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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. IX.</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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We have in this chapter remarkable instances of the power and pity of
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the Lord Jesus, sufficient to convince us that he is both able to save
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to the uttermost all that come to God by him, and as willing as he is
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able. His power and pity appear here in the good offices he did,
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I. To the bodies of people, in curing the palsy
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:2-8">ver. 2-8</A>);
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raising to life the ruler's daughter, and healing the bloody issue
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:18-26">ver. 18-26</A>);
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giving sight to two blind men
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:27-31">ver. 27-31</A>);
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casting the devil out of one possessed
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:32-34">ver. 32-34</A>);
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and healing all manner of sickness,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:35">ver. 35</A>.
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II. To the souls of people; in forgiving sins
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:2">ver. 2</A>);
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calling Matthew, and conversing freely with publicans and sinners
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:9-13">ver. 9-13</A>);
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considering the frame of his disciples, with reference to the duty of
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fasting
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:14-17">ver. 14-17</A>);
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preaching the gospel, and, in compassion to the multitude, providing
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preachers for them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:35-38">ver. 35-38</A>.
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Thus did he prove himself to be, as undoubtedly he is, the skilful,
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faithful Physician, both of soul and body, who has sufficient remedies
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for all the maladies of both: for which we must, therefore, apply
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ourselves to him, and glorify him both with our bodies and with our
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spirits, which are his, in return to him for his kindness to both.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Mt9_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt9_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt9_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt9_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt9_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt9_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt9_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt9_8"> </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>Christ Heals a Man Sick of the Palsy.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into
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his own city.
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2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy,
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lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick
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of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
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3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves,
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This <I>man</I> blasphemeth.
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4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye
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evil in your hearts?
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5 For whether is easier, to say, <I>Thy</I> sins be forgiven thee;
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or to say, Arise, and walk?
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6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth
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to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise,
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take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
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7 And he arose, and departed to his house.
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8 But when the multitudes saw <I>it,</I> they marvelled, and
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glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The first words of this chapter oblige us to look back to the close of
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that which precedes it, where we find the Gadarenes so resenting the
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loss of their swine, that they were disgusted with Christ's company,
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and besought him to <I>depart out of their coasts.</I> Now here it
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follows, <I>He entered into a ship, and passed over.</I> They bid him
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begone, and he took them at their word, and we never read that he came
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into their coasts again. Now here observe,
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1. His justice--that he left them. Note, Christ will not tarry long
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where he is not welcome. In righteous judgment, he forsakes those
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places and persons that are weary of him, but abides with those that
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covet and court his stay. <I>If the unbeliever will depart</I> from
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Christ, <I>let him depart;</I> it is at his peril,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+7:15">1 Cor. vii. 15</A>.
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2. His patience--that he did not leave some destroying judgment behind
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him, to punish them, as they deserved, for their contempt and
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contumacy. How easily, how justly, might he have sent them after their
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swine, who were already so much under the devil's power. The
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provocation, indeed, was very great: but he put it up, and passed it
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by; and, without any angry resentments or upbraidings, he <I>entered
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into a ship, and passed over.</I> This was the day of his patience; he
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came not to <I>destroy men's lives,</I> but to save them; not to kill,
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but to cure. Spiritual judgments agree more with the constitution of
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gospel times; yet some observe, that in those bloody wars which the
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Romans made upon the Jews, which began not many years after this, they
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first besieged the town of Gadara, where these Gadarenes dwelt. Note,
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Those that drive Christ from them, draw all miseries upon them. Woe
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unto us, if God depart from us.</P>
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<P>
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He came <I>into his own city, Capernaum,</I> the principal place of his
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residence at present
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+2:1">Mark ii. 1</A>),
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and therefore called <I>his own city.</I> He had himself testified,
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that a prophet it least honoured in <I>his own country</I> and
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<I>city,</I> yet thither he came; for he <I>sought not his own
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honour;</I> but, being in a state of humiliation, he was content to be
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despised of the people. At Capernaum all the circumstances recorded in
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this chapter happened, and are, therefore, put together here, though,
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in the harmony of the evangelists, other events intervened. When the
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Gadarenes desired Christ to depart, they of Capernaum received him. If
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Christ be affronted by some, there are others in whom he will be
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glorious; if one will not, another will.</P>
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<P>
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Now the first occurrence, after Christ's return to Capernaum, as
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recorded in
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:1-8">these verses</A>,
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was the cure of the man sick of the palsy. In which we may observe,</P>
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<P>
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I. The <I>faith of his friends</I> in bringing him to Christ. His
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distemper was such, that he could not come to Christ himself, but as he
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was carried. Note, Even the halt and the lame may be brought to Christ,
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and they shall not be rejected by him. If we do as well as we can, he
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will accept of us. Christ had an eye to their faith. Little children
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cannot go to Christ themselves, but he will have an eye to the faith of
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those that bring them, and it shall not be in vain. <I>Jesus saw their
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faith,</I> the faith of the paralytic himself, as well as of them that
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brought him; Jesus saw the habit of faith, though his distemper,
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perhaps, impaired his intellect, and obstructed the actings of it. Now
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their faith was,
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1. A strong faith; they firmly believed that Jesus Christ both could
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and would heal him; else they would not have brought the sick man to
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him so publicly, and through so much difficulty.
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2. A humble faith; though the sick man was unable to stir a step, they
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would not ask Christ to make him a visit, but brought him to attend on
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Christ. It is fitter than we should wait on Christ, than he on us.
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3. An active faith: in the belief of Christ's power and goodness, they
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brought the sick man to him, <I>lying on a bed,</I> which could not be
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done without a deal of pains. Note, A strong faith regards no obstacles
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in pressing after Christ.</P>
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<P>
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II. The <I>favour of Christ,</I> in what he said to him; <I>Son, be of
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good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee.</I> This was a sovereign cordial
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to a sick man, and was enough to <I>make all his bed in his
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sickness;</I> and to make it easy to him. We read not of any thing said
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to Christ; probably the poor sick man could not speak for himself, and
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they that brought him chose rather to speak by actions than words; they
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set him before Christ; that was enough. Note, It is not in vain to
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present ourselves and our friends to Christ, as the objects of his
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pity. Misery cries as well as sin, and mercy is no less quick of
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hearing than justice. Here is, in what Christ said,
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1. A kind compellation; <I>Son.</I> Note, Exhortations and consolations
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to the afflicted speak to them as to sons, for afflictions are fatherly
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discipline,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+12:5">Heb. xii. 5</A>.
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2. A gracious encouragement; "<I>Be of good cheer. Have a good heart on
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it;</I> cheer up thy spirits." Probably the poor man, when let down
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among them all in his bed, was put out of countenance, was afraid of a
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rebuke for being brought in so rudely: but Christ does not stand upon
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ceremony; he bids him <I>be of good cheer;</I> all would be well, he
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should not be laid before Christ in vain. Christ bids him <I>be of good
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cheer;</I> and then cures him. He would have those to whom he deals his
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gifts, to be cheerful in seeking him, and in trusting in him; to be of
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good courage.
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3. A good reason for that encouragement; <I>Thy sins are forgiven
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thee.</I> Now this may be considered,
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(1.) as an introduction to the cure of his bodily distemper; "Thy sins
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are <I>pardoned,</I> and therefore thou shalt be healed." Note, As sin
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is the cause of sickness, so the remission of sin is the comfort of
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recovery from sickness; not but that sin may be pardoned, and yet the
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sickness not removed; not but that the sickness may be removed, and yet
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the sin not pardoned: but if we have the comfort of our reconciliation
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to God, with the comfort of our recovery from sickness, this makes it a
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mercy indeed to us, as to Hezekiah,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+38:17">Isa. xxxviii. 17</A>.
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Or,
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(2.) As a reason of the command to <I>be of good cheer,</I> whether he
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were cured of his disease or not; "Though I should not heal thee, wilt
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thou not say thou hast not sought in vain, if I assure thee that <I>thy
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sins are pardoned;</I> and wilt thou not look upon that as a sufficient
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ground of comfort, though thou shouldst continue <I>sick of the
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palsy?</I>" Note, They who, through grace, have some evidence of the
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forgiveness of their sins, have reasons to be of good cheer, whatever
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outward troubles or afflictions they are under; see
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+33:24">Isa. xxxiii. 24</A>.</P>
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<P>
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III. The <I>cavil of the scribes</I> at that which Christ said
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>);
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They <I>said within themselves,</I> in their hearts, <I>among
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themselves,</I> in their secret whisperings, <I>This man
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blasphemeth.</I> See how the greatest instance of heaven's power and
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grace is branded with the blackest note of hell's enmity; Christ's
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pardoning sin is termed blasphemy; nor had it been less, if he had not
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had commission from God for it. They, therefore, are guilty of
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blasphemy, that have no such commission, and yet pretend to pardon
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sin.</P>
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<P>
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IV. The conviction which Christ gave them of the unreasonableness of
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this cavil, before he proceeded.</P>
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<P>
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1. He <I>charged them with it.</I> Though they did but say it within
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themselves, he <I>knew their thoughts.</I> Note, Our Lord Jesus has the
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perfect knowledge of all that we say within ourselves. Thoughts are
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secret and sudden, yet naked and open before Christ, the eternal Word
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+4:12,13">Heb. iv. 12, 13</A>),
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and he <I>understands them afar off,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+139:2">Ps. cxxxix. 2</A>.
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He could say to them (which no mere man could), <I>Wherefore think ye
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evil in your hearts?</I> Note, There is a great deal of evil in sinful
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thoughts, which is very offensive to the Lord Jesus. He being the
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Sovereign of the heart, sinful thoughts invade his right, and disturb
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his possession; therefore he takes notice of them, and is much
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displeased with them. In them lies the <I>root of bitterness,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+6:5">Gen. vi. 5</A>.
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The sins that begin and end in the heart, and go no further, are as
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dangerous as any other.</P>
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<P>
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2. He <I>argued them out of it,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:5,6"><I>v.</I> 5, 6</A>.
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Where observe,</P>
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<P>
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(1.) How he <I>asserts</I> his authority in the <I>kingdom of
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grace.</I> He undertakes to make out, that the <I>Son of man,</I> the
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Mediator, has <I>power on earth to forgive sins;</I> for
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<I>therefore</I> the Father has <I>committed all judgment to the
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Son,</I> and has given him this authority, <I>because he is the Son of
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man,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+5:22,27">John v. 22, 27</A>.
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If he has <I>power to give eternal life,</I> as he certainly has
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+17:2">John xvii. 2</A>),
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he must have power to forgive sin; for guilt is a bar that must be
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removed, or we can never get to heaven. What an encouragement is this
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to poor sinners to repent, that the power of pardoning sin is put into
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the hands of the <I>Son of man,</I> who is bone of our bone! And if he
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had this <I>power on earth,</I> much more now that he is exalted to the
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Father's right hand, to give <I>repentance and remission of sins,</I>
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and so to be both <I>a Prince and a Saviour,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+5:31">Acts v. 31</A>.</P>
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<P>
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(2.) How he <I>proves</I> it, by his power in the kingdom of nature;
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his power to cure diseases. Is it not as easy to say, <I>Thy sins are
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forgiven thee,</I> as to say, <I>Arise and walk?</I> He that can cure
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the disease, whether <I>declaratively</I> as a Prophet, or
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<I>authoritatively</I> as God, can, in like manner, forgive the sin.
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Now,
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[1.] This is a general argument to prove that Christ had a divine
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mission. His miracles, especially his miraculous cures, confirm what he
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said of himself, that he was the Son of God; the <I>power</I> that
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appeared in his cures proved him <I>sent of God;</I> and the
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<I>pity</I> that appeared in them proved him sent of God <I>to heal and
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save.</I> The God of truth would not set his seal to a lie.
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[2.] It had a particular cogency in this case. The palsy was but a
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symptom of the disease of sin; now he made it to appear, that he could
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effectually cure the original disease, by the immediate removal of that
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symptom; so close a connection was there between the sin and the
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sickness. He that had power to remove the punishment, no doubt, had
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power to remit the sin. The scribes stood much upon a legal
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righteousness, and placed their confidence in that, and made no great
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matter of the <I>forgiveness of sin,</I> the doctrine upon which Christ
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hereby designed to put honour, and to show that his great errand to the
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world was to <I>save his people from their sins.</I></P>
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<P>
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V. The immediate cure of the sick man. Christ turned from disputing
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with them, and spake healing to him. The most necessary arguings must
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not divert us from doing the good that our <I>hand finds to do.</I> He
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saith to <I>the sick of the palsy, Arise, take up thy bed, and go to
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thine house;</I> and a healing, quickening, strengthening power
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accompanied this word
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>):
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<I>he arose and departed to his house.</I> Now,
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1. Christ bid him <I>take up his bed,</I> to show that he was
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<I>perfectly cured,</I> and that not only he had no more occasion to be
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<I>carried</I> upon his bed, but that he had strength to <I>carry
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it.</I>
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2. He sent him to <I>his house,</I> to be a blessing to his family,
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where he had been so long a burden; and did not take him along with him
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for a show, which those would do in such a case who seek the honour
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that comes from men.</P>
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|
<P>
|
|
|
|
VI. The impression which this made upon the multitude
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>);
|
|
|
|
they <I>marvelled,</I> and <I>glorified God.</I> Note, All our wonder
|
|
should help to enlarge our hearts in <I>glorifying God,</I> who alone
|
|
does marvellous things. They glorified God for what he had done for
|
|
this poor man. Note, Others' mercies should be our praises, and we
|
|
should give him thanks for them, for we are members one of another.
|
|
Though few of this multitude were so convinced, as to be brought to
|
|
believe in Christ, and to follow him, yet they admired him, not as God,
|
|
or the Son of God, but as a <I>man</I> to whom God <I>had given such
|
|
power.</I> Note, God must be glorified in all the power that is
|
|
<I>given to men</I> to do good. For all power is originally his; it is
|
|
in him, as the Fountain, in men, as the cisterns.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_9"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_10"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_11"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_13"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Matthew Called.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named
|
|
Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him,
|
|
Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
|
|
10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house,
|
|
behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and
|
|
his disciples.
|
|
11 And when the Pharisees saw <I>it,</I> they said unto his
|
|
disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
|
|
12 But when Jesus heard <I>that,</I> he said unto them, They that be
|
|
whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
|
|
13 But go ye and learn what <I>that</I> meaneth, I will have mercy,
|
|
and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but
|
|
sinners to repentance.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
In these verses we have an account of the grace and favour of Christ to
|
|
poor publicans, particularly to Matthew. What he did to the bodies of
|
|
people was to make way for a kind design upon their souls. Now observe
|
|
here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The call of Matthew, the penman of this gospel. Mark and Luke call
|
|
him Levi; it was ordinary for the same person to have two names:
|
|
perhaps Matthew was the name he was most known by as a publican, and,
|
|
therefore, in his humility, he called himself by that name, rather than
|
|
by the more honourable name of Levi. Some think Christ gave him the
|
|
name of Matthew when he called him to be an apostle; as Simon, he
|
|
surnamed Peter. Matthew signifies, <I>the gift of God,</I> Ministers
|
|
are God's gifts to the church; their ministry, and their ability for
|
|
it, are God's gifts to them. Now observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The posture that Christ's call found Matthew in. He was <I>sitting
|
|
at the receipt of custom,</I> for he was a publican,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+5:27">Luke v. 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
He was a custom-house officer at the port of Capernaum, or an
|
|
exciseman, or collector of the land-tax. Now,
|
|
|
|
(1.) He was in his calling, as the rest of them whom Christ called,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+4:18"><I>ch.</I> iv. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, As Satan chooses to come, with his temptations, to those that are
|
|
idle, so Christ chooses to come, with his calls, to those that are
|
|
employed. But,
|
|
|
|
(2.) It was a calling of ill fame among serious people; because it was
|
|
attended with so much corruption and temptation, and there were so few
|
|
in that business that were honest men. Matthew himself owns what he was
|
|
before his conversion, as does St. Paul
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+1:13">1 Tim. i. 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
that the grace of Christ in calling him might be the more magnified,
|
|
and to show, that God has his remnant among all sorts of people. None
|
|
can justify themselves in their unbelief, by their calling in the
|
|
world; for there is no <I>sinful</I> calling, but some have been saved
|
|
<I>out of it,</I> and no <I>lawful calling,</I> but some have been
|
|
saved <I>in it.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The preventing power of this call. We find not that Matthew looked
|
|
after Christ, or had any inclination to follow him, though some of his
|
|
kindred were already disciples of Christ, but Christ prevented him with
|
|
the blessings of his goodness. He is found of those that seek him not.
|
|
Christ <I>spoke first;</I> we have not chosen him, but he hath chosen
|
|
us. He said, <I>Follow me;</I> and the same divine, almighty power
|
|
accompanied this word to convert Matthew, which attended that word
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Arise and walk,</I> to cure the man sick of the palsy. Note, A
|
|
saving change is wrought in the soul by Christ as the <I>Author,</I>
|
|
and his word as the <I>means.</I> His gospel is the <I>power of God
|
|
unto salvation,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+1:16">Rom. i. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
The call was effectual, for he came at the call; <I>he arose, and</I>
|
|
followed him immediately; neither denied, nor deferred his obedience.
|
|
The power of divine grace soon answers and overcomes all objections.
|
|
Neither his commission for his place, nor his gains by it, could detain
|
|
him, when Christ called him. <I>He conferred not with flesh and
|
|
blood,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+1:15,16">Gal. i. 15, 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
He quitted his post, and his hopes of preferment in that way; and,
|
|
though we find the disciples that were fishers occasionally fishing
|
|
again afterwards, we never find Matthew at the receipt of custom
|
|
again.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Christ's converse with publicans and sinners upon this occasion;
|
|
Christ called Matthew, to introduce himself into an acquaintance with
|
|
the people of that profession. <I>Jesus sat at meat in the house,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
The other evangelists tell us, that Matthew made a <I>great feast,</I>
|
|
which the poor fishermen, when they were called, were not able to do.
|
|
But when he comes to speak of this himself, he neither tells us that it
|
|
was his own house, nor that it was a feast, but only that he <I>sat at
|
|
meat in the house;</I> preserving the remembrance of Christ's favours
|
|
to the publicans, rather than of the respect he had paid to Christ.
|
|
Note, It well becomes us to speak sparingly of our own good deeds.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Now observe,
|
|
|
|
1. When Matthew invited Christ, he invited his disciples to <I>come
|
|
along with him.</I> Note, They that welcome Christ, must welcome all
|
|
that are his, for his sake, and let them have a room in their hearts.
|
|
|
|
2. He invited many publicans and sinners to <I>meet him.</I> This was
|
|
the chief thing Matthew aimed at in this treat, that he might have an
|
|
opportunity of bringing his old associates acquainted with Christ. He
|
|
knew by experience what the grace of Christ could do, and would not
|
|
despair concerning them. Note, They who are effectually brought to
|
|
Christ themselves, cannot but be desirous that others also may be
|
|
brought to him, and ambitious of contributing something towards it.
|
|
True grace will not contentedly eat its morsels alone, but will invite
|
|
others. When by the conversion of Matthew the fraternity was broken,
|
|
presently his house was filled with publicans, and surely some of them
|
|
will <I>follow him,</I> as he <I>followed Christ.</I> Thus did Andrew
|
|
and Philip,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+1:41,45,4:29">John i. 41, 45; iv. 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+14:9">Judges xiv. 9</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The displeasure of the Pharisees at this,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
They cavilled at it; <I>why eateth your Master with publicans and
|
|
sinners?</I> Here observe,
|
|
|
|
1. That Christ was quarrelled with. It was not the least of his
|
|
sufferings, that he <I>endured the contradiction of sinners against
|
|
himself.</I> None was more quarrelled with by men, than he that came to
|
|
take up the great quarrel between God and man. Thus he denied himself
|
|
the honour due to an incarnate Deity, which was to be justified in what
|
|
he spake, and to have all he said readily subscribed to: for though he
|
|
never spoke or did anything amiss, every thing he said and did was
|
|
found fault with. Thus he taught us to expect and prepare for reproach,
|
|
and to bear it patiently.
|
|
|
|
2. They that quarrelled with him were the Pharisees; a proud generation
|
|
of men, conceited of themselves, and censorious of others; of the same
|
|
temper with those in the prophet's time, who said, <I>Stand by thyself,
|
|
come not near me; I am holier than thou:</I> they were very strict in
|
|
avoiding <I>sinners,</I> but not in avoiding <I>sin;</I> none greater
|
|
zealots than they for the <I>form</I> of godliness, nor greater enemies
|
|
to the <I>power</I> of it. They were for keeping up the traditions of
|
|
the elders to a nicety, and so propagating the same spirit that they
|
|
were themselves governed by.
|
|
|
|
3. They brought their cavil, not to Christ himself; they had not the
|
|
courage to face him with it, but to his disciples. The disciples were
|
|
in the same company, but the quarrel is with the Master: for they would
|
|
not have done it, if he had not; and they thought it worse in him who
|
|
was a prophet, than in them; his dignity, they thought, should set him
|
|
at a greater distance from such company than others. Being offended at
|
|
the Master, they quarrel with the disciples. Note, It concerns
|
|
Christians to be able to vindicate and justify Christ, and his
|
|
doctrines and laws, and to be <I>ready always to give an answer to
|
|
those that ask them a reason of the hope that is in them,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+3:15">1 Pet. iii. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
While he is an Advocate for us in heaven, let us be advocates for him
|
|
on earth, and make his reproach our own.
|
|
|
|
4. The complaint was his <I>eating with publicans and sinners:</I> to
|
|
be intimate with wicked people is against the law of God
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:115,Ps+1:1">Ps. cxix. 115; i. 1</A>);
|
|
|
|
and perhaps by accusing Christ of this to his disciples, they hoped to
|
|
tempt them from him, to put them out of conceit with him, and so to
|
|
bring them over to themselves to be their disciples, who kept better
|
|
company; for they <I>compassed sea and land to make proselytes.</I> To
|
|
be intimate with publicans was against the <I>tradition of the
|
|
elders,</I> and, therefore, they looked upon it as a heinous thing.
|
|
They were angry with Christ for this,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Because they <I>wished ill to him,</I> and sought occasion to
|
|
misrepresent him. Note, It is an easy and very common thing to put the
|
|
worst constructions upon the best words and actions.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Because they <I>wished no good to</I> publicans and sinners, but
|
|
envied Christ's favour to them, and were grieved to see them brought to
|
|
repentance. Note, It may justly be suspected, that they have not the
|
|
grace of God themselves, who grudge others a share in that grace, who
|
|
are not pleased with it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. The defence that Christ made for himself and his disciples, in
|
|
justification of their converse with publicans and sinners. The
|
|
disciples, it should seem, being yet weak, had to seek for an answer to
|
|
the Pharisees' cavil, and, therefore, bring it to Christ, and he heard
|
|
it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
or perhaps overheard them whispering it to his disciples. Let him
|
|
alone to vindicate himself and to plead his own cause, to answer for
|
|
himself and for us too. Two things he urges in his defence,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The necessity and exigence of the case of the publicans, which
|
|
called aloud for his help, and therefore justified him in conversing
|
|
with them for their good. It was the extreme necessity of poor, lost
|
|
sinners, that brought Christ from the pure regions above, to these
|
|
impure ones; and the same was it, that brought him into this company
|
|
which was thought impure. Now,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) He proves the necessity of the case of the publicans: <I>they that
|
|
be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.</I> The
|
|
publicans are sick, and they need one to help and heal them, which the
|
|
Pharisees think they do not. Note,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] Sin is the sickness of the soul; sinners are spiritually sick.
|
|
Original corruptions are the diseases of the soul, actual
|
|
transgressions are its wounds, or the eruptions of the disease. It is
|
|
deforming, weakening, disquieting, wasting, killing, but, blessed be
|
|
God, not incurable.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Jesus Christ is the great Physician of souls. His curing of
|
|
bodily diseases signified this, that he arose with <I>healing under his
|
|
wings.</I> He is a skilful, faithful, compassionate Physician, and it
|
|
is his office and business to heal the sick. Wise and good men should
|
|
be as physicians to all about them; Christ was so. <I>Hunc affectum
|
|
versus omnes habet sapiens, quem versus ægros suos medicus--A
|
|
wise man cherishes towards all around him the feelings of a physician
|
|
for his patient.</I> Seneca <I>De Const.</I>
|
|
|
|
[3.] Sin-sick souls have need of this Physician, for their disease is
|
|
dangerous; nature will not help itself; no man can help us; such need
|
|
have we of Christ, that we are undone, eternally undone, without him.
|
|
Sensible sinners see their need, and apply themselves to him
|
|
accordingly.
|
|
|
|
[4.] There are multitudes who fancy themselves to be sound and whole,
|
|
who think they have <I>no need of Christ,</I> but that they can shift
|
|
for themselves well enough without him, as Laodicea,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+3:17">Rev. iii. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus the Pharisees desired not the knowledge of Christ's word and ways,
|
|
not because they had no need of him, but because they thought they had
|
|
none. See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+9:40,41">John ix. 40, 41</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) He proves, that their necessity did sufficiently justify his
|
|
conduct, in conversing familiarly with them, and that he ought not to
|
|
be blamed for it; for that necessity made it <I>an act of charity,</I>
|
|
which ought always to be preferred before the formalities of a
|
|
religious profession, in which <I>bene</I>ficence and
|
|
<I>muni</I>ficence are far better than <I>magni</I>ficence, as much as
|
|
substance is better than shows or shadows. Those duties, which are of
|
|
moral and natural obligation, are to take place even of those divine
|
|
laws which are positive and ritual, much more of those impositions of
|
|
men, and traditions of the elders, which make God's law stricter than
|
|
he has made it. This he proves
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>)
|
|
|
|
by a passage quoted out of
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+6:6">Hos. vi. 6</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>I will have mercy and not sacrifice.</I> That morose separation from
|
|
the society of publicans, which the Pharisees enjoined, was <I>less
|
|
than sacrifice;</I> but Christ's conversing with them was more than an
|
|
act of common mercy, and therefore to be preferred before it. If to do
|
|
well ourselves is better than sacrifice, as Samuel shows
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+15:22,23">1 Sam. xv. 22, 23</A>),
|
|
|
|
much more to do good to others. Christ's conversing with sinners is
|
|
here called mercy: to promote the conversion of souls is the greatest
|
|
act of mercy imaginable; it is <I>saving a soul from death,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+5:20">Jam. v. 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe how Christ quotes this, <I>Go ye and learn what that
|
|
meaneth.</I> Note, It is not enough to be acquainted with the letter of
|
|
scripture, but we must learn to understand the meaning of it. And they
|
|
have best learned the meaning of the scriptures, that have learned how
|
|
to apply them as a reproof to their own faults, and a rule for their
|
|
own practice. This scripture which Christ quoted, served not only to
|
|
vindicate him, but,
|
|
|
|
[1.] To show wherein true religion consists; not in external
|
|
observances: not <I>in meats and drinks</I> and shows of sanctity, not
|
|
in little particular opinions and doubtful disputations, but in doing
|
|
all the good we can to the bodies and souls of others; in righteousness
|
|
and peace; in <I>visiting the fatherless and widows.</I>
|
|
|
|
[2.] To condemn the Pharisaical hypocrisy of those who place religion
|
|
in rituals, more than in morals,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+23:23"><I>ch.</I> xxiii. 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
They espouse those forms of godliness which may be made consistent
|
|
with, and perhaps subservient to, their pride, covetousness, ambition,
|
|
and malice, while they hate that power of it which is mortifying to
|
|
those lusts.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He urges the nature and end of his own commission. He must keep to
|
|
his orders, and prosecute that for which he was appointed to be the
|
|
great Teacher; now, says he, "<I>I am not come to call the righteous,
|
|
but sinners to repentance,</I> and therefore must converse with
|
|
publicans." Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) What his errand was; it was to <I>call to repentance.</I> This was
|
|
his first text
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+4:17"><I>ch.</I> iv. 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
and it was the tendency of all his sermons. Note, The gospel call is a
|
|
call to repentance; a call to us to change our mind and to change our
|
|
way.
|
|
|
|
(2.) With whom his errand lay; not with <I>the righteous,</I> but with
|
|
<I>sinners.</I> That is,
|
|
|
|
[1.] If the children of men had not been <I>sinners,</I> there had been
|
|
no occasion for Christ's coming among them. He is the Saviour, not of
|
|
man as <I>man,</I> but of man as <I>fallen.</I> Had the first Adam
|
|
continued in his original <I>righteousness,</I> we had not needed a
|
|
second Adam.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Therefore his <I>greatest business</I> lies with the <I>greatest
|
|
sinners;</I> the more dangerous the sick man's case is, the more
|
|
occasion there is for the physician's help. Christ came into the world
|
|
to <I>save sinners,</I> but especially <I>the chief</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+1:15">1 Tim. i. 15</A>);
|
|
|
|
to call not those so much, who, though sinners, are comparatively
|
|
righteous, but the worst of sinners.
|
|
|
|
[3.] The more sensible any sinners are of their sinfulness, the more
|
|
welcome will Christ and his gospel be to them; and every one chooses to
|
|
go where his company is desired, not to those who would rather have his
|
|
room. Christ came not with an expectation of succeeding among <I>the
|
|
righteous,</I> those who conceit themselves so, and therefore will
|
|
sooner be sick of their Saviour, than sick of their sins, but among the
|
|
convinced humble <I>sinners;</I> to them Christ will come, for to them
|
|
he will be welcome.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_17"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Christ's Reply to the Disciples of John.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we
|
|
and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
|
|
15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the
|
|
bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but
|
|
the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them,
|
|
and then shall they fast.
|
|
16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for
|
|
that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and
|
|
the rent is made worse.
|
|
17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the
|
|
bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish:
|
|
but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The objections which were made against Christ and his disciples gave
|
|
occasion to some of the most profitable of his discourses; thus are the
|
|
interests of truth often served, even by the opposition it meets with
|
|
from gainsayers, and thus the wisdom of Christ brings good out of evil.
|
|
This is the third instance of it in this chapter; his discourse of his
|
|
power to forgive sin, and his readiness to receive sinners, was
|
|
occasioned by the cavils of the scribes and Pharisees; so here, from a
|
|
reflection upon the conduct of his family, arose a discourse concerning
|
|
his tenderness for it. Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The objection which the disciples of John made against Christ's
|
|
disciples, for not fasting so often as they did; which they are charged
|
|
with, as another instance of the looseness of their profession, besides
|
|
that of eating with publicans and sinners; and it is therefore
|
|
suggested to them, that they should change that profession for another
|
|
more strict. It appears by the other evangelists
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+2:18,Lu+5:33">Mark ii. 18 and Luke v. 33</A>)
|
|
|
|
that the disciples of the Pharisees joined with them, and we have
|
|
reason to suspect that they instigated them, making use of John's
|
|
disciples as their spokesmen, because they, being more in favour with
|
|
Christ and his disciples, could do it more plausibly. Note, It is no
|
|
new thing for bad men to set good men together by the ears; if the
|
|
people of God differ in their sentiments, designing men will take that
|
|
occasion to sow discord, and to incense them one against another, and
|
|
alienate them one from another, and so make an easy prey of them. If
|
|
the disciples of John and of Jesus clash, we have reason to suspect the
|
|
Pharisees have been at work underhand, blowing the coals. Now the
|
|
complaint is, <I>Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but thy
|
|
disciples fast not?</I> It is pity the duties of religion, which ought
|
|
to be the confirmations of holy love, should be made the occasions of
|
|
strife and contention; but they often are so, as here; where we may
|
|
observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. How they boasted of their own fasting. <I>We and the Pharisees fast
|
|
often.</I> Fasting has in all ages of the church been consecrated, upon
|
|
special occasions, to the service of religion; the Pharisees were much
|
|
in it; many of them kept two fast-days in a week, and yet the
|
|
generality of them were hypocrites and bad men. Note, False and formal
|
|
professors often excel others in outward acts of devotion, and even of
|
|
mortification. The disciples of John <I>fasted often,</I> partly in
|
|
compliance with their master's practice, for he came <I>neither eating
|
|
nor drinking</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+11:18"><I>ch.</I> xi. 18</A>);
|
|
|
|
and people are apt to imitate their leaders, though not always from the
|
|
same inward principle; partly in compliance with their master's
|
|
doctrine of repentance. Note, The severer part of religion is often
|
|
most <I>minded</I> by those that are yet under the discipline of the
|
|
Spirit, as a <I>Spirit of bondage,</I> whereas, though these are good
|
|
in their place, we must pass through them to that life of delight in
|
|
God and dependence on him, to which these should lead. Now they come to
|
|
Christ to tell him that they <I>fasted often,</I> at least they thought
|
|
it often. Note, <I>Most men will proclaim every one his own
|
|
goodness,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+20:6">Prov. xx. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
There is a proneness in professors to brag of their own performance in
|
|
religion, especially if there by any thing extraordinary in them; nay,
|
|
and not only to boast of them before men, but to plead them before God,
|
|
and confide in them as a righteousness.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. How they blamed Christ's disciples for not fasting so often as they
|
|
did. <I>Thy disciples fast not.</I> They could not but know, that
|
|
Christ had instructed his disciples to keep their fasts private, and to
|
|
manage themselves so as that they might not <I>appear unto men to
|
|
fast;</I> and, therefore, it was very uncharitable in them to conclude
|
|
they did <I>not fast,</I> because they did not proclaim their fasts.
|
|
Note, We must not judge of people's religion by that which falls under
|
|
the eye and observation of the world. But suppose it was so, that
|
|
Christ's disciples did not <I>fast</I> so often or so long as they did,
|
|
why truly, they would therefore have it thought, that they had more
|
|
religion in them than Christ's disciples had. Note, It is common for
|
|
vain professors to make themselves a standard in religion, by which to
|
|
try and measure persons and things, as if all who differed from them
|
|
were so far in the wrong; as if all that did less than they, did too
|
|
little, and all that did more than they, did too much, which is a plain
|
|
evidence of their want of humility and charity.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. How they brought this complaint to Christ. Note, If Christ's
|
|
disciples, either by omission or commission, give offence, Christ
|
|
himself will be sure to hear of it, and be reflected upon for it. <I>O,
|
|
Jesus, are these thy Christians?</I> Therefore, as we tender the honour
|
|
of Christ, we are concerned to conduct ourselves well. Observe, The
|
|
quarrel with Christ was brought to the disciples
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
the quarrel with the disciples was brought to Christ
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
this is the way of sowing discord and killing love, to set people
|
|
against ministers, ministers against people, and one friend against
|
|
another.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The apology which Christ made for his disciples in this matter.
|
|
Christ might have upbraided John's disciples with the former part of
|
|
their question, <I>Why do ye fast often?</I> "Nay, you know best why
|
|
you do it; but the truth is, many abound in external instances of
|
|
devotion, that scarcely do themselves know why and wherefore." But he
|
|
only vindicates the practice of his disciples; whey they had nothing to
|
|
say for themselves, he had something ready to say for them. Note, As it
|
|
is wisdom's honour to be justified of all her children, so it is her
|
|
children's happiness to be all justified of wisdom. What we do
|
|
according to the precept and pattern of Christ, he will be sure to bear
|
|
us out in, and we may with confidence leave it to him to clear up our
|
|
integrity.</P>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<CENTER>
|
|
<TABLE BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><I>But thou shalt answer, Lord, for me.</I>
|
|
</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=RIGHT>Herbert.</TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
</CENTER>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Two things Christ pleads in defence of their <I>not fasting.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. That it was not a season proper for that duty
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Can the children of the bride-chamber mourn, as long as the
|
|
bridegroom is with them?</I> Observe, Christ's answer is so framed, as
|
|
that it might sufficiently justify the practice of his own disciples,
|
|
and yet not condemn the institution of John, or the practice of his
|
|
disciples. When the Pharisees fomented this dispute, they hoped Christ
|
|
would cast blame, either on his own disciples, or on John's, but he did
|
|
neither. Note, When at any time we are unjustly censured, our care
|
|
must be only to clear ourselves, not to recriminate, or throw dirt upon
|
|
others; and such a variety may there be of circumstances, as may
|
|
justify us in our practice, without condemning those that practise
|
|
otherwise.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Now his argument is taken from the common usage of joy and rejoicing
|
|
during the continuance of marriage solemnities; when all instances of
|
|
melancholy and sorrow are looked upon as improper and absurd, as it was
|
|
at Samson's wedding,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+14:17">Judges xiv. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The disciples of Christ were the <I>children of the
|
|
bride-chamber,</I> invited to the wedding-feast, and welcome there; the
|
|
disciples of the Pharisees were not so, but <I>children of the
|
|
bond-woman</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+4:25,31">Gal. iv. 25, 31</A>),
|
|
|
|
continuing under a dispensation of darkness and terror. Note, The
|
|
faithful followers of Christ, who have the Spirit of adoption, have a
|
|
continual feast, while they who have the spirit of bondage and fear,
|
|
cannot rejoice for joy, as other people,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+9:1">Hos. ix. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The disciples of Christ had <I>the bridegroom with them,</I> which
|
|
the disciples of John had not; their master was now cast into prison,
|
|
and lay there in continual danger of his life, and therefore it was
|
|
seasonable for them to <I>fast often.</I> Such a day would come upon
|
|
the disciples of Christ, when the bridegroom should be taken from them,
|
|
when they should be deprived of his bodily presence, and <I>then should
|
|
they fast.</I> The thoughts of parting grieved them when he was going,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:6">John xvi. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
Tribulation and affliction befel them when he was gone, and gave them
|
|
occasion of <I>mourning</I> and <I>praying,</I> that is, of religious
|
|
fasting. Note,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Jesus Christ is the Bridegroom of his Church, and his disciples
|
|
are the <I>children of the bride-chamber.</I> Christ speaks of himself
|
|
to John's disciples under this similitude, because that John had used
|
|
it, when he called himself a friend of the bridegroom,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+3:29">John iii. 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
And if they would by this hint call to mind what their master then
|
|
said, they would answer themselves.
|
|
|
|
[2.] The condition of those who are the children of the bride-chamber
|
|
is liable to many changes and alterations in this world; they sing of
|
|
mercy and judgment.
|
|
|
|
[3.] It is merry or melancholy with the children of the bride-chamber,
|
|
according as they have more or less of the bridegroom's presence. When
|
|
he is with them, the candle of God shines upon their head, and all is
|
|
well; but when he is withdrawn, though but for a small moment, <I>they
|
|
are troubled,</I> and walk heavily; the presence and nearness of the
|
|
sun makes day and summer, his absence and distance, night and winter.
|
|
Christ is all in all to the church's joy.
|
|
|
|
[4.] Every duty is to be done in its proper season. See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+7:14,Jam+5:13">Eccles. vii. 14; Jam. v. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
There is a time to mourn and a time to laugh, to each of which we
|
|
should accommodate ourselves, and bring forth fruit in due season. In
|
|
fasts, regard is to be had to the methods of God's grace towards us;
|
|
when he <I>mourns to us,</I> we must <I>lament;</I> and also to the
|
|
dispensations of his providence concerning us; there are times when
|
|
<I>the Lord God calls to weeping and mourning;</I> regard is likewise
|
|
to be had to any special work before us,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:21,Ac+13:2"><I>ch.</I> xvii. 21; Acts xiii. 2</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. That they had not strength sufficient for that duty. This is set
|
|
forth in two similitudes, one of putting <I>new cloth into an old
|
|
garment,</I> which does but pull the old to pieces
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>);
|
|
|
|
the other of putting <I>new wine into old bottles,</I> which does but
|
|
burst the bottles,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ's disciples were not able to bear these severe exercises so well
|
|
as those of John and of the Pharisees, which the learned Dr. Whitby
|
|
gives this reason for: There were among the Jews not only sects of the
|
|
Pharisees and Essenes, who led an austere life, but also <I>schools of
|
|
the prophets,</I> who frequently lived in mountains and deserts, and
|
|
were many of them Nazarites; they had also private academies to train
|
|
men up in a strict discipline; and possibly from these many of John's
|
|
disciples might come, and many of the Pharisees; whereas Christ's
|
|
disciples, being taken immediately from their callings, had not been
|
|
used to such religious austerities, and were unfit for them, and would
|
|
by them be rather unfitted for their other work. Note,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Some duties of religion are harder and more difficult than others,
|
|
like <I>new cloth</I> and <I>new wine,</I> which require most
|
|
intenseness of mind, and are most displeasing to flesh and blood; such
|
|
are religious fasting and the duties that attend it.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The best of Christ's disciples pass through a state of infancy;
|
|
all the trees in Christ's garden are not of a growth, nor all his
|
|
scholars in the same form; there are <I>babes in Christ</I> and grown
|
|
men.
|
|
|
|
(3.) In the enjoining of religious exercises, the weakness and
|
|
infirmity of young Christians ought to be considered: as the food
|
|
provided for them must be such as is proper for their age
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+3:2,Heb+5:12">1 Cor. iii. 2; Heb. v. 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
so must the work be that is cut out for them. Christ would not speak to
|
|
his disciples that which they could not then bear,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:12">John xvi. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
Young beginners in religion must not be put upon the hardest duties at
|
|
first, lest they be discouraged. Such as was God's care of his Israel,
|
|
when he brought them out of Egypt, not to lead them by the way of the
|
|
Philistines
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+13:17,18">Exod. xiii. 17, 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
and such as was Jacob's care of his children and cattle, not to
|
|
overdrive them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+33:13">Gen. xxxiii. 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
such is Christ's care of the little ones of his family, and the lambs
|
|
of his flock: he gently leads them. For want of this care, many times,
|
|
<I>the bottles break,</I> and <I>the wine is spilled;</I> the
|
|
profession of many miscarries and comes to nothing, through
|
|
indiscretion at first. Note, There may be <I>over</I>--doing even in
|
|
<I>well</I>--doing, a being <I>righteous over-much;</I> and such an
|
|
<I>over</I>--doing as may prove an <I>un</I>doing through the subtlety
|
|
of Satan.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_26"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Ruler's Daughter Raised.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a
|
|
certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even
|
|
now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
|
|
19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and <I>so did</I> his
|
|
disciples.
|
|
20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of
|
|
blood twelve years, came behind <I>him,</I> and touched the hem of his
|
|
garment:
|
|
21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment,
|
|
I shall be whole.
|
|
22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said,
|
|
Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And
|
|
the woman was made whole from that hour.
|
|
23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the
|
|
minstrels and the people making a noise,
|
|
24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but
|
|
sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
|
|
25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her
|
|
by the hand, and the maid arose.
|
|
26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here two passages of history put together; that of the raising
|
|
of Jairus's daughter to life, and that of the curing of the woman that
|
|
had <I>the bloody issue,</I> as he was going to Jairus's house, which
|
|
is introduced in a parenthesis, in the midst of the other; for Christ's
|
|
miracles were thick sown, and interwoven; <I>the work of him that
|
|
sent</I> him was his daily work. He was called to do these good works
|
|
from speaking the things foregoing, in answer to the cavils of the
|
|
Pharisees,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>:
|
|
|
|
<I>While he spake these things;</I> and we may suppose it is a pleasing
|
|
interruption given to that unpleasant work of disputation, which,
|
|
though sometimes needful, a good man will gladly leave, to go about a
|
|
work of devotion or charity. Here is,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The ruler's address to Christ,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>A certain ruler,</I> a ruler of the synagogue, <I>came and
|
|
worshipped him. Have any of the rulers believed on him?</I> Yes, here
|
|
was one, a church ruler, whose faith condemned the unbelief of the rest
|
|
of the rulers. This ruler had a little daughter, of twelve years old,
|
|
just dead, and this breach made upon his family comforts was the
|
|
occasion of his coming to Christ. Note, In trouble we should visit
|
|
God: the death of our relations should drive us to Christ, who is our
|
|
life; it is well if any thing will do it. When affliction is in our
|
|
families, we must not sit down astonished, but, as Job, <I>fall down
|
|
and worship.</I> Now observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. His humility in this address to Christ. He came with his errand to
|
|
Christ himself, and did not send his servant. Note, It is no
|
|
disparagement to the greatest rulers, personally to attend on the Lord
|
|
Jesus. He <I>worshipped him,</I> bowed the knee to him, and gave him
|
|
all imaginable respect. Note, They that would receive mercy from Christ
|
|
must give honour to Christ.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. His faith in this address; "<I>My daughter is even now dead,</I>"
|
|
and though any other physician would now come too late (nothing more
|
|
absurd than <I>post mortem medicina--medicine after death</I>), yet
|
|
Christ comes not too late; he is a Physician after death, for he is
|
|
<I>the resurrection and the life;</I> "<I>O come</I> then, <I>and lay
|
|
thy hand upon her, and she shall live.</I>" This was quite above the
|
|
power of nature (<I>a privatione ad habitum non datur regressus--life
|
|
once lost cannot be restored</I>), yet within the power of Christ, who
|
|
has <I>life in himself, and quickeneth whom he will.</I> Now Christ
|
|
works in an ordinary, <I>by</I> nature and not <I>against</I> it, and,
|
|
therefore, we cannot in faith bring him such a request as this; while
|
|
there is life, there is hope, and room for prayer; but when our friends
|
|
are dead, the case is determined; <I>we shall go to them, but they
|
|
shall not return to us.</I> But while Christ was here upon earth
|
|
working miracles, such a confidence as this was not only allowable but
|
|
very commendable.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The readiness of Christ to comply with his address,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Jesus</I> immediately <I>arose,</I> left his company, <I>and
|
|
followed him;</I> he was not only willing to grant him what he desired,
|
|
in raising his daughter to life, but to gratify him so far as to come
|
|
to his house to do it. Surely <I>he never said to the seed of Jacob,
|
|
Seek ye me in vain.</I> He denied to go along with the nobleman, who
|
|
said, <I>Sir, come down, ere my child die</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+4:48-50">John iv. 48-50</A>),
|
|
|
|
yet he went along with the ruler of the synagogue, who said, <I>Sir,
|
|
come down, and my child shall live.</I> The variety of methods which
|
|
Christ took in working his miracles is perhaps to be attributed to the
|
|
different frame and temper of mind which they were in who applied to
|
|
him, which he <I>who searcheth the heart</I> perfectly knew, and
|
|
accommodated himself to. He knows what is in man, and what course to
|
|
take with him. And observe, when <I>Jesus followed him, so did his
|
|
disciples,</I> whom he had chosen for his constant companions; it was
|
|
not for state, or that he might come with observation, that he took his
|
|
attendants with him, but that they might be the witnesses of his
|
|
miracles, who were hereafter to be the preachers of his doctrine.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The healing of the poor woman's bloody issue. I call her a poor
|
|
woman, not only because her case was piteous, but because, she had
|
|
<I>spent it all upon physicians,</I> for the cure of her distemper, and
|
|
was never the better; which was a double aggravation of the misery of
|
|
her condition, that she had been full, but was now empty; and that she
|
|
had impoverished herself for the recovery of her health, and yet had
|
|
not her health neither. This <I>woman was diseased with a constant
|
|
issue of blood twelve years</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>);
|
|
|
|
a disease, which was not only weakening and wasting, and under which
|
|
the body must needs languish; but which also rendered her ceremonially
|
|
unclean, and shut her <I>out from the courts of the Lord's house;</I>
|
|
but it did not cut her off from approaching to Christ. She applied
|
|
herself to Christ, and received mercy from him, by the way, as he
|
|
followed the ruler, whose daughter was dead, to whom it would be a
|
|
great encouragement, and a help to keep up his faith in the power of
|
|
Christ. So graciously does Christ consider the frame, and consult the
|
|
case, of weak believers. Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The woman's great faith in Christ, and in his power. Her disease was
|
|
of such a nature, that her modesty would not suffer her to speak openly
|
|
to Christ for a cure, as others did, but by a peculiar impulse of the
|
|
Spirit of faith, she believed him to have such an overflowing fulness
|
|
of healing virtue, that the very <I>touch of his garment</I> would be
|
|
her cure. This, perhaps, had something of fancy mixed with faith; for
|
|
she had no precedent for this way of application to Christ, unless, as
|
|
some think, she had an eye to the raising of the dead man by the touch
|
|
of Elisha's bones,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+13:21">2 Kings xiii. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
But what <I>weakness of understanding</I> there was in it, Christ was
|
|
pleased to overlook, and to accept the sincerity and strength of her
|
|
faith; for he <I>eateth the honey-comb with the honey,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=So+4:11">Cant. iv. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
She believed she should be healed if she did but <I>touch the</I> very
|
|
<I>hem of his garment,</I> the very extremity of it. Note, There is
|
|
virtue in every thing that belongs to Christ. The holy oil with which
|
|
the high priest was anointed, <I>ran down to the skirts of his
|
|
garments,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+133:2">Ps. cxxxiii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
Such a fulness of grace is there in Christ, that <I>from it we may all
|
|
receive,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+1:16">John i. 16</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Christ's great favour to this woman. He did not suspend (as he might
|
|
have done) his healing influences, but suffered this bashful patient to
|
|
steal a cure unknown to any one else, though she could not think to do
|
|
it unknown to him. And now she was well content to be gone, for she had
|
|
what she came for, but Christ was not willing to let he to so; he will
|
|
not only have his power magnified in her cure, but his grace magnified
|
|
in her comfort and commendation: the triumphs of her faith must be to
|
|
her praise and honour. He <I>turned about</I> to see for her
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>),
|
|
|
|
and soon discovered her. Note, It is great encouragement to humble
|
|
Christians, that they who hide themselves from men are known to Christ,
|
|
who sees in secret their applications to heaven when most private. Now
|
|
here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) He <I>puts gladness into her heart,</I> by that word, <I>Daughter,
|
|
be of good comfort.</I> She feared being chidden for coming
|
|
clandestinely, but she is encouraged.
|
|
|
|
[1.] He calls her <I>daughter,</I> for he spoke to her with the
|
|
tenderness of a father, as he did <I>to the man sick of the palsy</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>),
|
|
|
|
whom he called <I>son.</I> Note, Christ has comforts ready for <I>the
|
|
daughters of Zion,</I> that are of a sorrowful spirit, as Hannah was,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+1:15">1 Sam. i. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
Believing women are Christ's <I>daughters,</I> and he will own them as
|
|
such.
|
|
|
|
[2.] He bids her <I>be of good comfort:</I> she has reason to be so, if
|
|
Christ own her for a <I>daughter.</I> Note, The saints' consolation is
|
|
founded in their adoption. His bidding her <I>be comforted,</I> brought
|
|
comfort with it, as his saying, <I>Be ye whole,</I> brought health with
|
|
it. Note, It is the will of Christ that his people should be comforted,
|
|
and it is his prerogative to command comfort to troubled spirits. He
|
|
<I>creates the fruit of the lips, peace,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+57:19">Isa. lvii. 19</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) He puts honour upon her faith. That grace of all others gives most
|
|
honour to Christ, and therefore he puts most honour upon it; <I>Thy
|
|
faith has made thee whole.</I> Thus <I>by faith she obtained a good
|
|
report.</I> And as of all graces Christ puts the greatest honour upon
|
|
faith, so of all believers he puts the greatest honour upon those that
|
|
are most humble; as here on this woman, who had more faith than she
|
|
thought she had. She had reason to <I>be of good comfort,</I> not only
|
|
because she was <I>made whole,</I> but because her <I>faith had made
|
|
her whole;</I> that is,
|
|
|
|
[1.] She was spiritually healed; that cure was wrought in her which is
|
|
the proper fruit and effect of faith, the pardon of sin and the work of
|
|
grace. Note, We may then be abundantly comforted in our temporal
|
|
mercies when they are accompanied with those spiritual blessings that
|
|
resemble them; our food and raiment will be comfortable, when by faith
|
|
we are fed with <I>the bread of life,</I> and <I>clothed with the
|
|
righteousness of Jesus Christ;</I> our rest and sleep will be
|
|
comfortable, when by faith we repose in God, and dwell at ease in him;
|
|
our health and prosperity will be comfortable, when by faith our souls
|
|
prosper, and are in health. See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+38:16,17">Isa. xxxviii. 16, 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Her bodily cure was the fruit of faith, of her faith, and that
|
|
made it a happy, comfortable cure indeed. They out of whom the devils
|
|
were cast, were helped by Christ's sovereign power; some by the faith
|
|
of others (as
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>);
|
|
|
|
but it is <I>thy faith that has made thee whole.</I> Note, Temporal
|
|
mercies are then comforts indeed to us, when they are received by
|
|
faith. If, when in pursuit of mercy, we prayed for it in faith, with an
|
|
eye to the promise, and in dependence upon that, if we desired it for
|
|
the sake of God's glory, and with a resignation to God's will, and have
|
|
our hearts enlarged by it in faith, love, and obedience, we may then
|
|
say, it was received by faith.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. The posture in which he found the ruler's house,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
--He <I>saw the people and the minstrels,</I> or musicians, <I>making a
|
|
noise.</I> The house was in a hurry: such work does death make, when it
|
|
comes into a family; and, perhaps, the necessary cares that arise at
|
|
such a time, when our dead is to be decently buried out of our sight,
|
|
give some useful diversion to that grief which is apt to prevail and
|
|
play the tyrant. The people in the neighbourhood came together to
|
|
condole on account of the loss, to comfort the parents, to prepare for,
|
|
and attend on, the funeral, which the Jews were not wont to defer long.
|
|
The musicians were among them, according to the custom of the Gentiles,
|
|
with their doleful, melancholy tunes, to increase the grief, and stir
|
|
up the lamentations of those that attended on this occasion; as (they
|
|
say) is usual among the Irish, with their Ahone, Ahone. Thus they
|
|
indulged a passion that is apt enough of itself to grow intemperate,
|
|
and affected to <I>sorrow as those that had no hope.</I> See how
|
|
religion provides cordials, where irreligion administers corrosives.
|
|
Heathenism aggravates that grief which Christianity studies to assuage.
|
|
Or perhaps these musicians endeavoured on the other hand to divert the
|
|
grief and exhilarate the family; but, <I>as vinegar upon nitre, so is
|
|
he that sings songs to a heavy heart.</I> Observe, The parents, who
|
|
were immediately touched with the affliction, were silent, while <I>the
|
|
people and minstrels,</I> whose lamentations were forced, made such a
|
|
noise. Note, The loudest grief is not always the greatest; rivers are
|
|
most noisy where they run shallow. <I>Ille dolet vere, qui sine teste
|
|
dolet--That grief is most sincere, which shuns observation.</I> But
|
|
notice is taken of this, to show that the girl was really dead, in the
|
|
undoubted apprehension of all about her.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
V. The rebuke that Christ gave to this hurry and noise,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
He said, <I>Give place.</I> Note, Sometimes, when <I>the sorrow of the
|
|
world</I> prevails, it is difficult for Christ and his comforts to
|
|
enter. They that harden themselves in sorrow, and, like Rachel,
|
|
<I>refuse to be comforted,</I> should think they hear Christ saying to
|
|
their disquieting thoughts, <I>Give place:</I> "Make room for him who
|
|
is <I>the Consolation of Israel,</I> and brings with him <I>strong
|
|
consolations,</I> strong enough to overcome the confusion and tyranny
|
|
of these worldly griefs, if he may but be admitted into the soul." He
|
|
gives a good reason why they should not thus disquiet themselves and
|
|
one another; <I>The maid is not dead but sleepeth.</I>
|
|
|
|
1. This was eminently true of this maid, that was immediately to be
|
|
raised to life; she was really dead, but not so to Christ, who knew
|
|
within himself what he would do, and could do, and who had determined
|
|
to make her death but as a sleep. There is little more difference
|
|
between sleep and death, but in continuance; whatever other difference
|
|
there is, it is but a dream. This death must be but of short
|
|
continuance, and therefore is but a sleep, like one night's rest. He
|
|
that quickens the dead, may well call the things which be not as though
|
|
they were,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+4:17">Rom. iv. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. It is in a sense true of all that die, chiefly of them <I>that die
|
|
in the Lord.</I> Note,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Death is a sleep. All nations and languages, for the softening of
|
|
that which is so dreadful, and withal so unavoidable, and the
|
|
reconciling of themselves to it, have agreed to call it so. It is said,
|
|
even of the wicked kings, that they <I>slept with their fathers;</I>
|
|
and of those that shall arise to everlasting contempt, that they
|
|
<I>sleep in the dust,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:2">Dan. xii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is not the sleep of the soul; its activity ceases not; but the sleep
|
|
of the body, which lies down in the grave, still and silent, regardless
|
|
and disregarded, wrapt up in darkness and obscurity. Sleep is a short
|
|
death, and death a long sleep. But <I>the death of the righteous</I>
|
|
is in a special manner to be looked upon as a sleep,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+57:2">Isa. lvii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
They sleep in Jesus
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+4:14">1 Thess. iv. 14</A>);
|
|
|
|
they not only rest from the toils and labours of the day, but <I>rest
|
|
in hope</I> of a joyful waking again in the morning of the
|
|
resurrection, when they shall wake refreshed, wake to a new life, wake
|
|
to be richly dressed and crowned, and <I>wake to sleep no more.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) The consideration of this should moderate our grief at the death
|
|
of our dear relations: "say not, They <I>are</I> lost; no, they are but
|
|
<I>gone before:</I> say not, They are <I>slain;</I> no, they are but
|
|
<I>fallen asleep;</I> and the apostle speaks of it as an absurd thing
|
|
to imagine that <I>they that are fallen asleep in Christ are
|
|
perished</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+15:18">1 Cor. xv. 18</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>give place,</I> therefore, to those comforts which the covenant of
|
|
grace ministers, fetched from the future <I>state, and the glory to be
|
|
revealed.</I>"</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Now could it be thought that such a comfortable word as this, from the
|
|
mouth of our Lord Jesus, should be ridiculed as it was? <I>They laughed
|
|
him to scorn.</I> These people lived in Capernaum, knew Christ's
|
|
character, that he never spake a rash or foolish word; they knew how
|
|
many mighty works he had done; so that if they did not understand what
|
|
he meant by this, they might at least have been silent in expectation
|
|
of the issue. Note, The words and works of Christ which cannot be
|
|
understood, yet are not therefore to be despised. We must adore the
|
|
mystery of divine sayings, even when they seem to contradict what we
|
|
think ourselves most confident of. Yet even this tended to the
|
|
confirmation of the miracle: for it seems she was so apparently dead,
|
|
that it was thought a very ridiculous thing to say otherwise.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
VI. The raising of the damsel to life by the power of Christ,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>The people were put forth.</I> Note, Scorners that laugh at what
|
|
they see and hear that is above their capacity, are not proper
|
|
witnesses of the wonderful works of Christ, the glory of which lies not
|
|
in pomp, but in power. The widow's son at Nain, and Lazarus, were
|
|
raised from the dead openly, but this damsel privately; for Capernaum,
|
|
that had slighted the lesser miracles of restoring health, was unworthy
|
|
to see the greater, of restoring life; these <I>pearls were not</I> to
|
|
be <I>cast before</I> those that would <I>trample them under their
|
|
feet.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Christ went in and <I>took her by the hand,</I> as it were to awake
|
|
her, and to help her up, prosecuting his own metaphor of her being
|
|
asleep. The high priest, that typified Christ, was not to come near the
|
|
dead
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+21:10,11">Lev. xxi. 10, 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
but Christ <I>touched the dead.</I> The Levitical priesthood leaves the
|
|
dead in their uncleanness, and therefore keeps at a distance from them,
|
|
because it cannot remedy them; but Christ, having power to raise the
|
|
dead, is above the infection, and therefore is not shy of touching
|
|
them. He <I>took her by the hand, and the maid arose.</I> So easily, so
|
|
effectually was the miracle wrought; not by prayer, as Elijah did
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1kI+17:21">1 Kings xvii. 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
and Elisha
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2kI+4:33">2 Kings iv. 33</A>),
|
|
|
|
but by a touch. They did it as servants, he as a Son, as a God, <I>to
|
|
whom belong the issues from death.</I> Note, Jesus Christ is the Lord
|
|
of souls, he commands them forth, and commands them back, when and as
|
|
he pleases. Dead souls are not raised to spiritual life, unless Christ
|
|
<I>take them by the hand:</I> it is done in the <I>day of his
|
|
power.</I> He helps us up, or we lie still.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
VII. The general notice that was taken of this miracle, though it was
|
|
wrought privately;
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>The fame thereof went abroad into all that land:</I> it was the
|
|
common subject of discourse. Note, Christ's works are more talked of
|
|
than considered and improved. And doubtless, they that heard only the
|
|
report of Christ's miracles, were accountable for that as well as they
|
|
that were eye-witnesses of them. Though we at this distance have not
|
|
seen Christ's miracles, yet having an authentic history of them, we are
|
|
bound, upon the credit of that, to receive his doctrine; and blessed
|
|
<I>are they that have not seen, and yet have believed,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+20:29">John xx. 29</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt9_34"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Two Blind and a Dumb Man Healed.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him,
|
|
crying, and saying, <I>Thou</I> Son of David, have mercy on us.
|
|
28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to
|
|
him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do
|
|
this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
|
|
29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith
|
|
be it unto you.
|
|
30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them,
|
|
saying, See <I>that</I> no man know <I>it.</I>
|
|
31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in
|
|
all that country.
|
|
32 As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man
|
|
possessed with a devil.
|
|
33 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the
|
|
multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.
|
|
34 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the
|
|
prince of the devils.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
In these verses we have an account of two more miracles wrought
|
|
together by our Saviour.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The giving of sight to two blind men,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:27-31"><I>v.</I> 27-31</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ is the Fountain of light as well as life; and as, by raising the
|
|
dead, he showed himself to be the same that at first <I>breathed into
|
|
man the breath of life,</I> so, by giving sight to the blind, he showed
|
|
himself to be the same that at first <I>commanded the light to shine
|
|
out of darkness.</I> Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The importunate address of the blind men to Christ. He was returning
|
|
from the ruler's house to his own lodgings, and these <I>blind men
|
|
followed him,</I> as beggars do, with their incessant cries,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
He that cured diseases so easily, so effectually, and, withal, at so
|
|
cheap a rate, shall have patients enough. As for other things, so he is
|
|
famed for an Oculist. Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) The title which these blind men gave to Christ; <I>Thou Son of
|
|
David, have mercy on us.</I> The promise made to David, that of his
|
|
loins the Messiah should come, was well known, and the Messiah was
|
|
therefore commonly called <I>the Son of David.</I> At this time there
|
|
was a general expectation of his appearing; these blind men know, and
|
|
own, and proclaim it in the streets of Capernaum, that he is come, and
|
|
that this is he; which aggravates the folly and sin of the chief
|
|
priests and Pharisees who denied and opposed him. They could not see
|
|
him and his miracles, but <I>faith comes by hearing.</I> Note, They
|
|
who, by the providence of God, are deprived of bodily sight, may yet,
|
|
by the grace of God, have <I>the eyes of their understanding so
|
|
enlightened,</I> as to discern those great things of God, <I>which are
|
|
hid from the wise and prudent.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) Their petition, <I>Have mercy on us.</I> It was foretold that the
|
|
<I>Son of David</I> should be <I>merciful</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+72:12,13">Ps. lxxii. 12, 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
and in him <I>shines the tender mercy of our God,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+1:78">Luke i. 78</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, Whatever our necessities and burthens are, we need no more for
|
|
supply and support, than a share in the <I>mercy of our Lord Jesus.</I>
|
|
Whether he heal us or no, if he <I>have mercy on us,</I> we have
|
|
enough; as to the particular instances and methods of mercy, we may
|
|
safely and wisely refer ourselves to the wisdom of Christ. They did not
|
|
each of them say for himself, <I>Have mercy on me,</I> but both for one
|
|
another, <I>Have mercy on us.</I> Note, It becomes those that are under
|
|
the same affliction, to concur in the same prayers for relief.
|
|
Fellow-sufferers should be joint-petitioners. In Christ there is enough
|
|
for all.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) Their importunity in this request; they <I>followed him,
|
|
crying.</I> It seems, he did not take notice of them at first, for he
|
|
would try their faith, which he knew to be strong; would quicken their
|
|
prayers, and make his cures the more valued, when they did not always
|
|
come at the first word; and would teach us to <I>continue instant in
|
|
prayer, always to pray, and not to faint:</I> and, though the answer do
|
|
not come presently, yet to wait for it, and to follow providence, even
|
|
in those steps and out goings of it which seem to neglect or contradict
|
|
our prayers. Christ would not heal them publicly in the streets, for
|
|
this was a cure he would have kept private
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>),
|
|
|
|
but <I>when he came into the house,</I> they <I>followed him</I>
|
|
thither, and <I>came to him.</I> Note, Christ's doors are always open
|
|
to believing and importunate petitioners; it seemed rude in them to
|
|
rush into the house after him, when he desired to retire; but, such is
|
|
the tenderness of our Lord Jesus, that they were not more bold than
|
|
welcome.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The confession of faith, which Christ drew from them upon this
|
|
occasion. When they came to him for mercy, he asked them, <I>Believe ye
|
|
that I am able to do this?</I> Note, Faith is the great condition of
|
|
Christ's favours. They who would receive the <I>mercy</I> of Christ,
|
|
must firmly believe the <I>power</I> of Christ. What we would have him
|
|
do for us, we must be fully assured that he is <I>able to do.</I> They
|
|
followed Christ, and followed him crying, but the great question is,
|
|
<I>Do ye believe?</I> Nature may work fervency, but it is only grace
|
|
that can work faith; spiritual blessings are obtained only by faith.
|
|
They had intimated their faith in the office of Christ as <I>Son of
|
|
David,</I> and in his mercy; but Christ demands likewise a profession
|
|
of faith in his power. <I>Believe ye that I am able to do this;</I> to
|
|
bestow this favour; to give sight to the blind, as well as to cure the
|
|
palsy and raise the dead? Note, It is good to be particular in the
|
|
exercise of faith, to apply the general assurances of God's power and
|
|
good will, and the general promises, to our particular exigencies.
|
|
<I>All shall work for good,</I> and if all, then this. "<I>Believe ye
|
|
that I am able,</I> not only to prevail with God for it, as a prophet,
|
|
but <I>that I am able to do it</I> by my own power?" This will amount
|
|
to their belief of his being not only <I>the Son of David,</I> but
|
|
<I>the Son of God;</I> for it is God's prerogative to <I>open the eyes
|
|
of the blind</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+146:8">Ps. cxlvi. 8</A>);
|
|
|
|
he makes <I>the seeing eye,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+4:11">Exod. iv. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
Job <I>was eyes to the blind</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:15">Job xxix. 15</A>);
|
|
|
|
was to them instead of eyes, but he could not <I>give</I> eyes to the
|
|
blind. Still it is put to us, <I>Believe we that Christ is able to do
|
|
for us,</I> by the power of his merit and intercession in heaven, of
|
|
his Spirit and grace in the heart, and of his providence and dominion
|
|
in the world? To believe the power of Christ is not only to assure
|
|
ourselves of it, but to commit ourselves to it, and encourage ourselves
|
|
in it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
To this question they give an immediate answer, without hesitation:
|
|
they said, <I>Yea, Lord.</I> Though he had kept them in suspense
|
|
awhile, and had not helped them at first, they honestly imputed that to
|
|
his wisdom, not to his weakness, and were still confident of his
|
|
ability. Note, The treasures of mercy that are laid up in the power of
|
|
Christ, are <I>laid out and wrought for those that trust in him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+31:19">Ps. xxxi. 19</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. The cure that Christ wrought on them; <I>he touched their eyes,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
This he did to encourage their faith, which, by his delay, he had
|
|
tried, and to show that he gives sight to blind souls by the operations
|
|
of his grace accompanying the word, <I>anointing the eyes with
|
|
eye-salve:</I> and he put the cure upon their faith, <I>According to
|
|
your faith be it unto you.</I> When they begged for a cure, he enquired
|
|
into their faith
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Believe ye that I am able?</I> He did not enquire into their wealth,
|
|
whether they were able to pay him for a cure; nor into their
|
|
reputation, should he get credit by curing them; but into their faith;
|
|
and now they had professed their faith he referred the matter to that:
|
|
"I know you do believe, and the power you believe in shall be exerted
|
|
for you; <I>According to your faith be it unto you.</I>" This speaks,
|
|
|
|
(1.) His knowledge of the sincerity of their faith, and his acceptance
|
|
and approbation of it. Note, It is a great comfort to true believers,
|
|
that Jesus Christ knows their faith, and is well pleased with it.
|
|
Though it be weak, though others do not discern it, though they
|
|
themselves are ready to question it, it is known to him.
|
|
|
|
(2.) His insisting upon their faith as necessary; "If you believe, take
|
|
what you come for." Note, They who apply themselves to Jesus Christ,
|
|
shall be dealt with <I>according to their faith;</I> not according to
|
|
their <I>fancies,</I> nor according to their <I>profession,</I> but
|
|
<I>according to their faith;</I> that is, unbelievers cannot expect to
|
|
find any favour with God, but true believers may be sure to find all
|
|
that favour which is offered in the gospel; and our comforts ebb or
|
|
flow, according as our faith is stronger or weaker; we are not
|
|
straitened in Christ, let us not then be straitened in ourselves.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. The charge he gave them to keep it private
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>See that no man know it.</I> He gave them this charge,
|
|
|
|
(1.) To set us an example of that humility and lowliness of mind, which
|
|
he would have us to learn of him. Note, In the good we do, we must not
|
|
seek our own praise, but only the glory of God. It must be more our
|
|
care and endeavour to be useful, than to be known and observed to be
|
|
so,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+20:6,25:27">Prov. xx. 6; xxv. 27</A>
|
|
|
|
Thus Christ seconded the rule he had given, <I>Let not thy left hand
|
|
know what thy right hand doeth.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) Some think that Christ, in keeping it private, showed his
|
|
displeasure against the people of Capernaum, who had seen so many
|
|
miracles, and yet believed not. Note, The silencing of those who should
|
|
proclaim the works of Christ is a judgment to any place or people: and
|
|
it is just in Christ to deny the means of conviction to those that are
|
|
obstinate in their infidelity; and to shroud the light from those that
|
|
shut their eyes against it.
|
|
|
|
(3.) He did it in discretion, for his own preservation; because the
|
|
more he was proclaimed, the more jealous would the rulers of the Jews
|
|
be of his growing interest among the people.
|
|
|
|
(4.) Dr. Whitby gives another reason, which is very considerable, why
|
|
Christ sometimes concealed his miracles, and afterwards forbid the
|
|
publishing of his transfiguration; because he would not indulge that
|
|
pernicious conceit which obtained among the Jews, that their Messiah
|
|
should be a temporal prince, and so give occasion to the people to
|
|
attempt the setting up of his kingdom, by tumults and seditions, as
|
|
they offered to do,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+6:15">John vi. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
But when, after his resurrection (which was the full proof of his
|
|
mission), his spiritual kingdom was set up, then that danger was over,
|
|
and they must be published to all nations. And he observes, that the
|
|
miracles which Christ wrought among the Gentiles and the Gadarenes,
|
|
were ordered to be published, because with them there was not that
|
|
danger.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
But honour is like the shadow, which, as it flees from those that
|
|
follow it, so it follows those that flee from it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>They spread abroad his fame.</I> This was more an act of zeal, than
|
|
of prudence; and though it may be excused as honestly meant for the
|
|
honour of Christ, yet it cannot be justified, being done against a
|
|
particular charge. Whenever we profess to direct our intention to the
|
|
glory of God, we must see to it that the action be according to the
|
|
will of God.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The healing of a <I>dumb man,</I> that was <I>possessed with a
|
|
devil.</I> And here observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. His case, which was very sad. He was under the power of the devil in
|
|
this particular instance, that he was disabled from speaking,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>.
|
|
|
|
See the calamitous state of this world, and how various the afflictions
|
|
of the afflicted are! We have no sooner dismissed <I>two blind men,</I>
|
|
but we meet with a <I>dumb man.</I> How thankful should we be to God
|
|
for our sight and speech! See the malice of Satan against mankind, and
|
|
in how many ways he shows it. This man's dumbness was the effect of his
|
|
being <I>possessed with a devil;</I> but it was better he should be
|
|
unable to say any thing, than be forced to say, as those demoniacs did
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:29"><I>ch.</I> viii. 29</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>What have we to do with thee?</I> Of the two, better a dumb devil
|
|
than a blaspheming one. When the devil gets possession of a soul, it is
|
|
made silent as to any thing that is good; dumb in prayers and praises,
|
|
which the devil is a sworn enemy to. This poor creature <I>they brought
|
|
to Christ,</I> who entertained not only those that came of themselves
|
|
in their own faith, but those that were <I>brought to him</I> by their
|
|
friends in the faith of others. Though <I>the just shall live</I>
|
|
eternally <I>by his faith,</I> yet temporal mercies may be bestowed on
|
|
us with an eye to their faith who are intercessors on our behalf. They
|
|
brought him in just as <I>the blind man went out.</I> See how unwearied
|
|
Christ was in doing good; how closely one good work followed another!
|
|
Treasures of mercy, wondrous mercy, are hid in him; which may be
|
|
continually communicated, but can never be exhausted.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. His cure, which was very sudden
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>When the devil was cast out, the dumb spake.</I> Note, Christ's
|
|
cures strike at the root, and remove the effect by taking away the
|
|
cause; they open the lips, by breaking Satan's power in the soul. In
|
|
sanctification he heals the waters by casting salt into the spring.
|
|
When Christ, by his grace, <I>casts the devil out</I> of a soul,
|
|
presently <I>the dumb speaks.</I> When Paul was converted, <I>behold,
|
|
he prays;</I> then <I>the dumb spake.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. The consequences of this cure.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) <I>The multitudes marvelled;</I> and well they might; though
|
|
<I>few believed, many wondered.</I> The admiration of the common people
|
|
is sooner raised than any other affection. It was foretold, that the
|
|
new song, the New-Testament song, should be sung for <I>marvellous
|
|
works,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+98:1">Ps. xcviii. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
They said, <I>It was never so seen in Israel,</I> and therefore never
|
|
so seen any where; for no people experienced such wonders of mercy as
|
|
Israel did. There had been those in Israel that were famous for working
|
|
miracles, but Christ excelled them all. The miracles Moses wrought had
|
|
reference to Israel as a people, but Christ's were brought home to
|
|
particular persons.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) <I>The Pharisees</I> blasphemed,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>.
|
|
|
|
When they could not gainsay the convincing evidence of these miracles,
|
|
they fathered them upon the devil, as if they had been wrought by
|
|
compact and collusion: <I>he casteth out devils</I> (say they) by
|
|
<I>the prince of the devils</I>--a suggestion horrid beyond expression;
|
|
we shall hear more of it afterwards, and Christ's answer to it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+12:25"><I>ch.</I> xii. 25</A>);
|
|
|
|
only observe here, how <I>evil men and seducers wax worse and worse</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:13">2 Tim. iii. 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
and it is both their sin and their punishment. Their quarrels with
|
|
Christ for taking upon him to <I>forgive sin</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
|
|
|
|
for <I>conversing with publicans and sinners,</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
for <I>not fasting</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>),
|
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though spiteful enough, yet had some colour of piety, purity, and
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devotion in them; but this (which they are left to, to punish them for
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those) breathes nothing but malice and falsehood, and hellish enmity in
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the highest degree; it is diabolism all over, and was therefore justly
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pronounced unpardonable. Because the people marvelled, they must say
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something to diminish the miracle, and this was all they could say.</P>
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<A NAME="Mt9_35"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt9_36"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt9_37"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt9_38"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec6"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Jesus Preaching throughout the Country.</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>35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching
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in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and
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healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
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36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion
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on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as
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sheep having no shepherd.
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37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly <I>is</I>
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plenteous, but the labourers <I>are</I> few;
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38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send
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forth labourers into his harvest.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here is,
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I. A conclusion of the foregoing account of Christ's preaching and
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miracles
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>);
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<I>He went about all the cities teaching and healing.</I> This is the
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same we had before,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+4:23"><I>ch.</I> iv. 23</A>.
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There it ushers in the more particular record of Christ's preaching
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+5:1-7:29"><I>ch.</I> v., vi. and vii.</A>)
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and of his cures
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:1-9:38"><I>ch.</I> viii. and ix.</A>),
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and here it is elegantly repeated in the close of these instances, as
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the <I>quod erat demonstrandum--the point to be proved;</I> as if the
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evangelist should say, "Now I hope I have made it out, by an induction
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of particulars, that Christ preached and healed; for you have had the
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heads of his sermons, and some few instances of his cures, which were
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wrought to confirm his doctrine: and <I>these were written that you
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might believe.</I>" Some think that this was a second perambulation in
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Galilee, like the former; he visited again those whom he had before
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preached to. Though the Pharisees cavilled at him and opposed him, he
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went on with his work; he <I>preached the gospel of the kingdom.</I> He
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told them of a kingdom of grace and glory, now to be set up under the
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government of a Mediator: this was gospel indeed, <I>good news, glad
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tidings of great joy.</I></P>
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<P>
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Observe how Christ in his preaching had respect,</P>
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<P>
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1. To the private towns. He visited not only the great and wealthy
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cities, but the poor, obscure villages; there he preached, there he
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healed. The souls of those that are meanest in the world are as
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precious to Christ, and should be to us, as the souls of those that make
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the greatest figure. <I>Rich and poor meet together</I> in him,
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citizens and boors: his <I>righteous acts towards the inhabitants of
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his villages</I> must be <I>rehearsed,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:11">Judg. v. 11</A>.</P>
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<P>
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2. To the public worship. He taught <I>in their synagogues,</I>
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(1.) That he might bear a testimony to solemn assemblies, even then
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when there were corruptions in them. We <I>must not forsake the
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assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is.</I>
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(2.) That he might have an opportunity of preaching there, where people
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were gathered together, with an expectation to hear. Thus, even where
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the gospel church was founded, and Christian meetings erected, the
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apostles often <I>preached in the synagogues of the Jews.</I> It is the
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wisdom of the prudent, to make the best of that which is.</P>
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<P>
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II. A preface, or introduction, to the account in the following
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chapter, of his sending forth his apostles. <I>He</I> took notice of
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<I>the multitude</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:36"><I>v.</I> 36</A>);
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not only of the crowds that <I>followed him,</I> but of the vast
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numbers of people with whom (as he passed along) he observed the
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|
country to be replenished; he noticed what nests of souls the towns and
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|
cities were, and how thick of inhabitants; what abundance of people
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|
there were in every synagogue, and what places of concourse the
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|
openings of the gates were: so very populous was that nation now grown;
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|
and it was the effect of God's blessing on Abraham. Seeing this,</P>
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<P>
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1. He pities them, and was concerned for them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:36"><I>v.</I> 36</A>);
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|
<I>He was moved with compassion on them;</I> not upon a temporal
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|
account, as he pities the blind, and lame, and sick; but upon a
|
|
spiritual account; he was concerned to see them ignorant and careless,
|
|
and ready to perish for lack of vision. Note, Jesus Christ is a very
|
|
compassionate friend to precious souls; here his bowels do in a special
|
|
manner yearn. It was pity to souls that brought him from heaven to
|
|
earth, and there to the cross. Misery is the object of mercy; and the
|
|
miseries of sinful, self-destroying souls, are the greatest miseries:
|
|
Christ pities those most that pity themselves least; so should we. The
|
|
most Christian compassion is compassion to souls; it is most
|
|
Christ-like.</P>
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|
<P>
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|
See what moved this pity.
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(1.) <I>They fainted;</I> they were destitute, vexed, wearied. <I>They
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|
strayed,</I> so some; were loosed one from another; <I>The staff of
|
|
bands was broken,</I>
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+11:14">Zech. xi. 14</A>.
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They wanted help for their souls, and had none at hand that was good
|
|
for any thing. The scribes and Pharisees filled them with vain notions,
|
|
burthened them with the traditions of the elders, deluded them into
|
|
many mistakes, while they were not instructed in their duty, nor
|
|
acquainted with the extent and spiritual nature of the divine law;
|
|
therefore <I>they fainted;</I> for what spiritual health, and life, and
|
|
vigour can there be in those souls, that are fed with husks and ashes,
|
|
instead of <I>the bread of life?</I> Precious souls <I>faint</I> when
|
|
duty is to be done, temptations to be resisted, afflictions to be
|
|
borne, being not nourished up with the word of truth.
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(2.) <I>They were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.</I>
|
|
That expression is borrowed from
|
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|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:17">1 Kings xxii. 17</A>,
|
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|
|
and it sets forth the sad condition of those that are destitute of
|
|
faithful guides to go before them in the things of God. No creature is
|
|
more apt to go astray than a sheep, and when gone astray more helpless,
|
|
shiftless, and exposed, or more unapt to find the way home again:
|
|
sinful souls <I>are as lost sheep;</I> they need the care of shepherds
|
|
to bring them back. The teachers the Jews then had pretended to be
|
|
<I>shepherds,</I> yet Christ says they had not <I>shepherds,</I> for
|
|
they were worse than none; idle shepherds that led them away, instead
|
|
of leading them back, and fleeced the flock, instead of feeding it:
|
|
such shepherds as were described,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+23:1,Eze+34:2">Jer. xxiii. 1, &c. Ezek. xxxiv. 2</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c. Note, The case of those people is very pitiable, who either have no
|
|
ministers at all, or those that are as bad as none; that seek their own
|
|
things, not <I>the things of Christ</I> and souls.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He excited his disciples to pray for them. His pity put him upon
|
|
devising means for the good of these people. It appears
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+6:12,13">Luke vi. 12, 13</A>)
|
|
|
|
that upon this occasion, before he sent out his apostles, he did
|
|
himself spend a great deal of time in prayer. Note, Those we pity we
|
|
should pray for. Having spoken to God for them he turns to his
|
|
disciples, and tells them,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) How the case stood; <I>The harvest truly is plenteous, but the
|
|
labourers are few.</I> People desired good preaching, but there were
|
|
few good preachers. There was a great deal of work to be done, and a
|
|
great deal of good likely to be done, but there wanted hands to do it.
|
|
|
|
[1.] It was an encouragement, that <I>the harvest</I> was so
|
|
<I>plenteous.</I> It was not strange, that there were multitudes that
|
|
needed instruction, but it was what does not often happen, that they
|
|
who needed it, desired it, and were forward to receive it. They that
|
|
were ill taught were desirous to be better taught; people's
|
|
expectations were raised, and there was such a moving of affections, as
|
|
promised well. Note, It is a blessed thing, to see people in love with
|
|
good preaching. The valleys are then covered over with corn, and there
|
|
are hopes it may be well gathered in. That is a gale of opportunity,
|
|
that calls for a double care and diligence in the improvement of it; a
|
|
harvest-day should be a busy day.
|
|
|
|
[2.] It was a pity when it was so that <I>the labourers</I> should be
|
|
so <I>few;</I> that the corn should shed and spoil, and rot upon the
|
|
ground for want of reapers; loiterers many, but <I>labourers</I> very
|
|
<I>few.</I> Note, It is ill with the church, when good work stands
|
|
still, or goes slowly on, for want of good workmen; when it is so, the
|
|
<I>labourers</I> that there are have need to be very busy.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) What was their duty in this case
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest.</I> Note, The melancholy
|
|
aspect of the times and the deplorable state of precious souls, should
|
|
much excite and quicken prayer. When things look discouraging, we
|
|
should pray more, and then we should complain and fear less. And we
|
|
should adapt our prayers to the present exigencies of the church; such
|
|
an understanding we ought to have of the times, as to know, not only
|
|
what Israel ought to do, but what Israel ought to pray for. Note,
|
|
|
|
[1.] God is <I>the Lord of the harvest; my Father is the
|
|
Husbandman,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:1">John xv. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is <I>the vineyard of the Lord of hosts,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+5:7">Isa. v. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is for him and to him, and to his service and honour, that <I>the
|
|
harvest</I> is gathered in. <I>Ye are God's husbandry</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+3:9">1 Cor. iii. 9</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>his threshing, and the corn of his floor,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+21:10">Isa. xxi. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
He orders every thing concerning <I>the harvest</I> as he pleases; when
|
|
and where <I>the labourers</I> shall work, and how long; and it is very
|
|
comfortable to those who wish well to <I>the harvest-work,</I> that God
|
|
himself presides in it, who will be sure to order all for the best.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Ministers are and should be <I>labourers</I> in God's
|
|
<I>harvest;</I> the ministry is a <I>work</I> and must be attended to
|
|
accordingly; it is <I>harvest-work,</I> which is needful work; work
|
|
that requires every thing to be done in its season, and diligence to do
|
|
it thoroughly; but it is pleasant work; they <I>reap in joy,</I> and
|
|
the joy of the preachers of the gospel is likened to the <I>joy of
|
|
harvest</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+9:2,3">Isa. ix. 2, 3</A>);
|
|
|
|
and <I>he that reapeth receiveth wages; the hire of the labourers</I>
|
|
that reap down God's field, shall not be <I>kept back,</I> as theirs
|
|
was,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+5:4">Jam. v. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
[3.] It is God's work to <I>send forth labourers;</I> Christ makes
|
|
ministers
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+4:11">Eph. iv. 11</A>);
|
|
|
|
the office is of his appointing, the qualifications of his working, the
|
|
call of his giving. They will not be owned nor paid as
|
|
<I>labourers,</I> that run without their errand, unqualified, uncalled.
|
|
<I>How shall they preach except they be sent?</I>
|
|
|
|
[4.] All that love Christ and souls, should show it by their earnest
|
|
prayers to God, especially when <I>the harvest is plenteous, that he
|
|
would send forth</I> more skillful, faithful, wise, and industrious
|
|
<I>labourers into his harvest;</I> that he would raise up such as he
|
|
will own in the conversion of sinners and the edification of saints;
|
|
would give them a spirit for the work, call them to it, and succeed
|
|
them in it; <I>that he would</I> give them <I>wisdom to win souls; that
|
|
he would thrust forth labourers,</I> so some; intimating unwillingness
|
|
to go forth, because of their own weakness and the people's badness,
|
|
and opposition from men, that endeavour to thrust them out of <I>the
|
|
harvest;</I> but we should pray that all contradiction from within and
|
|
from without, may be conquered and got over. Christ puts his friends
|
|
upon praying this, just before he sends apostles forth to labour in
|
|
<I>the harvest.</I> Note, It is a good sign God is about to bestow some
|
|
special mercy upon a people, when he stirs up those that have an
|
|
interest at the throne of grace, to pray for it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+10:17">Ps. x. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Further observe, that Christ said this to his disciples, who were to be
|
|
employed as <I>labourers.</I> They must pray, <I>First,</I> That God
|
|
<I>would send them forth. Here am I, send me,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+6:8">Isa. vi. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, Commissions, given in answer to prayer, are most likely to be
|
|
successful; Paul is a chosen vessel, for <I>behold he prays,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:11,15">Acts ix. 11, 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> That he would send others forth. Note, Not the people
|
|
only, but those who are themselves ministers, should pray for the
|
|
increase of ministers. Though self-interest makes those that seek their
|
|
own things desirous to be placed alone (the fewer ministers the more
|
|
preferments), yet those that <I>seek the things of Christ,</I> desire
|
|
more workmen, that more work may be done, though they be eclipsed by
|
|
it.</P>
|
|
|
|
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