EACH GRADE IN THE DIVINE LIFE MAY FIND ITS PROPER NOURISHMENT IN THE SCRIPTURES, TO WHICH THERE OUGHT TO BE FREE ACCESS FOR ALL.

JOHN xxi. 18-20.

me? And he said unto-him, Lord, thou knowest vidas all-things; thou knowest 18 YiVoxels that I-love piλw thee. Jesus saith unto-him, Feed Booke iny sheep. Verily, verily, I-say unto-thee, When thou-wast young, thou-girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou-wouldest: but when thou-shalt-be-old, thou-shalt-stretch-forth thy hands, 19 and another shall-gird thee, and carry thee whither thou-wouldest not. This spake-he, signifying by-what death he-should-glorify God. And when-he-had-spoken this, he20 saith unto-him, Follow me. Then Peter, turning-about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

Lord, thou knowest all things, &c.-An acknowledg- | figuration-to the true teaching which Jesus had ment that Jesus had known him better than he knew promised to give, ver. 19-21, to the false teachers, himself, when the good Shepherd forewarned him of whom he had predicted would arise, ii. 1-and also the coming danger, Lu. xxii. 31, .4, § 87, pp. 376, ..7; to his predictions respecting the last days, the preMk. xiv. 27, p. 406-The knowledge of Christ is par- paration for the great consummation in the day ticularly dwelt upon in the commencement of Peter's of the Lord,' and the 'new heavens and a new earth,' second epistle, i. 3, According as his Divine power iii. 13-The subjects treated of in Peter's second hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life epistle, it may be observed, are of the same nature, and godliness, through the knowledge of him that and in much the same order, as the Apocalypse, so hath called us to glory and virtue:'-Jesus know. that the former may be regarded as a key to the the temptations to which we may be exposed, and has latter. accordingly ministered to us such promises as, if duly 18. whither thou wouldest Peter seems to have attended to, will withdraw our affections from all repeatedly left his Master's work at his own pleasure that is debasing, and enable us in patience to produce see on ver. 3, 15, pp. 506, ..7, supra. the fruits of faith in himself, ver. 4-8. stretch forth thy hands-Peter seems to allude to this prediction of the manner of his death (by crucifixion) as a motive for increased diligence in the work to which his Lord had appointed him-2 Pe. i. 14, Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.' 19. signifying by what death, &c.-The same as that of his Lord, as before intimated, ch. xiii. 36, § 87, p. 374, Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.'

Jno. xxi. 17. Feed my sheep-Our Lord here uses the word (Books) which he had used when he said, ver. 15, Feed my lambs.'-The fathers in Christ, for whom more especially the second epistle of Peter seems designed, require to be nourished equally with the lambs, and ought, as directed, iii. 18, to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.'-Wherefore, although they had been instructed in the facts of the gospel history at the commencement of their christian career, and thus had the rudiments of the knowledge of Christ already deposited in their memories, yet Peter would not be negligent to put them always in remembrance of these things,' i. 12, .3-He also avows his purpose to take measures that after his decease they might have 'these things always in remembrance,' ver. 15, which is generally supposed to have been accomplished in the gospel according to Mark, written under the direction of Peter-Peter especially alludes, ver. 16--.8, to that grand event in our Lord's life, the Trans

Follow me-In his Lord's service he ought to have been willing to follow him at all hazards, even unto death-It is evident, however, that our Lord meant that Peter should now literally follow him-It would appear that Peter had not yet fully followed the instructions sent to the disciples to follow Jesus to the place appointed, Mk. xvi. 7, § 93, p. 487-see on Mk. viii. 34, § 50, p. 42.

NOTES.

repetition of the question, but because of rò rpírov, the number of his own denials of Christ. This is sufficient refutation of the silly idea of an exclusive primatical power being granted or confirmed to him. See also Pe. v. 1, The elders which are among you,' &c.-See supra. SCRIP. ILLUS.

Jno. xxi. 18. Thou girdedst thyself, &c. The Jews, in walking or running, girded their outer garments around them that they might not be impeded. The expression here denotes freedom. He did as he pleased; he girded himself or not-he went or remained, as he chose.

[When thou shalt be old. The termination of his pastoral office is announced to him-a proof of that omniscience which he had just confessed; a contrast to his denial of Christ, of which he had just been reminded; a proof to be hereafter given of the hererecognised genuineness of that love he professed.] Carry thee, &c. In the lifting up after the fastening to the cross. This is a prophecy of the manner of Peter's death-see ver. 19-which is said to have taken place by crucifixion at Rome. St. Peter is reported to have been fixed to the cross with his head downwards at his own request; as though he were

not worthy even to suffer in the same manner as his Lord. The words are descriptive of the practice mentioned by ancient authors, of stretching out the hands of criminals upon the two extremities of a yoke placed across the neck, and so carrying them out to crucifixion. There appears to be a reference to this prophecy in 2 Pe. i. 14.-See SCRIP. ILLUS., supra, Stretch forth thy hands.'

[Whither thou wouldest not. This is not said to intimate that Peter would be unwilling to suffer martyrdom; but it stands opposed to the freedom of his early life. Though willing when compelled to do it, yet he would not seek it; and though he would not needlessly expose himself to it, yet he would not shrink from it, when it was the will of God.] 19. Glorify God. The words seem to be a plain reference to ch. xiii. 36, [§ 87, p. 374,] and the following through the cross to glory.-See Mt. xvi. 24, [§ 50, p. 42].... There was also a forcible reminding of Peter of the first time he had heard these words on the same shore, iv. 19, [§ 16, p. 108]. [20. Peter.... seeth the disciple.... following. 'There is a peculiar spirit and tenderness in this

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

young men should have their growing strength nou- |
rished and directed by those who love the Lord.]
Jno. xxi. 17. Those who are to be eminent in the
Lord's service may lay their account with having
their love to the Saviour called in question.
It will be well if, when we are asked, we can say,
'Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I
love thee.'
[15, 7 ver. Let each, whether babe, young man, or

VOL. II]

father, seek to improve, by the proper nourishment
provided for him, under the direction of the chief
Shepherd.]—See margin.
[18 ver. Peter is reminded of his repeated depar-
tures from the service of his Master-and although
forgiven, yet is he told that even in the manner of
his death God will remind him of his early defec-
tions. Let us beware of choosing at any time
own ways; although God may forgive our iniquity,
yet will he take vengeance on our inventions.]

HAST THOU FAITH?-Rom. xiv. 22.

our

509

AS EVERY MAN HATH RECEIVED THE GIFT, EVEN SO MINISTER THE SAME ONE TO ANOTHER, AS GOOD STEWARDS OF THE MANIFOLD, ETC.-1 Pet. iv. 10.

LET US BE GRATEFUL TO GOD THAT HE GIVES US OPPORTUNITIES OF GLORIFYING HIM, EVEN WHEN WE ARE SUFFERING ON ACCOUNT OF OUR SINS.

JOHN XXI. 21-.4.

loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he 21 that-betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this-man 22 do? Jesus saith unto-him, If I-will that-he-tarry μevev till I-come, what is that to 23 thee? follow thou me. Then went-this saying-abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should-not-die: yet Jesus said not unto-him, He-shall-not-die; but, If I-will that-he-tarry till I-come, what is that to thee?

24

This is the disciple which testifieth of these-things, and wrote these-things: and weknow that his testimony is true. [Ver. 25, 100, p. 518.]

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

Jno. xxi. 20. leaned on his breast-see ch. xiii. 23.5, § 87, p. 371.

| every man have praise of God.'-Rev. xxii. 7, 20, Behold, I come quickly:'-The second and glorious advent was, upon his ascension to heaven, most clearly 21. what shall this man do?-John has also done as foretold by the two men, Ac. i. 11, § 98, p. 517, 'Which Peter was directed, ver. 15-.7-He whom Jesus loved also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing has provided food for the lambs in the gospel accordup into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up ing to John-He who leaned on his breast at supper, from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner hath in his epistles presented those rules for the guidance of the more advanced disciples, whereby as ye have seen him go into heaven.' they may be kept in the love of God-He who asked what is that to thee? &c.-Intimating that though concerning the betrayer, Lord, who is it?' has in John were to remain during the whole period of our the Apocalypse an abundant discovery made to him Lord's absence from the earth, neither Peter nor of the sou of perdition,' of whom the betrayer was a any of his pretended successors would have any right to interfere with, or assume authority over him 22. till I come-When the great Apocalypse will-Peter was to mind his own work, and John, from take place, 1 Co. iv. 5, Judge nothing before the love, would do his-see on ver. 21-Peter and John time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to were afterwards much together in their Master's serlight the hidden things of darkness, and will make vice, Ac. iii. 1; iv. 13; viii. 14-see on Mt. xvi. 19, § 50, manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall p. 39; Mk. viii. 34, § ib., p. 42.

type.

plain passage.

NOTES.

Christ orders St. Peter to follow him, in token of his readiness to be crucified in his cause. St. John stays not for the call; he rises and follows him too; but says not one word of his own. love or zeal. He chose that the action only should. speak this; and even when he records the circumstance, he tells not what that action meant, but with great simplicity relates the fact only. If here and there a generous heart sees and emulates it, be it so; but he is not solicitous that men should admire it. It was addressed to his beloved Master, and it was enough that he understood it.'-Wesley.] Jno. xxi. 22. Till I come. At the destruction of Jerusalem began that mighty series of events of which the Apocalypse is the prophetic record, and which is in the complex known as the "coming of the Lord," ending, as it shall, with his glorious and personal advent.'-Alford.

ous.

[What is that to thee? av avrov λo, &c. Here, again, the sense is obscure, for the very same reason as before, and consequently has led to a great variety of interpretations; all of them more or less erroneTo ascertain their true import, the scope of the words, and their plain force, both separately and conjointly, must first be ascertained. Now it is evident that our Lord intended a gentle rebuke to Peter for his curiosity on a subject which did not concern himself, and into which it was not proper for him to pry. And as Tipos o was (as appears from the classical illustrations of Wetstein and Kypke) a frequent form of repressing vain curiosity, the chief sense intended seems to be that assigned by Euthy mius, "Do thou mind thine own concerns."-Bloomf.] It is likely our Lord refers to his personal advent, and thus intimates, that although the beloved disciple were to continue on earth until his Lord's return, neither Peter nor any other pretended vicar

This

of Christ would have any right to interfere with him.
He would, like every other beloved disciple, be ac-
countable to his Lord alone, 'to his own Master.
This answer of our Lord contains a plain proof of
his Divinity. He here intimates that it depends upon
his will how long John shall remain alive. But the
Christ therefore must be God.'-Lonsdale and Hale.
issues of life and death proceed from God alone,
24. We know. That is, it is known; it is univer-
sally admitted. In this case, therefore, we have the
testimony of a man whose character for nearly a cen-
tury was that of a man of truth; so much so, that it
had become in a manner proverbial, and put beyond
a question. It is impossible to believe that such a
man would sit down deliberately to impose upon
mankind, or to write a book which was false.
gospel contains, in itself, the clearest proof of inspira-
tion. It is a connected, clear, and satisfactory argu-
ment, to establish the great truth that Jesus was the
Messiah. It contains the record of the Saviour's
profoundest discourses, of his most convincing argu-
ments with the Jews, and of his declarations respect-
ing himself and God. It contains the purest and
most elevated views of God anywhere expressed. But
if John has recorded the words of the Lord Jesus,
and preserved the true record of what occurred so
many years before, then it shews that he was under a
Divine guidance; and he is himself a proof, a stand-
ing proof of the fulfilment of the promise, that the
Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth, ch.
xvi. 13. Of this book, as of all other books of the
sacred scriptures, we may, in conclusion, apply the
words spoken by John, respecting his vision of the
future events of the church-Blessed is he that read-
eth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy
(book), and keep those things which are written
therein: for the time is at hand,' Rev. i. 3.

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

[Jno. xxi. 20-.2. Peter attempted to shew his love to the Saviour by taking supervision of the disciple whom Jesus loved,' whose simplicity he may have thought required the guidance of his superior wisdom in his allotted sphere of action. If so, Peter very soon began to exercise that which the Romish church has claimed for St. Peter, to whom it says our Lord gave the episcopal jurisdiction, over not only the lambs, which they say are the laity, but also over the priests and the bishops, which they say are referred to by the sheep. It is not so, however, that Peter was here given supremacy over his fellow-disciples, else he would have been right in taking an oversight of the beloved disciple of whom our Lord says, 'If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?' So 510]

then the beloved disciple was exempted from Peter's control; and as certainly ought all the successors of the beloved disciple to be exempt from the control of the pretended successors of St. Peter. For, be it observed, the exemption is not merely claimed for John during our Lord's sojourn upon earth, and until Peter should come into the full exercise of his vicariate, but also during the whole period of our Lord's absence until his second and glorious appearing. Were Peter himself upon the earth, he would have no right to exercise authority over John. As little right have the pretended successors of St. Peter to lord it over the successors of the beloved disciple.] 24 ver. As in God's sight, speak the truth in Christ.

BE NOT HASTY IN DRAWING INFERENCES.

[VOL. II.

IT IS THE DUTY OF THE DISCIPLE NOT TO GO BEFORE HIS MASTER, AS PETER WAS ONCE DISPOSED TO DO, BUT TO FOLLOW 111M.

HE THAT KEEPETH HIS COMMANDMENTS DWELLETH IN HIM, AND HE IN HIM.

(G. 14.)-Jesus appears to James, "the Lord's brother:" which is his ninth appearance.* 1 Cor. xv. 7. In Galilee.

[Ver. 6, 96, p. 502.]

7 After-that, he-was-seen of-James;

SECTION 98.-(G. 15-.7.)-[Lesson 100 embraces Sect. xcviii-c.]-PARTICULARS OF ASCENSION DAY.-Acts i. 4-11. Mark xvi. 15-.9. Luke xxiv. 44-51. 1 Cor. xv. 7.

INTRODUCTION

Ac. i. 4. Having again met with his disciples after appearing to them in Galilee, Jesus commands them to wait in Jerusalem for the fulfilment of the Father's promise, of which he had before spoken to them. Lu. xxiv. 44. All concerning Christ contained in the three grand departments of Old Testament scripture must be fulfilled.

xxiv. 45-7. Christ opens the understandings of his disciples to understand the scriptures, shewing that they predicted his death and resurrection; that repentance and remission of sins... in his name' may be preached unto all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

xxiv. 48. He declares the disciples witnesses of the things thus predicted and fulfilled.

- xxiv. 49. He speaks to them of the promise of the Father, that other Witness whereby their tes timony was to be confirmed, and bids them remain in Jerusalem until they be given power from on high.' Ac. i. 5. Jesus contrasts John's water baptism with the baptism of the Spirit, with which the disciples are speedily to be favoured. i. 6. The disciples not distinguishing between the former rain and the latter rain, promised in connexion with the great restoration, ask Jesus whether he will at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?'

AND ANALYSIS.

seasons kept by the Father in his own power,' but
that they will receive power after the Holy Ghost is
come upon them, and that then they shall be his wit-
nesses not only in Jerusalem and in Judæa, but also
in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Lu. xxiv. 50. Jesus leads his disciples out to the
confines of Bethany.

into all the world, and make known to all the glad
Mk. xvi. 15. Jesus commands his disciples to go
tidings of salvation.
-xvi. 16. Every one who believes and is
cleansed shall be saved; he that believes not shall be
condemned.
xvi. 17, .8. Signs promised to accompany faith
in the name of Jesus.
- xvi. 19.
Ac. i. 9.
Lu. xxiv. 50, .1.
having spoken to his disciples, lifts up his hands and
blesses them. While blessing his disciples he is
parted from them, and taken up into heaven, a
cloud receiving him out of their sight.
-xvi. 19.

is seated on the right hand of God.

Jesus

Jesus

-i. 10, .1. While ascended Lord, two men clothed in white are found the disciples continue looking earnestly after their standing by, who ask why they thus continue gazing into heaven, assuring them that the same Jesus they have seen go into heaven, will return in the same manner as they have seen him ascend.

i. 7, 8. Jesus intimates that it is not at present theirs to know the times or the No. 98.-(G. 15.)-On the morning of ascension day, or Holy Thursday, Jesus appears to the apostles, assembled in Jerusalem: which is his tenth and last appearance.

Ac. i. 4. not depart from Jerusalem- They had heard him speak of its approaching destruction, Lu. xix. 41-4, § 82, pp. 264, ..5, and of a time when it would be the duty of the disciples to flee out of Judæa, xxi. 20-.4, § 86, pp. 331-..4-He had moreover given them, Mt. x. 23, § 39, p. 300, a general rule, When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another:'-and now in their Head they had been persecuted even unto the death, Lu. xxiii. 33, § 91, p. 459-and he had warned them to look for the same treatment as their Lord, Jno. xv. 20, § 87, p. 390-If, therefore, they were now to remain in Jerusalem, it required that they should receive particular instructions to that effect-comp. Lu. xxiv. 47, infra; Ac. i. 8-The apostles did remain in Jerusalem, even when the disciples generally were dispersed therefrom by persecution, viii. 1.

1 Cor. xv. 7.

then of-all the apostles.

the promise of the Father-see on Lu. xxiv. 49, infra. ye have heard of me-He had said that the Holy Ghost would empower them to send forth rivers of living water,' Jno. vii. 38, .9, § 55, p. 95, in which the nations were to be made clean, and prepared for holy service-comp. xvii. 17-26, § 87, pp. 402-..5; Mt. xxviii. 19, 20, § 96, p. 503-Jesus had said much respecting the promise of the Father, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Jno. xiv. 16, .7, § 87, p. 383-the Holy Ghost, who was to teach them all things, and bring to their remembrance all he had taught them, ver. 26, p. 385, who was to testify of Christ, xv. 26, p. 391, and convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, xvi. 7-11, pp. 393, ..4-guide into all truth, shew them things to come, and glorify the Saviour, ver. 13, .4, pp. 394, ..5. NOTES.

Ac. i. 4. Commanded them that they should not | Joel ii. 28, which also Christ had promised his disdepart, &c. See SCRIP. ILLUS. ciples from the Father, Jno. xiv. 16; xv. 26; xvi. 7, The promise. The pouring forth of the Spirit, § 87, pp. 383, .91, ..3.

Jesus appears to James, by whom St. Paul must be supposed to mean the James then living, and consequently the brother of our Lord and the bishop of Jerusalem. This is the ninth manifestation on record; and probably was to command the apostles to return to Jerusalem; and if so, it would take place in Galilee, some time before the twenty-sixth of the Jewish Zif or Jar, and the sixteenth of the Julian May, which was ascension day; when it is certain they were again in Jerusalem.'-Greswell.

VOL. II.]

HIS COMMANDMENTS ARE NOT GRIEVOUS.-1 Jno. v. 3.

[511

AND HEREBY WE KNOW THAT HE ABIDETH IN US, BY THE SPIRIT WHICH HE HATH GIVEN US.-1 Jno. iii. 24.

LUKE xxiv. 44-.7.

(Ver. 43, 95, p. 499.)

44 And he said unto-them, These are the words which I-spake unto you, while-I-was yet with you, that all-things must be-fulfilled, which-werewritten in the law of Moses, and in the-prophets, and in the-psalms, 45 concerning me. Then opened-he their understanding, that they-might46 understand the scriptures, and said unto-them, Thus it-is-written, and thus it-behoved Christ to-suffer, and to-rise from the-dead the third day: 47 and that- repentance and remission of-sins-should-be-preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

Lu. xxiv. 44. all things, &c.-Jno. xvi. 15, p. 395, All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shew it unto you.'

Jesus proceeds, ver. 44-.8, to give them an example of that ministration of the word which they, through the Holy Ghost, were to give unto otherscomp. Ac. i. 2-5.

law of Moses-the first five books of the Bible-see on ver. 27, § 91, p. 495.

ACTS.

psalms-The first of the twelve books of the Hagiographa, or Holy Scriptures, which were sometimes, as here, named after the first in the list as they stand in the Hebrew: Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Canticles, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Chronicles.

45. opened, &c.-so Ps. cxix. 18, Open thou mine law.'-We are encouraged so to ask, Ja. i. 5-It is in eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy having the scriptures opened to us that our understandings are opened, Lu. xxiv. 32, § 94, p. 496. the book it is written of me,' 46. Thus it is written-Ps. xl. 7, In the volume of

to suffer-As had been foreshadowed in the sacrifices under the law, He. ix. 24-.6-in the typical persons, Ac. vii. 9, 35-.7-and by prophecy, Ps. xxii. 1-18; Is. liii. 2-10.

xxvi. 20.

the prophets-the seven books: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel; and the twelve minor prophets, from Hosea to MalachiJoshua was an eminent type of Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, who leads the Israel of God into the promised inheritance-see Jos. v. 13, .4-In Judges we may see a representation of the marvellous deliverances the Lord effects for us, when we know that other help is vain, and look to him alone-see the battle of Midian, ch. vii.-In Samuel we read of house of Israel had been predicted, Jer. iii. 12-.447. repentance-The preaching of it unto the lost David and his afflictions, the man after God's own heart, truly exhibited in the King of Righteous- preached to the Jews first, Ac. il. 38; iii. 19; v. 31; ness, 2 Sa. xxii., xxiii. 1-7-In the history of the xi. 18; xiii. 38-41,.6, Lo, we turn to the Gentiles.' kings we read of Solomon, whose kingdom fore-Preached at Athens, xvii. 30, .1-before Agrippa, shadowed that of THE PRINCE OF PEACE, 1 Ki. iii., iv. 20-34; and in the after parts of the book, in the case both of Israel and of Judah, we see the miserable distraction and ruin that result from not walking in the truth-That ruin we see fully portrayed in Jeremiah, together with promises, clear and express, of the good which God, according to new-covenant mercy, will give his people to enjoy in THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, Jer. xxxi. 1-4; 14-26-In Ezekiel the glory and blessings of the kingdom of David the Beloved are described; and as well the state of those refusing to be found under the guidance of the good Z Shepherd, and in reception of his good Spirit, Eze. i., ix., X., xxxiv., xxxvi. 22-38, xxxvii., &c.-and in Isaiah we have most distinctly pointed out both the sufferings of Christ, ch. liii., and the glory that should follow, liv., Ix., as well as previously his birth, as being God with us,' vii. 14; ix. 6, 7-and his ministry which was now to be carried out by his apostles, xlii. 1-6-see also lxi., &c.

HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD, O YE NATIONS, AND DECLARE IT IN THE ISLES AFAR OFF, AND SAY,

remission of sins-1 Jno. ii. 12, For his name's sake.'-Rom. iii. 24, Freely by his grace,'-28, By faith without the deeds of the law,' to the establishing of the law, ver. 31.

among all nations-see Mt. xxviii. 19, § 96, p. 503. beginning at Jerusalem-which had been pre-eminent in guilt, Je. xxxii. 31-5-and was also to be pre-eminent in judgment, Mt. xxiii. 34-.9, § 85, pp. 319-.21; Lu. xiii. 33-.5, § 66, pp. 179, .80-comp. with Paul's case, 1 Ti. i. 15-.7-In Jerusalem were the most ample means of testing the truth of the apostles' statements, Ac. ii. 22-32, and the case of Jerusalem was to confirm the gospel unto those to whom it was more especially sent, Eze. xiv. 21-.3see Ho. ii. 14-23; Je. iii. 11-.7; Zec. ii. 8-11-The everlasting gospel was to be preached, Rev. xiv. 6, unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every ination, and kindred, and tongue, and people,' &c.

NOTES.

Lu. xxiv. 44. These are the words. Behold the God is a dead letter to those who are not enlightened realization of the words,' &c. by the grace of Christ; and why? because this word speaks of spiritual and heavenly things; and the carnal mind of man cannot discern them. They who receive not this inward teaching continue dark and dead while they live.'-A.C.] See on

Which I spake.... while, &c. See ch. xviii. 31, [§ 77, p. 235] xxii. 37, [§ 87, p. 377;] Mt. xxvi. 56, S 88, p. 421;] but doubtless he had often said things to them on these matters which have not been recorded for us.

[45. Then opened he their understanding. AhvOLEEV, he fully opened. They had a measure of light before, so that they discerned the scriptures to be the true word of God, and to speak of the Messiah; but they had not light sufficient to enable them to apply these scriptures to their Lord and Master; but now, by the influence of Christ, they see, not only the prophecies which pointed out the Messiah, but also the Messiah who was pointed out by these prophecies. The book of God may be received in general as a Divine revelation, but the proper meaning, reference, and application of the scriptures can only be discerned by the light of Christ. Even the very plain word of

46. Thus it behoved Christ to suffer, &c. ver. 26, § 94, p. 495.

47. Repentance. See on ch. iii. 3, [§ 7, p. 50.] Remission of sins. *Αφεσιν ἁμαρτιων, the taking relates to the destruction of the power, the pardoning away-removal of sins, in general-everything that of the guilt, and the purification of the heart from the very nature of sin. Be preached. Be proclaimed.-See on Mt. iii. 1, § 7, p. 50. [Beginning at Jerusalem. Apřáμavov. A neuter absolute, "it having begun." The substance of the preaching of the gospel literally corresponded to this description.-See Ac. ii. 38.'-Alford.]

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

Lu. xxiv. 45. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth: that we may know this, let us attentively study both the Old Testament scriptures and the New, and take Christ himself for our Interpreter.

512]

[46, .7 ver. Let us endeavour to give an unreserved declaration of the gospel to those among whom we live, though they should hate us on account of it; and thereafter, as far as is in our power, let us call to repentance, and make known the remission of sins.]

ARISE, SHINE; FOR THY LIGHT IS COME,-Isa. lx. 1.

VOL. II.

HE THAT SCATTERED ISRAEL WILL GATHER HIM, AND KEEP HIM, AS A SHEPHERD DOTH HIS FLOCK.-Jer. xxxi. 10.

I WILL POUR WATER UPON HIM THAT IS THIRSTY, AND FLOODS UPON THE DRY GROUND:

48 And ye are witnesses of-these-things. 49, And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you but tarrу kabiσaтe ye in the city ofJerusalem, until ye-be-endued-with evovo nobe power from on-high."

"For John truly baptized with-water; but ye shall-be- 5 baptized with the-Holy Ghost not many days hence. When-they therefore-were-come-together, they-asked-6 of him, saying, Lord, wilt-thou- at this time-restore

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

be baptized with the Holy Ghost, &c.-The Comforter 6. When they therefore, &c.-Jesus had predicted was to bring all things to their remembrance that that Jerusalem should be destroyed, Lu. xix. 41—.4, Jesus had said to them, Jno. xiv. 26, § 87, p. 385-He § 82, p. 264, and yet the disciples were now com was so to apply the truth as that they should be made manded not to depart from Jerusalem, until that 'clean through the word' which Jesus had spoken which they regarded as connected with the restoraunto them, xv. 3, § ib., p. 387-so, being made clean, tion should come, Lu. xxiv. 49, supra; Ac. i. 4-The and abiding in Christ, they were to receive the pro- disciples may not as yet have learned to distinguish mised power to become fruitful, ver. 4, 5-Baptism between the firstfruits of the Spirit, Rom. viii. 23, to with the Holy Ghost had been much spoken of by the be given in their own time, and of the full bestowprophets as preparatory to the restoration of Israel; ment of which the pentecostal effusion was the pledge the desolations of their land were to continue till-comp. Je. xxxiii. 6-9, Behold, I will bring it then, Is. xxxii. 14-.6, Because the palaces shall be health and cure, and I will cure them, and will

NOTES.

I WILL POUR MY SPIRIT UPON THY SEED, AND MY BLESSING UPON THINE OFFSPRING-Isa. xliv. 3.