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13 lines
16 KiB
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<p>We find here, I. A vast auditory that was got together to hear Christ preach. The <i>scribes</i> and <i>Pharisees</i> sought <i>to accuse him</i>, and do him mischief; but the people, who were not under the bias of their prejudices and jealousies, still <i>admired</i> him, attended on him, and did him honour. <i>In the mean time</i> (<a class="bibleref" title="Luke.12.1" href="/passage/?search=Luke.12.1">Luke 12:1</a>), while he was in the Pharisee’s house, contending with them that sought to ensnare him, the people got together for an afternoon sermon, a sermon after <i>dinner</i>, after dinner with a Pharisee; and he would not disappoint them. Though in the morning sermon, when they were <i>gathered thickly together</i> (<a class="bibleref" title="Luke.11.29" href="/passage/?search=Luke.11.29">Luke 11:29</a>), he had severely reproved them, as an <i>evil generation that seek a sign</i>, yet they renewed their attendance on him; so much better could the people bear <i>their</i> reproofs than the Pharisees <i>theirs</i>. The more the Pharisees strove to drive the people from Christ, the more flocking there was to him. Here was an <i>innumerable multitude of people gathered together, so that they trade one upon another</i>, in labouring to get foremost, and to come within hearing. It is a good sight to see people thus forward to hear the word, and venture upon inconvenience and danger rather than miss an opportunity for their souls. Who are these that thus <i>fly as the doves to their windows</i>? <a class="bibleref" title="Isa.60.8" href="/passage/?search=Isa.60.8">Isa. 60:8</a>. When the net is cast where there is such a multitude of fish, it may be hoped that some will be enclosed.</p>
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<p class="tab-1">II. The instructions which he gave his followers, in the hearing of this auditory.</p>
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<p class="tab-1">1. He began with a caution against <i>hypocrisy</i>. This he said <i>to his disciples first of all</i>; either to the twelve, or to the seventy. These were his more peculiar charge, his family, his school, and therefore he particularly <i>warned them</i> as his <i>beloved sons</i>; they made more profession of religion than others and hypocrisy in <i>that</i> was the sin they were most in danger of. They were to preach to others; and, if they should <i>prevaricate</i>, corrupt the word, and deal deceitfully, hypocrisy would be worse in them than in others. Besides, there was a Judas among them, who was a hypocrite, and Christ knew it, and would hereby startle him, or leave him inexcusable. Christ’s disciples were, for aught we know, the <i>best men</i> then in the world, yet they needed to be cautioned against hypocrisy. Christ said this to the disciples, <i>in the hearing</i> of this great multitude, rather than <i>privately</i> when he had them by themselves, to add the greater weight to the caution, and to let the world know that he would not countenance hypocrisy, no, not in <i>his own disciples</i>. Now observe,</p>
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<p class="tab-1">(1.) The description of that sin which he warns them against: <i>It is the leaven of the Pharisees</i>. [1.] It is <i>leaven</i>; it is <i>spreading</i> as leaven, <i>insinuates</i> itself into the whole man, and all that he does; it is <i>swelling</i> and <i>souring</i> as leaven, for it puffs men up with pride, embitters them with malice, and makes their service unacceptable to God. [2.] It is the leaven of the Pharisees: “It is the sin they are most of them found in. Take heed of imitating them; be not you of their spirit; do not dissemble in Christianity as they do in Judaism; make not <i>your</i> religion a <i>cloak of maliciousness</i>, as they do theirs.”</p>
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<p class="tab-1">(2.) A good reason against it: “<i>For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed</i>, <a class="bibleref" title="Luke.12.2,Luke.12.3" href="/passage/?search=Luke.12.2,Luke.12.3"><span class="bibleref" title="Luke.12.2">Luke 12:2</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Luke.12.3">3</span></a>. It is to no purpose to dissemble, for, sooner or later, truth will come out; and a <i>lying tongue is but for a moment</i>. If you <i>speak in darkness</i> that which is unbecoming you, and is inconsistent with your public professions, <i>it shall be heard in the light</i>; some way or other it shall be discovered, <i>a bird of the air shall carry the voice</i> (<a class="bibleref" title="Eccl.10.20" href="/passage/?search=Eccl.10.20">Eccl. 10:20</a>), and your folly and falsehood will be <i>made manifest</i>.” The iniquity that is concealed with a show of piety will be discovered, perhaps in this world, as Judas’s was, and Simon Magus’s, at furthest in the great day, when the <i>secrets of all hearts</i> shall be made <i>manifest</i>, <a class="bibleref" title="Eccl.12.14,Rom.2.16" href="/passage/?search=Eccl.12.14,Rom.2.16"><span class="bibleref" title="Eccl.12.14">Eccl. 12:14</span>; <span class="bibleref" title="Rom.2.16">Rom. 2:16</span></a>. If men’s religion prevail not to conquer and cure the wickedness of their hearts, it shall not always serve for a cloak. The day is coming when hypocrites will be stripped of their fig-leaves.</p>
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<p class="tab-1">2. To this he added a charge to them to be faithful to the trust reposed in them, and not to betray it, through cowardice or base fear. Some make <a class="bibleref" title="Luke.12.2,Luke.12.3" href="/passage/?search=Luke.12.2,Luke.12.3"><span class="bibleref" title="Luke.12.2">Luke 12:2</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Luke.12.3">3</span></a>, to be a caution to them not to <i>conceal</i> those things which they had been <i>instructed</i> in, and were <i>employed</i> to publish to the world. “Whether men will <i>hear</i>, or whether they will <i>forbear</i>, tell them the <i>truth</i>, the <i>whole</i> truth, and <i>nothing but</i> the truth; what has been spoken to you, and you have talked of among yourselves, <i>privately</i>, and in corners, that do you preach <i>publicly</i>, whoever is offended; for, if you <i>please men</i>, you are not <i>Christ’s servants</i>, nor can you please him,” <a class="bibleref" title="Gal.1.10" href="/passage/?search=Gal.1.10">Gal. 1:10</a>. But this was not the worst of it: it was likely to be a <i>suffering</i> cause, though never a <i>sinking</i> one: let them therefore arm themselves with courage; and divers arguments are furnished here to steel them with a holy resolution in their work. Consider,</p>
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<p class="tab-1">(1.) “The power of your enemies is a limited power (<a class="bibleref" title="Luke.12.4" href="/passage/?search=Luke.12.4">Luke 12:4</a>): <i>I say unto you, my friends</i>” (Christ’s disciples are his friends, he calls them <i>friends</i>, and gives them this <i>friendly</i> advice), “<i>be not afraid</i>, do not disquiet yourselves with tormenting fears of the power and rage of men.” Note, Those whom Christ owns for <i>his friends</i> need not be afraid of any enemies. “<i>Be not afraid</i>, no, not of them that <i>kill the body</i>, let it not be in the power of <i>scoffers</i>, not even of <i>murderers</i>, to drive you off from your work, for you that have learned to triumph over death may say, even of them, Let them do their worst, <i>after that there is no more that they can do</i>; the immortal soul lives, and is happy, and enjoys itself and its God, and sets them all at defiance.” Note, Those can do Christ’s disciples no real harm, and therefore ought not to be dreaded, who can but <i>kill the body</i>; for they only send that to its rest, and the soul to its joy, the sooner.</p>
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<p class="tab-1">(2.) God is to be feared more than the most powerful men: “<i>I will forewarn you whom you shall fear</i> (<a class="bibleref" title="Luke.12.5" href="/passage/?search=Luke.12.5">Luke 12:5</a>): that you may fear man less, fear God more. Moses conquers his fear of the <i>wrath of the king</i>, by having an eye to him <i>that is invisible</i>. By <i>owning Christ</i> you may incur the wrath of men, which can reach no further than to <i>put you to death</i> (and without God’s permission they cannot do that); but by <i>denying</i> Christ, and disowning him, you will incur the wrath of God, which has power to send <i>you to hell</i>, and there is no resisting it. Now of two evils the less is to be chosen, and the greater is to be dreaded, and therefore <i>I say unto you, Fear him</i>.” “It is true,” said that blessed martyr, Bishop Hooper, “life is sweet, and death bitter; but eternal life is more sweet, and eternal death more bitter.”</p>
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<p class="tab-1">(3.) The lives of good Christians and good ministers are the particular care of divine Providence, <a class="bibleref" title="Luke.12.6,Luke.12.7" href="/passage/?search=Luke.12.6,Luke.12.7"><span class="bibleref" title="Luke.12.6">Luke 12:6</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Luke.12.7">7</span></a>. To encourage us in times of difficulty and danger, we must have recourse to our first principles, and build upon them. Now a firm belief of the doctrine of God’s universal providence, and the extent of it, will be satisfying to us when at any time we are in peril, and will encourage us to trust God in the way of duty. [1.] Providence takes cognizance of the <i>meanest creatures</i>, even of <i>the sparrows</i>. “Though they are of such small account that <i>five</i> of them are sold for <i>two farthings</i>, yet not one of them is <i>forgotten of God</i>, but is provided for, and notice is taken of its death. Now, <i>you are of more value than many sparrows</i>, and therefore you may be sure you <i>are not forgotten</i>, though imprisoned, though banished, though forgotten by your friends; much more <i>precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of saints</i> than the death of sparrows.” [2.] Providence takes cognizance of the <i>meanest interest</i> of the disciples of Christ: “<i>Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered</i> (<a class="bibleref" title="Luke.12.7" href="/passage/?search=Luke.12.7">Luke 12:7</a>); much more are your sighs and tears numbered, and the drops of your blood, which you shed for Christ’s name’s sake. An account is kept of all your losses, that they <i>may be</i>, and without doubt they shall be, recompensed unspeakably to your advantage.”</p>
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<p class="tab-1">(4.) “You will be owned or disowned by Christ, in the great day, according as you now own or disown him,” <a class="bibleref" title="Luke.12.8,Luke.12.9" href="/passage/?search=Luke.12.8,Luke.12.9"><span class="bibleref" title="Luke.12.8">Luke 12:8</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Luke.12.9">9</span></a>. [1.] To engage us to <i>confess Christ before men</i>, whatever we may lose or suffer for our constancy to him, and how dear soever it may cost us, we are assured that they who <i>confess Christ</i> now shall be owned by him in the great day <i>before the angels of God</i>, to their everlasting comfort and honour. Jesus Christ will <i>confess</i>, not only that he suffered for them, and that they are to have the benefit of <i>his</i> sufferings, but that they suffered <i>for him</i>, and that his kingdom and interest on earth were advanced by <i>their</i> sufferings; and what greater honour can be done them? [2.] To deter us from <i>denying</i> Christ, and a cowardly <i>deserting</i> of his truths and ways, we are here assured that those who <i>deny Christ</i>, and treacherously depart from him, whatever they may save by it, though it were life itself, and whatever they may gain by it, though it were a kingdom, will be vast losers at last, for they shall be <i>denied before the angels of God</i>; Christ will not know them, will not own them, will not show them any favour, which will turn to their everlasting terror and contempt. By the stress here laid upon their being <i>confessed or denied before the angels of God</i>, it should seem to be a considerable part of the happiness of glorified saints that they will not only stand <i>right</i>, but stand <i>high</i>, in the esteem of the <i>holy angels</i>; they will love them, and honour them, and own them, if they be Christ’s servants; they are their fellow-servants, and they will take them for their companions. On the contrary, a considerable part of the misery of damned sinners will be that the holy angels will abandon them, and will be the pleased witnesses, not only of their disgrace, as here, but of their misery, for they shall be <i>tormented in the presence of the holy angels</i> (<a class="bibleref" title="Rev.14.10" href="/passage/?search=Rev.14.10">Rev. 14:10</a>), who will give them no relief.</p>
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<p class="tab-1">(5.) The errand they were shortly to be sent out upon was of the highest and last importance to the children of men, to whom they were sent, <a class="bibleref" title="Luke.12.10" href="/passage/?search=Luke.12.10">Luke 12:10</a>. Let them be bold in preaching the gospel, for a sorer and heavier doom would attend those that rejected them (after the Spirit was poured upon them, which was to be the <i>last</i> method of conviction) than those that now rejected Christ himself, and opposed him: “<i>Greater works than those shall he do</i>, and, consequently, greater will be the punishment of those that blaspheme the gifts and operations of the Holy Ghost in you. <i>Whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man</i>, shall stumble at the meanness of his appearance, and speak <i>slightly</i> and <i>spitefully</i> of him, it is capable of some excuse: <i>Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do</i>. But unto him that <i>blasphemes the Holy Ghost</i>, that blasphemes the Christian doctrine, and maliciously opposes it, after the pouring out of the Spirit and his attestation of Christ’s <i>being glorified</i> (<a class="bibleref" title="Acts.2.33,Acts.5.32" href="/passage/?search=Acts.2.33,Acts.5.32"><span class="bibleref" title="Acts.2.33">Acts 2:33</span>; <span class="bibleref" title="Acts.5.32">5:32</span></a>), the privilege of the <i>forgiveness of sins</i> shall be denied; he shall have no benefit by Christ and his gospel. You may shake off the dust of your feet against those that do so, and give them over as incurable; they have forfeited that <i>repentance</i> and that <i>remission</i> which Christ was <i>exalted to give</i>, and which you are <i>commissioned to preach</i>.” The sin, no doubt, was the more daring, and consequently the case the more desperate, during the continuance of the <i>extraordinary</i> gifts and operations of the Spirit in the church, which were intended for a <i>sign to them who believed not</i>, <a class="bibleref" title="1Cor.14.22" href="/passage/?search=1Cor.14.22">1 Cor. 14:22</a>. There were hopes of those who, though not convinced by them at first, yet admired them, but those who <i>blasphemed</i> them were given over.</p>
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<p class="tab-1">(6.) Whatever trials they should be called out to, they should be sufficiently furnished for them, and honourably brought through them, <a class="bibleref" title="Luke.12.11,Luke.12.12" href="/passage/?search=Luke.12.11,Luke.12.12"><span class="bibleref" title="Luke.12.11">Luke 12:11</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Luke.12.12">12</span></a>. The faithful martyr for Christ has not only <i>sufferings</i> to <i>undergo</i>, but a <i>testimony</i> to <i>bear</i>, a <i>good confession</i> to <i>witness</i>, and is concerned to do that <i>well</i>, so that the cause of Christ may not suffer, though he suffer for it; and, if this be his care, let him cast it upon God: “When they <i>bring you into the synagogues</i>, before church-rulers, before the Jewish courts, or before <i>magistrates and powers</i>, Gentile rulers, rulers in the state, to be examined about your doctrine, what it is, and what the proof of it, <i>take no thought what ye shall answer</i>,” [1.] “That you may <i>save yourselves</i>. Do not study by what art or rhetoric to mollify your judges, or by what tricks in law to bring yourselves off; if it be the will of God that you should come off, and your time is not yet come, he will bring it about effectually.” [2.] “That you may <i>serve your Master</i>; aim at this, but do not perplex yourselves about it, for <i>the Holy Ghost</i>, as a Spirit of wisdom, <i>shall teach you what you ought to say</i>, and how to say it, so that it may be for the honour of God and his cause.”</p>
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