>They are a light,</I>
|
|
not only to <I>our eyes,</I> but <I>to our feet,</I> and are designed
|
|
not only to <I>in</I>form our judgments, but to <I>re</I>form our
|
|
hearts and lives: nor do we indeed believe them, if we do not live up
|
|
to them. Observe, It is not enough to <I>hear</I> Christ's
|
|
<I>sayings,</I> and understand them, <I>hear</I> them, and remember
|
|
them, <I>hear</I> them, and talk of them, repeat them, dispute for
|
|
them; but we must <I>hear, and do</I> them. <I>This do, and thou shalt
|
|
live.</I> Those only <I>that hear, and do,</I> are <I>blessed</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+11:28,Joh+13:17">Luke xi. 28; John xiii. 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
and are akin to Christ.
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+12:50"><I>ch.</I> xii. 50</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) There are others who <I>hear</I> Christ's <I>sayings and do them
|
|
not;</I> their religion rests in bare hearing, and goes no further;
|
|
like children that have the rickets, their heads swell with empty
|
|
notions, and indigested opinions, but their joints are weak, and they
|
|
heavy and listless; they neither can stir, nor care to stir, in any
|
|
good duty; <I>they hear</I> God's <I>words,</I> as if they desired to
|
|
<I>know his ways,</I> like a people <I>that did righteousness, but they
|
|
will not do them,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+33:30,31,Isa+58:2">Ezek. xxxiii. 30, 31; Isa. lviii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus they deceive themselves, as Micah, who thought himself happy,
|
|
because he had a Levite to be his priest, though he had not the Lord to
|
|
be his God. The seed is sown, but it never comes up; they see their
|
|
spots in the glass of the word, but wash them off,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+1:22,24">Jam. i. 22, 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus they put a cheat upon their own souls; for it is certain, if our
|
|
hearing be not the means of our obedience, it will be the aggravation
|
|
of our disobedience. Those who only <I>hear</I> Christ's <I>sayings,
|
|
and do them not,</I> sit down in the midway to heaven, and that will
|
|
never bring them to their journey's end. They are akin to Christ only
|
|
by the half-blood, and our law allows not such to inherit.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. These two sorts of hearers are here represented in their true
|
|
characters, and the state of their case, under the comparison of two
|
|
builders; one was <I>wise,</I> and <I>built upon a rock,</I> and his
|
|
building stood in a storm; the other <I>foolish,</I> and <I>built upon
|
|
the sand,</I> and his building fell.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Now,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The general scope of this parable teaches us that the only way to
|
|
make sure work for our souls and eternity is, to <I>hear and do the
|
|
sayings of</I> the Lord Jesus, <I>these sayings of</I> his in this
|
|
sermon upon the mount, which is wholly practical; some of them seem
|
|
hard sayings to flesh and blood, but they must be done; and thus we
|
|
<I>lay up in store a good foundation for the time to come</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+6:19">1 Tim. vi. 19</A>);
|
|
|
|
a <I>good bond,</I> so some read it; a bond of God's making, which
|
|
secures salvation upon gospel-terms, that is <I>a good bond;</I> not
|
|
one of our own devising, which brings salvation to our own fancies.
|
|
They make sure the <I>good part,</I> who, like Mary, when they hear the
|
|
word of Christ, <I>sit at his feet</I> in subjection to it: <I>Speak,
|
|
Lord, for thy servant heareth.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) The particular parts of it teach us divers good lessons.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] That we have every one of us a house to build, and that house is
|
|
our hope for heaven. It ought to be our chief and constant care, to
|
|
<I>make our calling and election sure,</I> and so we make our salvation
|
|
sure; to secure a title to heaven's happiness, and then to get the
|
|
comfortable evidence of it; to make it sure, and sure to ourselves,
|
|
<I>that when we fail, we</I> shall <I>be received into everlasting
|
|
habitations.</I> Many never mind this: it is the furthest thing from
|
|
their thoughts; they are building for this world, as if they were to be
|
|
here always, but take no care to build for another world. All who take
|
|
upon them a profession of religion, profess to enquire, what they shall
|
|
<I>do to be saved;</I> how they may get to heaven at last, and may have
|
|
a well-grounded hope of it in the mean time.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] That there is <I>a rock</I> provided for us to build this house
|
|
upon, <I>and that rock is Christ.</I> He is <I>laid for a
|
|
foundation,</I> and <I>other foundation can no may lay,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+28:16,1Co+3:11">Isa. xxviii. 16; 1 Cor. iii. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
He <I>is our Hope,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+1:1">1 Tim. i. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ in us is so; we must ground our hopes of heaven upon the fulness
|
|
of Christ's merit, for the pardon of sin, the power of his Spirit, for
|
|
the sanctification of our nature, and the prevalency of his
|
|
intercession, for the conveyance of all that good which he has
|
|
purchased for us. There is that in him, as <I>he is made known,</I> and
|
|
made over, <I>to us in the gospel,</I> which is sufficient to redress
|
|
all our grievances, and to answer all the necessities of our case, so
|
|
that he is <I>a Saviour to the uttermost.</I> The church is <I>built
|
|
upon this Rock,</I> and so is every believer. He is strong and
|
|
immovable as a <I>rock;</I> we may venture our all upon him, and shall
|
|
not be made <I>ashamed of our hope.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[3.] That there is a remnant, who by hearing and doing the <I>sayings
|
|
of</I> Christ, build their hopes <I>upon this Rock;</I> and it is their
|
|
wisdom. Christ is our only <I>Way to the Father,</I> and the obedience
|
|
of faith is our only <I>way</I> to Christ: for <I>to them that obey
|
|
him,</I> and to <I>them</I> only, he <I>becomes the Author of eternal
|
|
salvation.</I> Those <I>build upon</I> Christ, who having sincerely
|
|
consented to him, as their Prince and Saviour, make it their constant
|
|
care to conform to all the rules of his holy religion, and therein
|
|
depend entirely upon him for assistance from God, and acceptance with
|
|
him, <I>and count</I> every <I>thing but loss and dung that they may
|
|
win Christ,</I> and be found in him. Building <I>upon a rock</I>
|
|
requires care and pains: they that would make their <I>calling and
|
|
election sure,</I> must <I>give diligence.</I> They are wise builders
|
|
who <I>begin to build</I> so as they may be <I>able to finish</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+14:30">Luke xiv. 30</A>),
|
|
|
|
and therefore lay a firm foundation.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[4.] That there are many who profess that they hope to go to heaven,
|
|
but despise this <I>Rock,</I> and build their hopes <I>upon the
|
|
sand;</I> which is done without much pains, but it is their folly.
|
|
Every thing besides Christ is sand. Some build their hopes upon their
|
|
worldly prosperity, as if they were a sure token of God's favour,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+12:8">Hos. xii. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
Others upon their external profession of religion, the privileges they
|
|
enjoy, and the performances they go through in that profession, and the
|
|
reputation they have got by it. They are called Christians, were
|
|
baptized, go to church, hear Christ's word, say their prayers, and do
|
|
nobody any harm, and, if they perish, God help a great many! This is
|
|
the light of their own fire, which they walk in; this is that, upon
|
|
which, with a great deal of assurance, they venture; but it is all
|
|
sand, took weak to bear such a fabric as our hopes of heaven.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[5.] That there is a storm coming, that will try what our hopes are
|
|
bottomed on; <I>will try every man's work</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+3:13">1 Cor. iii. 13</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>will discover the foundation,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Hab+3:13">Hab. iii. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Rain, and floods, and wind, will beat upon the house;</I> the trial
|
|
is sometimes in this world; <I>when tribulation and persecution arise
|
|
because of the word,</I> then it will be seen, who only heard the word,
|
|
and who heard and practiced it; then when we have occasion to use our
|
|
hopes, it will be tried whether they were right, and well-grounded, or
|
|
not. However, when death and judgment come, then the storm comes, and
|
|
it will undoubtedly come, how calm soever things may be with us now.
|
|
Then every thing else will fail us but these hopes, and then, if ever,
|
|
they will be turned into everlasting fruition.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[6.] That those hopes which are built upon Christ the Rock will stand,
|
|
and will stand the builder in stead when the storm comes; they will be
|
|
his preservation, both from desertion, and from prevailing disquiet.
|
|
His profession will not wither; his comforts will not fail; they will
|
|
be his strength and song, <I>as an anchor of the soul, sure and
|
|
steadfast.</I> When he comes to the last encounter, those hopes will
|
|
take off the terror of death and the grave; will carry him cheerfully
|
|
through that dark valley; will be approved by the Judge; will stand the
|
|
test of the great day; and will be crowned with endless glory,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:12,2Ti+4:7,8">2 Cor. i. 12; 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord, when he comes, finds so
|
|
doing,</I> so hoping.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[7.] That those hopes which foolish builders ground upon any thing but
|
|
Christ, will certainly fail them on a stormy day; will yield them no
|
|
true comfort and satisfaction in trouble, in the hour of death, and in
|
|
the day of judgment; will be no fence against temptations to apostacy,
|
|
in a time of persecution. <I>When God takes away the soul, where is the
|
|
hope of the hypocrite?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+27:8">Job xxvii. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is as <I>the spider's web,</I> and as <I>the giving up of the
|
|
ghost.</I> He shall <I>lean upon his house, but it shall not stand,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+8:14,15">Job viii. 14, 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
It fell in the storm, when the builder had most need of it, and
|
|
expected it would be a shelter to him. It fell when it was too late to
|
|
build another: <I>when a wicked man dies, his expectation perishes;</I>
|
|
then, when he thought it would have been turned into fruition, <I>it
|
|
fell, and great was the fall of it.</I> It was a great disappointment
|
|
to the builder; the shame and loss were great. The higher men's hopes
|
|
have been raised, the lower they fall. It is the sorest ruin of all
|
|
that attends formal professors; witness Capernaum's doom.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. In the
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:28,29">two last verses</A>,
|
|
|
|
we are told what impressions Christ's discourse made upon the auditory.
|
|
It was an excellent sermon; and it is probable that he said more than
|
|
is here recorded; and doubtless the delivery of it from the mouth of
|
|
him, into whose lips grace was poured, did mightily set if off. Now,
|
|
|
|
1. <I>They were astonished at this doctrine;</I> it is to be feared
|
|
that few of them were brought by it to follow him: but for the present,
|
|
they were filled with wonder. Note, It is possible for people to admire
|
|
good preaching, and yet to remain in ignorance and unbelief; to be
|
|
astonished, and yet not sanctified.
|
|
|
|
2. The reason was because he taught them <I>as one having authority,
|
|
and not as the scribes.</I> The scribes pretended to as much authority
|
|
as any teachers whatsoever, and were supported by all the external
|
|
advantages that could be obtained, but their preaching was mean, and
|
|
flat, and jejune: they spake as those what were not themselves masters
|
|
of what they preached: the word did not come from them with any life or
|
|
force; they delivered it as a school-boy says his lesson; but Christ
|
|
delivered his discourse, as a judge gives his charge. He did indeed,
|
|
<I>dominari in conscionibus--deliver his discourses with a tone of
|
|
authority;</I> his lessons were law; his word a word of command.
|
|
Christ, upon the mountain, showed more true authority, than the scribes
|
|
in Moses's seat. Thus when Christ teaches by his Spirit in the soul,
|
|
he teaches with authority. He says, <I>Let there be light, and there is
|
|
light.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
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