LET NO MAN THINK THAT HE IS WISE, WHILE REFUSING TO MAKE USE OF THE WORD OF GOD. MATT. XXV. 23-.7. 23 gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto-him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou-hast-been faithful over a-few-things, I-will-make-thee-ruler over 24 many-things: enter-thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which-had-received the one talent came and-said, Lord, I-knew thee that thou-art an-hard σkλnpos man, reaping 25 where thou-hast-not-sown, and gathering where thou-hast-not-strawed: and I-was26 afraid, and-went and-hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou-hast that is thine. His lord answered and-said unto-him, Thou wicked and slothful okvηpe servant, thou27 knewest that I-reap where I-sowed not, and gather where I-have-not-strawed: thou SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. Mt. xxv. 22. two other talents-2 Co. viii. 12, If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.'-See the case of the poor widow, Mk. xii. 43, .4, § 85. 23. Well done, &c.-2 Co. x. 18, Not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.'-See on ver. 21. 24. Lord, I knew thee-Pr. xxvi. 12-ver. 16, The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason." hard man-Job xxi. 15, What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?'-Mal. i. 13, Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts;' where thou hast not sown-God is not such an unskilful husbandman-He looks for the harvest where his good seed has been sown-Is. xxviii. 23.9, Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech,' &c.-Je. ii. 31, O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee?" 25. I was afraid-Retaining the disposition of the old Adam, when he said, Ge. iii. 10, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.'-And of Israel, imme diately before the Lord wrapped up his word in wicked and slothful-or, 'evil and slothful-evil, as having ill thoughts of his lord, as expressed, ver. 24slothful, as making no use of what was intrusted to his care, as ver. 25-Evil and slothful are opposed to the characteristics, 'good and faithful,' ver. 21, .3, supra. own words, as in ver. 24-and judging him according thou knewest that, &c.-repeating the evil servant's to his own rule, as forewarned, Ps. xviii. 26, with the froward the Lord will shew himself froward-Eze. xxxiii. 20, Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways. NOTES. freed servants were frequently invited to recline at meat with their masters, though the slaves were not allowed that privilege: so Demetrius, the freed man of Pompey the Great.] Mt. xxv. 24. An hard man. λnpos. Hard-hearted, 'griping;' one who exacts his due to the uttermost, axpi Bodíxaios: so Josephus, Ant. vi. 14, uses it of Nabal. Severe and unreasonable in thy demands upon thy servants, exacting more than they have ability to perform.' Reaping where thou hast not sown. That is, requiring more of us than thou givest us power to perform. So does every obstinate sinner, in one kind or other, lay the blame of his own sins on God. his having comparatively little opportunity of doing Sin [Lo,... thou hast ... thine. He was like the Jews and the Romanists, who think it a great matter that they have preserved the letter of the word, buried under the rubbish of human traditions and opinions. But the word of God is not rightly used as being merely preserved; it was spoken that it might be heard, understood, rejoiced in, and obeyed. cannot say to our Lord, Lo, thou hast thine,' except before him in love.] we are ourselves presented holy and without blame We thou hast been slothful, having wilfully neglected the 26. Wicked and slothful. Wicked, inasmuch as trust which I committed to thee. [25. Was afraid. poßnosis. That is, 'fearing lest if I should lose the money, thou wouldst severely exact it of me,' by taking away all my substance (Kuin.) This was evidently a mere excuse; but as Euthym. observes, the parable puts a weak excuse into the mouth of the slothful servant, in order to shew that in such a case no reasonable apology can be made.] In the earth, &c. This represents the conduct of those who neglect the abilities that God has given, and fail to do what he has required. Their excuses are without foundation, for God does not require us to do as much as those who have greater abilities; but this is not a reason why we should do nothing, 2 Co. viii. 12. That situation is honourable, and may be useful, where God has placed us; and though humble, yet in that we may do much good, 1 Co. xii. 11-31. Men of slender abilities often do more good in the world than men of much greater talents. It is rather a warm heart than a strong head which is required to do good. Christ will call men to an account for the manner in which they have improved their talents.-See Rom. xiv. 12; 2 Co. v. 10; Ac. xvii. 31. No one is excused in indolence on account of i Reap where 1 sowed not. Near small towns and [Thou knewest that reap, &c. Some commentators have translated this passage interrogatively, thus: Didst thou know that I was?' &c. The argument appears to be as follows:-Though it were really true, as thou sayest, that I reap where I sow not, and thou durst not risk the money in merchandise, yet thou oughtest to have put it out to the public money. changers to interest; some exertions should have been made.' He mentioned this instance of good management, because it was the lowest that could be, and was attended with the least trouble, to intimate, that though the servant had not pursued, with his lord's money, that particular trade in which, according to the custom of the times, he had been instructed, yet, if he had been at any pains at all to improve the stock committed to him, though it had been ever so little, he would not have been so entirely to blame.] PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. ability as some others, yet let us be faithful in what we are given, and we also shall receive our full measure of joy. Mt. xxv. 24, 5. It is remarkable that in the parable, the only man who boasts of his knowledge of the Lord, is the man who has it not. VOL. II.] leads to distrust, in place of casting out fear, and [That is not a true knowledge of the Lord, which procuring us all things that pertain to life and godliness. See margin. TRUE WISDOM CONSISTS IN OUR BEING ACCORDANT TO GOD'S WORD IN HEART AND IN LIFE. [26, .7 ver. It is expected that we act according to our convictions of truth and duty, whatever these [349 HE THAT WINKETH WITH THE EYE CAUSETH SORROW:-Prov. x. 10. THOSE WHO WILL NOT USE THE BIBLE FOR THEMSELVES, OUGHT AT LEAST TO ALLOW OTHERS TO USE IT. MATT. XXV. 28-30. oughtest therefore to-have-put my money to-the exchangers, and then at-my-coming I 28 should have-received mine-own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and 29 give it unto-him which-hath ten talents. For unto every-one that-hath shall-be-given, and he-shall-have-abundance: but from him that-hath not shall-be-taken-away even 30 that-which he-hath. And cast-ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall-be weeping and gnashing of teeth. § 80, p. 250. SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. Mt. xxv. 27. thou oughtest, &c. - see Lu. xix. 23, part, which shall not be taken away from her.'-See xix. 26, § 80, p. 250. 28. Take therefore, &c.-Lu. xix. 24, § ib. 29. For unto every one, &c.—see the same principle stated, ch. xiii. 12, § 32, p. 245; Mk. iv. 25, § 33, p. 259-He who can, with our Great Exampler, say, Ps. xl. 8, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.'-He who thus hath shall be given the true knowledge of those symbolic representations, and verbal exhibitions of the truth, in which formalists rest, without penetrating into their meaning, or allowing their great lesson of love to be stamped upon the heart and life-Lu. viii. 18, § 33, p. 259, Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.'-Mary, who sat at Jesus' feet and heard his word, was more commended by our Lord than her sister, who was careful and troubled about many things: x. 42, § 61, p. 150, But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good 30. unprofitable, &c.-so, as to the branches that abide not in the true vine, and are found withered, Jno. xv. 6, § 87, p. 388, Men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.' outer darkness, &c. Is. xxi. 12, The morning cometh, and also the night:'-Am. v. 18, Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light.-20, Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?' The unprofitable are to have their portion with those described, Jude, ver. 13, as 'raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.' Mal. iii. 18, Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.' NOTES. villages, grain was sown in common fields, which were divided into parts proportioned to the number and extent of the resident families. As the divisions were made with no great accuracy, it was in the power of a selfish and disingenuous man to encroach on his neighbour's territory, and to reap more than his own seed-corn had produced.-Comp. Pr. xxiii. 10; Job xxiv. 2-10. or benefits received, even these are taken from him. But to him who rightly employs them, more are given, as rewards of his good management." [The right interpretation appears to be this:From him that hath not, i. e., hath not anything addithat which he hath; i. e., the principal, the sum tional, or any improvement, shall be taken away even which was originally committed to his charge. As Mt. xxv. 27. Exchangers. rpametirais. These dis- to the expression in St. Luke, viii. 18, § 33, p. 259, charged not only the offices of our bankers, in receiv-that which he seemeth to have,' it is not meant that ing and giving out money, and giving interest upon he only seems to have it in his possession, and really it, but also in exchanging coins, and distinguishing has it not; but that he only has it in his possession genuine from forged money. -See on Lu. xix. 23, without any original right to it; he has it not as his § 80, p. 250. own, but as deposited by another, who can justly take it from him whenever he pleases. He has it, therefore, as it is in his possession, and only seems to have it, or (which is all the same) really has it not, as he has no right to it.] [With usury. our Tów, with interest. Anciently the import of the word usury was no other than profit, whether great or small, allowed to the lender for the use of borrowed money. As this practice often gave rise to great extortion, the very name at length became odious. The consideration that the Jews were prohibited by their law from taking any profit from one another for money (though they were allowed to take it from strangers), contributed to increase the odium. When christian commonwealths judged it necessary to regulate this matter by law, they gave to such profit as does not exceed the legal, the softer name of interest; since which time usury has come to signify solely extravagant profit disallowed by law; and which, therefore, it is criminal in the borrower to give, and in the lender to take. As it is not this kind of profit that is here meant, the word usury is now become improper.] 29. Him that hath not. See on ch. xiii. 12, § 32, p. 245. The words may be paraphrased, with Kuinoel, When any one does not properly use gifts bestowed, 30. Cast ye.... into outer darkness. See on ch. viii. 12, § 28, p. 220. Unprofitable servant. àxpsiov here means useless:' so mere harmlessness, on which many build their hope of salvation, was the cause of his damnation. 14-30. The Master is Christ, who, in his ascension, travelled into a far country. The servants are ministers and people. The talents are offices, gifts, and opportunities, given by Christ to men in different degrees for the good of the church, to be improved for his glory, and to be accounted for at his coming again. Such as improve what they have received, whether more or less, in a faithful and diligent manner, shall be graciously rewarded. But such as, through unbelief of God's kindness and mercy, neglect to improve their gifts, shall be deprived of them, and damned for their abuse of them. PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. may be. Many who refuse to search the scriptures, so as to find in them the free gift of eternal life, may expect condemnation, as being judged according to their own principle of salvation by works. Let us believe that God is gracious, if we expect to produce works worthy of our christian profession; and let us be merciful, as we expect to find mercy in that day.] [Mt. xxv. 27. It is not enough that a church has been given the keeping of the scriptures, and has even kept the truth of God entire; a bare possession without profit will be found loss in the end. The loss to the evil servant is even already overruled for the enrichment of the good and faithful: for, by the fulfilment of the scriptures, in the case of the Jews, and also in that of the Romans, those who are faithful in the use of Divine Revelation, have their faith abundantly confirmed.] 350] 29 ver. Not only in outward privilege, but in inward possession, may our privileges continue and increase. [30 ver. It is not enough that we abstain from doing evil; but indeed we do evil, if we refrain from doing good. It will not avail to pretend such a reverence for the scriptures, as that we will not use them through the fear of abusing them. If we desire to avoid the punishment of the unprofitable servant, let us seek to the utmost of our ability to possess, and act according to that whereby the Lord worketh in us, and forms us for his pleasure. Let us now make our choice, whether we shall be made light in the Lord, and so be made partakers of his joy; or amuse ourselves with the sparks of our own kindling, and so be cast into outer darkness,' where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."] TREASURES OF WICKEDNESS PROFIT NOTHING:-Prov, x. 2. [VOL. II. ARE WITHHELD WHEREVER THE ROMAN PRIESTHOOD HAVE UNCONTROLLED SWAY, ver. 26, .7. THE SCRIPTURES THE MEMORY OF THE JUST IS BLESSED: BUT THE NAME OF THE WICKED SHALL ROT.-Prov. x. 7. [Lesson 84.]-OF THE JUDGMENT OF THE NATIONS.-Matt. xxv. 31-46. Mt. xxv. 31-46. After pressing the warnings inculcated in the preceding parables, our Lord now, with inexpressible majesty and solemnity, proceeds to advert to the great day of retribution itself, in a description which represents, 1, the extent, i.e., the universality, of the judgment; 2, the methods with which it will be carried on; 3, the place and circumstances. Whence (in the words of Dr. Smith, Script. Test. vol. ii. p. 257) we learn, that "he will discriminate men's moral state, amidst the complicated varieties of human character; will estimate their actions by an infinitely penetrating development of their motives; will, accordingly, by an infallible decision, completely and for ever separate them one from another." The imagery is partly derived from the solemn mode of administering justice in the East (see Ps. ix. 4-9; Is. vi. 1; lxvi. 1; Da. vii. 9, 10), and partly there is a pastoral metaphor (frequent in scripture) derived from the ancient eastern custom of keeping the sheep separate from the goats.'-Bloomf. ANALYSIS. Mt. xxv. 31-46. THE PARABLE OF THE SHEEP AND GOATS; THE FOURTH OF THE LAST SERIES OF PARABLES. 31. Christ, at his SECOND advent, will come in glory: all the holy angels with him. Then shall he sit on the throne of his glory. 32. All nations will be gathered before him. He will separate them as a shepherd doth his sheep from the goats. 33. The sheep on the right: the goats on the left. 34-.6. The King's welcome to those on the right hand, 'Come, ye blessed,' &c. 37-.9. The righteous ask, When saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee?' &c. 31 When the Son of man shall-come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then 32 shall-he-sit upon the-throne of-his-glory: and before him shall-be-gathered all nations Ovn and he-shall-separate apoplet them one-from-another, as a shepherd divideth 33 apopiče his sheep from the goats: and he-shall-set the sheep on his right-hand, but the goats on the-left. SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. Mt. xxv. 31. When the Son of man, &c.-Da. vii. 13, I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven,'The glory in which he will come, had been shewn to the disciples on the holy mount, ch. xvi. 28, § 50, p. 44; xvii. 1-5, § 51, pp. 51-.6; 2 Pe. i. 16-8-The Son of man, who was made a little lower than the angels, has been crowned with glory and honour; and is now to be given the dominion, and have all things put under his feet-comp. Ps. viii. 4-9, with He. ii. 6, 9-Jno. v. 27, § 23, p. 178, the Father hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.'-1 Co. xv. 28, And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.'' all the holy angels-Mk. viii. 38, § 50, p. 43, He cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.'-2 Th. i. 7, His mighty angels.'-He. xii. 22, An innumerable company of angels,'-Rev. v. 11, 'The number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; '-see on Lu. ix. 26, § 50, p. 44. throne of his glory-It was promised, ch. xix. 28, § 75, p. 229, In the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also [the twelve apostles] shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.' 32. all nations-all the nations to whom the gospel has been preached, as predicted, ch. xxiv. 14, supra, p. 330, and commanded, xxviii. 19, § 96, p. 503. separate them-ch. xiii. 41, § 33, p. 260, The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;'-49, p. 262, The angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,'-see also xxiv. 31, 40, .1, supra. sheep from the goals-After the Lord will have gathered his scattered flock, Eze. xxxiv. 12-.6, p. (20), he will, ver. 17, 'judge between cattle and cattle, be tween the rams and the he-goats.'-20, Between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle." NOTES. Mt. xxv. 31. When the Son of man shall come. He who humbled himself for our sakes, the despised and insulted 'Son of Man, will take unto himself his great power and reign,' then the whole race of mankind. will appear before his awful tribunal, and a final separation take place between them that serve God, and them that serve him not.' 'Great God! what do I see and hear? On clouds of glory seated! The trumpet sounds! the graves restore Prepare, my soul, to meet him '-Luther. And he shall separate, &c. Shall determine respecting their character, and appoint them their place accordingly. Among the ancients generally, whether Jews or Gentiles, approbation was denoted by placing on the right hand." Sheep from the goats. The metaphor is taken from the shepherds of ancient times, who kept the sheep and goats in different flocks, and hastily separated them when they became mingled together. Sheep, which have ever been considered as the emblems of mildness, simplicity, patience, and usefulness, represent here the genuine disciples of Christ. Goats, which are naturally quarrelsome, lascivious, and excessively ill scented, were considered as the symbols of riotous, profane, and impure men. They here represent all who have lived and died in their sins. A WISE SON HEARETH HIS FATHER'S INSTRUCTION: BUT A SCORNER HEARETH NOT REBUKE.-Prov. xiii. 1. THEY WHO NOW TAKE GOD FOR THEIR PORTION, WILL AT LENGTH BE ALSO GIVEN TO INHERIT THE EARTH. MATT. XXV. 34-.7. 34 Then shall-the king-say unto-them on his right-hand, Come, ye blessed of my 35 Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for-you from the-foundation of-the-world: for Iwas-an-hungred, and ye-gave me meat: I-was-thirsty, and ye-gave-me-drink: I-was a36 stranger, and ye-took-me-in: naked, and ye-clothed me: I-was-sick, and ye-visited 37 ежEσкEVασle me: I-was in prison, and ye-came unto me. Then shall-the righteous SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. Mt. xxv. 34. the King-Jno. xviii. 36, .7, § 90, p. 441, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born,' say... Come-He had gone to prepare a place for them, and now he has come to receive them unto himself; that where he is, there they may be also see on Jno. xiv. 2, 3, § 87, p. 380. blessed of my Father-The Father hath declared those blessed who put their trust in the Son, Ps. ii. 12-see in the Beatitudes, their character and blessedness described, ch. v. 3-10, § 19, pp. 120.2-are now blessed of the Father with the Spirit of truth, Jno. xiv. 15-7, § 87-have fellowship with the Father and Son, ver. 21; 1 Jno. i. 3-Eph. i. 3, The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:'-Ja. i. 12, Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.' inherit-Rev. xxi. 7, He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.' prepared-ch. xx. 22, .3, § 77, p. 238, It shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.' from the foundation of the world-This does not refer to the spiritual kingdom, into which they have been already brought, Rom. xiv. 17; Col. i. 13; nor to the Father's house into which he now invites them, saying, Come, ye blessed,' and which he had gone to prepare for them, Jno. xiv. 2, 3, § 87, p. 380; but the a stranger-He. xiii. 2, Be not forgetful to enter- visited me-Ja. i. 27, Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction,' &c. in prison-2 Ti. i. 16, was not ashamed of my chain:'-He. xiii. 3, Remember thein that are in bonds, as bound with them; ' &c. NOTES. Mt. xxv. 34. Inherit. As the children and heirs of God by adoption. Thus St. Paul, Rom. viii. 14-.7, speaking of the peculiar privileges of Christians, describes them as the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;' Here it is finely remarked by Chrys., he does not say receive, but inherit, as domestic property derived from a father, and therefore that to which any one has a just title. From the foundation, &c. See SCRIP. ILLUS. [35. I was an hungred, &c. It is an observation of some importance to be impressed upon our minds, that, although charity to our neighbours, and indeed only one branch of that comprehensive duty, liberality to the poor, is here specified as the only christian virtue, concerning which inquiry will be made at the final day of account; yet we must not suppose that this is the only virtue which will be expected from us, and that on this alone will depend our final salvation, Nothing can be more distant from the truth, or more dangerous to religion, than this opinion. The fact is, that charity, or love to man, in all its extent, being that virtue which Christ has made the very badge and discriminating mark of his religion, is here constituted by him, the representative of all other virtues, just as faith is, in various passages of scripture, used to denote and represent the whole christian religion. But, that neither charity, nor any other single virtue, can entitle us to eternal life, is clear from the whole tenour of the New Testament.] [Nothing less than a sincere and lively faith in Christ, producing in us universal holiness of life, can make our calling and election sure. But thus much we may certainly collect from our Lord's representation of the final judgment, that charity, or love to man, is one of the most essential duties of our religion, and that to neglect this virtue must be particularly dangerous, and render us peculiarly unfit Gave me meat. The tc appear at the last day before the tribunal of [Visited. axévaots. The word signifies, 1, to PRACTICAL REFLECTION. [Mt. xxv. 35, .6. Let us now produce works meet for repentance, and such as will evidence the truth of our faith in Him who feeds us with the bread of life, gives us to drink of the water of life, covers our 352] nakedness with the robe of his righteousness, has received us when strangers into the household of God, has been to us the Good Physician, and the lifter up of our head, the merciful and almighty Deliverer.] RIGHTEOUSNESS DELIVERETH FROM DEATH.-Prov. x. 2. [VOL. II. THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO HAVE THIS WORLD NOW FOR THEIR PORTION, WILL LOSE BOTH IT AND THEMSELVES FOR KVER. MEN NEED NOT KEEP A RECORD OF THEIR GOOD DEEDS. NOT ONE OF THEM WILL BE FORGOTTEN BY THE FAITHFUL AND TRUE WITNESS. MATT. XXV. 38-44. answer him, saying, Lord, when saw-we thee an-hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and 38 gave-thee-drink? When saw-we thee a-stranger, and took-thee-in? or naked, and 39 clothed thee? Or when saw-we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40, And 41 the King shall-answer and-say unto-them, Verily I-say unto-you, Inasmuch-as ye-havedone it unto-one of the least of-these my brethren, ye-have-done it unto-me. Then shall-he-say also unto-them on the-left-hand, Depart from me, ye cursed 42 κатпраμеvoι, into everlasting fire, prepared for-the devil and his angels: for I-was-an43 hungred, and ye-gave me no meat: I-was-thirsty, and ye-gave-me no-drink: I-was a-stranger, and ye-took-me not-in: naked, and ye-clothed me not: sick, and in prison, 44 and ye-visited me not. Then shall-they also-answer him, saying, Lord, when saw-we thee an-hungred, or a-thirst, or a-stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did-not SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. Mt. xxv. 37. fed thee-It was He that had fed them, Jno. vi. 48-51, § 43, p. 331; 1 Pe. ii. 2, 3. gave thee drink - He had quenched their thirst with living water, Jno. iv. 14, § 13, p. 93; vi. 35, § 43. 38. took thee in-It was He that had sheltered them, Eph. ii. 18, .9. clothed thee-He had clothed them in his own most perfect righteousness, Ph. iii. 9-12; Rev. xix. 8. 39. came unto thee-He, the Good Physician, visited us in our low and lost estate, and gave his life for ours, Rom. v. 6-8-May He, the Great Deliverer, set us free from the most cruel bondage, vii. 22-.5. 40 my brethren - Jesus, after his resurrection, called those who were sent to minister the word, his brethren, ch. xxviii. 10, .6, .7—20, § 95, .6—and these, although poor as he was in the world, are yet employed in making many rich, 2 Co. vi. 10-It is theirs to feed the flock of Christ, Jno. xxi. 15-7, § 97; Ac. xx. 28; 1 Pe. v. 2-To dispense the water of life, Jno. vii. 38, .9, § 55, p. 95; Philem., ver. 7-to call the wanderers into the house of God, Mt. xxii. 9, 10, § 84, p. 293; Eph. ii. 12-.9-and in fine, to carry out the ministry of Jesus, who was sent, Lu. iv. 18, .9, § 15, p. 102, to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.'-Those thus engaged are the brethren of Christ, and to them he hath said, Mt. x. 40, § 39, p. 302, He that receiveth. you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.'-And in the judgment he will most surely fulfil the promise, x. 41, .2, § 39, p. 302, He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward;' &c. 41. Depart, &c.-The branches that bear not fruit in Christ are to be gathered, cast into the fire, and burned, Jno. xv. 2-6, § 87, p. 387-Is. i. 28, They that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.' prepared for the devil-see in contrast that which is prepared for the messengers of Jesus, and those who have received them, ver. 31; supra, x. 41,.2, § 39. 42. gave me no meat-Eze. xxxiv. 8, The shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;'-The Lord will not only judge the shepherds, but the hegoats, who have eaten up the good pasture and trodden down the residue, ver. 17, .8-and fat cattle, who have thrust with side and shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with their horns, ver. 20, .1. 43. I was a stranger, &c.-Is. xvi. 1, 2-ver. 4, 'Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: '-and this they were called to do in the view of the Lord's consuming the oppressors out of the land, and establishing the throne and sitting, ver. 5, upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness." charity which covereth a multitude of sins, Ja. ii. naked-We are not only in word to exercise that 15, .6; 1 Pe. iv. 8-it will be to our deep reproach if we allow our garments to be moth eaten, Ja. v. 2. sick, and in prison-Ps. lxxxii. 1, God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.'-3, Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4, Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.'-But the mighty, even among the children of the Most High, know not for what end power has been put into their hands, ver. 5. 44. athirst-Jno. iv. 6, 7, § 13, p. 92; xix. 28, § 91, p. 467-see also Mt. xxvii. 34, § ib., p. 459. or a stranger-ch. viii. 20, 34, § 34, .5, pp. 265, .72. or naked-ch. xxvii. 35, § 91, p. 461. or in prison-Yea, he gave himself for us, Ga. ii. 20; Eph. v. 25; 1 Ti. ii. 6. NOTES. [Mt. xxv. 40. Inasmuch as ye have done it, &c. p their viewing whatever they did as unworthy of so Boov-woιhoaTε. Here we have an explanation of what honourable a reward.] was meant at ver. 35, .6. So close is the union between 41. Into everlasting fire, prepared. els rò TUP, &c. Christ and his members, that he looks on whatever Render, unto the everlasting fire, destined,' &c. is done to them as done to himself, and rewards accordingly. Comp. ch. x. 42, § 39, p. 303. This inPrepared for the devil and his angels. First predeed agrees with what the scriptures elsewhere de-pared for the angels that sinned,' and 'kept not their clare, that what is done unto the poor, in relieving first estate,' 2 Pe. ii. 4; Jude, ver. 6; and now ortheir wants, is done unto God himself, under whose dained to be the portion of those men also, who have especial care they are. Thus it is said, Pr. xix. 17, been guilty of the like rebellion against God. He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the 45. See p. 354. We see here plainly why sinners are LORD;' comp. Ac. ix. 4, where Saul is engaged in destroyed; not because there was no salvation for persecuting the members of the church of Christ, them, but because they neglected to receive good and Christ speaks to him from heaven, saying, Saul, do good. As they received not the Christ who was Saul, why,' &c. They are called to receive the king- offered to them, so they could not do the work of dom, as the inheritance to which they are entitled as righteousness which was required of them. They are adopted children of a gracious God through Christ. cursed, because they refused to be blessed; and they Their works are not mentioned as grounds of the are damned, because they refused to be saved. The sentence, but as proofs that they are God's children, neglect of kind offices, when in men's power, is a who love the brethren. Their objection denotes crime for which they must account. Mt. xxv. 37-9. See margin. PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. [How miserable to think that by all the means which God hath given of preparing for the enjoy ment of himself for ever, men should prepare theinselves for the devil and his angels !] hungry, naked, homeless, sick, and in distress of 42 ver. When we think of the multitudes who are various kinds, let us think what means God hath given us of expressing our gratitude to Him, by shewing mercy to them; and let us fear to offend, in neglecting to use the means He hath given us to relieve their necessities. WHITHER GOEST THOU ?-Zech. ii. 2. [40 ver. Let us ever remember that the least of those who truly believe in Christ is a child of God; and that the kindness we would shew to the Son of God, were he present with us on earth, we must exercise to those who are as he was in the world.] 41 ver. Let us become one with Christ in heart and life. No other nearness to him can avail. How sad to hear, from Him who shed his blood to save us, 'Depart from me, ye cursed'! VOL. II.] [353 BE SILENT, O ALL FLESH, BEFORE THE LORD: FOR HE IS RAISED UP OUT OF HIS HOLY HABITATION.-Zech. ii. 13. |