mh_parser/vol_split/42 - Luke/Chapter 21.xml

<div2 id="Luke.xxii" n="xxii" next="Luke.xxiii" prev="Luke.xxi" progress="64.60%" title="Chapter XXI">
<h2 id="Luke.xxii-p0.1">L U K E.</h2>
<h3 id="Luke.xxii-p0.2">CHAP. XXI.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Luke.xxii-p1">In this chapter we have, I. The notice Christ
took, and the approbation he gave, of a poor widow that cast two
mites into the treasury, <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.1-Luke.21.4" parsed="|Luke|21|1|21|4" passage="Lu 21:1-4">ver.
1-4</scripRef>. II. A prediction of future events, in answer to his
disciples' enquiries concerning them, <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.5-Luke.21.7" parsed="|Luke|21|5|21|7" passage="Lu 21:5-7">ver. 5-7</scripRef>. 1. Of what should happen between
that and the destruction of Jerusalem—false Christs arising,
bloody wars and persecutions of Christ's followers, <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.8-Luke.21.19" parsed="|Luke|21|8|21|19" passage="Lu 21:8-19">ver. 8-19</scripRef>. 2. Of that destruction
itself, <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.20-Luke.21.24" parsed="|Luke|21|20|21|24" passage="Lu 21:20-24">ver. 20-24</scripRef>. 3.
Of the second coming of Jesus Christ to judge the world, under the
type and figure of that, <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.25-Luke.21.33" parsed="|Luke|21|25|21|33" passage="Lu 21:25-33">ver.
25-33</scripRef>. III. A practical application of this, by way of
caution and counsel (<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.34-Luke.21.36" parsed="|Luke|21|34|21|36" passage="Lu 21:34-36">ver.
34-36</scripRef>), and an account of Christ's preaching and the
people's attendance on it, <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.37-Luke.21.38" parsed="|Luke|21|37|21|38" passage="Lu 21:37,38">ver. 37,
38</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Luke.xxii-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21" parsed="|Luke|21|0|0|0" passage="Lu 21" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Luke.xxii-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.1-Luke.21.4" parsed="|Luke|21|1|21|4" passage="Lu 21:1-4" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.21.1-Luke.21.4">
<h4 id="Luke.xxii-p1.10">Christ Commendeth the Poor
Widow.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.xxii-p2">1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting
their gifts into the treasury.   2 And he saw also a certain
poor widow casting in thither two mites.   3 And he said, Of a
truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than
they all:   4 For all these have of their abundance cast in
unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all
the living that she had.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p3">This short passage of story we had before
in Mark. It is thus recorded twice, to teach us, 1. That
<i>charity</i> to the poor is a <i>main matter</i> in religion. Our
Lord Jesus took all occasions to commend it and recommend it. He
had just mentioned the barbarity of the scribes, who devoured
<i>poor widows</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.20.1-Luke.20.47" parsed="|Luke|20|1|20|47" passage="Lu 20:1-47"><i>ch.</i>
xx.</scripRef>); and perhaps this is designed as an aggravation of
it, that the poor widows were the best benefactors to the public
funds, of which the scribes had the disposal. 2. That Jesus Christ
has his eye upon us, to observe what we give to the poor, and what
we contribute to works of piety and charity. Christ, though intent
upon his preaching, looked up, to see what <i>gifts were cast into
the treasury,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.1" parsed="|Luke|21|1|0|0" passage="Lu 21:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>. He observes whether we give largely and liberally, in
proportion to what we have, or whether we be sneaking and paltry in
it; nay, his eye goes further, he observes whether we give
charitably and with a willing mind, or grudgingly and with
reluctance. This should make us afraid of coming short of our duty
in this matter; men may be deceived with excuses which Christ knows
to be frivolous. And this should encourage us to be abundant in it,
without desiring that men should know it; it is enough that Christ
does; he sees in secret, and will reward openly. 3. That Christ
observes and accepts the charity of the poor in a particular
manner. Those that have nothing <i>to give</i> may yet <i>do</i> a
great deal in charity by ministering to the poor, and helping them,
and begging for them, that cannot <i>help</i> themselves, or
<i>beg</i> for themselves. But here was one that was herself poor
and yet <i>gave</i> what little she had to the treasury. It was but
<i>two mites,</i> which make a farthing; but Christ magnified it as
a piece of charity exceeding all the rest: <i>She has cast in more
than they all.</i> Christ does not blame her for indiscretion, in
giving what she wanted herself, nor for vanity in giving among the
rich to the treasury; but commended her liberality, and her
willingness to part with what little she had for the glory of God,
which proceeded from a belief of and dependence upon God's
providence to take care of her. <i>Jehovah-jireh—the Lord will
provide.</i> 4. That, whatever may be called <i>the offerings of
God,</i> we ought to have a respect for, and to our power, yea, and
beyond our power, to contribute cheerfully to. These have <i>cast
in unto the offerings of God.</i> What is given to the support of
the ministry and the gospel, to the spreading and propagating of
religion, the education of youth, the release of prisoners, the
relief of widows and strangers, and the maintenance of poor
families, is given to the <i>offerings of God,</i> and it shall be
so accepted and recompensed.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Luke.xxii-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.5-Luke.21.19" parsed="|Luke|21|5|21|19" passage="Lu 21:5-19" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.21.5-Luke.21.19">
<h4 id="Luke.xxii-p3.4">Judgments Predicted.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.xxii-p4">5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was
adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,   6 <i>As
for</i> these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the
which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall
not be thrown down.   7 And they asked him, saying, Master,
but when shall these things be? and what sign <i>will there be</i>
when these things shall come to pass?   8 And he said, Take
heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name,
saying, I am <i>Christ;</i> and the time draweth near: go ye not
therefore after them.   9 But when ye shall hear of wars and
commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to
pass; but the end <i>is</i> not by and by.   10 Then said he
unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom:   11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places,
and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs
shall there be from heaven.   12 But before all these, they
shall lay their hands on you, and persecute <i>you,</i> delivering
<i>you</i> up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought
before kings and rulers for my name's sake.   13 And it shall
turn to you for a testimony.   14 Settle <i>it</i> therefore
in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:  
15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your
adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.   16 And
ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks,
and friends; and <i>some</i> of you shall they cause to be put to
death.   17 And ye shall be hated of all <i>men</i> for my
name's sake.   18 But there shall not a hair of your head
perish.   19 In your patience possess ye your souls.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p5">See here, I. With what admiration some
spoke of the external pomp and magnificence of the temple, and they
were some of Christ's own disciples too; and they took notice of it
to him <i>how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts,</i>
<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.5" parsed="|Luke|21|5|0|0" passage="Lu 21:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. The outside was
built up with goodly stones, and within it was beautified and
enriched with the <i>presents</i> that were offered up for that
purpose, and were <i>hung up</i> in it. They thought their Master
should be as much affected with those things as they were, and
should as much regret the destruction of them as they did. When we
<i>speak of the temple,</i> it should be of the presence of God in
it, and of the ordinances of God administered in it, and the
communion which his people there have with him. It is a poor thing,
when we speak of the church, to let our discourse dwell upon its
pomps and revenues, and the dignities and powers of its officers
and rulers; for the king's daughter is all <i>glorious
within.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p6">II. With what contempt Christ spoke of
them, and with what assurance of their being all made desolate very
shortly (<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.6" parsed="|Luke|21|6|0|0" passage="Lu 21:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>):
"<i>As for those things which you behold,</i> those dear things
which you are so much in love with, <i>behold, the days will
come,</i> and some now living may live to see them, <i>in which
there shall not be left one stone upon another.</i> This building,
which seems so beautiful that one would think none could, for pity,
pull it down, and which seems so strong that one would think none
would be able to pull it down, shall yet be utterly ruined; and
this shall be done as soon as ever the spiritual temple of the
gospel church (the substance of that shadow) begins to flourish in
the world." Did we by faith foresee the blasting and withering of
all external glory, we should not set our hearts upon it as those
do that cannot see, or will not look, so far before them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p7">III. With what curiosity those about him
enquire concerning the time when this great desolation should be:
<i>Master, when shall these things be?</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.7" parsed="|Luke|21|7|0|0" passage="Lu 21:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. It is natural to us to covet to
know future things and the time of them, which <i>it is not for us
to know,</i> when we are more concerned to ask what is our duty in
the prospect of these things, and how we may prepare for them,
which it is for us to know. They enquire <i>what sign there shall
be when these things shall come to pass.</i> They ask not for a
<i>present</i> sign, to confirm the prediction itself, and to
induce them to believe it (Christ's word was enough for that), but
what the future signs will be of the approaching accomplishment of
the prediction, by which they may be put in mind of it. These
<i>signs of the times</i> Christ had taught them to observe.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p8">IV. With what clearness and fulness Christ
answers their enquiries, as far as was necessary to direct them in
their duty; for all knowledge is desirable as far as it is in order
to practice.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p9">1. They must expect to hear of false
Christs and false prophets appearing, and false prophecies given
out (<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.8" parsed="|Luke|21|8|0|0" passage="Lu 21:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>): <i>Many
shall come in my name;</i> he does not mean <i>in the name of
Jesus,</i> though there were some deceivers who pretended
commissions from him (as <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.19.13" parsed="|Acts|19|13|0|0" passage="Ac 19:13">Acts xix.
13</scripRef>), but usurping the title and character of the
Messiah. Many pretended to be the deliverers of the Jewish church
and nation from the Romans, and to fix the time when the
deliverance should be wrought, by which multitudes were drawn into
a snare, to their ruin. They shall say, <b><i>hoti ego
eimi</i></b>—<i>I am he,</i> or <i>I am,</i> as if they would
assume that incommunicable name of God, by which he made himself
known when he came to deliver Israel out of Egypt, <i>I am;</i>
and, to encourage people to follow them, they added, "<i>The time
draws near</i> when the kingdom shall be restored to Israel, and
all who will follow me shall share in it." Now as to this, he gives
them a needful caution (1.) <i>"Take heed that you be not
deceived;</i> do not imagine that I shall myself come again in
external glory, to take possession of the throne of kingdoms. No,
you must not expect any such thing, for my kingdom is not of this
world." When they asked solicitously and eagerly, <i>Master, when
shall these things be?</i> the first word Christ said was, <i>Take
heed that you be not deceived.</i> Note, Those that are most
<i>inquisitive</i> in the things of God (though it is very good to
be so) are in most danger of being imposed upon, and have most need
to be upon their guard. (2.) "<i>Go you not after them.</i> You
know the Messiah is come, and you are not to look for any other;
and therefore do not so much as hearken to them, nor have any thing
to do with them." If we are sure that Jesus is the Christ, and his
doctrine is the <i>gospel, of God,</i> we must be deaf to all
intimations of another Christ and another gospel.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p10">2. They must expect to hear of great
commotions in the nations, and many terrible judgments inflicted
upon the Jews and their neighbours. (1.) There shall be <i>bloody
wars</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.10" parsed="|Luke|21|10|0|0" passage="Lu 21:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>):
<i>Nation shall rise against nation,</i> one part of the Jewish
nation against another, or rather the whole against the Romans.
Encouraged by the false Christs, they shall wickedly endeavour to
throw off the Roman yoke, by taking up arms against the Roman
powers; when they had rejected the liberty with which Christ would
have made them free they were left to themselves, to grasp at their
civil liberty in ways that were <i>sinful,</i> and therefore could
not be <i>successful.</i> (2.) There shall be <i>earthquakes,</i>
great earthquakes, <i>in divers places,</i> which shall not only
frighten people, but destroy towns and houses, and bury many in the
ruins of them. (3.) There shall be <i>famines</i> and
<i>pestilences,</i> the common effects of war, which destroys the
fruits of the earth, and, by exposing men to ill weather and
reducing them to ill diet, occasions infectious diseases. God has
various ways of punishing a provoking people. The four sorts of
judgments which the Old-Testament prophets so often speak of are
threatened by the New-Testament prophets too; for, though spiritual
judgments are more commonly inflicted in gospel times, yet God
makes use of temporal judgments also. (4.) There shall be
<i>fearful sights</i> and <i>great signs from heaven,</i> uncommon
appearances in the clouds, comets and blazing stars, which frighten
the ordinary sort of beholders, and have always been looked upon as
<i>ominous,</i> and <i>portending</i> something <i>bad.</i> Now, as
to these, the caution he gives them is, "<i>Be not terrified.</i>
Others will be frightened at them, but be not you frightened,
<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.2" parsed="|Luke|21|2|0|0" passage="Lu 21:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. As to the
<i>fearful sights,</i> let them not be fearful to you, who look
above the visible heavens to the throne of God's government in the
highest heavens. <i>Be not dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the
heathen are dismayed at them,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Jer.10.2" parsed="|Jer|10|2|0|0" passage="Jer 10:2">Jer.
x. 2</scripRef>. And, as to the <i>famines</i> and
<i>pestilences,</i> you fall into the hands of God, who has
promised to those who are his that <i>in the days of famine they
shall be satisfied,</i> and that he will keep them from the
<i>noisome pestilence;</i> trust therefore in him, and <i>be not
afraid.</i> Nay, when you hear of wars, when without are fightings
and within are fears, yet then <i>be not you terrified;</i> you
know the worst that any of these judgments can do to you, and
therefore be not afraid of them; for," [1.] "It is your interest to
<i>make the best of that which is,</i> for all your fears cannot
alter it: <i>these things must first come to pass;</i> there is no
remedy; it will be your wisdom to make yourselves easy by
accommodating yourselves to them." [2.] "There is <i>worse
behind;</i> flatter not yourselves with a fancy that you will soon
see an end of these troubles, no, not so soon as you think of:
<i>the end is not by and by,</i> not <i>suddenly.</i> Be not
<i>terrified,</i> for, if you begin so quickly to be discouraged,
how will you bear up under what is yet before you?"</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p11">3. They must expect to be themselves for
<i>signs</i> and <i>wonders</i> in Israel; their being
<i>persecuted</i> would be a prognostic of the destruction of the
city and temple, which he had now foretold. Nay, this would be the
<i>first</i> sign of their ruin coming: "<i>Before all these, they
shall lay their hands on you.</i> The judgment shall begin at the
house of God; you must smart first, for warning to them, that, if
they have any consideration, they may consider, <i>If this be done
to the green tree, what shall be done to the dry?</i> See <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.4.17-1Pet.4.18" parsed="|1Pet|4|17|4|18" passage="1Pe 4:17,18">1 Pet. iv. 17, 18</scripRef>. But this is not
all; this must be considered not only as the <i>suffering</i> of
the <i>persecuted,</i> but as the <i>sin</i> of the <i>persecutors.
Before</i> God's judgments are brought upon them, they shall fill
up the measure of their iniquity by <i>laying their</i> hands on
you." Note, The ruin of a people is always introduced by their sin;
and nothing introduces a surer or sorer ruin than the sin of
persecution. This is a <i>sign</i> that God's wrath is coming upon
a people to the uttermost when their <i>wrath</i> against the
servants of God <i>comes to the uttermost.</i> Now as to this,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p12">(1.) Christ tells them what hard things
they should suffer for his name's sake, much to the same purport
with what he had told them when he first called them to follow him,
<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.10.1-Matt.10.42" parsed="|Matt|10|1|10|42" passage="Mt 10:1-42">Matt. x.</scripRef>: They should
know the wages of it, that they might <i>sit down and count the
cost.</i> St. Paul, who was the greatest labourer and sufferer of
them all, not being now among them, was told by Christ himself what
<i>great things he should suffer for</i> his <i>name's sake</i>
(<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.9.16" parsed="|Acts|9|16|0|0" passage="Ac 9:16">Acts ix. 16</scripRef>), so necessary
is it that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus should count
upon persecution. The Christians, having themselves been originally
Jews, and still retaining an equal veneration with them for the Old
Testament and all the essentials of their religion, and differing
only in ceremony, might expect fair quarter with them; but Christ
bids them not expect it: "No, they shall be the most forward to
<i>persecute you.</i>" [1.] "They shall use their own church-power
against you: <i>They shall deliver you up to the synagogues</i> to
be scourged there, and stigmatized with their <i>anathemas.</i>"
[2.] "They shall incense the magistrates against you: they shall
<i>deliver you into prisons,</i> that you may be <i>brought before
kings and rulers for my name's sake,</i> and be punished by them."
[3.] "Your own relations will betray you (<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.16" parsed="|Luke|21|16|0|0" passage="Lu 21:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>), <i>your parents, brethren, and
kinsfolks, and friends;</i> so that you will not know whom to put a
confidence in, or where to be safe." [4.] "Your religion will be
made a capital crime, and you will be called to <i>resist unto
blood. Some of you shall they cause to be put to death;</i> so far
must you be from expecting honour and wealth that you must expect
nothing but death in its most frightful shapes, death in all its
dreadful pomp. Nay." [5.] <i>"You shall be hated of all men for my
name's sake.</i>" This is worse than death itself, and was
fulfilled when the apostles were not only <i>appointed to
death,</i> but made a <i>spectacle to the world,</i> and counted as
the <i>filth of the world,</i> and the <i>offscouring of all
things,</i> which every body loathes, <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.9 Bible:1Cor.4.13" parsed="|1Cor|4|9|0|0;|1Cor|4|13|0|0" passage="1Co 4:9,13">1 Cor. iv. 9, 13</scripRef>. They were hated of <i>all
men,</i> that is, of all bad men, who could not bear the light of
the gospel (because it discovered their evil deeds), and therefore
hated those who brought in that light, flew in their faces, and
would have pulled them to pieces. The wicked world, which hated to
be reformed, hated Christ the great Reformer, and all that were
his, for his sake. The rulers of the Jewish church, knowing very
well that if the gospel obtained among the Jews their usurped
abused power was at an end, raised all their forces against it, put
it into an ill name, filled people's minds with prejudices against
it, and so made the preachers and professors of it odious to the
mob.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p13">(2.) He encourages them to bear up under
their trials, and to go on in their work, notwithstanding the
opposition they would meet with.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p14">[1.] God will bring glory both to himself
and them out of their sufferings: "<i>It shall turn to you for a
testimony,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.13" parsed="|Luke|21|13|0|0" passage="Lu 21:13"><i>v.</i>
13</scripRef>. Your being set up thus for a mark, and publicly
<i>persecuted,</i> will make you the more taken notice of and your
doctrine and miracles the more enquired into; your being brought
<i>before kings and rulers</i> will give you an opportunity of
preaching the gospel to them, who otherwise would never have come
within hearing of it; your suffering such severe things, and being
so hated by the worst of men, men of the most vicious lives, will
be a testimony that you are good, else you would not have such bad
men for your enemies; your courage, and cheerfulness, and constancy
under your sufferings will be a testimony for you, that you believe
what you preach, that you are supported by a divine power, and that
the Spirit of God and glory rests upon you."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p15">[2.] "God will stand by you, and own you,
and assist you, in your trials; you are his advocates, and you
shall be well furnished with instructions, <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.14-Luke.21.15" parsed="|Luke|21|14|21|15" passage="Lu 21:14,15"><i>v.</i> 14, 15</scripRef>. Instead of setting your
hearts on work to contrive an answer to informations, indictments,
articles, accusations, and interrogatories, that will be exhibited
against you in the ecclesiastical and civil courts, on the
contrary, <i>settle it in your hearts,</i> impress it upon them,
take pains with them to persuade them <i>not to meditate before
what you shall answer;</i> do not <i>depend</i> upon your own wit
and ingenuity, your own prudence and policy, and do not
<i>distrust</i> or <i>despair</i> of the immediate and
extraordinary aids of the divine grace. Think not to bring
yourselves off in the cause of Christ as you would in a cause of
your own, by your own parts and application, with the common
assistance of divine Providence, but promise yourselves, for I
promise you, the special assistance of divine grace: <i>I will give
you a mouth and wisdom.</i>" This proves Christ to be God; for it
is God's prerogative to <i>give wisdom,</i> and he it is that
<i>made man's mouth.</i> Note, <i>First,</i> A <i>mouth</i> and
<i>wisdom</i> together completely fit a man both for services and
sufferings; <i>wisdom</i> to know what to say, and a <i>mouth</i>
wherewith to say it as it should be said. It is a great happiness
to have both <i>matter</i> and <i>words</i> wherewith to honour God
and do good; to have in the mind a <i>storehouse</i> well furnished
with things <i>new and old,</i> and a <i>door of utterance</i> by
which <i>to bring them forth. Secondly,</i> Those that plead
Christ's cause may depend upon him to give them <i>a mouth and
wisdom,</i> which way soever they are called to plead it,
especially when they are brought before magistrates for his name's
sake. It is not said that he will send an angel from heaven to
answer for them, though he could do this, but that he will give
them a <i>mouth</i> and <i>wisdom</i> to enable them to answer for
themselves, which puts a greater honour upon them, which requires
them to use the gifts and graces Christ furnishes them with, and
redounds the more to the glory of God, who <i>stills the enemy and
the avenger out of the mouths of babes and sucklings. Thirdly,</i>
When Christ gives to his witnesses a <i>mouth and wisdom,</i> they
are enabled to say that both for him and themselves which <i>all
their adversaries are not able to gainsay or resist,</i> so that
they are silenced, and put to confusion. This was remarkably
fulfilled presently after the pouring out of the Spirit, by whom
Christ gave his disciples this <i>mouth</i> and <i>wisdom,</i> when
the apostles were brought before the priest sand rulers, and
answered them so as to make them ashamed, <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.4.1-Acts.6.15" parsed="|Acts|4|1|6|15" passage="Ac 4:1-6:15">Acts iv., v., and vi</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p16">[3.] "You shall suffer no real damage by
all the hardships they shall put upon you (<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.18" parsed="|Luke|21|18|0|0" passage="Lu 21:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>): <i>There shall not a hair of
your head perish.</i>" Shall some of them lose their heads, and yet
not lose a hair? It is a proverbial expression, denoting the
greatest indemnity and security imaginable; it is frequently used
both in the Old Testament and New, in that sense. Some think that
it refers to the preservation of the lives of all the Christians
that were among the Jews when they were cut off by the Romans;
historians tell us that not one Christian perished in that
desolation. Others reconcile it with the deaths of multitudes in
the cause of Christ, and take it figuratively in the same sense
that Christ saith, <i>He that loseth his life for my sake shall
find it.</i> "Not a hair of your head shall perish but,"
<i>First,</i> "I will take <i>cognizance</i> of it." To this end he
had said (<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.10.30" parsed="|Matt|10|30|0|0" passage="Mt 10:30">Matt. x. 30</scripRef>),
<i>The hairs of your head are all numbered;</i> and an account is
kept of them, so that none of them shall perish but he will miss
it. <i>Secondly,</i> "It shall be upon a <i>valuable
consideration.</i>" We do not reckon that <i>lost</i> or
<i>perishing</i> which is laid out for good purposes, and will turn
to a good account. If we drop the body itself for Christ's name's
sake, it does not perish, but is well bestowed. <i>Thirdly,</i> "It
shall be abundantly recompensed; when you come to balance profit
and loss, you will find that nothing has perished, but, on the
contrary, that you have great gain in present comforts, especially
in the joys of a life eternal;" so that though we may be losers for
Christ we shall not, we cannot, be losers by him in the end.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p17">[4.] "It is therefore your duty and
interest, in the midst of your own sufferings and those of the
nation, to maintain a holy sincerity and serenity of mind, which
will keep you always easy (<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.19" parsed="|Luke|21|19|0|0" passage="Lu 21:19"><i>v.</i>
19</scripRef>): <i>In your patience possess ye your souls;</i> get
and keep possession of your souls." Some read it as a promise, "You
<i>may</i> or <i>shall</i> possess your souls." It comes all to
one. Note, <i>First,</i> It is our duty and interest at all times,
especially in perilous trying times, to secure the possession of
our own souls; not only that they be not destroyed and lost for
ever, but that they be not distempered now, nor our possession of
them disturbed and interrupted. "<i>Possess your souls,</i> be your
own men, keep up the authority and dominion of reason, and keep
under the tumults of passion, that neither grief nor fear may
tyrannize over you, nor turn you out of the possession and
enjoyment of yourselves." In difficult times, when we can keep
possession of nothing else, then let us make that sure which may be
made sure, and keep possession of our souls. <i>Secondly,</i> It is
by patience, Christian patience, that we keep possession of our own
souls. "In suffering times, set patience upon the guard for the
preserving of your souls; by it keep your souls composed and in a
good frame, and keep out all those impressions which would ruffle
you and put you out of temper."</p>
</div><scripCom id="Luke.xxii-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.20-Luke.21.28" parsed="|Luke|21|20|21|28" passage="Lu 21:20-28" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.21.20-Luke.21.28">
<h4 id="Luke.xxii-p17.3">Judgments Predicted.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.xxii-p18">20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed
with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.  
21 Then let them which are in Judæa flee to the mountains; and let
them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that
are in the countries enter thereinto.   22 For these be the
days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be
fulfilled.   23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to
them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great
distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.   24 And
they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away
captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of
the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.  
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the
stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the
sea and the waves roaring;   26 Men's hearts failing them for
fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the
earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.   27 And then
shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and
great glory.   28 And when these things begin to come to pass,
then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth
nigh.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p19">Having given them an idea of the times for
about thirty-eight years next ensuing, he here comes to show them
what all those things would issue in at last, namely, the
destruction of Jerusalem, and the utter dispersion of the Jewish
nation, which would be a little day of judgment, a type and figure
of Christ's second coming, which was not so fully spoken of here as
in the parallel place (<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.24.1-Matt.24.51" parsed="|Matt|24|1|24|51" passage="Mt 24:1-51">Matt.
xxiv.</scripRef>), yet glanced at; for the destruction of Jerusalem
would be as it were the destruction of the world to those whose
hearts were bound up in it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p20">I. He tells them that they should see
Jerusalem besieged, <i>compassed with armies</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.20" parsed="|Luke|21|20|0|0" passage="Lu 21:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>), the Roman armies; and,
when they saw this, they might conclude that <i>its desolation was
nigh,</i> for in this the siege would infallibly <i>end,</i> though
it might be a long siege. Note, As in mercy, so in judgment, when
God begins, he will make an end.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p21">II. He warns them, upon this signal given,
to shift for their own safety (<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.21" parsed="|Luke|21|21|0|0" passage="Lu 21:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>): "<i>Then let them that are in
Judea</i> quit the country and <i>flee to the mountains; let them
that are in the midst of it</i>" (Of Jerusalem) "<i>depart out,</i>
before the city be closely shut up, and" (as we say now) "before
the trenches be opened; and let not them that are in the countries
and villages about enter into the city, thinking to be safe there.
Do you abandon a city and country which you see God has abandoned
and given up to ruin. <i>Come out of her, my people.</i>"</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p22">III. He foretels the terrible havoc that
should be made of the Jewish nation (<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.22" parsed="|Luke|21|22|0|0" passage="Lu 21:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>): <i>Those are the days of
vengeance</i> so often spoken of by the Old-Testament prophets,
which would complete the ruin of that provoking people. All their
predictions must now be fulfilled, and the blood of all the
Old-Testament martyrs must now be required. <i>All things that are
written must be fulfilled</i> at length. After days of patience
long abused, there will come <i>days of vengeance;</i> for
reprieves are not pardons. The greatness of that destruction is set
forth, 1. By the inflicting cause of it. It is <i>wrath upon this
people,</i> the wrath of God, that will kindle this devouring
consuming fire. 2. By the particular terror it would be to women
with child, and poor mothers that are nurses. <i>Woe to them,</i>
not only because they are most subject to frights, and least able
to shift for their own safety, but because it will be a very great
torment to them to think of having borne and nursed children for
the murderers. 3. By the general confusion that should be all the
nation over. There shall be <i>great distress in the land,</i> for
men will not know what course to take, nor how to help
themselves.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p23">IV. He describes the issue of the struggles
between the Jews and the Romans, and what they will come to at
last; in short, 1. Multitudes of them <i>shall fall by the edge of
the sword.</i> It is computed that in those wars of the Jews there
fell by the sword above eleven hundred thousand. And the siege of
Jerusalem was, in effect, a military execution. 2. The rest shall
be <i>led away captive;</i> not into <i>one</i> nations, as when
they were conquered by the Chaldeans, which gave them an
opportunity of keeping together, but <i>into all nations,</i> which
made it impossible for them to <i>correspond</i> with each other,
much less to <i>incorporate.</i> 3. Jerusalem itself was <i>trodden
down of the Gentiles.</i> The Romans, when they had made themselves
masters of it, laid it quite waste, as a <i>rebellious and bad
city, hurtful to kings and provinces,</i> and therefore hateful to
them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p24">V. He describes the great frights that
people should generally be in. Many frightful <i>sights</i> shall
be <i>in the sun, moon, and stars,</i> prodigies in the heavens,
and here in this lower world, the <i>sea and the waves roaring,</i>
with terrible storms and tempests, such as had not been known, and
above the ordinary working of natural causes. The effect of this
shall be universal confusion and consternation <i>upon the earth,
distress of nations with perplexity,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.25" parsed="|Luke|21|25|0|0" passage="Lu 21:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>. Dr. Hammond understands by the
<i>nations</i> the several governments or tetrarchies of the Jewish
nation, Judea, Samaria, and Galilee; these shall be brought to the
last extremity. <i>Men's hearts shall fail them for fear</i>
(<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p24.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.26" parsed="|Luke|21|26|0|0" passage="Lu 21:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>),
<b><i>apopsychonton anthropon</i></b>—<i>men being quite
exanimated,</i> dispirited, <i>unsouled,</i> dying away for fear.
Thus those are <i>killed all the day long</i> by whom Christ's
apostles were so (<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p24.3" osisRef="Bible:Rom.8.36" parsed="|Rom|8|36|0|0" passage="Ro 8:36">Rom. viii.
36</scripRef>), that is, they are all the day long in fear of being
killed; sinking under that which lies upon them, and yet still
trembling for fear of worse, and <i>looking after those things
which are coming upon the world.</i> When <i>judgment begins at the
house of God,</i> it will not end there; it shall be as if all the
world were falling in pieces; and where can any be secure then? The
<i>powers of heaven shall be shaken,</i> and then the pillars of
the earth cannot but tremble. Thus shall the present Jewish policy,
religion, laws, and government, be all entirely dissolved by a
series of unparalleled calamities, attended with the utmost
confusion. So Dr. Clarke. But our Saviour makes use of these
figurative expressions because at the end of time they shall be
literally accomplished, when the <i>heavens shall be rolled
together as a scroll,</i> and all their powers not only shaken, but
broken, and the <i>earth</i> and <i>all the works that are
therein</i> shall be burnt up, <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p24.4" osisRef="Bible:2Pet.3.10 Bible:2Pet.3.12" parsed="|2Pet|3|10|0|0;|2Pet|3|12|0|0" passage="2Pe 3:10,12">2
Pet. iii. 10, 12</scripRef>. As that day was all terror and
destruction to the unbelieving Jews, so the great day will be to
all unbelievers.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p25">VI. He makes this to be a kind of
<i>appearing of the Son of man: Then shall they see the Son of man
coming in a cloud, with power and great glory,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.27" parsed="|Luke|21|27|0|0" passage="Lu 21:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>. The destruction of
Jerusalem was in a particular manner an act of Christ's judgment,
the judgment committed to the Son of man; his religion could never
be thoroughly established but by the destruction of the temple, and
the abolishing of the Levitical priesthood and economy, after which
even the converted Jews, and many of the Gentiles too, were still
hankering, till they were destroyed; so that it might justly be
looked upon as <i>a coming of the Son of man, in power and great
glory,</i> yet not visibly, but <i>in the clouds;</i> for in
executing such judgments as these <i>clouds and darkness are round
about him.</i> Now this was, 1. An <i>evidence</i> of the first
coming of the Messiah; so some understand it. Then the unbelieving
Jews shall be confined, when it is too late, that Jesus was the
Messiah; those that would not see him coming in the power of his
grace to <i>save them</i> shall be made to see him coming in the
power of his wrath to <i>destroy them;</i> those that would not
have him to <i>reign over them</i> shall have him to <i>triumph
over them.</i> 2. It was an <i>earnest</i> of his second coming.
<i>Then</i> in the terrors of that day they shall <i>see the Son of
man coming in a cloud,</i> and all the terrors of the last day.
They shall see a <i>specimen</i> of it, a faint resemblance of it.
If this be so terrible, what will that be?</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p26">VII. He encourages all the faithful
disciples in reference to the terrors of that day (<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.28" parsed="|Luke|21|28|0|0" passage="Lu 21:28"><i>v.</i> 28</scripRef>): "<i>When these things
begin to come to pass,</i> when Jerusalem is besieged, and every
thing is concurring to the destruction of the Jews, <i>then</i> do
you look <i>up,</i> when others are looking down, look heavenward,
in faith, hope, and prayer, and <i>lift up your heads</i> with
cheerfulness and confidence, <i>for your redemption draws
night.</i>" 1. When Christ came to destroy the Jews, he came to
redeem the Christians that were persecuted and oppressed by them;
<i>then had the churches rest.</i> 2. When he comes to judge the
world at the last day, he will <i>redeem</i> all that are his, from
all their grievances. And the foresight of that day is as pleasant
to all good Christians as it is terrible to the wicked and ungodly.
Their death itself is so; when they see that day approaching, they
can <i>lift up their heads with joy,</i> knowing that <i>their
redemption draws nigh,</i> their removal to their Redeemer.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p27">VIII. Here is one word of prediction that
looks further than the destruction of the Jewish nation, which is
not easily understood; we have it in <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p27.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.24" parsed="|Luke|21|24|0|0" passage="Lu 21:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>: <i>Jerusalem shall be trodden
down of the Gentiles, till the times of the Gentiles be
fulfilled.</i> 1. Some understand it of what is past; so Dr.
Hammond. The Gentiles, who have conquered Jerusalem, shall keep
possession of it, and it shall be purely Gentile, till the times of
the Gentiles be fulfilled, till a great part of the Gentile world
shall have become Christian, and then after Jerusalem shall have
been rebuilt by Adrian the emperor, with an exclusion of all the
Jews from it, many of the Jews shall turn Christians, shall join
with the Gentile Christians, to set up a church in Jerusalem, which
shall flourish there for a long time. 2. Others understand it of
what is yet to come; so Dr. Whitby. Jerusalem shall be possessed by
the Gentiles, of one sort or other, for the most part, till the
time come when the nations that yet remain infidels shall embrace
the Christian faith, when the kingdoms of this world shall become
Christ's kingdoms, and then all the Jews shall be converted.
Jerusalem shall be inhabited by them, and neither they nor their
city any longer trodden down by the Gentiles.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Luke.xxii-p27.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.29-Luke.21.38" parsed="|Luke|21|29|21|38" passage="Lu 21:29-38" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.21.29-Luke.21.38">
<h4 id="Luke.xxii-p27.3">Judgments Predicted.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.xxii-p28">29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the
fig tree, and all the trees;   30 When they now shoot forth,
ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
  31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass,
know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.   32 Verily I
say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be
fulfilled.   33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words
shall not pass away.   34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at
any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and
drunkenness, and cares of this life, and <i>so</i> that day come
upon you unawares.   35 For as a snare shall it come on all
them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.   36 Watch ye
therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to
escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand
before the Son of man.   37 And in the day time he was
teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the
mount that is called <i>the mount</i> of Olives.   38 And all
the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to
hear him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p29">Here, in the close of this discourse,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p30">I. Christ appoints his disciples to observe
the signs of the times, which they might judge by, if they had an
eye to the foregoing directions, with as much certainty and
assurance as they could judge of the approach of summer by the
budding forth of the trees, <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p30.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.29-Luke.21.31" parsed="|Luke|21|29|21|31" passage="Lu 21:29-31"><i>v.</i> 29-31</scripRef>. As in the kingdom of
nature there is a chain of causes, so in the kingdom of providence
there is a consequence of one event upon another. When we see a
nation filling up the measure of their iniquity, we may conclude
that their ruin is nigh; when we see the ruin of persecuting powers
hastening on, we may thence infer that <i>the kingdom of God is
nigh at hand,</i> that when the opposition given to it is removed
it shall gain ground. As we may lawfully prognosticate the change
of the seasons when second causes have begun to work, so we may, in
the disposal of events, expect something uncommon when God is
already <i>raised up out of his holy habitation</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p30.2" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.13" parsed="|Zech|2|13|0|0" passage="Zec 2:13">Zech. ii. 13</scripRef>); then <i>stand still
and see his salvation.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p31">II. He charges them to look upon those
things as neither <i>doubtful</i> nor <i>distant</i> (for then they
would not make a due impression on them), but as <i>sure</i> and
very <i>near.</i> The destruction of the Jewish nation, 1. Was
<i>near</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p31.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.32" parsed="|Luke|21|32|0|0" passage="Lu 21:32"><i>v.</i> 32</scripRef>):
<i>This generation shall not pass away till all be fulfilled.</i>
There were some now alive that should see it; some that now heard
the prediction of it. 2. It was <i>sure;</i> the sentence was
irreversible; it was a <i>consumption determined;</i> the decree
was gone forth (<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p31.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.33" parsed="|Luke|21|33|0|0" passage="Lu 21:33"><i>v.</i>
33</scripRef>): "<i>Heaven and earth shall pass away</i> sooner
than any word of mine: nay, they certainly shall pass away, but
<i>my words shall not;</i> whether they <i>take hold</i> or no,
they will <i>take effect,</i> and not one of them <i>fall to the
ground,</i>" <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p31.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.19" parsed="|1Sam|3|19|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:19">1 Sam. iii.
19</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p32">III. He cautions them against security and
sensuality, by which they would unfit themselves for the trying
times that were coming on, and make them to be a great surprise and
terror to them (<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p32.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.34-Luke.21.35" parsed="|Luke|21|34|21|35" passage="Lu 21:34,35"><i>v.</i> 34,
35</scripRef>): <i>Take heed to yourselves.</i> This is the word of
command given to all Christ's disciples: "<i>Take heed to
yourselves,</i> that you be not overpowered by temptations, nor
betrayed by your own corruptions." Note, We cannot be <i>safe</i>
if we be <i>secure.</i> It concerns us at <i>all</i> times, but
especially at <i>some</i> times, to be very cautious. See here, 1.
What our <i>danger</i> is: that <i>the day</i> of death and
judgment should <i>come upon us unawares,</i> when we do not
<i>expect</i> it, and are not <i>prepared</i> for it,—lest, when
we are called to meet our Lord, that be found the <i>furthest</i>
thing from our thoughts which ought always to be laid
<i>nearest</i> our hearts, lest it <i>come upon us as a snare;</i>
for so <i>it will come upon</i> the most of men, who <i>dwell upon
the earth,</i> and mind <i>earthly things only,</i> and have no
converse with heaven; to them it will be <i>as a snare.</i> See
<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p32.2" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.9.12" parsed="|Eccl|9|12|0|0" passage="Ec 9:12">Eccl. ix. 12</scripRef>. It will be a
<i>terror</i> and a <i>destruction</i> to them; it will put them
into an inexpressible fright, and hold them fast for a doom yet
more frightful. 2. What our <i>duty</i> is, in consideration of
this danger: we must <i>take heed lest our hearts be
overcharged,</i> lest they be burdened and overloaded, and so
unfitted and disabled to do what must be done in preparation for
death and judgment. Two things we must watch against, lest our
hearts be overcharged with them:—(1.) The indulging of the
appetites of the body, and allowing of ourselves in the
gratifications of sense to an excess: <i>Take heed lest you be
overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness,</i> the immoderate use
of meat and drink, which burden the heart, not only with the guilt
thereby contracted, but by the ill influence which such disorders
of the body have upon the mind; they make men dull and lifeless to
their duty, dead and listless in their duty; they stupify the
conscience, and cause the mind to be <i>unaffected</i> with those
things that are most <i>affecting.</i> (2.) The inordinate pursuit
of the good things of this world. The heart is overcharged with the
<i>cares of this life.</i> The former is the snare of those that
are given to their pleasures: this is the snare of the men of
business, that <i>will be rich.</i> We have need to guard on both
hands, not only lest at the time when death comes, but lest <i>at
any time</i> our hearts should be thus overcharged. Our caution
against sin, and our care of our own souls, must be
<i>constant.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p33">IV. He counsels them to prepare and get
ready for this great day, <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p33.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.36" parsed="|Luke|21|36|0|0" passage="Lu 21:36"><i>v.</i>
36</scripRef>. Here see, 1. What should be <i>our aim:</i> that we
may be <i>accounted worthy to escape all these things;</i> that,
when the judgments of God are abroad, we may be preserved from the
malignity of them; that either we may not be involved in the common
calamity or it may not be that to us which it is to others; that in
the day of death we may escape the sting of it, which is the wrath
of God, and the damnation of hell. Yet we must aim not only to
<i>escape that,</i> but to <i>stand before the Son of man;</i> not
only to stand <i>acquitted</i> before him as our Judge (<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p33.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.1.5" parsed="|Ps|1|5|0|0" passage="Ps 1:5">Ps. i. 5</scripRef>), to have boldness in the day
of Christ (that is supposed in our <i>escaping</i> all those
things), but to <i>stand before him,</i> to attend on him as our
Master, to stand continually before his throne, and serve him day
and night in his temple (<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p33.3" osisRef="Bible:Rev.7.15" parsed="|Rev|7|15|0|0" passage="Re 7:15">Rev. vii.
15</scripRef>), always to <i>behold his face,</i> as the angels,
<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p33.4" osisRef="Bible:Matt.18.10" parsed="|Matt|18|10|0|0" passage="Mt 18:10">Matt. xviii. 10</scripRef>. The saints
are here said to be <i>accounted worthy,</i> as before, <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p33.5" osisRef="Bible:Luke.20.35" parsed="|Luke|20|35|0|0" passage="Lu 20:35"><i>ch.</i> xx. 35</scripRef>. God, by the good
work of his grace in them, <i>makes them meet</i> for this
happiness, and, by the good will of his grace towards them,
<i>accounts them worthy</i> of it: but, as Grotius here says, a
great part of our worthiness lies in an acknowledgment of our own
unworthiness. 2. What should be our <i>actings</i> in these aims:
<i>Watch therefore, and pray always.</i> Watching and praying must
go together, <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p33.6" osisRef="Bible:Neh.4.9" parsed="|Neh|4|9|0|0" passage="Ne 4:9">Neh. iv. 9</scripRef>.
Those that would escape the wrath to come, and make sure of the
joys to come, must <i>watch</i> and <i>pray,</i> and must do so
always, must make it the constant business of their lives, (1.) To
keep a guard upon themselves. "Watch against sin, watch to every
duty, and to the improvement of every opportunity of doing good. Be
awake, and keep awake, in expectation of your Lord's coming, that
you may be in a right frame to receive him, and bid him welcome."
(2.) To keep up their communion with God: "<i>Pray always;</i> be
always in an habitual disposition to that duty; keep up stated
times for it; abound in it; pray upon all occasions." Those shall
be accounted worthy to live a life of praise in the other world
that live a life of prayer in this world.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxii-p34">V. In the <scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p34.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.37-Luke.21.38" parsed="|Luke|21|37|21|38" passage="Lu 21:37,38">last two verses</scripRef> we have an account how
Christ disposed of himself during those three or four days between
his riding in triumph into Jerusalem and the night in which he was
betrayed. 1. He was <i>all day teaching in the temple.</i> Christ
preached on week-days as well as sabbath days. He was an
indefatigable preacher; he preached in the face of opposition, and
in the midst of those that he knew sought occasion against him. 2.
At night he went out to lodge at a friend's house, in the mount of
Olives, about a mile out of town. It is probable that he had some
friends in the city that would gladly have lodged him, but he was
willing to retire in the evening out of the noise of the town, that
he might have more time for secret devotion, now that his hour was
at hand. 3. Early in the morning he was in the temple again, where
he had a morning lecture for those that were willing to attend it;
and the people were forward to hear one that they saw forward to
preach (<scripRef id="Luke.xxii-p34.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.38" parsed="|Luke|21|38|0|0" passage="Lu 21:38"><i>v.</i> 38</scripRef>):
<i>They all came early in the morning,</i> flocking to the temple,
like doves to their windows, <i>to hear him,</i> though the chief
priests and scribes did all they could to prejudice them against
him. Sometimes the taste and relish which serious, honest, plain
people have of good preaching are more to be valued and judged by
than the opinion of the witty and learned, and those in
authority.</p>
</div></div2>