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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>L U K E.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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In this chapter we have divers excellent discourses of our Saviour's
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upon various occasions, many of which are to the same purport with what
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we had in Matthew upon other the like occasions; for we may suppose
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that our Lord Jesus preached the same doctrines, and pressed the same
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duties, at several times, in several companies, and that one of the
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evangelists took them as he delivered them at one time and another at
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another time; and we need thus to have precept upon precept, line upon
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line. Here,
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I. Christ warns his disciples to take heed of hypocrisy, and of
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cowardice in professing Christianity and preaching the gospel,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:1-12">ver. 1-12</A>.
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II. He gives a caution against covetousness, upon occasion of a
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covetous motion made to him, and illustrates that caution by a parable
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of a rich man suddenly cut off by death in the midst of his worldly
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projects and hopes,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:13-21">ver. 13-21</A>.
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III. He encourages his disciples to cast all their care upon God, and
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to live easy in a dependence upon his providence, and exhorts them to
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make religion their main business,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:22-34">ver. 22-34</A>.
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IV. He stirs them up to watchfulness for their Master's coming, from
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the consideration of the reward of those who are then found faithful,
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and the punishment of those who are found unfaithful,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:35-48">ver. 35-48</A>.
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V. He bids them expect trouble and persecution,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:49-53">ver. 49-53</A>.
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VI. He warns the people to observe and improve the day of their
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opportunities and to make their peace with God in time,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:54-59">ver. 54-59</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Lu12_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu12_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu12_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu12_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu12_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu12_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu12_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu12_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu12_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu12_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu12_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu12_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Christ's Charge to His Apostles.</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 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an
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innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one
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upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all,
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Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
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2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed;
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neither hid, that shall not be known.
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3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be
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heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in
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closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
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4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that
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kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
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5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which
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after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say
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unto you, Fear him.
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6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of
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them is forgotten before God?
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7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear
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not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
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8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men,
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him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
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9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the
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angels of God.
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10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it
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shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the
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Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.
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11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and <I>unto</I>
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magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye
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shall answer, or what ye shall say:
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12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye
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ought to say.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We find here,
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I. A vast auditory that was got together to hear Christ preach. The
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<I>scribes</I> and <I>Pharisees</I> sought <I>to accuse him,</I> and do
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him mischief; but the people, who were not under the bias of their
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prejudices and jealousies, still <I>admired</I> him, attended on him,
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and did him honour. <I>In the mean time</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
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while he was in the Pharisee's house, contending with them that sought
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to ensnare him, the people got together for an afternoon sermon, a
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sermon after <I>dinner,</I> after dinner with a Pharisee; and he would
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not disappoint them. Though in the morning sermon, when they were
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<I>gathered thickly together</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+11:29"><I>ch.</I> xi. 29</A>),
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he had severely reproved them, as an <I>evil generation that seek a
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sign,</I> yet they renewed their attendance on him; so much better
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could the people bear <I>their</I> reproofs than the Pharisees
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<I>theirs.</I> The more the Pharisees strove to drive the people from
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Christ, the more flocking there was to him. Here was an <I>innumerable
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multitude of people gathered together, so that they trade one upon
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another,</I> in labouring to get foremost, and to come within hearing.
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It is a good sight to see people thus forward to hear the word, and
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venture upon inconvenience and danger rather than miss an opportunity
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for their souls. Who are these that thus <I>fly as the doves to their
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windows?</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+60:8">Isa. lx. 8</A>.
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When the net is cast where there is such a multitude of fish, it may be
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hoped that some will be enclosed.</P>
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<P>
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II. The instructions which he gave his followers, in the hearing of
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this auditory.</P>
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<P>
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1. He began with a caution against <I>hypocrisy.</I> This he said <I>to
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his disciples first of all;</I> either to the twelve, or to the
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seventy. These were his more peculiar charge, his family, his school,
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and therefore he particularly <I>warned them</I> as his <I>beloved
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sons;</I> they made more profession of religion than others and
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hypocrisy in <I>that</I> was the sin they were most in danger of. They
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were to preach to others; and, if they should <I>prevaricate,</I>
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corrupt the word, and deal deceitfully, hypocrisy would be worse in
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them than in others. Besides, there was a Judas among them, who was a
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hypocrite, and Christ knew it, and would hereby startle him, or leave
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him inexcusable. Christ's disciples were, for aught we know, the
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<I>best men</I> then in the world, yet they needed to be cautioned
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against hypocrisy. Christ said this to the disciples, <I>in the
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hearing</I> of this great multitude, rather than <I>privately</I> when
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he had them by themselves, to add the greater weight to the caution,
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and to let the world know that he would not countenance hypocrisy, no,
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not in <I>his own disciples.</I> Now observe,</P>
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<P>
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(1.) The description of that sin which he warns them against: <I>It is
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the leaven of the Pharisees.</I>
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[1.] It is <I>leaven;</I> it is <I>spreading</I> as leaven,
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<I>insinuates</I> itself into the whole man, and all that he does; it
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is <I>swelling</I> and <I>souring</I> as leaven, for it puffs men up
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with pride, embitters them with malice, and makes their service
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unacceptable to God.
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[2.] It is the leaven of the Pharisees: "It is the sin they are most of
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them found in. Take heed of imitating them; be not you of their spirit;
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do not dissemble in Christianity as they do in Judaism; make not
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<I>your</I> religion a <I>cloak of maliciousness,</I> as they do
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theirs."</P>
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<P>
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(2.) A good reason against it: "<I>For there is nothing covered that
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shall not be revealed,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:2,3"><I>v.</I> 2, 3</A>.
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It is to no purpose to dissemble, for, sooner or later, truth will come
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out; and a <I>lying tongue is but for a moment.</I> If you <I>speak in
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darkness</I> that which is unbecoming you, and is inconsistent with
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your public professions, <I>it shall be heard in the light;</I> some
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way or other it shall be discovered, <I>a bird of the air shall carry
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the voice</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+10:20">Eccl. x. 20</A>),
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and your folly and falsehood will be <I>made manifest.</I>" The
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iniquity that is concealed with a show of piety will be discovered,
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perhaps in this world, as Judas's was, and Simon Magus's, at furthest
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in the great day, when the <I>secrets of all hearts</I> shall be made
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<I>manifest,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+12:14,Ro+2:16">Eccl. xii. 14; Rom. ii. 16</A>.
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If men's religion prevail not to conquer and cure the wickedness of
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their hearts, it shall not always serve for a cloak. The day is coming
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when hypocrites will be stripped of their fig-leaves.</P>
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<P>
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2. To this he added a charge to them to be faithful to the trust
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reposed in them, and not to betray it, through cowardice or base fear.
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Some make
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:2,3"><I>v.</I> 2, 3</A>,
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to be a caution to them not to <I>conceal</I> those things which they
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had been <I>instructed</I> in, and were <I>employed</I> to publish to
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the world. "Whether men will <I>hear,</I> or whether they will
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<I>forbear,</I> tell them the <I>truth,</I> the <I>whole</I> truth, and
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<I>nothing but</I> the truth; what has been spoken to you, and you have
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talked of among yourselves, <I>privately,</I> and in corners, that do
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you preach <I>publicly,</I> whoever is offended; for, if you <I>please
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men,</I> you are not <I>Christ's servants,</I> nor can you please him,"
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+1:10">Gal. i. 10</A>.
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But this was not the worst of it: it was likely to be a
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<I>suffering</I> cause, though never a <I>sinking</I> one: let them
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therefore arm themselves with courage; and divers arguments are
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furnished here to steel them with a holy resolution in their work.
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Consider,</P>
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<P>
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(1.) "The power of your enemies is a limited power
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>):
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<I>I say unto you, my friends</I>" (Christ's disciples are his friends,
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he calls them <I>friends,</I> and gives them this <I>friendly</I>
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advice), "<I>be not afraid,</I> do not disquiet yourselves with
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tormenting fears of the power and rage of men." Note, Those whom Christ
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owns for <I>his friends</I> need not be afraid of any enemies. "<I>Be
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not afraid,</I> no, not of them that <I>kill the body,</I> let it not
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be in the power of <I>scoffers,</I> not even of <I>murderers,</I> to
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drive you off from your work, for you that have learned to triumph over
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death may say, even of them, Let them do their worst, <I>after that
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there is no more that they can do;</I> the immortal soul lives, and is
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happy, and enjoys itself and its God, and sets them all at defiance."
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Note, Those can do Christ's disciples no real harm, and therefore ought
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not to be dreaded, who can but <I>kill the body;</I> for they only send
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that to its rest, and the soul to its joy, the sooner.</P>
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<P>
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(2.) God is to be feared more than the most powerful men: "<I>I will
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forewarn you whom you shall fear</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>):
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that you may fear man less, fear God more. Moses conquers his fear of
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the <I>wrath of the king,</I> by having an eye to him <I>that is
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invisible.</I> By <I>owning Christ</I> you may incur the wrath of men,
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which can reach no further than to <I>put you to death</I> (and without
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God's permission they cannot do that); but by <I>denying</I> Christ,
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and disowning him, you will incur the wrath of God, which has power to
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send <I>you to hell,</I> and there is no resisting it. Now of two evils
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the less is to be chosen, and the greater is to be dreaded, and
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therefore <I>I say unto you, Fear him.</I>" "It is true," said that
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blessed martyr, Bishop Hooper, "life is sweet, and death bitter; but
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eternal life is more sweet, and eternal death more bitter."</P>
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<P>
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(3.) The lives of good Christians and good ministers are the particular
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care of divine Providence,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:6,7"><I>v.</I> 6, 7</A>.
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To encourage us in times of difficulty and danger, we must have
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recourse to our first principles, and build upon them. Now a firm
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belief of the doctrine of God's universal providence, and the extent of
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it, will be satisfying to us when at any time we are in peril, and will
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encourage us to trust God in the way of duty.
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[1.] Providence takes cognizance of the <I>meanest creatures,</I> even
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of <I>the sparrows.</I> "Though they are of such small account that
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<I>five</I> of them are sold for <I>two farthings,</I> yet not one of
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them is <I>forgotten of God,</I> but is provided for, and notice is
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taken of its death. Now, <I>you are of more value than many
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sparrows,</I> and therefore you may be sure you <I>are not
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forgotten,</I> though imprisoned, though banished, though forgotten by
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your friends; much more <I>precious in the sight of the Lord is the
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death of saints</I> than the death of sparrows."
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[2.] Providence takes cognizance of the <I>meanest interest</I> of the
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disciples of Christ: "<I>Even the very hairs of your head are all
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numbered</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>);
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much more are your sighs and tears numbered, and the drops of your
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blood, which you shed for Christ's name's sake. An account is kept of
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all your losses, that they <I>may be,</I> and without doubt they shall
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be, recompensed unspeakably to your advantage."</P>
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<P>
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(4.) "You will be owned or disowned by Christ, in the great day,
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according as you now own or disown him,"
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:8,9"><I>v.</I> 8, 9</A>.
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[1.] To engage us to <I>confess Christ before men,</I> whatever we may
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lose or suffer for our constancy to him, and how dear soever it may
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cost us, we are assured that they who <I>confess Christ</I> now shall
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be owned by him in the great day <I>before the angels of God,</I> to
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their everlasting comfort and honour. Jesus Christ will <I>confess,</I>
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not only that he suffered for them, and that they are to have the
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benefit of <I>his</I> sufferings, but that they suffered <I>for
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him,</I> and that his kingdom and interest on earth were advanced by
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<I>their</I> sufferings; and what greater honour can be done them?
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[2.] To deter us from <I>denying</I> Christ, and a cowardly
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<I>deserting</I> of his truths and ways, we are here assured that those
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who <I>deny Christ,</I> and treacherously depart from him, whatever
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they may save by it, though it were life itself, and whatever they may
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gain by it, though it were a kingdom, will be vast losers at last, for
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they shall be <I>denied before the angels of God;</I> Christ will not
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know them, will not own them, will not show them any favour, which will
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turn to their everlasting terror and contempt. By the stress here laid
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upon their being <I>confessed or denied before the angels of God,</I>
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it should seem to be a considerable part of the happiness of glorified
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saints that they will not only stand <I>right,</I> but stand
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<I>high,</I> in the esteem of the <I>holy angels;</I> they will love
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them, and honour them, and own them, if they be Christ's servants; they
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are their fellow-servants, and they will take them for their
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companions. On the contrary, a considerable part of the misery of
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damned sinners will be that the holy angels will abandon them, and will
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be the pleased witnesses, not only of their disgrace, as here, but of
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their misery, for they shall be <I>tormented in the presence of the
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holy angels</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+14:10">Rev. xiv. 10</A>),
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who will give them no relief.</P>
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<P>
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(5.) The errand they were shortly to be sent out upon was of the
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highest and last importance to the children of men, to whom they were
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|
sent,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:10"><I>v.</I> 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 HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:33,5:32">Acts ii. 33; v. 32</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 HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+14:22">1 Cor. xiv. 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>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(6.) Whatever trials they should be called out to, they should be
|
|
sufficiently furnished for them, and honourably brought through them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:11,12"><I>v.</I> 11, 12</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>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_21"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Worldly-mindedness Exposed.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my
|
|
brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.
|
|
14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider
|
|
over you?
|
|
15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of
|
|
covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of
|
|
the things which he possesseth.
|
|
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a
|
|
certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
|
|
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do,
|
|
because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
|
|
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and
|
|
build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my
|
|
goods.
|
|
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid
|
|
up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, <I>and</I> be merry.
|
|
20 But God said unto him, <I>Thou</I> fool, this night thy soul
|
|
shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be,
|
|
which thou hast provided?
|
|
21 So <I>is</I> he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not
|
|
rich toward God.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have in these verses,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The application that was made to Christ, very unseasonably, by one
|
|
of his hearers, desiring him to interpose <I>between him and his
|
|
brother</I> in a matter that concerned the estate of the family
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Master, speak to my brother;</I> speak as a prophet, speak as a
|
|
king, speak with authority; he is one that will have regard to what
|
|
thou sayest; speak to him, <I>that he divide the inheritance with
|
|
me.</I>" Now,
|
|
|
|
1. Some think that his brother <I>did him wrong,</I> and that he
|
|
appealed to Christ to <I>right him,</I> because he knew the law was
|
|
costly. His brother was such a one as the Jews called
|
|
<I>Ben-hamesen</I>--<I>a son of violence,</I> that took not only his
|
|
own part of the estate, but his brother's too, and forcibly detained it
|
|
from him. Such brethren there are in the world, who have no sense at
|
|
all either of <I>natural equity</I> or <I>natural affection,</I> who
|
|
make a prey of those whom they ought to patronize and protect. They who
|
|
are so wronged have God to go to, who will <I>execute</I> judgment and
|
|
justice for <I>those that are oppressed.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. Others think that he had a mind to <I>do his brother wrong,</I> and
|
|
would have Christ to <I>assist him;</I> that, whereas the law gave the
|
|
elder brother a double portion of the estate, and the father himself
|
|
could not dispose of what he had but by that rule
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+21:16,17">Deut. xxi. 16, 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
he would have Christ to <I>alter that law,</I> and oblige his brother,
|
|
who perhaps was a follower of Christ at large, to <I>divide the
|
|
inheritance</I> equally <I>with him,</I> in gavel-kind, share and share
|
|
alike, and to allot him as much as his elder brother. I suspect that
|
|
this was the case, because Christ takes occasion from it to warn
|
|
against <I>covetousness,</I> <B><I>pleonexia</I></B>--<I>a desire of
|
|
having more,</I> more than God in his providence has allotted us. It
|
|
was not a lawful desire of getting his own, but a <I>sinful</I> desire
|
|
of getting more than his own.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Christ's refusal to interpose in this matter
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Man, who made me a judge or divider over you?</I> In matters of this
|
|
nature, Christ will not assume either a <I>legislative</I> power to
|
|
alter the settled rule of inheritances, or a <I>judicial</I> power to
|
|
determine controversies concerning them. He could have done the judge's
|
|
part, and the lawyer's, as well as he did the physician's, and have
|
|
ended suits at law as happily as he did diseases; but he would not, for
|
|
it was not in his commission: <I>Who made me a judge?</I> Probably he
|
|
refers to the indignity done to Moses by his brethren in Egypt, with
|
|
which Stephen upbraided the Jews,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+7:27,35">Acts vii. 27, 35</A>.
|
|
|
|
"If I should offer to do this, you would taunt me as you did Moses,
|
|
<I>Who made thee a judge or a divider?</I>" He corrects the man's
|
|
mistake, will not admit his appeal (it was <I>coram non judice--not
|
|
before the proper judge</I>), and so <I>dismisses</I> his bill. If he
|
|
had come to him to desire him to assist his pursuit of the heavenly
|
|
inheritance, Christ would have given him his best help; but as to this
|
|
matter he has nothing to do: <I>Who made me a judge?</I> Note, Jesus
|
|
Christ was no usurper; he took no honour, no power, to himself, but
|
|
what was given him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+5:5">Heb. v. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
Whatever he did, he could tell by what authority he did it, and who
|
|
gave him that authority. Now this shows us what is the nature and
|
|
constitution of Christ's kingdom. It is a spiritual kingdom, and not of
|
|
this world.
|
|
|
|
1. It does not interfere with civil powers, nor take the authority of
|
|
princes out of their hands. Christianity leaves the matter as it found
|
|
it, as to civil power.
|
|
|
|
2. It does not intermeddle with civil rights; it obliges all to do
|
|
justly, according to the settled rules of equity, but dominion is not
|
|
founded in grace.
|
|
|
|
3. It does not <I>encourage</I> our <I>expectations</I> of worldly
|
|
advantages by our religion. If this man will be a disciple of Christ,
|
|
and expects that in consideration of this Christ should give him his
|
|
brother's estate, he is mistaken; the rewards of Christ's disciples are
|
|
of another nature.
|
|
|
|
4. It does not <I>encourage</I> our <I>contests</I> with our brethren,
|
|
and our being rigorous and high in our demands, but rather, for peace'
|
|
sake, to recede from our right.
|
|
|
|
5. It does not allow ministers to <I>entangle</I> themselves in the
|
|
affairs of this <I>life</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:4">2 Tim. ii. 4</A>),
|
|
|
|
to <I>leave the word of God to serve tables.</I> There are those whose
|
|
business it is, let it be left to them, <I>Tractent fabrilia
|
|
fabri</I>--<I>Each workman to his proper craft.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The necessary caution which Christ took occasion from this to give
|
|
to his hearers. Though he came not to be a <I>divider</I> of men's
|
|
estates, he came to be a director of their consciences about them, and
|
|
would have all take heed of harbouring that corrupt principle which
|
|
they saw to be in others the <I>root</I> of <I>so much evil.</I> Here
|
|
is,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The caution itself
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Take heed and beware of covetousness;</I>
|
|
<B><I>horate</I></B>--"<I>Observe yourselves,</I> keep a <I>jealous
|
|
eye</I> upon your own hearts, lest covetous principles steal into them;
|
|
and <B><I>phylassesthe</I></B>--<I>preserve yourselves,</I> keep a
|
|
<I>strict band</I> upon your own hearts, lest covetous principles rule
|
|
and give law in them." Covetousness is a sin which we have need
|
|
constantly to <I>watch against,</I> and therefore frequently to be
|
|
<I>warned against.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The reason of it, or an argument to enforce this caution: <I>For a
|
|
man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he
|
|
possesseth;</I> that is, "our happiness and comfort do not depend upon
|
|
our having a great deal of the wealth of this world."
|
|
|
|
(1.) The life of the <I>soul,</I> undoubtedly, does not depend upon it,
|
|
and the soul is the man. The things of the world will not suit the
|
|
nature of a soul, nor supply its needs, nor satisfy its desires, nor
|
|
last so long as it will last. Nay,
|
|
|
|
(2.) Even the life of the body and the happiness of that do not consist
|
|
in an <I>abundance</I> of these things; for many live very contentedly
|
|
and easily, and get through the world very comfortably, who have but a
|
|
little of the wealth of it (a dinner of herbs with holy love is better
|
|
than a <I>feast of fat things</I>); and, on the other hand, many live
|
|
very miserably who have a great deal of the things of this world; they
|
|
possess abundance, and yet have no comfort of it; they <I>bereave their
|
|
souls of good,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+4:8">Eccl. iv. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
Many who have abundance are discontented and fretful, as Ahab and
|
|
Haman; and then what good does their abundance do them?</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. The illustration of this by a parable, the sum of which is to show
|
|
the folly of carnal worldlings while they live, and their misery when
|
|
they die, which is intended not only for a check to that man who came
|
|
to Christ with an address about his estate, while he was in no care
|
|
about his soul and another world, but for the enforcing of that
|
|
necessary caution to us all, to <I>take heed of covetousness.</I> The
|
|
parable gives us the life and death of a <I>rich man,</I> and leaves us
|
|
to judge whether he was a <I>happy</I> man.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) Here is an account of his worldly wealth and abundance
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully,</I>
|
|
<B><I>chora</I></B>--<I>regio</I>--<I>the country.</I> He had a whole
|
|
country to himself, a lordship of his own; he was a little prince.
|
|
Observe, His wealth lay much in the fruits of the earth, for <I>the
|
|
king himself is served by the field,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+5:9">Eccl. v. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
He had a great deal of ground, and his ground was <I>fruitful;</I> much
|
|
would have <I>more,</I> and he <I>had more.</I> Note, The fruitfulness
|
|
of the earth is a great blessing, but it is a blessing which God often
|
|
gives plentifully to wicked men, to whom it is a snare, that we may not
|
|
think to judge of his love or hatred by what is before us.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) Here are the workings of his heart, in the midst of this
|
|
abundance. We are here told what <I>he thought within himself,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, The God of heaven knows and observes whatever we think within
|
|
ourselves, and we are accountable to him for it. He is both a
|
|
discerner and judge of the thoughts and intents of the heart. We
|
|
mistake if we imagine that thoughts are <I>hid</I> and thoughts are
|
|
<I>free.</I> Let us here observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] What his <I>cares</I> and <I>concerns</I> were. When he saw an
|
|
extraordinary crop upon his ground, instead of <I>thanking God</I> for
|
|
it, or rejoicing in the opportunity it would give him of doing the more
|
|
good, he afflicts himself with this thought, <I>What shall I do,
|
|
because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?</I> He speaks as one
|
|
<I>at a loss,</I> and full of perplexity. <I>What shall I do now?</I>
|
|
The poorest beggar in the country, that did not know where to get a
|
|
meal's meat, could not have said a more anxious word. Disquieting care
|
|
is the common fruit of an abundance of this world, and the common fault
|
|
of those that have abundance. The more men have, the more perplexity
|
|
they have with it, and the more solicitous they are to keep what they
|
|
have and to add to it, how to spare and how to spend; so that even the
|
|
<I>abundance</I> of the rich will not suffer them to <I>sleep,</I> for
|
|
thinking what they shall do with what they have and how they shall
|
|
dispose of it. The rich man seems to speak it with a sigh, <I>What
|
|
shall I do?</I> And if you ask, Why, what is the matter? Truly he had
|
|
<I>abundance</I> of wealth, and wants a place to <I>put it in,</I> that
|
|
is all.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] What his <I>projects</I> and <I>purposes</I> were, which were the
|
|
result of his cares, and were indeed absurd and foolish like them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>This will I do,</I> and it is the wisest course I can take, <I>I
|
|
will pull down my barns,</I> for they are too little, and I will
|
|
<I>build greater, and there will I bestow all my fruits and my
|
|
goods,</I> and then I shall be at ease." Now here, <I>First,</I> It was
|
|
folly for him to call the fruits of the ground <I>his</I> fruits and
|
|
<I>his</I> goods. He seems to lay a pleasing emphasis upon that,
|
|
<I>my</I> fruits and <I>my</I> goods; whereas what we have is but
|
|
<I>lent</I> us for our use, the property is still in God; we are but
|
|
stewards of our <I>Lord's goods,</I> tenants at will of our Lord's
|
|
land. It is <I>my corn</I> (saith God) and <I>my wine,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+2:8,9">Hos. ii. 8, 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> It was folly for him to <I>hoard up</I> what he had,
|
|
and then to think it <I>well bestowed.</I> There will I bestow it
|
|
<I>all;</I> as if none must be bestowed upon the poor, none upon his
|
|
family, none upon the Levite and <I>the stranger,</I> the <I>fatherless
|
|
and the widow,</I> but all in the great barn. <I>Thirdly,</I> It was
|
|
folly for him to let his <I>mind</I> rise with his <I>condition;</I>
|
|
when his ground brought forth more plentifully than usual, then to talk
|
|
of bigger barns, as if the next year must needs be as fruitful as this,
|
|
and much more abundant, whereas the barn might be as much too big the
|
|
next year as it was too little this. Years of famine commonly follow
|
|
years of plenty, as they did in Egypt; and therefore it were better to
|
|
<I>stack</I> some of his corn for this once. <I>Fourthly,</I> It was
|
|
folly for him to think to ease his care by building new barns, for the
|
|
building of them would but increase his care; those know this who know
|
|
any thing of the spirit of building. The way that God prescribes for
|
|
the cure of inordinate care is certainly successful, but the way of the
|
|
world does but increase it. Besides, when he had done this, there were
|
|
other cares that would still attend him; the greater the barns, still
|
|
the greater the cares,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+5:10">Eccl. v. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Fifthly,</I> It was folly for him to contrive and resolve all this
|
|
<I>absolutely</I> and <I>without reserve.</I> This <I>I will</I> do:
|
|
<I>I will</I> pull down my barns and will build greater, yea, that <I>I
|
|
will;</I> without so much as that necessary proviso, <I>If the Lord
|
|
will, I shall live,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+4:13-15">Jam. iv. 13-15</A>.
|
|
|
|
Peremptory projects are foolish projects; for our times are in God's
|
|
hand, and not in our own, and we do not so much as <I>know what shall
|
|
be on the morrow.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[3.] What his <I>pleasing hopes</I> and <I>expectations</I> were, when
|
|
he should have made good these projects. "Then <I>I will say to my
|
|
soul,</I> upon the credit of this security, whether God say it or no,
|
|
<I>Soul,</I> mark what I say, <I>thou hast much goods laid up for many
|
|
years</I> in these barns; now <I>take thine ease,</I> enjoy thyself,
|
|
<I>eat, drink, and be merry,</I>"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
Here also appears his folly, as much in the enjoyment of his wealth as
|
|
in the pursuit of it. <I>First,</I> It was folly for him to put off
|
|
his comfort in his abundance till he had compassed his projects
|
|
concerning it. When he has built bigger barns, and filled them (which
|
|
will be a work of time), then he will <I>take his ease;</I> and might
|
|
he not as well have <I>done that now?</I> Grotius here quotes the story
|
|
of Pyrrhus, who was projecting to make himself master of Sicily,
|
|
Africa, and other places, in the prosecution of his victories. Well,
|
|
says his friend Cyneas, and what must we do then? <I>Postea
|
|
vivemus,</I> says he, <I>Then we will live; At hoc jam licet,</I> says
|
|
Cyneas, <I>We may live now if we please. Secondly,</I> It was folly for
|
|
him to be confident that his goods were <I>laid up for many years,</I>
|
|
as if his bigger barns would be <I>safer</I> than those he had; whereas
|
|
in an hour's time they might be burnt to the ground and all that was
|
|
laid up in them, perhaps by lightning, against which there is no
|
|
defence. A few years may make a great change; <I>moth and rust may
|
|
corrupt, or thieves break through and steal. Thirdly,</I> It was folly
|
|
for him to count upon certain <I>ease,</I> when he had laid up
|
|
abundance of the wealth of this world, whereas there are many things
|
|
that may make people uneasy in the midst of their greatest abundance.
|
|
One dead fly may spoil a whole pot of precious ointment; and one thorn
|
|
a whole bed of down. Pain and sickness of body, disagreeableness of
|
|
relations, and especially a guilty conscience, may rob a man of his
|
|
ease, who has ever so much of the wealth of this world.
|
|
<I>Fourthly,</I> It was folly for him to think of making no other use
|
|
of his plenty than to <I>eat</I> and <I>drink,</I> and to <I>be
|
|
merry;</I> to indulge the flesh, and gratify the sensual appetite,
|
|
without any thought of doing good to others, and being put thereby into
|
|
a better capacity of serving God and his generation: as if we
|
|
<I>lived</I> to <I>eat,</I> and did not <I>eat</I> to <I>live,</I> and
|
|
the happiness of man consisted in nothing else but in having all the
|
|
gratifications of sense wound up to the height of pleasurableness.
|
|
<I>Fifthly,</I> It was the greatest folly of all to say all this to his
|
|
<I>soul.</I> if he had said, <I>Body, take thine ease,</I> for <I>thou
|
|
hast goods laid up for many years,</I> there had been sense in it; but
|
|
the soul, considered as an immortal spirit, separable from the body,
|
|
was no way interested in a barn full of corn or a bag full of gold. If
|
|
he had had the <I>soul of a swine,</I> he might have <I>blessed it</I>
|
|
with the satisfaction of <I>eating</I> and <I>drinking;</I> but what is
|
|
this to the <I>soul of a man,</I> that has exigencies and desires which
|
|
these things will be no ways suited to? It is the great absurdity which
|
|
the children of this world are guilty of that they portion their souls
|
|
in the wealth of the world and the pleasures of sense.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) Here is God's sentence upon all this; and we are sure that his
|
|
judgment is according to truth. He said to himself, said to his soul,
|
|
<I>Take thine ease.</I> If God had said so too, the man had been happy,
|
|
as his Spirit witnesses with the spirit of believers to make them easy.
|
|
<I>But God said</I> quite otherwise; and by his judgment of us we must
|
|
stand or fall, not by ours of ourselves,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+4:3,4">1 Cor. iv. 3, 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
His neighbours blessed him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+10:3">Ps. x. 3</A>),
|
|
|
|
praised him as <I>doing well for himself</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+49:18">Ps. xlix. 18</A>);
|
|
|
|
but God said he did ill for himself: <I>Thou fool, this night thy soul
|
|
shall be required of thee,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>God said to him,</I> that is, decreed this concerning him, and let
|
|
him know it, either by his conscience or by some awakening providence,
|
|
or rather by both together. This was said when he was <I>in the
|
|
fulness of his sufficiency</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+20:22">Job xx. 22</A>),
|
|
|
|
when his eyes were held waking upon his bed with his cares and
|
|
contrivances about enlarging his barns, not by adding a bay or two more
|
|
of building to them, which might serve to answer the end, but by
|
|
pulling them down and building greater, which was requisite to please
|
|
his fancy. When he was forecasting this, and had brought it to an
|
|
issue, and then lulled himself asleep again with a pleasing dream of
|
|
many years' enjoyment of his present improvements, <I>then</I> God said
|
|
this to him. Thus Belshazzar was struck with terror by the hand-writing
|
|
on the wall, in the midst of his jollity. Now observe what God
|
|
said,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] The character he gave him: <I>Thou fool,</I> thou <I>Nabal,</I>
|
|
alluding to the story of Nabal, that <I>fool</I> (Nabal is his name,
|
|
and folly is with him) whose heart was struck dead <I>as a stone</I>
|
|
while he was regaling himself in the abundance of his provision for his
|
|
sheep-shearers. Note, Carnal worldlings are fools, and the day is
|
|
coming when God will call them by their own name, <I>Thou fool,</I> and
|
|
they will call themselves so.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] The sentence he passed upon him, a sentence of death: <I>This
|
|
night thy soul shall be required of thee; they shall require thy
|
|
soul</I> (so the words are), and then <I>whose shall those things be
|
|
which thou hast provided?</I> He thought he had goods that should be
|
|
his for many years, but he must part from them <I>this night;</I> he
|
|
thought he should enjoy them himself, but he must leave them to he
|
|
knows not who. Note, The death of carnal worldlings is miserable in
|
|
itself and terrible to them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>First,</I> It is a <I>force,</I> an <I>arrest;</I> it is the
|
|
<I>requiring of the soul,</I> that soul that thou art making such a
|
|
fool of; what hast thou to do with a soul, who canst use it no better?
|
|
Thy soul shall be <I>required;</I> this intimates that he is loth to
|
|
part with it. A good man, who has taken his heart off from this world,
|
|
cheerfully resigns his soul at death, and gives it up; but a worldly
|
|
man has it <I>torn</I> from him with violence; it is a terror to him to
|
|
think of leaving this world. <I>They shall require thy soul.</I> God
|
|
shall require it; he shall require an account of it. "Man, woman, what
|
|
hast thou done with thy soul. Give an account of that stewardship."
|
|
<I>They shall;</I> that is, evil angels as the messengers of God's
|
|
justice. As good angels receive gracious souls to carry them to their
|
|
joy, so evil angels receive wicked souls to carry them to the place of
|
|
torment; they shall <I>require it</I> as a guilty soul to be punished.
|
|
The devil requires thy soul as his own, for it did, in effect, give
|
|
itself to him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> It is a <I>surprize,</I> an <I>unexpected</I> force.
|
|
It is in <I>the night,</I> and terrors in the night are most terrible.
|
|
The time of death is day-time to a good man; it is his morning. But it
|
|
is night to a worldling, a dark night; he <I>lies down in sorrow.</I>
|
|
It is <I>this night,</I> this <I>present</I> night, without delay;
|
|
there is no giving bail, or begging a day. This <I>pleasant</I> night,
|
|
when thou art promising thyself many years to come, now thou must die,
|
|
and go to judgment. Thou art entertaining thyself with the fancy of
|
|
many a merry day, and merry night, and merry feast; but, in the midst
|
|
of all, here is an end of all,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+21:4">Isa. xxi. 4</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Thirdly,</I> It is the leaving of all <I>those things</I> behind
|
|
<I>which they have provided,</I> which they have laboured for, and
|
|
prepared for hereafter, with abundance of toil and care. All that which
|
|
they have placed their happiness in, and built their hope upon, and
|
|
raised their expectations from, they must leave behind. <I>Their pomp
|
|
shall not descend after them</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+49:17">Ps. xlix. 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
but they shall go as naked out of the world as they came into it, and
|
|
they shall have no benefit at all by what they have hoarded up either
|
|
in death, in judgment, or in their everlasting state.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Fourthly,</I> It is leaving them to they <I>know not who:</I> "Then
|
|
<I>whose shall those things be?</I> Not <I>thine</I> to be sure, and
|
|
thou knowest not what <I>they</I> will prove for whom thou didst design
|
|
them, thy children and relations, whether they will be <I>wise</I> or
|
|
<I>fools</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+2:18,19">Eccl. ii. 18, 19</A>),
|
|
|
|
whether such as will bless thy memory or curse it, be a credit to thy
|
|
family or a blemish, do good or hurt with what thou leavest them, keep
|
|
it or spend it; nay, thou knowest not but those for whom thou dost
|
|
design it may be prevented from the enjoyment of it, and it may be
|
|
turned to somebody else thou little thinkest of; nay, though thou
|
|
knowest to whom thou leavest it, thou knowest not to whom they will
|
|
leave it, or into whose hand it will come at last." If many a man could
|
|
have foreseen to whom his house would have come after his death, he
|
|
would rather have burned it than beautified it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Fifthly,</I> It is a demonstration of his folly. Carnal worldlings
|
|
are <I>fools</I> while they live: <I>this their way is their folly</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+49:13">Ps. xlix. 13</A>);
|
|
|
|
but their folly is made most evident when they die: <I>at his end he
|
|
shall be a fool</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+17:11">Jer. xvii. 11</A>);
|
|
|
|
for then it will appear that he took pains to lay up treasure in a
|
|
world he was hastening from, but took no care to lay it up in the world
|
|
he was hastening to.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Lastly,</I> Here is the application of this parable
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>So is he,</I> such a fool, a fool in God's judgment, a fool upon
|
|
record, that <I>layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards
|
|
God.</I> This is the way and this is the end of such a man. Observe
|
|
here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The description of a worldly man: He <I>lays up treasure for
|
|
himself,</I> for the body, for the world, for <I>himself</I> in
|
|
opposition to God, for that <I>self</I> that is to be <I>denied.</I>
|
|
|
|
(1.) It is his error that he counts his <I>flesh himself,</I> as if the
|
|
<I>body</I> were the <I>man.</I> If <I>self</I> be rightly stated and
|
|
understood, it is only the true Christian that lays up treasure for
|
|
himself, and is <I>wise for himself,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+9:12">Prov. ix. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) It is his error that he makes it his business to <I>lay up for the
|
|
flesh,</I> which he calls laying up <I>for himself.</I> All his labour
|
|
is <I>for his mouth</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+6:7">Eccl. vi. 7</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>making provision for the flesh.</I>
|
|
|
|
(3.) It is his error that he counts those things his <I>treasure</I>
|
|
which are thus <I>laid up</I> for the world, and the body, and the life
|
|
that now is; they are the wealth he trusts to, and spends upon, and
|
|
lets out his affections toward.
|
|
|
|
(4.) The greatest error of all is that he is in no care to be <I>rich
|
|
towards God,</I> rich in the <I>account of God,</I> whose accounting us
|
|
rich makes us so
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+2:9">Rev. ii. 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
rich in the <I>things of God,</I> rich <I>in faith</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+2:5">Jam. ii. 5</A>),
|
|
|
|
rich in <I>good works,</I> in the <I>fruits of righteousness</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+6:18">1 Tim. vi. 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
rich in graces, and comforts, and spiritual gifts. Many who have
|
|
abundance of this world are wholly destitute of that which will enrich
|
|
their souls, which will make them rich towards God, rich for
|
|
eternity.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The folly and misery of a worldly man: <I>So is he.</I> Our Lord
|
|
Jesus Christ, who knows what the end of things will be, has here told
|
|
us what his end will be. Note, It is the unspeakable folly of the most
|
|
of men to mind and pursue the wealth of this world more than the wealth
|
|
of the other world, that which is merely for the body and for time,
|
|
more than that which is for the soul and eternity.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_35"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_36"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_37"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_38"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_39"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_40"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Inordinate Care Reproved.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you,
|
|
Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the
|
|
body, what ye shall put on.
|
|
23 The life is more than meat, and the body <I>is more</I> than
|
|
raiment.
|
|
24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which
|
|
neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much
|
|
more are ye better than the fowls?
|
|
25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature
|
|
one cubit?
|
|
26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why
|
|
take ye thought for the rest?
|
|
27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin
|
|
not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was
|
|
not arrayed like one of these.
|
|
28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the
|
|
field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more <I>will
|
|
he clothe</I> you, O ye of little faith?
|
|
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink,
|
|
neither be ye of doubtful mind.
|
|
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after:
|
|
and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
|
|
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things
|
|
shall be added unto you.
|
|
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good
|
|
pleasure to give you the kingdom.
|
|
33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags
|
|
which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not,
|
|
where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
|
|
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
|
|
35 Let your loins be girded about, and <I>your</I> lights burning;
|
|
36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord,
|
|
when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and
|
|
knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
|
|
37 Blessed <I>are</I> those servants, whom the lord when he cometh
|
|
shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird
|
|
himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth
|
|
and serve them.
|
|
38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the
|
|
third watch, and find <I>them</I> so, blessed are those servants.
|
|
39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known
|
|
what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not
|
|
have suffered his house to be broken through.
|
|
40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an
|
|
hour when ye think not.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Our Lord Jesus is here inculcating some needful useful lessons upon his
|
|
disciples, which he had before taught them, and had occasion afterwards
|
|
to press upon them; for they need to have <I>precept upon precept, and
|
|
line upon line: "Therefore,</I> because there are so many that are
|
|
ruined by covetousness, and an inordinate affection to the wealth of
|
|
this world, <I>I say unto you,</I> my disciples, take heed of it."
|
|
<I>Thou, O man of God, flee these things,</I> as well as thou, O man of
|
|
the world,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+6:11">1 Tim. vi. 11</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. He charges them not to afflict themselves with disquieting
|
|
perplexing cares about the necessary supports of life: <I>Take no
|
|
thought for your life,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
In the foregoing parable he had given us warning against that branch of
|
|
covetousness of which rich people are most in danger; and that is, a
|
|
<I>sensual complacency</I> in the abundance of this world's goods. Now
|
|
his disciples might think they were in no danger of this, for they had
|
|
no plenty or variety to glory in; and therefore he here warns them
|
|
against another branch of covetousness, which they are most in
|
|
temptation to that have but a little of this world, which was the case
|
|
of the disciples at best and much more now that they had left all to
|
|
follow Christ, and that was, an <I>anxious solicitude</I> about the
|
|
necessary supports of life: "<I>Take no thought for your life,</I>
|
|
either for the preservation of it, if it be in danger, or for the
|
|
provision that is to be made for it, either of food or clothing,
|
|
<I>what ye shall eat</I> or <I>what ye shall put on.</I>" This is the
|
|
caution he had largely insisted upon,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+6:25">Matt. vi. 25</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c.; and the arguments here used are much the same, designed for our
|
|
encouragement to cast all our care upon God, which is the <I>right
|
|
way</I> to <I>ease</I> ourselves of it. Consider then,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. God, who has done the greater for us, may be depended upon to do the
|
|
less. He has, without any care or forecast of our own, given us
|
|
<I>life</I> and a <I>body,</I> and therefore we may cheerfully leave it
|
|
to him to provide <I>meat</I> for the support of that life, and
|
|
<I>raiment</I> for the defence of that body.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. God, who provides for the inferior creatures, may be depended upon
|
|
to provide for good Christians. "Trust God for <I>meat,</I> for he
|
|
<I>feeds the ravens</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>);
|
|
|
|
they <I>neither sow nor reap,</I> they take neither care nor pains
|
|
beforehand to provide for themselves, and yet they are <I>fed,</I> and
|
|
never perish for want. Now consider <I>how much better ye are than the
|
|
fowls,</I> than the ravens. Trust God for clothing, for he clothes the
|
|
lilies
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:27,28"><I>v.</I> 27, 28</A>);
|
|
|
|
they make no preparation for their own clothing, they <I>toil not,</I>
|
|
they <I>spin not,</I> the root in the ground is a naked thing, and
|
|
without ornament, and yet, as the flower grows up, it appears
|
|
wonderfully <I>beautified.</I> Now, if God has so clothed the flowers,
|
|
which are fading perishing things, <I>shall he not much more clothe</I>
|
|
you with such clothing as is fit for you, and with clothing suited to
|
|
your nature, as theirs is?" When God fed Israel with <I>manna</I> in
|
|
the wilderness, he also took care for their clothing; for though he did
|
|
not furnish them with new clothes, yet (which came all to one) he
|
|
provided that those they had should not <I>wax old upon them,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+8:4">Deut. viii. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus will he clothe his spiritual Israel; but then let them not be
|
|
<I>of little faith.</I> Note, Our inordinate cares are owing to the
|
|
weakness of our faith; for a powerful practical belief of the
|
|
all-sufficiency of God, his covenant-relation to us as a Father, and
|
|
especially his precious promises, relating both to this life and that
|
|
to come, would be mighty, through God, to the pulling down of the
|
|
strong holds of these disquieting perplexing imaginations.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. Our cares are fruitless, vain, and insignificant, and therefore it
|
|
is folly to indulge them. They will not gain us our wishes, and
|
|
therefore ought not to hinder our repose
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Which of you by taking thought can add to his stature one
|
|
cubit,</I> or one inch, can add to <I>his age</I> one year or one hour?
|
|
Now if ye be <I>not able to do that which is least,</I> if it be not in
|
|
your power to alter your statures, why should you perplex yourselves
|
|
about other things, which are as much out of your power, and about
|
|
which it is necessary that we refer ourselves to the providence of
|
|
God?" Note, As in our <I>stature,</I> so in our <I>state,</I> it is our
|
|
wisdom to take <I>it as it is,</I> and make the best of it; for
|
|
fretting and vexing, carping and caring, will not mend it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. An inordinate anxious pursuit of the things of this world, even
|
|
necessary things, very ill becomes the disciples of Christ
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:29,30"><I>v.</I> 29, 30</A>):
|
|
|
|
"Whatever others do, <I>seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall
|
|
drink;</I> do not you afflict yourselves with perplexing cares, nor
|
|
weary yourselves with constant toils; do not hurry hither and thither
|
|
with enquiries <I>what you shall eat or drink,</I> as David's enemies,
|
|
that <I>wandered up and down for meat</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+59:15">Ps. lix. 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
or as the eagle that <I>seeks the prey afar off,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+39:29">Job xxxix. 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
Let not the disciples of Christ thus <I>seek</I> their food, but ask it
|
|
of God day by day; let them not be <I>of doubtful mind;</I> <B><I>me
|
|
meteorizesthe</I></B>--<I>Be not as meteors in the air,</I> that are
|
|
blown hither and thither with every wind; do not, like them,
|
|
<I>rise</I> and <I>fall,</I> but maintain a consistency with
|
|
yourselves; be even and steady, and have your hearts fixed; <I>live not
|
|
in careful suspense;</I> let not your minds be continually perplexed
|
|
between hope and fear, ever upon the rack." Let not the children of God
|
|
make themselves uneasy; for,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) This is to make themselves like the children of this world:
|
|
"<I>All these things do the nations of the world seek after,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
They that take care for the body only, and not for the soul, for this
|
|
world only, and not for the other, look no further than what they shall
|
|
<I>eat</I> and <I>drink;</I> and, having no all-sufficient God to seek
|
|
to and confide in, they burden themselves with anxious cares about
|
|
those things. But it ill becomes you to do so. You, who are called out
|
|
of the world, ought not to be thus conformed to the world, and to
|
|
<I>walk in the way of this people,</I>"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+8:11,12">Isa. viii. 11, 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
When inordinate cares prevail over us, we should think, "What am I, a
|
|
Christian or a heathen? Baptized or not baptized? If a Christian, if
|
|
baptized, shall I rank myself with Gentiles, and join with them in
|
|
their pursuits?"</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) It is needless for them to disquiet themselves with care about the
|
|
necessary supports of life; for they have a Father in heaven who does
|
|
and will take care for them: "<I>Your Father knows that you have need
|
|
of these things,</I> and considers it, and will supply your needs
|
|
<I>according to his riches in glory;</I> for he is <I>your Father,</I>
|
|
who <I>made</I> you subject to these necessities, and therefore will
|
|
suit his compassions to them: <I>your Father,</I> who <I>maintains</I>
|
|
you, educates you, and designs an inheritance for you, and therefore
|
|
will take care that you <I>want no good thing.</I>"</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) They have better things to mind and pursue
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>But rather seek ye the kingdom of God,</I> and mind this, you, my
|
|
disciples, who are to <I>preach the kingdom of God;</I> let your hearts
|
|
be upon your work, and your great care how to do that well, and this
|
|
will effectually divert your thoughts from inordinate care about things
|
|
of the world. And let all that have souls to save <I>seek the kingdom
|
|
of God,</I> in which only they can be <I>safe.</I> Seek admission into
|
|
it, seek advancement in it; seek the <I>kingdom of grace,</I> to be
|
|
subjects in that; the <I>kingdom of glory,</I> to be princes in that;
|
|
and then <I>all these things shall be added to you.</I> Mind the
|
|
affairs of your souls with diligence and care, and then trust God with
|
|
all your other affairs."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(4.) They have better things to expect and hope for: <I>Fear not,
|
|
little flock,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>.
|
|
|
|
For the banishing of inordinate cares, it is necessary that fears
|
|
should be suppressed. When we frighten ourselves with an apprehension
|
|
of evil to come, we put ourselves upon the stretch of care how to avoid
|
|
it, when after all perhaps it is but the creature of our own
|
|
imagination. Therefore <I>fear not, little flock,</I> but <I>hope to
|
|
the end;</I> for <I>it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the
|
|
kingdom.</I> This comfortable word we had not in Matthew. Note,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Christ's flock in this world is a <I>little flock;</I> his sheep
|
|
are but few and feeble. The church is a vineyard, a garden, a small
|
|
spot, compared with the wilderness of this world; as Israel
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+20:27">1 Kings xx. 27</A>),
|
|
|
|
who were like two little flocks of kids, when <I>the Syrians filled the
|
|
country.</I>
|
|
|
|
[2.] Though it be a little flock, quite <I>over-numbered,</I> and
|
|
therefore in danger of being <I>overpowered,</I> by its enemies, yet it
|
|
is the will of Christ that they should not <I>be afraid: "Fear not,
|
|
little flock,</I> but see yourselves safe under the protection and
|
|
conduct of the great and good Shepherd, and lie easy."
|
|
|
|
[3.] God has <I>a kingdom</I> in store for all that belong to Christ's
|
|
<I>little flock,</I> a crown of glory
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+5:4">1 Pet. v. 4</A>),
|
|
|
|
a throne of power
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+3:21">Rev. iii. 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
unsearchable riches, far exceeding the peculiar treasures of <I>kings
|
|
and provinces.</I> The <I>sheep on the right hand</I> are called to
|
|
<I>come</I> and <I>inherit the kingdom;</I> it is theirs for ever; a
|
|
kingdom for each.
|
|
|
|
[4.] The kingdom is given according to the <I>good pleasure</I> of the
|
|
Father; <I>It is your Father's good pleasure;</I> it is given not of
|
|
debt, but of grace, free grace, sovereign grace; <I>even so, Father,
|
|
because it seemed good unto thee.</I> The kingdom is his; and may he
|
|
not do what he will with his own?
|
|
|
|
[5.] The believing hopes and prospects of <I>the kingdom</I> should
|
|
silence and suppress the fears of Christ's little flock in this world.
|
|
"Fear no trouble; for, though it should come, it shall not come between
|
|
you and the kingdom, that is sure, it is near." (That is not an evil
|
|
worth trembling at the thought of which cannot separate us from the
|
|
love of God). "<I>Fear not the want of any</I> thing that is good for
|
|
you; for, if it be <I>your Father's good pleasure to give you the
|
|
kingdom,</I> you need not question but he will <I>bear your charges</I>
|
|
thither."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He charged them to make sure work for their souls, by laying up
|
|
their treasure in heaven,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:33,34"><I>v.</I> 33, 34</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those who have done this may be very easy as to all the events of
|
|
time.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. "<I>Sit loose to this world,</I> and to all your possessions in it:
|
|
<I>Sell that ye have,</I> and <I>give alms,</I>" that is, "rather than
|
|
want wherewith to relieve those that are truly <I>necessitous,</I> sell
|
|
what you have that is <I>superfluous,</I> all that you can spare from
|
|
the support of yourselves and families, and give it <I>to the poor.
|
|
Sell what you have,</I> if you find it a hindrance from, or incumbrance
|
|
in, the service of Christ. Do not think yourselves undone, if by being
|
|
fined, imprisoned, or banished, for the testimony of Jesus, you be
|
|
forced to sell your estates, thought they be <I>the inheritance of your
|
|
fathers.</I> Do not sell to <I>hoard up</I> the money, or because you
|
|
can make more of it by usury, but <I>sell and give alms;</I> what is
|
|
given in alms, in a right manner, is put out to the <I>best</I>
|
|
interest, upon the <I>best</I> security."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. "<I>Set your hearts upon the other world,</I> and your expectations
|
|
from that world. <I>Provide yourselves bags that wax not old,</I> that
|
|
wax not empty, not of gold, but of grace in the heart and good works in
|
|
the life; these are the bags that will last." Grace will <I>go with
|
|
us</I> into another world, for it is <I>woven in</I> the soul; and our
|
|
good works will <I>follow us,</I> for <I>God is not unrighteous to
|
|
forget</I> them. These will be <I>treasures in heaven,</I> that will
|
|
enrich us to eternity.
|
|
|
|
(1.) It is treasure that will not be <I>exhausted;</I> we may spend
|
|
upon it to eternity, and it will not be at all the less; there is no
|
|
danger of seeing the bottom of it.
|
|
|
|
(2.) It is treasure that we are in no danger of being robbed of, for
|
|
<I>no thief approaches</I> near it; what is laid up in heaven is out of
|
|
reach of enemies.
|
|
|
|
(3.) It is treasure that will not <I>spoil</I> with <I>keeping,</I> any
|
|
more than it will <I>waste</I> with <I>spending;</I> the <I>moth</I>
|
|
does not <I>corrupt</I> it, as it does our garments which we now wear.
|
|
Now by <I>this</I> it appears that we have laid up our treasure in
|
|
heaven if our <I>hearts</I> be <I>there</I> while we are <I>here</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>),
|
|
|
|
if we think much of heaven and keep our eye upon it, if we quicken
|
|
ourselves with the hopes of it and keep ourselves in awe with the fear
|
|
of falling short of it. But, if your hearts be set upon the earth and
|
|
the things of it, it is to be feared that you have your treasure and
|
|
portion in it, and are undone when you leave it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. He charges them to get ready, and to keep in a readiness for
|
|
Christ's coming, when all those who have laid up their treasure in
|
|
heaven shall enter upon the enjoyment of it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Christ is our <I>Master,</I> and we are his <I>servants,</I> not
|
|
only <I>working</I> servants, but <I>waiting</I> servants, servants
|
|
that are to do him honour, in <I>waiting</I> on him, and attending his
|
|
motions: <I>If any man serve me, let him follow me. Follow the Lamb
|
|
whithersoever he goes.</I> But that is not all: they must do him honour
|
|
in <I>waiting for him,</I> and expecting his return. We must be as men
|
|
that <I>wait for their Lord,</I> that sit up late while he stays out
|
|
late, to be ready to receive him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Christ our Master, though now <I>gone from us,</I> will <I>return
|
|
again,</I> return <I>from the wedding,</I> from <I>solemnizing</I> the
|
|
nuptials abroad, to <I>complete</I> them at home. Christ's servants are
|
|
now in a state of expectation, <I>looking for their Master's glorious
|
|
appearing,</I> and doing every thing with an eye to <I>that,</I> and in
|
|
order to <I>that.</I> He <I>will come</I> to take cognizance of his
|
|
servants, and, that being a <I>critical day,</I> they shall either stay
|
|
with him or be turned out of doors, according as they are found in that
|
|
day.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. The time of our Master's return is uncertain; it will be <I>in the
|
|
night,</I> it will be <I>far</I> in the night, when he has long
|
|
<I>deferred</I> his coming, and when many have done looking for him; in
|
|
the <I>second watch,</I> just before midnight, or in the <I>third
|
|
watch,</I> next after midnight,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>.
|
|
|
|
His coming to us, at our death, is uncertain, and to many it will be a
|
|
great surprise; for <I>the Son of Man cometh at an hour that ye think
|
|
not</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:40"><I>v.</I> 40</A>),
|
|
|
|
without giving notice beforehand. This bespeaks not only the
|
|
uncertainty of the time of his coming, but the prevailing security of
|
|
the greatest part of men, who are <I>unthinking,</I> and altogether
|
|
regardless of the notices given them, so that, whenever he comes, it is
|
|
<I>in an hour that they think not.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. That which he expects and requires from his servants is that they be
|
|
<I>ready to open to him immediately,</I> whenever he comes
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:36"><I>v.</I> 36</A>),
|
|
|
|
that is, that they be in a frame fit to receive him, or rather to be
|
|
received by him; that they be found <I>as</I> his servants, in the
|
|
posture that becomes them, with their <I>loins girded about,</I>
|
|
alluding to the servants that are ready to go whither their master
|
|
sends them, and do what their master bids them, having their long
|
|
garments tucked up (which otherwise would hang about them, and hinder
|
|
them), and <I>their lights burning,</I> with which to light their
|
|
master into the house, and up to his chamber.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
5. Those servants will be happy who shall be found ready, and in a good
|
|
frame, when their Lord shall come
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:37"><I>v.</I> 37</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Blessed are those servants</I> who, after having waited long,
|
|
continue in a waiting frame, until the hour that their Lord comes, and
|
|
are then found awake and aware of his first approach, of his first
|
|
knock; and again
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Blessed are those servants,</I> for then will be the time of their
|
|
preferment. Here is such an instance of honour done them as is scarcely
|
|
to be found among men: He <I>will make them sit down to meat, and will
|
|
serve them.</I> For the bridegroom to wait upon his bride at table is
|
|
not uncommon, but to wait upon his servants is not <I>the manner of
|
|
men;</I> yet Jesus Christ was among his disciples as <I>one that
|
|
served,</I> and did once, to show his condescension, <I>gird
|
|
himself,</I> and <I>serve them,</I> when he <I>washed their feet</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+13:4,5">John xiii. 4, 5</A>);
|
|
|
|
it signified the joy with which they shall be received into the other
|
|
world by the Lord Jesus, who is gone before, to prepare for them, and
|
|
has told them that his <I>Father</I> will <I>honour</I> them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+12:26">John xii. 26</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
6. We are <I>therefore</I> kept at uncertainty concerning the precise
|
|
time of his coming that we may be always ready; for it is no thanks to
|
|
a man to be ready for an attack, if he know beforehand just the time
|
|
when it will be made: <I>The good man of the house, if he had known
|
|
what hour the thief would have come,</I> though he were ever so
|
|
careless a man, <I>would</I> yet <I>have watched,</I> and have
|
|
frightened away the thieves,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:39"><I>v.</I> 39</A>.
|
|
|
|
But we do not know at what hour the alarm will be given us, and
|
|
therefore are concerned to watch at all tines, and never to be off our
|
|
guard. Or this may intimate the miserable case of those who are
|
|
careless and unbelieving in this great matter. If the <I>good man of
|
|
the house</I> had had notice of his danger of being robbed such a
|
|
night, he would have sat up, and saved his house; but we have notice of
|
|
the day of the Lord's coming, <I>as a thief in the night,</I> to the
|
|
confusion and ruin of all secure sinners, and yet do not thus
|
|
<I>watch.</I> If men will take such care of their houses, O let us be
|
|
thus wise for our souls: <I>Be ye therefore ready also,</I> as ready as
|
|
the good man of the house would be <I>if he knew what hour the thief
|
|
would come.</I></P>
|
|
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|
<A NAME="Lu12_41"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu12_42"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu12_43"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu12_44"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu12_45"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu12_46"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu12_47"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu12_48"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu12_49"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu12_50"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu12_51"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu12_52"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu12_53"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Vigilance and Exertion Inculcated.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable
|
|
unto us, or even to all?
|
|
42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise
|
|
steward, whom <I>his</I> lord shall make ruler over his household, to
|
|
give <I>them their</I> portion of meat in due season?
|
|
43 Blessed <I>is</I> that servant, whom his lord when he cometh
|
|
shall find so doing.
|
|
44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over
|
|
all that he hath.
|
|
45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth
|
|
his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens,
|
|
and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
|
|
46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh
|
|
not for <I>him,</I> and at a hour when he is not aware, and will cut
|
|
him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the
|
|
unbelievers.
|
|
47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared
|
|
not <I>himself,</I> neither did according to his will, shall be beaten
|
|
with many <I>stripes.</I>
|
|
48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of
|
|
stripes, shall be beaten with few <I>stripes.</I> For unto whomsoever
|
|
much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men
|
|
have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
|
|
49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it
|
|
be already kindled?
|
|
50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I
|
|
straitened till it be accomplished!
|
|
51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell
|
|
you, Nay; but rather division:
|
|
52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house
|
|
divided, three against two, and two against three.
|
|
53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son
|
|
against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the
|
|
daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her
|
|
daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in
|
|
law.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here is,
|
|
|
|
I. Peter's question, which he put to Christ upon occasion of the
|
|
foregoing parable
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:41"><I>v.</I> 41</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Lord, speakest thou this parable to us</I> that are thy constant
|
|
followers, to us that are ministers, <I>or also to all</I> that come to
|
|
be taught by thee, to all the hearers, and in them to all Christians?"
|
|
Peter was now, as often, spokesman for the disciples. We have reason to
|
|
bless God that there are some such forward men, that have a gift of
|
|
utterance; let those that are such take heed of being proud. Now Peter
|
|
desires Christ to explain himself, and to direct the arrow of the
|
|
foregoing parable to the mark he intended. He calls it a
|
|
<I>parable,</I> because it was not only figurative, but weighty, solid,
|
|
and instructive. Lord, said Peter, was it intended for <I>us,</I> or
|
|
for <I>all?</I> To this Christ gives a direct answer
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:37">Mark xiii. 37</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>What I say unto you, I say unto all.</I> Yet here he seems to show
|
|
that the apostles were primarily concerned in it. Note, We are all
|
|
concerned to take to ourselves what Christ in his word designs for us,
|
|
and to enquire accordingly concerning it: <I>Speakest thou this to
|
|
us?</I> To me? Speak, Lord, for thy servant hears. Doth this word
|
|
belong to me? Speak it to <I>my heart.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Christ's reply to this question, directed to Peter and the rest of
|
|
the disciples. If what Christ had said before did not so peculiarly
|
|
concern them, but in common with other Christians, who must all watch
|
|
and pray for Christ's coming, <I>as his servants,</I> yet this that
|
|
follows is peculiarly adapted to ministers, who are the <I>stewards</I>
|
|
in Christ's house. Now our Lord Jesus here tells them,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. What was their <I>duty as stewards,</I> and what the <I>trust</I>
|
|
committed to them.
|
|
|
|
(1.) They are made <I>rulers of God's household,</I> under Christ,
|
|
whose own the house is; ministers derive an authority from Christ to
|
|
preach the gospel, and to administer the ordinances of Christ, and
|
|
apply the seals of the covenant of grace.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Their business is to give God's children and servants <I>their
|
|
portion of meat,</I> that which is proper for them and allotted to
|
|
them; convictions and comfort to those to whom they respectively
|
|
belong. <I>Suum cuique</I>--<I>to every one his own.</I> This is
|
|
<I>rightly to divide the word of truth,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:15">2 Tim. ii. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
(3.) To give it to them <I>in due season,</I> at that time and in that
|
|
way which are most suitable to the temper and condition of those that
|
|
are to be fed; a word <I>in season</I> to him <I>that is weary.</I>
|
|
|
|
(4.) Herein they must approve themselves <I>faithful</I> and <I>wise;
|
|
faithful</I> to their Master, by whom this great trust is reposed in
|
|
them, and faithful to their fellow-servants, for whose benefit they are
|
|
put in trust; and <I>wise</I> to improve an opportunity of doing honour
|
|
to their Master, and service in the family. Ministers must be both
|
|
<I>skilful</I> and <I>faithful.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. What would be their happiness if they approved themselves faithful
|
|
and wise
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:43"><I>v.</I> 43</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Blessed is that servant,</I>
|
|
|
|
(1.) That is <I>doing,</I> and is not idle, nor indulgent of his ease;
|
|
even the rulers of the household must be <I>doing,</I> and make
|
|
themselves <I>servants of all.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) That is <I>so</I> doing, doing as he should be, giving them their
|
|
<I>portion of meat,</I> by public preaching and personal application.
|
|
|
|
(3.) That is <I>found</I> so doing when his Lord comes; that perseveres
|
|
to the end, notwithstanding the difficulties he may meet with in the
|
|
way. Now his happiness is illustrated by the preferment of a steward
|
|
that has approved himself within a lower and narrower degree of
|
|
service; he shall be preferred to a larger and higher
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:44"><I>v.</I> 44</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>He will make him ruler over all that he has,</I> which was Joseph's
|
|
preferment in Pharaoh's court. Note, Ministers that obtain mercy of the
|
|
Lord to be faithful shall obtain further mercy to be abundantly
|
|
rewarded for their faithfulness in the day of the Lord.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. What a dreadful reckoning there would be if they were treacherous
|
|
and unfaithful,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:45,46"><I>v.</I> 45, 46</A>.
|
|
|
|
If that servant begin to be quarrelsome and profane, he shall be called
|
|
to an account, and severely punished. We had all this before in
|
|
Matthew, and therefore shall here only observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Our looking upon Christ's second coming as a thing at a distance
|
|
is the cause of all those irregularities which render the thought of it
|
|
terrible to us: <I>He saith in his heart, My Lord delays his
|
|
coming.</I> Christ's patience is very often misinterpreted his
|
|
<I>delay,</I> to the <I>dis</I>couragement of his people, and the
|
|
<I>en</I>couragement of his enemies.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The persecutors of God's people are commonly abandoned to security
|
|
and sensuality; <I>they beat their fellow-servants,</I> and then <I>eat
|
|
and drink with the drunken,</I> altogether unconcerned either at their
|
|
own sin or their brethren's sufferings, as the king and Haman, who
|
|
<I>sat down to drink when the city Shushan was perplexed.</I> Thus they
|
|
drink, to drown the clamours of their own consciences, and baffle them,
|
|
which would otherwise fly in their faces.
|
|
|
|
(3.) Death and judgment will be very terrible to all wicked people, but
|
|
especially to wicked ministers. It will be a surprise to them: <I>At an
|
|
hour when they are not aware.</I> It will be the determining of them to
|
|
endless misery; they shall be cut in sunder, and have their portion
|
|
assigned them with <I>the unbelievers.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. What an aggravation it would be of their sin and punishment that
|
|
they knew their duty, and did not do it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:47,48"><I>v.</I> 47, 48</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>That servant that knew his lord's will, and did it not, shall be
|
|
beaten with many stripes,</I> shall fall under a sorer punishment; and
|
|
<I>he that knew not shall be beaten with few stripes,</I> his
|
|
punishment shall, in consideration of this, be mitigated. Here seems to
|
|
be an allusion to the law, which made a distinction between sins
|
|
committed through ignorance, and presumptuous sins
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+5:15,Nu+15:29,30">Lev. v. 15, &c.;
|
|
Num. xv. 29, 30</A>),
|
|
|
|
as also to another law concerning the number of stripes given to a
|
|
malefactor, to be according to the nature of the crime,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+25:2,3">Deut. xxv. 2, 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Ignorance of our duty is an extenuation of sin. He <I>that knew
|
|
not his lord's will,</I> through carelessness and neglect, and his not
|
|
having such opportunities as some others had of coming to the knowledge
|
|
of it, and <I>did things worthy of stripes,</I> he shall <I>be
|
|
beaten,</I> because he might have known his duty better, but <I>with
|
|
few stripes;</I> his ignorance excuses in part, but not wholly. Thus
|
|
<I>through ignorance</I> the Jews put Christ to death
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+3:17,1Co+2:8">Acts iii. 17; 1 Cor. ii. 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
and Christ pleaded that ignorance in their excuse: <I>They know not
|
|
what they do.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) The knowledge of our duty is an aggravation of our sin: <I>That
|
|
servant that knew his lord's will,</I> and yet did his own will, shall
|
|
be <I>beaten with many stripes.</I> God will justly inflict more upon
|
|
him for abusing the means of knowledge he afforded him, which others
|
|
would have made a better use of, because it argues a great degree of
|
|
wilfulness and contempt to sin against knowledge; of how much sorer
|
|
punishment then shall they be thought worthy, besides the many stripes
|
|
that their own consciences will give them! Son, remember. Here is a
|
|
good reason for this added: <I>To whomsoever much is given, of him
|
|
shall be much required,</I> especially when it is <I>committed</I> as a
|
|
trust he is to account for. Those have greater capacities of mind than
|
|
others, more knowledge and learning, more acquaintance and converse
|
|
with the scriptures, to them <I>much is given,</I> and their account
|
|
will be accordingly.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. A further discourse concerning his own sufferings, which he
|
|
expected, and concerning the sufferings of his followers, which he
|
|
would have them also to live in expectation of. In general
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:49"><I>v.</I> 49</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I am come to send fire on the earth.</I> By this some understand the
|
|
preaching of the gospel, and the pouring out of the Spirit, holy fire;
|
|
this Christ came to send with a commission to refine the world, to
|
|
purge away its dross, to burn up its chaff, and it was <I>already
|
|
kindled.</I> The gospel was begun to be preached; some prefaces there
|
|
were to the pouring out of the Spirit. Christ baptized with the Holy
|
|
Ghost and with fire; this Spirit descended in fiery tongues. But, by
|
|
what follows, it seems rather to be understood of the fire of
|
|
<I>persecution.</I> Christ is not the Author of it, as it is the sin of
|
|
the incendiaries, the <I>persecutors;</I> but he <I>permits</I> it,
|
|
nay, he <I>commissions</I> it, as a <I>refining</I> fire for the
|
|
<I>trial</I> of the <I>persecuted.</I> This fire was <I>already
|
|
kindled</I> in the enmity of the carnal Jews to Christ and his
|
|
followers. "<I>What will I that it may presently be kindled? What thou
|
|
doest, do quickly. If it be already kindled, what will I?</I> Shall I
|
|
wait the <I>quenching</I> of it? No, for it must fasten upon myself,
|
|
and upon all, and glory will redound to God from it."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He must himself suffer many things; he must pass through this fire
|
|
that was already kindled
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:50"><I>v.</I> 50</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I have a baptism to be baptized with.</I> Afflictions are compared
|
|
both to <I>fire</I> and <I>water,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+66:12,69:1,2">Ps. lxvi. 12; lxix. 1, 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ's sufferings were both. He calls them a <I>baptism</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+20:22">Matt. xx. 22</A>);
|
|
|
|
for he was watered or sprinkled with them, as Israel was baptized <I>in
|
|
the cloud,</I> and dipped into them, as Israel was baptized <I>in the
|
|
sea,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+10:2">1 Cor. x. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
He must be sprinkled with his own blood, and with the blood of his
|
|
enemies,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+63:3">Isa. lxiii. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
See here,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Christ's <I>foresight</I> of his sufferings; he knew what he was
|
|
to undergo, and the necessity of undergoing it: <I>I am to be baptized
|
|
with a baptism.</I> He calls his sufferings by a name that
|
|
<I>mitigates</I> them; it is a baptism, not a deluge; I must be
|
|
<I>dipped</I> in them, not <I>drowned</I> in them; and by a name that
|
|
<I>sanctifies</I> them, for baptism is a name that <I>sanctifies</I>
|
|
them, for baptism is a sacred rite. Christ in his sufferings
|
|
<I>devoted</I> himself to his Father's honour, and <I>consecrated</I>
|
|
himself a priest for evermore,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+7:27,28">Heb. vii. 27, 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Christ's <I>forwardness</I> to his sufferings: <I>How am I
|
|
straitened till it be accomplished!</I> He longed for the time when he
|
|
should suffer and die, having an eye to the glorious issue of his
|
|
sufferings. It is an allusion to a woman in travail, that is <I>pained
|
|
to be delivered,</I> and welcomes her pains, because they hasten the
|
|
birth of the child, and wishes them sharp and strong, that the
|
|
<I>work</I> may be <I>cut short.</I> Christ's sufferings were the
|
|
<I>travail of his soul,</I> which he cheerfully underwent, in hope that
|
|
he should by them <I>see his seed,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+53:10,11">Isa. liii. 10, 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
So much was his heart set upon the redemption and salvation of man.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He tells those about him that they also must bear with hardships and
|
|
difficulties
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:51"><I>v.</I> 51</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Suppose ye that I came to give peace on earth,</I> to give you a
|
|
peaceable possession of the earth, and outward prosperity on the
|
|
earth?" It is intimated that they were ready to entertain such a
|
|
thought as this, nay, that they went upon this supposition, that the
|
|
gospel would meet with a <I>universal</I> welcome, that people
|
|
<I>unanimously</I> embrace it, and would therefore study to make the
|
|
preachers of it <I>easy</I> and <I>great,</I> that Christ, if he did
|
|
not give them <I>pomp</I> and <I>power,</I> would at least give them
|
|
<I>peace;</I> and herein they were encouraged by divers passages of the
|
|
Old Testament, which speak of the peace of the Messiah's kingdom, which
|
|
they were willing to understand of external peace. "But," saith Christ,
|
|
"you will be mistaken, the event will declare the contrary, and
|
|
therefore do not flatter yourselves into a fool's paradise. You will
|
|
find,"</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) "That the effect of the preaching of the gospel will be
|
|
<I>division.</I>" Not but that the design of the gospel and its proper
|
|
tendency are to unite the children of men to one another, to knit them
|
|
together in holy love, and, if all would receive it, this would be the
|
|
effect of it; but there being multitudes that not only will not receive
|
|
it, but oppose it, and have their corruptions exasperated by it, and
|
|
are enraged at those that do receive it, it proves, though not the
|
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<I>cause</I> yet the <I>occasion</I> of <I>division.</I> While <I>the
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|
strong man armed kept his palace,</I> in the Gentile world, <I>his
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|
goods were at peace;</I> all was quiet, for all went one way, the sects
|
|
of philosophers agreed well enough, so did the worshippers of different
|
|
deities; but when the gospel was preached, and many were enlightened by
|
|
it, and turned from the power of Satan to God, then there was a
|
|
disturbance, <I>a noise and a shaking,</I>
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+37:7">Ezek. xxxvii. 7</A>.
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|
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Some <I>distinguished</I> themselves by embracing the gospel, and
|
|
others were angry that they did so. Yea, and among them that received
|
|
the gospel there would be different sentiments in minor things, which
|
|
would occasion <I>division;</I> and Christ permits it for holy ends
|
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+11:18">1 Cor. xi. 18</A>),
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|
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that Christians may learn and practise mutual forbearance,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+14:1,2">Rom. xiv. 1, 2</A>.</P>
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<P>
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|
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(2.) "That this <I>division</I> will reach into private families, and
|
|
the preaching of the gospel will give occasion for discord among the
|
|
nearest relations"
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:53"><I>v.</I> 53</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the
|
|
father,</I> when the one turns Christian and the other does not; for
|
|
the one that does turn Christian will be zealous by arguments and
|
|
endearments to turn the other too,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+7:16">1 Cor. vii. 16</A>.
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|
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As soon as ever Paul was converted, he <I>disputed,</I>
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:29">Acts ix. 29</A>.
|
|
|
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The one that continues in unbelief will be provoked, and will hate and
|
|
persecute the one that by his faith and obedience witnesses against,
|
|
and condemns, his unbelief and disobedience. A spirit of bigotry and
|
|
persecution will break through the strongest bonds of relation and
|
|
natural affection; see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+10:35,24:7">Matt. x. 35; xxiv. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
Even <I>mothers</I> and <I>daughters</I> fall out about religion; and
|
|
those that believe not are so violent and outrageous that they are
|
|
ready to deliver up into the hands of the bloody persecutors those that
|
|
believe, though otherwise very near and dear to them. We find in the
|
|
<I>Acts</I> that, wherever the gospel came, <I>persecution</I> was
|
|
<I>stirred up;</I> it was <I>every where spoken against,</I> and there
|
|
was <I>no small stir about that way.</I> Therefore let not the
|
|
disciples of Christ promise themselves <I>peace upon earth,</I> for
|
|
they are sent forth <I>as sheep in the midst of wolves.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_54"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_55"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_56"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_57"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_58"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu12_59"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Reconciliation to God.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>54 And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out
|
|
of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it
|
|
is.
|
|
55 And when <I>ye see</I> the south wind blow, ye say, There will be
|
|
heat; and it cometh to pass.
|
|
56 <I>Ye</I> hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of
|
|
the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?
|
|
57 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?
|
|
58 When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, <I>as
|
|
thou art</I> in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be
|
|
delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge
|
|
deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into
|
|
prison.
|
|
59 I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast
|
|
paid the very last mite.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Having given his disciples <I>their</I> lesson in the foregoing verses,
|
|
here Christ turns to <I>the people,</I> and gives them <I>theirs,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:54"><I>v.</I> 54</A>.
|
|
|
|
He <I>said also to the people:</I> he preached <I>ad populum--to the
|
|
people,</I> as well as <I>ad clerum--to the clergy.</I> In general, he
|
|
would have them be as wise in the affairs of their souls as they are in
|
|
their outward affairs. Two things he specifies:--</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Let them learn to <I>discern the way of God towards them,</I> that
|
|
they may <I>prepare</I> accordingly. They were <I>weather-wise,</I> and
|
|
by observing the winds and clouds could foresee when there would be
|
|
<I>rain</I> and when there would be <I>hot weather</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:54,55"><I>v.</I> 54, 55</A>);
|
|
|
|
and, according as they foresaw the weather would be, they either housed
|
|
their hay and corn, or threw it abroad, and equipped themselves for a
|
|
journey? Even in regard to changes of the weather God gives warning to
|
|
us what is coming, and art has improved the notices of nature in
|
|
weather-glasses. The prognostications here referred to had their origin
|
|
in repeated observations upon the chain of causes: from what <I>has
|
|
been</I> we conjecture what <I>will be.</I> See the benefit of
|
|
experience; by <I>taking notice</I> we may come to <I>give notice.</I>
|
|
Whose is wise will <I>observe</I> and <I>learn.</I> See now.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The particulars of the presages: "<I>When you see a cloud arising
|
|
out of the west</I>" (the Hebrew would say, <I>out of the sea</I>),
|
|
"perhaps it is at first <I>no bigger than a man's hand</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+18:44">1 Kings xviii. 44</A>),
|
|
|
|
but you say, There is a shower in the womb of it, and it proves so.
|
|
When you <I>observe</I> the <I>south wind blow,</I> you say, <I>There
|
|
will be heat</I>" (for the hot countries of Africa lay not far south
|
|
from Judea), "and it usually <I>comes to pass;</I>" yet nature has not
|
|
ties itself to such a track but that <I>sometimes</I> we are mistaken
|
|
in our prognostics.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The inferences from them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:56"><I>v.</I> 56</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Ye hypocrites,</I> who pretend to be wise, but really are not so,
|
|
who pretend to expect the Messiah and his kingdom" (for so the
|
|
generality of the Jews did) "and yet are no way disposed to receive and
|
|
entertain it, <I>how is it that you do not discern this time,</I> that
|
|
you do not discern that now is the time, according to the indications
|
|
given in the Old-Testament prophecies, for the Messiah to appear, and
|
|
that, according to the marks given of him, I am he? Why are you not
|
|
aware that you have now an opportunity which you <I>will not have
|
|
long,</I> and which you <I>may never have again,</I> of securing to
|
|
yourselves an interest in the kingdom of God and the privileges of that
|
|
kingdom?" <I>Now is the accepted time,</I> now or never. It is the
|
|
folly and misery of man that he <I>knows not his time,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+9:12">Eccl. ix. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
This was the ruin of the men of that generation, that they <I>knew not
|
|
the day of their visitation,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+19:44"><I>ch.</I> xix. 44</A>.
|
|
|
|
But a <I>wise man's heart discerns time and judgment;</I> such was the
|
|
wisdom of the men of Issachar, who <I>had understanding of the
|
|
times,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+12:32">1 Chron. xii. 32</A>.
|
|
|
|
He adds, "<I>Yea, and why even of yourselves,</I> though ye had not
|
|
these loud alarms given you, <I>judge ye not what is right?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:57"><I>v.</I> 57</A>.
|
|
|
|
You are not only stupid and regardless in matters that are purely of
|
|
divine revelation, and take not the hints which that gives you, but you
|
|
are so even in the dictates of the very light and law of nature."
|
|
Christianity has reason and natural conscience on its side; and, if men
|
|
would allow themselves the liberty of <I>judging what is right,</I>
|
|
they would soon find that all Christ's precepts concerning all things
|
|
are right, and that there is nothing more equitable in itself, nor
|
|
better becoming us, than to submit to them and be ruled by them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Let them hasten to <I>make their peace with God</I> in time, before
|
|
it be too late,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:58,59"><I>v.</I> 58, 59</A>.
|
|
|
|
This we had upon another occasion,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+5:25,26">Matt. v. 25, 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. We reckon it our wisdom in our temporal affairs to <I>compound</I>
|
|
with those with whom we cannot <I>contend,</I> to <I>agree with our
|
|
adversary</I> upon the best terms we can, before the equity be
|
|
<I>foreclosed,</I> and we be left to the rigour of the law: "<I>When
|
|
thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate,</I> to whom the
|
|
appeal is made, and knowest that he has an advantage against thee, and
|
|
thou art in danger of being cast, thou knowest it is the most prudent
|
|
course to make the matter up between yourselves; <I>as thou art in the
|
|
way, give diligence to be delivered from him,</I> to get a discharge,
|
|
lest judgment be given, and execution awarded according to law." Wise
|
|
men will not let their quarrels go to an extremity, but accommodate
|
|
them in time.
|
|
|
|
2. Let us do thus in the affairs of our souls. We have by sin made God
|
|
our <I>adversary,</I> have provoked his displeasure against us, and he
|
|
has both <I>right</I> and <I>might</I> on his side; so that it is to no
|
|
purpose to think of carrying on the controversy with him either at
|
|
<I>bar</I> or in <I>battle.</I> Christ, to whom all judgment is
|
|
committed, is the magistrate before whom we are hastening to appear: if
|
|
we stand a trial before him, and insist upon our own justification, the
|
|
cause will certainly go against us, the <I>Judge</I> will
|
|
<I>deliver</I> us to the <I>officer,</I> the ministers of his justice,
|
|
and we shall be <I>cast into</I> the <I>prison</I> of hell, and the
|
|
debt will be exacted to the utmost; though we cannot make a full
|
|
satisfaction for it, it will be continually demanded, <I>till the last
|
|
mite be paid,</I> which will not be to all eternity. Christ's
|
|
sufferings were short, yet the <I>value</I> of them made them fully
|
|
satisfactory. In the sufferings of damned sinners what is wanting in
|
|
value must be made up in an endless duration. Now, in consideration of
|
|
this, let us give diligence to be delivered <I>out of</I> the hands of
|
|
God as an adversary, into his hands as a Father, and this <I>as we are
|
|
in the way,</I> which has the chief stress laid upon it here. While we
|
|
are alive, we are <I>in the way;</I> and <I>now</I> is our <I>time,</I>
|
|
by repentance and faith through Christ (who is the Mediator as well as
|
|
the magistrate), to get the quarrel made up, while it may be done,
|
|
before it be too late. Thus was God in Christ <I>reconciling the world
|
|
to himself, beseeching us to be reconciled.</I> Let us take hold on the
|
|
arm of the Lord stretched out in this gracious offer, that we may make
|
|
peace, and we <I>shall make peace</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+27:4,5">Isa. xxvii. 4, 5</A>),
|
|
|
|
for we cannot <I>walk together</I> till we be <I>agreed.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
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