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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 R K.</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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In this chapter, we have,
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I. Christ's transfiguration upon the mount,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+10:1-13">ver. 1-13</A>.
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II. His casting the devil out of a child, when the disciples could not
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do it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+10:14-29">ver. 14-29</A>.
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III. His prediction of his own sufferings and death,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+10:30-32">ver. 30-32</A>.
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IV. The check he gave to his disciples for disputing who should be
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greatest
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+10:33-37">ver. 33-37</A></A>);
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and to John for rebuking one who cast out devils in Christ's name, and
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did not follow with them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+10:38-41">ver. 38-41</A>.
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V. Christ's discourse with his disciples of the danger of offending one
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of his little ones
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+10:42">ver. 42</A>),
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and of indulging that in ourselves, which is an offence and an occasion
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of sin to us
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+10:43-50">ver. 43-50</A>),
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most of which passages we had before,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:1-18:35">Matt. xvii. and xviii.</A></P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Mr9_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr9_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr9_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr9_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr9_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr9_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr9_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr9_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr9_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr9_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr9_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr9_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr9_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Transfiguration.</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 said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be
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some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death,
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till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.
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2 And after six days Jesus taketh <I>with him</I> Peter, and James,
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and John, and leadeth them up into a high mountain apart by
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themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
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3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so
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as no fuller on earth can white them.
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4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were
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talking with Jesus.
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5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for
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us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee,
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and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
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6 For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.
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7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice
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came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
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8 And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no
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man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.
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9 And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that
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they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son
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of man were risen from the dead.
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10 And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one
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with another what the rising from the dead should mean.
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11 And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias
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must first come?
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12 And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first,
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and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of
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man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.
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13 But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have
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done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here is,
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I. A prediction of Christ's kingdom now near approaching,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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That which is foretold, is,
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1. That the <I>kingdom of God</I> would <I>come,</I> and would come so
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as to be <I>seen:</I> the kingdom of the Messiah shall be set up in the
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world by the utter destruction of the Jewish polity, which stood in the
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way of it; this was the restoring of the kingdom of God among men,
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which had been in a manner lost by the woeful degeneracy both of Jews
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and Gentiles.
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2. That it would come <I>with power,</I> so as to make its own way, and
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bear down the opposition that was given to it. It came <I>with
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power,</I> when vengeance was taken on the Jews for crucifying Christ,
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and when it conquered the idolatry of the Gentile world.
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3. That it would come while some now <I>present were alive;</I> There
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are some <I>standing here, that shall not taste of death,</I> till they
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<I>see</I> it; this speaks the same with
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:34">Matt. xxiv. 34</A>,
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This <I>generation shall not pass, till all these things be
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fulfilled.</I> Those that were standing here with Christ, should see
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it, when the others could not discern it to be the kingdom of God, for
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it came not with observation.</P>
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<P>
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II. A specimen of that kingdom in the transfiguration of Christ, <I>six
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days</I> after Christ spoke that prediction. He had begun to give
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notice to his disciples of his death and sufferings; and, to prevent
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their offence at that, he gives them this glimpse of his glory, to show
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that his sufferings were voluntary, and what a virtue the dignity and
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glory of his person would put into them, and to prevent the <I>offence
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of the cross.</I></P>
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<P>
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1. It was on the top of a <I>high mountain,</I> like the converse Moses
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had with God, which was on the top of mount Sinai, and his prospect of
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Canaan from the top of mount Pisgah. Tradition saith, It was on the top
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of the mount Tabor that Christ was transfigured; and if so, the
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scripture was fulfilled, <I>Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy
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name,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+89:12">Ps. lxxxix. 12</A>.
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Dr. Lightfoot, observing that the last place where we find Christ was
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in the coasts of Cæsarea-Philippi, which was far from mount
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Tabor, rather thinks it was a high mountain which Josephus speaks of,
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near Cæsarea.</P>
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<P>
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2. The witnesses of it were Peter, James, and John; these were the
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<I>three</I> that were to <I>bear record on earth,</I> answering to
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Moses, Elias, and the <I>voice from heaven,</I> the three that were to
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bear record from above. Christ did not take all the disciples with him,
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because the thing was to be kept very private. As there are
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distinguishing favours which are given to disciples and not to the
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world, so there are to some disciples and not to others. All the saints
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are a people <I>near to Christ,</I> but some lie in his bosom. James
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was the first of all the twelve that died for Christ, and John survived
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them all, to be the last eyewitness of this glory; he bore record
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+1:14">John i. 14</A>);
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<I>We saw his glory:</I> and so did Peter,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:16-18">2 Pet. i. 16-18</A>.</P>
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<P>
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3. The manner of it; <I>He was transfigured before them;</I> he
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appeared in another manner than he used to do. This was a change of the
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accidents, the substance remaining the same, and it was a miracle. But
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transubstantiation, the change of the substance, all the accidents
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remaining the same, is not a miracle, but a fraud and imposture, such a
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work as Christ never wrought. See what a great change human bodies are
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capable of, when God is pleased to put an honour upon them, as he will
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upon the bodies of the saints, at the resurrection. He was transfigured
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<I>before them;</I> the change, it is probable, was <I>gradual,</I>
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from glory to glory, so that the disciples, who had their eye upon him
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all the while, had the clearest and most certain evidence they could
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have, that this glorious appearance was no other than the blessed Jesus
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himself, and there was no illusion in it. John seems to refer to this
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+1:1">1 John i. 1</A>),
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when he speaks of the <I>word of life,</I> as that which they had
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<I>seen with their eyes, and looked upon.</I> His <I>raiment became
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shining;</I> so that, though probably, it was sad-coloured, if not
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black, yet it was now <I>exceeding white as snow,</I> beyond what the
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fuller's art could do toward whitening it.</P>
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<P>
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4. His companions in this glory were Moses and Elias
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>);
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They appeared <I>talking with him,</I> not to <I>teach</I> him, but to
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<I>testify</I> to him, and to be <I>taught</I> by him; by which it
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appears that there are converse and intercourse between glorified
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saints, they have ways of talking one with another, which we understand
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not. Moses and Elias lived at a great distance of time one from
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another, but that breaks no squares in heaven, where the <I>first shall
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be last, and the last first,</I> that is, all one in Christ.</P>
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<P>
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5. The great delight that the disciples took in seeing this sight, and
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hearing this discourse, is expressed by Peter, the mouth of the rest;
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<I>He said, Master, it is good for us to be here,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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Though Christ was transfigured, and was in discourse with Moses and
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Elias, yet he gave Peter leave to speak to him, and to be as free with
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him as he used to be. Note, Our Lord Jesus, in his exaltation and
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glory, doth not at all abate of his condescending kindness to his
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people. Many, when they are in their greatness, oblige their friends to
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keep their distance; but even to the glorified Jesus true believers
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have access with boldness, and freedom of speech with him. Even in this
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heavenly discourse there was room for Peter to put in a word; and this
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is it, "<I>Lord, it is good to be here,</I> it is good <I>for us</I> to
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be here; here <I>let us make tabernacles;</I> let this be our rest for
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ever." Note, Gracious souls reckon it <I>good to be</I> in communion
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with Christ, good to be near him, good to be <I>in the mount</I> with
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him, though it be a cold and solitary place; it is good to be here
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retired from the world, and alone with Christ: and if it is good to be
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with Christ transfigured only upon a mountain with Moses and Elias, how
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good it will be to be with Christ glorified in heaven with all the
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saints! But observe, While Peter was for staying here, he forgot what
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need there was of the presence of Christ, and the preaching of his
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apostles, among the people. At this very time, the other disciples
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wanted them greatly,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
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Note, When it is well with us, we are apt to be mindless of others, and
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in the fulness of our <I>enjoyments</I> to forget the
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<I>necessities</I> of our brethren; it was a weakness in Peter to
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prefer private communion with God before public usefulness. Paul is
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willing to <I>abide in the flesh,</I> rather than depart to the
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mountain of glory (though that be far better), when he sees it needful
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for the church,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:24,25">Phil. i. 24, 25</A>.
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Peter talked of making three distinct tabernacles for Moses, Elias, and
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Christ, which was not well-contrived; for such a perfect harmony there
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is between the law, the prophets, and the gospel, that one tabernacle
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will hold them all; they dwell together in unity. But whatever was
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incongruous in what he said, he may be excused, for they were all
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<I>sore afraid;</I> and he, for his part, <I>wist not what to say</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
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not knowing what would be the end thereof.</P>
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<P>
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6. The voice that came from heaven, was an attestation of Christ's
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mediatorship,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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<I>There was a cloud that overshadowed them,</I> and was a shelter to
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them. Peter had talked of making tabernacles for Christ and his
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friends; but <I>while he yet spoke,</I> see how his project was
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superseded; this cloud was unto them instead of tabernacles for their
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shelter
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+4:5">Isa. iv. 5</A>);
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while he <I>spoke</I> of his tabernacles, God created his tabernacle
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<I>not made with hands.</I> Now out of this cloud (which was but a
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shade to <I>the excellent glory</I> Peter speaks of, whence <I>this
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voice</I> came) it was said, <I>This is my beloved Son, hear him.</I>
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God owns him, and accepts him, as his beloved Son, and is ready to
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accept of us in him; we must then own and accept him as our beloved
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Saviour, and must give up ourselves to be ruled by him.</P>
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<P>
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7. The vision, being designed only to introduce the voice, when that
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was delivered, disappeared
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>);
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<I>Suddenly when they had looked round about,</I> as men amazed to see
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where they were, all was gone, <I>they saw no man any more.</I> Elias
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and Moses were vanished out of sight, and Jesus only remained with
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them, and he not transfigured, but as he used to be. Note, Christ doth
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not leave the soul, when extraordinary joys and comforts leave it.
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Though more sensible and ravishing communications may be withdrawn,
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Christ's disciples have, and shall have, his ordinary presence with
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them always, even to the end of the world, and that is it we must
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depend upon. Let us thank God for <I>daily bread</I> and not expect a
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continual feast on this side of heaven.</P>
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<P>
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8. We have here the discourse between Christ and his disciples, as they
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came down from the mount.</P>
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<P>
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(1.) He charged them to keep this matter very private, till he was
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<I>risen from the dead,</I> which would complete the proof of his
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divine mission, and then this must be produced with the rest of the
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evidence,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
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And besides, he, being now in a state of humiliation, would have
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nothing publicly taken notice of, that might be seen disagreeable to
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such a state; for to that he would in every thing accommodate himself.
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This enjoining of silence to the disciples, would likewise be of use to
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them, to prevent their boasting of the intimacy they were admitted to,
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that they might not be <I>puffed up</I> with the <I>abundance of the
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revelations.</I> It is a mortification to a man, to be tied up from
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telling of his advancements, and may help to hide pride from him.</P>
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<P>
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(2.) The disciples were at a loss what the <I>rising from the dead</I>
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should mean; they could not form any notion of the Messiah's dying
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+18:34">Luke xviii. 34</A>),
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and therefore were willing to think that the <I>rising</I> he speaks
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of, was figurative, his rising from his present mean and low estate to
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the dignity and dominion they were in expectation of. But if so, here
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is another thing that embarrasses them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>);
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<I>Why say the Scribes,</I> that before the appearing of the Messiah in
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his glory, according to the order settled in the prophecies of the Old
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Testament, <I>Elias must first come?</I> But Elias was gone, and Moses
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|
too. Now that which raised this difficulty, was, the scribes taught
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|
them to expect the person of Elias, whereas the prophecy intended one
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|
<I>in the spirit and power of Elias.</I> Note, The misunderstanding of
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scripture is a great prejudice to the entertainment of truth.</P>
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<P>
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(3.) Christ gave them a key to the prophecy concerning Elias
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:12,13"><I>v.</I> 12, 13</A>);
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"It is indeed prophesied that Elias will come, and will <I>restore all
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things,</I> and set them to rights; and (though you will not understand
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it) it is also prophesied of the <I>Son of man,</I> that he must
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<I>suffer many things,</I> and be <I>set at nought,</I> must be a
|
|
reproach of men, and despised of the people: and though the scribes do
|
|
not tell you so, the <I>scriptures</I> do, and you have as much reason
|
|
to expect that as the other, and should not <I>make so strange</I> of
|
|
it; but as to Elias, I tell you <I>he is come;</I> and if you consider
|
|
a little, you will understand whom I mean, it is one to whom they have
|
|
<I>done whatsoever they listed;</I>" which was very applicable to the
|
|
ill usage they had given John Baptist. Many of the ancients, and the
|
|
Popish writers generally, think, that besides the coming of John
|
|
Baptist in the spirit of Elias, himself in his own person is to be
|
|
expected, with Enoch, before the second appearance of Christ, wherein
|
|
the prophecy of Malachi will have a more full accomplishment than it
|
|
had in John Baptist. But it is groundless fancy; the true Elias, as
|
|
well as the true Messiah promised, is come, and we are to look for
|
|
<I>no other.</I> These words <I>as it is</I> written of him, refer not
|
|
to their <I>doing to him whatever they listed</I> (that comes in a
|
|
parenthesis), but only to his coming. He is come, and hath been, and
|
|
done, according as was <I>written of him.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_29"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Expulsion of an Evil Spirit.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>14 And when he came to <I>his</I> disciples, he saw a great
|
|
multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.
|
|
15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were
|
|
greatly amazed, and running to <I>him</I> saluted him.
|
|
16 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?
|
|
17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have
|
|
brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;
|
|
18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he
|
|
foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I
|
|
spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they
|
|
could not.
|
|
19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how
|
|
long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him
|
|
unto me.
|
|
20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him,
|
|
straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and
|
|
wallowed foaming.
|
|
21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came
|
|
unto him? And he said, Of a child.
|
|
22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the
|
|
waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have
|
|
compassion on us, and help us.
|
|
23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things <I>are</I>
|
|
possible to him that believeth.
|
|
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said
|
|
with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
|
|
25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he
|
|
rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, <I>Thou</I> dumb and deaf
|
|
spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into
|
|
him.
|
|
26 And <I>the spirit</I> cried, and rent him sore, and came out of
|
|
him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
|
|
27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he
|
|
arose.
|
|
28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him
|
|
privately, Why could not we cast him out?
|
|
29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing,
|
|
but by prayer and fasting.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here the story of Christ casting the devil out of a child,
|
|
somewhat more fully related than it was in
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:14">Matt. xvii. 14</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c. Observe here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Christ's return to his disciples, and the perplexity he found them
|
|
in. He laid aside his robes of glory, and came to look after his
|
|
family, and to enquire what was become of them. Christ's glory above
|
|
does not make him forget the concerns of his church below, which he
|
|
visits in <I>great humility,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
And he came very seasonably, when the disciples were embarrassed and
|
|
run a-ground; the scribes, who were sworn enemies both to him and them,
|
|
had gained an advantage against them. A child possessed with a devil
|
|
was brought to them, and they could not cast out the devil, whereupon
|
|
the scribes insulted over them, and reflected upon their Master, and
|
|
triumphed as if the day were their own. He <I>found the scribes
|
|
questioning with them,</I> in the hearing of the multitude, some of
|
|
whom perhaps began to be shocked by it. Thus Moses, when he came down
|
|
from the mount, found the camp of Israel in great disorder; so soon
|
|
were Christ and Moses missed. Christ's return was very welcome, no
|
|
doubt, to the disciples, and <I>un</I>welcome to the scribes. But
|
|
particular notice is taken of its being very surprising to the people,
|
|
who perhaps were ready to say, <I>As for this Jesus, we wot not what is
|
|
become of him;</I> but when <I>they beheld him</I> coming to them
|
|
again, they were <I>greatly amazed</I> (some copies add, <B><I>kai
|
|
exephobethesan</I></B>--<I>and they were afraid</I>); and <I>running to
|
|
him</I> (some copies for <B><I>prostrechontes</I></B>, read
|
|
<B><I>proschairontes</I></B>--<I>congratulating</I> him, or bidding
|
|
him welcome), they saluted him. It is easy to give a reason why they
|
|
should be glad to see him; but why where they <I>amazed, greatly
|
|
amazed,</I> when they beheld him? Probably, there might remain
|
|
something unusual in his countenance; as Moses's <I>face shone</I> when
|
|
he came down from the mount, which made the people <I>afraid to come
|
|
nigh him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+34:40">Exod. xxxiv. 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
So perhaps did Christ's face, in some measure; at least, instead of
|
|
seeming <I>fatigued,</I> there appeared a wonderful briskness and
|
|
sprightliness in his looks, which <I>amazed</I> them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The case which perplexed the disciples, brought before him. He
|
|
asked the scribes, who, he knew, were always <I>vexatious</I> to his
|
|
disciples, and <I>teazing</I> them upon every occasion, "<I>What
|
|
question ye with them?</I> What is the quarrel now?" The scribes made
|
|
no answer, for they were confounded at his presence; the disciples made
|
|
none, for they were comforted, and now left all to him. But the father
|
|
of the child opened the case,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:17,18"><I>v.</I> 17, 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. His child is possessed with a <I>dumb spirit;</I> he has the
|
|
falling-sickness, and in his fits <I>is speechless;</I> his case is
|
|
very sad, for, wheresoever the fit takes him, the spirit <I>tears</I>
|
|
him, throws him into such violent convulsions as almost pull him to
|
|
pieces; and, which is very grievous to himself, and frightful to those
|
|
about him, <I>he foams</I> at his mouth, and <I>gnashes with his
|
|
teeth,</I> as one in pain and great misery; and though the fits go off
|
|
presently, yet they leave him so weak, that he <I>pines away,</I> is
|
|
worn to a skeleton; his flesh is <I>dried</I> away; so the word
|
|
signifies,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+102:3-5">Ps. cii. 3-5</A>.
|
|
|
|
This was a constant affliction to a tender father.
|
|
|
|
2. The disciples cannot give him any relief; "I <I>desired they would
|
|
cast him out,</I> as they had done many, and they would willingly have
|
|
done it, but <I>they could not;</I> and therefore thou couldest never
|
|
have come in better time; <I>Master, I have brought him to
|
|
thee.</I>"</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The rebuke he gave to them all
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall
|
|
I suffer you?</I> Dr. Hammond understands this as spoken to the
|
|
disciples, reproving them for not exerting the power he had given them,
|
|
and because they did not <I>fast</I> and <I>pray,</I> as in some cases
|
|
he had directed them to do. But Dr. Whitby takes it as a rebuke to the
|
|
scribes, who gloried in this disappointment that the disciples met
|
|
with, and hoped to run them down with it. Them he calls a <I>faithless
|
|
generation,</I> and speaks as one weary of <I>being with them,</I> and
|
|
of <I>bearing with</I> them. We never heard him complaining, "How long
|
|
shall I be in this low condition, and suffer that?" But, "How long
|
|
shall I be among these <I>faithless</I> people, and suffer them?"</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. The deplorable condition that the child was actually in, when he
|
|
was brought to Christ, and the doleful representation which the father
|
|
made of it. When the child saw Christ, he fell into a fit; <I>The
|
|
spirit straightway tore him, boiled within him, troubled him</I> (so
|
|
Dr. Hammond); as if the devil would set Christ at defiance, and hoped
|
|
to be too hard for him too, and to keep possession in spite of him. The
|
|
child <I>fell</I> on the <I>ground, and wallowed foaming.</I> We may
|
|
put another construction upon it--that the devil raged, and had so much
|
|
the greater wrath, because he <I>knew</I> that <I>his time was
|
|
short,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+7:12">Rev. vii. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ asked, <I>How long since this came to him?</I> And, it seems,
|
|
the disease was of long standing; it came to him <I>of a child</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
which made the case the more sad, and the cure more difficult. We are
|
|
all by nature <I>children of disobedience,</I> and in such the evil
|
|
spirit <I>works,</I> and has done so from our childhood; for
|
|
<I>foolishness is bound in the heart of a child,</I> and nothing but
|
|
the mighty grace of Christ can cast it out.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
V. The pressing instances which the father of the child makes with
|
|
Christ for a cure
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>Ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to
|
|
destroy him.</I> Note, The devil aims at the ruin of those in whom he
|
|
rules and works, and <I>seeks whom he may devour.</I> But, <I>if thou
|
|
canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.</I> The leper
|
|
was confident of Christ's power, but put an <I>if</I> upon his will
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:2">Matt. viii. 2</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>If thou wilt, thou canst.</I> This poor man referred himself to his
|
|
good-will, but put an <I>if</I> upon his power, because his disciples,
|
|
who cast out devils <I>in his name,</I> had been non-plussed in this
|
|
case. Thus Christ suffers in his honour by the difficulties and follies
|
|
of his disciples.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
VI. The answer Christ gave to his address
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that
|
|
believeth.</I> Here,
|
|
|
|
1. He tacitly checks the weakness of his faith. The sufferer put it
|
|
upon Christ's power, <I>If thou canst do any thing,</I> and reflected
|
|
on the want of power in the disciples; but Christ turns it upon him,
|
|
and puts him upon questioning his own faith, and will have him impute
|
|
the disappointment to the want of that; <I>If thou canst believe.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. He graciously encourages the strength of his desire; "<I>All things
|
|
are possible,</I> will appear possible, <I>to him that believes</I> the
|
|
almighty power of God, to which all things are possible;" or "That
|
|
shall be done by the grace of God, for them that believe in the promise
|
|
of God, which seemed utterly impossible." Note, In dealing with Christ,
|
|
very much is put upon our believing, and very much promised it.
|
|
<I>Canst thou believe?</I> Darest thou believe? Art thou willing to
|
|
venture thy all in the hands of Christ? To venture all thy spiritual
|
|
concerns with him, and all thy temporal concerns for him? Canst thou
|
|
find in thy heart to do this? If so, it is not impossible but that,
|
|
though thou has been a great sinner, thou mayest be reconciled; though
|
|
thou art very mean and unworthy, thou mayest get to heaven. <I>If thou
|
|
canst believe,</I> it is possible that thy hard heart may be softened,
|
|
thy spiritual diseases may be cured; and that, weak as thou art, thou
|
|
mayest be able to hold out to the end.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
VII. The <I>profession of faith</I> which the poor man made hereupon
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>);
|
|
|
|
He cried out, "<I>Lord, I believe;</I> I am fully persuaded both of thy
|
|
power and of thy pity; my cure shall not be prevented by the want of
|
|
faith; <I>Lord, I believe.</I>" He adds a prayer for grace to enable
|
|
him more firmly to rely upon the assurances he had of the ability and
|
|
willingness of Christ to save; <I>Help thou my unbelief.</I> Note,
|
|
|
|
1. Even those who through grace can say, <I>Lord, I believe,</I> have
|
|
reason to complain of their unbelief; that they cannot so readily apply
|
|
to themselves, and their own case, the word of Christ as they should,
|
|
no so cheerfully depend upon it.
|
|
|
|
2. Those that complain of unbelief, must look up to Christ for grace to
|
|
<I>help</I> them against it, <I>and his grace</I> shall be
|
|
<I>sufficient for them. "Help mine unbelief,</I> help me to a pardon
|
|
for it, help me with power against it; help out what is wanting in my
|
|
faith with thy grace, the strength of which is perfected in our
|
|
weakness."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
VIII. The cure of the child, and the conquest of this raging devil in
|
|
the child. Christ <I>saw the people come running together,</I>
|
|
expecting to see the issue of this trial of skill, and therefore kept
|
|
them in suspense no longer, but <I>rebuked the foul spirit;</I> the
|
|
<I>unclean spirit,</I> so it should be rendered, as in other places.
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. What the charge was which Christ gave to this unclean spirit;
|
|
"<I>Thou dumb and deaf spirit,</I> that makest the poor child dumb and
|
|
deaf, but shalt thyself be made to <I>hear</I> thy doom, and not be
|
|
able to <I>say</I> any thing against it, <I>come out of him</I>
|
|
immediately, and <I>enter no more into him.</I> Let him not only be
|
|
brought out of this fit, but let his fits never return." Note, Whom
|
|
Christ cures, he cures effectually. Satan may <I>go out himself,</I>
|
|
and yet recover possession; but if Christ <I>cast</I> him out, he will
|
|
<I>keep</I> him out.
|
|
|
|
2. How the unclean spirit took it; he grew yet more outrageous, he
|
|
<I>cried,</I> and <I>rent him sore,</I> gave him such a twitch at
|
|
parting, that he was <I>as one dead;</I> so loth was he to quit his
|
|
hold, so exasperated at the superior power of Christ, so malicious to
|
|
the child, and so desirous was he to kill him. <I>Many said, He is
|
|
dead.</I> Thus the toss that a soul is in at the breaking of Satan's
|
|
power in it may perhaps be frightful for the present, but opens the
|
|
door to lasting comfort.
|
|
|
|
3. How the child was perfectly restored
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>Jesus took him by the hand,</I> <B><I>kratesas</I></B>--<I>took
|
|
fast hold of him,</I> and strongly bore him up, and he arose and
|
|
recovered, and all was well.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IX. The reason he gave to the disciples why they could not cast out
|
|
this devil. They <I>enquired</I> of him privately <I>why they could
|
|
not,</I> that wherein they were defective might be made up another
|
|
time, and they might not again be thus publicly shamed; and he told
|
|
them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>This kind can come forth by nothing but prayer and fasting.</I>
|
|
Whatever other difference there really might be, none appears between
|
|
this and other kinds, but that the unclean spirit had had possession of
|
|
this poor patient <I>from a child,</I> and that strengthened his
|
|
interest, and confirmed his hold. When <I>vicious habits</I> are rooted
|
|
by long usage, and begin to plead prescription, like chronical diseases
|
|
that are <I>hardly cured.</I> <I>Can the Æthiopian change his
|
|
skin?</I> The disciples must not think to do their work always with a
|
|
like ease; some services call them to take more than ordinary pains;
|
|
but Christ can do that with a word's speaking, which they must prevail
|
|
for the doing of by <I>prayer and fasting.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_35"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_36"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_37"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_38"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_39"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_40"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Apostles Reproved.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>30 And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he
|
|
would not that any man should know <I>it.</I>
|
|
31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of
|
|
man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him;
|
|
and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.
|
|
32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask
|
|
him.
|
|
33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked
|
|
them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
|
|
34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed
|
|
among themselves, who <I>should be</I> the greatest.
|
|
35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them,
|
|
If any man desire to be first, <I>the same</I> shall be last of all,
|
|
and servant of all.
|
|
36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and
|
|
when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
|
|
37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name,
|
|
receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me,
|
|
but him that sent me.
|
|
38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting
|
|
out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad
|
|
him, because he followeth not us.
|
|
39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which
|
|
shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
|
|
40 For he that is not against us is on our part.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here,
|
|
|
|
I. Christ foretels his own approaching sufferings. He <I>passed through
|
|
Galilee</I> with more expedition than usual, and <I>would not that any
|
|
man should know of it</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>);
|
|
|
|
because he had done many mighty and good works among them in vain, they
|
|
shall not be invited to see them and have the benefit of them, as they
|
|
have been. The time of his sufferings drew nigh, and therefore he was
|
|
willing to be private awhile, and to converse only with his disciples,
|
|
to prepare them for the approaching trial,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>.
|
|
|
|
He said to them, <I>The Son of man is delivered</I> by the determinate
|
|
council and fore-knowledge of God <I>into the hands of men</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>),
|
|
|
|
and <I>they shall kill him.</I> He had been delivered into the hands of
|
|
devils, and they had worried him, it had not been so strange; but that
|
|
<I>men,</I> who have <I>reason,</I> and should have <I>love,</I> that
|
|
they should be thus spiteful to the <I>Son of man,</I> who came to
|
|
redeem and save them, is unaccountable. But still it is observable that
|
|
when Christ spoke of his death, he alway spoke of his resurrection,
|
|
which took away the reproach of it from himself, and should have taken
|
|
away the grief of it from his disciples. But they <I>understood not
|
|
that saying,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>.
|
|
|
|
The words were plain enough, but they could not be reconciled to the
|
|
thing, and therefore would suppose them to have some mystical meaning
|
|
which they did not understand, and they were <I>afraid to ask him;</I>
|
|
not because he was difficult of access, or stern to those who consulted
|
|
him, but either because they were loth to know the truth, or because
|
|
they expected to be chidden for their backwardness to receive it. Many
|
|
remain ignorant because they are ashamed to enquire.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He rebukes his disciples for magnifying themselves. When he came to
|
|
Capernaum, he privately asked his disciples what it was they
|
|
<I>disputed among themselves by the way,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>.
|
|
|
|
He knew very well what the dispute was, but he would know it <I>from
|
|
them,</I> and would have them to confess their fault and folly in it.
|
|
Note,
|
|
|
|
1. We must all expect to be called to an account by our Lord Jesus,
|
|
concerning what passes while we are in the way in this state of passage
|
|
and probation.
|
|
|
|
2. We must in a particular manner be called to an account about our
|
|
discourses among ourselves; for by our words we must be justified or
|
|
condemned.
|
|
|
|
3. As our other discourses among ourselves by the way, so especially
|
|
our disputes, will be all called over again, and we shall be called to
|
|
an account about them.
|
|
|
|
4. Of all disputes, Christ will be sure to reckon with his disciples
|
|
for their disputes about precedency and superiority: that was the
|
|
subject of the debate here, <I>who should be the greater,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>.
|
|
|
|
Nothing could be more contrary to the two great laws of Christ's
|
|
kingdom, lessons of his school, and instructions of his example, which
|
|
are <I>humility</I> and <I>love,</I> than <I>desiring</I> preferment in
|
|
the world, and <I>disputing</I> about it. This ill temper he took all
|
|
occasions to check, both because it arose from a mistaken notion of his
|
|
kingdom, as if it were of this world, and because it tended so directly
|
|
to be debasing of the honour, and the corrupting of the purity, of his
|
|
gospel, and, he foresaw, would be so much the bane of the church.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Now,
|
|
|
|
(1.) They were willing to <I>cover this fault</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>);
|
|
|
|
they <I>held their peace.</I> As they would not <I>ask</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>),
|
|
|
|
because they were ashamed to own their ignorance, so here they would
|
|
not <I>answer</I> because they were ashamed to own their pride.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He was willing to <I>amend this fault</I> in them, and to bring
|
|
them to a better temper; and therefore <I>sat down,</I> that he might
|
|
have a solemn and full discourse with them about this matter; he
|
|
<I>called the twelve to him,</I> and told them,
|
|
|
|
[1.] That ambition and affectation of dignity and dominion, instead of
|
|
gaining them preferment in his kingdom, would but postpone their
|
|
preferment; <I>If any man desire</I> and aim <I>to be first,</I> he
|
|
<I>shall be last;</I> he that exalteth himself, shall be abased, and
|
|
men's <I>pride</I> shall <I>bring them low.</I>
|
|
|
|
[2.] That there is no preferment to be had under him, but an
|
|
opportunity for, and an obligation to, so much the more labour and
|
|
condescension; <I>If any man desire to be first,</I> when he is so, he
|
|
must be much the more busy and serviceable to every body. <I>He that
|
|
desires the office of a bishop, desires a good work,</I> for he must,
|
|
as St. Paul did, labour the more abundantly, and make himself the
|
|
<I>servant of all.</I>
|
|
|
|
[3.] That those who are most humble and self-denying, do most resemble
|
|
Christ, and shall be most tenderly owned by him. This he taught them by
|
|
a sign; <I>He took a child in his arms,</I> that had nothing of pride
|
|
and ambition in it. "Look you," saith he; "<I>whosoever shall
|
|
receive</I> one like this child, <I>receives me.</I> Those of a humble,
|
|
meek, mild disposition are such as I will own and countenance, and
|
|
encourage every body else to do so too, and will take what is done to
|
|
them as done to myself; and so will my Father too, for he who thus
|
|
<I>receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me,</I> and it shall be placed
|
|
to his account, and repaid with interest."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. He rebukes them for <I>vilifying all but themselves;</I> while
|
|
they are striving which of them should be greatest, they will not allow
|
|
those who are not in communion with them to be any thing. Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The account which John gave him, of the restraint they had laid upon
|
|
one from making use of the name of Christ, because he was not of their
|
|
society. Though they were ashamed to own their contests for preferment,
|
|
they seem to boast of this exercise of their authority, and expected
|
|
their Master would not only justify them in it, but commend them for
|
|
it; and hoped he would not blame them for desiring to be great, when
|
|
they would thus use their power for maintaining the honour of the
|
|
sacred college. <I>Master,</I> saith John, <I>we saw one casting out
|
|
devils in thy name, but he followeth not us,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>.
|
|
|
|
(1.) It was strange that the one who was not a professed disciple and
|
|
follower of Christ, should yet have power to <I>cast out devils,</I> in
|
|
his name, for that seemed to be peculiar to those whom he called,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+6:7"><I>ch.</I> vi. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
But some think that he was a disciple of John, who made use of the name
|
|
of the Messiah, not as come, but as near at hand, not knowing that
|
|
Jesus was he. It should rather seem that he made use of the name of
|
|
Jesus, believing him to be the Christ, as the other disciples did. And
|
|
why not he receive that power from Christ, whose <I>Spirit,</I> like
|
|
the wind, <I>blows where it listeth,</I> without such an outward call
|
|
as the apostles had? And perhaps there were many more such. Christ's
|
|
grace is not tied to the visible church.
|
|
|
|
(2.) It was strange that one who <I>cast out devils</I> in the name of
|
|
Christ, did not join himself to the apostles, and follow Christ with
|
|
them, but should continue to act in <I>separation</I> from them. I know
|
|
of nothing that could hinder him from following them, unless because he
|
|
was loth to leave all to follow them; and if so, that was an ill
|
|
principle. The thing did not look well, and therefore the disciples
|
|
<I>forbade him</I> to make use of Christ's name as they did, unless he
|
|
would follow him as they did. This was like the motion Joshua made
|
|
concerning Eldad and Medad, that prophesied in the camp, and went not
|
|
up with the rest to the door of the tabernacle; "<I>My lord Moses,
|
|
forbid them</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+11:28">Num. xi. 28</A>);
|
|
|
|
restrain them, silence them, for it is a schism." Thus apt are we to
|
|
imagine that those do not follow Christ at all, who do not follow him
|
|
<I>with us,</I> and that those do nothing well, who do not just as we
|
|
do. But the <I>Lord knows them that are his,</I> however they are
|
|
dispersed; and this instance gives us a needful caution, to take heed
|
|
lest we be carried, by an excess of zeal for the unity of the church,
|
|
and for that which we are sure is right and good, to oppose that which
|
|
yet may tend to the enlargement of the church, and the advancement of
|
|
its true interests another way.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The rebuke he gave to them for this
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:39"><I>v.</I> 39</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>Jesus said, "Forbid him not,</I> nor any other that does likewise."
|
|
This was like the check Moses gave to Joshua; <I>Enviest thou for my
|
|
sake?</I> Note, That which is good, and doeth good, must not be
|
|
prohibited, though there be some defect or irregularity in the manner
|
|
of doing it. <I>Casting out devils,</I> and so destroying Satan's
|
|
kingdom, doing this <I>in Christ's name,</I> and so owning him to be
|
|
sent of God, and giving honour to him as the Fountain of grace,
|
|
preaching down sin, and preaching up Christ, are good things, very good
|
|
things, which ought not to be forbidden to any, merely because they
|
|
<I>follow not with us.</I> If Christ be preached, Paul therein doth,
|
|
and will rejoice, though he be eclipsed by it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:18">Phil. i. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
Two reasons Christ gives why such should not be forbidden.
|
|
|
|
(1.) Because we cannot suppose that any man who makes use of Christ's
|
|
name in working miracles, should blaspheme his name, as the scribes and
|
|
Pharisees did. There were those indeed that did <I>in Christ's name
|
|
cast out devils,</I> and yet in other respects were <I>workers of
|
|
iniquity;</I> but they did not <I>speak evil of Christ.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) Because those that differed in communion, while they agreed to
|
|
fight against Satan under the banner of Christ, ought to look upon one
|
|
another as on the same side, notwithstanding that difference. <I>He
|
|
that is not against us is on our part.</I> As to the great controversy
|
|
between Christ an Beelzebub, he had said, <I>He that is not with me is
|
|
against me,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+12:30">Matt. xii. 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
He that will not own Christ, owns Satan. But as to those that own
|
|
Christ, though not in the same circumstances, that follow him, though
|
|
<I>not with us,</I> we must reckon that though these differ from us,
|
|
they are not against us, and therefore are <I>on our part,</I> and we
|
|
must not be any hindrance to their usefulness.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_41"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_42"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_43"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_44"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_45"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_46"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_47"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_48"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_49"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr9_50"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Pain to Be Preferred to Sin.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my
|
|
name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he
|
|
shall not lose his reward.
|
|
42 And whosoever shall offend one of <I>these</I> little ones that
|
|
believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged
|
|
about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
|
|
43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for
|
|
thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into
|
|
hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
|
|
44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
|
|
45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for
|
|
thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast
|
|
into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
|
|
46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
|
|
47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for
|
|
thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having
|
|
two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
|
|
48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
|
|
49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice
|
|
shall be salted with salt.
|
|
50 Salt <I>is</I> good: but if the salt have lost his saltness,
|
|
wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have
|
|
peace one with another.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here,
|
|
|
|
I. Christ promiseth a reward to all those that are any way kind to his
|
|
disciples
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:41"><I>v.</I> 41</A>);
|
|
|
|
"<I>Whosoever shall give you a cup of water,</I> when you need it, and
|
|
will be a refreshment to you, <I>because ye belong to Christ,</I> and
|
|
are of his family, <I>he shall not lose his reward.</I>" Note,
|
|
|
|
1. It is the honour and happiness of Christians, that they <I>belong to
|
|
Christ,</I> they have joined themselves to him, and are owned by him;
|
|
they wear his livery and retainers to his family; nay, they are more
|
|
nearly related, they are <I>members of his body.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. They who belong to Christ, may sometimes be reduced to such straits
|
|
as to be glad of a <I>cup of cold water.</I>
|
|
|
|
3. The relieving of Christ's poor in their distresses, is a good deed,
|
|
and will turn a good account; he accepts it, and will reward it.
|
|
|
|
4. What kindness is done to Christ's poor, must be done them <I>for
|
|
his sake,</I> and <I>because they belong to him;</I> for that is it
|
|
that sanctifies the kindness, and puts a value upon it in the sight of
|
|
God.
|
|
|
|
5. This is a reason why we must not discountenance and discourage those
|
|
who are serving the interests of Christ's kingdom, though they are not
|
|
in every thing of our mind and way. It comes in here as a reason why
|
|
those must not be hindered, that cast out devils in Christ's name,
|
|
though they did not follow him; for (as Dr. Hammond paraphrases it) "It
|
|
is not only the great eminent performances which are done by you my
|
|
constant attendants and disciples, that are accepted by me, but every
|
|
the least degree of sincere faith and Christian performance,
|
|
proportionable but to the expressing the least kindness, as giving a
|
|
cup of water to a disciple of mine for being such, shall be accepted
|
|
and rewarded." If Christ reckons <I>kindness to us</I> services to
|
|
<I>him,</I> we ought to reckon <I>services to him</I> kindnesses to us,
|
|
and to encourage them, though done by those that follow not with
|
|
us.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He threatens those that <I>offend</I> his <I>little ones,</I> that
|
|
wilfully are the occasion of sin or trouble to them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:42"><I>v.</I> 42</A>.
|
|
|
|
Whosoever shall grieve any true Christians, though they be of the
|
|
weakest, shall oppose their <I>entrance</I> into the ways of God, or
|
|
discourage and obstruct their <I>progress</I> in those ways, shall
|
|
either restrain them from doing good, or draw them in to commit sin, it
|
|
were <I>better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and
|
|
he were cast into the sea:</I> his punishment will be very great, and
|
|
the death and ruin of his soul more terrible than such a death and ruin
|
|
of his body would be. See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+18:6">Matt. xviii. 6</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. He warns all his followers to take heed of ruining their own
|
|
souls. This charity must begin at home; if we must take heed of doing
|
|
any thing to hinder others from good, and to occasion their sin, much
|
|
more careful must we be to avoid every thing that will take us off from
|
|
our duty, or lead us to sin; and that which doth so we must part with,
|
|
though it be ever so dear to us. This we had twice in Matthew,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+5:29,30,18:8,9"><I>ch.</I> v. 29, 30,
|
|
and <I>ch.</I> xviii. 8, 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is here urged somewhat more largely and pressingly; certainly this
|
|
requires our serious regard, which is so much insisted upon.
|
|
Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The case supposed, that our own <I>hand,</I> or <I>eye,</I> or
|
|
<I>foot, offend us;</I> that the impure <I>corruption</I> we indulge is
|
|
as dear to us as an eye or a hand, or that that which is to us as an
|
|
eye or a hand, is become an invisible <I>temptation</I> to sin, or
|
|
<I>occasion</I> of it. Suppose the beloved is become a sin, or the sin
|
|
a beloved. Suppose we cannot keep that which is dear to us, but it will
|
|
be a snare and a stumbling-block; suppose we must part with it, or part
|
|
with Christ and a good conscience.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The duty prescribed in that case; <I>Pluck out the eye, cut off the
|
|
hand and foot,</I> mortify the darling lust, kill it, crucify it,
|
|
starve it, make no provision for it. Let the idols that have been
|
|
<I>delectable</I> things, be cast away as <I>detestable</I> things;
|
|
keep at a distance from that which is a temptation, though ever so
|
|
pleasing. It is necessary that the part which is gangrened, should be
|
|
taken off for the preservation of the whole. <I>Immedicabile vulnus
|
|
ense recidendum est, ne pars sincera trahatur--The part that is
|
|
incurably wounded must be cut off, lest the parts that are sound be
|
|
corrupted.</I> We must put ourselves to pain, that we may not bring
|
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ourselves to ruin; self must be denied, that it may not be
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destroyed.</P>
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<P>
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3. The necessity of doing this. The flesh must be mortified, that we
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may <I>enter into life</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:43,45"><I>v.</I> 43, 45</A>),
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into the kingdom of God,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:47"><I>v.</I> 47</A>.
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Though, by abandoning sin, we may, for the present, feel ourselves as
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if we were <I>halt</I> and <I>maimed</I> (it may seem to be a force put
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|
upon ourselves, and may create us some uneasiness), yet it is for
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<I>life;</I> and all that men have, they will give for their lives: it
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|
is for a <I>kingdom,</I> the <I>kingdom of God,</I> which we cannot
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otherwise obtain; these <I>halts</I> and <I>maims</I> will be the
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<I>marks of the Lord Jesus,</I> will be in that kingdom <I>scars of
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|
honour.</I></P>
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<P>
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4. The danger of not doing this. The matter is brought to this issue,
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that either sin must die, or we must die. If we will lay this
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<I>Delilah</I> in our bosom, it will betray us; if we be <I>ruled</I>
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by sin, we shall inevitably be <I>ruined</I> by it; if we must keep our
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<I>two hands,</I> and <I>two eyes,</I> and <I>two feet,</I> we must
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with them be <I>cast into hell.</I> Our Saviour often pressed our duty
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|
upon us, from the consideration of the torments of hell, which we run
|
|
ourselves into if we continue in sin. With what an emphasis of terror
|
|
are those words repeated three times here, <I>Where their worm dieth
|
|
not, and the fire is not quenched!</I> The words are quoted from
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:24">Isa. lxvi. 24</A>.
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(1.) The reflections and reproaches of the sinner's own conscience are
|
|
the <I>worm that dieth not;</I> which will cleave to the damned soul as
|
|
the worms do to the dead body, and prey upon it, and never leave it
|
|
till it is quite devoured. <I>Son, remember,</I> will set this worm
|
|
gnawing; and how terrible will it bite that word
|
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|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+5:12,23">Prov. v. 12, 23</A>),
|
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<I>How have I hated instruction!</I> The soul that is food to this
|
|
worm, dies not; and the worm is bred in it, and one with it, and
|
|
therefore neither doth that die. Damned sinners will be to eternity
|
|
accusing, condemning, and upbraiding, themselves with their own
|
|
follies, which, how much soever they are now in love with them, will at
|
|
the last <I>bite like a serpent,</I> and <I>sting like an adder.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) The wrath of God fastening upon a guilty and polluted conscience,
|
|
is the <I>fire</I> that is <I>not quenched;</I> for it is the wrath of
|
|
the living God, the eternal God, into whose hands it is a fearful thing
|
|
to fall. There are no operations of the Spirit of grace upon the souls
|
|
of the damned sinners, and therefore there is nothing to alter the
|
|
nature of the fuel, which must remain for ever combustible; nor is
|
|
there any application of the merit of Christ to them, and therefore
|
|
there is nothing to appease or quench the violence of the fire. Dr.
|
|
Whitby shows that the eternity of the torments of hell was not only the
|
|
constant faith of the Christian church, but had been so of the Jewish
|
|
church. Josephus saith, The Pharisees held that the souls of the wicked
|
|
were to be <I>punished with perpetual punishment;</I> and that there
|
|
was appointed for them <I>a perpetual prison.</I> And Philo saith, The
|
|
punishment of the wicked is <I>to live for ever dying,</I> and to be
|
|
<I>for ever in pains and griefs that never cease.</I></P>
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|
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|
<P>
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|
|
|
The
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:49,50">two last verses</A>
|
|
|
|
are somewhat difficult, and interpreters agree not in the sense of
|
|
them; <I>for every one</I> in general, or rather every one <I>of
|
|
them</I> that are cast into hell, shall be <I>salted with fire, and
|
|
every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.</I> Therefore <I>have salt
|
|
in yourselves.</I>
|
|
|
|
[1.] It was appointed by the law of Moses, that every sacrifice should
|
|
be <I>salted with salt,</I> not to <I>preserve</I> it (for it was to be
|
|
immediately consumed), but because it was the food of God's table, and
|
|
no flesh is eaten without salt; it was therefore particularly required
|
|
in the meat-offerings,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+2:13">Lev. ii. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
[2.] The nature of man, being <I>corrupt,</I> and as such being called
|
|
<I>flesh</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+6:3,Ps+78:39">Gen. vi. 3; Ps. lxxviii. 39</A>),
|
|
|
|
some way or other must be <I>salted,</I> in order to its being a
|
|
sacrifice to God. The <I>salting</I> of fish (and I think of other
|
|
things) they call the <I>curing</I> of it.
|
|
|
|
[3.] Our chief concern is, to present ourselves <I>living
|
|
sacrifices</I> to the grace of God
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:1">Rom. xii. 1</A>),
|
|
|
|
and, in order to our acceptableness, we must be <I>salted with
|
|
salt,</I> our corrupt affections must be subdued and mortified, and we
|
|
must have in our souls a savour of grace. Thus the <I>offering up</I>
|
|
or <I>sacrificing</I> of the Gentiles is said to be <I>acceptable,
|
|
being sanctified by the Holy Ghost,</I> as the sacrifices were
|
|
<I>salted,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+15:16">Rom. xv. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
[4.] Those that have the salt of grace, must make it appear that they
|
|
have it; that they <I>have salt in themselves,</I> a living principle
|
|
of grace in their hearts, which works out all corrupt dispositions, and
|
|
every thing in the soul that tends to <I>putrefaction,</I> and would
|
|
<I>offend</I> our God, or our own consciences, as unsavoury meat doth.
|
|
Our <I>speech</I> must be <I>always with grace seasoned with</I> this
|
|
salt, that no <I>corrupt communication</I> may <I>proceed out of our
|
|
mouth,</I> but we may loathe it as much as we would to put putrid meat
|
|
into our mouths.
|
|
|
|
[5.] As this gracious salt will keep our own consciences void of
|
|
offence, so it will keep our conversation with others so, that we may
|
|
not offend any of Christ's little ones, but may be <I>at peace one with
|
|
another.</I>
|
|
|
|
[6.] We must not only have this salt of grace, but we must always
|
|
retain the relish and savour of it; for if this <I>salt lose its
|
|
saltiness,</I> if a Christian revolt from his Christianity, if he loses
|
|
the savour of it, and be no longer under the power and influence of it,
|
|
what can recover him, or <I>wherewith will ye season him?</I> This was
|
|
said
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+5:13">Matt. v. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
[7.] Those that present not themselves <I>living</I> sacrifices to
|
|
God's grace, shall be made for ever <I>dying</I> sacrifices to his
|
|
justice, and since they would not give honour to him, he will get him
|
|
honour upon them; they would not be <I>salted with the salt</I> of
|
|
divine grace, would not admit that to subdue their corrupt affections,
|
|
no, they would not submit to the operation, could not bear the
|
|
corrosives that were necessary to eat out the proud flesh, it was to
|
|
them like cutting off a hand, or plucking out an eye; and therefore in
|
|
hell they shall be <I>salted with fire;</I> coals of fire shall be
|
|
<I>scattered</I> upon them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+10:2">Ezek. x. 2</A>),
|
|
|
|
as salt upon the meat, and <I>brimstone</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+18:15">Job xviii. 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
as fire and brimstone were rained on Sodom; the pleasures they have
|
|
lived <I>in, shall eat their flesh, as it were with fire,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+5:3">Jam. v. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
The pain of mortifying the flesh now is no more to be compared with the
|
|
punishment for not mortifying it, than <I>salting</I> with
|
|
<I>burning.</I> And since he had said, that the <I>fire</I> of hell
|
|
<I>shall not be quenched,</I> but it might be objected, that the fuel
|
|
will not last always, he here intimates, that by the power of God it
|
|
shall be made to last always; for those that are <I>cast into hell,</I>
|
|
will find the fire to have not only the <I>corroding</I> quality of
|
|
salt, but its <I>preserving</I> quality; whence it is used to signify
|
|
that which is <I>lasting:</I> a covenant of <I>salt</I> is a
|
|
<I>perpetual</I> covenant, and Lot's wife being turned into a <I>pillar
|
|
of salt,</I> made her a remaining monument of divine vengeance. Now
|
|
since this will certainly be the doom of those that do not crucify the
|
|
flesh with its affections and lusts, let us, knowing this <I>terror of
|
|
the Lord,</I> be <I>persuaded</I> to do it.</P>
|
|
|
|
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