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WITH HEAVEN-BORN COURAGE, LET US PASS THROUGH THE GLOOM: THE GLORY LIES BEYOND.

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Mt. xxiv. 31. gather together his elect, &c. Ge. ing together of the elect, as intimated in the corxlix. 10, Unto him (Shiloh) shall the gathering of respondent passages, [Mt. xxiv. 31; Mk. xiii. 27,] supra the people be.'-Ps. 1. 5, Gather my saints together-Such will be able to say, Ps. iii. 3, Thou, O LORD, unto me; those that have made a covenant with me art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of by sacrifice.'-Ho. i. 11, Then shall the children of mine head.'-Amidst the most awful convulsions they Judah and the children of Israel be gathered to will sing aloud, xlvi. 1, 'God is our refuge and strength, gether, and appoint themselves one head, and they a very present help in trouble.'-ver. 7, 11, The LORD shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.'day of Jezreel.'-Zec. ii. 11, And many natious shall See Rev. vii. 9-17. be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my your redemption.... nigh, &c.-When the sign is people: - This gathering together was the object of given, in the redemption of Israel, then speedily will the Redeemer's desire, and that for which he laid down his life, Jno. xi. 51, .2, § 58, p. 133-This gather-rection of all the saints, 1 Co. xv. 22-.5, 54-8-that come to pass that of which it is the sign, the resuring together to the glory of the Lord is described, Is. for which the waiting has been, the redemption of lx. 1-14, p. (26)-It is the Lord's own work, ver. 21. our body.'-Comp. Rom. viii. 19, 23; Rev. v. 9, 11, .2. Lu. xxi. 28. then look up, &c.-He. ix. 28, Unto Mt. xxiv. 32. his-Gr. aurns, her. them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.'

33. all these things, &c. The destruction of the temple at Jerusalem, and scattering of the Jewish lift up your heads, &c.-At this time is the gather-nation, ch. xxiii. 35, .6, § 85, p. 319; xxiv. 1-3.

NOTES.

The common trumpet was straight, made of brass or silver, a cubit in length, the larger extremity shaped so as to resemble a small bell. In times of peace, in assembling the people, this was sounded softly. In times of calamity, or war, it was sounded loud. Perhaps this was referred to when our Saviour said, with a great sound of a trumpet.'

Mt. xxiv. 31. They shall gather together his elect. See on ver. 22. He will send his angels to gather his chosen together from all places, ch. xiii. 39, 41-.3, § 33, p. 260. This shall be done before the living shall be taken up to meet the Lord, 1 Co. xv. 51, .2; 1 Th. iv. 16, .7.

From the four winds. That is, from the four quarters of the globe-east, west, north, and south. The Jews expressed those quarters by the winds blowing from them.-See Eze. xxxvii. 9, p. (30); see also Is. xiiii. 5, 6, p. (27).

[32. Our Lord having spoken of the signs preceding the two grand events, concerning which the apostles had inquired, begins here to speak of the time of them. And to the question proposed, ver. 3, p. 324, concerning the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, he answers, ver. 34; concerning the time of the end of the world, he answers ver. 36.'-Wesley.]

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

Lu. xxi. 28. If those who saw the beginning of sorrows could rejoice, how much more may we, who live so much nearer their termination! The glory is not more distant because of the long delay, but every moment nearer than when we first believed.

Mt. xxiv. 32. As truly as the budding leaves give promise of approaching summer, so truly does the fulfilment of prophecy, in the destruction of Jerusalem, give assurance that all the predictions concerning the kingdom of God will be fully accomplished.

*The remainder of the discourse from the 32nd ver. of xxiv. of Mr. admits of being distributed, like the former part, into three general divisions, each of them arising in its turn out of the corresponding portion of the first half of the discourse, which returned the proper answer to one of the three questions originally put..... Of these divisions of the sequel of the discourse, the first extends from ver. 32-5, the second, from ver. 36-44, both of the xxiv. of Mt., the third, from ver. 45 of ch. xxiv. to the end of ch. xxv.

That the first two of these divisions are to be referred in general to the subject of the predicted destruction of Jerusalem, may be safely concluded; the former, because by ver. 34, which is an integral part of that division, the period of time to which it is limited, is distinctly comprehended within the natural lifetime of the then existing generation; .... the latter, because in ver. 37 it remains the topic of the appearing and presence of the Son of man, and so refers us at once to the subject of the second question..... With respect to the third and most comprehensive division of all, the circumstance that the two preceding divisions are specially restricted to the first two of the original questions, would itself be presumptively an argument that the third and remaining division must have the same special reference to the third and remaining topic of inquiry.'-Greswell on the Parables, Vol. V. p. 422.

VOL. II.]

HUMBLE YOURSELVES, SIT DOWN:-Jer. xiii. 18.

LET US, BY THE THINGS AROUND US, HAVE OUR THOUGHTS CARRIED HEAVENWARD.

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O LORD, THOU ART MY GOD; I WILL EXALT THEE, I WILL PRAISE THY NAME; FOR THOU HAST DONE

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MARK Xiii. 30, .1. come-to-pass yivoμeva, know that

it-is nigh,

beven at the-doors."
30 Verily I-say unto-you, that
this generation ή γενεα αυτή
shall-not-pass Tapeλon,
till μexpis où all these-things
be-done γενηται.

31 Heaven and earth shall-
pass-away παρελεύσονται :
but my words Aoyo shall-
not-pass-away
ου μη παρελθωσι.

LUKE XXI. 32—.5.
come-to-pass vivoμeva,
know-ye that
the kingdom of God
is nigh-at-hand.

Verily I-say unto-you, 32
This generation ἡ γενεα αυτή
shall-not-pass-away Tapeλon,d
till έως αν all
be-fulfilled γενηται.
Heaven and earth shall- 33
pass-away παρελεύσονται :
but
my words Aoyo, shall-•
not-pass-away

ου μη παρελθωσι. And take-heed to-yourselves, lest-at-any-34 time your hearts be-overcharged Bapuv@wow with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of-this-life μεριμναις βιωτικαίς, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a-35

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. Mt. xxiv. 33. at the doors, &c.-Ps. xxiv. 7, 'Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in,' &c. cxviii. 19, 20, Open to me the gates of righteousness:' &c. Is. xxvi. 2, Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.'

34. This generation - Ps. xxii. 30, .I see on Mt. xxiii. 36, § 85, p. 320.

35. Heaven and earth shall pass-2 Pe. iii. 5-7, By the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6, whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7, but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.'-They shall pass away after the thousand years, Rev. xx. 11-Then will be the general resurrection, ver. 12-.5, and a new heaven and a new earth, xxi. 1-see also 2 Pe. iii. 12, .3. my words, &c.-Ps. xxxiii. 6, By the word of the LORD were the heavens made;'-He. i. 2, 3, and by

the same word are all things upheld-Ps. cv. 8-16, He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations,' &c.-and he in whom his words abide, shall live for ever, Jno. vi. 58, 63, .8, .9, § 43, pp. 332-..4-Not only will Christ, by his Spirit, manifest himself to such, but the Father and the Son will come and make their abode with him, xiv. 21-.6, § 87, p. 384-and he 'abideth for ever,' 1 Jno. ii. 17-see also 1 Pe. i. 23-.5.

Lu. xxi. 34. take heed - Ps. cxix. 9, Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.'-The elders are especially warned to take heed to themselves, Ac. xx. 28-Jesus had commenced this discourse with an admonition to take heed, so as not to be deceived by others, Lu. xxi. 8, supra-Now they are warned to take heed to themselves, ver. 31-6; as also Mt. xxiv. 37-44; Mk. xiii. 33-.6, p. 341, ..2. overcharged-as were those unto whom the invitation to the great supper was first sent, ch. xiv. 17-20, .4, § 67, p. 183 Rom. xiii. 13, .4, Not in rioting and drunkenness,' &c.

NOTES.

[Mt. xxiv. 34. This generation shall not pass. Accord-| ingly, all the things which Jesus predicted respecting the destruction of the temple, and to which the disciples referred, when they asked, When shall these things be?'-these things did actually take place within forty years after our Saviour delivered this parable, and before that generation had passed away. Some critics are of opinion, that by this generation, ǹ yeved arn, is to be understood the Jewish nation throughout all ages; as if our Lord intended to say they should continue a distinct people to the judgment day. But this is not generally received.]

[All these things. Relating to the temple and the city. This is evidently spoken in answer to the question of the disciples, ver. 3, Tell us, when shall these things be?' What things? The things of which our Lord had just before spoken, ver. 2; and a little before that, xxiii. 35, .6, § 85, p. 319; where he uses the very expression he here repeats, that these things would come upon that very generation. That these things' did not include his SECOND ADVENT is evident from this, that he points to these

things' as being the sign of something else as about
to follow-see ver. 33. Now they could not be a sign
that summer was nigh if they included even the
harvest, the winding up of all.]
Things be fulfilled. That is, the things respecting
the destruction of Jerusalem; the fulfilment of our
Lord's predictions respecting which was to be a sign
to that very generation and all succeeding genera-
tions until the end, that the glorious appearing of
our Lord would assuredly follow, even as assuredly as
the ripening of summer follows the budding of spring.

Till all, &c. All that has been spoken of the destruction of Jerusalem to which the question, ver. 7, relates; and which is treated of from the 8th to the 24th verse.'-Wesley.

[Lu. xxi. 34. Take heed... lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness. And was there need to warn the apostles themselves against such sins as these? Then surely there is need to warn even strong Christians against the very grossest sins. Neither are we wise if we think ourselves out of the reach of any sin.]

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

[Mt. xxiv. 34, .5. To all succeeding generations the truthfulness of Christ has been confirmed, by the case of that very generation which refused to believe his words. Let those who are disposed to make light of the warning voice of prophecy, know that all, with regard to which the disciples asked, 'When shall these things be?' came upon that very generation.]

to the passing away of the present heaven and earth; rejoicing that the word of the Lord shall stand for ever; let us, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.]

Lu. xxi. 34. Want and persecution are not the greatest dangers which the Christian may have to [Let us, from that, the beginning, look forward to meet. The pleasures and cares which accompany the close of the present dispensation; yea, beyond-riches, are as deadening and distracting to the soul. [VOL. II.

340]

GOD HATH NOT CALLED US UNTO UNCLEANNESS, ETC.-1 Thess. iv. 7.

WONDERFUL THINGS; THY COUNSELS OF OLD ARE FAITHFULNESS AND TRUTH.-Isa. xxv. 1.

MAN ALSO KNOWETH NOT HIS TIME: AS THE FISHES THAT ARE TAKEN IN AN EVIL NET, AND AS THE BIRDS THAT ARE CAUGHT

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Lu. xxi. 55. a snare-As suddenly as a snare' entangles the prey that is taken in it-comp. Ec. ix. 12, see margin; Mt. xxiv. 17, .8, p. 332 The figure is often used to denote the suddenness of calamities, Ps. Ixix. 22; cxxiv. 7; Is. xxiv. 17; Rom. xi. 9.

36. and to stand before the Son of man- so the rejoicing multitude, Rev. vii. 9, 10-see also Is. xxiv. 23; xxxiii. 15-24.

Mt. xxiv. 36. of that day-The day when the Son of man is revealed, Lu. xvii. 30, § 72, p. 212-When

those who are found prepared will ascend into the
presence chamber, as Ps. xxiv. 3-6; Mt. xxiv. 44,
infra- The day of redemption,' unto which believers
are sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Eph. iv. 30.
knoweth no man, &c.-even Daniel had been re-
fused the knowledge, ch. xii. 9-the apostles were told,
that it was not for them (previous to their receiving
power) to know the times or the seasons, which the
Father hath put in his own power,' &c., Ac. i. 7, 8.
37. days of Noe-see Lu. xvii. 26, .7, § 72, p. 212.

NOTES.

Lu. xxi. 35. Dwell. According to the original, sit. The expression appears to describe persons sitting at ease, and apprehending no danger.

Of the whole earth. Or, of the whole land. It would seem from the whole of our Saviour's predictions, that the word yns cannot be confined to Judæa, but must extend to the whole Roman empire.

36. Watch ye therefore, and pray always. Perhaps we should connect ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ, continually, with ayporveire, watch, as it appears to be the most natural order. Indeed the word continually belongs equally to both watch and pray; and no man is safe, at any time, who does not attend to this advice as literally as possible..

IN THE SNARE; SO ARE THE SONS OF MEN SNARED IN AN EVIL TIME, WHEN IT FALLETH SUDDENLY UPON THEM.-Eccles. ix. 12.

I determined to know (eldivai) nothing among you but Jesus Christ, and him crucified;' i. e., I determined to make known, to preach nothing among you but Jesus Christ. So also in this passage, But of that day and that hour, none maketh you know,' phrase, Mt. xx. 23, § 77, p. 238, is not mine to give,' none hath power to make you know it;' [just as the signifies, is not in my power to give ;']'no, not the angels, neither the Son, but the Father." [These words, oùdè ó viòs, Mk. xiii. 32, which assert the same ignorance of the day and hour in question, of the Son, as of the angels in heaven, and therefore seem to put limits or bounds to his knowledge as much as to theirs, admit of an easy explanation, A without calling in question the genuineness of the reading of the text, or disputing the matter of fact itself, or impeaching the proper divinity of the Saviour, any more than his proper humanity. For this purpose we have nothing to do but simply to refer to the time when the words were spoken, which was before his crucifixion and passion, and much more his resurrection and ascension. Now it is not more extraordinary that there should have been a time when our Saviour, though always God as well as man, was not yet omniscient in the latter capacity, should have been a time when he was not yet omthough always so in the former, than that there nipotent in the one capacity, though always so in the other. And if all power, both in heaven and earth, before his resurrection and ascension, why should all was not communicated to him in his human capacity knowledge? He might not therefore be omniscient now, in his human capacity, no more than omnipotent in the same, when this prophecy was delivered, and yet might become both hereafter. The same act of the Father, which committed all power to him in his mediatorial capacity, when he sat down at his right hand, doubtless committed all knowledge also; for the possession of omnipotence implies the possession of omniscience also.'-Greswell, p. 427.] PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

[That ye may be accounted worthy. This word sometimes signifies an honour conferred on a person, as when the apostles are said to be counted worthy to suffer shame for Christ, Ac. v. 41. Sometimes meet or becoming as when John the Baptist exhorts to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, Lu. iii. 8, § 7, p. 52; and so to be counted worthy to escape, is, to have the honour of it, and to be prepared for it.] To stand before the Son of man. To be acquitted, and to be condemned, are expressed, in Rom. xiv. 4, by standing and falling. Those who were faithful to the grace they had received were not only preserved in the destruction of Jerusalem, but became heralds of the grace and mercy of God to the nations. Thus they were counted worthy to stand before the Son of man-to minister salvation in his name.

Mt. xxiv. 36. But of that day, &c. It has been said the word olov (knoweth) here seems to have the force of the Hebrew conjugation Hiphil, which, in verbs denoting action, makes that action, whatever it is, pass to another. Wherefore Eidio, which properly signifies, I knew, used in the sense of the conjugation Hiphil, signifies, I make another to know, I declare. The word has this meaning without dispute, 1 Co. ii. 2,

[Lu. xxi. 35. Without the protecting power of God, even our strength may become the means of our destruction. Never were the defences of Jerusalem so powerful, as just before its capture. In that city, and in their strongholds generally throughout the land, the Jewish nation were caught as in a snare.]

lievers; and stand ready for any service unto which our Lord may appoint us, here in grace, or hereafter in glory.

[Mk. xiii. 33. The son knoweth more than the servant but even as sons of God, there is at least one thing, which our Father has seen meet to hide from us: but He knoweth all things. Let us confide our all to him; and the day of the Lord will be to us a day of blessedness whensoever it cometh.] FAITHFUL IS HE THAT CALLETH YOU, ETC.-1 Thess. v. 24.

36 ver. Let us not be deceived by false appearances of temporal security: let us watch and pray always, that we may escape the destruction awaiting unbeVOL. II.]

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IF WE OUGHT TO AVOID BEING ASLEEP AT OUR LORD'S COMING, MUCH MORE SHOULD WE FEAR TO BE FOUND DOING EVIL!

MATT. xxiv. 39-44.

MARK Xiii. 34-.7.

39 entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and tookthem-all-away; so shall-also the coming of-the Son of man'-be. 40 Then shall-two-be in the field; the one shall-be-taken, and the41 other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the-one 42 shall-be-taken, and the-other left. Watch yonyopelтe therefore: for ye-know not what hour your Lord doth-come.

For the Son of man is as a-man taking-a-far-journey arodηuos, 34 who-left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and toevery-man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch- 35 ye therefore for ye-know not when the master of-the house cometh, at-even, or at-midnight, or at-the-cock-crowing, or in-themorning: lest coming suddenly he-find you sleeping."

43 But know this, that if the goodman-of-the-house had-known inwhat watch the thief would-come, he--would-have-watched, and 44 would-not-have-suffered his house to-be-broken-up. Therefore be ye also ready for in-such an-hour-as ye-think not the Son of

inan cometh.

36

And what I-say unto-you I-say unto-all, 37 Watch. (Ch. xiv. 1, p. 355.)

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

Mt. xxiv. 38, .9. coming-see on ver. 27, p. 335. 40. in the field-Lu. xvii. 36, § 72, p. 213.

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.'-Follow not the example of the children of darkness, ver. 7-but, ver. 8, take the armour of light-ver. 9, 10, For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether Mk. xiii. 37. I say unto all, Watch-1 Th. v. 5, 6, we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.'

41. grinding, &c.-Lu. xvii. 35, ib. 42. Watch-Mk. xiii. 33-7, supra. 43. thief-Lu. xii. 39, § 63, p. 167.

NOTES.

Mt. xxiv. 37-41. See on Lu. xvii. 26-36, § 72, p. 212, and parallelism, p. 213.

41. Two... grinding at the mill. The ubλor was a hand-mill with two stones, turned by two persons, generally females.

[42. Watch. ypnуopeiтs. гpnуopały signifies, 1, to be wakeful; 2, as here, to be watchful. Some of the best commentators, ancient and modern, are with reason of opinion, that our Lord's discourse, as far as regards the destruction of Jerusalem, terminates at ver. 41; and that what follows, ver. 42 (peculiarly applicable to the final advent of our Lord), forms, as it were, the moral of the prophecy, and its practical application to Christ's disciples of every age. Many of the above expositors, too, suppose it to have been spoken upon another occasion, since Luke places it in a different connection. But as the portion in question is applicable in both connections, there is surely no reason why we should not suppose it to have been introduced twice.- See infra, ch. xxv. 13, p. 347; Mk. xiii. 33, .5.-Bloomf.]

Mk. xiii. 34. The Son of man is as a man taking a far journey. Being about to leave this world and go to the Father, he appoints the services that are to be performed by all his servants in their several stations. See on Mt. xxv. 14, p. 347. 38-40, § 63, p. 167. Mt. xxiv. 43, .4. But know this, &c. See on Lu. xii.

Goodman of the house. The same word in the original, ch. xx. 1, is translated 'housholder.' In the northern parts of Great Britain, the master of the house is still called the good man,' and the mistress 'the good woman.' In what watch. See on Lu. xii. 38, § 63, p. 167. Be broken up. Rendered more correctly, 'break through, ch. vi. 19, 20, § 19, p. 134; Lu. xii. 39, § 63, p. 167. It means, to break into a house by digging through the wall.'-See Job xxiv. 16; Eze. xii. 5. The expression, to break up,' is used in the same sense here as in Ex. xxii. 2, and in the margin of Eze. xviii. 10.

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

[Mt. xxiv. 37-9. May we not so neglect the Divine presence of Christ, as to be unprepared for his personal appearing: and let us never forget that the evil against which we are more especially warned, is an over-attention to the things of this life, preventing a preparation for the life to come.] Let us not suppose that the signs of Messiah's approach will be any more regarded by this world, than was the preaching of Noah by the old world: nor will it be less regarded by the household of faith, than was the warning of Noah by those that were 40, .1 ver. Let us attach more importance to inward preparation than to outward condition. In the very same outward circumstances will be found those that shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, and those that will be left.

saved in the ark.

[Mk. xiii. 34. During the absence of our Lord, we may not be idle; nor wait until we receive a commission from man. If we are the Lord's servants, we have, every one of us, received authority to do something for him; and to him we must render an account.]

3427

[35 ver. Let the ministry never forget that Jesus is the Lord of the house; and let us all know our ignorance with regard to the exact period of his return, so as to be wise unto salvation.]-And see margin. [Mt. xxiv. 43. The house of God need not have been broken up and defiled, had those with whom it has been intrusted listened to the warning voice and prophetical instructions of the Master; and had they acted for his house as they would for their own.]

44 ver. As we desire the return of our Lord, let us seek for preparedness to receive him. It must not be that he find his house broken up, and his servants still fast asleep. And let us never forget that preparation for his coming on the part of the bride, is the sign of the coming of the Bridegroom. [Mk. xiii. 37. The duty of watching, which our Lord saw it needful so to impress upon his first disciples, is a duty belonging to all. It is only thus we can be prepared to resist the attack of the thief, or to receive as we ought our returning Lord. The duty of watching, although emphatically that of the porter, is the duty, and no less the interest, of the whole household of faith.]

LET US WATCH AND BE SOBER.-1 Thess. v. 6.

[VOL. II.

BUT INDEED IT IS DIFFICULT TO SAY HOW MUCH EVIL MAY BE DONE BY LEAVING OUR PART OF THE WORK UNDONE.

WE ARE ONLY BLESSED, AS WE BESTOW UPON OTHERS THAT OF WHICH OUR LORD HATH MADE US STEWARDS.

(G. 79)-[Lesson 83.]-THE REST OF THE PROPHECY UPON MOUNT OLIVET, AS
RELATED BY MATTHEW.-Ch. xxiv. 45-xxv. 30.

ANALYSIS.

Mt. xxiv. 45-51. Jesus delivers the parable of the servant appointed to give to his household meat in due season. The first of four parables, illustrative of the SECOND advent; and which are antithetic to the like number of parables relating to the FIRST advent, given, ch. xxi. 28-xxii. 14, § 84, pp. 285--.94.

45-7. The inquiry, Who then is a faith ful and wise servant'? Why given so much power,

and such abundant means of blessing? If, at his Lord's return, he is found distributing to others according as God hath dealt out to him, Blessed is that servant,' &c.

Mt. xxiv. 48-51. Our case, if acting as an evil servant, and putting away from us the idea of our Lord's return, we abuse our trust, oppress those around us, and eat and drink with the drunken.'

The servant who beat his fellows.-Matt. xxiv. 45-51.

45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath-made-ruler over his 46 household @epaπelas, to-give them meat in due-season? Blessed is that servant, whom 47 his lord when-he-cometh shall-find so doing. Verily I-say unto-you, That he-shall48 make-him-ruler over all his goods. But and-if that evil servant shall-say in his heart,

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

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himself for us'-1 Co. vi. 20, Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.'

ruler over his household-see on Lu. xii. 42, § 63. 46. Blessed.. that servant, &c.-see on Lu. xii. 43. 47. ruler over all his goods-or, over all his rulerssee on Lu. xii. 44, § ib., p. 168.

48. evil servant, &c.-The word finds those acting an evil part, Is. lviii. 1-5, p. (97), who are exhorted

NOTES.

[Mt. xxiv. 45. Who then, &c. This inquiry seems clearly inconsistent with the idea of the Romanists, that Peter was appointed to the chief rule over the household but on the other hand, if Peter and his pretended successors, the popes, be the parties referred to, then the context as clearly denies the doctrine of the pope's infallibility; for the parable supposes that the servant, so intrusted with authority, and the possession of the master's goods, may act most unworthily with regard to both; may altogether fail, and at last have his portion with the hypocrites. The words may refer to a people peculiarly favoured, more especially in reference to the gospel.] [A faithful and wise servant. May be applied to an individual, a minister of Christ, who, by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, is able rightly to divide the word of God; firm in adhering to the truth at all risks: zealous in improving every talent to the glory of God.] To give them meat in due season. The word of God, whereby the soul may be nourished unto eternal Here we have the second illustration, derived from the case of a good or a bad douλos, or, as Luke,

life.

using a more specific term, says, olxovóμos; from whose account it appears that the words were spoken in answer to a question from Peter, which suggested the parable or illustration here employed. The question was, Lu. xii. 41, § 63, p. 167, Κύριε, πρὸς ἡμᾶς τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην λέγεις, ἢ καὶ πρὸς πάντας; for the apostles, it seems, were always fancying that they should have exemptions and privileges beyond the multitude. Now the answer is intended to correct this error; and accordingly the foregoing general admonition to christian watchfulness is here urged as especially incumbent on those who are intrusted with any spiritual charge, as οἰκονόμοι τῶν μυστηρίων Tov Beo, to feed the flock of Christ.'-Comp. 1 Co. iv. 2. -Bloomf.]

47. Over all. That is, from being oixovopos, or dispenser, he will promote him to nirporos, treasurer, or steward, which implied freedom.-Comp. ch. xxv. 21, 3, p. 348. 48-51. But and if that evil servant, &c. In these verses our Lord warns his disciples against the effect which the delay of his coming to judgment might have upon his servants, in leading them not only to

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

Mt. xxiv. 45, .6. The servant who would have much intrusted to him by his lord, must endeavour to combine wisdom with faithfulness: he must exercise both his affections and his intellect aright. [There are diversities of gifts and ministrations: but let those who are the most richly gifted, highly placed, ever remember, that they are so favoured in order that they may do the greater service.]

[It is as much the duty of some to take the lead in the ministry, as it is for others to receive the benefit of their ministrations.]

[The disciples should earnestly inquire, as here prompted by our Lord, who it is he hath appointed to the ministry; so that both he who is to rule in service may feel his responsibility, and others recognise him in his office.]

[The minister in the house of God is not only to give meat to the household, but give it in due season; seeking to please each one for his good to edification.]

VOL. 11.]

A nation, as well as an individual, may be ap pointed to a particular ministry. The English, possessing such facilities for distributing the bread of life among the nations, are doubtless responsible, far beyond others, who, in general, have neither the same ability, nor yet the same outward opportunities of doing good. We quite mistake our mission, if we suppose that we are given our position chiefly for the purpose of acquiring for ourselves the bread that perisheth.

46 ver. See margin.

We are not to look for our reward now from man, but from our Lord at his coming.

47 ver. Let us be faithful in the position which we now occupy, if we expect to be raised to a higher dignity in the kingdom. Those may afford to act liberally, who know the Almighty is their provider, and that they are to inherit all things.

HE THAT JUDGETH ME IS THE LORD.-1 Cor. iv. 4.

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LET US ACT NOW AS WE SHALL WISH TO BE FOUND ACTING AT THE PERSONAL APPEARING OF OUR LORD.

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