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THE
PRACTICAL EXPOSITOR:
OR, AN
EXPOSITION OF THE
NEW TESTAMENT,
IN THE FORM OF A
PARAPHRASE;
WITH OCCASIONAL NOTES IN THEIR PROPER PLACES
FOR FURTHER EXPLICATION,
AND
SERIOUS RECOLLECTIONS AT THE CLOSE OF EVERT CHAPTER.
TO WHICH IS ADDED,
AN ALPHABETICAL TABLE OF THE PRINCIPAL THINGS CONTAINED
' IN THE PARAPHRASE, ESPECIALLY IN THE NOTES.
For the Ufe of the FAMILY and CLOSET.

. By JOHN GUYSE, D. D.
THE FIFTH EDITION."
V O L. II.
CONTAINING THE
EVANGELISTS LUKE and JOHN.

¦ EDINBURGH:
PRINTED BT ROSS W SONS,
For Robert Ross, Bookfeller, Lawn-market, Edinburgh, and
James Gillies, Bookfeller, High-ftreet, Glafgoxv.

M,DCC,XCV1I.

Im

w/ i

1 A^ A »
v. Z

CONTENTS of LUKE.

CHAP. I.
THE preface to this Gofpel,- 1,-4.
The conception and office of John
¦the Bapti/l, 5, — 25.; and of Chrift,
26, — 38. The interview between the
virgin and Elizabeth, $9, — 45. The
virgin's fong of praife, 46, — 56. The
birth and circumcifion of John the
Bapti/l, 57, — 66. Zaeharias's fong
of praife, 67,-79. John's infancy,
80. Page '•
"C H A P. II.
The birth of Chrift at Bethlehem, 1, — 7.
It is notified to fhepherds by an angei,
and an heavenly hoft attends with
fongs of praife, 8, — 14. The fhep
herds publiih it abroad, r<, — 20. He
is circumcifed and prefented in the
temple, 21, — 24. Simeon's and An
na's prophecies of him, 25, — 39. The
ftate of his youth, and his difpute
with the doftors in the temple, 40, —
, 52. p. iS.
CHAP. III.
The general defign of the baptifm and
miniftry of John, 1,-9. His particu
lar inftrudrions to the common people,
publicans and foldiers, 10, — 14. His
account of the approach of Chrift, 15,
— iS. His imprifonment by Herod,
19, 20. Xhrift's baptifm, 21, 22. And
his pedigree from Adam., 23,-38. p. 30.
CHAP. IV.
Chrift's temptation and fading, 1,— 13.
His entrance on his public miniftry,
14, 15. His preaching at Nazareth,
where the people wonder, and yet ge
nerally defpife him for the meannefs
ef his parentage, 16, — 30. At Caper
naum, where he ca-fts out a devil, and
heals Peter's mother-in-law, and many
lick people, 31, — 41. And his preach
ing in feveral other places, 42, — 44.
P- 39-
CHAP. V.
Chrift preaches out of Peter's (hip, 1,
— 3. His intimation of the fuccel's of
Peter's and his partner's miniftry, by
a miraculous draught of fiflies, 4, — 11.
He heals a leper, 12, — 15. Retires for
prayer, and returns to preaching, 16,
17. Cures a man tick of the pally, iS,
— 26. Calls Levi, and converfes with
publicans, 27.- — 32. And vindicates
his difciples for not failing in thofe
days, 33— 39- P- 49-

CHAP. VI.,
Chrift fhews the\ lavvfulncfs of works of
neceffity and mercy on the Sabbath-
day, 1, — 11. Retires for prayer, 12.
Chufes twelve apoftles, 13, — 16. Heals
many difeafes, 17, — 19. His fermon.
to his difciples and the multitude, a-
bout the happinefs of faithful fuffercrs
for his fake, 20,-23. The mifery of
having this world tor a portion, 24,
— 26. Love to enemies, and doing-
good, 27, — 38. Minifters and people
known by their fruits, 39, — 45. And
the licceflitT of praftiling true reli
gion, 46, — 49- P- 57-
CHAP. VII.
Chrift cures the centurion's fervant, 1,
— 10. Raifes the widow's fon from
the dead at Nain, 11, — iS. Joh?i's
uieflengers to Chrift, and his anfwer
to them, 19, — 23. His account of
John and of his miniftry, 24, — 30.
His reproof of the Jews for rejecting
both John and himfelf, 31, — 35. And
his iUuftration of God's free forgive -
nefs, with its effects, by the fimilitude
of a forgiven debtor, 36, — 50. p. 6S.
CHAP. VIII.
Chrift preaches in feveral places, I, — 4^.
His parable of the fower, with its ex
plication, 5, — 15. His parable of the
lighted candle, 16,— iS. The high
account he makes of his true difciples,
as his neareft relations, 19, — 22. He
lays a ftorm at fca, 23, — 25. He calls
a legion of devils out of a man, and
fuffers them to enter a held of fwine,
26, — 36. He is rejected by the &a-
darenes, 37, — 4G. He cures a bloody-
flux, and raifes Jairus's daughter from
the dead, 41, — 56. p. 79.
C H A P. IX.
Jefus fends forth the twelve apoftles, r,
— 6. Herod's perplexing thoughts a-
bout him, and defire to fee him, 7, —
9. He miracuknilly feeds five thou
fand, 10, — 17. His difcourfe with his
difciples concerning himfelf, and fol
lowing him, 18, — 27. His transfigu
ration, 28,^-36. His cafting the de
vil out of a youth, which the difciples
had attempted without fuccefs, 37, —
42. He foretels his own fuft'erings to
death, 43, — 45. Checks the ambition
of^ his difciples, 46, — 48. Reproves
them for a party, i'elfifli, and revenge ful

The CONTENTS.

ful fpirlt", 49, — 56. and fhews the
danger of delaying and of drawing
back, 57, — 62. p. 91.
CHAP. X.
Chrift's commiffion to the Seventy, 1, —
16. His difcourfe to them, and thankf-
giving to his Father on their return,
17, — 24. His difcourfe with a lawyer
about the way of attaining eternal life,
25, — 37. His reproof of Martha, and
commendation of Mary, 38, — 42.
p. 104.
CHAP. XI.
Tefus teaches his difciples how to pray,
I, — 13. Cafts out a dumb devil, and
proves that he did it not by any power
of devils, 14, — 26; Shews that jthe do
ers of the word are bleffed, 27, 28.
Reproves the perverfenefs and obfti-
nacyofthe Jews, 29, — 36.; and the
hypocrify of the Pharifees andfcribes,
and denounces woes againft them for
it, 37>— 54- P- "4-
CHAP. XII.
Chrift cautions his difciples againft hypo
crify and cowardice in their profeffion
and preaching, r, — 12.; and againft
co-vetoufnefs, 13,5 — 21. Directs them
to caft all their care upon God, and
to make religion their chief bufinefs,
2-2, — 34. Shews them the neceffity
of watchfulnefs, 35, 48. Bids them
expect perfecution, 49, — 53. And
xvarns the people of the danger of ne
glects and delays, 54,-^9. p. 128.
CHAP. XIII.
Chrift's remarks upon the deftruction
that fell on the Galileans and others,
1,-5. His parable of the barren fig-
tree, 6, — 9. His healing a crooked
woman on the Sabbath-day, 10, — ^17.
His parables ofa grain of muftard-feed,
and of leaven, 18, — 21. His preach
ing, and anfwer to the queftion whe
ther few fliall be laved, 22, — 30. His
flighting Herod's threatenings, and
lamenting over -Jenifalem, 31, — 35.
p. 141.
CHAP. XIV.
Chrift cures a dropfy, and vindicates his
doing it on the Sabbath-day, i, — 6.
His leffon of humility, 7, — tr. Of
charity to the poor, 12,-14. The
parable of the guefts invited to a great
fupper, 15, — 24. A defeription of true
flifciplefhip, 25, — 33. And the dif
ference between good and bad miniT
iters and profefiovs, 34, 35. p. 1 50.
CHAP. XV.
The Pharifees offended at Chrift's con
vening with, and preaching to, publi
cans and tinners, 1, 2. He vindicates
himfelf in the parable of the loft (lieep,
, 3, — 7. And of the loft piece of mo

ney, 8, — 10. And of the prodigal
fon, 11, — 32. p. 158.
CHAP. XVI.
The right ufe of worldly enjoyments re
prefented in the parable of the unjuft
fteward, 1, — 13. A. reproof of the
Pharifees for their covetoufnefs and
hypocrify-, 14, — 18. And the danger
of fetiing ones heart on earthly trea-
fures, illuftrated in the parable of the
rich map and Lazarus, 19, — 31. p. 168.
CHAP. XVII.
Chrift's difcourfe about offences and for
giving of injuries, 1, — 4. About faith
and humility, 5, — 10. His curing ten
lepers, 11, — 19. And his account of
the nature of his kingdom, and of
the deftruction of the JeSiJb nation,
20,-37- P- £77-
CHAP- XVIII.
The parable of the importunate widow,
1, — 8. Of the Pharifee and publican,
9, — 14. Chrift's kind and gracious
regard to infants, 15, — 17. The rich
ruler's coming to him, and Chrift's
difcourfe on that occafion with his
difciples, iS,. — 30. His prediction of
his own fufferings, death, and refur-
rection, 31, — 34. And reftoring a
blind man to fight, 35, — 43. p. 1S5.
CHAP. XIX.
The converfion of Zaccheus, 1, — 10.
The. parable of the ten pounds, 11,
— 27. Chrift's riding into Jenifalem,
28, — 40. His lamenting over it, 41,-
— 44. And his cafting the buyers
and fellers out of the temple, 45, — 48.
P- 195-
C H A P. XX.
Chrift's vindication of his authority by il
queftion about John's baptifm, 1, — 8.
The parable of the vineyard, 9, — 19.
The obedience that is to be paid to
the civil magiftrate, 20, — 26. The
refurrection vindicated againft the
Sadducecs, 27,^-38.' The fcribes
puzzled with a queftion about Chrift's
being David's fon, 39,-44. Aral
a caution againft tht fcribes, 45, — 47.
p. 206.
CHAP. XXI.
Chrift's obfervation of a poor widow's
cafting two mites into the treafury,
1, — 4. His prediction of the deftruc-
tion of Jerufalem, as a type and fi
gure of the end of the world, 5,-33.
His caution to be watchful, 34, — 36.
And a general account of his preach
ing, 37, 3§- . P- 215.
CHAP. XXII.
Jndas's betraying his Lord, I, — 6.
Chrift's eating his laft paffover, 7, —
iS. His inllituting his fupper, 19,

The CONTENTS.

S3. His difcduife With his difciples,
21, — 38. His agony in the garden,
39, — 46. His being apprehended,
47,-53- Peter's denying him,' 54,
— 62. And his trial and condemna
tion in the high-prieft's hall, 63, — 71.
p. 223.
CHAP. XXIII.
Chrift's trial before Pilate, 1, — 5. His
examination before Herod, 6, — 12.
His further trial before Pilate, 12, —
25. His crucifixion, 26, — 38. ' The
different behaviour of the malefactors

toward him, 3$, — 43. His death, and
the miracles that attended it, 44, — 49.
And his burial, 50, — 56. p. 239.
CHAP. XXIV.
The refurrection of Chrift, as declared
to the women, 1, — 8. As reported
to the difciples, 9,-12. As made
known by Chrift himfelf to two of
them who were going to Emmaus,
13.-35. To the reft of them affem
bled together, 36, — 49. And, laft of
all, at his afceufion to heaven, 50, —
53- P- *5*-

CONTENTS of JOHN.

CHAP. I.
THE Evangelift's teftimony concern
ing the eternal Godhead, the office
and incarnation of Chrift, 1, — 14.
John the BaptiJTs teftimony concern
ing him, 15, — 37. And Chrift's call
ing of feveral to be his difciples, 38, —
S1- P- ?<>S-
CHAP. II.
Chrift turns water into wine at Cana of
Galilee, 1, — 11. Goes to Capernaum,
12. Goes from thence to keep the
paffbver at Jerufalem, where he calls
the traders out of the temple, vindi
cates what he had done, and declines
trufting himfelf with pretended difci-
ciples, 13,-25. p. 283.
CHAP. III.
Chrift's difcourfe with Nicodemus about
regeneration and faith in himfelf, 1, —
2r; John the Baptijl's difcourfe with
the people concerning Jefus, 22, — 36.
p. 290.
CHAP. IV.
Chrift goes from Judea into Samaria,
1, — 6. His difcourfe with the wo
man of Samaria, 7, — 16. The effect
it had upon her, 27, — 30. His dif
courfe with his difciples, 31, — 38.
Many Samaritans believe in him, 39,,
— 42. And he goes to Galilee, and
.heals a nobleman's fon there, 43, — 54.
P- 3°3-
CHAP. V.
Chrift cures a man on the Sabbath-day,
who lay at the pool of Bethefda, and
had been lame thirty-eight years, 1,
— 9. The Jeius quarrel about it,
10, — 16. Chrift vindicates himfelf,
by aflerting his own divine character
as the Son of God, 1-. — 31. Proves

this by the teftimony of John the Bap-
tijl, of his own miracles, of his Father,
and of the Old-Teftament fcriptures,
32, — ;,g. And charges the Jews with
various faults which they were guilty
°f, 4°,— 47- P- 3'7-
C H A P. VI,
Chrift's feeding five thoufand with five
loaves and two fmall fifties, 1, — 14.
His walking upon the water of the
fea, 15, — 21. His difcourfe with the
people at Capernaum concerning him
felf, as the bread of life, occafioned by
the miracle of the loaves, 22, — 59.
His difciples diffatisfaction at this dif
courfe, and his reproof otthem for it,
60,- — 65. The apoftacy of many from
him, and the adherence of others to
him, on that occafion, 66, — 7 1. p. 331.
CHAP. VII.
Chrift refufes to go with his kindred to
Jerufalem, I,- — 9. Goes privately af
terwards, 10,-13. Freaches in the
temple, and difcourfes with the Jeius,
in the midft of the feaft of tabernacles,
about his doctrine, 14, — 18. About
their charge of his breaking the Sab
bath, and going about to kill him on
that account, 19, — 24. And about
himfelf, 25, — 36. His gracious invi
tation to finners on the laft dav of the
feaft, 37, — 19. The different recep
tion he met with, 40. — 44. And the
angry debates of the Pharifees, about
the officers not apprejiending him, 45,
—53- P- 347-
CHAP. VIII.
Chrift's. treatment of the woman taken
in adultery, 1, — 12. His preaching
himfelf as the light of the world, and
vindicating his doctrine, 1-5, — -.0.
His

The CONTENTS.

His affer'ting the freedom of his dif
ciples, and anfwering the cavils of
the Jews againft it, and their glory
ing in Abraham as their father ; and his
efcaping out of their hands, 3 I, — 59.
P- 359-
CHAP. IX.
Chrift gives fight to a man who was
. born blind, 1, — 7. Seyeral difcourfes
on that occafion among the neigh
bours themfelves, and between them
and this poor man, 8, — 12. Between
the Pharifees and him, 13, — 34. Be
tween Chrift and him, 35,-38. And
between Chrift and fome of the Pha
rifees, 39, — 41. p. 376.
CHAP. X.
Chrift the door and the ftiepherd of the
fheep, 1, — 18. Different opinions of
the people concerning him, 19, — 21.
His difputes with the Jews about his
being the Chrift, and equal with God,
22, — 38. His efcaping their fury, and
returning back beyond Jordan, 39, —
42. P- 385-1
CHAP. XI.
The tidings which Chrift received of
La%arus's ficknefs, 1, — 16. The vifit
he made to his fitters, when he heard
ef his death, 17, — 32. His railing
him from the dead, 33, — 44. And
the effect of this on different forts of
perfons, 45,-57. p. 39S.
CHAP. XII.
Mary anoints Chrift's feet at Bethany,
1, — 8. The people flock to fee him
and Lazarus, 9. The chief priefts
confult to kill Chrift, 10, 11. He
rides in triumph to Jerufalem, 12, —
19. The Greeks defire to fee him,
20, — 22. He foretels his death and
"its effects, 23, — 33. His folemn warn
ing to the Jews, 34, — 36. The con
tinued infidelity of the generality of
them, though fome of the rulers be
lieved him to be the Meffiah, but did
not own him, 37, — 43. He afferts his
divine million, 44, — 50. p. 410.
CHAP. XIII.
Chrift's laft time of eating the pafchal
fupper, 1, — 3. He walhes his difci
ples feet, to fet them an example of
humility and love, 4, — 17. Gives
notice beforehand who lhould betray
him, 18, — 30. Enjoins brotherly love
upon his difciples, 31, — 35. And
foretels Peter's denying him, 36, — 38.
P- 423-
CHAP. XIV.
The beginning of Chrift's farewel fer-
mon, in which he comforts his difci
ples under their troubles with promi
fes of heaven, 1 , — 5, Speaks of him

felf as the way to the Father, and of
his own being one with him, 6, — 12.
Allures his ¦ difciples that he will an
fwer the prayers which they offer up
in his name, 13, 14. Promifes ano
ther Comforter, and gracious mani-
feftations of himfelf and of the Fa
ther, 15,-24. Repeats the promife
of the Comforter, bequeaths a legacy
of peace to them, and concludes the
firft part of his difcourfe, 25, — 31.
P- 433-
CHAP. XV.
A continuation of Chrift's farewel fer-
mon, in which he fpeaks of himfelf
and his difciples under the fimilitude
of a vine and its branches, 1, — 7.
Commands them to abound in fruits
of holinefs, and1 particularly in love
one to another, by virtue of their u-
nion with him, 8, — -17. And com
forts them againft the hatred and
perfections of the world, 18, — 27.
P- 443-
CHAP. XVI.
The conclufion of Chrift's farewel fer-
mon, in which he forewarns his difci
ples of perfecutions,- and takes notice
of their prefent grief, 1, — 6. And
promifes to fend the Holy Ghoft, 7, —
1 5. To vifit them again in perfon, as
well as by his Spirit after his refurrec-
tion, 16, — 22. To fecure a gracious
anfwer to their prayers in his name,
23, — 32. And to give them peace a-
midft al 1, their tribulations in the world ,
33- P-45'-
CHAP. XVII.
Our Lord's prayer before his death, for
himfelf, 1, — 5. For all that were al
ready called, 6, — ic. Moft immedi
ately for the apoftles, that they might
be preferved and fanctified, n, — 19.
For the, whole church, as well as the
apoftles, that they might be united
and glorified, 20, — 24. And parti
cularly again for the apoftles, 25, 26.
p. 461.
CHAP. XVIII.
Chrift is betrayed by Judas, and appre
hended in the garden, 1, — 12. Is ex
amined, and abufed in the court of
the high, prieft, and denied by Peter,
13, — i7- . And is profecuted before
Pilate, who examined him, - 2S, — 40. '
p. 469.
CHAP. XIX.
The remainder of Chrift's trial before
Pilate, . 1, — 15. His condemnation
and execution, ifi, — iS. His title
placed on the crofs over his head, 19,
— 11. Several circumftances that at
tended his hanging on the crofs, 23,
—29.

The CONTENTS.

_ — 29. His death, and the piercing of
his fide, 30, — 37. And his burial by
Jofepb of Arimathea and Nicodemus,
38,-42. p. 479.
CHAP. XX.
The refurrection of Chrift is proved by
his body's not being found in the fe-
pulchre, and the grave-clothes lying in
good order there, 1, — 10. By two an
gels appearing to Mary Magdalene at
the fepulchre, 11, — 13. By Chrift's
own appearing to her, 14, — iS. By
his appearing that evening to all the

apoftles, except Thomas, 19, — 25.
And by his appearing to them again
that day feven-night, Thomas being
then with them, 26, — 31. p. 490.
CHAP. XXI.
Chrift difcovers himfelf again to feveral
difciples at the fea of Tiberias, and
eats with them, 1, — 14. Orders Pe'
ter to feed his (heep and lambs, 1 5,
— 17. Foretels the mariner1 of Peter's
death, 18, 19. And checks his curi
ofity about John, 20, 23. The conclu
fion of this Gofpel, 24, 25. p. 500.

A PRACTICAL
EXPOSITION OF ,T H E
EVANGELIST LUlCE,
*
IN THE FORM OF A
PARAPHRASE.

CHAP. I.
The preface to this gofpel, I, — 4. The conception and office of 'John
the Baptift, 5, — 25.; and of Chrijt, 26, — 38. The interview be
tween the Virgin and Elifabeth, 39, — 45. The Virgin's fong of
praife, a/St — 56. The birth and circumcijion of John the Baptift,
57,-66. Zacharias'.r_/o7zg- of praife, 67, — 79. John'j- infancy, 80.

FORASMUCH as
:

Paraphrase.

WHereas * feveral perfons have, either from a
principle of piety, or from curiofity, underta
ken to draw up narratives of the birth, life, doclrines
and death, refurreftion and afcenuon, of our Lord
Jefus Chrift, which are firmly believed by his difci
ples upon the fulleft evidence ;
2 And as thefe are points of the utmoft confe
quence, which have been moftly written, and are ge
nerally believed, according to the faithful and well-
attefted reports that have been made by thofe who
were, from firft to laft, the conftant attendants of his
miniftry; and fo were ear-witneffes of his doftrine,
and eye-witneffes of the miracles which confirmed it ;
and were fent forth by Jefus himfelf, as his apoftlrs,
to preach the gofpel;
3 I alfo, moft noble f Theophilus\\, having fought after,
NOTES.
* As Matthew wrote from his own it was the real name of a certain perfon
knowledge, and John wrote after Luke; to whom the eiiangelijl wrote, appears
the ;fla«j'here fpoken of feem plainly to from its being ufed in the lingular num-
refer to fome hiftories that were drawn ber here, and in Acts i. 1. and that with
up by honeft, though uninfpired men, the title of mofi noble, or moft excellent,
according to the beft informations they juft in the fame manner as it is applied
could get, but are long fince loft. to Felix and Fejlus, Acts xxiv. 3. and
| Theophilus fignifies a lover of God : xxvi. 25.
And that this was not a term, importing || najixoxoutav. The word here^u-
merely any of that character ; but that fed, is to follow after, and to attain r
Vol. II. B ' -And,

many have ta
ken in hand to fet
forth in order a de
claration of thofe
things which are
moft furely belie
ved among us,
2 Even as they
delivered them un
to us, which from
the beginning were
eye-witneffes, and
minifters of the
word:

3 It feemed good ' to

The Evangelift

Chap. i.

to me alfo, having
had perfect under
ftanding of all
things from the
very firft, to write
Hnto thee in or
der, moft excellent
Theophilus, 4 That thou
mighteft know the
certainty of thofe
things wherein
thou haft been in
structed.

after, and obtained an exaft knowledge of all thefe
things, from their very beginning, not only by tra
dition, but likewife by fuch a divine influence, from a-
bove *, as preferves me from miftakes about them,
thought proper to write (k«^|h;) a connefted and par
ticular account of them, to reftify the errors of thofe
who have proceeded upon hearfay :
4 This I have done, that you may have fuch an
information as is certainly to be depended upon, of
the true ftate* of thofe important affairs into which
(k«t«^»^;) you have already been initiated, as cate
chumens ufe to be, in order to your being ftill bet
ter acquainted with them, and confirmed in them.

5 'T'HERE was, 5 'THO begin then with a fhort account of John the
± in the days _|_ Baptift, the forerunner of our Lord, which
°JnT» 1^ ^ wiU naturally lead us on to the hiftory of Chrift him-
or Judea, a certain rP1 '¦ . . r ' . , _
prieft named Za- ie" : J- here was in the reign or lieroa the Ureat,
charias, of the who held the kingdom of Judea by deputation from
courfe of Abia : the Roman emperor, a certain "prieft, Zacharias by
^\h[! Wit ™asc name, who, being of the family of Abia, was one of
ol the daughters of . r . s „. . . / . . , ' r ,
Aaron and her thole that were to omciate in the eighth 01. the twen-
name was Elifa- ty-four courfes, into which the family of Aaron was
heth. divided in David's time : (1 Chron. xxiv. 7, — 19.)
And the name of his wife was Elifabeth, who was
likewife a defcendent from Aaron.
6 And they 6 As to the charafter and circumftances of thefe
were, both nghte- (-vvo perfons, both of them were eminent for religion,
ous e ore 0 , t ¦ appearance only, but in a fincere confcientious
walking in all the , " , '' , _ , . , . .
commandments & regard to God, as ienlible 01 their being always un-
ordinances of the der his eye ; and in the account of Godhimfelf, who
Lord blamelefs. accepted them as righteous in his fight : And this
was clearly manifefted by the tenor of their lives, they
being
NOTES.
And, when it is applied to the mind, it ries, as they had heard- them from eye
iignines (ffuwevou) to perceive and un- and ear-witneffes ; why may we not fup-
derflund, or to follow a fpeaker with pofe that our evangelift, to recommend
attention and underftanding ; and thus his account to Theophilus as what might
it feems to be taken in 1 Tim. iv. 6. and' certainly be depended upon, alleged
1 Tim iii. 10, Our evangelift, therefore, that he was under divine influence, to fe-
miglvt ufe this word to intimate, that he cure him from miftakes in his narrative
fought after and attained divine-guidance of things, which he himfelf had not feen
(aiw8i») from above, and then followed or heard immediately from Chrift hirri-
it, with exact attention and care, in com- felf? This feems to be of no fmall weight
pofing his hiftory. to affure one of (t»v a<r<pcc\ux>') the cer-
* As this adverb (aK-Ssv) properly fig- tainty of his account, fince, otherwife,
nines from above, and is often ufed in he might be liable to miftakes in it, as
that fenfe'in the New Teftament, and is well as other uninfpired men, whofe wri-
a different word from i«f^»f, which is tings he had taken notice of, ver. r. But
juftly rendered (ver. i,~)from the begin- I have likewife brought into the para-
ning; and as fome well-meaning perfons phrafe another interpretation of the word
had made hiftorical collections of Chrift's zvaSif, as fignifying from the begin-
difcourfes, as we'll as of his works, and ning, that the reader maychufefor hiia-
of other facts-, barely foom, their memo- Jelf.

Chap. i. Luke paraphrafed. 3
being ftrift obfervers of all natural duties of piety and
morality, and of all pofitive inftitutions, in their be
haviour toward God and man ; fo that they allowed
themfelves in no known fin, and none could charge
them with any remarkable defefts.
7 And they had 7 And though they were perfons of fuch excellent
no child, becaufe charafters, they had been denied the bleffing of cnil-
ba?re^ a'nd tw dren \ For Elifabetb had been barren, like Sarah
both were now the wife of Abraham, all the days of her youth ; and
well ftrieken in now both the hulband and wife were fo far advanced
vears- in years, as to be paft hope of having any child in
the common courfe of nature.
8 And it came 8, 9 But, (wu) tp fhew haw good God is to them
to pafs, that while that wait upon him, and to awaken a peculiar atten-
prieft's office before t'on to one extraordinary birth, which was defigned
God, in the order to lead the way to another ftill more miraculous,
of his courfe, while Zacharias, according to the courfe of his fa-
9 According to mily, was difcharging the prieftly office in the fanc-
prieft's officc,f hit *U£UT' that Part of the fervice> w.hich fell to his (hare
lot was to burn in- ln the ufual way.of determining it by lot, was to burn
cenfe when he went incenfe in the holy place :
into the temple of 10 And all the people at the fame time ftood with-
the Lord. out *^ filently offering up their prayers, that they
whole multitude of mig^1 afcend with the fmoke of the incenfe, which
the people were was typical of the intercefiion of Chrift.
praying without, 1 1 At this very time he faw an angel of God,
at the time of in- appearing in an illuftrious form, and in a {landing
11 And there P°fture> on the north-fide of the altar of incenfe,
appeared unto him which was called the right fide of the houfe, (Ezek.
an angel of the X. 3.) and was on the prieft's right hand, as he ftood
Lord, ftanding on rmniftring with his face toward the weft f," where
the right fide of wag ^ j, f hU
the altar of in- n. d r r, > ¦ , 1 , ¦ , .
eenfe. 1 2 And as ioon as Zacharias had this glorious
12 And when fight, the extraordinary appearance, and the weak-
ZachariasfawWm, nefs of human nature, together with a confcioufuefs
and fear fel^n'on °f h'S 0W" ^uilt and unworthinefs, ftruck him at
j,;m_ firft with terror, as fuch vifions are apt to do the ho-
lieft men upon earth, while they know not what may
be their meaning.
13 But the an- 13 But the angel accofted him in a friendly man
gel faid unto him, ncr> to compofe his mind, and encourage his atten-
ear no , ac 1a- tj ^ j^ hope, faying-, Zacharias, let no fears
rias :, for tby pray- ,.„',-, ,.„ f ' ' . -r t .
eT diltract or diltrels your heart, as it 1 were come to ¦
hurt
NOTES.
* There feems to be an allnfion to this reprefented, as ftanding between the
cuftom, in Rev. viii. r, — 4. porch and the altar, with their backs to-
| The entrance into, the temple was ward the temple, andtheir faces toward
at the eaft end ; and they who went in the ecjl, and worjbipping the fun toward
to officiate and pray toward the holy ora- the eafi, Ezek. viii. irt. Vid. Seld. de
cle, had their faces toward the weft. On Synedr. lib. iii. cap. xvi. fed. t.
1hc Twiinry, idolatrous wodhippers were

4 • The Evangelift Chap. i.
er is heard; and hurt you, or to be a meffenger of evil tidings, while
thy wife Elifabeth are miniftring before the Lord, and I appear in
fliall bear thee a £; h f M emmd ;„ of the j ful kind . For
fon, and thou lhalt *" """"•• / * ' -
call his name John. God has accepted and anfwered your prayers, for
dStlfrael, relating to the coming of the Meffiah, who
will quickly appear ; and he has heard the petitions
which you have often put up for yourfelf ; in fo much
that Elifabeth your wife fhall conceive and bring
forth a fon to you, who fhall call his name John *.
14 And thou j^ And the birth of this chilfl fhall be matter of
(halt have joy and ¦ tQ an(j yours not barely becaufe he is
gladnefs, and ma- ». ¦>. J ' . , i_ j 11 a. s a.™
ny fhall rejoice at g^en m your old age, beyond all expeftation, after
his birth. you had been fo many years childlefs ; but principal
ly on account of his extraordinary qualifications,
work, and charafter; and this fhall be the caufe of
great gladnefs to many others, who fhall reap its
happy confequences.
15 For he fhall 15 For though he will not be great in the world's
be great in the acc0unt, with refpeft to parentage, titles of honour,
"Sj'0^ *-ord, external appearances, or manner of life ; yet he fhall
and fliall drink nei- , , rr ' ,,.1,1 , r /-> j
ther wine nor be a truly great man, and highly honoured ot (jod ;
ftrong drink : and great in his contempt of this world, in his office and
he (hall be filled endowments, and in his faithfulnefs, ufefulnefs, and
riffl- tlie f 7 labours : And, like a Naxarile, entirely devoted to
his mother'! worn™ the Lord and to his fervice, he fhall drink no fpiri-
tuous liquors, but lead an abftemious life ; yea, he
fhall be early filled with fuch influences from the Ho
ly Ghoft, that an extraordinary impreffion fhall caufe.
him to leap, even in his mother's womb, at the ti
dings of the Saviour ; (ver. 41, — 44.) and, from his
childhood up, holinefs and purity of life, and remark
able gifts and graces of the Spirit, fhall appear in him.
16 And many r5 j^e fhall likewife, by his doftrine and exam-
Ifra^foali h^tum Ple> be an h*PPY inftrument, in the hand of the Spi-
to the Lord their rit, for turning many from their iniquities, and from
God. their falfe opinions and dependences, to the Meffiah,
that they may believe in him, who is the Lord their
God.
17 And he (hall 17 And in order hereunto, he fhall be f the Mef-
8° fiah's
NOTES.
* John fignifies the grace, or gift of prayer which he, as the reprefentative of
God. And as fignificative names were the people, was probably putting up, at
ufually given to children, the angel's or- this very time, in the temple, for the ap-
dering this to be put upon the child pearing of the Median, would be remark-
might intimate, that he was given as a ably anfwered in this birth of his fore-
gracious anfwer of prayer ; and that his runner.
character fhould correspond to his name, f The only antecedent to the relative
as he fiiould be highly in favour with him, is, the Lord their God. And who
God, and endued with an abundance of was the Lord God of Ifrael, before whom
grace. ; and as he fhould open the way to John went, but the Lord Chrift ? He was
the moft glorious difpenfation of grace in the forerunner, not of God the Father,
the Mefliah's kingdom : And fo Zacha- but of Chrift ? of whom John faid, He
rias's former prayers for a child, and the that cometh after me is preferred be-
" fon

Chap. i. Luke pardphrafed. 5
go before him in fiah's forerunner ; appearing juft like Elijah the
the fpirit and pow- Tifhbite. • in his office-qualifications ; in his garb and
er of Ehas, to turn r ¦. r • i_ • 1 • • 1. ¦ ..i. -i j
*u» 1. - . r -I,, leventy or manners; in his living much m the wilder-
the hearts of the 3 . » 6
fathers to the chil- nels, and having heaven opened to him near Jordan ;
dren, and the dif- in his authority and faithfulnefs, zeal, fervour, and
obedient to the wif- fuccefs . ;n the perfecutions that he fhall fuffer for
makeleadVfp'eo- ^integrity; and in his being filled with a divine
pie prepared for 'pint and power, as Elijah was in the worn: or times,
the Lord. to bring about a reconciliation of young and old *,
and of Jews and Gentiles, to one another, and to
the Lord ; fo that the moft ftubborn and rebellious
fhall be made wife to falvation; which is the trueft
wifdom, and is found in thofe only that are righte
ous before God. In a word, he fhall be inftrumental
in making a people ready to receive the Lord, the
Meffiah, for whom they have been prepared in eter
nal counfels ; and for whofe coming John's miniftry
fliall have prepared them, by convincing them of fin,
and of their need of fuch a Saviour, by removing
thgir prejudices againft him, by railing their expec
tations of him, and at laft by fliewing him to Ifrael.
iS And Zacha- 18 Then Zacharias, in the unbelieving workings
rias faid unto the 0f h;s ovirn heart, afked the angel, By what token
(hall I know this ? mall * be fatisfied that the great and unlikely thing
for I am an old you fpeak of fhall certainly come to pafs ? For it ap-
man, and my wife pears altogether incredible to me, becaufe my wife
well ftncken in has not only been barren all her days hitherto, but
' both fhe' and I are now fo very old, that, according
to the courfe of nature, it is impoffible for us to have
a child.
19 And the an- ig The angel replied, Do you queftion the truth
gelanfwering faid 0f th;Sj and want a f^n t0 prove jf? My appearing
unto rum, 1 am .,. ^ • 1*11 1 *
Gabriel that (land to you in this manner, and in this holy place, is
in the prefence of fufficient to confirm it : For I am Gabriel, a chief a-
God ; and am fent mong the holy angels, who ftand continually in the
to fpeak unto thee, prefence 0f Qcd to receive and execute his orders ;
as I was difpatched with a gracious meffage toDaniel, con-
N O T E S.
fore me, for he was before me; And I tiles are fpoken of as children to the
am the voice of one crying in the -wil- Jewi/b church, particularly in lfa. liv.
dernefs. Make Jlraight the way of the 5, 6, 13. & lx. 4, 5, 9. & lxii. 5. & Ixvj.
Lord, John i. 15, 23. He was fent to it. Accordingly Gentile publicans and
prepare Chri/l's way before him, and foldiers, as well as Jews, came to John's
was that Elias who fiiould go before baptifm, chap. iii. 12, 14. — And as ¦/&-
the Meffiah, as our Lord himfelf has 1miveur/ntov, prepared, is a participle of
explained it, Mat. xi. 13, 14. and the pretcr lenfc, it may uc leaft as we-il
¦vvii.' 10, — 13. See the note on Mat. refer to what God had done, as to what
si. 10. John Ihould do, in preparing a people for
* EiritrT(it^zm.oiQ$ixi; vruiceuv z-i tixvci, Chrift; and, taking Ki/jm for the the a-
may be rendered, to turn the heart t of blative cafe, the fenfe will be, a people
the fathers with the children: And Dr. prepared by the Lord. 1 have therefore
Ltghtfoot obferves, that, in the writings included all thefe i'enfes in the pata-
of the prophets, the churchof the Gen- phrafe.
Vol. II. C

The Evangelift

Chap.

and to fhew thee concerning the Meffiah, about the time of the even-
thefe glad tidings. j„g 0bJation; (Dan. ix. .21.) fo I am now fent, by
God's fpecial command, to bring thefe joyful tidings
to you.
20 And behold, 20 And fince you require a further fign to affure
thou (halt be dumb, yOU of the truth of what I fay, you fhall have a very
and not able to awful one> which fliaE be a juft punifhment of your
day that' thefe P^ent unbelief, and a prefage of God's filencing
things (hall be per- the Levitical priefthood, as well as a merciful fup-
formed, becaufe p0rt and confirmation of your future faith : Behold,
thou believeft not you mall inftantly be ftruck dumb, and from this
time forward not be able to open your mouth more,
till the child I fpeak of fhall be born ; becaufe you
diftrufted the power and goodnefs of God, as if he
could not, or would not, perform this his promife
by me, which, in due time, fhall certainly be accom-
plifhed. 2 1 While thefe things detained Zacharias longer
than ordinary, the people continued waiting at the
veiled that he tar- door ^or his return, to difmifs them with the bleffing,
ried fo long in the as ufual, iii the name of the Lord ; and they were
furprifed tt> find (hat he fpent fo much time in the
temple. 22 At length he came out ; and they perceiving

my words, which
lhall be fulfilled in
their (eafon.

2 1 And the peo
ple waited for Za
charias, and mar-

temple.

And when

22
couhW fpeak un! that he was not able to pronounce the bleffing upon
to them : and they them, thought fomething extraordinary had hap-
perceived that he pened, and foon underftood that he had feen a vifipn
had feen a vifion whilft he was in the holy place ; for he intimated
this by making fome awful figns, he continuing to
be both deaf and dumb *.
23 Now when he had ftaid-out the days of his mi-
niftration for ftffering incenfe, (which, notwithftand-
23 And it came ;ng jjjs bdiig deaf and dumb, he could eafily go on
as the d; ys of his w'th) according to the order of his courfe, he return
ed to his own family in the country.
24, 25 And foon afterwards his wife Elifabeth con
ceived, according to the promife ; who, finding her
felf to be with child, retired from company for five
thofe days, his months, that fhe might avoid the danger of contraft-
wife Elifabeth con- ing ceremonial uncleannefs, while fhe was breeding a
eived, and hid Na-z,arile ; (ver. 15.) and that fhe might not feem
to boaft of the high honour God had done her, nor
Thus hath he troubled with the difcourfe and remarks of people
rheLordilealtwith about it ; but principally that (he might have the bet-
me in the days ter opportunity for daily rejoicing in her own foul,
Wh™ntttE and bleffing God for his wonderful favour, in looking
wa with fuch unexpefted mercy upon her, to take away the
NOTE.
Kupir fignifies deaf, as, well as dumb : And it feems plain that he was as unable
to hear, as he was to fpeak ; for his friends were forced to make figns to him, that
he might underftand them, ver. 62.

the temple
for he beckoned
unto them, and
remained fpeech-
lefs.

miniftration were
accomplifhed, he
departed to his
own houfe.
24 And aft

herfelf five months
faying,

on me,-

Chap. i. Luke paraphrafed. J
way my reproach the reproach of barrennefs, even in her old age, and
among men. to give her fuch an extraordinary fon as fhould be the
forerunner of the Meffiah himfelf.
26 And, in the 26, 27 Then in the fixth month after fhe had con-
fixth month, the ceived, the angel Gabriel, who had appeared and
angel Gabriel was ; d ^ tidings to Zacharias in the temple, (ver.
fent from God, un- 6 . 6 f/ ^
to a city of Gali- I9-) was again lent trom God to a city ot the Lower
lee, named Naza- Galilee f , called Nazareth, to a certain pure virgin
reth, there, whofe name was Mary, and who was con-
ef oufed°toa aV 'man Rafted || to one Jofepb a carpenter, he, as well as
whofe name was ^-e> heing lineally defcended from the royal family of
Jofeph, of the David*, which at- this time was reduced to a very
houfe of David ; low ftate in Ifrael.
and the MrginS 28 And the angel of the Lord' aPPea"nS to the
28 And the an- virg'u 'n a glorious form, faluted her in a fet of
gel came in unto friendly and admiring compellations ±, faying, All
her, and faid, Hail, joy and peace, happinefs and fafety, be unto thee !
thou that art high- Qod has gracioufiy accepted thee, and will beftow a
LdTwTththee: peculiar honour upon thee ; the Lord is efpecially
bleffed art thou Patent with thee, to do a great and wonderful thing
among women. in and by thee ; and thou (halt be accounted, through
all generations, the happieft of women that ever lived
upon earth.
29 And when 29 At this extraordinary appearance and faluta-
(he faw him, (he t;on 0f the angel, Mary was much amazed, and per-
his faying! and caft plexed in fpirit, being at a lofs to know whether fhe
in her mind what were not under fome delufion ; or, if not, what mfght
manner of faluta- be the particular bleflednefs referred to, in fuch a ge-
tion this fhould be. nera] pompous way of expreffing it.
30 And the an- 30 But while fhe was thus mufing, with humble
gel faid unto her, confuflon Jn her own mind, the angel, to compofe,
1' ear .-*
C 2 en-
NOTES.
f The Pharifees pretended that no here is a tranfpofition of the words, as is
prophet arofe out of Galilee,' John vii. ufual in many other cafes; and that they
52. But Dr. Lightfoot obferves, that might be rendered thus, a virgin of the
the prophet Jonah was of Galilee, and houfe of David, efpoufed to a man whofe
that the prophets Elijah and Elijba were name was Jofeph ,- or the words after, a
very converfant there. virgin may be read in a parenfhefis, and fo
|| It was cuftomary among the Jews, the connection of the reft lies eafy and
for perfons that married, to enter into plain, a virgin of the i/oufe of David.
mutual contract, in the prefence of wit- 1 Hail is the falutation ufed by our
neffes, fome time before they came to- Lord to the women after his refurrcction :
g'ether ; and as Chrift was to be born of (Mat. xxviii. 9.) Thou art highly fa-
a pure virgin, fo the wifcTom of God or- voured, or haft found favovr with God,
dered it to be of one efpoufed, that, for \<*t. 3c. is no more than was faid ot
the honour of marriage, and preventing Noah, Mofes, David, and the people of
reproach, he might have a legal, though Ifrael : The Lord is with thee, was faid
not a natural father, according to the to Gideon: (Judg. vi. 12.) And, bleffed
fleih. fhall /he be above women, was faid of
* As Chrift was to be of the feed of ' Jael. (Judg. v. 24.) There is, there-
David; fo both Jofeph and Mary were fore, no room for the Popiju pretence of
of the houfe of David : But as Mary's adoration of the Virgin in this falutation,
being of that family was the moft direct' which has no appearance pf a prayer, or
proof that Chrift really was of the feed of worfhip offered to her.
of David, fome critics have obferved that

8 The Evangelift Chap. i.
Fear not, Mary : encourage, and fatisfy her, proceeded in his meflage,
for thou haft found faying, Mary, be not furprifed, or afraid, at what you
favour with God. haye feen and ^.^ . for y£)u ar£ jn Ugh favour with
God, who defigns to honour you above all women.
31 And behold, 31 And ofcferve, Thou art the virgin prophefied
thou (halt conceive 0fs (Jfa, vj;, I^m} £ who, continuing fo to be, ffialt
b"inhy forth** (ot conceive in thy womb, and in due time be delivered
and S(lialt call his or» a Son ; and fhalt call his name Jefus, to intimate
name Jefus. that he fhall be a much more eminent Saviour than
Jofhua of old, or any other of Ifrael's deliverers,
who were types of him.
.32 He fliall be 32- He fhall be of matchlefs dignity and glory, in
£1fia!l a"diJallbef. his perfon and' office, qualifications and performances,
the Hiriieft ¦"' and an<^ ™ the account of God, angels, and men : He
the Lord God ffiall be juftly called the Son of the Moft High, as
fhall give unto him partaker of the fame nature with hjs heavenly Father ;
the throne of his and God himfelf will fet him up, as Meffiah the King,
father David. ;n h;s holy hm of g-^ wh;ch was typified by Da
vid's throne, that all the magnificent things pf his
kingdom may, in a high and fpiritual fenfe, be fulfilled
in that which fhall be ereftedby this defcendant'from
him.
33 And he (hall 3 3 And as the Idumeans and other nations, that
reign over the were brought under David's dominion, and incorpo-
houfe of Jacob for rated w;th the people of Ifrael, were reckoned to
kingdom "there his kingdom ; fo all God's peculiar people amqng *
jhall be no end. Gentiles, as well as Jews, that fhall be brought to
the obedience of faith, and ingrafted into the church
of Ifrael, fhall be reckoned to the kingdom of the
Meffiah, in which he fhall reign over them for ever :
His kingdom fhall not be temporal, and fubjeft to a
diffolution, as David's was, and as all earthly domi
nions are ; but it fhall continue immoveable through
all generations, in that peculiar form of adminiftratio'n
which he fhall fet up, in this world, and ffiall abide
in a ftill more glorious form to all eternity in the next.
34 Then faid 34 Then Mary replied to the angel, not in a way
Mary unto the an- of diffidence -)-, as Zacharias had done about the
gel, How fliall this birth of his fon John, but in a way of modeft, hum-
not a^'an? "°W hie admiration and inquiry, for further inftruftion,
By what means, or by what wonderful aft of God's
power, fliall this be brought t<j pafs, fince I am real
ly a virgin ? 35 In
NOTES.
1 It is evident by her anfwer, verfe 34. was to include Gentiles as well as
that (lie underftood the angel 10 mean, Jews.
that (lie (liould conceive this Son while f There does not appear to have been
(lie continued a virgin. any finful temper of mind in this inquiry ;
* The term Jacob being here ufed in- for the Virgin neither., alked a fign to
Head of Ifrael, and the reign of Jacob confirm what the angel had faid, nor did
being faid lo be for ever under the gofpel- he give her any rebuke, as we find in
(late, intimates that Chrift's kingdom Zachaiias's cafe, ver. 18.

Chap.

Luke paraphrafed.

9

35 And the an- 35 In anfwer to which, the angel faid, This a-
gel ahfwered and mazing effeft ffiall be produced by the immediate a-
feid unto .her, The gency 0f the Holy Spirit, who moved upon the face
rZJ„ „nn«,'i-h«. of the waters in the firft formation of the world, and
*. omc upon nice, . m inn
and the power of by whom J the almighty power of God fhall now a-
the Higheft (hall gain be exerted in creatwgl this new thing in the
overfliadow thee : earth, by a fecret operation upon thee : As therefore
hol^ thing Wrjich the fruit of thy body, which thou ffialt bring forth,
(hall be born of mau' be formed in this miraculous manner out of thy
thee, (hall be called flefh, that it may not come under the ordinary law of
the Son of God. generation, to involve it in the common apoftafy of
mankind under Adam their public head ; and as that
holy individual of human nature fliall have its perfon
al fuhfiftence only in union with the eternal Son of
God f|, it ffiall be called by his name.
36 And for the further confirmation of your faith
herein, obferve what a wonderful thing God has al-
conceived a fon in ready done upon one of your own relations : Your
her old age : and kinfwoman on your mother's fide *, Elifabeth by
this is the fixth name, has miraculoufly and unexpectedly conceived
a fon in her old age, a fon who is to go before the
Lord in the fpirit and poiuer of Elias : (ver. 17.)
And, though fhe never bore a child before, fhe is now
fix months gone with this ; fo that the figns of her
pregnancy are by this time vifible : The fame power
therefore will caufe you alfo, though continuing a
virgin, to conceive and bring forth a Son.
37 For this is as poffible to God as that : It is
the power of the Higheft that I told you fhall come
upon you for this purpofe, and nothing can be too
hard for God to do ; he, having undertaken and pro
mifed, will perform it.
38 Then Mary, with great humility, faith, and
reverence, replied, Behold, here am I before the
Lord as his fervant ; let him do with me what feems
I am amazed that all this grace

36 And behold,
thy coufin Elifa
beth, (he hath alfo

month with her,
who was called
barren.

37 For with
God nothing lhall
be impoffible.

38 And Mary
faid, , Behold the
handmaid of the
Lord ; be it unto
me according to good m his fight :

thy word. And fhould be fhewn to me, who am, unworthy of the
tne leaft of his mercies ; but fince God is pleafed to con-
defcend
NOTES.
1 The power of God was put forth by why his entire Perion, or why his human
the Holy Ghoft, as the immediate divine nature, as in perfonal union with the di-
Agent in this work ; and fo he exerted vine, fhould be called the Son of God.
the power of the Higheft, as his own * Though Elifabeth was of the houfe
power, who, together with the Father of Aaron, and Mary of the houfe of Da-
and Son, is the Moft High God, in di- vid, by their fathers fide, they might be
ftinction from all other gods : Accord- related by their mothers ; for the law
ingly, at other times, the divine power (Numb, xxxvi. 8, 9.) only forbad heir-
is called the power of the Holy Ghojl, efles marrying into another tribe; and as
and the poiuer of the Spirit of God, the families of David and of Levi often
Rom. xv. 13, 19. intermarried, Providence ordered that
|| It feems moft natural to underftand the mother df our Lord fhould be a-kirs
this, as afligning the reafon, not why to Aaron's family, that royalty and piieft-
Chrift, confidered merely as God, but liood might unite in him.

10
the angel departed
from her.

The Evangelift

Chap. i.

39 And Mary a-
rofe in thofe days,
and went into the
hill-country with
hafte, into a city
of Juda;

defcend fo far as to diftinguifh me by fuch a fignal
aft of favour, I thankfully accept it, rejoice in it,
and humbly depend f upon his power, faithfulnefs,
and goodnefs, to perform it, according to the word
which thou haft told me from the Lord. Hereupon
the angel, having difpatched his meffage, returned
back to heaven.
39 Soon after this, the virgin took a long journey
of fome fcores of miles, with all convenient fpeed,
to a certain city J , which lay in the mountainous
parts of Judea, where Zacharias and Elifabeth
dwelt, that fhe might further fatisfy herfelf concern
ing the truth of what the angel had told her about
Elifabeih''s being with child, and might have the op
portunity of comparing notes, and rejoicing with her,
and of improving the advantages of retirement for de
votion in the family of fuch a religious prieft.
40 And coming into Zacharias,s houfe, who was
deaf and dumb, fhe, applying to Elifabeth, congra
tulated her being with child, though fo far advanced
in years ; telling her, at the fame time, of the vifion
which fhe herfelf had feen, and of what the angel
had faid to her.
41 No fooner did Elifabeth hear this falutation of
Mary, but the child, by a divine imprefs upon it,
made an uncommon, lively, fpringing motion within
her, like one that leaped for joy ; and Elifabeth her
felf was, at the fame inftant, filled with a prophetic
afflatus of the Spirit of God.
42 And fhe, turning to Mary, lifted up her voice, ~
faying, in a tranfport of joy, O happy, thrice happy
creature ! what an honour has God put upon you ! I
have indeed been highly favoured beyond my defert ;
but never was any woman upon earth bleffed like
you, whom God, in the riches of his mercy, has
fingled out to be the mother of the great and glori
ous Meffiah, in whom all nations fhall be bleffed, and
who fhall be bleffed in himfelf, and be exalted in
bleffings and praifes for evermore.
43 And how can I fufficiently prize and admire
the honour done to me, that I fhould have a vifit
from the mother of the Meffiah, who is "my Lord,
and the great Lord of all ! Why is this further
crowning favour added to that which has lately been
fhewn
NOTES.
| It feems by no means improbable \ It is very likely that this was He-
but that this time of the Virgin's hum- bron, becaufe that city was fituated in
hie faith, confent, approbation, and ex- the hill-country of Judea, and was given
pectation, might be the very time bf the to the houfe of Aaron for ac inheritance,'
Holy Ghoft's coming upon her, and of her jofli. xxi. 10, 11.
conceiving by his power.

40 And entered
into the houfe of
Zacharias, and fa-
luted Elifabeth.

41 And it came
to pafs, that vvhen
EliTabeth heard the
falutation of Ma
ry, the babe leap
ed in her womb :
and Elifabeth was
filled with the Ho
ly Ghbft. 42 And (he
fpake out with a
loud voice, and
faid, Bleffed art
thou among wo
men, and bleffed is
the fruit of thy
womb.

43 And whence
is this to me, that
the mether of my
Lord fhould come
to me ?

Chap.

Luke paraphrafed.

n

44 For, lo, as
foon as the voice
of thy falutation
founded in mine

45 And bleffed
is (he that belie
ved : for there (hall
be a performance

fhewn to fo unworthy an handmaid as I am ? It fills
me with wonder and tranfport to think of it :
44 For, furprifing as it may feem to hear me fay
it, the very child I am big with was fo affefted with
your falutation, that, as foon as you began fpeak, I
ears the babe perfeftly felt it leap within me, as if it re,ally knew
leaped in my womb that the Saviour's birth would foon fucceed its own,
for joy. and that I had then the honour of a vifit from the
happy woman who fhould bear and bring him forth.
45 And as for you, who, like a true daughter of
Abraham, ftaggered not at the promife through un
belief, but was ftrong in faith, giving glory to God,
of thofe things you are bleffed indeed, and a happy inftrument of the
which were told greateft bleffednefs to others ; for he is faithful who
her from the Lord. }jas promifed, and the wonderful things, which you
have been affured of from the Lord, fhall certainly
come to pafs, according to his word, and according
to your faith.
46 And Mary ^6 Mary, being greatly encouraged and confirm-
mt'Vtf yth?LoKlh ed hd the thinSs me now heard' was l;kewife filled
magm y or , ^^ j^iy ecftafy ; and, the Spirit of God coming
upon her, as well as Elifabeth, ffie broke out into this
praifing fong : All the powers of my foul are united
in exalting and adoring the greatnefs and the good-
nefs of the Lord, which he has manifefted to me ;
47 And my heart exults and triumphs in Jefus, the
Son of the Higheft, in whom I believe * as my own
God and Saviouri Who»will bring redemption to his
unworthy handmaid, together with thofe that are
looking for it in Ifrael.
48 For (tTtzfiAe^'iv tTrt tyi-j ttmwiutnd) he has Hooped
fo low as to look with amazing compaffion on his
poor contemptible fervant, whofe perfon and family
hold, from hence- were funk into the utmoft obfcurity and contempt.
forth all genera- Inftead of his taking birth from fome great and noble
parentage, he, in his mere good pleafure and match-
lefs grace, has chofen to confer this Angular honour
upon me : For many in the prefent, and through all
fucceeding ages to the end of the world, fhall rife
up, and count me happy in myfelf, through faith
in him for my own falvation ; and an highly favoured
inftrument of bleffings to them, by being the mother
of whom their Saviour was born.
49 For^he that ^ por the God, whofe power is infinite, has done

47 And my fpi-
rit hath rejoiced
in God my Saviour.

48 For he hath
regarded the low
eftate of his hand
maiden : for, be-

tions fliall call me
bleffed.

NOTE.
* Here, and in the next verfe, the Vir- of her own everlafting falvation through
*in feems to turn her thoughts to Chrift faithinhim, which isableflingcommouto
himfelf, who was to be born of her, call- all true believers, more than in being his
ing him hei God and Saviour, becaufe the mother after the flefli, which was an ho-
angel told her that he fiiould be the Son nour peculiar to her ; becaufe, without
of the Higheft, whofe name fhould be Je- the firft, (he mult have been for ever mi-
fus, the Sa.viour; and (he rejoiced in hope ferable,. notwithftanding the laft.

12

The Evangelift

Chap. i.

neration to genera
tion.

51 He hath
(hewed ftrength
with his arm ; he
hath fcattered the
proud in the ima
gination - '
hearts.

52 He hath put
down the mighty
from their feats,
and exalted them
of low degree.

is mighty hath wonderful things, beyond expeftation and expreffion,
done to me great and beyond all thought ; he has magnified his fove-
things; and holy xe;gn and alm;ghty grace to me, for his own glory,
u his name. , ^^ namg .g ^^ ^ reverend ;n itfelf, in this and
all his manifeftations, ways, and works, and in the
eyes of faints and angels : As fuch let it be folemnly
adored and praifed for ever.
50 ft.nd his mer- 50 And this is but a juft acknowledgment of him,-
cy is on them that the riches of whofe free and tender mercy, efpecially
fear him, from ge- Jn the ;ncarnation of his own Son, are extended not
to me only f but likewife to all who worfhip and ferve
him with reverence and godly-fear ; and that from
fathers to children, and from age to age, till time
fhall be.no more.
5 1 His way herein is like thofe methods of provi
dence, in which he exerts remarkable afts of the ex
ceeding greatnefs of his power for the help of his
people, and the confufion of his enemies ; as in for-
of their mer difpenfations, fo likewife in this, he abafes the
haughty in all their fchemes, and chufes the weak
things of this world to confound the mighty. ,
52 He who humbled the pride of Egypt, AJJyria,
and Babylon, and pulled down Pharaoh, Sennache
rib, and Nebuchadnezzar, from their thrones, and
raifed up others in their ftead ; and who, in~his holy
providence, brings fome low, and lifts others up:
(1 Sam. ii. 7, 8.) He, in the difpenfations of his
grace, humbles proud, felf-righteous, and felf-fuffi-
cient finners ; deftroy s, their refuge of lies, and
breaks to pieces their vain-confidence ; and he re
vives the hearts of the humble and contrite ones, and
puts the higheft honour upon them.
5 3 He has granted the defire of fuch as fee their
need of a Saviour, are earneft in their inquiries after
him, and canhot be fatisfied without him ; and has
enriched them with the beft of bleffings : And, on
the other hand, he has rejefted thofe that are full cf
themfelves, that boaft of riches in their own merit,
or in the good opinion of others, or in having the
treafures of this world, and take up their reft in thefe
things, as if they needed nothing more to make them
happy ;'he has denied them the bleffings of the Mef-
fiah's kingdom.
54, 55 And, as to God's own peculiar people, the
Jews, he has in all ages paft been particularly graci
ous to them in many extraordinary prefervations and
deliverances ; and now, when they were funk into the
NOTE.
t Here the Virgin begins to carry her thoughts, like one of a public fpirit, to
an extenfive view of the fpiritual benefits that were to be brought into others by
the Meffiah, who fiiould be born of her.

53 He hath fill
ed the hungry with
good things ; and
the rich he hath
fent empty away.

54 He hathhol-
pen his fervant If
rael, in remem brance

brartce of his mer
cy ;
55 As he fpake
to our fathers, to
Abraham, arid to
his feed for ever.

56 And Mary a-
bode with her a-
bout three months,
and returned to
her own houfe.

Now Elifa-
i full time
came, that (lie
Should be deliver.

57
beth'

Chap. i. Luke paraphrafed. 1 3
the groffeft darknefs and corruptions in doftrine
and praftice, he is feafonably railing up a Deliverer
from their ignorance and error, fin and ruin : And
this he doth merely for his mercy's fake, which at
firft induced him to make them his people ; and to
promife feveral of our fathers, and particularly Abra
ham, that in his feed all nations of the earth fhould
be bleffed ; which good word fhall be fulfilled, as it
was defigned, not only to Abraham himfelf, but to
all his fpiritual feed, firft among the Jews, and after
wards among the Gentiles, through all ages in this
world, and for ever in the world to come.
56 Thus Mary fang the praifes of God on ac
count of the Meffiah who fiiould be born, of her :
And when fhe had fpent about three months, rejoi
cing and bleffing God, with her coufin Elifabeth, till
fhe was thoroughly affured * by fafts that God was
fulfilling his word to herfelf, fhe went back to her
own home.
57 Now when Elifabeth' s reckoning was out, an-
fwerable to the full time that women ufually go with
child, fhe was brought to bed of a fon, according to
cd; and (lie brought God's promife by the angel, to her hufband.
forth a fon. j8 The tidings of this were foon fpread abroad
among her acquaintance and relations, who heard
how God (ift.iya.-hmi) had magnified his mercy, in
taking away her former grievance, and putting a
fignal honour upon her, and that in old age, by
giving her a fon out of the common courfe of
nature, from whom great things might be expefted ;
and they came to vifit and congratulate her upon this
joyful occafion.
59 And when, on the eighth day froni his birth,
they came to his circumcifion, according to God's
appointment in the law ; as it was cuftomary to
name the child at that folemnity, becaufe it was at
the circumcifion of the father of the faithful that God
ftyled him Abraham, (Gen. xvii. 5, <b'c.) the com
pany generally agreed that it would be proper to call
this ionZach arias, in honour of his own father's name,
60 But (y-m) Elifabeth replied, " No, no, that
muft not be his name; it ffiall be John", as ffie knew-|-
God had appointed it to be. 61 Her
NOTES.
* It is probable that the Virgin found it is more generally thought, that Mary
herfelf to be with child before (lie left E- only ftaid till Elifabetb's reckoning was
lifabeth; and fome fuppofe that (lie ftaid very near out; and then returned home,
with her till (he faw her delivered of to avoid the company that would come
John the Baptift, though, for the fake to Zacharias's houfe at fo remarkable a
of finifhing the account here given of birth as that 0/ John.
Mary, the evangelift mentioned her de- f She knew this, as (he did that her fon
parture before Elifabetb's delivery : But fiiould be a Nawrite, (ver. l$-) either
Vol. II, D t-y

5,8 And her
neighbours and her
coufins heard how
the Lord had (lie w-
ed great mercy up
on her ; and they
rejoiced with her.

59 And it came
to pafs, that on the
eighth day they
. came tocircumcife
the child'; and
they called him
Zacharias, after
the name of his fa
ther. 6a And his mo
ther anfwered and
(aid, Not fo; but
he (hall be called
John.

14 The Evangelift . Chap. i.
6 1 And they 6 1 Her friends, furprifed to hear her fo earneft,
faid unto her, and f0 peremptory in infifting on this, expoftulated
thherkindr-d°nthatf W'th her' ^"S' What a &raUSe fan.Cy k Y°m& !
is Called F by this ^e cannot imagine what you mean by it, fince there
name. is none of this name among all your relations : If
therefore you will not admit him to be called Zacha
rias ; furely, in refpeft to your own family, you
fhould think of fome other name that is found among
your near of kin f.
6z And they 62 At laft, to end the difpute, they made figns,
made figns to his as weVJ as they could, to let Zacharias, the child's fa-
fathld hhaw,-he ther, know what they were talking about, he being
called. ^ea^ » an<l to defire that, as the right lay in him, fo
he would fignify his own mind, as to the name that
fhould be given to his fon.
6-3 And he afked 63 Then he, being dumb, as well as deaf, made
for a writing-table, f,gns to them to give him a writing-book ; and, ha-
His nameisXrin' v'nS received it, fet down thefe words, according to
And they marvel- the order of the angel, (ver. 13.) " His name is
led all. John :" At which all the company were amazed,
not knowing what had paffed between the angel and
him. /
64 And his 64 And the time being now expired, till which
mouth was open- be was to continue dumb for his former diffidence,
and ihisrae<tianeu' (ven 20>) God immediately reftored to him the ufe
loofed and he °^ his fpeech ; and his tongue, which had been fo
fpake, and praifed long filenced, was fet at liberty, and employed in
God. fliewing forth the praifes of the Lord, by thankful
acknowledgments of his great goodnefs in giving
him this fon, and by humble confeffion of the ini
quity and of the juft punifhment of his own unbelief.
65 And fear 6j Now the report of this birth, and of the mira-
came on all that culous circumftances relating to it, was foon fpread
dwelt round about Jn the ne;KllDourhood round about and became the
them: and all r . p r . . . . '
thefe fayings were lubject 01 ienous converlation in all places through
noifed abroad the mountainous parts, called the hill-country of Ju-
ehroughout all the dea, the people being generally filled with aftonifh-
ka"C0Untry°f^U" ment and awful ?"everence when they talked or
thought about it.
66 And all they 66 And they, that heard of thefe ftrange things,
that had heard took particular notice of them, revolved them in
in theiiheart9-'7fav^ their own minds, treafured them up in their memo-
ing, What manner ries, and had high expectations of fome' very extraor-
of child fliall this dinary confequence, faying in themfelves, and one to
be • another, What an uncommon man will this make !
Surely
NOTES.
by information from Zacharias in wri- as it is now-a-days amongft us, to call their
ting, or by revelation to herfelf peifon- children by their father's, or by fome of
ally. their near kindred's names; but it was
t It feems as if, for fliewing honour to far from being fo in ancienter times, as
parents and near relations, it were then appears from the general, if not univerfal
lately become a cuftom among the Jews, current of regifters in the Old Teftament.

Chap. i.
be '. And the hand
of the Lord was
with him.

6"] And his fa
ther Zacharias was
filled with the Ho
ly Ghoft, and pro-
phefied, faying,
68 Bleffed be
the Lord God of
Ifrael ; for he hath
vifited and redeem
ed his people,

69 And hath rai
fed up an horn of
falvation for us, in
the houfe of his
fervant David ;

70 As he fpake
by the mouth of
his holy prophets,
which have been
fince the world be-

7 1 That we
fiiould . be faved
from our enemies,
and from the hand
of all that hate us.
72 To perform
the mercy promi
fed to our fathers,
and to remember
his holy covenant :
73 The oath
which he fware to
our father Abra
ham, 74 That he
would grant unto
us. that we, being
delivered out of the
hands of our ene
mies,

Luke paraphrafed. ,1$
Surely he is defigned for great work. And4he pro
vidence and grace of God Were remarkably feen, from
his very infancy, in the continual care he took of him,
and of all things relating- to him, and in the holy
qualities with which he endued him.
67 In the mean while, his father Zacharias was
abundantly filled with the gifts and graces of the
Holy Spirit, by whofe inspiration and fuggeftion he
broke out, with holy rapture, into the following in-
ftruftive and prophetic hymn of praife :
68 Glory, honour, and bleffing, be ever afcribed
to the only living and true God, who is Ifrad's co
venant-God : For, though he feemed to neglect
them for feveral ages paft, he has now at length
looked with compaffion upon them, (sjreras-vjwro) and
afted the kindeft part toward them, in fending his an
gel with good tidings, in bringing the Meffiah's fore
runner into the world, and enabling the virgin Mary
to conceive that glorious Perfon himfelf ; and, by
him, he is now about to ranfom his peculiar people
from the fin and mifery, and every kind of bondage,
into which they were fallen.
69 He, of his own mere love and grace, has pro
vided", and is fending a mighty and royal Saviour of
David's race, who, like an horn of honour, fhall ex
alt us, and, like an horn of power, fhall defend us
from our enemies, and pufli them down to utter de-
ftruftion. 70 All this is done according to the various pro
mifes, which he made by the ancient prophets, from
the beginning of the world, through many generations
afterwards, concerning the feed of the woman, who
fiiould be raifed up, as the feed of Abraham, from
the tribe of Judah, and family of David :
7 1 That we might be delivered from all our fpiri
tual enemies, fin, Satan and the world, death and
hell ; and might be freed from the power of thofe
that malicioufly and inveterately oppofed us, and
would otherwife have for ever prevailed againft us."
72, 73 This Saviour is now coming to fulfil God's
promifes of the Meffiah, that mercy of mercies ; and
to make good his gracious, holy, and inviolable co
venant to the children of promife ;. and particularly
the oath (Gen. xxii. i6> 17, 1 8.) by which he con
firmed it to Abraham our father, and the father of all
that believe :
74, 75 His great defign in which was, that he
would certainly, in due time, vouchfafe the favour to
us, that being refcued, by the merit, might, and
grace, of the promifed Redeemer, out of the power
of all our enemies, whether temporal or fpiritual, we
D 2 might

i6

The Evangelift

Chap, i-

75 In holinefs
and righteoufnefs
before him, all the
days of our life.

75 And thou,

mies, might ferve might be at liberty for, and engaged in his fervice*
him without fear, and mJght be enabled to perform it, without diftruft-
ful flavifh fear of God, or difcouraging tormenting
fear of our enemies themfelves ; and that we might
perfift in all the duties of piety, righteoufnefs, and
fobriety, as in his fight and prefence, looking up to
him for the feafonable aid which he fees we need, and
walking in all good confeience before him, with con-
ftancy and ftedfaftnefs therein, to the end of our days.
76 And then, turning by way of Apoftrophe to
child, (halt be call- the infant, he went on, faying, Thou, my dear new-
ed the prophet of b f of mine old age, malt hereafter be, and be
the Higheft : for , , 6. ' ... .,
thou (halt go be- generally owned to be, in a peculiar manner, the pro-
fore the face of the phet * and forerunner of the Meffiah, who will be
Lord to prepare his God incarnate, || even the moft high God. For thou
fhalt go before this great Lord, the Jehovah of Ifrael,
to give notice of his appearance, and to put things
into readinefs for receiving him :
7 7 To give his chofen people the knowledge of
falvation, not, as the Jews have generally expefted,
¦vation un o ^y their own perfonal performance of a legal righte-
miffion of their oufnefs; but by a free pardon, through that Saviourf,
(ins, who is coming to take away the Jin of the world:
(John i. 29.)
78 Through the 78, 79 The original fpring of which benefit lies
tender mercy' of jn the mere, undeferved, and compaffionate kindnefs
God; where- /  ^_  _ .v.„.,.-j „f „,„. ci^A onf™™M,> tr. the ten-

ways;

77 ; To give
knowledge of fal-
unto his

our God; where- / n 0f our God anfWerable to t
l>y the day-fpnng } '<~ r > ' . . - .
f,om on high hath der movings of a parent's bowels, in a way of pity to-
vifited us, ward his miferable children ; by which Chrift, (xvxnto
79 To give light s| tul/uuj) the riling Sun of righteoufnefs, who is ori-
to them that fit in rrmavjy from above, ffieds his enlightening-, reviving-,
darknefsandirathe 5 , / . , ' . ,. r B , 6' , 6'
r^ and laving beams, in his perfonal appearance and
. fpi-
NOTES.
* The fpirit of prophecy had departed together with them : Hence he is called
from Ifrael about three hundred years ; the great God, even our Saviour, Tit.
but now began to return: Zacharias (as ii. 13.; and over all God bleffed for ever,
well as Simeon, Anna, and others) was Rom. ix. 5.; which amount to the cha-
adled by it, being filled with the Holy racier of tie Highe/l, in diftinction frorn
Ghoft, ver. 67.; and, under his infpira- all creatures. And it feems plain that it
tion, he foretold concerning his fon John, is he who is here ftyled the Higheft : For
that he fhould be a prophet, and mould as Aaron was Mofes' prophet, Exod. vii.
be generally efteemed to be fo, as he 1.; fo John was, in a peculiar manner,
really was, by the commonjpeople. And Chrift's prophet and forerunner, which
though a prophet fometimes fignifies, in Zacharias fpeaks of in the following
fcripture, only one who delivers the words, with a plain reference to what
¦mind and will of God to others; jet John the angel had faid concerning him, ver.
-was, ftricftly fpeaking, a prophet, who 16,17. See the note there.

foretold what Chrift would do, as well
as pointed him out to the people as al
ready come among them, Mat. iii. 11,
1 x. and John i. 23, 27.
|| Chrift being one in Godhead with,
though diftinrt in perfonality from, the
Father and Spirit, is the' mojl high God

f Some by falvation here underftand
Jefus the Saviour, who is called an Horn
of falvation, ver. 69. and God's falva
tion, chap. ii. 30. The latter part of
the paraphrafe refers to this fenfe of the
word.

fliadsw of death,
to guide our feet
into the way of
peace,

80 And the
child grew, and
waxed ftrong in
fpirit, and was in
the defarts till the
day of his (hewing
unto Ifrael.

Chap. i. Xuke paraphrafed. 17
fpiritual influence, to expel not only the glooftiinefs of
Old-Teftament types and figures, but likewife to dif-
fufe light among heathen nations, who were involved
in the thickeft darknefs of ftupidity and idolatry ; to
irradiate the minds of thofe who by nature were over-
fpread with the mifts of ignorance, error, and wick-
ednefs ; and to guide his people into the way which
leads to peace with God and with one another, and
to peace in their own fouls, till they arrive at perfeft
and everlafting happinefs.
80 In this manner Zacharias poured out his foul
in joyful thankfgiving and praife : And his young
child vifibly increafed, not only in bodily ftrength and
ftature, but alfo in the natural capacities, fpiritual
enlargements, holy fortitude, and religious endow
ments of his mind, from his youth up, like one,high-
ly favoured of God, and ripening apace for extraor
dinary fervice. And, as he was to fhew an example
of mortifiednefs to this world, and of intimate com
munion with God, he ufually, like a fecond Elias,
refided in folitary places f, free from much company,
till the time of God's appointment for his appearing
publicly in his miniftry, which, according to the law,
(Numb. iv. 3.) was at about thirty years old.
RECOLLECTIONS.
With what care and certainty are the great things of the gofpel delivered to us '.
and with what a train of miracles was the incarnate God and Saviour ufhered in
to the world, that the ancient prophecies concerning him, and his forerunner, might
be punctually fulfilled ! Nothing is too hard for the Lord to do ; and unbelief will
ever meet with a juft rebuke. The age of miracles and prophecy now revived,
to open a bleffed difpenfation of grace ; and the fame Spirit, who formed Chrift's
body in the womb, can form- his image in our hearts, and turn the difobedient to
the wifdom of the juft. O with what reverence lhould we always think of Jefus,
,as the Son of God, and as the Lord our God ; and of the Holy Ghoft, as a divine
perfon, who exerts the power of the Godhead ! — Chrift has a fpiritual kingdom,
which (ball endure for ever ; and all its-great and glorious bleflings take their
rile from the riches of God's free and fovereign mercy, and are made [effectual to
us by his almighty power, and faithfulnefs to his own word, notwithftanding all
our unworthinefs. , What a folid ground is this for faith ! Its language is, fie it
unto thy fervant according to thy word ; and its effects are, humility and admira
tion, joy and praife : Bleffed are they who thus believe ; for there fliall be a per
formance of the things that are told them from the Lord. How lhould we rejoice, and

N O
t As the gifts and graces of the Spirit,
which John was filled with, fet him a-
bove needing the advantages of a polite

T E.
they are called defarts. Now John's
living in one or other of thefe, which lay
the beft part of an hundred miles from

and learned education in the fchools of Nazareth, where Chrift dwelt, was wife-
the prophets, he dwelt in a wildernefs, ly ordered, by the providence of God, to
which is moft generally thought to be prevent a perfonal acquaintance, between
that of Ziph, or that of Maon, where them, till Jefus came to John's baptifm,
Saul purfued David, I Sam. xxiii. 24, 25. that fo there might be no room for the
Though there were feveralcountry-towns leaft fufpicion, as if they had contrived
and villages in thefe wilderneffes, which beforehand to bear an honourable tefti-
were not far from Hebron, Jofli. xv. 54, mony to each other. See John i. 32,
55. ; yet as they were but thinlv peopled, 33, 34. r

1 8 The Evangelift Chap. ii.
and fing for joy, like the Virgin and Zacharias, upon hearing of a Saviour born
for us, and much more upon receiving him into our hearts J, And with what plea-
Cure fliould we reflect on the great falvation which he brings to others as well as
ourfelves \ How happy is the ftate of true believers in the remiflion of their fins, ki
the audience of their prayers, and in deliverance from the power of ail their ene
mies '. But how miferable muft the cafe of others be, who are ftill in the hands of
thofe that hate them,- and that mean nothing lefs than their eternal perdition !
How earneftly then lhould tinners fly to Jefus for all falvation \ And how concern
ed fhould his people be to give glory to God, by believing ; to walk in all his or
dinances and commandments blamelefs, and that particularly in the relation of
hufbands and wives ; and to ferve him with integrity, freedom, and delight, as
under his eye, abounding therein yet more and more all their days ! And when
he calls anyto peculiar fervice, as he did John the Baptift, they may depend upon
his being with them to fit and furnifh them for it. May we lay up all thefe things
in our hearts, to raife our expectations and our praifing fongs \ Bleffed be God for
his gracious vifits by a Redeemer.

CHAP. II.

The birth of Chrift at Bethlehem, i, — 7. // is notified to fhepherds
by an angel, and an heavenly hojl attends with fongs of praife,
8, — 14. The fhepherds publifh it abroad, 15, — 20. lie is cir-
cumcifed and prefented in the temple, 21, — 24. SimeonV and An-
na' s prophecies of him, 25, — 39. The ftate of his youth, and his
difpute with the doctors in the temple, 40, — 52.
Text. Paraphrase.
AN° h- camhl° TESUS beulS conceived, and John the Baptift born,
A sPa that there ** t^ie Providence of God fo ordered it, that, about
went out a. decree this time, Auguftus Ccsfar, the Roman emperor,
from Gsefar Auguf7 publifhed an edift, for taking an account of all the
tus, that all the fubjefts of his empire, which was then in its higheft
^xed fh°Uld ^ gW, and' wassailed the w/-0/« Tuor/a', becaufe it ex
tended to the greateft part of the known and civilized
nations ; the defign of which edift was, that a regifter
might be made of their perfons, families, qualities,
poffeffions, and taxes iffuable from them, and that
anfwerable tributes might be paid to C&far.
2 (And this tax- 2 And this was done * at the time when Cyreni-
ing was firft made us, called by the Romans Sulpicius Quirinius, was,
when by
NOTE.
* It is moft generally fuppofed that the taxes according to that valuation,
this taxing was firft begun during Cyre- which was twelve years afterwards ;
nius's government of Syria : . But as the and by this time the Jews were not on-
words in the Greek (¦again tiftfioiijMOiilOr ly a depending tributary province, but
Kup»niou) may be differently rendered, had likewife a Roman governor fet over
and Jofephus's account does not agree them ; and fo the great Shiloh came juft
with our tranflation of them, others atthetimeofthey«^fre'sd£^«rr!/7§-/>-0wz
think they fhould be read, this taxing Judah, according to the prophecy in Ge n.
was made before Cyrenius was gover- xlix. 10. See Prideaux's Connect, vol.
nor of Syria : And others contend, that, ii. 8vo. p. 652, &c. And the whole
' even keeping to our tranflation, they re- world being then in peace, that was a
late, not to the time of the valuation or proper time for the birth of the Prince
cnroljment, but to the time of gathering of Peace.

Chap.

Ltjke paraphrafed.

19

one into
city.

his own

when Cyrenius was- by the imperial authority, prefeft, or prefident of the
governor of Syria.) province of Syria, inclufive of Judea as dependent
upon it.
3 And all went 3 In obedience to this command, every man, who
to be taxed, every wag ^bfent from the city, where the head of his fa-
nns intn hie ftWtl «...««• •
mily was born, or had its principal refidence, repaired
thither, that he might be regiftered there.
4 And Jofeph 4, 5 Now Jofeph, the efpoufed hufband of the
alfo went up from virgin Mary, being, as well as fhe, defcended from
city of' Nazareth6 tne roY^ ^ne °f David, fet out with her from Na-
into Judea, unto zareth, a city of Galilee, where they then dwelt ;
the city of David, and went to a city of Judea, called Bethlehem, which
which is called was Dawn's native place, ( I Sam. xvi. 1,4.) that
Beth-lehem, (be- th - ht b Ued among thofe of that family.
caufe he was of the ' 6 a /.
houfe and lineage And Mary was io big with the child me had concei-
of David,) ved by the power of the Holy Ghoft, as to be near
5 To be be taxed her time of delivery.
with Mary his e- g Thjs order of the emperor Auguftus, which
fpoufed wife, being . . . , ... ,r. a J ,. r „
great with child. was made only with political views, was wonderfully
6 And foit was, over-ruled, by the providence of God, to fulfil fome,
that, while they and clear up other prophecies, that related to, and
e were charafteriftic of, the Meffiah, as he was to be
of the tribe of Jutjah, and of the family of David,
and to be born at Bethlehem: (Gen. xlix. 10. Ifa.-xi.
1.; and Micah v. 2.) For at the very time when
both Jofeph and Mary were, on this remarkable
occafion, brought to Bethlehem, her reckoning was
out. 7 And there fhe was brought to bed -f- of that
brought forth her g wJjo, in his divine nature, was ( Trparorox-o; sras-iij
hrft-born fon, and ' , ,' , r // *.- 5 //- 1 ¦ \
jc-wm?) begotten before all creation, (Lol. 1. 15.)
and, in his human nature, was her -firft-born in fuch
a manner, as to be, by way of eminence, holy to the
Lord, and the Prophet, Prieft, and King of his fa
mily, the Church : And when the mighty God, and
everlafting Father, thus became an infant of days, fo
indigent were his parents, that his mother fwathed
him with fuch mean blankets and rollers as fhe could
get, and made ufe of a liable for his chamber, and of
a manger for his cradle, becaufe, the city being then
full of people, there was no room to be procured in
ere in "the fame the 'nn ^e^ *°r a Perf°n °f her poverty.
8 The time of this important birth was at that
feafon' of the year when ffiepherds were wont to lie
abroad and watch their ffieep all night ; fome of
which were then in the fields near Bethlehem. "
9 And, while they were employed in their lawful call-
N O T E.
f Chrift being born at the time of this enrolling, was probably.himfelf regiftered
together with jofeph and Mary, as a fubject of the Roman empire ; and fo was
bom in the form of a fervaot, and made under the imperial as well as divine law.

were days were accom-
plifhed that (he
fhould be delivered.

And (he

wrapped him in
fwaddling - clothes,
and laid him in a
manger ; becaufe
there was no room
for them iu theinn.

country fhepherds
abiding in the field,
keeping watch j>-
ver their flock by
night. 9 And, lo, the an-

The Evangelift

Chap. ii.

io And the an
gel faid unto them
Fear not : for, be
hold, I bring you

lhall be to, all peo
ple.

IO
angel of the Lord calling, obferve what an honour God put upon them,
came upon them rather than upon the chief priefts and rulers, kings
the Lord fhone and nobles of the earth ; and what an early intima-
round about them; tion he herein gave, that Chrift ffiould not derive his
and they were fore authority from man, nor aim at a temporal king-
sfra.id. dora l As Jacob and Mofes had the vifions of God
while they were keeping their flocks; (Gen. xxxi. 1 1.
and Exod. iii. I, 2.) fo * the angel of the Lord
came down in a vifible form from heaven, and, flop
ping his courfe in the air, (smrrii) ftood over their
heads, that they might fee him ; and, at the fame
time, a glorious brightnefs, the emblem of the divine
prefence, ffione all around them ; at which wonder
ful fight they, like mortal, though || good men,
were filled with great furprife and fear.
10 Then, to relieve their labouring minds, and en
courage an humble compofure, confidence, and joy,
the angel fpoke comfortably to them, faying, Do
good tidings of not be difmayed or affrighted, as if any danger were
great joy, which at hand : For behold, I am come to tell you the beft
news, that ever reached the ears of the finful fons of
man ; a matter of the greateft joy, not only to your-
felves, but to many others with you ; nor to the
Jews only, but to the Gentiles alfo, even to people
of all nations that fhall hear and receive it.
1 1 For unto you 1 1 For to you, the children of Ifrael, and of the
is born this day, in fathers, to whom the promifes were made ; and to
t le city 0 avi , „ou flnners, who need a Saviour, and muft be for
a Saviour, which ' ' ,., ,• • i-/i-n-
is Chrift the Lord, ever undone without him ; to you, m diftinction
from the fallen angels ; to all and every one of you
that ffiall believe in him, is the long looked for Meffiah
born, this very day, at Bethlehem, the city of David,
(1 Sam. xvii. 12.) from which it was anciently pro-
phefied (Mic. v. 2.) that he fiiould arife, who is the
anointed of God, Sion's King, and Lord of all.
12 And the fign by which ye may certainly di-
Y an£iiUfit0dy°h; ftinSuim the new-born Infant from all others, is
babe 'wrapped' in this : Ye> going into the city, fhall find him in the
fwaddling clothes, ftable of an inn, wrapped about with fwaddling
lying in a manger, cloaths, and lying in a manger.
13 And fudden.- 1 3 Immediately upon the angel's delivering this joy-
ly there was with fuJ meffage, a great company of other celeftial fpirits
'" attended him, to celebrate the praifes of God, and
congratulate the happinefs of men, upon the incarna
tion of his Son, in the following lofty ftrains.
14 The glory of God is now difplayed more than ever
NOTES.
* This was probably the angel Gabriel, who before had appeared to Zacha
rias and to Mary.
|| - Thefe fhepherds feem to have been religious men, that feared the Lord ; for
it is to fuch that God reveals his feciets, Pfal. xxv. 14.

1 2 And this fhall

the angel a m
tude of the hea
venly hoft praifing
God, and faying,
14 Glory to God on

Chap. ii.

Luke paraphrafed.

21

in the "higheft, and
on earth peace,
good-will towards
men.

13 And it came
to pafs, as the an
gels were gone a-
way from them in
to heaven, the
lliepherds faid one

ever it was before : May all poflible honours be afcr1"
bed to him, in the moft exalted adorations, among
his people in this world, and among faints and angels
on high ! The greateft profperity and happinefs is
now brought to finful men on earth *, and particu
larly to the objefts of his peculiar love among them :
May it fpread far and wide in their reconciliation
with God, with us, and with one another;- and in the
peace of their own fouls, that enmity and difcord,
confufion and trouble, may no more be heard of a-
mong them ! The moft affefting inflance of the
mere good pleafure of God's goodnefs now breaks
out toward the human race, in diftinftion from the an
gelic nature : May all definable bleffings fpring from
thence, and be communicated, to the glory of divine
grace, in their falvation through the Meffiah !
' 15 As foon as thefe glorious fpirits had, in this
manner, fung the praifes of the Redeemer's birth,
they returned to heaven ; and the fhepherds, belie
ving what they had been hearing, communed with one
another about it, faying, Come, let us go forward
to another, Let us to Bethlehem, that we ourfelves may fee the bleffed
now go even unto Sav; h God has told b an immed;ate ex_
Bethlenem, and r r i-rir- r 1 , 1 1
fee this thing prels from himfelf, is lo lately born there.
wliich is come to 16 Accordingly they haftened thither with aU
pais, which the fpeed ; and, following the directions of the angel,
Lord hath made foQn found M & Jofepb, with their Infant-
known unto US. „ , . -nil 1 a-
1 5 Ai1(i they k°n 'ying m a manger, juft as the heavenly melienger
came with hafte, had reprefented the cafe.
and found Mary 1 7 And, their faith being hereby further confirmed,
and Jofeph, and they were fo full of joy, that they could not hold
their peace; but took all opportunities, raherever
they came, to publifh the vifion, and the declaration
and fong of the-angels, which they had been favour
ed with, as alfo what they themfelves had feen at
Bethlehem,' relating to this child.
1 8 And all that heard the ffiepherds account of
thefe things were greatly amazed, and at a lofs to
know what to make of it : They could not think , it
th°f~ "kdy that fuch a fort of plain, honeft, undefigning
things which were men fhould form the flory, and go about to impofe
told them by the it on the world ; and could not but know that
fhepherds. their teftimony was ftrengthened by the general ex
pectation at that time of the Meffiah's appearing,
and by the then prevailing notion that his birth
would be at Bethlehem : (Mat. ii. 4, 5.) And yet it

the babe lying in a
manger. 17 And, when
they had feen it,
they made known
abroad the faying
which was told
them concerning
this child.
18 And all they
thatheardzr, won-
at

N O
* As this verfe may be confidered un-
der the form of a declaration, and of 8
wifh ; and as, in the laft claufe, the A-
lexandrian, and feveral other copies, read' paraphrafe.
Vol. IT. E

T E.
eu Joxjaf , according to which the rendering
maybe, Peace amongthe menof 'his good
will. Ihavetakenall thefe fenfes into the
Fid. Mill. Nov. Tejl. in lee.

The Evangelift

Chap. ii.

it was wonderful in their efteem, that he fhould be
born of fuch mean parents, and in fuch defpicable
circumftances ; and that perfons of fuch low figure, as
thefe ffiepherds, fhould be the men to whom God fent
an angel to reveal it.
19 But Mary, the mother of Jefus,. believed as
well as wondered at thefe things ; and, for the

20 And the
fhepherds return
ed, glorifying and
praifing God for
all the things that

told unto them.

2 1 And when
eight days were
accomplifhed ' for

19 But Mary
kept all thefe
derea%*minPner ftrengthening of her- faith, and expeftation of what
j,eart. might further appear, ffie carefully obferved and feri
oufly reflefted upon them, comparing what the angel
" had faid to the ffiepherds, and the ffiepherds to her,
with what fhe before had heard from Gabriel, andfrom
'Zacharias and Elifabeth; though, to prevent an ap
pearance of vain-glory, fhe kept them moftly to herfelf.
20 And the ffiepherds returned to the duties of
their civil ftation, with the high praifes of God in
their hearts and mouths ; They admired and adored
his infinite love and grace to man, and his affefting
they hacUieard and condefcenfion in honouring themfelves, in fo extraor-
s-en, v it was dinary a manner, with the firft notices of it ; they gave
glory to God for all that they had heard and feen at
Bethlehem, as well as in the fields, and for the exaft
correfpondence which they found between fafts and
the angel's words.
2 1 Now, on the eighth day afte-r the birth of this
child, (fee the note on Mat. xxvii. 63.) his parents
the"circnmcifinn-of took care to have him circumcifed according to God's
the child, his name command: (Gen. xvii. 8, 9.) Which painful ordi-
was called JESUS, nance he was brought under, not becaufe he, who
med^of^he^el was holy in his birth, needed, like other children,
before he was to be cleanfed from original fin ; but that he might
conceived in the appear in the likenefs of finful fleffi, and be vifibly
womb. made under the law by a facred rite, which obliged
him to keep the whole law ; as alfo that he might be
owned to be the feed of Abraham, and a member of
the Jewifh church ; might wear the badge of the
children of God, and put an honour upon the folemn
covenant-dedication of the infant-feed of God's pro-
feffing people to him : And, at his circumcifion, his
parents, according to cuftom, publicly declared his
name to be Jefus, as the angel ordered him to be call
ed, at his appearing firft to Mary before the concep
tion, and afterwards to Jofeph before the birth, of
the child. (Chap. i. 31. and Mat. i. 21.)
22 And forty days after his birth, which was the
time appointed in Mofes's law for f the purification of
NOTE.
t Some good copies, read it (avlav,) fin for us, he came under the legal ordi-
their purification, taking in both the nance for purification, like other children,
Virgin and Jefus ; and though he, had no as if he had been afinner. Vid. Mill, in lac'.
fin of his own, yet, as he was to be made

22 And when
the days of herpu-

Chap. ii. Luke paraphrafed. 23
rification, accord- of the mother of a male child, (Lev.--x.li. 2, 3, 4.)
ing to the law of ^is parents brought him to Jerufalem, that they
comprlfhed!" they mi?nt Prefent him in the temple before the Lord, by-
brought him to Je- which all righteoufnefs early began to be fulfilled in
rufalem, to prefent him. ,
him to the Lord, 2^ This was done in obedience to the law, (Exod.
written mthe'law x'"" 2>) wnere God ordered that all the firft-born of
of the Lord, Every Ifrael fhould be confecrated to him, in commemora-
male that openeth tion and thankful acknowledgment of his having de
lta womb fliall be hvered theirs, when thofe of the Egyptians were flain
Lord) °the ^ the deftroying angel : (Nitmb. iii. 13.) Accord
ingly Jefus, who is the firft-born among many bre
thren, was prefented in the temple, as Mary's firft-
born -)-, that he might be deemed holy to the Lord.
24 At the fame time his mother likewife offered
the facrifice appointed in the law of God for her puri
fication : And as her hufband and fhe were too poor to
afford a lamb and a dove, which were required of thofe
that were able, ffie, as was allowed in cafe of poverty,
(Lev. xii. 6, 7, 8.) offered a couple of turtle-doves, or
young pigeons ; one for a burnt-offering, in teftimo
ny of her thankfulnefs ; and the other for a fin-offer
ing, in teftimony of her finfulnefs, and unworthinefs
of the mercy ffie had received ; and both together,
to make a typical atonement ibr her.
25 While Jefjas appeared in all thefe circumftances
of meannefs in the temple, obferve the honour which,
at the fame time, was put upon him : There was in
Jerufalem, a noted man, named Simeon, who was a
was juft and de- perfon of great integrity and devotion, ftrlftlyjuft to-
vout, waiting for ward men, and eminently religious toward God ; and
the confolation of who believed and was da;i \00^n?. for an accom.
Ifrael: and the Ho- ,.„ c . -r • 1 ¦» r „• ,
pliihment of, the promifes concerning the Meffiah,
the hope of whom was the joy of the faithful in If
rael, and whofe appearing would bring to them the
richeft confolations : And the Holy Ghoft came upon
this holy man, in a way of extraordinary revelation
and prophetic impulfe ;
26 And he was divinely warned (xe^rt[mrii!-/.iitot) .
by the inspiration of the Spirit, that the joyful, long-
looked for day of God's Meffiah's appearing, was fo
nigh at hand, that, old as he was, his own eyes
had feenthe Lord's fhould behold him before he died \.
Chrift. 27 Accordingly, at the very time when Jofeph,
27 And he came the reputed father, and Mary, the real mother of Jc-
by the Spirit into r , ,,•• , 1 r 1 ¦
the temple: and *us> brought him into the temple, to prelent him to
when E 2 the
NOTES.

24 And to offer
a facrifice, accord
ing to that which
is faid in the law
of the Lord, A pair
of turtle-doves, or
two young pige
ons.

25 And behold,
there was a man in
Jerufalem, whofe
name was Simeon ;
and the fame man

ly Ghoft was upon
him.

26 And it -was
revealed unto him
by the Holy Ghoft,
that he fiiould not
fee death, before he

\ Chrift's birth being exprefled by his
opening the womb, fhews that he was
born of the Virgin in the ufual way of
women's bringing forth children, whatfo

ever fome of the ancients vainly imagined
to the contrary.
\ Seeing death is a Hebraifm for dy.
ing, Pfal, lxxxix. 4S.

24

The Evangelift

Chap. ii.

and bleffed
and faid,

God,

29 Lord, now
letteft thou thy fer-
yant depart in
peace, according
to thy word :

30 ' For mine

when the parents the Lord, according to the legal cuftom before-men'
brought in the tioned, {ver. 22.) this Simeon came thither likewifej
cuftom of the law, 2# And, as foon as he faw the Infant, it being
2S Then took he revealed to him by the Holy Ghoft that this was the
him »P «^.his a™J, Lord's Chrift, his heart leaped for joy ; and, in holy
tranfport, he catched the dear Saviour in his arms, and,
embracing him £, adored, and magnified, and gave
thanks to God for him, in the following fong of praife :
29 Now, Lord, I have done with the prefent
life, thou having given me the utmoft that my heart
could wiffi for in it : And, as this performance of
thy promife, about feeing the Meffiah, is an intima
tion * that the time of my departure is at hand, I
am ready to die at thy command ; and it is with the
greateft fatisfaftion that I leave the Saviour in this
world, and hope to meet him with rich advantage -in
a better. 30 For I am highly favoured beyond all the prb-
eyes have feen thy phets and holy men that have ever gone before me ;
falvation: their predictions are now accomplifhed, and thy gra
cious promife particularly to me, thy unworthy fer
vent, is fulfilled ; thefe mortal eyes of mine have been
bleffed with the fight of him, who is the fum and
fubftance, and the author and giver, of all the falva
tion which thou haft promifed to beftow through him ;
3 1 Whom thou haft provided in thy etetnal coun-
fels, and now fent into the world, and for whom thou
haft prepared a body, that he may appear with open
evidence and effeftual operation as a Redeemer a-
mong all nations whatfoever.
32 Thou haft, given him to be a light to the Gen
tiles, who have, in all ages, fat in darknefs ; and to re
ftore the preferved of Ifrael, who were funk into great
-degeneracy ; (Ifa. xlix. 6.) yea, and to bring the
higheft honour to thine ancient people the Jews,
as he derives his birth from them, will perfonally
converfe with, preach, and do his mighty deeds, and
begin his faving work firft among them, and will af
terwards fend out his gofpel from them for the con
verfion of others ; and in him ffiall all the true feed of
Ifrael be jufitijied, and fhall glory. (Ifa. xlv. 25.)
3 3 In this manner Simeon celebrated the praifes of
God, giving free vent to his facred joy at the fight of
the Meffiah : And both Jofeph, and Mary his mo
ther,
N O
t Some- fuppofe that Simeon was a
pneft, and that he took Jefus in his arms
to perform the prieft's part in" prefent-
' ni him to the Lord.
,: Simeon feemed to underftand, that

31 Which thou
haft prepared be
fore the face of all
people :

32 A light to
lighten the Gen
tiles, and the glo
ry of thy people -
Ifrael.

33 And Jofeph
and his mother
marvelled at thofe
things

T E. S.
what was revealed to him by the Holy
Ghoft, ver. 26. carried this meaning,
That, as foon as he lhould have feen the
Lord's Chrift, he (hould die ; and he was)
willing to have it fo.

Chap. ii.

Luke paraphrafed.

25

things which were ther, reflefting oh this, together with what they
fpoken of him. nad feen and heard before concerning him, ftood a-
mazed at the remarkable concurrence of fuch magni
ficent teftimonies to the great and glorious things
that were to be done by him.
34 And while they were filled with delightful
wonder, Simeon congratulated their happinefs, and
begged of God to blefs them, on account of their re-
this child is fet lation to Jefus ; and, particularly addreffing himfelf to

34 And Simeon
bleued them, and
faid unto Mary his
mother, Behold,

for the fall and
(ing again of many
in Ifrael ; and for
a fign which fhall
be fpoken againft ;

35 (Yea,afword

the virgin Mary, he faid, Obferve, this very child is
ordained of God, and brought into the world, to be
eventually an occafion of Humbling and falling to ma
ny Ifrae/ites, as was prophefied of him : (Ifa. viii.
14, 15, 18.) But the direft and principal jefign of
God in fending him, is to raife up many others of
them, and even of thofe that at firft flumbled at him,
to fpiritual life and happinefs, through faith in him
here, and to eternal glory hereafter : Many alfo fhall
fall, in a temporal fenfe, by outward troubles and
difgraces for his fake ; and ffiall fife, in a fpiritual
fenfe, by the inward confolations and fpiritual ho
nours that he will beftow upon them : And he ffiall
appear in fuch wonderfully mean and fuffering circum
ftances, that many will fpeak with bitter enmity, blaf
phemy, and revilings againft him.
35 Yea, fo inveterate will their prejudices and cru-
fhall pierce through elties be againft him, that you, who have the honour
thy own foul alfo,) of fc • his mQther after thg flefh fl^ fuffer as
that the thoughts , -n 1 -r 1 , n
of many hearts mucn anguiih and pain, as if your heart were thruft
may be revealed. through with a fword, on account of the ffiocking
things which you fhall be eye and ear-witnefs of, as
done and faid againft him, and by means of the
perfecutions which you fhall fuffer for his fake, be
caufe of your relation to him, and profeffion ef
him -f- ; all which will come to pafs for the difco-
very of many hypocrites, and fincere believers, that it
may be clearly feen who are for him, and fhall be fa-
ved ; and who ..re againft him, and ffiall be loft for ever.
36 There was likewife one Anna, who was endued
with the fpirit of prophecy ; fhe was the daughter
of Phanuel, of the tribe of Afher, and a very old
woman, who had been married only to one hufband,
of Afer ; (he was and lived in a ftate of wedlock but feven years from
had liv'd agC'h''nd her virginity to her widowhood.
hufoandfo^n'yeaTs 37 The age of this widow was about eighty-four
fro.% hervirginity: years : And though fhe was fo old, yet fuch were her
37 And fhe was uncommon piety and devotion, that fhe conftantiy at-
a widow of about tended the worfhip of God at -the temple, morning
four- and
NOTE.
Epiphanius, as is ufually obferved, fays, that Mary herfelf fuffered martyr
dom for Chrift, Vid. lib, iii. Hteref. xxxviii.

j5 And there
was one Anna a
prophetefs, the
daughter of Pha
nuel, of the tribe

z€ , The Evangelift Chap. ii.
fourfcore and four and evening, and on all occafions ; and was very fre-
years : which de- quent Jn folemn fallings and prayer, to as great a de
parted not from the ^ i r -i^ r i_ ' \ .. u A
temple, but ferved Sree» as the fta»ty °f human nature, at her advan-
God with fadings ced years, could be fuppofed tp admit of.
and prayers night 38 This holy woman coming into the temple, as
and day. wejj ^ Simeon, at the very time when Jefus was
¦mingfn'thaet ht brought thither; and fhe, by the inspiration of
itant, gave thanks the Holy Ghoft, knowing him to be the Meffiah,
likewife unto the heartily bleffed God for him, and talked of him to all
Lord, and fpake of jj€r religious acquaintance in Jerufalem, who were
foledforreTem^ ^ting with faith, hope, and longing defire for die
tion in Jerufalem. falvation which they were then expefting would foon
be brought to his people by the great Redeemer.
39 And when ^9 When every thing relating to Chrift and his
*!ieynaiperforra' mother had been done at Jerufalem, as the law re
ed all things, ac- .,.,.. n 1 1 • 1
cording to the law quired in their circumftances, they, together with
of the Lord, they the reputed father Jofeph, returned in due time j
returned into Ga- to Nazareth in Galilee, which was the town of their
ci'rkazareth0™ ufuaI refidence.
40 And the 4° ' And the child Jefus increafed in bodily
child grew, and ftrength and ftature ; and || the natural powers of
wa^ed ftrong in his human mind daily improved, with his advancing
fpint, filled with years as they do in other children, only with abun-
wifdom; and the j . ., n .1 1 ¦ , / , . ,
grace of God was dantly m°re ftrength and vigour ; and together with
upon him. the enlargement of thefe, he was vifibly enriched, every
day more and more, in an extraordinary manner, with
divine wifdom, free from all mixture of folly or error,
by the irradiating light of the indwelling God-head,
which gradually opened itfelf in him, and filled him
with every grace, far beyond one of his age f, and
highly recommended him to the favour of God.
41 Now his pa- 41 Now as, at the paffover, all the males of Ifrael
rents went to Were obliged, by the law, to appear annually before
SfalX feXoi ** ^^f >rufalem, Jofeph conftantiy went upthi-
the paffover. ther ' and Mary, in the greatnefs of her piety, at
tended him every year on thofe folemn occafions, to
celebrate that great feftival there. 42 And
NOTES.
% Za£e partes over Jofeph's flight with Ghoft; becaufe it is never faid of him,
Jefus and his mother into Egypt, which as o(.John the Baptijl, (ch. i. 15.) that
we have an account of, Mat. ii. and he Jliould be filled with the Holy Ghoft,
which, as is generally fuppofed, took up even from his mother's womb ; nor is a-
better than two years before their return ny mention made of Chrift's being filled
to Nazareth. with the Holy Ghoft, till his baptifm,
|| His waxing Jlrong infpirit, feems to when he entered upon the public dif-
relate to the natural improvements of charge of the office for which his Father
his human foul ; and the following ex- fent him.
preffions more immediately refpeft his ex- f X<*?.?, grace, fometimes fignifies an
traordinary fpiritual endowments, which excellent internal guality ; and at others
I take to have proceeded rather from the the favour of God : And in both thefe
power of the indwelling Godhead, which ' fenfes it is applied to Chrift, John i. 14.
was perfonally united with the Man Je- and Luke ii. 52.
jfus, than from the gifts of the Holy

Chap. ii.

Luke paraphrafed.

27

42 And when
he was twelve
years old, they
went up to Jerufa
lem, after the cuf
tom of the feaft.

42 And when Jefus came to be twelve years old,
* his parents took him along with them to Jerufa
lem, that he, together with them, might attend the
ufual rites and ordinances of that religious feaft.
43 And when they had continued there the full
43 And when length of the appointed time, till all the worfhip be-
they had fulfilled lono.;np. to that folemnity was over, his parents fet
the days, as they », 8 . . . , / . . ' „ r , , .
returned, the child out tor tneir journey back again to Nazareth ; but
Jrfus tarried be- Jefus himfelf ftaid ftill^at Jerufalem, to manifeft
hind in Jerufalem; fomething of the glory which was afterwards to be
and Jofeph and his more fu]iy revealed ;n him ; Jofeph, and Mary, his
s ¦ mother, knowing nothing of the matter.
44 But they, 44 But, as great companies ufed to travel toge-
fuppofing him to ther in their return home, they concluded that he was
have been in the among fome of their relations or acquaintance, though
company, went a f wkh themfelves + and fo were eafy tiU
day s lourney ; and , \ , , , . , ¦, r ¦
they fought him a- they had gone a day's journey ; when, neither feeing
mong their kins- nor hearing any thing of him, they began to be in
folk and acquaint- great pain about him, and to inquire after him among
ance- all the companies with whom they thought he might
moft probahly aflociate.
45 And when, upon inquiry, they found their
miftake, and knew not what was become of their
dear child, from whom they juftly expefted the beft;
Jerufalem, feeking of bleffings to themfelves and to Ifrael, they, full of
oim. frights and fears, haftened back again with all poffible
fpeed to Jerufalem, to make the ftrifteft fearch after
him. 46 'Here likewife they fought for him in vain,* till
the third day, (fee the note on Mat. xxvii. 63.)
when, to the joy of their hearts, they found him in
an apartment of the temple where the doctors ufed to
difcufs matters relating to the law ; and there,
though but twelve years old, he was fitting among
them, and fhewlng his great modefty in hearing their
debates, and his extraordinary wifdom in propofing
queftions to them, and in anfwering fuch as they put
to him :
47 In fo much that all the audience were exceed
ingly amazed at the manner of his talking, which
was not like a child, but like one who had the wif
dom of God in him ; fomething of his divinity dis
playing itfelf on this occafion, in fuch a furprifing
manner, that he outfhone all the rabbies themfelves
in the fagacity and prudence of his queftions and re
plies. 4? And
NOTE S.
* At this age, the Jewiftj doctors fay, moftly in diftinift companies, his mother
Perfons were obliged to do the duties of might think that he was with his father,
adult church-memberihip. and his father that he was with his mo--
t Or, the men and women travelling ther.

45 And when
they found him
not, they turned
back again to

46 And it came
to pafs, that, after
three days, they
found him in the
temple, fitting in
the midft of the
doctors, both hear
ing them, and afk-
ing them queftions.

47 And all that
heard him were a-
ftoniflied at his un
derftanding and
anfwers.

The Evangelift

Chap. ii.

28 48 And when 48 And when his parents found him thus employ-
they faw him, they ed> and adm;Fed, among fuch company, they were a-
rmoTrfa^dun- ™*°*> *° th?nk ^at early appearances here were of
to him, Son,- why the great things that they had reafon to expect trom
haft thou thus what they before had heard and feen concerning
dealt with us? be- hhn . And as Jofeph, being only his father-in-law,
anofl have fought might not think proper to chide him, his mother, ta-
thee forrowing. king him afide, expoftulated with him after the fol
lowing tender manner : Ah, my dear fon ! why didft
thou ftay behind thy father and me, without our
knowledge or confent, to put us into fuch a terrible
fright about thee ? O ! think of the diftrefs this has
coft us : Our minds have been day after day upon
the rack, ever fince we miffed thee ; and we have
been diligently fearching among all our kindred and
acquaintance for thee, with a thoufand fears left fome
dreadful mifchief had come to thee : How couldft
thou give us an occafion of fo much grief and trouble I
49 And he faid 49 Jefus replied, in a way of dutiful refpeft to his
unto them, How fuppofed father, as well as to his real mother, How
" "  ht comes it to pafs that, after all which has been told
you about me, ye fhould fo little confider my having
a Father in heaven, whom I muft prefer to all earth
ly parents, and who has fent me on fpecial bufinefs
into the world, which I muft attend to ? Where
was your faith, that ye ffiould be fo painfully folicit-
ous in your feeking after me ? and where could you fo
reafonably expeft to find me, as in my heavenly Fa
ther's own houfe, and employed in his affairs ?
50 And yet they did not take in his meaning,
about the fpiritual nature of his work, fince, accord
ing to the prevailing notions of that day about the
Meffiah, and according to the declaration of the an
gel, that he fhould have the throne of David his fa
ther, (chap. i. 32.) they expefted it would have lain
rather among the princes and rulers of this world,
than among the doftors in the temple.
5 1 When by this anfwer he had plainly intimated
that he, as the Son of God, might juftly claim the
liberty he had taken without their leave, he, never-
fubject unto them ; thelefs, to fhew that he was really a man, who came
but his mother to perform the obedience belonging to every relation
kept all thefe fay- 0f ]jfe Jnto which he was caft, readily returned to
ings in her heart. jjve wjth them &t tf^,.^ ;n a pr;vat^ and obfoure
manner f , till about the thirtieth year of his age ;
(chap.

me? wift ye not
that I muft be a-
bout my Father's
kufinefs ?

50 And they un
derftood not the
faying, which he
fpake unto them.

51 And he went
down with them,
and came to Na
zareth, and

N O
f Ju/lin Martyr tells us, that he work
ed at his father's trade, as a carpenter,
in making ploughs, and yokes for oxen :
Thereby fliewing forth the righteoufnefs,
meaning of private life, and teaching us
not to be idle. Dial, cum Tryph. $. 316.

T E.
And God was fo highly honoured by
Chrift's faithfully difchargiug the duties
of fo mean and obfcure a ftation, that
he reckoned it a part of the righteoufnefs
by which he juftifies them that believe
in Jefus,

Chap, ii. Luke paraphrafed. 29
. (chap. iii. 23.) and cheerfully fubmitted to their com
mands in every inflance of filial duty. In the mean
while, his mother carefully treafured up all thefe re
markable occurrences in her memory ; and often re-
Hefted ferioufly upon them, in hopes of underftand
ing them better in time to come.
52 And- Jefus 52 And as Jefus grew up in bodily ftature, he all
increafed in' wif- along remarkably increafed in extraordinary attain-
d™ '^favour with ments of divine and "fpiritual, as well as of natural
God and man. wifdom and underftanding, as faft as his human foul
was capable of them, and in his acceptablenefs to
God, and to thofe men that had opportunity of be
ing acquainted with his holy and amiable qualifica
tions.
RECOLLECTIONS.
Who that duly confiders Auguflus's decree, and the great purpofes anfwered by
it, without any defign in him to accomplifh ancient prophecies, in proof that our
Jefus is the true Meffiah, can doubt of God's foreknowledge and government of
the free actions of men ? And O how glorious is the falvation brought in by Jefus
Chrift '. how honourable to God, how full of grace and peace to the men of his
good-will'. How delightful are the tidings of it in the gofpel I and what high.
praifes are due to God on its account '¦ How cheerfully mould we embrace the
dear Saviour; and how cordially believe in him, and recommend him to others '.
How great is the confolation that fuch fliall find in him ; and how willing muft it
make them to die, and go to heaven, and leave this world of fin and forrow be
hind them, under Chrift's care and influence to reform and blefs it, in hopes of
being with him to behold his glory '. And how, after his example, may God be
glorified in the meaneft bufinefs of private life ! But, alas 1 how many are there
that only wonder at thefe things : And how many that (tumble at them to their
own perdition ! Happy fouls, who, after they have fallen, rife again by faith in a
Redeemer! — How evidently did the characters of the true God and true man, con-
ftituted of an human, improving foul, as well as body, early appear in our blef
fed Lord 1 How deep was his abafement in fulfilling all righteoufnefs, that he
might be a Saviour to us 1 And yet what fignal honours were put upon him, a-
midft all his humiliation '. — How beauteous is the character of a truly religious
man, whilft he is juft as well as devout, and is conftantiy looking for complete re
demption by Jefus Chrift ! To exemplify this amiable character, under the power
bf divine grace, our children fhould be early brought under the feal of the cove
nant, and devoted to the Lord ; young people fhould aim at an imitation of Jefus,
in filial duty, and in an increafejvith all the increafes of God, which are accept
able to him, and render them lovely in the eyes of men ; married perfons fliquld
"conicientioufly imitate Jofeph and Mary ; women, after child-birth, fiiould offer
public as well as private thankfgivings to God; and all of us, whether young or old,
or whatever may be our places and relations in life, lhould ftatedly attend the or
dinances of divine worfhip, as opportunities offer, whatfoever charge or pains it
may coft us : And if we would find Chrift in them, we fhould feek him, forrowing
for fin, and for our former neglects of him, and be very folicitous in our inquiries
after him ; fhould feek him in all places, and particularly a,t his houfe, where it
may be moft likely to meet with him ; and fiiould not give over till we find him.
May we keep all thefe things in our hearts ! And may the gr^ce of God be
upon us '.
CHAP.
Vol. II. F

7p The Evangelift Chap. iii.

CHAP. III.
he general defign of the baptifm and minifiry of John, I, — 9. Hit
particular infiruBions to the common peoplet publicans, and foldiers,
10, — 14. His account of the approach of thrift, ijj — 18. Hit
impriftnment by Herod, 19, 20. Chrift's baptifm, 21, 22. And
his pedigree from Adam, 23, — 38.
Text. Paraphrase.
]SjOW in the fif- ^TOW in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tibe-
teenth year of J.N r;us wh0 was the third of the Roman Ccefars ;
riusrcX,0PoTntfu; when, with refpeft to the civil affairs of the Jews
Pilate being go- Pontius Pilate was, under the emperor, governor ot.
vernor of Judea, Judea ; and Herod, one of the fons of Herod the
and Herod being Great, was -)- ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip '
lfee^and Ms^ro- had the dominion of Iturea and Trachonitis, and
ther Philip tetrarch Lyfanias had that of Abylene ; and when with re-
of Iturea and of fpeft to the Jewifh religious affairs, Annas and Ca-
the region of Tra- iaphas ftared in the adminiftration that belonged to
chonitis, and Lyfa- the office of the m- h prjeft ± : At this time John
mas the tetrarch . . . . °*S ,+ . .... ,J
of Abilene *"e Baptijt, the ion 01 Zacharias and h/yabeth, ha-
2 Annas and ving till then led a retired life in an obfeure village
Caiaphas being the in the wildernefs, received a commiffion immediate-
high priefts, the j from God the WQrd of the L d comm„ to him
word of God came ' . , , r 7 , , ,, , . P ij '
unto John, the fon as ll had formerly done to the prophets of old, to
of Zacharias, in enter upon his public miniftry, and preach the doc-
the wildernefs. trines which God revealed to him.
3 And he came 3 Accordingly, beginning his miniftry, and exer-
mto all the coun- c;fing ;t for a while, in the wildernefs of Judea, (Mat.
preaching thebap- UI" I-) he afterwards went further into all parts of
tifm of repentance, the country which lay about Jordan ; and, preach-
for the remiflion of ing the neceffity of repentance to a corrupt, degene-
&as> rate age, he called upon' them that fhould make a pro
feffion
NOTES.
f" The laft three of thefe rulers were and xviii. 13. where it is faid, Caiaphas
called tetrarchs, either becaufe each of was high-priejl that year in which Chrift
them had under his government a fourth was crucified ; and fuch as had once
partofthe &om\!moi\s oiHerod the Great ; borne that office ever afterwards retain
er becaufe theirs was the fourth rank of ed the name. Some fuppofe that Annas
Roman governors, the firft of which was and Caiaphas were alternately employed
the emperor, the next a proc onf'ul, who in executing that function year after
had the government of a province, the year, or that one was the deputy of the
third a king, and the fourth a tetrarch. other : But perhaps Annas reprefented
See Lightfoat ou the place. , Mofes, as the nafi, prince, head, or pre-
1 The fceptre was now departed from fident of the fanhedrim; and Caiaphas
.Judah, which had lately been made a reprefented Aaron, as the proper high-
province to the Roman empire ; and all prieft ; and, as appears from John xviii.
things were out of courfe among the 13,21.. both thefe continued in their of-
Jews: High-priefts were, contrary to fice till the death of Chrift. This there-
the law of God, frequently chofen among fore was the proper time for the g?eat
them, or impofed by imperial authority Stiloh, the Reftorer of Ifrael, to come
ppon them, as is intimated, John xi. 51. iuto the world.

Chap, iii,

Luke paraphrafed.

3?

4 As it is written
in the book of the
words of Efaias the
prophet, faying,
The voice of one
crying in the wil
dernefs, Prepare ye
the way of the
Lord, make his
paths ftraight.

5 Every valley
fhall be filled, and
every mountain
and hill (hall be
brought low ; and^
the crooked fliall
be made ftraight,
and i the rough
vraysjhall be made
fmooth ;
6 And all flefh
fhall fee the falva
tion of God.

7 Then faid he
to the multitude
that came forth
to be baptized of
him, O generation
of vipers ! who
hath warned you
to flee from the
wrath to come ?,

feffion of it, to be baptized in the name of the ap
proaching Meffiah, as the fign and feal of their ob
taining, through faith in him, the forgivenefs of all
their fins, which} by their baptifm, they were obliged
to repent of. (Aids xix. 4. See the note on Mat.
iii. 2.)
4 John did this, according to the prophecy, (Ifa.
xl. 3, 4, 5.) where he is fpoken of as one who ffiould
lift up his voice aloud in the defert, to proclaim the
coming of the Meffiah, and to aft ' the part of his
forerunner, faying, in allufion to the cuftom of har
bingers, that ufed to go before their princes, and
give orders to clear and level the roads, and tp cut
ftrait paths through wild and defolate places, for their
triumphal entries, " Let all obftruftions that lie in
your depraved hearts and lives, give way to the Lord
Chrift, the Jehovah of Ifrael, who is juft ready to
appear among you, that he may have free accefs' to
your faith, and may be received in fuch a manner as
is fuitable to his gracious and holy defign." ( See the
note on Mat. xi. 10.)
5 And, for their encouragement, John told them,
that wherever Chrift fhould exert his power and grace,
humble fouls fhould be exalted, and proud and lofty
hearts fubdued ;- perverfe tempers and difpofitions
fhould be regulated, and rough fpirits fmoothed ; and
finners of all ranks and charafters ffiould be effeftually
wrought upon, reclaimed, and turned to the Lord.
6 And as the glory of the Lord fhould be revealed
in a more illuftrious manner than ever before ; fo per
fons of all nations, whether Jews or Gentiles, ffiould
know and enjoy that great and glorious falvation
which God was then bringing into the world by Je
fus Chrift.
7 When, in the courfe of John's miniftry, vaft
numbers, and among them many of the Pharijees and
Sadducees flqeked to his baptifm ; (Mat. iii. 7. fee
the note there) he, knowing their -feveral charafters,
addreffed them in the following manner : O genera
tion of men, which, for fubtilty, venom, and mif
chief, are the feed of the old ferpent the devil ;
Who could have expefted that fuch as you, who ei
ther think yourfelves righteous enough already, cr
make a jeft of all religion, ffiould ever take upon you
obligations to r-jpent, and fly by faith to the approach
ing Saviour for the remiflion of fins, and deliver
ance from the wrath to come ? What is your motive
or defign herein ? But remember I now tell you, that,
unlefs ye unfeignedly turn from every falfe way to biro,
the vengeance of God will certainly come in a little
time upon you, to your utter ruin as a nation in this
F 2 world,

32

8 Bring forth,
therefore, fruits
worthy of repent
ance ; and begin
not to fay within
yourielves. We
have Abraham to
cur father : for I
fay unto you, Thai
God is able of thele
(tones to raife up
children unto A-
'braham.

The Evangelift Chap. iii.
World, and upon every one of you perfonally to your
everlafting perdition in the next.
8 If therefore ye profefs to repent, and turn to God
through the promifed Seed, fee that ye give good
proof of your fincerity therein, by the humble and
holy obedience of your hearts and lives ; and let
none of you go about to evade my folemn admoni
tions, or to bolfter yourfelves up with prefumptuous
hopes of happinefs and fafety becaufe of .your pecu
liar covenant-privileges, as the defcendants of Abra
ham : For if ye go on in your fins, and rejeft the
expefted Meffiah, I affure you that God will utterly
caft you off, and fhew his almighty power* in railing
up a fpiritual feed to Abraham, who fhall be bleffed
with him, through faith in Chrift, from among the
Gentiles, fuch as thefe Roman foldiers and publi
cans, (ver. 12, 14.) though} in your account, they
are as unlikely to be made alive to God, ai(3 taken
into his favour, as the very flones under your feet.
9 And as an ax, levelled at the root of a tree,
threatens immediate deflruftion ; and barren trees, af
ter all means, have been ineffeftual to make them
fruitful, are cut down and burnt : So God's hand is
now lifted up, juft ready to ftrike, for the many pro
vocations that have been offered him ; and if any of
you rejeft the laft and moft endearing methods and
overtures of his grace, and bring forth no good fruit
by thofe means, ye will fpeedily be cut off in his great
righteoufnefs, and confumed by his wrath.
10 And while the Pharifees anASadducees, through
the pride of merit on one hand, and of reafon on the
other, feemed to be altogether unmoved by the en
gaging and the awful things that John faid to them,
many of the common people were ftruck with convic
tions of their fin and danger ; which put them upon
ferious inquiry, #faying, What are 'the fruits meet for
repentance -f that we fiiould bring forth ?
' 1 1 John replied, To evidence the fincerity of your
repentance, fhew compaffion to the poor, by diftri
buting out of your conveniences for the relief of their
neceffities : As for inflance, Let him who, having
two coats, can do very well with one, give the other
to fome miferable objeft that wants neceffary cloathing;
and let him who has food enough and to fpare, give
fome of it to fuch as are ready to perifli with hunger.
This will be a good fign that your hearts are turned from
NOTE.
f John had faid, ver. S. «w»rj5; uv xajz-ac,. &c. "Do therefore, or produce
fruits meet for repentance;" and, in exacT: correfpondence to this expreffion, the
people afk, ti uj> ¦sm-r.iaofuy,, " What therefore fliall we do, or what fruits are we
fo produce meet for repentance:1"

9 And now alfo
the a>; is laid Tin-
to the root of the
trees : every tree,
^therefore,, -which
bringeth not forth
good fruit is hewn
down, and caft in
to the fire.

10 And the peo
ple afked him, fay
ing, What fhall we
do then ?

n He anfwer-
eth, arid faith unto
them, He that
hath two coats, let
him impart to him
that hath none ;
and he that hath
meat, let him do
likewife.

II Then came
alfo publicans to be
baptized, and faid
unto him, Mallet,
what (hall we do ?
13 And he faid
unto them, Exact
no more than that
which is appointed
you.

Chap. iii. Luke paraphrafed. 33
from the love of this world, and from finful and lux
urious indulgences, to the love of God, and of your
neighbour. 1 2 Then the colleftors of taxes, being under the
like conviftions, came to be baptized of him, and ¦
afked the fame queftion, relating to themfelves, fay
ing, Pray, mafter, what are the particular fruits of
repentance that we fhould produce ?
13 To thefe he anfwered, Rectify the abufes of
your office ; do the duty of your places, with mercy,
and with faithfulnefs between the government and the
fubjeft ; and do not add to the people's burden by
extorting or infifting on more from them than is due
to Ccefar, or by taking bribes to increafe your own
wealth : This is the proper fruit of repentance in thofe
that have been hard-hearted, covetous, and oppref-
five. 14 Some of the foldiers likewife, coming to John's
baptifm, afked him, What are the fpecial. things to
be done by us to fhew the truth of our repentance ?
He replied, The beft proof ye can give of it is to a-
bandon the vices that perfons of your calling are moil
incident to : As for inflance, Do not be iniolent and
outrageous, by huffing and frighting, or plundering
and abufing, the people ; or by breaking, inftead of
keeping, the peace : Never mifreprefent your fellow-
foldiers to their officers, or other fubjefts to the go
vernment, either to gratify a 'malicious blood- thirfty
temper, or to extort. money from them : And never
murmur at your lawful pay, nor be mutinous about
it, n6r want to add to it by any undue means ; but
live contentedly upon the public allowance. Thus
he advifed every one to take a confcientious care a-
bout keeping himfelf from his own iniquity.
15 And there being, at this time, a general ex-
peftation of the Meffiah's appearing ; the extraor
dinary ftrain of gravity, piety, and authority, which
ran through John's miniftry and behaviour, put the
people upon thinking whether this perfon himfelf were
not he whom they were looking for.
16 John, obferving this, took the utmoft care to
undeceive them, faying, I am only come as the fore
runner of the Meffiah, to preach the doftrine of re
pentance, and remiflion of fins through faith in him ;
and to turn you over to him, by baptizing you f
with
NOTE.
| Some fuppofe that the words John and fo it was baptizing them into the
ufed, in applying the water, were thefe : faith of Chrift, for the remiflion of fins,
I baptize you with water; but a migh- that they might- believe on Him who
tier than •! cometh, who Jhall baptize fhould come after him., as it is expreffed,
you with the Holy Ghoft, and with fire; Ads six. 4.

14 And the fol
diers likewife de
manded of him,
faying, And what
(hall we do ? And
he faid unto them,
Do violence to no
man, neither ac-
cufe any falfely ;
and be content
with your wages.

15 And as the
people were in ex
pectation, and all
men mufedin their
hearts of John,
whether he were
the Chrift or not ;
16 John anfwer
ed, faying unto
them all, I indeed
baptize you with
water ; but One
migh-

34
mightier than I
cometh, the latch-
et of whofe fhoes
I am not worthy to
unloofe : he fhall
baptize you with
¦ the Holy fehoft,
.and with fire :

* The Evangelift Chap, iii,
with water : But the Chrift of -God, who is juft
ready to appear, is infinitely fuperior to me, in his
perfon, and in the excellence and efficacy of his qua-
Efications, office', aad works ; fo that I think myfelf
unworthy of the honour of even carrying his fhoes af
ter him, (Mat. iii. il.) or untying and taking them
off from his feet : He will baptize % fome of you with
the gifts and graces of his Holy Spirit which he will
fhed down upon you in a vifible appearance of fire ;
(Adds ii. 3.). and which will be as much more power
ful and penetrating, in its operation for fpiritual and
holy purpofes, than my baptifm, as fire is than water,
in an external application of them tp the body. (See
the note on Mat. iii. 6.)
1 7 And as a hufbandman feparates wheat from the
chaff, which lay mixed together on the floor, by fha-
king and winnowing it in a fan ; and lays up the wheat
in his granary, but throws the chaff into the fire : So1
Chrift will make a thorough fearch into, and an ex-
ner ; but the chaff a£ foparat;0n between true believers and hypocritical
he w.11 burn with feffors in the vifible church, by his word, Spirit,
fire unquenchable, r , , , . , f
and providence here, and at death and judgment here
after ; and he will preferve the righteous from the fo-
reft tribulations on earth, and receive them to his e-
verlafting kingdom, in heaven ; but will execute dc
ftruftive judgment* on the wicked in this world, and
caft them into everlpfting burnings in the next.
18 This is a brief fpecimen of John's miniftry,
in which he added many other particulars fuitable to
his charafter as the forerunner of our Lord,' preach
ing to the people the glad tidings of the gofpel,
(swyytXiEpro tov a«o») by Jefus Chrift, whom he
pointed out to them, with a ferious application to
their minds and confciences, in the exhortations he
gave them.
19 But at length, after having preached about a
year and half || , he, not fearing the face of any man,
dealt
N ,0 T E S.
1 It is not the common Chriftian bap- felf adminiftred water-baptifm -to none.

1 7 Whofe fan is
in ' his hand, and
he will throughly
purge his floor, and
will gather the
wheat into his gar

18 And many
Other ,things, in
his exhortation,
•preached he urito
Che people.

ip But Herod
the tetrarch, being

tifm, but Chrift's own baptizing with the
Holy Ghoft and with fire, that John here
oppofes to his own baptifm : For John'^,
and the Chriftian baptifm, abating the
different forms of expreffion ufed in them
feverally, were, for fubftance, the fame,
both in the element, and in the fignifica-
tion of the ordinance ; only one was bap
tizing them into the faith of him who
was to come, and the other into the
faith of him who is come. And thofe
apoftles whom Chrift called during John's
miniftry, had no other baptifm wiih wa
ter than that oijohn; fince Chrifi; him-

John iv. 2. and there is no appearance
of their baptizing one another.
|| Dr Lightfoot fays it was about twen
ty months ; and that John was kept in
prifon fome months above a year, before
he w-as put to death : But the evange
lift mentions thefe things here in few
words, that he might afterwards go on
with the hiftory of Chrift, without in
terruption, from his baptifm ; though
John continued preaching about a year
after he had baptized Ciuift, before his
own imprifonment.

Chap. iii.

Luke paraphrafed.

35

reproved by him dealt very plainly with Herod, the governor of Galilee,
,broth«er°dphUih'sS ab°Ut aH h'S beloved vices> and particularly his fin of
wife "and for 'all adultery and, ineeft in mxrryitigHerodias, his brother
the 'evils which Philip's wife, while Philip himfelf was ftill living,
Herod had done, and after hje had children by her f .
20 Herod was fo exafperated at this clofe and
home reproof, that though he had fometimes heard
John with pleafure, and had a fecret veneration for
him, as a good and holy man ; yet to get rid of fuch an
impartial monitor, and to gratify Herodias, he added
this horrid wickednefs to all the reft, that he clap
ped him up in prifon, and, after a confiderable time,
was prevailed upon to take away his life.
2 1 Now, to return : While crowds of people came
to John, and he had baptized them, Jefus himfelf,
though he needed not, like others, to be baptized in
to the faith of the Meffiah, or with a baptifm of
repentance, yet refolving to fulfil all righteoufnefs,
and to fanftify this ordinance, and enter himfelf into
the Chriftian-church by it, as he had been entered, in
his infancy, into that of the Jews by circumcifion, he
alfo was baptized by John ; and immediately, there
upon, betaking himfelf to prayer, there was a vifible
opening of the firmament :
22 And, in anfwer to his prayer, the Holy
Ghoft defcended from thence in the appearance of a
luminous body, which came down hovering like a
dove, (fee the note on Mat. iii. 16.) till it refted
upon his head, to intimate his being then anointed
with his Spirit for his office ; and, at the fame time, an
audible voice was direfted to him from God the Fa
ther, faying, Thou art my dear and eternal Son, in
whofe perfon and office, my foul delights, and in
whom I think with pleafure of my great defign of
faving all that I have given to thee. (See the note
on Mat. iii. 17.)
23 Jefus was about thirty years old when he was
baptized, and thus diftinftly and miraculoufly own
ed and fealed by his Father and the Holy Ghoft, in
order to his entering upon his public miniftry : ' And
his genealogy, according to the flefh, by his mother's
fide \, reckoning upwards to the firft man Adam, to
fhew
NOTES. /
t See Whitby on Mat. xiv. 3. the talmud fays, was the daughter of
\ As Matthew gives us Chrift's legal Heli ; and fo defcended from Nathan, a-
nother of the fons of David. But as the
families of women were not enrolled un
der their names, or reckoned as diicincT:
families in Ifrael : So this account is co
pied out, according to the cuftom; of the
Jews, from one of their authentic gene
alogies,, under the hufband's name ;
which

20 Added yet
this above all-, that
he (hut up John in
prifon.

21 Now, when
all the people were
baptized, it came
to^iafs, that Jefus
alfo being bapti
zed, and* praying,
the heaven was 0-
pened,

22 And the Ho
ly Ghoft defcended
in a bodily fhape,
like a dove, upon
him, and a voice
came from heaven,
which faid, Thou
art my beloved
Son ; in thee I am
well pleafed.

i$ And Jefus
himfelf began to be
about thirty years
of age, being (as
was fuppofed) the
fon of Jofeph, which

and royal line from his father-in-law Jo
feph, who defcended by his own father
Jacob from Salomon, the fon and l'uccef-
for of David to his throne : ¦ So Luke
feems to give us Chrift's natural line, as
the feed of the woman, from his mother
Mary, who, as fome have taken notice,

The Evangelift

Chap. iii.

24 Which was
the fon of Matthat

Jofeph from Matlathias, Mattathias from
Amos from Naum, Naum from EJli, EJli

25
Amos.
from Nagge,

which was fAtf_/o?z mew that he is the promifed feed of the woman who
of Heli, ffiould break the ferpent's head, flands thus: Jefus
being" the real fon of the virgin Mary, and being
born after her efpoufal to Jofeph, he thereby became
the fon-in-law of Jofeph ; ,and Jofeph, by his marriage
with Mary, was the legal fon of Heli, her own fa
ther. 24 This Heli was naturally defcended from Mat
that, Matthat from Levi, Levi from Melchi, Melchi
which was the /on £ ~ <., r ~ r »
of Levi, which was from>»> Janna horn Jofeph,
the fon of Melchi, '
which was the fon
of Janna, which
was the fon of Jo
feph, 25 Which was
the fon of Matta
thias, which was
the fon of Amos,
which was the fon
of Naum, which
was the fon of Efli,
which was the fon
of Nagge,
"¦26 Which was 26 Nagge from Maath, Maath from Mattathias,
-the fon of Maath, Mattathias from Semei, Semei from >/*/>£, %/"#!&
which was the r •* j J J r f j J r
fon of Mattathias, framM
which was the fon
of Semei, which
was the fon of Jo
feph, which' was «
riif /on of Juda,
27, Which was 2? Juda irom Joanna, Joanna from Rhefa, Rhefa
which 'w°a3J«<^ from Zoro;abeli Zorobabel from Sa/atbie/, Salathiel
-of Rhefa, which from Neri, 1
was the fon of Zo
robabel, which ,
was the fon of Sa
lathiel, which was
the fon of Neri,
,28 Which was
the fon of Melchi,
which was the fon
of Addi, which was
the fon of Cofam,
which was the fon
of Elmodam, which
was the fon of Er,
29 Which was 29 £r from Jofe, Jofe from £/*>*«-, £/zVk«-
the rfrom
NOTE.
which is the reafon why Mary is not M,J 7°, which we render, aj was fup-
rnentioned, though, ftriaiy fpeaking, pofed,' rather fignify, referring to the
it feems to be Chrift's genealogy by her genealogy, ut lege fancitum eft, as it was
For as Jofeph's natural father was Ja- legally fettled, or was found on record.
cab,1 (Mat. i. 15.) he was only the fon- He that would fee other reprefentations
in-law of Heli, Mary's father ; and it of thefe things, may confult Grotius,
may be obferved that the words us f»8. Lightfwt, and Whitby.

28 Neri from Melchi, Melchi from Addi, Addi
from Cofam, Cofam from Elmodam, Elmodam from
Er,

Chap. iii.

Luke paraphrafed.

37

the fon of Jofe, from Jorim, Jorim from Matthat, Matthat from
which was the fon £eV!'
of Eliezer, which '
was the fon of Jo
rim, which was the
fon of Matthat,
which was the fon
of Levi,
30 Which was 30 Levi from Simeon, Simeon from Juda, Juda
the fon of Simeon, from Jofeph, Jofeph from Jonan, Jonan from Elia-
which was the fan , • * * J J r J ' J
of Juda, which eim>
was the fon of Jo
feph, which was
the fon of Jonan,
which was the fon
ofEliakim, 31 Which was 31 Eliakim from Melea, Melea from Menan, Me-
the Jon of Melea, nan from Mattatha, Mattatha from Nathan, Na-
which was the fon fan f ^ w
of Menan, which '
was the fon of Mat
tatha, which was
the fon of Nathan,
which was the fon
of David,
32 Which was 32 David from Jeffe, Jeffe from Obed, Obedhom
Zld™Js>tbe}on Bao*> Bo™ from Salm°"> Sa/m™ fr°m Naaffbn,
of Obeii, which
was the fon of
Booz, which was
the fon of Salmon,
which was the fon
of Naaffbn,
33 Which was 33 Naaffbn from Aminadab, Aminadab from A-
dlb^wSicVwS ™"' ^ramb^Efrom, Efrom fron, Phares, Pha-
the'fon of Aram, res irom Judah,
which was the fon
of Efrom, which
was the £li? fon of
Phares, which was
the fon of Juda,
34 Which was
fie fon of Jacob,
which was the fon
of Ifaac, which
was the fon of A-
braham, which
was the fon of Tha
ra, which was the
fon of Nachor,
35 Which was 3 r Nachor from Saruch, Saruch from Ragau, Ra
the fon of Saruch, from p^ P/& /„. from H £ Reber from
which was the fon a„ . ' '
of Ragau, which 'W'7>
was thefonolPhn-
lec, which was tie
/ora of Heber,
which was the fon
of Sala,

34 Judah from Jacob, Jacob from Ifaac, Ifaac
from Abraham, Abraham from Thara, Thara from

Vol. II.

36 tftf/c

38 The Evangelift Chap. iii.
36 Which was 36 Sala from Cainan f , Cainan from Arphaxad,
the fon of Cainan, ^rp/,axa<i from ,W &|w from flfo jfo. from X«-
which was fie *\
,/i« of Arphaxad, mecb>
which was the fon
of Sem, which was
fhe fon of Noe,
which was the fon
of-Lamech, 37 Which was 37 Lantech from Mathufola, Mtttkufaia from
rte/on ofMathu- £„0CA £»oc/& from Jared, Jared from MaleleeJ,
[t'fon^tzZZMaleleelbor* Cainan,
wKich was fie fon
of Jared, which
was the fon o( Ma-
leleel, which was
the fon of Cainan,
3« Which was 38 Cainan from Enos, Enos from &?*£, and Seth
thef°n of IE"°S> was defcended from Adam, who was, by creation,
which was flc on ., 0 r ~ , ' -1
of Seth, which was the Son of God.
fie yb/z of Adam,
which was the fon
of God.
RECOLLECTIONS.
The great Shiloh, who, according to ancient predictions, was to be the feed
of the woman after the flefh, has certainly been ufhered into the world, under a
divine charafter, by his forerunner John the Baptift, and by the witnefs from hea
ven that was given from the eternal Father and his Spirit, in a miraculous man
ner, to Chrift as the Son of God, and a diftinft Perfon in the Godhead. How' in
ferior are the beft of men to him ? And O what an honour is it, and how fenfible
fhould we be of our utter unworthinefs, to be employed even in the meaneft Servi
ces for him ! How fhould every heart be opened to receive him ; and how affecting
is the motive to repentance, taken from the grace brought in by the gofpel for the
remiflion- of (ins, that all forts of finners, even Gentiles themfelves, may fee the fal
vation of God '. Where this grace prevails, it rectifies the diforders, and levels the
mountains of oppofition, that lie in finners hearts ; who, whatever their character
may be, have need to flee unto Jefus for an efcape from the wrath to come : And
where there is repentance unto life, it ufually begins with the fins that we are
moft addicted to ; and is difcovered by a departure from them, as fruit meet for
repentance. Though external privileges and divine ordinances are to be prized and
improved according to the circumftances of "things ; yet they, of themfelves, can
be of no faving advantage to us ; and therefore are not to be retted in : For what
foever our pretences and vain confidences may be, if we bring not forth good fruit,
deftruction will be unavoidable : And while many think well of themfelves ; and,
depending upon outward privileges, mifcarry, to their eternal perdition ; how of
ten doth the almighty power of God raife up monuments of his fovereign grace,
from among the moft unlikely finners, to his everlafting praife ! But alas, how
mixed and imperfect is the ftate of the church in this world \ However, » clean ing
NOTE.
t This Cainan is found only in the Lute has placed them ; and all the
feptuagint ; and our evangelift writing names from David back to Airaham are
moft immediately for the ufe of the He- the very fame as are mentioned in Mat-
tenijlic Jews, who chiefly ufed that thew's genealogy. See the notes on
tranflation, might infert Cainan, as he Mat. i. , But the learned Bochart fup-
met with it there, or in fome other pub- pofes that fome tranfcriber might infert
lie records then in being. But all the Cainan here by miftake ; and vindicates
other names, from Abraham back to A- the facred canon, even, on that fuppofi-
dam, are found alfo in the Hebrew of tion. Vid. Geogr. Sacr. p. 1. I. ii. c. xiii.
the Old- Teftament, in the like order 'as

Chap, iv* Luke paraphrafed. 3^
fing and fvparathu| time will come, to the joy of the faint, and the terror of the
hypocrite and (inner ; and a man, whole heart is carnal, may be evidently dif-
cerned, even now,, by his flinching, and being enraged at faithful reproofs for be
loved (ins; though femetiffies, like Herod, he may have a fecret veneration for
godly minrflws, and may hear them gladly.

chap, iv;

Chrifi' 's temptation and faft ing, 1, — 13. His entrance on his public
miniftry^ 14, if. His preaching at Nazareth, where the people
"wander, and yet generally defpife him for the yieannefs of his pa
rentage, 16,: — 30. At Capernaum, where he cafis out a devil, and
heals Beter'j- mother-in-law, and many fick people, 31, — 41. And
his preaching in feveral other places, 42, — 44.
Text. Paraphrase.
¦^irf au^of the TESUS beInS folemnty anointed for his mediatorial
Holy Ghoft,0 re- office, at his baptifm, by an unmeafurable effufion
turned from Jor- of the Holy Ghoft, retired in the fulnefs pfthe Spi-
dan, and w.as led rit, and by \yt> immediate fuggeftion, from Jordan
by the Spirit into to a very j. defert place ; that, like a fervant devo
tee wildernefs, ^ tQ hfs Father>s work> he might g;ve hmlfelf to
failing and prayer, as a proper preparation for it, and
that, like a champion, he might enter the field of
battle, and might fignally overcome the evil-one-.
* Being forty 2 There he continued for forty days together,
days, tempted of praymg t0 his heavenly Father, and conflifting with,
thedevil. And m r / ° ¦„¦ ¦ ' ^ '. , . , x,6 , .;
thofe days he did and vanquifhing. various temptations which the devil
eat nothingi: and offered to him : And all that time he was miraculouf-
when they were ly fupported without eating or drinking any thing ;
ended, he after- but at the clofe of thofe days, he, being truly a man,
Ward hungred. , ¦ J ° J
5 was hungry*
3. And the devil 3 Hereupon Satan, taking the advantage of his
faid unto him. If fainting circumftances in a barren wildernefs ; faid to
of°God command ^™» ^ you are mdeed the Son of God, as was late-
this ftone that it ty declared at Jordan, I challenge you to prove it by
be made bread. turning this ftone which I prefent to you, or any o-
thers now hefore you, into bread, that you may not
fuffer to the utmoft extremity, and even periffi with
hunger.
4 And Je(us an- a gut fince complying: with this demand would
lwerea mm, lay- jjave J^kgj ag [t our J_,or(j were impatient of hunger,
That man fhall and diftruftful of his Father's love and care ; or as if
not live by bread he would fet up for afting feparately from him, and
alone, but by eve- independently on him ; he replied, It is written,
ry word of God. w;tjj relation to Ifrael 's , hunger in the wildernefs,
G 2 (Duet.
NOTE.
•t Sorne fuppofe that this was in the wilderncfs.of Judea; and others that it was
in the great defert of Horeb, or Sinai, where Ifrael were tried forty years, and Mo-
fes and Elijah faded forty days.

4<*

The Evangelift

Chap. iv.

5 And the de
vil, taking him up
into an high moun
tain, fhewed unto
him all the king

intime

(Deut. viii. 3.) that the life of man is not fuftained
merely by hatural'food, but by the all-governing, in
fluential Providence of God, which commands 3
bleffing upon it, and can preferve life, either by pro
viding extraordinary means, or by its own immediate
power, when ordinary means fail ; and that therefore
man ought to truft in him for all neceffary fupplies,
in the way of duty," according to his word.
c Satan having been defeated in his attempt to en-
fnare our Lord by the lufi of tbefiefh, tried whether
he could not prevail upon him by the lufi of the eye ;
and therefore, carrying f him up to the top of an
drims of the world exceeding high mountain, he, like the prince of the
- moment of p0Wer 0f tne a{rj inftantly formed, in the valleys
round about, a reprefentation of all the grandeur of
this world, as in a large landfkip, containing an ap
pearance of ftates and kingdoms, courts and palaces,
and the like.
6 And the de- 6 And together with this reprefentation he faid,
vii faid unto him, Behold the riches and delights, the honours and
f^vetheeTndthe Powers> that are found amollg the kingdoms of this
cfoty of them: for world! All thefe charming poffeffions are entirelyat
that is delivered my difpofal ; for they are committed to my order
unto me ; and to and management, and I beftow them on whomfoever
whomfoever I.will, j pleafo ¦ ¦ '
^If'tiiou thefe- ' 7 If therefore you will but for jcmce fpay religious
fore wilt worfhip homage to me as to the deputed god of this world,
me, all (hall be I will immediately transfer the whole of my power o»
tnine- ver them, and property in them, ' to you.
S And Jefus an- 8 But Jefus rejefted this affault, not by urgingj
iwered, and faid as he :ufti mJght, that Satan was a liar, and an in-
unto him, Get thee ,,. J ' ° ,-, , . , . , c ., r
behind me Satan ¦ famous enemy to- God, and therefore unworthy ot
for it is written, fuch homage ; but by faying with the utmoft indig
nation, Away with all this infolence, I cannot fuffer
your thus invading the divine prerogative : For the
eternal and unchangeable rule of worfliip, to the ex
clufion of all mere creatures, is eftablifhed in what is
written, (Deut. vi. 13, 14. andx. 20.) which plain
ly carries this fenfe, Thou fhalt worfhip the Lord thy
God, and him only fhalt thou ferve.
9 As Chrift could no more be feduced by the lull
of the eye than of the fleffi, the devil accofted him
with
NOTE.
f This temptation is placed after that tatiori, about Chrift's calling himfelf
relating to Chrift's cafting himfelf down down from the pinnacle of the temple,
from the pinnacle of the temple, in that then the devil left him, (ver. 11.)
Mat. iv. And the' order in which Mat- But Our evangelift has not thus diftin-
thcw has placed, them feems to be the guifhed them ; having neglected the or-
rrue order in which they occurred : For der, as of no importance to the hiftory;
i:e plainly methodized them by the par- or perhaps inverted it for fome . particu-
1 iclcs then, (ver. 5.) and again, (vtr. S.); cular reafons, for which fee Lightfoot on
and add'., at the conclufion of the temp- the place.'

Thou fhalt wor
ship the Lord thy
God, and him on
ly, (halt thou ferve.

9 And
-brought him

he to

Chap. iv.
Jerufalem, and fet,
him on a pinnacle
of the temple, and
faid unto him, If
thou be the Son of
God, call: thyfelf
down from hence :

io , For it is
written, He (hall
give his angels
charge , over thee,
to keep thee.
ii And in their
hands they (hall
bear thee up, left
at any time thou
dafh thy foot a-
gainft a ftone.
I z And Jefus
anfwering, faid un-
to him, It is faid,
Thou (halt' not
tempt the Lord
thy God.

13 And when
fhe devil had end
ed all the tempta
tion, he departed
from him for a fea
fon. 14 And Jefus
returned in the
power of the Spi
rit into Galilee":
and there went out
a fame of him
through all the re
gion round about.
1 5 And he
taught in their fy-

Luke paraphrajed. 41.
with another temptation fuited to work upon the
pride of life : Accordingly our Lord, going with
him to Jerufalem, permitted his fetting him, in a
very frightful and dangerous height, upon one of the
wings or turrets of the temple, (fee the note on
Matt. iv. 5.) and then Satan, having no power to
thruft him down from thence, faid to him, If you a»e
indeed the Son of God, you may be fure of your Fa
ther's proteftion, efpecially at this facred place, where
he is more remarkably prefenl than any where elfe
upon earth, and where angels attend to do his will :
Throw yourfelf therefore headlong down from hence;
and let that noble exploit prove either your own di
vine power, or the care of your pretended Father to
preferve you from hurt.
10, 11 For, fince you appeal to the fcripture, I
will appeal to it likewife to prove that this is a rea-
fonable. demand, and that if your pretentions are juft,
you can run no rifle by complying with it : For it is
written of the Meffiah, (Pfal. xci. ii, 12.) God
fhall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee :
and in their hands they fliall bear thee up, left at
any time thou dafh thy foot againft afione.
12 But Jefus replied, This prefumptuous pro.
ceeding would be going out of the way of duty, and
fo woiild be none of my ways, in which protec
tion is promifed, or is to be expefted ; but would
contradift another fcripture, where it is faid, (Deut.
vi. 16.) Thou fhalt not tempt the Lord thy God ;
which plainly intimates that dangerous hazards are
not to be run, nor extraordinary methods to be tri
ed, without neceffity ; and that God has not pror
mifed miracles for the prefervation of any, when it
may be had in the ordinary eourfe of providence.
(See the note on Mat. iv. 7.) -
1 3 In this manner Chrift effeftually refuted all the
temptations of the devil ; and when Satan had tried
his utmoft, and found himfelf fhamefully baffled in e-
very attempt, he left him for the prefent, refolving
to try afterwards to do that by his inftruments, and
by violence, which he could not do by fraud Hmfelf.
14 Then Jefus returned like a viftorious champion
into Galilee, under the powerful anointing of' the
Holy Ghoft ; and entered upon his public miniftry,
which foon fpread his fame through all the country.
15 And the reafon of this was, becaufe he
preached in the fynagogues, wherever he came, with
fuch majefty and authority, and confirmed his doc
trine by fuch great and merciful miracles, that the
people were univerfally ftruck with wonder and plea fure,

Th$ fipwgflift Chap. iv.
fure, and could not but think and fpsak of hies with
honour and agplaufe.
16 After h# had been forne time in otheu parts of
Galilee, he went, to Niapiareth, where he had. moftly
refided in the days of his minority ;. and, irpon co,
mjng hither, he reforted^ as; ufual, tp the fynagagsue
on. the Sabbath-day: And being a member of that
congregation -f, by virtue^ pf hisr having conftantiy
joined in worfhip with, them during his former refi-
dence there, he ftood up to read fome feftion of the
holy, fcripture, as was cuftpmarity done on the Sab
batic-days. (ABs xiii. 14, i§.\
1 7 And, as every book of the law, and of the
greater, prophets, was, a fingle roll of parchment by
itfelf ; that which, J this minifter of the congregation
put into his hands, and part of which waa to be
read that day, was the prophecy of Ifaiah : Then
Chrift, unrolling the parchment, fixed upon "a paf
fage relating to himfelf,, (chap. lxi. 1,2.) which in
fenfe, and moftly according to the feptuagint, ran
thus |J : .
18, 19 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, be*
caufe he has anointed, me to preach the gofpel to the
to preach the gof- poor, he hath fent me to heal the broken-hearted, to
pel to the poor; preach deliverance to the captives, and recover
ing 9f fight to, the blind, to fet, at liberty them that
are bruifed, to preach the acceptable- year of the
Lard? 20 When our Lord had read thefe words, he, roll
ing up the volume again, returned it to the public
minifter from whom he received it ; and then § fat
down to preach : And as the fame of his being an
extraordinary prophet had by this time reached Na
zareth, aJ(l the people looked intently toward him,
expefting that he would explain what he had read,
and e^rneftly wifhing, to hear what he would fay on fa
remarkable a text. 21 Here-
NOTES. ,
prayed publicly, took care of the reading

42
fynagogues, being
glorified of all.
1 6 And he
canie to Nazareth,
where he had been
brought up : and,
as- his cuftom was,
he went into the
fynagogue on the
Sabbath-day, and
flood up for to read:

17 And there
was delivered un
to him the book of
the prophet Efai-
as : and, when he
had opened. , the
book, he found the
place where it was
written, iS -The Spirit of
the Lord is upon
me, becaufe he
hath anointed me

he hath fent me to
heal the broken
hearted, to preach
deliverance, to the
captives, and reco
vering of fight to
the blind, to fet at
liberty them that
are bruifed ;
1,9 To preach
the acceptable year
of the Lord.
20 And lie clo-
fed the book, and
he gave it again to
the

f We do not find that Chrift ever read
the fcripture in any other fynagogue but
, this at [Vazaret h ; the realon of which
feems to be, becaufe he wras.not a mem
ber or thofe, congregations, b,ut only of
this : And the Jewjh writers tell us.
that none but, a member of the fynagogue
might read there. But his great reputa
tion as a prophet, and the. various mira
cles he. wrought to confirm it, procured
him admiffion to preach ia any, fynagogue
wherever he went.
t The minifter of the fynagogue, fays
Dr, Light foot,' was called- the angel of preached fitting*
she church, the bifliop, or overfeer, who

of the law, and fometimes preached, Wr.
See Hebr. and Talm. Exercit. on Mat.
iv, 23.
[| Whether this was. the lection which
was, in coXirfe, to be read that day; or
whether our Lord-purpofely turned to it
for the fubject of his defigned difcourfe,
is uncertain. §: The Jewijh doctors ufed to ftand up
when, they read the fcriptures, and to fit
downwlien they. taught the people: Ac
cordingly our Lord read ftanding, and

Chap. iv.

Luke pamphrafed.

43

that were in
fynagogue were
Fattened On him.
21 And he be
gan to lay unto
them, This day is

the minifter, and '2 i Hereupon he began his difcourfe, in which he
fat down. And fa;j; The prophetic words I have been reading are
tha'weie^n 'the" at this very time fulfilled in myfelf, and in what ye
fhall now hear from me. I, who was filled with
the Holy Ghoft at my baptifm, am cortie, with a
commiffion from my Father, to publifh the glad ti
dings of falvation, and effeftually evangelise the
this fcripture fill- poor of this world, and the poor in fpirit, who are
filled in your ears, emptied of themfelves ; to fuccour, heal, and fave
fouls that are wounded and diftreffed in refleftions on
their own unworthinefs and vilenefs, guilt and dan
ger j to bring redemption to thofe that were in bon
dage under the law, and under the' power of fir> and
Satan ; to open the eyes of tlieir underftandings that
were fpiritually blind, as well as to reftore fight to
them that -Were corporally blind ; and to fet the op
preffed free from all their legal yokes and their bon
dage of fpirit, by which they were brought into as mi-
ferabrle 4 condition as perfons f that are galled and
bruifed with fetters and chains : In a word, I am
fent to proclaim a moft joyful and glorious jubilee *
by the gofpel of falvation, that finners ms.j have free
remiflion of all their penal obligations to divine juftice
in the fofgivenefs of their fins, may be delivered from
all their miferies, and may be reftored to the divine
favour, and to the forfeited inheritance of eternal life.
22 And the Words which he fpoke upon this oc
cafion were fo full of majefty and grace, that all the
people in the fynagogue were ftruck with wonder and
which proceeded aftonifhment, to hear one, who had not been educated
out of his mouth, in the fchools of the prophets, talk at this uncommon
rate : And yet the_generality of them cavilled at him,
faying, by way of contempt and reproach, Is not
this the fon of Jofeph, the poor carpenter, who was
brought up with him? (See the note on chap. ii. 51.)
23 Jefus therefore, knowing their prejudices a-
gainft him, faid to them, Though your own con
fciences tell you, that my doftrine fpeaks furprifing-
ly good and excellent things ; yet your unbelieving
hearts are objefting, and turning an old proverb a-
gainft me, faying, " Phyfician, heal thyfe/f: As it
is reported that you have done wonderful works in
other places, and particularly at Capernaum §, we in-
fiffi
NOTES.
f Here is a beautiful gradation, in al- year to fcrvants and debtors, and to them
lufion to the miferable ftate of fuch cap- that had mortgaged their eftates, who,
tives as were not only caft into prifon, at,the return of the fiftieth year, were
but, like Zedeiiah, had their eyes put fet free ; liberty bein-r then proclaimed
«ut, and were bound with chains and through all trie land of Ifrael, Lsvit.
loaded with irons, (2 Kings xxv. 7.) xxv. S, — 17.
* This has a manifeft reference to the § This intimates, that Chrift had been
great year of jubilee, which was a joyful for fome time preaching and working mi
racles

it And all bare
him witnefs, and
wondered at the
gracious words

And they faid, Is
not this Jofeph's
fon?

23 And he faid
unto them, Ye
will furely fay"un-
to me this proverb,
Phyfician, heal
thyfelf: whatfoe
ver we have heard
done in Caper
naum, do alfo here
in thy country.

44 The Evangelift Chap. iv.
lift upon it, that, if you are able, you heal our rick,
our lame, and our blind, here at home, among your
own kindred and acquaintance, otherwife we will
not regard you."
24 And he faid, 24 But I affuredly tell youi that were I to work
ou n "h* t ever *° Sreat or many miracles among you, ye .
'is accepted in his woul<i not believe : For your objeftion againft me on
own country; account of my being the fon of Jofeph, verifies ano
ther old obfervation, That a teacher fent from God
is not ordinarily fo well thought of, or received among
his own neighbours, as among ftrangers : The mean
nefs of his family, and the low circumftances in
which he all along lived among them, bring his office
into contempt ; and it becomes a matter of envy, that
he who, in private life, ftood on a level with, or was
below themfelves, fhould wear the fuperior charafter
of a prophet to them. It is therefore much fitter for
me to perform my miracles in other places, than a-
mong a people whofe prejudices will not give way to
conviftion.
25 But I tell you 25, 26 Befides, God ufes a holy fovereignty in
of a truth, Many ^ difpenfations of his favour, not as man judges to
widows were in If- , j[ ... . . ',.,.. ,J o
rael in the days of be molt hkely, but as feems good in his light : 1 mis
Elias, when the in the days of Elijah the prophet, there was a great
heaven was fliut drought for three years and a half together f , which
up three years and occaflone(i a diftreffing famine upon the earth ; and
hx months, when .1. , .,, L1. .." r rp..
great famine was tnough at that time there were many neceffitous wi-
throughout all the dows in the kingdom of Ifrael, and even at Jerufa-
land; lem itfelf, yet it is certain matter of faft, that -E-
26 But unto Hjah was fent for the relief of none of them, but only
EHas fent, fave un- of a P00.r widow> who uved at Sarepta, a Gentile
to Serept'a, a city town which lay within the borders of Sidon \.
of 27 There
NOTES.
racles in other places before he came to at the brook Cherith, and was fed by the
Nazareth. ravens there ; and after a while, or at
¦ f An account of this famine we have the end of days, (O^ 2£p73) which, in
at large, r Kings xvii. & xviii.; and the that language, often fignifics the end of
apoftle James refers to it, chap. v. 17. a year, the brook dried up, becaufe there
But in 1 Kings xviii. 1. it is faid, that had been no rain in the land, 1 Kings
the word of the Lord came to Elijah in xvii. 1,-7. So that, putting the time
the third year, faying, Go Jhew thyfelf all together, it was in the fourth year,
. to Ahab, and I will fend rain upon the from the beginning of the drought, that
earth : And yet Chrift fays, the heaven God fpake to Elijah offending rain; and
wasjhut up three years and fix months ; this is determined by Chrift, and the a-
and the apoftle James, that it rained not poftle James, to be three years and a
on the earth by the fpace of three years half, or fix months.
and fix months. To reconcile this, we } Sidon was a Gent He city, out of the
are to obferve, that the third year, in border's of the land of Ifrael. God fent
which God fpoke to Elijah about fend- Elijah thither, who, 'in the Greek, is
ing rain, is to be reckoned, not from the called Elias, and fo made him a prophet
beginning of the drought, but from the of the Gentiles, the firft that ever went
time when Elijah began to fojoiirn with among them ¦ And when our Lord him-
the widow of Sarepta; and that a year felf went'among the'Gentiles, it was in-
of drought had preceded, whilft he dwelt to the coaft of Tyre and Sidon, Mat. xv. 21.

Chap.

iv.

Luke paraphraftd.

45

of Sidon, unto a 27 There were likewife many leprous perfons in
woman that was a the land of JW^a, in the days of Eli /ha, (whofe
widow.  name, . in the Greek, is Elifeus ; ) and yet none of
27 And many ' J ' I 1 ,
lepers were in If- them were cured by means or that prbphet : 13 ut
rael in the time of (u /.a,) Naaman the Syrian was healed, (2 Kings:
Elifeus the pro- v- g; — 1+_) though he was fo far from being air
phet: and none ot j, ¦ y th t h f nat;on y h were nQt
them was cleanied, J ' " .
faviag Naaman only itrangers, but enemies to Ifrael, and to their
the Syrian. God. If therefore I chufe to difplay my glory and
ffifew mercy among Ifraelites, in diftant parts, r^her
than among my own townfmen, neighbours, and
acquaintance ; yea, were 1 to do this even among
the Gentiles themfelves, rather than among the
Jews ,- there is no more reafon to cavil at me for it,
than there was of old at Elijah and Eliflja, and the
difpenfation of providence by them, for relieving
neceffitous and difeafed Gentiles, rather than Ifrael
ites that were in like miferable circumftances,
2S And all they 28 As foon as our Lord had faid thefe things in
in the fynagogue, the fynagogue, and thereby fuggefted as if the peo-
''""' '" ' pie of that town were unworthy of' his favour, and
the Gentile 1 themfelves ffiould be made partakers of
it ; they who but juft before bore him witnefs, and
wondered at his gracious words, (ver. 22.) were
generally filled with the utmoft indignation and rage
againft him :
29 And, in the heat of their fury, they tumultu-
oufly broke up the affembly all at once, and thruft:
him, not only out of the fynagogue, but of Naza
reth itfelf ; and, hurrying him away to the brow of
(whereon their ci- the hill on which the town ftood, they attempted to
ty was built,) that difpatch hini, by throwing .him down the precipice,
him down'heTcV though he had lived fo many years unblameably a-
long. " mong them'
30 But he, pafs- 30 But, as his time for dying was not yet come,
ing through the and this was not that fort of death which he Was to
..»ii ui them, fufforj he miraculoufly fprang away from them before
they were aware, leaving them to the dreadful con
fequences of their outrage againft him.
31 And came jt And he removed from thence to dwell at Ca-
down to Caper- pernaum<i another town in Galilee ; and preached iri
GaWee.andwught the!r fynagogue on the Sabbath-days.
them on the Sab- 32 And his doftrine, together with his gracious
bath-days. and authoritative manner of delivering and confirm-
32 And they mg ;tj was fo ftriking, that the people could not,
were aftomfhed at fc ftand d ; for k wag att d d wkh di_
his doctrine : for . . '
his word was with vlne and powerful evidence.
power. 33' 34 And
NOTE.
21. to (hew mercy to a poor woman, as E/jah-h&il done before to a poor widow,
' ihe'rein giving a fpecimen of the mercy defigned for the Gentiles.
Vol. II. ' H

when
thefe things, were
filled with wrath,

29 And rofe up,
and thruft him out
of the city, and
led him unto the
brow of the hill,

went his way.

46 The Evangelift Chap. iv.
33 And in the 33, 34 And among other wonderful works which
fynagogue there j^ wr0(,ght to confirm it there, the following inftance
ITi a Fjrittfli! was very remarkable. One Sabbath-day, whilft he was
uncleande'vil, and preaching in the fynagogue, there was a certain man
cried out with- a poffefled of the devil, that wicked fpirit, who was
loud voice, fo foil 0f enmity to Chrift, fo afraid of his power,
us34aloneinS'what and fo enraged againft his gofpel, that he fpoke in
have" we ' to do or ty the man, crying out with great vehemence,
*ith thee, thou and with an audible voice, in the name of himfelf and
Jefus of Nazareth? his affociates, O thou Jefus ot Nazareth, pray give
art thou come to ug nQ difturbance ; thy proper bufinefs lies with men,
thee'whothou'ai-t^ an<* not with us, who defire to have nothing to do
the holy One of with thee; furely the time is not yet come for thee
God. to deftroy our dominion, or to torment us : Alas !
I dread contending with thee ; for I know that thou
art the Son of God f, holy in thy nature and defign.
35 And Jefus 35 But Jefus, refufing to receive teftimony from
rebuked him, fay- tjje devil, feverely checked him ; and, with fovereign
wlf d £a ™JL and awful authority, commanded him to be filent, and
out of him. And, to quit poffeffion of the man. Hereupon batan was
when the devil had inftantly forced to retire ; and though, to fhew his
thrown him in the T3~e. and reluftance at parting, he threw the poor crea-
midft, he came out ; ; j convulfions before all the company,
of him, and hurt ,,,.,.,., , , 1 • ,• ,
him not. and left "lm like one dead, ; yet he immediately reco
vered, by which it appeared that he had received
no manner of hurt.
36 And they 36 And the people feeing that Chrift wrought fo
were all amazed, t and undeniable a mi^le, in fuch a godlike
and fpake among ° , r ._ . . r . ° . .
themfelves fay- manner, were extremely iurprifed at it, faying with-
ing, What a word in themfelves, and one to another, What an aftonifh-
is this : for with jng word is this ! Who ever faw or heard any thing
er h^commanSi Iike * ? F°r he °"ly fpeaks' 'a"d * " d°ne 5 fuch'
the uncTan fpirits! Power and authorky go forth with his word, that e-
and they come out. ven the infernal wicked fpirits are forced to fubmit to
his abfolute command, and to do as he orders them.
37 And the fame 37 And the report of this amazing cure was foon
of him went out fpread abroad, and gave him a vaft reputation, far
the3 country round and wide ' f9 tnat the whole country rung with his
about. praifes.
3S And he arofe 38 Now as foon as Jefus had publicly -wrought this
out of the fyna- miracle in the fynagogue, he retired from thence to
ed^into11 Simon's Simon Peter's houfe, whofe habitation was in this
houfe ; town ; * and his wife's mother being at that time dan-
NOTES.
t This confeffion of Chrift was either ex- he caft out devils by Beelzebub the prince
torted from the devil by the terror he was of devils, Mat. xii. 24.
in, or elfe he made it with.a defign of pay
ing fuch a public compliment to Chrift, as * This evidently confutes the Popiftj
might render his character fufpected a- notion of the celibacy of the clergy: For
mong the, Jews; and it is probable th,at the apoftte Peter himfelf had a wife,
the Pharifees took occafion, from the de- whofe mother lay fick at his houfe ; and
vils owning him, to reproach him as if here it was that our Lord probably dwelt.

Chap, iv, Luke paraphrafed. 47
Ifoufe; and Simon's dangeroufly fick of a fever, her friends, encouraged
wife's mother was by what he had juft before done in the fynagogue, ac-
ieveT^'and *thev 1uamted him with her threatening cafe, and earneftly
befought him for entreated him to fhew his power and goodnefs in heat
her, ing her.
39 And he ftood ^g They no fooner afked, but received : Jefus, in
buked^the^fever" *^e greatnefs °f his compaffion, went into the room
and it left her! where ffie lay ; and, as he ftood looking upon her, he,
And immediately like the fovereign Lord of all, without any, ceremony,
(he arofe, and mi- or application to his Father, commanded the fever to
niftred unto them. depart from her> and took k offj tQ the perfea reco,
very of her health and ftrength all at once : And, as
an evidence of this, fhe prefently got out of bed,
went about the bufinefs of the houfe, and did what
was requifite for the entertainment of our bleffed
Lord and the company.
40 Now when 40 Then, as foon as the fun was fet, at which
the fun was fetting, t;me tne Sabbath was over, all the people thereabouts,
an thCfickhatwith who nad any fick relations or friends, brought'them to
divers difeafes Jefus, that he might heal them, whatfoever their dif-
brought them unto eafes were ; the d'hanfees having fuggefted, that it
him : and he laid was unlawful for them to carry their fick to him, or
onehofdthemeVaend in<ked for him to heal them, on the Sabbath-day;
healed them.' And fo great were his power and mercy, that as faft
as they came, he, by a bare touch, without the ufe
of any means, inftantly healed them all, of what kind
or degree foever their fickneffes were : Not one of
them went away without a cure.
41 And devils 41 There were likewife many brought to him, out
alfo came out of 0f wnom, in the fame fovereign way, he caft out evil
and" feymg^Thou' *F"ts barely by his word of command ; and, upon
art Chrift the Son their taking leave of the pofleffed perfons, they made
of God. And he hideous outcries, faying, Ah, we find that thou art
fered^emT'^o'1116 Memah» the Son of the hving. God ! But, as
fpeak • elforn°thev t'le*r teftiniony was of no advantage to him, he corn-
knew that he was manded them to be filent, and would not fuffer them
Chrift. to publifh who he was ; for they indeed certainly
knew him to be the true Meffiah.
42 And when it 42 And the next morning f , before day-ligM ap-
wasday, he depart- d he arof and retired to a folitary place, that
ed, and went into f • , . , ¦ r r ' , \* ,
a defert place: and "e mignt have an opportunity tor fecret prayer: (Mark
the people fought i- 35-) But as foon. as the people miffed him, they
him, and came un- carefully fearched after him till they found him ; and,
to him, and flayed when they came to him, they were very urgent in
hlm' Ha their
NOTE.
t In Mark i. 35. it is faid, that in the alfo made the midnight a diftinftive pe-
marning, rifing up a great while before riod, to part between day and day ; fo
'lay, he went out. But he might rife that they reckoned up till midnight for
before, and yet not go out till it was day ; the day that wit paft, and reckoned
or as Dr Lightfoot reconciles thefe ac- down from, midnight, for the morning of
counts, Though the natural day of the the following day.
Jews began from fun-fetting; yet they

48

The Ev.

him, that he fiiould
hot depart firom
them. '
43 And he faid
unto them, I muft
preach 'the king
dom of God to o-
fher cities alfo :
for therefore am I
font.

44 And he
preached in tjie
Synagogues of Ga
lilee.

Chap. v.
their intreaties, that he would pleafe to honour and
blefs them with a conftant abode in their city and
neighbourhood. 43 But (?s) he told them, that whatfoever might
be their ends in this requeft, he could not grant it,
confiftently with his great defign of preaching the
gofpel of the kingdom in one place as well as another,
faying, My miniftry is not to be confined to Capers
naum, but I muft preach the glad tidings of falvation
to other cities as well a6 yours"; for fo the commiffioft
runs, which I have received of my Father.
44 Accordingly, taking his leave of them for the
prefent, he travelled about from town to town,
through all Galilee, preaching in their fyhagogues
wherever he came, and confirming his excellent doc
trine by his beneficent and wonderful works. (Mark
*¦ 39-)

RECOLLECTIONS.
How often do the greateft temptations fucceed the higheft teftimonies of God's
love \ As foon as our bleffed Lord himfelf had been owned from heaven as the Son
of God, and filled with his Spirit, he was tempted, like as we are, yet without
Jin ; but came off with triumph, that he might be able to fuccour them* that are
tempted. When Satan, -taking the advantage of neceflitous and dangerous circum
ftances, put him upon firft diftruftjng, and then prefuming upon, the providence
and promifes of God ; and when he grew fo "infolent as to offer hirn the poflefiion
and the government of the world, upon condition of his paying religious worfhip
to him as God's delegate, which is due to none but God himfelf ; Chrift defeated
all his aflaults by the fwurd of the Spirit ; therebyfetting us an example, and (hew
ing us the way to refill and overcome every temptation through him that loved us.
- — O what dreadful Work has fin made '. It has turned once good and holy angels
into malicious and unclean fpirits; has perverted human nature, and fubjected it
to the devil's cruel tyranny ; has introduced all the difeafes and miferies that af-
S\& mankind; and has brought our dear and bleffed Saviour into all the humbling
and fufferrng circumftances that he endured in our world. . But what a gracious,
fuitable, and almighty Saviour' have we ! He is the fovereign Lord of life and
death, of devils and men ; and, by virtue of the office to which his Father has a-
mointed him, he is the deliverer of miferable captives, "and the great phylician of
foul and body, who can eafily heal the diftempers of both, by his word, and the
divine energy that attends it : And he exerts his power and grace on the moft un
likely, and the moft unworthy, as feems good in his fight. How excellent is
his. . doftrine '. how laborious and diligent was he in preaching it, efpecially on
the Sabbath-days '. and how glorioufly did he confirm it, without the leaft
room for vufpi'cion of fraud '. But; alas, how few are favingly wrought upon and
converted by it ! And how many are there that get no further than the very de
vils themfelves in their faith concerning him as the Son of God, and the true Mef
fiah ; or than the people that heard his preaching, arid faw his miracles with at
tention and wonder, and boie witnefs to his gracious words, and yet immediately
were filled with prejudices and envy, turned head againft him, and fought to
deftroy him ! But no defigns againft his lift could profper, till he had fulfilled his
rainiftry, and the time was come for him to refign it.

C H A P.

Chap. v.

Luke paraphrafed*

49

CHAP. V.
Chrifi preaches out of Peter' j- fhip, I, — 3. His intimation of the
fuccejs of Peter'x and his partner's minifiry, by a miraculous
draught of fifties, 4, — 11. He heals a leper, 12, — 15. Retires
for prayer, and returns to preaching, 16, 17. Cures a man fick
ofthepalfy, 18, — 26.. Calls Levi and converfes with publicans,
27, — 32. Andvindicates his difciples for notfafiing in thofe days,
33>— 39-
Text. Paraphrase.
^ND it came to "^OW while Jefus continued in Galilee, he wasfo
the people* preffed acceptable to the common people, that they
upon him to hear flocked and crowded in vaft multitudes about him, to
the word of God, hear him preich the gofpel of falvation, which was
indeed the word of God : And, as the fynagogues
were not large enough to contain them, he went to
the fhore of the fea of Tiberias, which is called the
lake of Gennejareth,
2 And there he faw two fifhing-boats lying near
the fhore ; but; the fervants that belonged to them *,
and had been fiffiing a great while to no purpofe, were
gope out of them to wafh and cleanfe their nets.
3 In the mean time our Lord, to avoid the incon
venience of Being crowded by the multitude, and of
1 H 0c tllg having his voice drowned, went into one of the boats,
fhips, which was particularly Simon's, whom Chrift named Peter ;
Simon's, and pray- (John i. 42.) and, mee'ing with him there, he cour-
ed him, that he teoufly entreated him' -O put off to a fmall diftance
r^ttle'from Te from the land ; which being done, Jefus, without re-
land : and he fat garding any diftinftion of plates for religious worfliip,
down, and taught fat down in the veffel, and preached from thence to
the people out of the people, as they were ftanding on the fhore.
4 And, when he had finifhed his difcourfe, he de
fired Simon to fteer ftill further to a deeper part of
the lake, and there to drop his nets for fiffi ; thereby
mon, Launch out defigning to manifeft his own power and goodnefs,
into the deep, and and to gjv£ a ijvely emblem of the wonderful fuccefs
which his fervants fhould have in the work of the mi
niftry under his command and influence.
$ But (»«') Simon, not knowing Chrift's intention,
faid to him, Sir, I doubt it will be loft labour ; for

he flood by the
lake of Gennefa-
reth.

— q .-.mJ -faw two
fbir; -(landing by
tf- »<jce ; but the
fiffeermen were
gone qnt of them,
£nd were waffling
their nets.
3 And he enter-

rthe (hip,
4 Now when he
had left fpeaking,
he faid unto Si-

let down your nets
for a draught.
5 And Simon
anfwering, (aid un

tChi.ItoileId*il'the. We have been fifllI'nS a11 niSht' and taken a deal °f

have 1

night, Pains already without any fuccefs

N O
* Some fuppofe that thefe fifhermen
were Simon and Andrew, who were faid
to be cafting their net into the fea. (Mat.
iv. 18. and Marls i. itf.) If fo, it feems to

However, in o-
bedience
T E.
have been to wafh the net after fifhing- :
But I rather take this to relate to the
fervants wafhing the nets, while Simun
and Andrew remained in the boat.

5°
night, and have ta
ken nothing i: ne
verthelefs, at thy
word, I will let
down the net.
6 And, when
they had this done,
they inclofed a
great multitude of
fifties ; and their
net brake.
7 And they beck
oned unto their
partners, which
were in the other
fhip, that they
fhould come and
help them. And
they came- and fill
ed both the fhips, fo
that they began to
fink. S When Simon
Peter faw it, he
fell down at Jefus'
knees, faying, De
part from me, for I
am a finful man, O
Lord.

The Evangelift

Chap. v.

9 For he was a-
ftoniflied, and all
that were with
him, atthedraught
of the fiflies which
they hadtaken :

io And fo was
alfo James and
John the fons of
Zebedee, which
were partners with
Simon. And Je
fus faid unto Si
mon, Fear not ;
from henceforth thou

bedience to your command, and in hope that it may
not be altogether in vain, I and my men, weary as
we are, will make another trial.
6 Then they let down their net ; and Chrift, as fo
vereign Lord of the feas as well as of the dry land,
made it well worth their while to obferve his orders,
he bringing together a prodigious number of fifties by
his own influence upon them ; fo that the men im
mediately inclofed fuch a vaft multitude, that the net
began to tear by means of their bulk and ftruggling.
7 Hereupon, their partners being in the other
boat, at a confiderable diftance out of call, they made
fignals for them to come with all fpeed to their affift
ance in drawing up the net : And they coming, help.
ed them to manage it in fuch a manner, that they ¦
catched fifties enough to load both the boats, with
them, and even to overload them, fo £hat they were
in danger of finking by the great weight of their car
go. 8 This was, in all the circumftances of it, fuch
an unexpected difplay of divine knowledge and do
minion, that when Simon, who was likewife caBed
Peter, law it, he threw himfelf down at Chrift's feet:
And inftead of fuing for pardoning and fan&ifying
grace to deliver him from the guilt and power of his
fins, as he ought, and certainly would, had he then
clearly underftood on what a faving defign Jefus came
into the world ; he, on the other hand, full of aw
ful confufion and fear, as even good men ufed to
be at any uncommon appearance of the divine pre
fence, humbly befought him, faying, Lord, I beg.
that thou wouldft pleafe to withdraw from me, and
go out of my boat ; for I am a finful wretch, utter
ly unworthy and unable to ftand in thy prefence, and
to converfe with thee.
9 For he having ufed to fiffi in that fea many
years, and never feen or heard of any thing like the
fuccefs which enfued upon his obeying Chrift's word,
was ftruck with exceeding great amazement, as were
alfo all the men in the boat with him, at the vaft
fhoal which they fo miraculoufly catched at one
draught, after they had been toiling all night before
to no manner of purpofe.
io James likewife and John, the two fons oi^Lebe-
dee, who belonged to the other boat, and were part
ners with Simon in the fifhing-trade, were much a-
ftonifhed at this event : And, to relieve them, Jefus,
inftead of taking Simon, as he juftly might, at his
word, fpoke in a kind, meek, and encouraging man
ner to him, faying, Let not your fear and furprifc
thus overwhelm you, and make you raffily wiffi for
my

Ghap. v.

Luke paraphrafed.

5*

thou men.

fhalt catch my abfence, as if I were an enemy : What I have
now done is an aft of miraculous gopdnefs, as well as
power ; and I have further defigns of much greater
favour to you. As now you have caught a great
multitude of fifties, by letting down your net at my
order ; fo I intend, from this time forward, to make
you a minifter and an apoftle ; and by preaching the
1 gofpel, according to my command, and under my in-
jflnence, you ffiall be as remarkably fuccefsful f in a
better fort of fifhing for the fouls of men, that they
may be drawn to me, and fo may be brought out of
a ftate of fin and mifery into a ftate of falvation.
n And when 11 In like manner he fpoke to Andrew, Simon's
they had brought brother, who was with him in the boat ; and foon af-.
the" forfook ^aU' ter t0 >meS and 7°**' wh° Were in the °ther Veffd>
and followed him.' and whom Jefus afterward met affiore, (Mat. iv. 18,
— 22.) and his word went with fuch power to their
hearts, that inftead of going to make their market,
they, amidft the greateft flufh of profperity in their
fifhing-trade, immediately threw up that employment,
and all their worldly interefts with it, and from that
time forward conftantiy attended him as his difciples.
(See the note on Mark i. 18.)
1 2 And while Jefus was travelling through Gali
lee with thefe difciples, as he was one day entering
into a certain city §, behold, a man all over-fpread
with a leprofy, feeing him, fell proftrate before him,
feeing Jefus, fell and humbly intreated him with great earneftnefs and

And it came
when he was
certain city,
behold, a man full
of leprofy : who.

12
pafs,
in a

on his face, and
befought him, fay
ing, Lord, if thou
wilt, thou canft
make me clean.

importunity, faying, Lord, my cafe is very mifer-
able and dangerous, paft hope of relief by human
means ; but I firmly believe, that, if thou pleafeft,
thou canft eafily cleanfe and heal me ; and, as I have
heard of thy pity to others, I throw myfelf at thy
foot for mercy.
1 3 Hereupon Jefus ftretching forth his hand, laid
it upon him, as a prophet might do on a leper ; and
at the fame time to fhew that his will is no more to

13 And he put
forth his hand, and
touched him, fay
ing, I will; be
thou clean. And be diftrufted than his power, he, like the fovereign
immediately the Lord of all, faid in an authoritative manner, " I will ;
be thou cleanfed." And at that very inftant, the
man was perfectly cured of his leprofy, according to
his faith in the power of Chrift, and even beyond his
faith in his will.
14 And -Jefus peremptorily commanded him not
to publifh abroad what he had done : But, fays he,
NOTES.
t This was remarkably fulfilled in the not yet entered into the city, as appears
converfion of 3000 by means of Peter's from Mat. viii. i,—6. Accordingly the
firft fermon after Chrift's refurrection, prepofition <v maybe rendered at, or by,
(Afts ii. 41.) as the prepofition 3 in the Hebrew is,
i This was Capernaum, and Chrift had , Jofili. v. 13. and jc.ii.

leprofy departed
from him,

14 And he char
ged him to tell no
man,

5*
man, but go, and
lhe.w thyfelf to the
prieft, and offer for
thy cleanfing, ac
cording as Mofes
commanded, for a
teftimony unto
them.

15 But fo roach'
the more went
there a fame a-
trroad of him : and'
great multitudes
came together to
hear, and to be
-healed by him of
their infirmities.
16 And he with
drew himfelf into
the wildernefs a,nd
prayed.

17 And it came
to pafs on a certain
day, as he was
teaching,that there
were Pharifees and
doftors of the law
fitting by, which
were come out of
every town of Ga
lilee, and Judea,
and Jerufalem: and
the power of the
Lord was prefent
to heal them.
18 And behold,
men brought in a
bed a man which
was taken with a
palfy : and they
fought means to
bring him in, and
to lay him before
him. 19 And -when
they could not find
by what way they
might bring him
in, becaufe of the
multitude, they
went upon the
houfe-top, and let
him down through the

The Evangelift

Chap. v.

go direftly to a prieft, whofe office it is to judge of
leprofies, and whether perfons are cleanfed from
them ornot, (Lev. xiii. 2.) and offer yourfelf to his
examination, that lie may pronounce you clean ;
and then perform the rites, which in ¦ that cafe are
required by the law of Mof&t, in acknowledgment
of your purification, (Levi sivi 4, — 7.) that the mofi
obftinate of the Jews .may have a legal conviftion of
your being really cleanfed,. and of my divine power
in healing you ; and that none may objeft againft
me, as if I diffegarded God's law. ,.
15 But the rrian was fo full oft jay and ecftafy,
and fo defirous to fpread the praifes of his gracious
benefaftor, that feeming to forget himfelf, or not to
underftand the defign of Chrift's charge, he could
not tell how to hold his peace : And Jefus became
fo very famous by this means, that prodigious multi
tudes flocked after him, to hear ; his excellent dif-
courfes, and to have their difeafes healed.
16 And, the crowd 'being fo great and continual,
he privately retired, as he was often obliged to do,
to fome folitary place in the wildernefs, that he
might have opportunity to refrefh himfelf, and to
fpend time alone in folemn prayer.
¦ 1 7 A while after this, he returned again to Ca
pernaum ; and one day, whilft he was preaching
therein a houfe, (Mark ii. 1.) feveral of the Pha
rifees and fcribes, the moft captious pf all the Jews,
were fitting to hear him, that they, like fpies, might
feek occafions of quarrelling with him. For this pur
pofe they came together from all parts ; fome from
feveral towns and cities of Galilee, others from Ju
dea, and others as far as from' Jerufalem itfelf:
And, ¦ in the prefence of all thefe, the power of the
Lord Jefus exerted itfelf in the miraculous cures of
many that were fick of various diftempers.
1 8 Among the reft, there was an aftonifhing in
ftance. A certain man, being grievoufly affiifted
with the palfy, was fo very weak as to be brought
in a couch, or bed, upon the ffioulders of four of his •
friends, (Mark ii. 3.) who endeavoured to get him
into the room where Jefus was, and lay him at his
feet for a cure :
19 And when, after much , ftriving, they found
that all their attempts to carry him in at the door
were in vain, becaufe of the throng of people be
fore it, they found means of getting up, on the out
fide of the houfe, to its flat roof ; and there, break
ing open a trap-door, they let him down, as he lay
in his bed, into the very room where Jefus was
preaching to the people. (See the note on Mark ii. 4.)
20 As

Chap. v. Luke paraphrafed. 53
the tiling with his 2D As foon as the man was in this manner laid at
co?£' ,'"t0T ?e his feet, Jefus obferving the greatnefs of the para-
midft before Tefus. . . , I . J. ,, 8 r , ° . , , , .
20 And, when v*10 8 *aith, as wetl as 01 thole that brought him,
he faw their faith, Put a public honour upon it, faying to him with
he faid unto him, great tendernefs, affeftion and authority, to fhew
his power and will to heal him, Son, your fins are
pardoned,; and you may confidently expeft their pe
nal effeft, in your grievous diftemper, to be removed.
2 1 The fcribes and Pharifees hearing him pro
nounce the remiflion of this man's fins, in fuch a
fovereign and abfolute way, were filled with prejudi
ces and envy againft him, and reafoned in their own
minds about it after this manner : Who does this
man pretend to. be, that he dares affume to himfelf, in
this blafphemous ftyle, the unalienable prerogative of
Deity? For who but the great God himfelf, againft
whom all fins are committed, can have fuch abfolute
power to forgive them ?
22 But Chrift, being as privy to all their fecret
thoughts and whifperings, as if they had fpoke them
out, replied, Why dp ye argue at this perverfe and
injurious rate, and entertain evil furmifes againft me,
as if I were a blafphemer, on this account ? I will put
what I have faid upon a fair trial, 'whether I am
poffeffed of this peculiar property of God or not;
23. Whether is ¦ 23 Is it not as much the prerogative of God f,
.eafier to fay. Thy merely by a fovereign abfolute word of command, to
fins be forgiven

Man, thy fins are
forgiven thee.

21 And the
fcribes and the Pha
rifees began to rea
fon, - faying, Who
is this which fpeak-
eth blafphemies ?
Who can forgive
fins but God a-
lone ? *

. 22 But when
Jefus perceived
their thoughts, he
aafwering faid un
to them. What
reafon ye in your
hearts ?

thee, or ' to fay,
Rife up and walk ?

34 But that ye
may know that the
Son of man hath
power upon earth
to forgive fins, (he
fafd unto the fick
ef the paify,) I
fay unto thee, A-
rife.

N O
f If, as fome ptatcnd, Chrift meant
no more when he faid, Thy. fins be for
given thee, than when he faid, Rife up
and walk, his queftion would feem to be
very trifling, as amounting to no more
than this, " Which is eafier ? to heal the
man, or to heal him? To do what I mean
under one of thefe forms of exprefhoh, or
to do the fame tiling that I mean under
Vol. II. I

reftore this extremely weak paralytic to perfeft
health in an inftant, as it is to forgive his fins ? If I
have power in myfelf to do one, is not that an evi
dent proof of my authority to do the other likewife ?'
Nay, if I blafphemed in what I faid, would God
ever fuffer me to confirm it, by enabling this man to
rife up immediately, and to walk away with foil
ftrength and vigour ?
24 Now that ye may be plainly convinced, that I,
who appear among you under the charafter of the
Meffiah, arn indeed a divine perfon, and have power,
even whilft I am here on earth, to pardon fin, I
will give you a clear demonftration of it, by inftantlv
removing this man's diftemper, which (as all difeafes
are) is the fruit of fin : And then, turning to the fick
man,
T E.
the other? To take off the paify as the
temporal punifhment of bis fin, or to cure
it :'" And as a proper forgivenefs, with
refpect to the eternal .punifhment of fin,
is afcribed to Chrift, Alls vii. 60. and
Col. iii. 13. ; fo it -is here plainly diftin-
guifhed from his healing the paify; and
the Pharifees evidently understood it in
that manner. See the note oh Mat. is., t.

54
rife, and take up
thy couch, aud go
into thine houfe.

25 And- imme
diately he rofe up
before them, and
took up that
whereon he lay,
and departed to
his own- houfe^ glo
rifying God. , -t
25 And they
were -all amazed,
arid they glorified
God, and were fill
ed with fear, fay
ing, We have feen
ftrauge things to
day.

The Evangelift

Ghap. V.

vj And after
thefe* things he
went' forth, and faw
a publican named
Levi, fitting at the
receipt of cuftom :
and' he faid unto
him, Follow me.

2S And he left
all, rofe up, and
followedi him.

20 And Levi
made him a great
feaft in his own
houfe-: and there
was a great com
pany of -publicans,
and of others that
fat qown with
them.

30 But their
fcribes and Phari
fees murmured a-
gainft

man, he fpoke to him, with all the majefty and au
thority of a God, in the following manner : I abfo-
lutely command you to get up, and, in the prefence
of all this people, to carry home your bed.
25 Arid, at this word of 'command, the man
was all at once reftored to- the perfeft ufe of his
limbs, and got up immediately in the fight of all
then prefent; and, as if nothing had ailed him, car
ried home the bed, oh which he lay fick before, re
joicing and bleffing God for the -wonderful cure that
was fo fuddenly and effeftually wrought upon him.
26 Yea, all the common people likewife, though
they had not juft conceptions of Chrift's afting by a
divine power inherent iii himfelf, were ftruck with
the greateft aftonifhriient, and afcribed glory to
God for fending him among them ; and, at the fame
time, they were poffeffedwith an awful reverence and
dread, like perfons apprehenfive that the divine pre
fence was iii a fort of vifible manner among them :
And, upon the whole, they cried out, Such mighty
-works, and fuch a fovereign way of performing them,
as we have feen to-day, are very furprifing indeed, far
beyond all that was ever feen or heard of before.
27 After this our Lord went out of Capernaum
again: And as he was walking near the fea of Galilee,
(Mark ii. 13.) he faw one Levi, who was alfo called
Matthew, fitting at his office to receive the toll for
goods which were carried over that fea : And Chrift,
preventing him with his loving-kindnefs, faid* Come
along with me. and I will make you an inftrument
of gathering the nobleft tributes of praife and glory
to God.
28 And thefe Words were fet home with fuch di
vine energy, that, without conferring with fleffi and
blood, he immediately obeyed the heavenly call,
threw Up his commiffion as a publican, quitted his
great and exprbitant gains, and became a fincere difci-
ple of Chrift, accompanying him Vherever he went.
29 And Matthew's foul was fo inflamed with
love to Chrift, that he took an opportunity, being
rich, to invite him and his difciples to a liberal enter
tainment at his own houfe: (Mat. ix. 9, 10.) And
there he got together a great number of tax-gather
ers, and others of his former companions,, who were
perfons of ill repute among the people, to take part
of the feaft, that they might converfe with Jefus,
and be in the way of finding grace, as well as him
felf. 30 But fome of the envious and hypocritical
fcribes and Pharifees obferving this, were highly
offended ; and, not daring to attack our Lord him felf,

3t And Jefus
anfweririg faid un
to them, They that
are whole need not

32 I came not
to call the righte
ous, but finners to
repentance.

Chap. v. Luke paraphrafed. 55
gainft his difciples, f€lf, muttered to his difciples, hoping to prejudice
faying Why do ye tj,em gainft him for it, faying, How fhameful is this
eat and drink with - - ° n , ¦ ' °? . ,
publicans an* fin- ln your mafter> to brlnS 70u ioto comPany» a"d
ners > caufe you, together with himfelf, to eat and drink
. . ,, ,„ fo familiarly with fuch wicked wretches as thefe pu-
bliqans, and the reft of the profligate finners that are
with him.
3 1 Jefus knowing this, (for nothing could be hid
from him) took up the argument ; and, anfwering
for his difciples, faid, My conyerfing with this fort
a phyfician.: but of men is not. to. approve of, or encourage them in,
they that are fick. but to turn. them from their iniquities : I go among
them, as a phyfician does among his patients, to re^
cover and heal them ; and every ope knows that a
phyfician's work lies,1 not among the healthy, or
fuch as think themfelves fo well as to have no occafion
. fpr him, but among thofe that are fick, and would be
glad of, his, help.
32 Accprdingiy my bufinefs, in coming into the
world, is not to bring fuch to repentance as never
finned, if there were any of that charafter upon
e^irth ; nor can I reafonably hope for fuccefs in this
work among thofe who are as conceited of their
own righteoufnefs as if they had no fin : But I
am come to recover , thpfe finners, and the chief a-
mong them, whofe confciences convift them as
tranfgreffprs, and who fee and feel their fpiritual
ficknefs and. danger, and are fenfible that they need
a cure. . This fofficiently juftifies my admitting the
worft of men into my company, in order to their
converfion and falvation.
33 And they 33 About this time fome of John's difciples,
faid unto him, tyat. ix, 1 4.) being egged on by the Pharifees, took
Ts of° Tohnd'faft occafion to objeft againft the mpre fecial and lefs
often and make auftere way of living, which Chrift allowed to his fol-
prayers, and like- lowers, than they themfelves praftifed, faying to him,
wife the difciples Jiow comes it to pafs, that while we, the difciples of
John the Baptift, that unqueftionably good and holy
man ; and while the Pharifees, who profefs the ftrift-
eft fanftity, are often engaged in. days of folemn fall
ing and prayer, {fee the note on Mark ii. 18.) your
difciples neverthelefs live more at large, and negleft
thefe pious, humbling, and felf-mortifying duties ?
34 And he faid 34 Jefus, in reply, intimated to them, that everyx
unto them, Can ye t}u-ng j9 beautiful in its feafon, faying, How unfuiu
rthebrlde-cham- ahI« and ^proper would it be. for the friends of •
ber faft, while the bridegroom, who, are called to rejoice with him in
bridegroom is with the feftivals of a wedding, to give themfelves up, at
tliem ¦ that very time, to the aufterities of fafting ? As
therefore your mafter, John himfelf, has truly called
me the bridegroom of the church, (John iii. 29.)
I 2 it

of the Pharifees;
but thine eat and
drink ?

The Evangelift

Chap. \.

35 But the days
will come, when
the bridegroom
(hall be taken a-
xvay from them,
and then fliall they
laft in thofe days.
36 A.ndhefpake
alfo a parable unto
them,. No man
putteth a piece of
a new garment up
on ¦ ah old : if o-
therwife, then both-
the new maketh. a
rent, and the piece
that was taken out
of the new agreeth
hot with the old.

37 And no man
putteth new wine
into old bottles ;
elfe the new wine
will burft the bot
tles, and be fpilled,
andthebottlesfliall
perifli.

3S But new wine
rmift be put into
new bottles; and
both are preferved.

39 No man alfo,
having ¦; drunk old
wine, ftraightway
dcfircth new : for
he faith, The old
is better.

it would be very unfeafonable and unbecomingfor my
difciples to fpend their time in fafting and mourning,
whilft I am perfonally prefent with them.
35 But it will not be long before I, with whom
they now rejoice as with a bridegroom, ffiall be re
moved from them by death, and ffiall leave them ex
pofed to many trials and dangers, which will fur-
niffi proper occafions for days of humiliation and fall
ing, with prayer. , . ,
36 And ftill further to illuftrate the. matter, he
added the following fimilitudes : As no one of cpn>
man fenfe would go about to mend an old rotten
garment with a piece of new ftrong cloth ; or if any
fhould be fo imprudent as to attempt it,, the ftrength
of the new cloth would, upon every ftretch, occafion
a ftill greater breach in the old coat, and the new
and old fluff would appear to be very improperly put
together: (fee the note on Mat. ix. 16.) So it
would be utterly incongruous for my difciples to
damp their rejoicings, in my prefence, by the fe veri
ties of abundant failings. '
37 And as no prudent man fills old leathern bot
tles (fee the note on Mark ii. 2 2. ) with new and fpi-
rituous wine ; if he fhould, the brifknefs of the wine
would endanger the biirfting of the bottles, and the
lofs of both :r So -riiy' difciples being but weak and
tender, and unaccuflomed to failing, they having
been only publicans arid fifhermen, and being not yet
thoroughly fettled in their principles about the nature
Of my kingdom ; it would be too great a burden and
discouragement for them, to be put all at once upon
fevere abftinences and mortifications.
38 But as it is apparently beft to put new fer
menting wine into new bottles, which are ordinarily
the flrongeft, and by that means both are moft likely
to be fecured : So it is moft fuitable to my wifdom,
tendernefs and care, not to over-load my difciples, hut
to proportion their work and difficulties to their light
and ftrength, and to the circumftances of things; and(
this makes all agreeable.
39 And, to ufe a proverbial exprefiion upon this
occafion, As no perfon, who underftands good wine,
and has been ufed to that which is old, is prefently
brought to relifh that which is new, but prefers the
old to it : So the life and power of religion is, to ex
perienced Chriftians, like old wine, vaflly preferable,
in their efteem, to all the noife and fhew of bodily fer-
vices, which are like the bouncing and frothing of
new wine -, and whatever advantage there may be in
ftrift and frequent fallings, as fobfervient to felf-de-
nial, and a mortification of the fleffi ; y»t thefe will not

Chap. vi. :Lvke- p$raphrafed. 5 2
1 not be eafily relifhed by fuch as have been always ufed
to a freer way of living, till by degrees the foul finds
' the benefit of thefe duties, -and they become familiar
to it by- praftice.
• R EC O L L E C T I O N S.
How vile do we appear iniour own eyes, when we fee ourfelves in the, light of
GhiiftVglory, who^ Uke the G.od of nature, commanded the watery tribe to come
into Pe ter's -net, as an emblem of his powerful grace in gathering fouls tohimfelf,
by the. miniftry of the gofpel! But if we have right thoughts of him| tis a Saviour,
under Our fenfe of finfulnefs and unworthinefs, we fliall feea neceffity of drawing
near by-faith to him,- inftead of defirihghim to depart from us. To them Jhat be
lieve, he will grant remiflion of fins, and deliverance from all their .dreadful effects :
And how fhould ctirobtaining this mercy till ue with the higheft rejoicing, thank
fulnefs, and praife! If Jefus, feeing our faith, fays to, any of us, " Thy fins are for
given thee," no powers of hell or earth can reverfe the bleffed fentence; and if he
fpeaks to the heart, it readily yields to his command, who came to call the -chief
of finners to repentance, and to bring falvation to them from all their iniquities
and diftrefles. -And 0 how abundant is his grace to repenting and believing fouls !
He takes them into a marriage-relation to himfelf, in which all their joys and griefs
depend upon his prefence with them, or his withdrawings from them : But he will
never utterly leave nor forfake them ; he will always efpoufe their caufe.Jielp them
over their difficulties, proportion their work to their ftrength, and by degrees fami
liarize to them the moft humbling a.,d fell-denying duties. And though days of faft
ing and prayer are not unnecefTarily, much lefs fuperftitioufly, .to be multiplied ;
yet times of great affliction and trial are proper occafions for them ; and Chrift will
incline and enable his difciples to perform thofe duties, in their feafon, to rich-ad
vantage. • ''

C H A P. VI.

Chrift fhews the Itiwfulnejs of works of neceffity and mercy on the
Sabbath day, s, — ir. Retires for prayer, ,12. Chufes twelve a-
pofiles, 13, — 16. Heals many dijeafes, 17,-19. His fermon
to his difciples and the multitude, about the happinefs of faithful
fuffer ers for his fake, 20, — 23. The mifery of having this world
for a portion, '24, — 26. Love tp enemies, and doing good, 27, — 38,
MiniJters and people known by their fruits, 39, — 45. And the
neceffity of pracdifing true religion, 46, — 49.
Text. PARAPHRASE.
ANafs " on^he TST°W on the firil Sabbath after the fecond day f of
fecond SabbaVaft the paffover, Jefus was going through a field of
"ter the firft, that corn which was then near ripe ; and his difciples,
he went through who were with him, being hungry, plucked fome of
tiie ?°™":^e.lcls.' the ears, as the laW- allowed; (Deut. xxiii. 25.) and,
aii' 1 1* d C''D eS havinsr. cleared the corn from the chaff, by rubbing
plucked the ears . . . » , -, _ ' ' . , . b
of corn and did Jt ln their hands, they ltayed their hunger with it.
eat, ¦ ' 2 But
N O T E.
f From this day were reckoned feven being the. Sabbath, that Jefus was either
weeks to the feafl of pentcirpft ; and the going to, or returning from, fome fyna-
firft Sahbath after it was called a-aSSahv gogue, as. is reprefented in the pat?.-
Si\)1tgr>ir%v1ov. (See Lightfoot and Whit- phra'ffe on Mcit . xii. 1 .
by.) And it i6 natural to fuppofe, this

56

The Evangelift

Chap, vi,

eat, rubbing them
in their hands.
2 And certain
of the Pharifees
faid unto them,
Why do ye that
which is not law
ful to do on the
Sabbath-days ?
3 And Jefus
anfwering them,
faid, Have ye not
read fo much as
this, what David
did, when him
felf was an
cred, and
which were
him ;
4 How he went
into the houfe of
God, and did take
and eat the fhew-
bread, and gave
alfo to them that
were with him,
which is not law
ful to eat but for
the priefts alone ?
5" And he faid
unto them, That
the Son of man is
Lord alfo of the
Sabbath.

hun- they
with

6 And it came
to pafs alfo, ona-
nother Sabbath,
that he entered in
to the fynagogue
and 'taught: and
there was a man
whofe right hand
was withered.
7 . And the
fcribes and Phari-
fecis watched hini,
whether he would
heal on the Sab
bath-day ; that
they might find an
accufation againft
lum. 8 But he knew their
,\ In Mat. xii. 1.
ter this manner to_,
might be true, they

2 But (k) fome fuperftitious Pharifees being
nigh, and obferving this, took occafion to quarrel
with the' difciples,, and tacitly to refleft upon their
Lord himfelf for it j, faying, How dare ye, the fol
lowers of Jefus, profane the Sabbath at this rate, by
doing what is equivalent to reaping, or dreffing vic
tuals, which are forbidden on God's holy day.
3 Jn anfwer to this cavil, and in defence of what
the difciples had done, Jefus replied, Have ye,' who
pretend to fo much fkill and exaftnefs in underftanding
and obferviDg the law, never taken notice of what
David and his company did, in a like cafe of necef
fity, when they were hungry in a journey ? ( 1 Sam.
xxi. 3, — 6.)
4 Do hot ye there read, how, on that occafion,
he went into the court of the tabernacle, and took
from thence fome of the loaves that had been offered
to God, which he and his followers eat, though, in
the ordinary courfe of things, thefe were the portion
of the priefts, and the law allowed none but them
to eat of it ? and yet David was never charged with
any crime for doing this ; it was juftifiable by the law
of neceffity and mercy ; and fo is what my difciples
have now done.
5 And in further vindication of them, he added,
That, as they did this in his own prefence, and by
his allowance, while they were attending .upon him,,
they had a fufficient authority for it ; becaufe the in
ftitution of the Sabbath itfelf was from him, as the
God of nature, and the God of Ifrael; and is fub-
jeft to his explanations and alterations, as the Meffiah
and Head of the Church. ( See the notes on Mat. xii.
8. and Mark ii. 28.)
6 On another Sabbath-day, alfo, he went into one
of their fyriagogues tp preach ; and there was among
the people a certain man whofe right hand was wafted
and fhrunk, and rendered utterly incapable of any ufe
or fervice.
7 And as the Jewijlj doftors and Pharifees knew
that Chrift had ufed to take pity on miferable objefts,
they carefully obferved whether he would go about to
cure this man ; that, if he fhould, they might endea
vour from thence to expofe him to the people, as a
profaner of the Sabbath himfelf, as well as a defender
of thofe that, in their account, had broke it.
8 But Jefus, knowing the malicious and ill-natur
ed, as well as fuperftitious thoughts, of their hearts,
ordered
NOTE.
8c Mark ii. ^4. the Pharifees are reprefented as fpeaking af-
Chrift, as they are here faid to do to his difcfples ; but both
fpealyug firft to one, and then to the other.

Chap. vi. Luke paraphrafed. 59
their thoughts, and ordered the man, whofe hand was fhriveled, to ftand
wwchhad^" Z^th-fff^ f.mbiy {^fy^r^
thered hand, Rife >that he tended to heal him : Accordingly the man
up, and (land forth ftood up, in hopes of a cure.
in the midft. And 9 Then Jefos turning to the Pharifees, who by
he arofe, and ftood this time had ifxpreffed their thPUghts, as if it were
o Then faid ]e- n0t kwful ^or him to heal on that day f , he faid un-
fus unto them, I to them, I will make one appeal to your own con-
will afk you one. fciences, arid demand your anfwer : Is it moft lawful,
thing; Is it lawful honourable, and pleafing to God, and moft agreeable
daystodo|ood'or to the defign of a Sabbath, to perform an aft of fo
lo do evil ? to fave much mercy and goodnefs without delay, as healing
life, of to deftroy this man, and thereby preferving his life £, and ,ma-
'* * king him capable of hereafter getting a livelihood ?
Or, under, a pretence of ftriftnefs, in obferving this
holy day, to be fo hard-hearted and cruel, as to let
him continue langiiifhing, and incapable of getting a
fubfiftence, when only by a word's fpeaking I can re
cover him ?
1 c And, looking 1 0 And as they inade no reply, becaufe they could
round Shout upon think of none that might ferve their own turn, he,
them all, he faid fo-ft looking round about upon them for a while with
SueVforthT; holy indignation and grief at the hardnefs of their
hand. And he did hearts, (Mark 111. 4, 5.) and then turning to the poor
fo: and his hand man, commanded him, with all the majefty of a God,
was reftored whole to ftretch out his withered hand : And he inftantly
as the other. enabled him fo to do ;. it being perfeftly reftored to
its prqper fize and ftrength, colour and aftivity, e-
1 qual to the other.
11 And they n Hereupon the Pharifee s, inftead of admiring
madnefe-fdcbm1 Chi^ft'S ?QW& ™A goodnefs>- were filled with the ut-
toLedbne'with'al moft rage and fury at his having fo openly expofed
nother what they them, and gained, fuch reputation to himfelf; in fo
might do to Jefus. much that they refolved, if poffible, to be his death,
and confulted one with another, and with the Hero-
dians, what fteps to take for accomplifhing it. (Mark
iii. 6.)
1 j And it came 12 -About this time Jefus, having made many dif-
to pafs in thofe ciples by means of his preaching and miracles, retired
ays, t a e wen one eveninp- to the top of a hfi for fecret prayer ; and,
But unto a moon- . ° * . r i > »
tain to pray and as a particular defign 01 the greateft importance then
continued all night lay immediately before him, he fpent the whole night
in prayer to God. in folemn devotions, to recommend it, and all con
cerned
N O T E S. ,
f It is probable that, upon Chrift's faving his life, feems to intimate, as
kidding the man ftand forth, by which fome of the ancients fuppofed, that by
they perceived that he defigned to heal the lofs of his right hand he was difabled
him, they afked the queftion which is from getting his living ; he having no o-
jecorded, Matth. xii. 10. ther wav to fubfift himfelf, and his fami
ly, if he had one, than by the labour of
{'Chrift calling the cure of this man, his hands.

Sp

The Evangelift

Chap. vi.
in.,*' houfe of

cerned in it, ! to his Father's bleffing,
¦-• prayer (ev *-» a-joo-sn^ut.)
13 And when it 13 And the next morning, ordering all his difci-
¦was day, he called ples to draw near, he, by a fovereign aft of his own
¦unto him his s difci- willj as Lorti ^f h;8 ]cing(ionl) chofe front among them
hechofo * twelve! twelve t> wh°m ht called apqftfes, or extraordinary
meffengers ; and whom he authorifed, as his chjef mi
nifters, to be his fpecial witneffes, and to publifh the
gofpel, and work miracles in confirmation of it.
14 Now the names of the twelve were thefe : Si
mon, whom Chrift furnamed Peter ', and Andrew,-
Simon's brother ; James.txA John, who were like-
and John, Philip wife brethren according to the fiefh, being the tons
and Bartholomew, of Zebedee, and were made brethren in Chrift, as
well as in 'the apoftlefhip ; || Philip and Bartholo
mew ;
15 Matthew and j^ Matthew the publican ; and Thomas, who was
Thomas, James more ^credulous thati- all the reft of the apoftles a-
bout Chrift's refurreftion ; James the fon of Alphe-
'Us, who was likewife called James the Lefs, and the
brother of our Lord ; and Simon Zelotes, who was
alfo known by the name of Simon the Canaanite ;
16 Judas or Jude, who was likewife called Leb-
beus, and fumamed Thaddeus ; and laft of all was

whom alfo he na-
med Apoftles ; ,
1 4 Simon, (whom
he alfo. named PeT
ter,) and Andrew,
his brother, James

ilie fon of Alphe
us, and Simon call
ed Zelotes,

16 And Judas
the brother of
Ircarlot, which ll!- >das Ifariot, who proved the perfidious traitor of
fo was the traitor, his Lord.
17 And he came 1 7 Jefus having chofen thefe twelve apoftles, who
down with them, ever afterwards attended him as his family, he came
a?? fto°d in the down with them to a lower flat part of the mountain,
plain, and the com- • 11 1 n 11
pany of his difci- where- he ftood y ready to receive aft that fhould come
pies, and a great to him ; arid ifnmediately the company of difciples
multitude of people that ufed to follow him reforted to him again j and,
Wt his
N O T E >S.
j The Jews had (¦a^tsiv^oi) orato- of feveral ,others, fee the notes on Mat.
ries, or houfes of prayer, in fields and x. 3, 4. and Mark ii. 14.
mountains, for retirement, and for the
convenience of fuch travellers as might § To*-©- sriJiv®- may very well fignify
come thofe ways r And it feems that our a flat and even part of the mountain, to-
Lord fpent the night in prayer in one of ward the foot of it ; and fo it agrees with
thefe houfes. Vid. Vitring. de Synag. Mat. v. 1. if this and that relate to the
Vet. 1. i. p. i- e. 1. fame difcourfe. And after all that com-
X The number of the apoftles was mentators have faid, pro and con, it may
twelve, anfwerable to the number of the be more natural to fuppofe, that this is
tribes of Ifrael that fprang from the rather, partly an abftraift, and partly an
twelve fons of Jacob. And thefe twelve enlargement of Chrift's fermon on the
apoftles were, under Chrift, the fpiritual mount. Mat. v. Ifc. than another dif-
fathers of the New- Teftament church, courfe delivered at a different time and
begetting them to him by the gofpel. place : And the chief objection againft
|| This Philip was not the deacon and this fuppofition feems to be removed, if
evangelift of that name, fpoken of A6ts he was then on a plain part toward the
vi. &. viii. ; but we read of him, John i. foot of the mountain ; or if, as fome
vi. xii. St xiv. And fome think, that think, he, being preffed by the multitude
Bartholome<urv>&s Nathanael; (ee Ham* in the plain, went up the hill again t»
mond on John i. 4?. And for an account preach to them.

Chap. vi. Lv&s.paraphrafed. 61
idt Judea and Je-^ his fame being fpread far and wide, a great multitude
the^fek coalt^Tf °f pe°ple nock^.ab9Ut him, from all the towns and
Tyre and Siden; 'images of Judea, and from Jerufalem itfelf, and from
vthjch came to thofe parts of the fea-coaft that lay toward Tyre and
hear him, ,and, to, Sidon : Some earner great way to hear him preach,
be healed of their an(J Qtherg tQ be cured of their" various diftem-
aifoafds; 1 pers; ,*.-,
is And they 1 8 And fome that were miferably poffeffed of de-
that were :veied VUS) ^d therehy difpoffeffed of themfelves, were
rifa: "^nd^the1" brought to him : And all difeafes and evil fpirits, how
were healed. ¦ great Or many foeyer, flew away at. his command,
who, in an inftant, recovered them that -Were affiift
ed.
19 And" the ig Yea, fo vifible and remarkable was the divine
whole multitude p0;rer ^y w},;ch fo healed them, that every one who
him ¦ for there -wanted to be freed from any kind of malady, preffed
went virtue out of hard to come at him, believing that, if they could
him, and- healed but touch him, they ffipuld certainly be cured ; and
themaii. '.;t was to them according tq their faith : For efficaci
ous influence not only came at his Will and word, but
proceeded from his own perion, asithe fountain of all
power, to the healing of every ofie of them. . (See
' ¦ the note on Marfi, v. 30.) - ¦*¦¦
20 And he lift- 20 Arid. as he, -yva-S the great Phyfician-of fours,' as
^ UP k' eJ"& °J? well-as bodies, fo he preached the gofpel of his grace
faid Bleffed' be ve to them that came to hear him 5 when, looking uppn
poor:, for your's his djfciples, , he began with faying, in the audience
is the kingdom of of the people, Ye .are greatly,, bleffed indeed who are
, among the poor pf this, world, afld have left all its
allurements to .follow me ; and who ar,e, fo. meek any
lowly in heart, under an aflecling fenfe of your utter
infufficiency, finfulnefs, and unworthinef3, as to re
nounce all truft and confidence in y6ur own wifdom,
ftrength, and righteoufnefs : For ye are the fubjefts
of the kingdom of grace, to whom all its bleffings be
long ; and are intitled to the kingdom of glory,
which fhall be your inheritance for ever.
21 Bleffed are 21 Bleffed are ye who willingly fuffer hardfhips
ye that hunger am\ hunger for my fake, and arc more earneft in your
IT&IU^ yBkffed defires and Purfuits *&* fpiritual and eternal blef-
are ye that weep fingS than after your neceffary food : .For all thefe
now^: for ye fhall ;appetites of your renewed fouls fhall.be- certainly and
faugh, -abandantly fatisfied. Whatfoever the world may
think of you, ye are really bleffed, 'whofe outward
circumftances are now affliftive on my account ; and
whofe inward grief and mourning for fin, and for the
difhonour done to. my name, are ftill more touching
to you : For ye fhall have fecret confolations to
1 fweeten thefe troubles ; and in a little time everlafting
joy and gladnefs fhall be upon your heads, and all
your fon-ow and fighing fhall flee away.
Vol. II. K 22 Once

<?2 22 Bfeffed are
ye when men ffiall
hate you,, and
when they fhall fe
parate you from
their company, and
Jhall reproached k,
afnd caft out your
name £s evil, for
the Son of man's
fake. 23 Rejoice ye in
that day, and Hap
for joy-: for, be
hold, your reward
is great in hea
ven : for in the
like manner did
their fathers unto
the prophets.

24 But wo un
to you that are
rich ! for ye have
received your con-
folatiqn.

25 Wo unto you
that are full ! for
ye fliall hunger.
Wo unto you that
laugh now ! for ye
fliall mourn and
weep.

26 Wo unto you
when all men fliall
fpeak well of you!
for fo did their fa
thers to the falfe
prophets.

27 But I fay un
to you which hear,
. Love your , ene
mies, do good to
fjhem

She Evangelift

Chap. vi.

22 Qnce more, .Bleffed are ye, even when the wick
ed of- the earth fhall be full of enmity and fpite a-
gainft you, and refufe to have any fociety with you,
in civil or facred concerns ; and when they fhall load
you with infamous flanders, as if ye were the moft ,
deteftable wretches on earth, and ffiall pafs unrighte
ous decrees againft you, merely for yeur faithful ad
herence to the true Meffiah.
23 Think of thefe things as your glory : Rejoice,
and be exceeding glad, that ye are counted worthy
to fuffer fhame for my name's fake: For obferve what"
I fay, heaven will make you a rich and eyerlafling a-
mends for all your tribulations in this world. And
ye are herein only the brethren and companions of
the beft men that ever lived upon earth : For, in for-:
mer days, the anceftors of thefe wicked perfeciitors;
ufed the moft famous prophets, and holy men of God,
in the like barbarous manner ; and as ye have fellow-
fhip with them in their fufferings, ye fhall likewife
be partakers of their glory.
24 .But,, on the contrary, dreadful is the cafe, of
thofe among you, whether ye profefs to be my difci
ples or not, who are rich in your own conceits, felf-
opinionated and felf-righte»us ; and who truft in the
riches pf this world, as. if your happinefs lay in them :
For ye already have your all ; and as your corifola-'
tion is more imaginary than real, and there will be
none after it, it is but a'miferable portion.
25 Wo unto thofe of you that are fo full of your
felves, and of creature-comforts* as to defire nothing
better I For ye fhall hereafter be entirely deftitute of
every thing that is good ; and your eager, painful
appetites for happinefs fhall never be fatisfied. Wo
unto thofe of you, that now fpend your days in jollity,
mirth, and pleafure, are ftrangers to godly forrow,
and indulge ' yourfelves in fenfual delights ! For all
your joy fhall foon be turned into bitter mourning,
weeping, wailing, and gnafhing of teeth, for ever.
26 And a heavy wo lies upon thofe of you who,
preferring the applaufe of men to the favour of God,
temporize and ftick at nothing to gain the good
will and good word of every man, and ftudy to accorn-
modate yourfelves to their lulls and paffions, that they
may flatter you, as ye do them \ For it was by thefe
means that men, in former ages, were generally
brought to carefs hypocritical and falfe prophets,
more than the true and faithful fervants of God.
27 But to proceed : I fay unto every one of you
that hear me preach, Do not confine your love, as ye
have been taught by the rabbies, to your own country
men, friends, and relations, nor to thofe pf your own

Chap. vi.

Luke paraphrafed.

63

ufe you.

20 Arid unto him
that fmiteth thee
on the one cheek,
offer alfo the other ;
and him, that ta
keth away thy

them which hate own religion ; but bear all good-will, even to your
yQL1i enemies, and be fo juft to them as to have a due e-
fteem of every thing that is valuable in them, or done
by them : And how inveterate foever they may be a-
gainft you, be ye fo far their friends, as to do what
in you lies to promote their happinefs.
25 Blefs them 28 Speak as well as you can of them, and wifh
that curfe you, aU good to them, who revile and imprecate the
whicrYefpiJfoily woril of, evils upon you; and inftead of returning
their injurious and fpiteful ufage, recommend them
to the mercy of God, begging that he would convince
them of their iniquities, change their hearts, and for
give them ; and that he would reftrain and defeat
their wicked purpofes, and be better to them than they_
are to you, or than ye yourfelves can be to. them.
29 And if the'violence, which any one offers, be as
affronting and provoking to your perfon -f- as a cuff
on the ear or face, and as injurious to your property
as taking away an ufeful garment ; rather yield to
his repeating the affront and injury, than gratify
cloak, forbid not fo malicious refentment in righting yourfelf. If you can-
takdthy coat alfo. not read;Iy ^ reI;ef by kgal authority, and in me
thods becoming Chriftian charity, rather fuffer wrong,
than feek private, revenge, or than indulge a litigious
quarrelfome temper by expenfive and tedious law-fuits.,
in which the remedy may be worfe than the difeafe.
30 Give to eve- go If any one, whether friend or enemy, afks re-
ry man that afketh foe and ar£ well fat;sned he ;8 ;p want be ready
ofthee; andofhim . • , • ,. .... , .,- '
that taketh away to glve to him according to your ability ; and if any
thy goods, afk them honeft man has borrowed your money, or taken your
not again. goods upon truft, and is not able to return or pay
for them, do not arreft the poor infolvent debtor,
and throw -him into prifon, nor be fevere in demand
ing -vyhat cannot be had.
3 1 And let this be the general rule of your con
duft toward every one, in all fituations of life,
Whatfoever, upon ferious, cool, and difinterefted con-
fiderarion, ye would think to be fit ami reafonable,
in equity or charity, in honour or confeience, for o-
thers to do, or refrain doing to you, were ye in their
circumftances, and they in your's ; put yourfelves in
to their place, fo as to make their cafe your own,
and do, or forbear, the very fame things to them.
32, 33, 34 Thefe are the holy, excellent and dif
tinguifhing duties of religion, which I enjoin upon
them that would be my difciples ; For if ye only re
turn love to thofe that have an affeftion for you, and
are kind only to them that are fo to you, and lend
K 2 only
NOTE.
.. t Thefe feem to have been prgverbial exnu-flion?, to fignify an invafion «f the
tytidereft points of honour and prcpeny.

31 And as ye
would that men
fiiould do to you,
do ye alfo to them
likewife.

32 For if ye love
them which love
you, what thank
have ye ? for fin
ners

64

The Evangelift

Chap. vi.

ner$.alfa love thofe
that love them.,
33 And if ye
do good to them
which do- good tp
you, what thank
have ye? for fin
ners alfo do even
¦the fame.
34 And if ye lend
to them of whom
ye hope to receive,
what thank have
ye ? for finners alfo
lend to finners, to
receive as much a-

35 But love ye
your enemies, and
do good, and lend,
hoping for nothing
again ; and your re
ward fhall be great,
and ye (hall be the
children , of the
Higheft : for he is
kind unto the un
thankful, and to
the evil,'

36 Be ye there
fore merciful, ' as
your Father alfo is
rnercifuL

37 Judge not,
and ye fhall not
be judged : con
demn not, and ye
lhall not be con
demned : forgive,
and ye fliall be
forgiven :

only to them from whom ye expeft to receive again
as much, or more, what is there in all this that can
be of any account with God ? Or what man will have
any great efteem of this, or think himfelf obliged to
you for it ? For the common principles of humanity
and prudence, of gratitude and juftice, yea, of inte
reft itfelf, naturally prompt to thefe things. And
all this is no more than, generally fpeaking, people
do who know nothing of God, and have .10 confei
ence, or principle of religion to govern them. It is no
more than is done by the very heathens, nay, by the
publicans themfelves, who, as ye yourfelves judge,
ftand in the rank of the worft of finners, and are
fome of the moft felf-interefted, covetous, and oppref-
five fort of men in the world ; and they do all this
to perfons as bad( as themfelves. If therefore ye go
no further than this, what do ye more than others I
ox what are ye better than they ?
35 But I infill, upon it, as ever ye would be my
difciples indeed, That ye be kind even to fuch as in
jure you ; that ye do good, and lend, as there may
be occafion; to them from whom ye can rcafonably
hope for no returns. And know, for your encourage
ment, that whatfoever ye thus do from a principle
of faith in me, and pf love and obedience to me ; the
lefs hope ye have of a due reward from men,, the
greater fhall be your reward of grace from God, who
will often return.it with large increafe in this world,
and will certainly remember and own it to your e-
verlafting advantage in the next : And ye will here-
- by refemble, and fhew yourfelves to be, the children
of your heavenly Father ; for in his providential dif
penfations, ' he is merciful and gopd to the ungrate
ful and wicked, as well as to the thankful and holy.
36 Let it therefore be your higheft ambition and
concern, that ye may have grace to imitate the blefs-
ed and glorious God himfelf, as children of his own
likenefs, in extending your beneficence and charity,
as far as poffible, to all forts of men, whether they
be friends or foes, good or bad.
37 Moreover, take heed of rafhly cenfuring o-
thers, or judging their hearts and their eternal ftate :
And dp not be forward to aggravate any one's crime,
or utterly condemn him in doubtful cafes, or for a
fingle aft, as ever ye would not be judged and con
demned by others, nor by the great God, for your
uncharitablenefs, and for taking his judgment into
your own hands : And when, in private, perfonal af
fairs, any offend you ; put the moft favourable con-
llruftion on their conduft, and be ready to pafs it
by, as ever ye defire and hope for forgivenefs from
thofe

Chap. vi. Luke paraphrafed. 65
thofe whom ye yourfelves may difobligc ; and efpe
cially from God, againft whom, in many things,
ye all offend. (Jam. iii. 2.)
38 Give, and it 38 And whenever ye are called to charitable dif-
fliall be gives un- tributions, give freely and liberally, as ye are able,
__ to you ; good mea- anj ag nee(j reqUires ; and God will, One way or o-
and' Shaken tog"- th«-j return bleffings upon you, either in kind or va-
tber aad. running hie, with fuch an advantageous overplus, as fhall be
over, fliall men like not barely filling, but even thrutting and heap-
give mto your jng a Dumej( till it runs over : For according to the
tlieTme^eafure true meanilvg of a proverbial expreffion, He that
that ye mete with- fi>ws or gives fparingly., fhall reap ox receive fparing-
al, it (hall be mea- ly : And he that fows bountifully, Jhall aljo reap
lured to you a- bountifully. (2 Cor. ix. 6.)
gam" .,,,,. 3.0 Our Lord likewife took occafion to caution the
so And he make J7, , , c 111 • n •
a parable unto people, under the covert of a parable f, againft ig-
them, Can the norartt and falfe teachers, and particularly the fcribes
blind lead the and Pharifees, thofe blind guides, and to warn his
mtn<Wth1-authmy difc'Pks againft beinS like them ; faying, " If one
to the ditch ? " blind w-an leads another, what can be expefted but
that they both fhould fall into mifchief: " Thereby
intimating, that if . any ignorant and erroneous
preacher, who knows not God' and the way of fal
vation, pretends to teach others, and they, give them
felves up to his guidance, they are all in the utmoft.
danger of falling into the pit of deftruftipn, and of
perifhing there together ; the people without excufe,
and the preacher with high aggravations of his fin
and mifery.
40 The difci- 40 Whatfoever difficulties and fufferings therefore,
pie is not above fjjd he, may attend my followers in obferving and
his mafter : but communicat;no- the better inftruftions which I have
every one that is . . ° , r, . , , , ,
perfect fhall be as glven them in my doctrine -and example, let them not
his mafter. think much at it : For the difciple fhould not ex
peft to be exempted from doing what his mafter
¦ doth, nor from fuffering what he fubmitteth to ; but
the higheft perfeftion of a difciple lies in his being
like his mafter, and learning of him.
41 And why be- 41 And let him who would be didy qualified to
holdeft thou the ;nftru£t and reform others, begin firft at home : For
mote that is in j]ow prepofi^-ong anC\ unbecoming is it for any of
tny brother's eye, , r •¦,-, , • ,t • 11- •
but perceiveft not vou to he quick-lighted in adeeming, and fevere in
the aggravating and cenfuring, even the fmalleft failings of
NOTE.
f As parables were fuited to prevent light. Mat. xiii. 10, 11, 13. And at 0.
prejudices againft the truths intended by ,ther times he ufed them, when he knew
them,. and to ftir up inquiries after them : that plain and open declarations would
(fee the note on Mat. xiii. 3.) So Chrift too much provoke the paffions of his hear-
fom'etimes f'pake by them for gracious in- c-rs, and that they could not be borne,
formation to his own difciples, and for Mark iv. 33. It is for this reaion that
righteous Concealment from others who he feems to ufe the parable of the blind
n-ijfully fliut their eyes againft clearer leading the blind.

the beam that is
in thine own eye ?

42 Either how
canft thou fay to
¦thy brother, Bro
ther, let me pull
out the mote that
!s in ' thine, eye,
when thou, thyfelf
feeholdeft not the
>>eam that is in
thine own ,' eye ?
Thou hypocrite,
-caft out firft the
beam out of thine
own eye, and then
(halt thou fee clear
ly to pull out the
mote that is in thy
brother's eye."
43 For a good
tree bringeth not
forth corrupt fruit :
neither doth a cor
rupt tree bring
forth good fruit.

The Evangelift

Chap. vi.

44 For every
tree is known by
his own fruit : for
of thorns men do
not gather figs, nor
jof a bramble-bufli
gather they grapes.

45 A good man,
out of the good
treafure of his
heart, bringeth
forth that which
is good ; and an
evil rnan, out of
the

of others ; 'but, at the fame time, to be blind, or ex
ceeding favourable, to your own more heinous crimes,
fo as to overlook, extenuate, and excufe them, as if
they were mere trifles, or there were no harm in them?
42 Or how can you' be fit to. correft leffer matters
that are amifs in your brother j and wiith what face can"
you attempt it, while you take no notice of your own
much greater faults ; or if you are confcious of them,
take no . care about redreffing them ? This is ¦ the
groffeft hypocrify : And whatfoever fuch an one may
pretend to, he is no enemy to fin, as fuch ; but is
rather an enemy to his brother, than to his fin .; nor
is be like to do much good by his reproofs. If
therefore you would aft a wife, an upright, and a
fuccefsful part in correfting • and inftrufting others,
begin firft with your own hearts and ways ; fee that
they be purified from the guilt and power of all ini
quity ^ and then you will be more capable of repro
ving and direfting your brother with judgment,decen-
cy, and authority, and more likely to fucceed in it.
43 For every man is good or bad, according to
his'governing principle ; and his life will be anfwer
able to it. As~the fruit of a good tree is excellent,
and that of a bad one is worthlefs, according to
their refpeftive kinds : So a good man and holy mini-
fter, whofe heart is renewed by grace, brings forth
the genuine fruits of righteoufnefs in his life and doc
trine ; and an unrenewed man and corrupt minifter,
whofe principles are wrong, brings forth fruits of
iniquity and falfehood in his converfation and mini-
ftrations ; nor can the contrary to this be reafonably
expefted from them feverally.
44 For as men rightly judge of the nature of a
tree, by the fort of fruit it bears ; fo they may of
peoples prevailing thoughts and difpofitioris, by their
tendencies and effefts : For as, in the natural and
vegetable world, every thing produces according to
its own nature, fig-trees figs, and vines grapes, nei->
ther of which can grow upon thorn-trees and bram-
ble-bufhes : So, in the fpiritual and moral world,
gracious and holy men and minifters bring forth fpi
ritual and holy words and aftions ; and unregenerate
carnal men cannot produce fruits of righteoufnefs in
their lives and miniftry, while their notions are cor
rupt and their hearts vicious.
45 This may be further illuftrated by the nature
of a fountain : As a clear and fweet fpring will fend
forth clean and pleafant water ; fo the man, whofe
heart is enriched with ftores of fpiritual knowledge
and grace, will bring forth fuch things in his life as
are favoury and edifying, and weU-pkafmg in God's
fight:

Chap.

Vi.

Luke paraphrased.

Ot]

the evil treafure of
his heart, bringeth
forth that which
is evil : for of the
abundance of the
heart his mouth
fpeaketh. 46 ' And why
call ye me Lord,
Lord, and do not '
the things which I

¦ 47 Whofoever
cometh to me, and
heareth my fay-
ihgs, and' doeth
them, I1 will fhew
you to whom he is
like 48 He is like a
man which built
an houfe, and dig
ged deep, and
laid the foundation
on a rock ; and
when the flood a-
rofe, the ftream
beat vehemently
upon that houfe,
and could not
(hake it ; for it
was founded upon
a rock.

49 But he that
heareth and doeth
not, is like a man
that, without a
foundation, built
an houfe upon the
earth ; againft
which the ftream
did beat vehe
mently, and im
mediately it fell ;
and, ¦ the ruin of
that

fight : And, on the other hand, as a filthy, muddy
fpring will fend forth foul and naufeous flreams ; fo a
gracelefs man, whofe heart is full of vile lulls and cor
rupt affeftions, will vent fuch things as are offenfive
to God,, and injurious to himfelf and others : For
mens language and behaviour will, be according to the
prevailing thoughts and bias of their hearts.
¦ 46 Now, "to apply all this. to yourfelves : What
fignifies your pretending relation to me ; or your ver
bal acknowledgments of me, with feeming refpeft,
as your Lord ; or your loud addreffes, with feeming
earneftnefs and importunity, to me as foch ; or even
your preaching in my name to others ? How prepo-
fterous and abfurd, how vain and hypocritical, is all
this ; what an affront to me, and what a cheat upon
yourfelves ? Of with what face can ye do it, or what
good ends can ye propofe to yourfelves by it, if, at
the fame time, ye do not receive me and my words in
to your hearts by faith, nor yield yourfelves up to
mine authority, nor aft fuitable to your profeffion of
my name ?
47, ,48 The cafe of fincere believers,, and of hypo
critical profeffors, mzf be fitly reprefented by this
plain fimilitude : Whoever comes by faith to me, at
tends to my doftrine, and heartily falls in with it,
that he may obferve and put it into practice ; he is
like a careful, prudent man, who, being to build an
houfe, dug away the loofe ground, till he could lay
its foundation upon a folid rock ; and this was fuch
' a ftrengthening to it, that no floods or ftorms .could
undermine Or overfet it : -So' the true believer can
not fatisfy himfelf with notions and profeffions/ or fu-
• perficial pretences in religion, but fearches till he finds
a fure foundation to reft upon ; and then builds, by
a praftical faith, on- the Rock of ages ; and being
founded on this Rock, no temptations or terrors, per
fections or dangers, how furioufly foever they may
beat upon him and fliake him, fhall ever be able to o-
verthrow and ruin him in his fpiritual and eternal con
cerns ; he will endure to the end, and be faved.
49 But, on the contrary, whoever only gives my
word the hearing, and takes up with a bare profef
fion of my name, without concerning himfelf any fur
ther ; he is like a fooliih, weak man, who, being to
build' an houfe, took no manner of care about its
foundation ; but fet it upon loofe or fandy ground,
which had no ftrength or firmnefs in it ; and as foon
as ever any flood or ftorm beat upon it, down it fell,
to its utter ruin. So will it be with the hypocritical
falfe profeffor : He, having no folid fupport for his
pretences to religion or his hopes of happinefs, will
never

68 The Evangelift - Chap., vii*
that heufe was r,ever be able to ftand in a day of great trial ; but
^re ' '•" when the times run againft him, and grievous perfe
ctions befal him for the gofpel's fake, he will prove
a fad apoftate in this world, - and periffa with- a ven
geance in the world to come.
RECOLLE&TIONS.
How confifteirt are .works of neceffity and- mercy with the fanftificatron of a
Sabbath to the Lord ! and yet how vain are pleas from thence againft a. religious
obfervation of tire Lord's day! Chrift's authority is a fufficient anfwer to the cavils
of men ; but is not to be ftretched beyond his-defign. He knows all oar thoughts,
and foes when any one's eye is evil, becaufe his is good; and we, after his exam
ple, fhould never be afraid of doing good, how much foever others may be enraged
at it, or how malicioufly foever they may reproach us for it : It is our duty to at
tempt every thing that he commands us, in hope of ftrength from him to enable us
to- perform it ; but we. like him, fhould give ourfelves to prayer, efpecially when
important affairs lie before us. How wonderful and effectual are Chrift's works of
power and mercy '. They are bleffed indeed, whom he blefTes ; but they muft he
dreadfully miferable that fall undei* his wo and cuife. O what rich advantages
will the faint have over the (inner in the other world; and what a wide difference
is" there in their rewards, how much foever the firmer may profper, and the faint
rriWy be airlifted here '. And amidft all the trials of the prefent life, how beneficent
and kind, beautiful and excellent, is the fpirit and defign of Chriftianity, which
calls us to an imitation of Our heavenly Father, in his moft amiable and endearing
perfections and operations, to forgive injuries, and to overcome evil with good 1 It
is a great thing to be a Chriftian indeed ; and what a reproach is it for perfons of
that charafter, not to do more than others toward God, and toward enemies as
well as friends! What occafion have they for daily humiliation and repentance, on
account of their continflal fallings fhort' of the glory of God: And what need of
daily forgivenefs for daily fins ! Were we more fenfible of our own' defects, we
lhould be lefs fevere in our cenfures of others ; but holy men are the fitted and
moft likely to be inftrumeHts of promoting holinefs in thofe about them. It there
fore highly concerns us to take heed whom we hear and follow, and how we teach
and lead : Our chief ambition fhould be to copy after Chrift ; and if we are but
conformed to him in his holinefs, we fhall not think much at being fo in his* fuffer-
ings. The great end of hearing his doftrine is, to receive it by faith, and praftife ,
it in evangelical obedience : For true religion begins in the change of a raairfs
heart ; and the only way of others judging concerning it, is by the fruits it pro
duces in his life. If we indeed come to Chrift, and receive him with fuch a faith
as works by love, we reft on a fure foundation ; and, whatfoever our temptations
and difficulties may be, we fliall hold on, and hold out, to our eternal fafety and
joy: But if we take up, with hypocritical pretences, fhows, and forms, without
the power of religion, we fliall certainly mifcarry in a day of trial, to our prefent
(name, and everlafting ruin.

CHAP. VII.

Chrift cures the centurion's fervant, i, — io. Raifes the widow' s
fon from the dead at Nain, n,— 18. John'j- meffengers. tt
Chrifi, and his anfwer to them, 19, — 23. His account of John,
arid of his miniftry, 24, — 30. His reproof of the Jews for re-
jefliug both John and himfelf, 31, — 35. ~And his illufiration of
God's free forgivenefs, with its effects, by the fimilitude of a
forgiven debtor, 36,— -50.
Text. Paraphrase.
^°had c^ded aU ]ST0W when our Lord ^ad finiffi'ed the afore-men-
his tioned difcourfe, which he delivered in a public man-

Chap. vii. Luke paraphrafed. 69
his fayings in the manner to his difciples and abundance of other people
audience of the then pfefenty he went to Capernaum, the place of his
people, he entered ft f ^ refidence,
into Capernaum., . . .
¦z And a certain z And at this city there was a fervant ot a certain
centurion'sfervant, Roman Captain over an hundred foldiers, who was
who was dear unto much efteemed by his mafter, and lay dangeroufly
him was fick, and fick -f _., , Mg v;;; g -, . ft ^ . f
ready to die. r J > \ J J r r
death, and paft alt hope ot recovery by any human
means.
3 And when he 3 And when the captain heard of Chrift's miracles,
heard of Jefus, he and 0f jjjs arr;val at that place> ne believed that this
lent unto him the jr-i _r -ui.ii.-r r> .. i_ •
elders of the Tews wonderful perfon could heal his fervant : But, being
bei'eeching him himfelf a Gentile, and a Roman officer, thought it
that he would might be- too prefumptuous to go in perfon and afk
come and heal his focn a fav0ur ; and therefore, in teftimony of his own
humility, and great refpeft to Jefus, he got fome of
the Jewifih elders, men of charafter, to go- to him,
and earneftly entreat that he would come to his houfe,
and cure his fick fervant. (See the note on Mitt.
viii. 5, 6.)
4 And when 4 Accordingly, when thefe meffengers came to
they- came to Je- our bleffed Lfird, they were very urgent with him to
him inftLtfy^y- gratlfy the centurion ; and, to enforce his requeft, faid
ing, That he was for him what he never would have faid for himfelf,
worthy for whom vi%. That he was worthy, not only of regard from the
he fhould do this: Jewifh nation, who were highly indebted to him-;
but even of Chrift's kindeft notice, as if he were o-
bliged to fhew him this favour :
5 For he loveth - For, fay they, though he be a Roman officer,
eur nation, and he z \. \. d cr -sx- c <* jr
hath built us a fy- de e as a &reat atteitlon r0r us Je™> and for our
nagogue. religion j- ; and, in teftimony^of his faith in the God
of Ifrael, he himfelf has, at his own proper coft and
charges, built us a fynagogue for divine worfhip.
6 Then Jefus fj Then Jefus, who loves to encourage, and grant
A^'X^hfwTs the requeftsof humble fouls, readily went with the
now not far from meffengers, irf order to his working the cure for which
the houfe, the cen- they came to him : And as fooii as the centurion
tnrion fent friends heard of his condefcenfion and grace in coming with
to -him faying un- fucll a def toward h;s houf he ftill humbled him-
to him, Lord, trou- r ,r \b , , r , -r. ,
ble not thyfelf : for e" yet more an" mor<;> and lent other friends to
I am not worthy meet him in the way ; and they, perfonating the cen-
that thou fiiould ft turion, faid, Lord, It is too much for thee to give
enter under my thyfelf the trouble of coming home to me : I am far
from infifting. upon this ; for, whatever kind things
others may fay of me, I am a poor Gentile finner, who
NOTE.
t He probably had acquainted himfelf loving their nation relates to his refpeft
with the law and the prophets' whilft to them above all other nations, though
he lived among t,he Jews, and from it cannot be fuppofed that he had an e-
thence had conceived a good opinion of fteem for every individual perfon among
them, as the people, of God; and his them.
Vol. II. v L

7°

The Evangelift

Chap, vii.

who cannot but think myfelf utterly unworthy of be
ing honoured with thy prefence in my houfe.
7 Wherefore nei- 7 This thought prevented me, otherwife I had"
ther thought I my- certainly waited in perfon upon thee ; and I much
felf worthy to come t felf unworthy 0f thy coming unto mei
unto thee : but fay > T ' .. - . - ., ' , ¦¦ J . ° , r
in a word and Befides, I am well fatisfied that there is no need ot
my fervant (hall be thy ftooping thus far to fuch a poor finful wretch as
healed. I am, in order to thy anfwering my requeft ; but
that, wherefoever thou art, if thou wilt only give
the word of command, my fervant fhall be as effec
tually recovered as if thou wert corporally prefent
with him.
8 For I alfo am 8 For even I, (x.au y«eg ey«) a mean, petty officer^
a man fet under have fuch authority over myband of foldiers, that,
authority, having whenever I give the word of command, they readily
and" foy unto one' obey me, and go and come, and do this and the o-
Go, andhegoeth; ther bufinefs, according to my appointment, whether
and to another, I am prefent or not : How much more canft thou,
Come, and he co- wno exercifeft abfolute power j- in the way of thy
working, like the fovereign Lord of ficknefs ^nd
health, life and death, fecure obedience to thy orders ;
fo that all diftempers muft come and go at thy com
mand,. whenever thou pleafeft, and wherever thou art ?
9 When Jefus heard thefe uncommon expreffions'
heard thefe things, of the centurion's faith, attended with fuch profound
he marvelled at reverence anr\ humility ; though he could not but
¦him' about arid know it before-hand, being himfelf the author of it,
faid unto the peo- he feemed as if he were mightily furprifed at it, as
pie that followed people ufe to be at rare and unexpected events : And,
1"IH' / vlay "nt° turning to the company that were going, along with
found fo ereat ^'m' ^e fpa^e °f 't to them in terms of high admi-
- ration and applaufe, faying, to the centurion's ho
nour, and the reproach of the Jews, I have not met
with any inftance of fo remarkably eminent and hum
ble a faith before, no, not among God's own cove
nant-people, the, Ifraelites themfelves, as has now been
manifefted by this Gentile officer, from whom there
was little room to expeft any at all.
10 And as Chrift thus commended, fo he graci
oufiy owned and anfwered his faith ; ( Mat. viii.
13.) for as foon as the centurion's friends returned
home, they found his fervant perfeftly recovered from
his late dangerous difeafe.
1 1 As Jefus always went about doing gppd, fo
the

meth ; and to my
fervant, Do this,
and he doeth it.

9 When Jefus

.faith, no, not in If
rael.

10 And they
that were fent, re
turning to the
houfe, found the
fervant whole that
had been fick.
1 1 And it came to . N O
t When we obferve how the expref
fions of the centurion anfwer to what he
may be fuppofed to have read, about the
fovereign dominion that was peculiarly
afcribed to the God of Ifrael, in ordering

T E.
{Deut. vii. 15. & xxxii. 39. & 1 Sam.
ii. fi.) we can hardly forbear thinking
that he believed in Chrift, as a divine
Perfon, who could fend or take off.di-
ftempers, in a fovereign manner, by his

diftempers to go and come at his pleafyre, bare word, whenever he pleafed.

Chap. vii.

Luke paraphrafed.

7*

carried out, the on
ly fon of his mo
ther, and fhe was

to pafs the day af- the next day he turned his courfe to a certain town
ter, that he went caUed Nain, in the outward border of Iffachar to-
Nafo* and many wa*d Samaria i and feveral of his difciples, with
of , his difciples great multitudes of 'other people, accompanied him
went with him, thither. J
and much people. j 2 Now as fo appr0ached the entrance into the
12 Now when to obferve, a remarkable opportunity offered for
he came nigh to ... ,' . , . ' . . *K. x ' ... , .
the gate of the ci- diipfaying his divine power : rfe met with a, deaa
ty, behold, there man, whom the Jews, according to their cuftom,
was a dead man were carrying upon a bier to bury him in a place
out of the city ; and whom, being the only fon of a
widow, fhe, with a great company of her friends and
widow: and neighbours, were attending to his funeral.
much people of 13 When therefore, the Lord Jefus faw the tender
the city was with mother bitterly lamenting the lofs of her fon +, he,
Arid when °^ n*s own mere go<)dnefs, without any one's fpeak-
the Lord faw her, ing to him, was moved with compaffion towards her ;
he had compaffion and, refolving in himfelf what to do, fpoke in a
on her, and laid friendly manner to her, faying, Do not take on at
unto her, Weep ^ mournful rate for the death of your fon,
14 And he came J4 Upon which they that carried the corpfe made
¦and touched the a flop to fee what Jefus intended to do ; and he, co-
bier, (and they mfng up, laid his hand upon the bier on which the
J"™ dead body lay; and, with the majefty and authority of
a God, faid, Young man, I command thee to get up.
15 As foon as Jefus had uttered thefe words, the
dead man inftantly rifing, fat upon the bier, and be-
15 And he that gan to fpeak in the audience of the people, as if no-
was dead, fat up, ^ had a;jed him And chHft reftored him t hjg
and began to ? t 1 „ ¦
fpeak : and he de- mother alive and well, that he might be a comfort
livered him to his to her, and that every one might be fully fatisfied of
mother. his being truly raifed from the dead.
iS And there 16 And all the company were ftruck with awful
came a fear on all : fear and wonder, tp fee a dead man immediately re-
and they glorified COvered to life by a fovereign word of command :
And, being convinced that nothing lefs than the
power of God himfelf was in it, they broke out in
to thankful and admiring praifes, faying, An ex-
hls traordinary prophet, even the great Meffiah himfelf,
whom we expefted, is come amongft us ; ( Job,-? vi.
14.) and God at length (in-arxi-J/aro) has looked up
on his people Ifrael in much mercy, to redeern them
from all their troubles. (Chap. i. 68.)
17 And this ru- 17 And this miracle was fo evident \, uner.cep-
monr L 2 tjonable,

that bare
ftood ftill:) and he
faid, Young man,
I fay unto thee, A-
rife.

God, faying, That
a great prophet is
rifen up among us ;
and, That God
hath vifited
people.

N O
f He probably had been the chief fup
port and comfort of her widowhood.
\ It is horrid and ridiculous trifling,
inftead of arguing, for any infidels to in-
finuate, without the leaft foundation, a-

T E S.
this young man was not really dead, but
was only in a fort of lethargy • For his
mother, and other relations and friends,
certainly believed him to be dead ; and
he being an only fon, for whom there

gainft the plained matter of faft, as if was fo much lamentation, we may be
fure

?2 The Evangelift Chap. vii.
mour of him went tionable, and divine, that it could not be concealed
forth throughout or den;ed . but the report of it was fpread to Chrift's
tLug&all the Mour, and became the fubjeft of dommon conVerfa-
region round a- tion far and near, through the whole province ot
bout. Judea, and all the countries on every fide that bor
dered upon it.
1 8 And the dif- 18 Among others,- there were fome difciples of
ciples of John John the Baptift, who, feeming to be concerned for
trTic^hhi'™ °f aU his credit' and envious pf Chrift's growing reputa-
U1SS' tion, went to their matter in prifon, and told him all
that they had feen or heard, of this and other won--
derful miracles, that they might have his opinion
of him who wrought them.
19 And John 1 9 And as John had all along direfted his difciples
calling . unto him to Chrift, fo he was defirous to have matters further
two of his difciples, cieared up alm confirmed to them concerning him :
£ 1a7mg?°Art And therefore, fingling out two of them, who might
thou he that' fiiould be depended upon as faithful witneffes, he ordered
come ? or look we them to go, as from himfelf, to Jefus,' and afk him
for another.' tm"s pJajn queftion, Whether he "Was indeed the Mef
fiah, (0 e^oftevos) who, according to ancient prophe
cy, fhould come into the world ; or whether they
were to expeft any other perfon under that charafter J
20 When the 20 Accordingly, when the two meffengers came
men were come to Jefus, they told him, John the Baptift had fent
™}to him. They them t0 defire tnat be would pleafe to fatisfy them,
tift ' hath "fent ^s whether he was indeed the promifed Meffiah, whom
unto thee, faying, they expefted to come into the world? or whether
Art thou he that they were ftill to wait for the appearance of fome o-
ihould come ? or jjjer ?
ther j"6 fOT a"°" 2l And at the yeT inftant °? tlldr al'Hva1' JefuS
2 1 And in that was working, and went on to work many miracles, in
fome hour he cu- healing all forts of difeafes, cafting devils out of per-
red many of their fons that were pofi'effed, and reftoring fight to the
infirmities and y;, and tQ do other &&s qC mercy al]d p0Wer that
plagues, and ot 1 r j r 1 . • 1 1 r j
evil fpirits : and were prophefied ot, as to be particularly performed
unto many that by the Meffiah. (Ifa. xxxv. 5, 6. and lxi. 1.)
were blind he gave 22 Then, turning to the meffengers, he ordered
ilSllt- them to go back to John, and tell him all that they
smfwerin/faBun- themfelves had been eye and ear-witneffes of, as cer-
to them, Go your tain proofs of his being the true Meffiah ; particU-
way and tell John larly, that he opened the eyes of the blind, made the
what things ye iame to walk„ cleanfed lepers, reftored the deaf to
have their
NOTE.
fore they would never have attempted to fuch a thing, how could he tell that he
bury him had there been the leaft ground would awake out of it juft at the minute
of I'uipicion to the contrary. Befides, if when he fiiould touch the bier and (peak.
the notion that infidels have of Chrift to him > and why fiiould he, of his own
Mere true, how could he, coming by as accord, hazard his reputation fo far, as
a ftranger, know better than all the to offer to raife him to life, upon fuch
vnuiig loan's own acquaintance, that lie unlikely fuppofitions in his own mind.'
Vi-as only in a lethargy ? Or, if he fancied

Luke paraphrafed.

Chap. vn. Luke paraphrajed. 73
have feen and their hearing, and even raifed the. dead to life again ;
heard ; how that tjjat fo d;d a]] thefe Jn a fovereign, godlike manner,
the blind fee, the ^ j jtn touch or a WOrd, according to his own
lame walk, the ' < ' ° .
lepers are clean- will ; and that the goipei, tor the confirmation or
which he wrought thefe miracles, was preached to,
and moftly received by, the poor of this world, and
was heartily embraced by meek and humble fouls.
23 And to all this our Lord further added, He, and
he only, is happy, and fhall be fo for ever, who is not
prejudiced againft me ; nor rejefts me by unbelief;
nor is afhamed to own me,' on account of my fpiri
tual, felf-denying, and holy doftrine, or the mean
nefs of my appearance and followers, or the envy of
mine enemies,, and the like.
24 When John's difciples were gone back to him-f-
with this anfwer, Jefus began to fpeak to the com
mon people with high commendation of him, and of
his miniftry, faying, What end did ye propofe to
yourfelves in flocking after John, when he preached
and baptized in the defert I Did ye follow him for
nothing : Or did ye go to fee and hear a whimfical
man talking backward and forward, in the teftimony
he gave to me ? If fo, this was mere trifling indeed,
like running to fee a reed fhaken to and fro with the
wind : But he certainly was another-guefs perfon ;
his doftrine was important, and always the fame ;
and you ought to have been stedfaft in your adhe
rence to it.
25 What was it then that ye followed him for ?
Did ye expeft to meet with a man appearing in all
the pomp, luxury, and gaieties of this world, that ye
might gratify your curiofity with fuch a fight ? Or
did ye go to hear him, and to be baptized by him, in
gorgeoufly ap- purfuJ(- 0f temporal honours ? This was as foolifh, as
parelled, and live * it- r r, 1 i n 1
delicately are in 't was unworthy : ror a man ot fuch a character, and
promoting fuch views was to be expefted in a royal

are
fed, the deaf hear,
the dead are rai
fed, to the poor the
gofpel is preached.
23 And blefl'ed
is lie, whofoever
fliall not be of
fended in me.

24 And, when
the meffengers of
John were depart
ed, he began to
fpeak unto the
people concerning
John, What went
ye out into the wil
dernefs for to fee ?
A reed (haken with
the wind :

25 But what
went ye out for
to fee ? A man
.clothed in foft rai
ment > Behold,
they which are

kings courts.

26 Bat what
went ye but for to
fee ? A prpphet ?
Yea,

court ; and would have appeared in another fort of

place,
did.

and made another fort of figure, than John

N O
t Chrift did not fpeak the following
things in the hearing of John's difciples,
left he fhould feem to flatter John, or to
puff up his pride, or to compliment him
into an adherence to his former teftimo
ny to himfelf. As to avoid all fofpicions
of this kind, he held no correfpondence
with John in prifon, nor did any thing
to fet him at liberty; fo, for like rea-

26' If then it was not with fuch expectations as
thefe, What was it that ye went out after him for ?
Was it to hear a prophet of the Lord J.Thus I know ye
T E.
fons, he might defer this commendation
of him till the menengers were gone ;
and then deliver it to the people, .to pre
vent all imaginations as if John were
wavering in his former opinion, and had
fent the two difciples on this errand for
his own rather than tbeir fatisfaction a-
bout his being the Chrift.

74

The Evangelift

Chap. vii.

Yea, I fay unto
you, and much
more than a pro
phet.

21 This is he of
whom it is writ
ten, Behold, I
fend my meffenger
before thy face,
which fhall pre
pare thy way be
fore thee.

2% For I fay un
to you, Among
thofe that are born
of women there is
not a greater pro
phet than John the
-Baptift : but he
that is leaft in
the kingdom of
God is greater
than he.

19 And all the
people that heard
him, and the pub
licans, juftified
God, b?ing bapti
zed with the bap
tifm of John.

30 But the Pha
rifees and lawyers
rejected the coun
fel of God againft
themfelves, being
not baptized of
him. 31 And the Lord
faid, Whereunto
then fliall I liken
the men of this
generation ? and
to what are they
Jike? 32 They are
like unto children
fitting in the mar-
, Jwt-place, and call
ing one to ano
ther,

ye then thought him to be, and ye thought right :
For I tell you, that he was indeed a prophet fent
from God to reveal his mind and will, and to tell you
things to come ; yea, he did more than any of the
prophets that went before him, as he plainly point
ed out the Meffiah himfelf, and fhewed him to the
people as already prefent among them.
27 So great a man was John in his office, that he
is the very perfon of whom the Jehovah of If.
rael faid, (Mal. iii. 1.) Behold, I will fend my mef
fenger before the Meffiah's face, as his immediate
harbinger, to tell the Jews of his being juft at hand,
and to turn then- eyes toward him that they may re
ceive him : (fee the note on Mat. xi. 10.) In this,
John excelled all that went before him.
28 For I affure you that, on this very account,
none of the holy prophets, born of women, ever
were fo great and eminent in their light and work as
John the Baptifi ; and yet, great as he was, in what
he faw and faid concerning the Meffiah, the meaneft
faithful minifter in my kingdom ffiall know and
preach more of me, and fo fhall be more excellent and
honourable in his work and office, than John him
felf ; and the weakeft true believer, under the gofpel-
flate fhall exceed him, in his knowledge of my perfon
and office, righteoufnefs and grace.
29 And, as his miniftry was fo eminent, great
multitudes of the common people, yea, even fome of
the publicans themfelves, men of the vileft charafters,
were fo wrought upon by means of his preaching,
that they juftified God as righteous, and condemned
themfelves as finners, when they heard John fpeak of
the wrath to come ; and they publicly owned him,
and his" doftrine, to be of God, by their fo readily
fubmitting to his baptifm.
30 But the men of figure and learning, and high
conceit of themfelves, fuch as the felf-righteous Pha
rifees and the fcribes, refufed and defpifed John's
doftrine and baptifm, and thereby turned that difpen-
fation of God's wifdom and grace toward them into
an aggravation of their own guilt and condemnation.
3 1 Hereupon the Lord Jefus took occaubn to fay,
What fhall I compare the men of this perverfe genera
tion to ? or by what fimilitude ffiall I reprefent them ?
It is hard to find a proper parallel to them.
3 2 They are like fome furly and aukward children
at play in the ftreets, who are juftly complained of
by their companions, for not afting their part in con
cert with them, faying, Whilft, in imitation of mu-
ficians at fealls and other joyful occafions, we played
cheerful tunes to you, ye would not anfwer them with a

Chap. vii. Luke paraphrafed, 75
ther, and faying, a dance or any other expreffions of joy ; and whilfl,
We have piped un- asifwe were at a funeral, we gave you mournful
have "not danced! tune6» ye would no: we.eP or ufe ml tokens of for-
we have mourned row ; but always did direftly contrary to what ye
to you, and ye have were called to : Juft fo the men of this corrupt age,
not wept. efpecially the. fcribes and Pharifees, do by John the
Baptifi and me, oppofing us in every thing, and re-
1 garding us no more than if all that we faid were a
mere farce to be treated with contempt and fcorn.
33 For John the 33 For when John, like the children that afted
Baptift came nei- the part for mourners, came preaching the doftrine of
ther eating bread, repentance and led a retired, auftere, - and abftemi-
nor drinking wine; r ... ., ,, . 1 , r n • 1
and ye fay He hath ous *"e, luitabte to the nature and deiign ot his work,
a devil. they would not weep ; but rejefted both him and his
** doftrine, and loaded him with reproach, as if he
were a melancholy man, poffeffed by an evil fpirit.
34 The Son of 34 On the contrary, when I, the Meffiah, like the
madnjs.™me eatinS children that played cheerful tunes, came preaching
ye fay| Behold" a ^e S*ad tidings of falvation ; and, fuitable to the na-
a gluttonous man, ture of my joyful work, went into a free, open, and
and a wine-bib- engaging converfation, eatjpg and drinking fome-
ber^ a friend of times with Pharifees, and at others with publicans
ners'CanS "" '"" and "nners' to ^° them good ; thefe men likewife re
jefted me, and the gracious words that proceeded
out of my mouth, and turned all into the vileft re
fleftions upon me, as if I were a glutton and a drunk
ard, and an encourager of the moft odious and infa
mous finners. So horribly perverfe were they, not
withftanding all that evidently appeared, or could be
urged to the contrary.
35 But Wifdom 35 But the wifdom of God in thefe different me-
!' Ju*J5ed of a11 thods of treating and trying them, and in the doc-
her children. . • 1. j 1. <* 7 j r 1 -
trines preached by John and me for the recovery of
loft finners ; and the wifdom of falling in with thefe
doftrines to the acknowledgment of me as the per
fonal f Wifdom of God, ( Prov. viii. ) is oVned, and
heartly approved of, by all true believers ; who are
taught of God, and made wife to falvation ; and are
ftanding inftances of his wifdom, and witneffes to it,
in its holy, powerful, and faving effefts upon them j
and. who will at laft reap its rich advantages, to the
. glory of God, and their own eternal happinefs.
3<J And one of 36 After this 4% a cer,.din Pharijee whofe name
tne was
NOTES.
f As wifdom will bear all thefe fenfes, after this, Jefus went through every ci-
and it is difficult to fix on,one to the ex- ty and village preaching, &c. ; (chap.
sluubo of the reft, I have, as often on viii. 1.) whereas aftr-r that, which was
like occafions, taken them all into the biit fix days before his laft paffover, {John
paraphrafe. xii. 1. fee the note on Mat. xxvi. 0", 7.)
i; That this hiftory, and one like it. in he continued in Bethany and Jerufalem,
Mat. xxvi. 7. & Mark xiv. 3. were not (Mark xi. 8.) See Whitby on the place,
the fame, feems yery evident : Becaufe,

j6 The Evangelift Chap, til
the Pharifees ' de- was Simon, (ver. 40.) courteoufly invited Chrift t£>
fired him that he take ffleaj at his houfe and . ag he fougbj. all opL
would eat with ..-,.. . j _ 1 z-
him. And' he portunities ot doing good, and was an example 01
went into the Pha'- civility as well as holinefs, he, accepting the invitation,
rifee's houfe, and went home with the Pharifee and fat down to eat.
fat down to meat. ^ And whilft fo was at tabjC) behold, a certain
a ^vo nan in tht- woman, who had been notorious for her wickedhefs,
city, which was a being informed that Jefus was' gone tp the Phari-
finner, when foe fee's houfe to refrefh himfelf, came thither, bringing
knew that Jefus an alabafter-box of rich and coftly : ointment, which
Pharifert" hou£ me defigned to lay out upon him ; (he being a pern':
brought an- al'ai tent believer, whofe heart was full of refpeft and af-
baftef-box of oint- feftion to him.
ment. '"' 38 And as he was fitting at .table, according to
his3Ltbehfod8him the ufual manner of the Jews> in a Waning pofture,
weeping and be- with his legs thruft out behind ; fhe, placing herfelf
gan to wafh his at his back, fell a weeping fo plentifully as to drop
feet with tears, and her tears, upon his feet, and then wiped them with
the "half "f "her her °W" ha""' the Aki ornament of her head> kiffed
head and kifled them moft affectionately, and fuppled and perfumed
his feet, anil a- them with the ointment ; hereby teftifying her deep
nointed them with humility, and forrow of heart, for her former iniqui-
the ointment. tjeS; her ar(Jent fove to Chrifi, and defire of his fa
vour, and her great willingnefs' to do her utmoft to
honour and ferve him.
3P Now, when 39 But (Je)'-when the Pharifee, who had invited
the Pharifee which him, faw what this woman did, he,' knowing her for
bad bidden him mer feafe charaaer, ^ highly offended at it, thinking
law it, he lpake ....... ' b ¦ - . n. . . . ,°
within ' himfelf, with nimlelr, according to the luperititious opinions
faying, This man, of his feft, Surely if this Jefus were really fuch a pro-
if he were a pro- phet of the Lord as he profeffes to be, he could not
knownWwho '"rid be a ftranSer to this woman's infamous charafter, and
what manner of t0 tne vici°us courfe of life that fhe has led ; and
woman this is that would not have fuffered her fo much as to touch him,
touc.heth him ; for much lefs to handle, wipe, kifs, and anoint his feet,
flie-is afinner. ieft he ffiould be defiled thereby ; for ffie certainly is
a very fcandalous wretch.
40 And Jefus 40 Then Jefus, knowing his thoughts as perfeft-
anlwering faidvm- , as y fo fo& { fo tfem Qu Md def ; t0 re.
to him, Simon, I ' r . *, < r ¦ j 1 • „• ° -r 1
have fomewhat to turn an anlwerto them, faid to him, Simon, I have
fay unto thee', a cafe to lay before you. The Pharifee immediately
And Me faith, Ma- replied, Pray, fir, go oh ; I am ready to hear you.
fter, r?y ™^ ¦ 41 Jefus then proceeded to propofe, and afk his
certain '''creditor tho«ghts upon, the following parable, faying, A
which had two certain man was creditor to two other _ perfons, who,
debtors ; tir one had run in debt to him for confiderable funis pf mp-
owed five hundred ney ; but one of them owed him ten times, as much
thenrCfifty °" aS the other-
41 And when 4Z And when tltey were both fo very poor, that
they had nothing neither of them had any thing left toward difchar,-
to pay he frankly ging his own debt, trie creditor, in hi« great goodnefc
for" M

Chap. vii. Luke paraphrafed. 77
forgave them both, and compaffion, freely forgave .each of them the
Tell me, therefore, wnole ; Now what I defire of you is, to tell me free-
rovetimmoft? ld' whkh of thefe tw0 70u apprehend, will have the
greateft affeftion for, his generous benefaftor, and
think himfelf moft obliged to teftify his gratitude to
him.
43 Simon an- 43 The Pharifee, not perceiving what Chrift
fwered, and faid, a;med at? readily anfwered, It is plain to me, that
to < whom he" for- *^e man to whom the greateft debt was forgiven will
gave moft. And be moft fenfibly affefted with the exceeding kindnefs
he faid unto him, of his creditor, and will love him beft. Jefus repli-
Thou haft rightly ed, You are certainly in the right, and your anfwer
™ ^e ' is undeniably juft. ^
44 And he turn- 44 Then turning and pointing to the woman, at
ed to the woman, whom the Pharifee had taken offence, Jefus faid to
and faid unto Si- h; &• j anfwer t - tfo cafe 0f thr3
won, Seeft thou ' —. ' rr.' \ . , . , . ,
this woman? I en- woman. Do you look with wonder, and with a carp-
tered into thine ing eye, at what fhe has done ? It is becaufe you
houfe, thou gaveft have not fuch a fenfe o£ the greatnefs of your fins,
me no water for and 0f tfo endearing mercy of forgivenefs, as fhe has,
hath C wafhed mv wn°fe l°ve ^as £"" furpaffed yours. You, who think
feet with tears yourfelf more holy than your neighbours, have indeed
and wiped them invited me with civility to your houfe ; but have
with the hairs of Deen wanting, even in the ufual tokens of refpeft * to
invited and acceptable guefts : But fhe, who looks up
on herfelf as the chief of finners, has abounded and
exceeded in them all. ' You have not fo much as
given me a little water to wafh my feet, nor a towel
to wipe them : But ffie has wafhed my feet, not
with common water, But with her own affeftionate
and penitential tears, and has ufed the very hairs of
her head as a towel to wipe them.
45 Thou gaveft 45 You, at my entrance into your houfe, did not
me no kifs : but fo much as give me the ufual falutation of friendfhip in
.ulS T-!!™3?' ™11 a kifs : But this woman, whom you defpife and ate
the time I came ~ . . . . J . _r ._.
in, hath not cea- offended at, has been in a manner mceflantly kiffing
fed to kifs my feet my feet over and over again, in token of her humi
lity and love.
46 Mine head 46 Ye have not beftowed upon me fo much as com-
with oil thou didft mon oil, to anoint my head, in token of your refpeft :
not anoint: but But this woman, .who came hither to pay me ho-
tlus woman hath , . / , r ,_ . , • ,
anointed my feet nour> nas anointed even my feet, and that with pre-
with ointment. cious ointment, as thinking nothing too much to be
, done for me, or too coftly to be beftowed upon me.
47 Wherefore I 47 Now the reafon of this difference between her
fay unto thee, Her behaviour and your's toward me, lies in the different
"1S' W 'C man^ ^en^-e ye refpeftively have of the greatnefs- of your fins,
N O T E.
* This intimates that it was cuftomary with the Jews to fhew refpeift and kind
nefs to their welcome guefts, by fainting them with a kifs, by wafhing and wiping
their feet, and anointing their heads with oil, or fome fine ointment. ,
Vol. II. M

yg The Evangelift Ch^p, vii.
many, are forgi- fins* and of the neceffity, worth, and obligation of a
ven; for fhe loved fon and free pardon. I therefore tell you, Thefe
wftofolittleis for- expreffions of her love and gratitude are a plain evi-
given, the fame dence, that, whatfoever ffie has been, her many fins
loveth little. are now gracioufiy forgiven her *j ; for fhe has dif
covered a moft uncommon affeftion, like one melted
with the thoughts of her high obligation to me for the
remiflion of her uncommon crimes: But, on the o-
ther hand, one, who, like yon, thinks lightly of his
fins, and imagines that he has merit enough of his
own, very near, if not entirely, to quit fcores, will
have little affeftion for me, and little fenfe of his-obli-
gations to me; but will treat me in a cold and indiffer
ent manner, as you have done.
48 And he faid 48 Then direfting his words immediately to the
unto her, Thy fins womair herfelf, that he might comfort her againft the
° diftrefs of her own fpirit, and againft the Pharifee'i
frowns and cenfures, he fpoke with wonderful endear
ment and authority to her, faying, Thy fins, many
and great as they have been," are all freely remitted *
to thee.
40 And they 49 At the hearing of this, they that fat at table
that fat at meat wJth him were ftill more offended, and prefently
to'* fa in?' within tnougnt m tne"" own minds, and began to fay private-
themfelves Who ly among themfelves, (sv £soito<;) What muft we think
is. this that forgi- of this man, who not only admits fuch a vile wretch
veth fins' alfo ? to handle and kifs his feet ; but likewife pretends
thus abfolutely to affume to himfelf the unalienable
prerogative of God, in forgiving fins.
50 And he faid 50 But (Ss) he neverthelefs perfifted in affuring
to the woman, the woman of her pardon, faying, Thou art brought
Thy faith hath fa- ;nto a fl-ate Qf falvatfo^ t0 tfo complete remiflion of
all thy fins, through faith in me ; do not be difcoura-
ged, but go home, rejoicing in a fenfe of the abundant
grace which I have extended to thee.
RECOLLECTIONS.
How unreafonable are the objections of infidelity againft Chrift in his divine and,
faving characters, which he has fo evidently demonftrated in healing all manner
of difeafes, raifmg the dead, and pardoning fins, with all the efficaiy and authori
ty of a God ! How tender are his companions to the afflicted and deftitute ; and
how fovereign, free, and plenteous, is his mercy to all forts of finners, in the for
givenefs of multiplied and aggravated iniquities I What high and exalting thoughts
tl;en fiiould we have of him ! what abafing thoughts of ourfelves before him ! and
what .pleafure fiiould we take in doing good, on all occafions, after his example I It
.is furely matter of great importance for us to inquire after Chrift, that we may
know who and What he is, and may be in love with him, and not prejudiced a-
gainlt
NOTE.
* The parable, of which this is the henffons about it. And in this manner
application, plainly fhews, that her lo- the particle/of is often ufed, as particu-
•vtn., much is mentioned, not as the caufe larly in H of. ix. 15. where God fays of
or 1 j in, but as the eft'eft and evidence, Ephraim, AU their wickednefs is in Gil-
Of her being forgiven, and of her appre- gal; for there I hated them. f.

Cfeap. viii. Luke par&phrafid. 79 .
gainft him : And he fssver ready to inftrucl and fatisfy humble arid inquiring fouls,
Who fhould never think the worfe of hirn, or of his religion, whatever reproaches,
loffes, or difficulties, they may fuffer for his fake, or how much foever others may,
be offended at him, and may perverfely fet themfelves againft him. The meek
he will teach his way, that they may be witneffes for God and religion, and may
be made wife unto- falvation ; while felf-righteous and felf-fufiicient perfons are in
the greateft danger of being left to reject God's counfel j to their own confufion I
And Q what a wonderful change does grace rjiake upon a Tinner's heart and life, as
well as upon his ftate before God, in the full remiflion of all his fins, through faith
in the Lord Jefus 1 What great humility, relehtings, and godly forrow, for fin !
What ardent love to Chrift, and earneft defires to ferve and honour him, will a
fenfe of great forgivenefs infpire us with '¦ And if he fays to any of us, " Your fins
are pardoned," we may -Well go on our way rejoicing.

C H A P. VIII.

Chrifi preaches in feveral places, 1,-4. His parable of the fewer,
with its explication, j,-— 15. His parable of the lighted 'candle;
16, — 18. The high account he makes of his truei difciples, as his
near efi relations, 19, — 22. He lays a fiorm at fea, 23, — 2j.
He cafis a legion of devils out of a man, and fuffer s them to en
ter a herd of f wine, 26, — 56. He is rejeSted by the Gadarenes,
37,^-40. He cures a bloody-flux, and raifes Jairus'j- daughter
from the dead, 41, — $6.
Text. ' Paraphrase.
^ND it came to « Fte^. the things before-mentioned, Jefus travel-
that 'he ^went "^^ ^ ab°ut from place to place, through many cij
throughout every ties, towns, and villages, taking indefatigable pains
city and village in publifhing and inforcing among the people the beft
preaching, and news that ever was brought to finners, relating to
tidings of the king- the"" falvation, through faith in him, who came to
dom of God • arid fet up a kingdom of grace in this world, in order to
the twelve were his training up fubjefts for the kingdom of glory in
with him. the world to come : And the twelve difciples, whom
he had chofen to be apoftles, ufually accompanied
him, as his domeftics, wherever he went.
2 And certain ; 2 And befides thefe more flated attendants, there
women, which had were feveral women of confiderable circumftances iri
vif fpirits and io- tne wor^' w^°' ^ tney ^ad opportunities, followed
fiimities,' Mary him, to hear and converfe with him, they having
called Magdalene, found mercy in his calling devils' out of fome, and
out of whom went curmg the difeafes of Others of them, as well as in en-
levert devils, lightening and changing their minds and hearts. One
t of thefe was the remarkable Mary Magdalene, whom
he had, in a miraculous . way, delivered from the
power of many evil fpirits that had taken poffeffion
of her.
3 And Joanna 3 There wa"s alfo a woman, of no mean figure,
the wjfe of Chuza, whofe name Was Joanna, and who was the v/iie of
Herod's fteward, chuza, a fteward, or officer, in Herod's court ; and
and Sufanna, and Anotfor womanj named Sufanna; with feveral others,
maity M z which

86
many others,which
miniftred unto him
of their fubftance.

The Evangelift

Chap. viiL1

4 And when
niuch people were
gathered together,
and were. come to
him put of every
city, he fpake by
a parable :
5 A fower went
out to fow his feed :
and, as he fowed,
fome fell by the
way-fide ; and it
was trodden down,
and the fowls of
the air devoured
it.

6 And fome fell
Vpon a rock, and
as foon as it was
fprung up it wi
thered away, be
caufe, , it lacked
moifture.

7 And fome fell
among thorns, and
the thorns fprahg
up with it, and
choked it.

8 And other fell
on good ground,
and (prang up, and
bare fruit an hun
dred-fold. And,
when he had faid
thefe things, , he
' cried,

which accompanied Jefus, not as bis dcwieftics, that
ufed to be in the fame houfe with him, but as friends
and admirers of him and his doftrine : And as he
humbled himfelf fo low as to need affiftance from o-
thers, unlefs he would be continually working mira
cles to fupport himfelf, and the apoftles, his fapiily;
fo thefe good women, out of their great refpeft,
would not fuffer 'him to be burdenfome to ftrangers,
but cheerfully fupplied him at their own expence. *
4 And one day when abundance of people were
come together from all the neighbouring cities, towns,
and villages, to hear him, he reprefented the nature
of the gofpel-difpenfation to them by the following
fimilitude? among others. (S,ee the note on Mat.
xiii. 3.)
5 " A certain hufbandman1 (faid he) went forth to
fow corn in his field; and, as he was cafting his
feed, fome of the grains fell upon « hard beaten path,
and, not being covered with mould, they were ei
ther trod to pieces by paffengers, or picked up by
the birds :-. — Thereby meaning, that whilft he or any
of his fervants are preaching the gofpel to all forts of
people, fome of them are fo carelefs, ftupid, arid har
dened in their iniquities, and Satan has fuch power
over them, that it makes no manner of impreffion up
on them.
6 " Other parts of the feed fell upon a bed of
ftones, covered over with only a very thin lay of
earth, which gave it an opportunity of fpringing up
prefently ; but it withered away for want of a fuffi
cient depth in the ground, and moifture enough to
cherifh the roots :" — Thereby meaning, that others
hear the word with fome ftirrings in their affeftions ;
but. it not having entered into their hearts, and work
ed effeftually there, a day of perfecution and tempta
tion foon blafts and deftroys all.
7 " Other grains were fcattered among weeds and
thorns, and began to fpring up together with them;
but thefe foon got head of the corn, overtopped and
choked it, fo that it came to'nothing :" — Thereby
meaning, that other hearers of the gofpel go ftill fur
ther, under the power of ilrong conviftions, in fome
hafty refolutions for the prefent ; and yet the bufi
nefs, cares, poffeffions, and pleafures of life, have fuch
a fuperior power over them as to ftifle all again.
8 " But there were fome other parts of the feed
that fell into a good fort of earth, where it fprang up,
grew, and thrived, and produced a very large crop,
fome of it to an hundred-fold increafe :"  Thereby
meaning, that there are other hearers who receive the
truth, in the love of it, into their very hearts, they
being

Chap. viii.
cried, He that hath
ears to hear, let
him hear. .

, 9 And his difci
ples afked him, fay
ing, What might
this parable be :

lo And he faid,
Unto you it is gi
ven to know the
myjleries of the
kingdom of God :
but to others in pa
rables; that feeing
they might not fee,
and hearing they
might not under
ftand.

Luke paraphrqfedi

8r

1 1 Now the pa
rable) is this : The
feed is the word qf
God.

12 Thofe by the
way-fide, are they
that hear ; then
cometh the devil,
and taketh away
the word out of
their hearts, left
they foould be
lieve, and be faved.

13 They on the
rock, are they
. /which

being feafoned with grace ; and it becomes exceeding
fruitful in their lives. And, at the clofe, Jefus, to
awaken the people's inquiry into the meaning- and im
portance of the parable, faid, Whofoever is capable
and defirous of being inftrufted in things that con
cern his own falvation, let him ferioufly confider what
I have been faying. , ,
9 Our Lord having delivered this parable, as he
did feveral others, without explaining it to the peo
ple ; the apoftles, and fome of his other difciples,
took an opportunity, when he was alone, to defire
that he would pleafe to open to them what he meant
by it. (Mark i\. 10.)
10 He anfwering told them, That God, in his
diftinguifhing favour, had given them an heart to de
fire, feek after, and underftand, the great things
of the gofpel-kingdom, pertaining to his glory and
their own Salvation, which were all entire fecrets till
he came to reveal them, and are flill ftrange things
to carnal and unbelieving hearts that are prejudiced
againft' them, and dannot fee their true excellence
and glory, and which continue to be incomprehenfible,
in fome refpefts, even to thofe that are enlightened by
his fpirit, as well as by his word: But, faid he, I re
prefented thefe things to others only in a fimiltitude,
without explaining it, that as, through wilful per-
verfenefs and obftinacy, they fhut their eyes, and har
den their hearts, againft my plainer inftruftions, they
may be righteoufly left under the power of their cho
fen flupidity and blindnefs ; and fo the awful prophe
cy (Ifa. Ixix. 9.) may be fulfilled in them, as a peo
ple that fee and hear the moft plain and important
truths in the miniflrylof the word, and yet do not
truly difcern them, nor defire to be acquainted with
them. 1 1 Then he explained the parable to his difciples,
faying, The feed fown reprefented the doftrines of the
gofpel, which the great prophet of the church came
forth to preach, in his perfonal minifiry, and by the
miniftry of his fervants.
12 The perfons meant by the hard beaten path,
into which the feed did not enter, were thofe hearers
of the gofpel upon whom it makes no good innpref-
fion, through the hardnefs of their hearts ; fo that Sa
tan obtains his will upon them, and effeftually de
prives them of all benefit by what they hear, turning
off their thoughts from it, left it ffiould prove the
means of their being brought to believe to the faving
of their fouls.'
1 3 The perfons fignified by the rocky ground,
on which the corn fprang up at firfti but foon wi
thered,

82
which when they
hear, receive the
word with joy; and
thefe have no root,
wliich 'for a while
believe; and in
time of temptation
fall away.

14 And that
which, fell among
thorns, are they
which, when they
^iave heard, go
forth, and are cho
ked with cares, and
riches, and plea-
fores of this life,
and bring no fruit
to perfection.
ij1 But that on
the good ground,
are they, which
in an horreft and
good lieart, having
heard the word,
keep it, and Wing
forth fruit with pa-'
tience.

The Evangelift

Chap,, viii]

16 No man when
he hath lighted a
candle covereth it
with a veffel, or
putteth it under a
bed; but fetteth it
on a candleftick,
that they Which
elites in may foe
the light. '

?¦; For notlping is

thered for want of depth and moifture to cherifh the
root, were thofe hearers that attend to the word ;
and, having, ftarts of joyous afleftions under' it, take
up fome fodden refolutions to comply with it ; but,
for want of a principle of grace in their hearts, as
foon as temptations; reproaches, and fufferings for
the gofpel, befal them, they are difheartened, and
turn apoftates.
14 And the perfons defcribed by the ground iri
which thorns and weeds fprang up with the corn and
ehoked it, were fuch as, under the hearing of the
word, have promifing appearances of- receiving the
truth in the love of it ; but as foon as they return a-
gain to the affairs of this prefent life, their filperior
attachment to its bufinefs and hurries, riches and
pleafures, overpower their concern about their fouls,
fo that nothing is effeftually brought to pafs for
God's glory and their own falvation.
15 But he told them, that the perfons reprefented
by the good foil, which produced a plentiful harveft,
were thofe hearers, whofe hearts being thoroughly
changed by the grace of God, receive the doftrine
of the gofpel with a fincere faith, and upright defire
of improving it, and profiting by it, to all the practi
cal purpofes for which it is defigned ; and, having
thus received it, they retain it, prize it, and make
frequent refleftions upOn it, that it may have its pro
per influence upon them, even after the fenfible joy is
gone which they had in hearing it ; and fo they ha
bitually and perfeveringly bring forth fruits of righ
teoufnefs, to God in great abundance, and that with
a holy calmnefs and fortitude of fpirit under all the
tribulations tlhd perfecutions they may meet with for
their holy profeffion;
16 Chrifi, having thus clearly and fully explained
all thefe things to his difciples, proceeded to intimate
their- duty, as to fpreading abroad that light to c~
thers, in their lives and preaching, which they had
received, or might further receive, from bim ; faying,
As a man never ufes to light a candle with a defign
to conc&l or hide it under a bufhel, or in any obfcure
place where it cannot be feen ; but fets it up vifibly
in a candleftick, that fuch as come into 'the room
may have the benefit of its light : So I have given
you thefe inftruftions, not that ye fhould, fmother
them in your- own bofoms, or keep them to your
felves ; but that ye may communicate them, both by
word and example, on all proper occafions, to others,
for their knowledge and praftice, to the glory of
God and their falvation.
17 For whatfoever I fecretly communicate in my

Chap. viii.

Luke paraph rafed.

83

is fecret th»t (hall inftruftions to you, muft hereafter be publicly preach-
not be made ma- e(j j,y y-OUj wherever ye go ; and nothing tha^ I now
thing lathaHhiii $&&¦ ™*h obfourity, under the covert of unexplain-
not be knownj and ed iimilitiides, fhall be always concealed ; but ye, in
come abroad. due time, muft pmblifh it, with the greateft freedom
and plainnefs, to the whole world.
iS Take ieed 18 As ever therefore ye would dread anfwering for
therefore "how ye j-fo COntrary another day, when every fecret thing
ever hatr-to him &all be brought into judgment,' take heed in what
Oiallbe given • and manner, and to what purpofes, ye hear the great
whbfoever hath things of my gofpel ; for he that heartily receives the
not, from him fhall truth, and faithfully improves his Kght to the good of
vA.ch^foem'etli 0therS' ^ have a ftiU further increafe of ""derftand-
to have. mg an(i affiftances for his own and their advantage ;
but whofoever * thinks lightly of the truth, and does
not concern himfelf about making a right ufe of it,
for the profiting of others, fhall lofe even the good
notions he before had, and be left to give them up
for their oppofite errors, being neither eftablifhed in
them, nor favingly benefited by them, as before he
might feem to have been.
19 Then came 19 At another time, as Jefus was preaching in an
to him his mother houfe, and was forrounded with a vaft multitude of
aUd hcouldthnot PeoP.le> (Mark Hi. 20, 31.) his mother, and others
come at him for °£ h's neareft kindred, (fee the note on Matfh. , xii.
46.) came thither to fpeak with him ; but could not
get near enough, the crowd being fo very great.
20 Then fome of the company informed him, that
his mother, with feveral other relations, who were
called his brethren, (fee the note on Matth. xii. 46.)
thyWethren ftand were waiting abroad, and wanted to change a few
without defiring to words with hiiSi.
fee thee. 2i But (h) inftead of anfwering them direftly,
21 And he an- fo jn ys ^ ^j w cr giving things a fpiritual turn,
fwered and faid . , - ' ° % , ° _. £. , , '
unto them My *°°* that occafion to expreis the affection he bore
mother and ray to his true difciples ; and, painting to them, faid,.
brethren are thefe Thefe who receive and yield themfelves up unto my
"e divine teaching, are nearer and dearer to me than any
relations according to the ftefh j aad whilft I am en
gaged in my heavenly Father's work, for his glory,
and their fpiritual benefit, I cannot fuffer myfelf to
be< interrupted by the refpeft that I owe to an i^fcrth-
ly parent, or any other relation, in the other world.
(See the note on Mark iii. 34.)
22 And (x.«.i) on another occafion, when Jefus had
been much employed in preaching and working mira cles,

the prefs.
20 And, it was
told him by cer
tain, which faid,
Thy mother and

wliich hear
word of God, and
do it.

2 2 Now it came
to pals, on

a cer-
-. tain

N O
* Our Lord here fpeaks not of fpecial
faving grace, but of fpiritual gifts, and
particularly of the knowledge of the
truth which we receive from him, that

T E.
we might communicate it to others, as
appears from the whole fcope of the dif
courfe. .

S4 The Evangelift Chap. viii.
tain day; that he cles, and great numbers' crowded about him, (Mark
with hif difci fcf iv-" 35> 36') he t0°k b°at Wkh hIS difcJPles' and or"
and 'he'Vaid^unto dered tnem to< Pafs over tne lake of Gennefareth to
them, Let; us go the oppofite fhore ; accordingly they put off, and
over unto the othpr fleered their courfe thither, at his command. >
Adei°i! '^e laiwi 23 But while they were making the beft of their
f", ey u way, he, as a man of like bodily infirmity with pur-
23 But as they felves, having been fatigued by labours, lay down
failed, 'he fell a- with his head upon a pillow, and fell faft afleep 5 (fee
fleep, and there the note on Matth. viii. 20. ) and, as he was fleeping,
SwSid^tiS there arofe a terrible ftorm of wind, which all on a
and they were filled' fudden caufed fuch a fwelling fea, that the boat was
with water, and almoft filled with water, and in the utmoft danger of
were in jeopardy, being funk.
24 And they 24 Then the difciples ran to him in a great fright ;
came to him, and and, waking him, cried out, Lord, have compaffiori
awoke him, faying, upon us ar;fr fpeedily for our help, we are this mo-
Mafter, mafter, we r __ . i . r . ' - , . , V A j .1.
periih. Then he rnent juft on the point ot being loft : And they no
'arofe, and rebuked fooner caft themfelves upon his care in thejr diftrefs,
the wind, and the but he got up, and, with the majefty of a G°d, char-
raging of the wa- gecj the wind to ceafe, arid the waves to rage no more,
f'd' ""d there was and immediately they obeyed their- fovereign Lord:
a Caim The wind was calm, and the waters became fmooth
and ftill.
25 And he faid 25 And having thus wrought falvation for them,
unto them, "Where fo reproved them for their unbelief, faying, Where
"your faith . and was y0ur dependance upon my power and goodnefs,
wondered faying after all the miraculous proofs I have given of them ?
one to another, What, did ye think that I was not able to help you, or
What manner of had no care or concern for you, becaufe I wasafleep?
roanistrusj forhe Could not ye remember, that the £reat Watchman
tnTwinVandTa- of Ifrael neither flumbers nor fleeps? Or did ye confi-
ter, and ithey" obey der me as no more than a man, that ye fo fhamefully-
him. diftrufted.my care ; upon which they were filled with
awful reverence and amazement at their wonderful
deliverance, and with confufion and fhame for the
diffidence and the terror that they had fo finfully gi
ven' way to ; and they faid one to another, what fort
of perfon is this ! furely he muft be more than a
mere man ; for he has afted the part of the fovereign
Lord of univerfal nature, and even the winds and
<% waves were forced, in an inftant, to flop their furi
ous courfe at his command.
2S And they ar- 26 Soon after this, they got fafe to the fhore for
rived at the coun- which they were bound, and which lay in the coun-
!rLf whlhUo" trY of the Gaderenes *, a heathen land, on the other
renes, which is o- _ ' c , , . ^ ... '
ver-agaifift Gali- n0-e °* the fake, oppofite to Galilee.
lee. 27 And
NOTE.
* In Matth. viii. 2. it is called the Girgajliites, mentioned in Deut. vii. r.
country of the Gergefenes, whofe inha- This country of the Gergefenes included
bitants fome fuppofe were the ancient that of the Gadarencs .- And fo it ap
pears,

Chap. viii. Luke paraphrafed. 85
27 And when he . 27 And upon Chrift's landing there, he met with
went .forth. to land, a man> (fee tfo note on Mark v. 6.) who was for-
ofX^ity acer-'^rly (k r„5 mXt»c) an inhabitant of an adjacent
tain man' which town, but had been a great while fo miferably poffef-
had devils' <- long s{er\ and harafled by devils, that he ran about like a
time, and ware no ,fur;oUS madman, would keep no clothes upon his
S-^'^hnnfr back, nor dwell in any houfe ; but continually roved
bode in any home, > / » . ,. ' ..1
biit in the tombs, through defolate places, among the lepulchres ot the
dead, to the terror of all who paffed that way.
28 When he faw 28 When this pdor miferable wretch fet his eyes
Jefus, he cried out, upon JefoSj he immediately roared out, under the
^ehfm,da°n7with power of the indwelling devil ; and, running toward
a loud voice faid, our Lord, threw himfelf down at his feet, and the e-
What have I to do vii fpirit fpeaking in the man, cried out with a loud
, with thee, Jefus, an(j hideous voice, being forced by a fuperior power
moft hi,nh?°ICbed- to exPrefs his own tetTor' fayin°' ° t.hou JefuS'
feech thee torment whom I know to be the Son of the mofi high God, I
me not. - dread thy power, and defire to have nothing to do
with thee -, but furely the time for my full torments
is not yet come, I therefore earrieftly beg thou
wouldft not inflift them upon me now.
29 (For he had 29 He faid this becaufe Chrifi had already corn-
commanded the maacje(i him to depart \ from the man, whom he had
come^ou/of'the- fp long and fo cruelly poffefled : For this vile fpirit
man. For often- had often thrown him into fuch an ungovernable fury,
times it had caught ' that though feveral attempts were made to fallen him
him: and he was ,}own; ancj fecure him in chains and fetters, he was
chains and in'fet- t0° ^ronS to be held by them, and, breaking loofe,
ters ; and he brake was hurried away into the moft melancholy and de-
t-he bands, and was folate part of the country.
driven of the devil g0 Then, that the ffianders-by might have the
nef° 1 W' more affefting thoughts of this poor man's mifery,
30 And Jefus an(I °f the greatnefs ' of Chrift's power in delivering
afked him, faying, him, he ordered the evil fpirit to tell him his name ?
What is thy name ? jn reply to which he faid, It was Legion ; thereby
gfon^becaufe ma- meaning> that nbt_ one only, but a great many devils
ny devils were en- were at that time in poffeffion of the man, under one
tered into him. of their chiefs. (See the note on Mark v. 9.)
31 And they be- jj Hereupon the whole legion, finding that they
fought him thathe could nbt re-fift thrift's power, joined in their re-
queft,
- ' ' NOTES.
pears that the place where Chrift landed fays his name is Legion, and expoftulates
was in that part which was called the with Chrift fpr coming to torment them
country of the Gadarenes. before their time; and when they in-
\ As our Lord's cafting out devils is treated that, they might not be lent out
often diftinguifhed from his healing dif- of that country, and afked his leave to
eafes; fo there are feveral things men- enter into the twine, and upon permifhon
tioned in the ftory of this man, that can- obtained, actually entered into them;
not be accounted for by any mere diftem- nor can we reafonably fuppofe that any
per whatfoever, nor made common fenfe difeafe could add fuch ftrength to this
of, without fuppofing him to be poffeifed man, that no chains or fetters could bii.J
of the devil -. As particularly, when he him. ' See the note ou Matth. iv. 24.
Voi.. It N

8-6

The Evangelift

Chap. viii.

32 And there
was there an herd
of manyfwine feed- ¦
ing on the moun
tain : and they be-
fought him that he
would fuffer them
to enter into them.
And he
them.

33 Then went
the devils out of
the man, and en-

would not com- qUCft, that, upon cafting them out of this man, he
mitfotorte deepf WOuld n.0t fend them back t0 heU' t0 b& confined Ih
"' e the bott'omlefs pit * ; but (Mark v. 10.) would fuf-
, fer them to continue in the country of the Gadarenes,
where they had hitherto ruled, with great power.
32 And as there was at that time a great herd, of
about two thoufand fwine, grazing upon a neigbour-
ing hill by the fea-fide, the devils, knowing that they
could do nothing without Chrift's leave, earneftly
begged him to permit their taking poffeffion of that
herd : And he fuffered them to enter into the fwine,
fuffered al>d do their ->vorfl againft them, as a righteous pu
nifhment upon fome, and as a juft and merciful rebuke
and trial to others, of that country. (See the note
on Matth. viii. 32.)
33 No fooner had our Lord ordered the devils to
go out of the man, without laying any further re-
tered into the fl-raint upon them, but they, afting according to
fwine : and the their own vile malicious temper, went direftly and
herd rah violently took poffeffion of the whole herd of fwine ; upon
down a fteep place which they were all immediately feized with a phren-
mto the lake, and j r • n 1 - - • . .1 • r r
wer» choked. z^' a ran furlou"y down a precipice into the fea 01
Galilee, where they were fuffocated and loft.
34 When they 34 The fwine-herds feeing this, were terribly af-
that fed them faw frighted at it, and ran with all hafte to tell it, as a
Thatfl 7aS ^ d°ne' piece of wonderful news, to all the people they could
they fled, and went r .... ... . K r , J
and told it in the meet wlt" ln t"e neighbouring city and country,
city, and in the wherever they went.
country., 35 Which when the people heard, their curiofity
35 Then they an(j COncern carried them out to fee what truth there
e was in the ftrange report that had been made to them ;
and coming to the place where Jefus was, they faw
him, and the man, whom he had difpoffeffed of the
out of whom the infernal legion, fitting at his feet, regularly clothed,
jarted Tttfo ^i rat'onal> compofed, and calm in his mind like other
the feet of Jefus^ men : A"d they, who before had often feen him run-
clothed, and in his ning about naked, raving-, and gafhing himfelf, now
right mind : and beholding fuch a great and fudden alteration in him,
they were afraid. were ftruck wkh awful amazementt
36 And fome, who faw all that had paffed from
the beginning, told them how Jefus had reftored him
to his fenfes, by cafting out the devils that before
polfelled of the de- had poffefled him, and how he had permitted thofe
vils was healed. ev;i fp;rits t0 flllfil thei* defire of entering into the
fwine, upon which they were hurried down the hill
into the fea, where they were all drowned.
37 The Gadarenes, having heard the whole flory,
and loving their fwine and their fins more than Chrift and
NOTE.
* Thus tie t»» afiwo-ov, the expreffion here ufed, is rendered into the bottom-
, lefs pit. Rev. XX. 3.

vtfhat was done;
and came to Jefus,
and found the man

36 They alfo
which faw it, told
them by what
means he that was

. 37 Then the
whole multitude of

Chap. viii.

Luke paraphrafed.

87

were
with great fear :
and he went up in
to the fliip, and re
turned back -again.

3S Now the man
out of whom the
devils were depart
ed, befought him

of the country and their own' fouls," were more afraid of him on ae-
of the Gadarenes count 0f their lofs by the devils, under his permif-
foueht hin]U to de- ^on' tnan pleafed Wlth the good he had done, and
part from them; for was capable of ftill further doing among them; and
they were taken therefore, inftead of defiring him to ftay with them,
that-he might reftrain the powers of darknefs from
doing them any further mifchief, and might fave
them from their fins, and from the wrath of' God,
they all importuned him to depart from their country,
that they might have nothing more to do with him ;
and he gave them up to their own choice, and, going
aboard a veffel, returned back over the fea of Galilee.
38, 39 But (Je) the man, out of whom the devils
were call, earneftly begged that he might go along
with Jefus, and fo, continuing under his gracious. care,
that he might be might be fecured againft their invifible, as well as
with him : but Je- vifible power over him, might receive inftruftions a-
fns fent him away, Dotit a foil better falvation, and might go away from
\d Retur t tnat w*cked peaple, who would not confent that
thine own houfe Chrift fhould flay with them : However, Jefus would
and fhew how not allow of his attending him, left it fhould look like
great things God ofteritation and ' vain-glory ; but ordered him to go
thee A d ""h" home, and tell his countrymen * and acquaintance
went his way, and what a wonderful deliverance God had wrought for
publifhed through- him, that they might be turned from idols to ferve the
out the whole city, living and true God : Accordingly he obeyed Chrift's'
Tefus hacU thmgS command 5 anc* returning home, took all opportuni-
to him. Un* tles °f relating to every one he met with, in Gadara,
and the reft of the cities in Decapolis, (fee the note
on Mark v. 20.) what a gracious, miraculous^ and
god-like deliverance Jefus had wrought for him,
which was in effeft the fame as if he had faid, Which
God had wrought for him, becaufe Jefus, who worked
it by his own power, was indeed the true God.
40 And if came 40 Now upon the return of Jefus back to the o-
topafs, that when ther fide of the fea of Galilee, the people, who were
^"J Ml Waiti»S th^'. in h,T °f YS ^S ? th6m *
received him ; for Saln> were exceeding glad to fee him, and received
they were all wait- him joyfully.
ing for him. 41 And \vhilft he continued in thefe parts, ob-
41 And behold, ferve a very rare ;nft-ance 0f a „reat man's fa;th ;n him,
there came a man j i_r 1 1 j r 1 ¦ 1 «v • .
named Jairus, and and Public acknowledgment of him ! Jairus, a noted
he was a ruler of perfon, and a ruler of the fynagogue, hearing of Je-
the fynagogue; and fus, came to him ; and proftrating himfelf before him,
he fell down at ;n the prefence of all the people, humbly and earneft -
' Jefus' N 2 ly
'NOTE.
* When our Lord wrought wonderful glory ; but having wrought one among
works in Judea, he ufually ordered that the heathens, he ordered it to be publifli-
they fhould not -be divulged, becaufe he ed, as the means of bringing others to
would not needlefsly provoke the fcribes believe in hirri,
and Pharifees, nor feem to feek his own.

88
Jefus' feet, and be-
fought him that he
would come into
his houfe :
42 For he had
one only daughter,
about twelve years
of age, and fhe lay
a dying. (But as
he went, the peo
ple thronged him.

43 And a wo
man having an if
fue of blood twelve
years, which had
fpent all her living
upon phyficians,
neither could' be
healed of any,
44 Came behind
him, and touched
the border of his
-garment; and im
mediately her iffue
of blood ftanchcd.

The Evangelift

Chap. viii.

45 And Jefus
¦faid, Who touched
me ? When all de
nied, Peter, and
they that were
with him, faid,
Mafter, the multi
tude throng thee,
and prefs [thee, and
fayeit thou, Who
touched me ?

46 And Jefus
faid, Somebody
hath touched me?
for I perceive that
virtue is gone out
ol me.

ly begged, that he would pleafe to go home with
him,, and heal his child. (See the notes on chap. xiii.
14. and Matth. ix. 18.)
42 For his only daughter, of about twelve years
old, was fo exceeding weak, that when ,he left her,
fhe lay at the very point of death ; and as Jefus re
fufed none that came to him with faith in his power
and goodnefs, he readily confented to go along with
this ruler, a great crowd of people accompanying
him, fome out of curiofity, and others out of affec
tion to him.
43, 44 And as he was walking toward the houfe,
there was a certain woman who had been forely af
fiifted with a bloody-flux, for twelve years paft, and
had impoverifhed herfelf by her great expence in ap
plying to phyficians for relief, and all in vain, fhe
growing rather worfe than better; (Mark v. 26.)
this woman had a mind to try for a cure from Jefus,
who fhe believed was able to heal her, and certain
ly would do it, if fhe could but get fo near him as
to touch any part of his clothes : (Mat. ix. 21.) And
therefore, with great modefty, humility, and privacy,
fhe crept behind him in the crowd, and, without any
of the company's obferving her, touched the hem of
his garment, in expeftation of a cure by that means :
And it was done for her according to her faith, fhe
immediately finding a wonderful alteration in herfelf
to a perfeft recovery.
45 But Jefus knowing all that had paffed, and
defigning to.bring it to light, for the manifeftation
of his own and his Father's glory, for the encourage
ment of jcirus's faith, in what he was about to
do for him, and for the comfort of this poor woman,
who feemed to have ftolen a cure from him, turned
himfelf about and afked, Who had touched him,
meaning with a defign of deriving virtue from him I
And when the people that were neareft him generally
denied that any of them had done it, Peter, and fome
others of his difciples, fuppofing that he fpoke of
barely touching him, replied, Mafter, it is unavoid
able, but that, in fuch a crowd, fome or other of the
people fhould come too near, and be thruft upon
thee ; we wonder therefore that thou fhouldfl afk,
Who touched me ?
46 But (St) Jefus not willing to have the matter
flifled, faid, with great earneftnefs, One of the -com
pany I am fure has touched me, out of the ordi
nary way, with a defign of getting a private cure
from me ; for I am no ftranger to the power that is
gone forth from my perfon, who have knowingly and
wil-

Chap. viii.

47 And when
the woman faw
that fhe was not
hid, fhe came
trembling, and
falling down be
fore him, fhe de
clared unto him
before all the peo
ple, for. what caufe
fhe had touched
him, and how fhe
was healed imme
diately. 48 And lie faid
unto her, Daugh
ter, be of good
comfort^ thy faith
hath made thee
whole ; go in
peace.)

49 While he yet
fpake, there co
meth one from the
raler of the fyna-
SOgue's houfe, fay
ing to him, Thy
daughter is dead ;
trouble not the
Mafter. 50 But when
Jefus heard it, he
anfwered him, fay
ing, Fear not ; be
lieve only, and
foe fliall be made
whole.

51 And when
he came into the
houfe, he fuffered
no man to go in,
fave Peter, and
James, and John,
and the father and
the rnother of the
maiden. 52 And all wept
and bewailed her :
but he faid, Weep
not ; fhe is not
dead, but fleepeth.

Luke paraphrafed.

89

willingly communicated virtue for healing. (See the
note on Mark v.- 30.)
47 Then the woman, finding that fhe could no
longer be concealed, came trembling for fear of a re
buke ; and, proftrating herfelf at his feet in the hum-
bleft manner, made an open declaration, in the pre
fence of the whole multitude, that fine had indeed
touched him, in hope of a cure from him, and that fhe
had not failed of her hope, but inftantly found herfelf
reftored to perfeft health, though her cafe had been
all along fo defperate before.
48 And as fhe thus put herfelf into Chrift's hands,
to dp with her what might further feem good in his
fight, he, to take off her fears, faid, in the mofi ten
der and affeftionate manner, Daughter, let thy heart
rejoice in my favour and love ; thy faith, which
broke through all difficulties and difcouragements to
honour and derive mercy from me, has been owned
and honoured by me, to the healing of thy grievous
difeafe : Go home with fatisfaftion in thine own
mind, and fear no evil : I have bleffed thee, and thou
ffialt be bleffed.
49 Whilft he was fpeaking in this comfortable
manner to her, meffengers came to Jairus, having
been fent from his houfe, to tell him that his daugh
ter was aftually dead, and that therefore it was now
too late, and would be to no manner of purpofe, to
give the great Mafter of Ifrael the trouble of coming
to her, or to make any further applications to him a-
bout her. -
50 But when Jefus heard this meffage, and faw
how the young damfel's father was affefted with it, he
fpoke -comfortably to him, faying, Let not your
heart be troubled, neither be afraid, as if there were
now no hope; only believe that I am gracious and a-
ble to raife her even from the dead, and fhe fhall live
and do well.
5 1 And they going ftill forward till they came to
the houfe, Jefus, to avoid oftentation, ordered the
multitude to withdraw, and permitted no perfon to
go in with him, except three of his difciples, viz.
Peter, James, and John, and the parents of the
child, that they, being prefent, might be eye-witneffes
of the miracle he defigned to perform.
5 2 At his entering into the room where the young
creature lay, he found a company of people all in
tears, bitterly lamenting her death, and preparing
for her funeral : But he, applying himfelf to thefe
bufy mourners, faid, There is no need of all this hur
ry and forrow ; for fhe is not fo dead as to require
preparations for her interment ; but her pr-fent con
dition

90 The Evangelift Chap. viii.
dition is rather to be accounted a fleep than a death,
becaufe fhe fhall prefently awake out of it in perfeft
health, as one does out of fleep.
53 And they 53 But they being as fure as £hey could be of any
laughed him to ruch thing, that fhe was really dead, laughed at him
thatV w^Te'al 'with great derifion, for talking fo contrary to the
plainefl evidence, and, as they imagined, at fuch a
whimfical rate.
54 And he put „ 54 However, he clearing the .room of all this
them all out, and COmpany, and having with him only the three fore
hand a'nd called6 mentioned difciples, and the father and mother of
faying, Maid, a- the child, went up, and, taking her by the hand,
rife. fpoke to her with divine majefty and power, faying,
Young damfel, I will, and command thee to get up.
55 And her fpi- 5$ And thefe words were attended wi(;h fuch
rit came again, v;tal energy, that her foul immediately returned into
ftraightway;Tnd h^ ^7 aSai «' and ffie inftantly got up in perfeft
he commanded to heafth and ftrength, as it fhe had onfy awaked out
give her meat. of a comfortable and refrefning fleep ; and to fhew
that fhe was raifed to the fame animal life which fhe
had enjoyed before, and was as capable of feeding as
if fhe had never been fick, he ordered that fomething
¦ ffiould be given her to. eat.
56 And her pa- 56 And her father and mother were filled with
rtnts were ado- great amazement and joy at this miraculous recovery
charged them that of their daughter, by a refurreftion from the dead :
they fliould tell no But Jefus, not feeking his own glory, commanded ,
man what was them not to make any public npife of what he had
done, done ; and yet the fame of this miracle foon fpread
abroad. ( Matth. ix.- 26.)
RECOLLECTIONS.
O the deep humiliation and condefcenfion of our bleffed Lord, that he fliould
ftand in need of afliftances, and accept of fupplies, from fuch as had been the great
eft of finners '. All forts of perfons were effecf ually wrought upon by the gbfpel,
which brought forth fruit, more or lefs, in them feverally ; and wherever it fails
of fuccefs, it is not from any defect in the good feed of the word, but from the cri
minal diforder of people's own hearts, which either refifts its impreffion upon them,
or foon lofes it, through the fubtilty of Satan, and the temptations of this world.
With what ferious .concern fhould we feek grace to make our hearts good, and
take heed how we hear, and how we improve our light, for the benefit of others,
as well as of our own fouls I They that cordially embrace the gofpel, are as dear
to Ctajft as the neareft relations on earth can be to one another ; and though he
may fuffer them to meet with many a threatening and furprifing ftorm, yet his
prefence is their fecurity and relief in all their troubles, frights, and dangers ; and
Ihey ought to fly to him, truft in him, and adore him, as their God and Saviour,
who is never unmindful of them, though fomedmes, like one afleep, he may feem
to neglect them. — But O what a malicious, cruel, and hateful enemy'is Satan !
Were he to have his will of us, he would make us the moft miferable of all crea
tures ; and none but Chrift can refcue us out of his hand, or lay him under re
straints : But he has fuch a complete dominion over him, that he can do it when
ever he pleafes. How foolifh and wicked then are they, who prefer any thing in
this world to Chrift, and who, under terrible apprehenfions of fin and danger, have
hard thoughts of him, and put him away from themfelves '. And how juft is it in
hita to take them at their word and choice I But how wife and happy are they, who

Chap. ix. Luke paraphrafed. 9.1
who gladly receive him; and depend upon him ; whofe faith preffes toward him
through all difcouragements and apprehenfions of their own unworthinefs ! He is
willing to receive, help, and fave them ; and, having his warrant for our faith, we
fhould think that nothing can be too great for him to do for us. How like a God ,
did he, by virtue in himfelf, heal difeafes, caft out devils, raife the dead, and call
back their departed fouls to animate their bodies again '. And how lhould we glo
rify him, who fought not his own glory '. In whatever he commands we fhould
readily obey him, how felf-denying foever it may be fo to do. But, as gracious
fouls cannot but wifh to be as near to Jefus as poifible, and to abide with him, how
defirable is it to be admitted to immediate attendances on him, when the circum
ftances of things admit of it '. And how great is the bleffednefs of that world, where
nothing will hinder our being ever with the Lord '.

CHAP. IX.
Jefus fends forth the twelve apoftles, t, — 6. Herod' .r perplexing
thoughts about him, and defire to fee him, J, — 9. He miraculoufly
feeds five thoufand, 10, — 17. His difcourfe with his difciples con
cerning himfelf , and following him, 18, — 27. His transfiguration,
28, — 36. His cafiing the devil out of a youth, which the difciples
had attempted without fuccefs, $y, — 42. He foretels his ownfuf-
ferings to death, 43, — 45. Checks the ambition of his difciples,
•46, — 48. Reproves them for a party, felfifh, and revengeful fpi
rit, 49, — 56. And fhews the danger of delaying and of drawing
back, 57, — 62.
Text. Paraphrase.
THEN he called- 0UR bleffed Lord having fome time ago fingled
ciples ^ogethet out twelve of his difciples, whom he defigned
and gave them for apoftles, (chap. vi. I 3,— 16.) and who ever fince
power and autho- had attended him, and been training up, as it were,
rity over' all de- at his feet, for their office, he took an opportunity
difeafeTd '" ^ of caUinS them togeth«' = And, that they might be
thoroughly qualified for his fervice, he veiled them
with proper powers, which fhould be effeftual,
through his name, to caft out devils, and heal all
manner of diftempers.
2 And he fent 2 Whereupon he fent them forth, with a commif-
them to preach the fjon> t0 publifh in feveral parts of Judea, (Matth. x.
and6 to" heal the 6' 7-) that he would foon fet up the kingdom of
fick, grace, which fhould be perfected in the kingdom of
glory ; and for the confirmation of their doftrine,
and recommending it to the affeftions, as well as
judgment of the people, he ordered them to heal the
fick, and do other, wonderful works, as occafions
might offer, wherever they went.
3 And he faid 3 And as, by this firft miffion, they were not to
unto them, Take go very far, and were foon to return, he faid to them,
nothing for your J)0 not trouble yourfelves about making provifion for
joumey, neither y0ur journey before-hand ; but go forth depending
^either bread, "ef- uVon t^le providence of God for proteftion, and for
x ther a

92

The Evangelift

Chap. ix.

ther money : nei- a fupply of all the necefjaries of life ; carry with yctu
coats a-lece tW° n° ftaff for defence' but only that which 70U COIn-
"piece monly ufe for walking ; no bag for viftuals, nor any
food or money to buy it ; nor any change of raiment.
4 Nor be ye folicitous about entertainment where
ye go ; but take up your quarters With the firft fober
family that is willing to receive you ; and, to avoid
all appearance of ficklenefs, curiofity, or daintinefs,
there continue, without changing your lodging till
ye leave that town or' city.
5 And whatfoever place ye come to, if, upon tri
al, the people make an uproar againft you, or the ci
vil magiftrate will not fuffer you to preach ; when ye
city, fhake off the g° away from theiice, fhake off the * duft of your
very duft from feet, as a witnefs that the gofpel of falvation was fent
your feet for a to them, and they, like hardened and ungrateful
tnenf0"7 agi"nft wretches, rejefted it to their own perdition ; and as
a fignal of your detefting their wickednefs, and refu
fing to have any communion with them, and of
God's fhaking them off as contemptible and vile, like
the duft of one's feet.
6 With thefe and fuch like inftruftions they went
forth, according to Chrift's command ; and, travel
ling over the towns and cities of Judea, executed

4 And whatfo
ever houfe ye en
ter into, there a-
bide, and thence
depart.

5 And whofo-
ever will not re
ceive you, when
ye go out of that

6 And they de
parted, and went
through the towns,
preaching the gof-

7 Now Herod
the tetrarch heard
of all that was
done by ihim : and
he was perplexed,
becaufe that it was

pel, and healing their commiffion, in preaching the gofpel wherever
every where. they came ; and both confirming and recommending
it by miraculoufly healing the fick, and cafting out
devils, and the like.
7 Now this fpread the fame of Jefus wider, and
raifed his charafter higher, than ever before ; fo that
all the great things that were done by him in perfon,
and by his apoftles in his name, and by virtue deri
ved from him, reached the ears of Herod, the te-
faid of fome, that trarch of Galilee, (fee the note on chap. iii. i.) who
the dradnfenfr°m was ^"edingty diftreffed with horror in his own con
feience, for having beheaded John the Baptift, and
with fear, left now it fhould be avenged upon him ;
becaufe it was reported by fome that this wonder
ful perfon was no other than John appearing again,
as rifen from the dead.
8 But (h) others imagined that Jefus was Elias,
pearedTanTof'o- who' the >T bought, would perfonally appear be-
thers, that one of f°re the coming of the Meffiah ; and others fancied
the old prophets him to be one of the ancient prophets, raifed to
was rifen again. life again.
9 Amidft this variety of opinions, Herod, full of
T E.
their feet, as a teftimony that they, who
refufed the gofpel, were to be looked up
on, - and treated like the heathens, to
dered his apoftles to fhake off the duft of whom he had forbid them to preach it.

8 And of fome,
that Elias had ap

«> And Herod faid, N O
* Some have obferved, that as the
Jews thought the very duft of the hea
then land to be polluted ; fo oui Lord or-

Chap. ix. -Lvke paraphrafed. 93
faid, John have 0f terrible anxieties, faid, 1 have indeed beheaded
I beheaded ; but ^ fol cmnot teU what to think of this perfon,
"who is this of J , T , . , r,-
whom I hear fnch wh°> as I now hear, appears with extraordinary
¦things I and he de- power, and works abundance of miracles, both by
fired to' fee him. bis own and hi-s difciples hands. Is this John the
Baptifi ? or if not, who can it be \ And he earneft-
ly wilhed for a fight of Jefus, hoping thereby to fa
tisfy himfelf about it.
io And the a- io In' the mean while, the twelve apoftles having
pottles when they executed their commiffion, came back to their Lord,
were returned told d h;m account (as -Jl his fervants muft, of
him all that they , . o , ¦ , r ^ ¦ , \ i 1 1
•had done. And he their labours in the final judgment) how and where
took them, and they had preached -and wrought miracles ; and what
went afide private- reception they had met with : Upon which he reti-
ly into a defert ^d with them to a folitary part of the country, not
to^he city "called ^ar ^rom the city of Bethfaida, that he might give
Bethfaida. , them a little relaxation from their late labours and
fatigues, and might further inftruft and encourage
them in what related to their work.
ii And the u But (h) the common people, knowing to
people when they wjjat piace fo for] withdrawn, followed him in great
W tndf°Wed- crowds thkher : And thouSh they broke in upon his
teive'd them and meafures for a little recefs and refrefhment, yet fo
fpake unto them great was his goodnefs, that he kindly received them ;
of the kingdom of and, inftead of fparing himfelf, preached the p-ofpel
God, and healei f h;s j.;™^ t0 them, and healed fuch as were
them that hacl n ° . i • r
need of healing. ailtempered, ana came to him lor a cure.
is And when 12 And when it grew toward night, his twelve a-
the day began to poftles defired him to difmifs the people, that they
Tame the^t'wdve" miSht have time enouSh» while day-light lafted, to
and faid unto him' reach fome of the neareft towns and villages, and
Sead the multi- get lodging and entertainment there : For, faid they,
tude away, that we are here in a defolate, barren part of the country,
they may go into wnere there are no accommodations for them ; fo that
country" "ound*"- they muft "eceffarily fuffer great hardfhip, if they
bout, and lodge, ftay any longer.
and get victuals : 13, But he replied, Give them fomething to eat
for we are he-re in before they go, left, having had no refrefhment fo
a defertjjlace. ^ long> fome of them fl^d fa;nt hy tfo way . Tfo
unto them Give apoftles not confidering how God fed Ifrael of old
ye them to eat. in the wildernefs, nor how eafily their Lord could
And they faid, We do the fame now, objc-fted to this motion, faying,
have no mote but v/(. hav£ 1 a jjttle ofour common fare; five barlcv-
five loaves and two . , ' r ,, .. „ ... , r ,'
fillies- excot we I0aves and two fmall . nines, jult enough lora meal or
fliould go and buy two at moft for ourfelves ; it would therefore be only to
meat tor all this tantalize the people, were we to offer them an enter-
Pcopk- tainment, unlefs we were to go to fome neighbouring
town, and buy provifions there for this vaft multitude.
14 For they 14 The reafon of their fpeaking after this 'man-
were about five ner waSj becaufe the number of men only, then pre
fent, was about five thoufand i However Chrift, ha-

thou-

Vol. II. O

VIII?

94

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Chap. ix.

thoufand men.
And he faid to his
difciples, Make
them fit down by
fifties in a com
pany. 1 5 And they
did fo, and made
them all fit down.

ving 'determined* in himfelf what to do, commanded
his apoftles to defire all the company to fit down on
the grafs* and to place them by fifty in a rank.^
15 And the apoftles, without any further difpu-
ting,- obeyed their Lord's order, caufing the people
to fit down in that manner, by which means they
might be the more eafily numbered, and the food
more readily diftributed among them. (See the note
on Mark vi. 40.)
16 Then Jefus, having the five loaves and two
fifties before him, took part of them into his hands ;
and, according to his exemplary cuftom at meals,
afked a bleffing upon them, turning his eyes upward
toward heaven, from whence every good gift de-
fcends : (fee the note on Matth xiv. 19.) And then,
dividing the food into pieces fit for diftribution, he
conveyed it, through the hands of his apoftles, to all
the people, as they fat in their feveral rows.
1 7 And by his creating power, he gave it fuch a
furprifing increafe, that the whole company eat of it
till they were fully fatisfied : And, fmall as the quan
tity was before they began, there were no lefs than
twelve bafkets full left, after they had been fo plenti
fully refrefhed, and had quite done eating. ( See the
note on Matth. xiv. 20.)
' 18 Having thus fhewn his compaffion both to( the
fouls and bodies of this great multitude, he difmiffed
them, and retired to converfe with God his Father,
and with the difciples his friends, that he might open
his heart freely in his petitions for them, and in his
inftruftions to them; and when, like the mafter of his
houfhold, he had given them an example of family
prayer, he proceeded to a free and religious converfa
tion with them concerning himfelf, faying, What is
the general opinion that men have of me ? Or whom
do they take me to be I
19 The apoftles anfwered, that people were much
divided, and had very different notions about him ;
fome fancying that he was John the Baptift come to
life again, whiift others infifted that he was Elijah
the Tifhbite, appearing among them to anoint the
Meffiah, whom they were looking for ; and others
talked as if he were one or other of die ancient pro
phets come to them from the dead.
20 Then Jefus faid to his diciples, But, amidfl
all thefe various conjeftures and debates of the people,
tell me the fenfe of your own hearts ; Whom do ye
foicC The Chriftof believe mc tp be ? Peter faid in all their names, they
God. confenting, Whatfoever others think of thee, we are
fatisfied that thou art the only true Meffiah, and the
: eternal Son of God. (Matth. xvi. 16.) 31 And

1 fi Then he took
the five loaves and
the two fifties, and
looking up to hea
ven, he bleffed
them, and brake,
and gave to the
difciples to fet be
fore the multi
tude. 17 And they did
eat, and were all
filled, and there
was taken up of
fragments that re
mained to them,
twelve bafkets.

18 And it came
to pafs as he was
alone praying, his
difciples were with
him : and he afk-
¦ ed them, faying,
Whom fay the peo
ple that I am ?

19 They anfwer
ing, faid, John the
Baptift : but fome
fay, Elias : and o-
thers fay, that one
of the old prophets
is rifen again.

30 He faid unto
them, But whom
fay ye flint I am ?
Peter '" anfwering,

Chap. ix.
21 And he ftrait-
ly charged them,
and commanded
them to tell no
man that thing.

Luke paraphrafed.

95

22 Saying, The
Son of man muft
fuffer many things,

priefts, and fcribes,
and beflain, and be
raifed the thirdday.

21 And though Chrift highly approved of this
confeffion of their faith in him, yet he ftriftly for
bade their publifhing it for the prefent, that the
Jews, who expefted the Meffiah to be a temporal
prince, might not raife a tumult on his account, either
by contending for or againft his being their king,
and fo attempting either to hinder or haften hiS death
out of its proper feafon ; as alfo that the full mani-
feftation of the glory of his charafter might be refer-
ved till he fhould rife from the dead.
22 Accordingly he took this opportunity to turn
off their own expectations of temporal advantages
-. from him, or of his immediately appearing in the
and be rejected of , c , ¦ r . . . i • j .- • mi
theelders,andchief SloT even of his fpiritual kingdom, faying, The
Meffiah, according to divine appointment and pre
dictions, and for anfwering the great defign of his
coming into the world, muft undergo many terrible
fufferings and indignities ; and particularly muft be
oppofed, reviled, and condemned by the great coun
cil, confifting of the elders of the people, and of their
chief priefts and doctors ; and at length muft- be put
to a cruel death-: And he added, for their comfort,
that on the third day he muft rife again, to fhew
that he is a divine perfon, and that his Father accepts
and owns Kim in his work.
23 And 'ks his difciples, and Peter in particular,
could not tell how to brook what he had faid about
his fufferings and death ; and as by this time a mul
titude of people were come again to him, (Mark viii.
32, 34.) he faid to them all in general, If any one
would be my difciple, and fhare in the bleffings I am
come to bellow, he, after my example, muft be con
tented to part with the riches, honours, and pleafures
of this life, and fubmit to the heavieft hardfhips and
fufferings day by day for my fake, even unto death ;
and muft follow me with faith and patience, through
much tribulation, till he arrives at my heavenly king
dom. (See the note on Mark viii. 34.)
24 For whoever declines thefe duties, to fave his
temporal life in this world, fhall fall fhort. of eternal
happinefs in the next, which is loiing his life in the
worft fenfe that poffibly can be : But' whoever is wil
ling to put them into praftice, even to the lofs of this
tranfitory life, for his faith in me, and profeffion of
my name, fhall certainly obtain eternal life, which is
,the beft that any one can enjoy.
25 For the foul of man is his life and his glory, his
principal and immortal part ; and, as it fares with
that, he himfelf muft be, extremely happy or mifer-
able for ever : What comparifon then can there be
between all this world and his own foul ? or what
D 2 ' ad-

23 And he faid
to them all, If any
man will come af
ter me, let him de
ny himfelf, and
lake up his crofs
daily, and follow
me.

24 For whofo
ever will fave his
life fhall lofe it :
but whofoever will
lofe his life for my
fake, the fame fhall
f^ve it.

25 For what is
a man advantaged,
if he gain the
whole world, and
lofo himfelf, or' be
caft away.

96

The Evangelift

Chap. ix.

27 But I tell you
of a truth, there
be fome ftanding
here, which fliall
not tafte of deatht
till they fee the
kingdom of God.

advantage could he have, were he to gain the utmoft
grandeur and delights on earth, and, after all, were
to be himfelf eternally toft- or deftroyed ?
2S For whofo- 26 And yet this will be the dreadful condition of
ever fhall be afoa- ^ tfofe tfot refufe to talte up their crofs and follow
med 0 me an o -por wnogver j6 zfaa[r\ or afhamed to own me '
my words, ot him ,-. ... . „ .
lhall the Son of and my gofpel now, in the pretence of men, felt they
man be afhamed, fhould perfecute or reproach him, or laugh at him for
whenhefballcome Jt> him will the Meffiah publicly refufe to own, and
and^A°rFathe°r'sy uPon him wil1 he Pow the g^ateft contempt at the „
and of the holy great day, when he fhall appear in his own perfonal'_
angels. and mediatorial glory, as the eternal Son of God,
and Judge of all, and in the glory of his heavenly
Father, whofe divine perfeftions, majefty, and au
thority, will then difplay themfelves in him ; and
when he fhall be attended with a pompous retinue of
holy angels, to execute his commands and celebrate
his praife *.
27 And (<?&) I folemnly affure you, that it will
not be long before a lively emblem of this fhall ap
pear : For fome here prefent fhall live to fee the king
dom of the Meffiah fet up in the world with great
glory, by his refurreftion and exaltation at the Fa
ther's right hand^ by the plentiful effufion of his Spi-
rit% to glorify him, and fpread his gofpel with fpeedy
and furprifing fuccefs, and by his coming to take
vengeance upon the incorrigible Jews, in the utter
deftruftion of their .city -and nation ; and here are
fome, who, in a few days, fhall be eye-witneffes of
an ilhiftrious difplay of his glory. ( See the note on
Matth. xvi. 28.)
28 About a week f after Chrift had faid thefe
things, he, defigning to give a little fpecimen of his
future glory, fingled out three of his difciples, Peter,
took Peter, and John, and James, to be eye-witneffes of it, as they
John, and James, afterwards were to be of his agony in the garden ;
and went up into (Matth. xxvi. 37.) and taking thefe along with him,
a he
NOTES.
* Here feems to be, according to Dr the fame allufion, of his coming in the
iVhitb/s obfervation, an allufion to the glory of the holy angels. See E<zek. i.
Shechinah, which Was called the glory of and x. chapters.
the God of Ifrael, and the appearance of \ In Matth. xvii. r. and Mark ix. t.
the likenefs of the glory of the Lord, their this is faid to be fix days after the fore-
great Jehovah : And as it was the Logos, going difcourfe, meaning only the days
or the Son of God, who ufually thus ap- that paffed between that and the day of
peared, arid who, after his afccnfion, was Chrift's transfiguration; but here it is
invefted again with this glory, it was his faid to.be about eigiit days after it, in-
glory as well as the Father's. And we clufive both of the day of Chrift's faying
may add, that the living creatures, and thefe. things, and the day of liis going
the cherubims, being alfo reprefented in up to the mdunt, which, together with
feveral of thofe appearances, as the mini- the fix intermediate days, made up a-
rfters of providence and attendants on this bout eight days, though not eight cura
tory, Chrift feems to fpeak- likewife, in pletei

2S And it came
to pafs about an
eight days after
thefe fayings, he

Chap.; ix.

Luke paraphrafed.

91

to

ii mountain
pray. 29 And as he
prayed, the fafhion
of his countenance
was altered, and
his raiment was
white and gHfter-
ing.

30 And behold,
there talked with
him two men,
which weTe Mofes
and Elias.
31 Who appear
ed in glory, and
fpake of his de-
ceafe which he
flioul'd accomplifh
at Jerufalem.
32 But Peter,
and they that were
with him, were
heavy with fleep,-
and when they
were awake, they
faw his glory, and
the two men that
flood with him-.
33 And it came
to pafs, as they de
parted from him,
Peter faid unto Je
fus, IWafter, it is
good for us to be
here ; and let us
make three taber
nacles, one for
thee, and one for
IVJofes, and one for
Elias; not know
ing what he faid.

34 While he
thus fpake, there
came a cloud
and oveffhadowed
them : and they
feared as they
entered intp the
cloud.

35 And there came

he went up an high hill, as he was wont to fpend
fame time in fecret prayer.
29 And while he was thus humbling himfelf in
the form of a fervant, his divine glory broke forth to
give him an appearance in the form of God ; fo that,
all on a fudden, a dazzling luftre flufhed through his
countenance, and a fhining brightnefs through all his
clothes, by which he appeared all over glorious, like
the God, who covers himself with light as with a
garment. (Pfal. civ. 2. See the note oh Matth.
xvii. 2.)
30, 3 1 There were likewife, at the fame time, two
of the greateft, men that bad ever lived upon earth,
who came to own and honour him ; one was Mofes,
the giver of the law ; and the other was Elias, the
reftorer of it : Thefe appeared in glorious forms, like
perfons that came from the bleffed ftate and world a-
bove, and they converfed with- Jefus about the nature
and defign of his fufferings and death, which he was
ihortly to^undergo at Jerufalem.
32 Brut at the beginning of this wonderful feene,
Peter and the other two difciples were fo exceeding
drowfy, that they could hardly attend to any thing
about it ; till, recovering themfelves out of their
fleepy fit, and being perfeftly awake, they plainly
faw the glorious appearance that Chrift made, and
took notice of Mofes and Elias, who were with him.
33 And while the difciples were filled with afto-
niffiment and delight at what they had feen and heard,
Peter, obferving that thofe two ancient prophets were
about to withdraw, addreffed himfelf to Chrift, fay
ing, Lord, how glorious and transporting is it to be
here ! and how happy would it be if we could always
enjoy fuch heavenly manifeftations, difcourfe, and
company,- as this ! Suffer us to fet up three tents ;
one for thee, the fecond for Mofes, and the third for
Elias, that we may all dwell together in this place :
This he faid in a fort of rapturous forprife, which
made him imcapable of duly confidering whether it
might be fit and proper, or not.
34 But at the very inftant that he was uttering
thefe words, the difciples found themfelves covered
with foch an awful cloud, as was an emblem of the
divine prefence ; (fee the note on Matth. xvii. 5.)
which, when it began to fpread over them, not only
deprived them of all further fight of Mofes and Elias,
(ver. 36.) but filled them with great fear, as not
knowing what might be the confequence; though
Chrift being with them, there was no room to appre
hend any danger.
35 And to fhew that this cloud was a vifible token of

93

The Evangelift

Chap. ix.

came a voice out
of the cloud, fay
ing, This is my
beloved Son, hear
him.

36 And when
the voice was paft,
Jefus was found
alone : and they
kept it clofe, and
told no man in
thofe days any of
thofe things which
they had feen.

37 And it came
to pafs, that on the
next day, when
they were come
down from the hilt
much people met
him.~ - 38 And behold,
a man of the com
pany cried out,
laying, Mafter, I
befeech thee look
upon my fon, ,«for
he is mine only
child. 39 And lo, a
fpirit taketh him,
i and he fuddenly
crieth out, and it
teareth him that
he foameth again,
and bruifing him,
hardly departeth
from him.

40 And I be-
fought thy difci
ples to caft him
out, and they
could not.

41 And Jefus
anfwering, faid, O
faithlefs and per-
verfe generation,
how long fha'l I be
with you, and fuf fer

of divine favour, and not of wrath, they immediately
heard a voice from the eternal Father out of the
cloud, faying, This is the Son of my higheft love, in
whofe perfon, office, and performances, my foul de
lights, and by whom I will make the laft revelation
of my mind and will: Attend therefore to him, and
obey him, in whatfoever he ffiall fay unto you.
36 Immediately -after this voice the whole vifion
clofed ; Mofes and Elias were gone, the cloud of glo
ry withdrew, the transfiguration was over, and Jefus
was with them alone in his ufual form : And they,
according to his command, (Matth. xvii. 9.) kept
counfel for the prefent, without difcovering what
they had feen to friend or foe, till after his refurrec-
tion, when it was much more eafily credited than it
would have been before. 1
37 Now (Si) when our Lord and the three difci
ples returned, on the morning of the next day, from
the mountain,- he found abundance of people, with
the reft of his difciples, waiting for him below.
38 And as foon as he appeared, they flocked a-
bout him, and one of the people falling down at his
feet, cried out with great earneftnefs, Lord, I hum
bly beg that thou wouldft look \vith an eye of com
paffion upon my fon, and heal him ; for he is a dear
and only child, for whom I cannot but be tenderly
concerned in his prefent deplorable condition, which
is this :
39 An evil fpirit has taken poffeffion of him, and
diftreffes him in fo terrible a manner, that fometimes
he fhrieks out all on a fudden, and talks like one
frighted out of his wits ; at other times he is" racked
and tortured, and thrown into violent convulfions, till
he foams at the mouth, and feems to be quite fenfe
lefs ; at other times he falls down in an inftant wher
ever he is, and receives abundance of hurt ; and fe
cruel and malicious is the devil in tormenting him,
that he hardly ever gives him any refpite.
40 Having therefore heard of thee, and of what
wonderful works even thy difciples have done in thy
name, I applied to them, while thou wert abfent,
begging that they would caft out this evil fpirit : But,
alas ! they attempted it in vain ; and now I come to
fee whether thou thyfelf canft do any thing to help.
him. (Mark ix. 22.)
41 Hereupon Jefus feverely reproved the father of
the lad, together with the unbelieving multitude, and
efpecially the fcribes, who had run down his difci
ples becaufe they could not work this cure ; (Mark
ix. 14.) and he faid to them, O ye defperately incre
dulous, obftinate generation of men, how long fhall I

Chap. ix.
feryou? Bring thy
fon hither.

Luke paraphrafed.

99
I be working divine and merciful miracles among you?
and how long muft I neverthelefs bear with your
perverfe diffidence, enmity, and oppofition to me ?
Then fpeaking to the father, for the encourage
ment of his faith, and to the people, and particular
ly the fcribes, (Mark ix. 19.) for the confuting of
their unbelief, he faid, Bring the child to me *.
42 And as the youth was coming, the devil, who
knew Chrift's power better than the fcribes did, was
enraged at the thoughts that he muft now be caft out ;
arid to fhew his furious inclination for doing all the
mifchief he could, he threw the poor young creature
down with great violence, and -fhook him as if he
would have torn him to pieces : But (Se) Jefus fpoke
with fovereign power and authority to the evil fpirit
to depart ; and immediately reftored the child to per
feft health, and delivered him back to his father fafe
and found.
43 And the whole multitude were ftruck with great
aftonifhment at fo plain a demonflration of the truly
divine power, which our bleffed Lord exerted in per
forming this ftupendous work, and thereby defeating
the triumphs of his enemies. But while the people
were admiring this and other miracles which Jefus
had wrought, and he and his difciples were again got
together alone, (Matth. xvii. 19, — 22.) he, to guard
them agafnft entertaining any thoughts of his appear
ing in worldly power and grandeur, faid,
44 Take particular notice of what I have told you
before, and am going to tell you again ; often think
of it, refleft ferioufly upon it, and live in the daily
belief and expeftation of it, that ye may not be fur-
prifed and fhocked when ye come to fee it ; viz.
That I, whom ye know and believe to be the Mef
fiah, fhall certainly be given up to the power of mine
enemies, who will put me to death.
45 But how plainly foever he talked to them of
thefe things, their heads were fo full of notions about
the Meffiah's appearing with external pomp, that
they could not tell how to underftand his fuffering
and dying in a literal fenfe, npr could they imagine
what he intended by fuch expreffions : And yet, he
having fo often ufed them, and fhewn his difpleafure
at the exceptions which Peter had lately offered a-
gainft them, (Matth. xvi. 21, — 23.) they were a-
ffiamed, and afraid to niake any further inquiries a-
bout his meaning in them.
46 And as Jefus wa.s going with his difciples to
ward
NOTE.
* See the notes on Matth. xvii. 17. and Mark ix. io. where Chrift fpeaks to
the faithjefs generation to bring the child to him.

42 And as he
was yet a coming,
the devil threw
him down, and
tare him ; and Je
fus rebuked the
unclean fpirit, and
healed the child,
and delivered him
again to his father.

43 And they
were all amazed
at the mighty
power of God :
but while they
wondered every
one at all things
which Jefus did,
he faid unto his
difciples,

44 Let thefe
fayings link down
into your ears :
for the Son of man
fliall be delivered
into the hands of
men.

45 But they un
derftood not this
faying, and it was
hid from them,
that they perceived
it not : and they
feared to afk him
of that faying.

46 Then

there arofe

IOO
arofe a reafon
ing among them,
which of them
fliould be greateft.

47 And Jefus
perceiving , .{the
thought of their
heart, _ took a
child, and fet him
by him.
48 And faid uiji-
tp them, Whofo
ever fliall receive
this Child in my
name, receiveth
nae ; and whofo
ever fliall receive
roe, receiveth him
that font, me ; for
he that is leaft a-
mong you all, the
fame foali be great.

The Evangelift

Ghag. ix-.

49 And. John
anfwered and faid,
Mafter, we faw
one cafting out
devils in thy name;
and we forbad him,
becaufe he follow-
eth not with us.

50 And Jefus
faid unto him, For
bid him not; for he
that is not againft
us, is for us. «.

51 And it came to

ward Capernaum, (Mqrk ix. 33.) they, 4agging«be-
hind, entered into a warm debate, about which of them
ffiould have the pre-emineace in , the temporal ' king
dom, which they ftill expefted Chrift would foon fet
up in the world, notwithftanding .all that he had faid
to the contrary.
47 But Jefus, who knew what ..was in man, was
perfeftly acquainted with all their ambitious views, and
with the whole. of their vain difpute, though he was
not corporally within hearing ; and therefore,, as foon
as they arrived together at Capernaum, he, calling
for a young child, fet it, before them.
48 And then he iajd unto them, This child is a
proper emblem of the true fubjefts of my kingdom,
who, like him, fhould be difinterefted, meek, and
humble, free from all ambition, envy, and malice ;
and whoever fhall receive any perfons of thefe holy
difpofitions into his affeftion, and fhew kindnefs to
them in obedience to my command, and for my fake,
becaufe they bear my image, a/nd are in favour with
me, ffiall be accounted of as if he had done it perfon
ally to myfelf ; and whoever ffiall receive me into his
heart, by a felf-denying faith and love, for fpiritual
purpofes, fhall be efteemed as paying the fame reli
gious regard to my Father himfelf, who fent me into
the world : For this is the rule of my kingdom, that
he, who is moft humble, condefcending, and felf-aba-
fed among you, fhall be advanced to the greateft hon
ours, and moft highly favoured ,with my fmiles and
bleffings. 49 Then the apoftle John, defirous to know whe
ther he had preferved this excellent temper on ano
ther ocafion, faid, Mafter, I and others of thy dif
ciples, not long fince, faw a certain man making ufe
of thine authority in cafting out devils ; and we
thought proper to rebuke him, and forbid his doing
fo any more, as fuppofing that he had no right to ufe
thy name for fuch purpofes, becaufe he did not affo-
ciate with us, or with any of thy conftant followers.
50 But (xmi) Jefus being difpleafed at fuch a
peevifh, narrow, unbecoming party-fpirit, reproved
John, and his companions that joined with him in it,
faying, Ye are much to blame for going about to
hinder fuch an one in my work, and to rob me of
my praife; for he who does not oppofe us, and efpe
cially he who carries on the fame defign with us, can
never be reckoned as an enemy, but fhould be efteem
ed, embraced, and encouraged as a friend ; though
for reafons which ye know not, he may not think pro
per tp join in company with you.
51 Now the time drawing on, when, according tp
the

Chap. ix. Luke paraphrafed. 101
to pafe, when the the determinate counfel and foreknowledge of God,
time was come that . our Lord Jefus was to pafs through his laft fufferings
ved up he "ed- *° $-orY* his neart was fo fully fet upon the redemption
faftly fet his face of the church, that he refolved, and fet out to go to
to go to , Jerufa- Jerufalem ; nor would he hear of any perfuafions to
lem- the contrary, though he knewthe terrible things that
would befal him there, by the righteous ordination
of God, and the malicious, wicked, and cruel ma
nagement of men and devils.
52 And fent 52 And as his direft road from Galilee to Jeru-
meffengers before falem lay through Samaria, he, to give as little of-
went and^ntered fence as P°*ble» ferlt two of his difciples beforehand,
into a village of t0 ^et the inhabitants know his defign of paffing
the Samaritans to through their country, and to prepare neceffary enter-
make ready for tainment in oneof their towns for himfelf and company.
' ... ,., C-? But, foolifh andt wicked creatures as thefe
S3 Ahd they did JJ, 11 ' • .,¦ 11/1
not receive him were, they would not receive this nobie ftranger,
becaufe his face who would have borne his own charges, and, had
was as though he they defired it, was ready, as well as able, to have
would go to Jeru- bleffed them ; nor would they fuffer him to enter in
to one of their villages, to take the reft and the ac
commodations which were neceffary for him and his
followers on their journey, becaufe they perceived
that he was going to worfliip at Jerufalem, and
thereby praftically declared againft the Samaritans,
¦who warmly denied that to be the place appointed
of God for his worfhip*.
M. fn<1 Twhen 54 Then the difciples James and John looking
his difciples James n ^ tQ b ag ;n(jeed jt w a nemous fodjg-.
and Tohn f a,w this, f , . _ , , • , , . 6 .
they faid, Lord, n]ty to their .Lord and Mafter; their love to him, and
wilt thoirtbat we zeal for his honour, fo inflamed their paffions againft
command fire to the Samaritans, that they were for revenging the af-
come down from front them ;„ the fevereft manner, fuppofing
heaven, and con- tl , . r , , ,..,.- -rr r °
fome them even as that they had power enough m their commiffion fo to
Elias did ? do; and yet not daring to attempt it without his
leave, they afked him to permit their ordering
fire from heaven, to deftroy thefe abufive wretches,
in like manner as Elijah did of old, for the deftruc
tion of the two captains and their fifties that came^to
offer violence to him -|-. (2 Kings i. 10, 12.) 55 3.H
NOTES.
* As the fame" of Jefus was fpread a- where God' fhould be worfhipped : And
mong the Samaritans, on account of therefoie,» full of- all refentment, they
what he had formerly done in their coun- would by no mearts entertain him.
try, (John iv.) and he was looked upon f Elijah did this in Samaria, very
as at leaft an eminent prophet; they were near, if not at.tliis-particular place ; and
provoked*) think that he fliould go to this might probably put it into the' dif-
Jerufalem at this time, which feems to ciples heads to make fuch a furious mo-
have been the feaft 6f tabernacles, {John tion now, rather than at any other time
vii. 2.) and fliould thereby determine di- and place where Chrift had received like
recMy. againft them, that not mount affronts, as particularly among the A'«-
Gerizim, but' Jerufalem was the place %arcnes and Gergefenes..
Vol. II. P

102

The Evangelift

Chap. ix.

55 -But he turn- 55 But our bleffed Lord turned quick upon them,
ed, and rebuked anr\ marply rebuked them, faying, Alas ! ye do not
kno™ not whri confider what fort of fpirit it is that would pufh yGu
manner of fpirit ye upon thefe cruel meafures ; how much paffion and
are of. revenge, pride, and affeftation of temporal power,
mingle with, and fecretly govern, your love and zeal
for me ; nor do ye confider the different nature and
defign of the difpenfations then" and now.
56 For the Son 56 For Elijah was the minifter of the law, and
to. "deftro"0' n" Came t0 A{i^ itS tem)rS 3Sainft the ho™^C abomi-
lives but to fave nations of thofe days, when vain idols were confulted,
them. And they and fet in competition with, yea preferred to, the li- ,
went to another ving and true God : This was high treafon againft
village. Jehovah as Ifrael's King, as well as flagrant idblatry
in oppofitidh to him as their God ; and it was fuita
ble to that ftate of things, and to the terror of the
mount-Sinai difpenfation, that Elijah fhould have- a
commiffion for bringing fire down from heaven, to
vindicate the authority which God had given him,
and to execute vengeance upon them. But the de-'
' fign of the difpenfation of love and mercy which I,
the Meffiah, am come to fet up, is not to deftroy ene
mies by kindling flames of wrath to confume them, but
to melt and win upon them by heaping coals of a
better fort of fire on their heads, and to work fuch
miracles for the eftablifhment of my caufe and inte
reft, as are not of the revengeful, but merciful kind.
And having faid thefe things to pacify and inftruft
his difciples, he, with all meeknefs, turned afide with
them from this place, and went to another town or
village, whofe inhabitants might not be fo ftrongly
prejudiced againft him.
•57 And it came 57 And as Jefus and his difciples were walking
to pafs, that as they together * in the road to Jerufalem, where the Jews
rcertain maiS exPe,?ed *he Meffiah wou.ld f* up his throne, and ap,
unto him, Lord, I Pear in his glory, a certain man came to him, and of-
will follow thee, fered his fervice to attend upon him wherever he went,
whitherfoeverthou ,n hopes of getting great riches and honour under him.
" ' 58 But Jefus, knowing the carnal defign of his
heart, faid to him, I, the Meffiah, am fo far from
coming with the magnificence of a prince, to fet up
a temporal kingdom, that I have not fo much as the
conveniencies which are afforded even to the foxes
and the fowls of the air, who have their places of a-
w'licfe to lay his b°de and fafety, retirement and reft ;' whereas I have
head. , neither Koufe nor home of my own, nor can meet
with common civility in my travels for lodging or en
tertainment :
NOTE.
* This feems not to refer to the fame cafe that is mentioned Matth. viii. 19.
the circumftances of place and time being different, though the fubftance of. the
converfation was the fame.

58 And Jefus
faid unto him.
Foxes have holes,
•and birds of the
air have nefts ;
but the Son of
hath not

Chap. ix. Luke paraphrafed. 103
tertainment ; If therefore you ejipeft great things
in this world from me, you will meet with a fad dif-
appointment.
59 And he faid 59 There was another perfon, to whom Chrift
unto another, Fol- ma^e tfo fj^ft motion, faying, Come thou, and at-
faid *^&B fufler tend uPon me and my fei"v'ce » an<l tl"s man int'ma-
me firft to go and ted that he would readily comply with his command,
bury my father. only he begged leave to defer it till v he fhould have
performed the laft offices of duty and refpeft to his
father, in feeing him buried. (See the note' 00
Matth. viii. 21.) 1
60 Jefus faid un- (fo JJut; our Lord, who will admit of no excufe^
dead "bu ^their 0r delays> nor wil1 fuffer any to indulge them when
dead • but go thou ne comes to work effeftually upon them, replied, It is
and 'preach the not for thofe that are .alive unto God, and are called
kingdom of God. to deyote themfelves to- him, to put off my Service for
thefe lower concerns. Let them who are * dead in
fin, and dead to God, by a diffolution of the union
which originally was between him and their fouls, at
tend to the bufinefs of burying them that die corpo
rally, by a diffolution of the union of their fouls and
bodies : I infift upon your going immediately, at my
call, to preach the gofpel of my kingdom for the fal
vation of loft finners ; and he was made willing in
the day of Chrift's power, without any further ob-
jeftion or delay f.
61 And another 61 And there was a third perfon, who offered to
?'-H *f"n' ^0^?' I ke one °^ Chrift's difciples, and a preacher of his gof-
bu't le^mTiirVgo Pel» %inS' Lord' I would wiffingly give rnyfelf up
bid them farewell to thee and thy work, only let me firft go and take
which are at home a decent leave of my relations and friends, and fettle
at my houfe. tne affajrs 0f my fomily at home, that neither my re
putation nor my temporal interefts may fuffer.
62 And Jefus 62 But (Ss) Jefus replied, in a way of fharp rebuke
faid unto him, No t0 him, As a ploughman muft be always keeping his
man haying put forward upon his work, and never be looking
his hand to the ,' , , r , \ , . ., , , , °
plough, and look- back, or elfe his hand cannot guide the plough to
ing back, is fit for make regular furrows of a due and equal depth : So
the kingdom of no perfon who takes upon him to be my difciple, or
d- to preach my gofpel, and looks wifhfully back to the
affairs of this life, as if he were loth to part with
P 2 them,
NOTE.
* We cannot make fenfe of this paf- plorabfo condition as fuch; for the per-
fage, without fuppofing that, in the for- fons here fpoken of were Jews.
mer claufe, our bleffed Lord meant per
fons who were fpiritually or morally dead, ¦(: thrift ordering him to go, and no
according 1;o Eph. ii. 1, 5. Col. ii. 13. and more be.ing faid Of this man's continuing
1 Tim. v. 6. And this inftance plainly to objedt againft it, intimates, that his
(hews, thart the fcripture-notion of this heart was overcome by grace, and that
fort of death is not to be confined to the he no longer infifted on his former cx-
Gctitiles, as jjf it related only to their de- enfe.

104 The Evangelift Chap. x.
them, can be a meet fubjeft for my kingdom, nor
fit to be engaged in its fervice.
RECOLLECT I'ONS.
With what authority does Chrift commiffion his'fervants to preach the gofpel ;
and with what faithfulnefs fhould they attend to their work, as knowing' that they
muft give an account to him of all their behaviour in it ! And oh how much will
it be to the joy or grief of their hearers, according as they either receive or rejeift
them and their LorAJ Happy are they who are not afhamed -to own Chrift, what
soever fufferings or reproaches they may meet with for it; but fuch as are afhamed
of him, his truths and ways, fhall be difc-wtied by him, to their utter confufion, and
to the everlafting lofs of their own fouls, which can never be compenfated by the
greateft affluence of the good things of this world  O the tranfporting pleafure ol
the divine prefence '. It is. good for us to be there : .The, weaknefs of human natures
in i(s preiint ftate, would indeed foon be overfet with its brighteft manifeft'ations on
f earth ; but it admits of liyely emblems of what will be feen in heaven, where all
the faints fliall appear with Chrift in glory, and fhine in robes of light like him.
In the mean while, all that we do in religion muft be under his direction and
command, apd all our hopes toward God muft be only in, and through him, in
whom his Father is well pleafed. Our Lord obferves whether we have any true
faith in him, and to what degree it prevails in us ; what the difputes are which
we moft eagerly go into, and what manner of fpirit we are of: And O how great
are-the defects; prejudices, pride, and paffion, that remain with his own difciples!
He highly difapproves of thefe things ; but with what- affeelion, tendernefs, and
applaufe does he. treat meek and humble fouls '. And how wonderful is his conde
fcenfion and graee to finners, in bearing with theni, in having refolutely under
gone the greateft fufferings for th'e'm, and in taking the moft endearing methods to
overcome them 1 and yet Upon what unworthy pretences do they rejecl: him, or
excufe' themfelves from embracing him '. But whoever once begins to profefs his
name, or engage in his.work, fliould perfift therein, and riever look back with an
hankering and infnaring afi'eclrion to the bufinefs, pleafures, or honours pf this pre
fent life, as ever he would fliarc in the bleffings and glories of Chrift's kingdom
here, and for ever hereafter.

CHAP. X.

Chrifi' s commiffion to the Seventy, 1, — 16. His difcourfe to them,
, and tbankfgiving to his Father on their return, 17, — 24. His
difcourfe with a lawyer-about the way of attaining eternal life,
2.5, — 37. His reproof of Martha, and commendation of Mary,
38,-42. i
Text. . . Paraphrase.
AfrER thefe a s our Lord had about a year before fent forth
Lord'appomtedV- * X 'twelve apoftles ; (cbap.M. 13. fee the note
ther feventy alfo, there) <fo he fent out feventy other difciples with
and fent them two the like commiffion, anfwerable to the feventy elders
and two before his 0f Ifrael, who were partakers - of the fame fpirit
an~wnither which was upon W- ( AW. xi. „.) AndjPha_
he himfelf would _vmS chofen thefe tp affift the apoftles, he fent them
kewife by pairs, to go, as his harbingers, to. every
town and city of the Jews, to which he himfelf de
figned afterwards to follow them.
Therefore faid 2 And as lie had a great harvell of fouls to gather

come.' likew

2

f.<

in

Chap. x.
he unto them, The
harveft truly is
great, but the la
bourers are few:
pray ye therefore
the Lord of . the
hatveft, that he
would fend forth
labourers intp his
harveft.

3 Go your ways:
Behold, I fend you
forth as lambs a-
mong wolves.

LviKEparapfrrafed.

i°5

4 Carry neither
purfe,' norfcrip, nor
fhoes: and fa-lute no
man by the way.

5 Andinto what
foever houfe ye en
ter, firft fay, Peace
be to this houfe.
6 And if the fon
of peace be there,
your peace foall
reft upon it; if not,
it fhall turn to you
again.

7 And • in the
, fame houfe remain,
eating and drinks
fog fuch things as
they

in to himfelf, by means of the gofpel, firftj among
the Jews, and afterwards among, the Gentiles ; he
intimated, that, notwithftanding this addition of fe
venty to the twelve, the number of hands would ftill
be very fmall, compared with what there would be
occafion for ; and therefore Ordered them, as he. had
his difciples before, (Matth. ix. 38. fee the note
there) to apply earneftly to the great Lord and Pro
prietor of the harveft, ' that he would add ftill abun
dance of others, who fhould. be fkilful, faithful, and
laborious preachers of the gofpel.
3 And, fays he, go ye forth, for the prefent, to
the work to which I have called you : Obferve who
has fent you, and'what fort of people I tell you be
forehand ye will meet with : I have given you your
warrantj and will afford you all needful proteftion
and affiftance, amidft the great dangers and difcou-
ragements ye will be expofed to, and unable to de
fend yourfelves againft ; while ye, like timorous and
helplefs, as well as meek and inoffenfive lambs, will
be caft among enemies, who, like crafty and cruel,
violent, and furious wolves, are feeking to harafs and
deftroy you.
4 Commit yourfelves by faith to the care of divine
Providence, for a fupply of fuch neceffaries of life as
ye may have occafion for : And, in confidence that
God will raife up friends to fhew you kindnefs, do
not tremble yourfelves about carrying with you mo
ney, or food, or any other conveniencies, no, not
fo much as a pair of fhoes, more than ye have on your
feet : And apply yourfelves fo diligently to your main
work, as to lofe no time in exchanging compliments,
or entering into unneceffary difcourfe with any whom
ye may meet with in your way.
5 And whenever ye go into any houfe for entertain
ment, exprefs your hearty concern at your entrance
into it, for the profperity of all who dwell there,, beg
ging that God would abundantly blefs them.
6 If there are any who hereupon fhew a friendly
difpofition toward you, a defire of peace with God,
and a willingnefs to receive the^gofpel of peace, they
fhall be bleffed in anfwer to your prayers for them :
But if they difcover an obftinate and prejudiced fpirit
againft you and the gofpel of falvation, relating to the.
way of obtaining favour with God ; though your
prayer may not be anfwered for them, it fhall return
with double bleffings_ upon your own heads.
7 And take up your abode in the, firft family that
ye go into, and find difpofed to entertain you, courte-
oufly accepting fuch provifion as it affords, though it
be the meaneft fare, and freely eating and drinking what

*9S
they give ; for the
labourer' is worthy
of his hire. Go
not from houfe to
houfe.

8 And into
whatfoever city ye
enter, and they re
ceive you, eat foch
things as are fet be
fore you.

9 And heal the
fick that are there
in, and fay unto
' them, The king
dom of God is come
inigh unto you.

io But into
whatfoever city ye '
enter, and they re
ceive you not, go
your ways out in
to the ftreets of the
fame, and fay,
n Even the
very duft of your
city, wliich clea-
veth on us, we do
wipe off againft
yo,u : notwith
ftanding, , be ye
fure of this, that
the kingdom of
God is come nigh
unto you. , ,

1 1 But I fay un
to you, that it fliall be

The Evangelift Chap. x.
what they fet before you, without any uneafinefs in
your own minds, as if ye were a burden to them :
For as the labouring man has a lawful right to his
wages ; fo, while ye are employed in the fervice of
their fouls, ye have a juft claim to fuflenance fpr
your bodies, and fo every one will think, who receives
any fpiritual benefit by your labours : Do not there
fore fhift your quarters while ye have any work to
do in the neighbourhood, that ye may not feem to
be fickle or pamperers of your appetites, nor lofe the
opportunity of eftablifhing friendfhip with your firft
acquaintance there.
8 In like manner, whatfoever town or city ye go
to, if its inhabitants fhew any difpofitions to hear
your meffage, and to entertain you among them, do
not be nice or curious about what fort of food they
offer you, or in inquiries whether it be ceremonially
clean or not ; but eat heartily, like perfons pleafed
with your fare.
9 And in return for their civilities, as well as in
confirmation of the divine authority of the commiffion
which I have given you, fet yourfelves to heal their
fick, by miracles wrought in my name ; and while ye
are doing fuch kind and endearing works among them,
tell them that the kingdom of the Meffiah, with all
its rich and glorious bleffings, is brought near to them
in the gofpel, which ye are fent to preach, as his har
bingers, who will foon follow you thither, and ap
pear in perfon to receive "all that come to him.
io But if ye go into any town to perform mira
cles, and preach my word there, and the people re-
folutely fet themfelves againft you, and., will by no
means fuffer you to go on with your work, with
draw from thence ; and as ye pafs along the ftreets,
enter a folemn and public proteft againft them^ faying,
1 1 We fhake off the very duft of your city, which
fticks to our feet, in token of God's abhorring and
rejefting you, and of our leaving you to his righte
ous judgment, for your obftinately and malicioufly re
jefting the means of grace which we were fent to
bring to you : But, at the fame time, charge it upon
them to reflect, upon the dreadful confequences of
their defpifing this great mercy ; fince they fhall cer
tainly one day know, rthat the gracious difpenfation
by the long-expefted Meffiah, was at laft brought to
their very doors, and freely tendered to them ; and
that there can be no other remedy for them, but that
they muft inevitably perifh, with a vengeance, for their
wilfully rejefting it.
12 And I affure you, their incorrigible wicked-
uefs and infidelity fliall be fo far from going unpu-
nifhed,

Chap. x.
be more tolerable
in that day for So
dom, than for that
city.

13 Wo unto thee
Chorazin ! wo un
to thee Bethfaida !
for if the mighty
works had been
done in Tyre, and
Sidon, which have
been done in you,
they had a great
while1 agorepen ted,
fitting in fackcloth
and afhes.

14 But it fhall
be more tolerable
for Tyre and Sidon
at the judgment,
than for you.
15 And thou,
Capernaum, which
art exalted to hea-
ren, fhalt be thruft
down to hell.

iGHethathear-
eth you, heareth
me : and be that
defpifeth you, de
fpifeth me : and
he that defpifeth
me, defpifeth him
that font me.

57. And the fe
venty

Lvk.e, paraphrafed. 107
nilhed, that the deftruftion of Sodoth and Gomorrha,
by fire and brimftone from heaven, fhall be found, in
the day of judgment, to have been incomparably lefs
terrible than that which fhall be brought upon them ;
and the guilt and miferies of the notorioufly wicked
inhabitants of thofe ancient cities fhall be far lefs, in
that day, than thefe obftinate refufers of gofpel-light
and grace fhall then be loaded with.
1 3 On this occafion our Lord faid, The greateft-
of all woes hangs over your heads, ye impenitent and
unbelieving inhabitants of Chorazin and Bethfaida,
who have been moft remarkably favoured with endear
ing means of grace, and yet have fhut your ears and
hearts againft them :, For if the impious heathen cities-
of Tyre and Sidon themfelves had been indulged with
fo clear a revelation of Chrift, and fuch numerous un-
queftionable miracles to confirm his divine authority,
as have been vouchfafed to you ; it is highly' proba
ble, that even they would long ere now have yielded
to conviftidn, and expreffed their humiliation and re
pentance in the moft affefting tokens, like perfons
who eover themfelves, in days of the deepeft mourn
ing, with fackcloth and afhes. ( See the note on
Matth. xi. 21.)
14 But your guilt is fo highly aggravated, that
when God fhall coine to execute vengeance in the
great day of account,' it fhall fare better with the
people of Tyre and Sidon than with you.
15 And as for thee, O Capernaum, who haft been,
as it were, my head-quarters where I have chiefly re-
fided, preached, and performed miraculous works,
and who haft been exalted in gofpel-privileges to the
very gates of heaven, and art now proud and prof-
perous ; thou fhalt be caft down from all thy riches,
privileges, and glory, and thy inhabitants fhall be.
preffed, by the heavieft weight of God's wrath, to
the very lqweft and hotteff, place in hell.
1 6 However, Jefus, to encourage the feventy dif
ciples in preaching the gofpel, wherever they could
get opportunity for it, intonated, that their labour
fhould not be altogether in vain ; but that they fhould
be owned and honoured among many, whatfoever
might be the event as to others ; faying, He who at
tends to you, and heartily embraces your meffage,
does in effeft pay all that refpeft to me; but he who
flights and rejefts you, and your preaching, in my
name, thereby, in reality, fhews, the greateft disre
gard to me ; and he who treats me with negli^nce
and fcorn, pours all that contempt upon my heaven
ly Father himfelf,' who fent me.
j 7 Upon tills warrant, and thefe encouragements, the

io8

The Evangelift

Chap. x.

even
the devils are
fobjecl unto us
through thy name.

18 And he faid
unto them, I be
held Satan

venty returned a- the Seventy fet out for their journey, to execute
m1" WLor]°y' vY" chrift's*°mmiffion in kveral towns and cities where
they could meet with any favourable reception : And,
after fome time, they returned to -give an account of
what they had done ; and having fucceeded beyond
their own expeftation, all the fatigues, hardfhips,
difcouragements, and dangers they met with, were as
nothing to them ; out their hearts were wonderfully
lifted up, and. they fpoke to Chrift with a fort oT joy
ful furprife *, faying, Lord, we have not only heal
ed difeafes in confirmation of the doftrine we preach
ed, but have even been enabled to caft out devils in
thy name ; fo that nothing can ftand before thy
power which ¦ has been with us, - and has fubjefted
them to us.
1 8 Jefus replied, This is no more than I knew
beforehand :' For when I fent you forth to preach
lightniiig7all from the gofpel, and confirm it with miracles, I faw the
heaven. forces of hell falling before you all on a fudden, like
lightning, which darts down in an inftant from hea
ven ; arid this is but the prefage and beginning of the
fpeedy triumphs that my gofpel fhall make, with an
i amazing fpread over the whole kingdom of darknefs,
in turning the hearts of finners from the power of Sa
tan to God.
Behold, I ip And in order to the further advancement of
unto you tn;s „reat- encj behold I now renew and enlarge my
to tread on r ° .„¦ , ¦ ^i i
ferpents «ind fcor- former commiffion, and give you power, through my
pions; and over all name, to- fubdue .and triumph over your grand adver-
the power of the fary the devil,, and all his inftruments, who are. as
enemy; and no- fobtle a$d mifchievous as ferpents and fcorpions j and
over all forts of venomous creatures j-, that none of
them may be able to do you any harm.
20 Neverthelefs, that they might not over-value*
themfelves \ipon the powers they had already exerci
fed, and.now further received, he added this graci
ous caution, Let not your rejoicing terminate here,
nor let it be your chief joy, that evil fpirits them-
caufe your names felves are put into fobjeftion to you,- and are difpof-
are written in hea- fefred by the auth0rity which I have given you; for
all this honour might be conferred upon you for pro-
.¦motingmy caufe and kingdom in the world, and ye
yourfelves might, notwithftanding; eternally perifh :
But exult and triumph principally ln this, that ye areen-
> _ - ,.N O T E S.
* Their joy feemed to be with a. mix- xci. 13. ; and this was literally fulfilled,
ture of furprife,- becaufe this power was Ails xxviii. 3, 5. And the power Chrift
more than, as far as appears, Chrift had here gave to the. Seventy againft Satan
exprel'sly mentioned in their commiffion, and all his inftruments, was a remark-
•oer. 9. able inftance of God's fulfilling the firft
promife, Gen. iii. 15 that the feed of the
t Here feems to be an allufion tp Pfal. woman fhould bruiL the ferpent's head.

'9
give
powe

thing fhall by any
' means hurt you.
20 Notwith
ftanding in. this re
joice not, that the
fpirits are fubject
unto you : but ra
ther rejoice, be-

Chap. x.

Luke pamphrafed.

109

enrolled in heaven, among the chofen and called of
God, as perfons whofe names were written in the
book of life, from the foundation of the world, (Rev.
xvii. 8.) and who fhall be adjudged and received to
the everlaftjng inheritance. '
21 In that hour 21 While Jefus was thus direfting his difciples to
Jefus rejoiced in rejoice, above all things elfe, in God's free favour
fpirit, and faid, I antl love) relating to their eternal falvation, his own
thank thee, O Fa- jjeart was rQ exceedingly delighted with this thought,
ther, Lord of hea- 6 J 6 je •
ven and earth, ttot- (vy»Muxmir» rt> Tntvfum) it even leaped tor joy;
that thou haft hid and, in holy rapture, he faid, I adore and blefs thee,
thefe things from 0 my Father, thou great Proprietor, Difpofer, and
the wife and pru- Governor 0f aU perfons and things in heaven and earth,
vealed* theirf unto that while thou haft feen fit to * leave men of parts
babes-, ever, fo, and learning to their own wilful blindnefs and preju-
Father, for fo it dices, which hinder their difcerning the truth, excel-
feerned good in lencej and importance of what they have heard con-
d 's cerning the myfteries of thy kingdom ; thou haft,
neverthelefs, in the riches of thy grace, and to fet it
off with the more advantage, freely difcovered them,
by thy' Spirit, to perfons of low capacity and mean
figure in the world, and haft opened their hearts to
embrace them : This is the way which thine infinite
wifdom and good pleafure have taken to glorify thy
felf in their falvation, and it highly becometh thy
greatnefs- and goodnefs to difpofe of thine own free
favours in a fovereign manner.
22 All things 22 And, to fhew his own full concurrence with
are delivered to me his Father herein, he hnmediately added, As univer-
of my Father: and fa[ dominion, fo all the perfons whofe names are writ
ten in heaven, and all things defigned of God to be
revealed and communicated to them, are committed to
my management in my office-capacity : And .there is,
but the foclj an entire intimacy and harmony between the
Father and Son in their knowledge of one another,
that none, but the Father is thoroughly acquainted
with the nature and will, defign and work of the
Son ; nor does any one underftand what thefe things
are in the Father, except the Son, and fuch othcr
perfons as, in their meafure, receive them by revelation
from him, whofe fovereignty in revealing them is an
fwerable to that of his Father in his eternal purpofes
about them.
23 Then, turning to his difciples, he pronounced
them bleffed, becaufe he had made them fo, faying
to them in private, Ye are happy creatures indeed, who
N O T E.
* Chrift rejoiced not in the deftruct ion a manner as referves to him the entire
of the wife and prudent; but in the dif- glory of our falvation, and hides p'rida
play of the riches, freenefs, and fove- from the eyes of man.
reignty of God's grace to others, in fuch
Vol. II. Q

no man knoweth
who the Son is,
but the Father ;
and who the Fa
ther
5on, and he to
Whom the Son
will reveal him.

23 And he turn
ed him unto his
difciples, and faid
privately, Bleffed dre

lltf
are the eyes which
fee the things that
ye fee.

24 For I tell
yon, that many
prophets and kings
have defired to fee
fLofe things which
ye fee, and have
not (een them; and
to-hearthofe things
¦which ye hear, and
have not heard
them.

2 5 And behold,
a certain lawyer
ftood up, and
tempted him, fay
ing, Mafter, what
fhall I do to inhe
rit eternal life ? •
26 He faid unto
him, What is writ
ten in the law, how
readeft thou ?

1-] And he an
fwering faid, Thou
fhalt love_ the Lord
thy G°d with all
tliy heart, and with
all thy foul, arid
with all .thy
fti-ength, and with
all thy mind ; and
thy neighbour as
thyfelf. 2S And he faid
unto him, Thou
hafl ' anfwered
right ; this do, and
thou fhalt live.

29 But he, wil
ling to fortify him
felf, laid unto Je-
fus, A ud who it
mv neighbour?

The Evangelift

Chap, x.

who fee the Meffiah appearing in the flefh, and fet
ting up his kingdom in the world ; and who know
thefe important things for yourfelves, having been af
fured from my own inontfe that your names are writ
ten in heaven, {yet. 20.)
24 For I affure you, that many prophets, holy
men, and kings of Ifrael, who were beloved of God,
and eminent for their religion, longed to fee the glo
rious light, privileges, and bleffings of the Meffiah's
kingdom, and to fhare in them ; but were never in
dulged with this favour, as ye are : And they would
have been glad to hear the bleffed tidings of falvation,
with that clearnefs, pleafure, and advantage, as ye
have heard them, but never obtained this defire of
their hearts. Thefe things were hid from ages and
generations paft, in comparifon with the plain difco-
veries which are now made to you.
25 At another time, there was a remarkable con
verfation between our Lord and a certain fcribe :
This man came to Jefus with a defign, ifpoffible, to
pofe him, or get fome advantage againft him, fay
ing, Mafter, as you profefs to teach the way to eter
nal life, pray what is neceffary for me or any other
man to do to obtain it ?
26 Jefus knowing the captious temper with which
he put this queftion, replied, Since you are a profef-
fed interpreter of the law, and expeft falvation by it,
what do you fay are the terms which it propofes for
life ? What do you read there about it, and how do
you underftand the matter ?
27 The fcribe readily anfwered, What the law in
fills on as the condition of fife, is fummarily compre
hended in loving the Lord our God fupremely, unre-
fervedly, and conftantiy, with the united concuiTence
of all the faculties of the foul ; and in bearing fuch a
fincere good-will to our neighbour, as to make the
love of ourfelves the rule or meafure of our difpofi
tions and behaviour to him, fuppofing he were in our
circumftances, and we in his.
28 Jefus owning this to be a juft fummary of- what
the moral law requires, and defigning to convince the
fcribe of his own defefts, replied, Thefe are indeed
the demands of the law -for juftification and falvation :
See then that you fully come up to all this, in your
duty to God and your neighbour ; and, on that con
dition, you fhall inherit eternal life.
29 But the fcribe being defirous to fhift off con-
viftion, and fupport a good opinion of himfelf, flip
ped over what related to the love pf God, and afked
-what was meant by our neighbour ; imagining that
it fignified only one's friends and acquaintance, or jper- fons

Chap. x. Luke pawpkrafed. in
fons of the fame country and religion, and that a juft
and kind behaviour toward fuch, fufficieritly anfwered
this demand of the law.
30 And Jefus an- 30 Then Jefus replied, You may form a good no-
fwering, faid, A tion of what the word neighbour imports, by the fol-
certain man went iowmg reprefentation of a fuppofed cafe : A certain
&&ES >™> travelling from ^y«/^ to *>^D, fell in-
fell among thieves; to the hands of wicked men, who having robbed,
which ftripped him ftripped, wounded, and barbaroufiy abufed him, left
of his raiment, and him waUowing in his blood, and almoft dead.
£$£*&£ v Now Provito fo ordered k'- tha5 "*
him half-dead. perfon who paffed that way was a certain prieft, whole
31 And by profeffion and public charafter ought to have enga-
chance there came ged him to fhew the utmoft tendernefs, compaffion,
down a certain d t d h;s referable, helplefs, and
prieft that way, .„.'-,._ r ",,,,- ex.-
aad when he faw perifhing object, efpecially he being one ot his own
him he paffed by religion and nation ; and yet, as foon as he faw him,
on the other fide, he turned off to the other fide of the road, and pur-
fued- his journey without doing any thing toward his
relief.
32 And likewife 32 The next that came was a Levite j-, whofe office
a Levite, when he and profeffion likewife, one would have thought,
was at the place, might have moved his compaffion toward fo' diftreffed
TfhirnTmA paffed a countryman and brother ; and yet he hardened his
by on' the other heart againft him, and only juft looking upon him to
fide. gratify his curiofity, paffed by at a diftance on the
other fide of the way, without giving himfelf any
trouble, or being at one farthing's charge to help him.
33 But a certain 33 But at length a certain Samaritan, travelling
Wne'ed"' "came 0" that TOad' Came t0 the PlaC£ whei'6 he hj '' ^nd
where he was: and though the enmity between that people and the Jews,
when he faw him, has been fo extremely great, by means pf their fre-
he had compaffion quent bitter quarrels about religious and civjl con-
"" """> cerns, (fee the note on John iv. 9.) yet, as foon as
this Samaritan faw the poor Jewifh ftranger in all
his diftrefs, his eye moved his heart into compaffion
toward him :
34 And went to 34 And, going up fo him, he wafhed, fuppled,
him, and bound up ancl dreffed his wounds in the beft manner he could ;
h.s wounds pour- and th helping him to mount his own beaft, he
ing in oil and wme, . , . . r ° , , . . r , , . . .
and fet him on his carried him to a public houfe, where he might have
own beaft, and better affiftance, and took care that all proper means
brought Q 2 might
NOTES.
* Jericho was in the tribe of Benja- quented by priefts and Levites, and in-
»ij'b, about eighteen or nineteen miles fefted with thieves.
eaflerly from Jerufalem; and Jewifh f By Levites were principally mernt
writers tell us, that about twelve thou- fuch defcendents of Levi as were em-
fand ftationary priefts and Levites dwelt ployed in the lower offices of the ternple,
there, who ufed to attend the fervice of in fubordination to the priefts, who, iike-
the temple. The road therefore between wife, being of the family of Aaron, dc-
thofe two cities, which lay through de- fcended from Levi by Kohatb. 1 Chron.
fart and rocky places, was much fre- xxiii. 6, — 31.

112

neighbour unto
him that fell , a-
mong the thieves ?
37 And he- faid,
He that foe wed
mercy on him.
Then

The Evangelift Chap. X.
brought him to an might be ufed immediately for his comfort and reco-
inn, and took care very there.
°f3SmAnd on the 35 And> beinS obliged to proceed on his journey
morrow, when he the next morning, he called the inn-keeper ; and,
departed, he took paying him * what the wounded man's lodging and
out two-pence, and 0ther neceffaries there came to, charged him to take
gave them- to the u further ;fite care of h; and promifed, that
nod, and faid unto , r Z1 .1,1 1 j j r
him Take care of whatfoever the expence might be, he would defray
him : and whatfoi it at his return f .
ever thou fpendeft 36 Now, faid our Lord to the fcribe, which of
™°ain I wil/rTT thefe three me" d° yOU thi"k mfght JuMy hC deemed
thee"' WI Pdy t^e neighbour of this poor, ftripped, and wounded
36" Which now man ? Was it the prieft or the Levite, who fhut up
of thefe three, vhe bowels of their compaffion againft him, and did
*pi"h^™,trh°U' „n'" nothing for him? or was it the Samaritan, who,
though a ftranger, and of a different religion, took
fuch tender care of him, and did fuch kind offices for
him ?
37 The fcribe replied, He who was fo compaffion
ate and kind, moft certainly beft deferved this cha-
r.-iid Terns rac^er t> Then our Lord faid unto him, See that,
unto hi™, Go, in imitation of this Samaritan, you maintain a like
and do thou like- benevolent and merciful regard, not only to your
w'fe- friends and acquaintance, and perfons of your own
religion and party, but likewife to fuch as are ftran-
' ¦ gers and enejnies, before you pretend to have perfeft-
ly kept the law, or to claim a title to eternal life for
your obedience to it. 38 At
NOTES.
* Two Rbman pence amounted to a- fus, like the good Samaritan, has had com-
bout fifteen pence of our money, which, paffion upon us. Thoughwehave been e-i
according to the rate of provifions in that hemiesto him, have difhonoured and pro-
country, might anfwer the charg'e of a voked him, and never can make him a-
night's- lodging,' and -of -'the little food mends for any favour he foews us; yet,
that the poor man might be fuppofed to of his own infinite love, his eye has piti-
have eat : But fome think that this is to ed us, and he takes care of us at the ex-
be underftood of money left in hand for pence of his own precious blood. He
future charges, with a promife of paying binds up our wounded fpirits • heals the
whatfoever they might amount-to more ; broken in heart, and pours into them the
arid others fuppofe, that here is a refer- virtue of his blood, and the confolatioris
ence to the half-fliekel, which was, to be of his Spirit, which are infinitely better
paid for the ranfom of a man's foul or life, than oil and wine. Buthowaptandbeau-
Exod. xxx. 12, 13. two pence making- tiful foever the fimilitnde maybeto illuf-
that fuiti. trate the endearing love and compaffion
f -Pious men have confidered this para- of Chrift to poor, wounded, and perifhing
ble as a fit reprefentation of the mifer a- fouls ; yet the immediate view of our
ble ftate of mankind by nature. Sin and Lord, in this parable, is for inftruction
Satan have wounded us to death, and we in important points of another kind, as
arc utterly unable to help ourfelves. The appears by his- own application of it in
law, like the prieft and Levite, the the following verfes.
minifters of it, fhews no compaffion to us, J He could not, for fharne, fay other-
nor is it in its nature to help us; it curfes wife, though he thereby unavoidably
us as tranfgrcffors, but cannot blefs us, condemned himfelf, and overthrew his
nor afford any relief in our deplorable pe- own falfe notion of the neighbour to
> ifliing circuinftiinces. But our Lord Je- whom our love is due,

Chap.

Luke paraphrafed.

"3

38 Now it came
to pafs, as they
went, that he en
tered into » cer
tain village ; and
a certain woman
named Martha re
ceived him into her
Jioufe. 39 And fhe had
a fifter called Ma
ry, which alfo fat
at Jefus' feet, and
heard his word.

40 But Martha
was cumbered a-
boutmuch ferving,
and came to him,
and faid, Lord, doft
thou not care that
my fifter hath left
me to ferve alone ?
bid her therefore
that Hie help me.

41 And Jefus
anfwered and faid
unto her, Martha,
Martha, thou art
careful and trou
bled about many
things :

42 But one
thing is needful.
And Mary hath
chofen that good
part, which fhall
not be taken away
from her.

38 At another time, Chrift and his difciples, be
ing on their travels, went to a town called Bethany,
near two miles from Jerufalem : (John xi. 18.)
And as Martha, the fifter of Lazarus, lived there,
Jefus went to her houfe, whoj with the reft of the
family, gladly took in this noble Gueft, and all his
attendants for his fake.
39 And as, upon entering the houfe, he, according
to his ufual way, began to preach the glad tidings
of falvation, there was a fifter of hers named Mary,
who, being a great lover of Chrift, took this oppor
tunity to place herfelf, with all humblenefs of mind,
like a learner, at his feet, that fhe might attend un
to, and receive inftruftion, by the gracious words
which proceeded out of hislips.
40 In the mean while, Martha, being defirous to
fhew the beft refpeft fhe was capable of to her
Lord, was mighty bufy in preparing a fuitable enter
tainment for him ; and finding that Mary was un
willing to be called off from hearing his difcourfe, fhe
went and complained of her to him, faying,. Lord, I
cheerfully take all the pains I can to provide for thee
and thy difciples, but the work is really more than I
am well able to manage by myfelf : Doft thou not
think it reafonable that my fifter fhould take her part
with me in it ? Pray be pleafed to order her to give
me her affiftance, and not fit ftill to hear till our hur
ry is over, when fhe may have a fitter opportunity
for it.
41 But, contrary to her expeftation, Jefus replied
with great earneftnefs, O Martha, Martha, you are
over- folicitous, and too much employed about things
which are not worth fuch anxiety : I do not need oil-
require, nor do I like, that you fhould fpend fo much
thought, time, and pains, about entertaining me,
who came not to be miniftered to, but to minifter';
and, though it be intended as a token of refpeft, you
¦diftraft and encumber yourfelf about every thing's
being done in the handfomeft manner, beyond what
is proper for the occafion of my coming hither.
42 But let me tell you, One point is neceffary,
which your many other things ought to give way un
to as infinitely more important ; and that is the fa
ving knowledge of myfelf, and of the true doftrine
of eternal life which I am c6me to preach : Mary
has had fuch an affefting fenfe of the excellence of
this, as to make it her choice, in preference to all
things elfe : and fhe has herein chofen the greateft
good, which no powers of earth or hell fhall ever be
atile to deprive hei- of.
RECOL-

U4 The Evangelift Chap. xi.
RECOLLECTIONS.
How great are the difficulties on one hand, and the affiftances on the other, that
attend the fervants of Chrift, whom he employs, like labourers in a harveft, to ga
ther fouls to himfelf 1 But O how much work is there of this fort to be done ; and
how few are the laborious, fkilfuJ, and faithful agents, ander Chrift, that are en
gaged in it ! Ws had need be daily praying to the Lord of the harveft, to furnifh
out good minifters for his fervice ; and fhould remember,' that as all their authori
ty,, qualifications, and affiftances, fo all their fuccefs depends entirely upon him.
How great is the joy of being inftrumental in advancing his intereft, and over
throwing the kingdom of Satan ! But how much happier ftill is it for ourfelves to
be found enrolled, as God's fpecial favourites, among his children and the heirs of
glory ! And how fliould they, that are fo, magnify the riches of his fovereign grace
to tliem, who, notwithftanding all external revelations of God's mind In his word,
would never have been made wife to falvation, unlefs Chrift had been pleafed 'to
render them effeftual by the internal light and energy of his Spirit 1 But the worft
of all woes belong to fuch as wilfully rejeft him and his gofpel : And as for thofe
that defire to be under the law, as a covenant for life, let them hear its high de
mands, to confute their vain hopes of being juftified by their own obedience to it ;
and yet let every one regard it as an everlafting rule of righteoufnefs, fummarily
comprehended in\he great command of perfeft love, in heart and behaviour, to
ward God, and towards all men, whether they be friends or enemies, acquaint
ances or ftrangers, of the fame religion y)ith one's felf or not. But how fflould all
enquiries after eternal life and falvation be made with a feridus, and not with a
curious or captious temper, as ever we would be direfted into the right way of ob-
' taining them '. And as the concerns of our fouls are of the greateft importance a-
tove all others, how fliould we take heed that no fecular affairs interfere with
them 1 Chrift will gracioufiy encourage, countenance, and fecure, the happinefs
of thofe that are more folicitous about a faving acquaintance with himfelf, than a-
bout outward teftimonies of refpeft to him, which he never required, or about any
bufinefs relating to this prefent life. May we be helped to chufe that good part
which fliall never be taken from us '.

CHAP. XI.

Jefus teaches his difciples how to pray, 1,-13. ^afis ovi a dumb
devil, and proves that he did it not by any power of devils, 14, —
26. Shews that the doers of the word are bleffed, 27, 28. Re
proves the perverfenefs and obfiinacy of the Jews, 29, — 36. ; and
the hypocrify of the Pharifees and fcribes, and denounces woes a-
gainfi them for it, 37, — 54.
Text. Paraphrase.
ANDf n ,came }° ATa certain feafon, Jefus having been at prayer,
was^rayin^' fo a "^ as he was WGnt> one °f his difciples took occa-
ccrtain place, when -non to «f>ply to him, on behalf of himfelf and his

lie ceafed, one of brethren, faying, Lord, we humbly beg that thou
his difciples faid W0UJdft pleafe to direft us '
unto him Lord, B y * d;d mg dik{pl
, teach us to pray, ' J -r

2 In
NOTE.
* How John the Baptfi taught his prayers, fo John gave his difciples a
difciples to pray, cannot be determined fummary of petitions, which fliould go
with certainty, either by fcripture or a- into theirs, fuitable to the nature of the
ny remains of antiquity : But it feems, difpenfation they were then under. Ac-
that, as the Jews went chiefly into cordingly one of Chrift's difciples, pro-
thankfgivings and doxologies in their bably one of the feventy, who was not
1 prefent

Chap. xi. Luke paraphrafed. 115
as John alfo taught 2 In anfwer to which he faid, As to the matter
his difciples. of prayer, let your petitions be for fuch things as
- 1 th^rn hmeri m*T Prnlcipally be fummed up in the following ad-
ye pray^ fay, Oar &K& : " O thou common Father of all mankind by
Father which aft creation, and our God and Father by covenant, whofe
in heaven; hal- throne is in the heavens.; We* encouraged by thy
lowed be thy p0Wer an(i gOOCfoefSj humbly intreat, that thou
donT 'come/ Thy wouldft difplay the glory of thy perfeftions, by thy
will be done, as Spirit, works, and word'; and wouldft enable us
in heaven, fo in an<J others to reverence and adore thee, and to fhew
eartl1- forth thy praife. May the Meffiah be exalted ; his
word run, and be glorified ; and many fouls, through
faith in him, be brought into thy kingdom of grace,
and made more and more partakers of its bleffings,
till all fhall be perfefted in glory ! And O that we,
and -all around us on earth, may be enabled to imi
tate the bleffed inhabitants of the heavenly world,
in a cheerful and univerfal compliance with, approba
tion of, fubmiffion and obedience to, thy will, in what
foever inftances thou mayeft mak'eit known to us 1
3 Give us day 3 " Bellow upon us, if it feem good in thy fight,
by day our daily ^fo neceffary and convenient provifions of the pre
fent day, and fo on from day to day ; and add fuch
a bleffing to them as fhall fanftify. them to our ufe,
and refrefh us by them that we may be fitted for all
the duties to which thou calleft us while we continue
in the body.
4 And forgive 4 " And gracioTiify pardon all our fins, of every
us our fins : for k{nft} that have been committed againft thee, as thou
we alfo forgive n ft conl,mail(Jed and inclined us to forgive thofe whrj
every one that is cc 1 1 aj m 1 '
indebted to us. have wronged or ottended us : And we earneitly be-
And lead us not feech thee, that for the future thou wouldft either
into . temptation, not foffer us to be tempted to any unlawful thing, or
but deliver us nQt ^ave ug tQ tfo pawer af an„ temptation whatfo-
if' jin cvii» ever ; but that thou wouldft feafonably ftrengthen us
againft, and give us viftory over, the corruption of
our own hearts, and over that evil-one, the devil, to
gether with all his wicked inftruments, and thereby
prevent our difhonouring - thy name, and bringing
trouble and ruin upon ourfelves."
5 A-nd lie f?id c, 6 And our Lord further faid to his difciples,
unto them, Which A .. .1 ¦ x.- x. . r .. r xZ
of you foall have a As to the manner 111 which ye are to prefent fuch pe-
friend, and finall go titions as thefe, that they may be heard and anfwered,
unto him at mid- it fhould be with great earneftnefs and frequency, and
night, and fay un- with believing importunity and perfeverance, till ye ob-
t0 tain
NOTE.
prefent at his fermon on' the mount, of thofe which, in that fermon fome time
{Matth. vi.) -afked him to tell them, before, 'he had taught them to offer;
What requefts they fliould make, foit- (Matth. vi. 0. fcr. fee the notes there)
abfe to the difpenfation which was now and then added furfhrr inftruftions con-
further advanced under him ; and he ceming the manner itf which they fliould
leaving qut the doxofogy, reminded them perform that duty.

no"
to him,Friend, lend
me three loaves :
6 Fora friend of
mine in his journey
is come to me, and
I have nothing to
fet before him i

7 And he from
within fhall an
fwer and' fay,
Trouble me not ;
the door is now
fhut, and my chil
dren are with me
in bed, I cannot rife
and give thee.
8 I fay unto you,
though he \Vili not
rife and give him,
becaufe he is his
friend, yet, becaufe
of his importunity,
he will rife and
give him as many
as he needeth.

9 And I fay unto'
you, Afk, and it
lhall be given you :
feek, and ye fhall
find : knock, and it
fhall be opened un
to you.

The Evangelift.

Chap; xi.

io For every one
that afketh, recei
veth: and he that
feeketh, findeth :
and to him that
knocketh, it fliall
he opened.

it If a fon fhall
alk bread of any of
you that is a fa
ther,

tain the bleffings ye pray for ; as may- be illuftrated
by the following fimihtude : Snppofe any of you1
had a friend, and fhould go to him, in the dead of the
night, to beg a fupply of fuch neceffary provifions
as you want, telling him that another friend bf
yours, being on a journey, is juft come to you for
refrefhment, and that you have no manner of food to
give him.
7 And fuppofe that the friend you apply to fhould
at firft fo far difcourage you, as to call from within
his houfe, and defire you not to give him fo unfea
fonable a trouble, telling you, that, it being late, his
doors were faftened up, and he and all his family were
got to bed, and therefore he muft be excufed from
rifing to anfwer your requeft.
8 If a man in thefe circumftances were ftill to con
tinue infifting on the urgency of the cafe, and to re
peat his pleas with him, like one who hoped in his
goodnefs, and would not take a denial ; I tell you,
that at length he would be prevailed upon, by fuch
preffing importunity, to rife and let him have all that
he wants, though he would not do it merely in con
fideration of the friendfhip that had been between
them. 9 Now, to apply this : If one, who fhewed fo
much backwardnefs to grant the requeft of his friend,
was overcome at laft by his repeated intreaties ; how
much more will your heavenly Father, who has the
kindeft heart toward you, and never thinks you trou
blefome or unfeafonable in your addreffes to him, fuf
fer himfelf to be prevailed upon by your fervent im
portunity, though he may not immediately anfwer
your prayers, but at firft may feem to refufe you. I
therefore fay unto you, Whatfoever mercies ye ftand
in need of, afk. them of God in faith, according to
his word, and he will freely grant them : Seek to him
with earneftnefs, and ye fhall obtain them : Be im
portunate for them, like one knocking, and continu
ing to knock, as at the door of his mercy, and he
will give you a gracious anfwer.
i o For every one who applies to God in prayer,
with faith in his power and goodnefs, and in his pro
mife through the Mediator of his appointment, and
with perfevering earneftnefs, like one heartily concern
ed for the bleffings he afks, fhall furely be anfwered,
in God's way and time, either in the very thing he
prays for, or in what Infinite Wifdom knows will be
as good or better for him.
11,12 And, further to illuftrate and enforce this,
our Lord added another fimilitude, faying, Suppofe
any of you, who is an earthly parent, had a fon that
fhould

Chap. xi. LvKEparaphrafed. 117
ther, will he give fhould afk for neceffary 'food, fuch as bread, fifh, an '
him a ftone? or if e_„ 0r the like ; would you deny him, and, inftead
for^fifo^give him thereof, give him what you know would be as ufelefs
a ferpent? and injurious to him asa ftone, a ferpent, or a fcor-
12 Or if he fhall pion * ? Let any one, who has the heart of a father,
afk an egg, will he confoit fos own bowels, and think whether he could
offer ^ him a cor- ^ ^ unnatural and cruel a thing to his own fon.
13' If ye then, 1 3 If therefore ye yourfelves, who are under the
befog evil, know influence of irregular paffions and various humours,
how to give good wbui(j neverthelefs, ; merely from natural affeftion to
g.ftsuntoyourchil- offspring, hear their cries, and give them
dren, how much . ' r 6> ' b
more fhall your what ye know to be neceffary, and proper tor them ;
heavenly Father how much more will the infinitely-perfeft Father of
give the holy Spi- mercies give fuch things, as he knows to be for the
afk fomT01 thHt fafety and happinefs of his children? (Matth. di. ii.)
Yea, how certainly will he beftow that beft and moft
neceffary of all bleffings, his holy Spirit, upon them
who, relying on his grace, earneftly feek to him in
prayer for it i
14 And he was 14 At another time, .our bleffed Lord undertook
cafting out a devil, tfo caflfog out of a devil, who had utterly deprived
And it "came to ^e poAeffed raan of hisfpeech : And, as foon as Satan
pafs, when the de- was forced to depart, the dumb man fpoke ; thereby
vii was gone out, making it known to all the company that he was ef
the dumb fpake : feftually releafed. And the generality of the fpefta-
d f pec* e tors were amazed, that one who made fo low a fi
gure, contrary to what they .expefted from the Mef
fiah, fhould exert fuch godlike authority over devils,
and heal the poor diftreffed creature in an inftant.
15 But fome of u But the envious Pharifees, and fome of the peo-
mem tarn, ne cait- pje um}er their management, p-ave a malicious and
eth out devils r . , . ^ ... a. , 9 . . r
through Beelze- wicked turn to this miracle, privately mlinuating one
bub the chief of to another, that he caft out devils, not'by the power
the devils. of God, but. in concert with, and under the influence
of the prince of devils, called Beelzebub -j-, who made
underlings yield to his foperior authority over them.
16 And others jg Others took a more artful way to difcredit
fous-ht"^ h'm"'a Chrift among the people, demanding fome extraordi-
%n from - hea^ naT ngn from heaven, as a demonftration of his being
ven. the Meffiah ; thereby intimating, as.if all the miracu
lous works he-performed upon earth, might poffibly be
by the black-art, and fo proved nothing in his favour.
17 But
, NOT E S. . ,
* A fcorpion is a fmall blackifh crea- driving away flies from their temples and
ture of the ferpent kind", and is exceed- facriSces. The Phili/lines woifhipped a
ing venomous and mifchievous. deity under this title, as the god of FJ<
rcn : (2 Kings i. 6.) From hence it is
I The name Beelzebub dtrniaesthe gad probable that the Jews took the namr,
of flies; and was given to the heathen and applied it to the chief, or prince, u!
Jupiter, whom his worfhjpners account- the devils, who was fuppofed to havr
ed the chief of their gods, but whom fome rule and dominion over the reft- of
they meanlv reprefented as employed in the kingdom of darknefs.
Vol. II. R

n8
1.7 Butheknow-

The Evangelift

Chap. xi.

divided againft
houfe, falleth.

rt If Satan alfo
be divided againft
himfelf, how foall
his kingdom ftand ?

through
bub.

Beelze-

1 7 But Jefus, knowing their evil intent in all this,
ing their thoughts, an(i particularly what fome privately muttered among .
EvLTinsdo'mdi' themfelves about his calling out devils by the prince
vided againft itfelf; °f devils, replied firft of all to that monftrous calum-
is brought to defo- ny, faying, It cannot reafonably be fuppofed that
lation : and a houfe any communities fhould feek an eftabliihment of them
felves, or that their interefts fhould really be promo
ted and fecured, by the head aud members being di
vided in their defigns and aftings one againft another,
in what relates to their common caufe. On the o«
ther hand, every one muft think, and all obfervation
and experience proves, that fuch meafures tend to,
and, if purfued, muft end, in their utter defolation,
whether they be kingdoms or families, or any other
focieties whatfoever.
18 If therefore Satan were to affift in reftrainihg
and confounding his own" agents, and that in confir
mation of a doftrine fo good and holy as mine, how
becaufe ye fay that is it poffible that his kingdom fhould fubfift ? This
I caft out devils would be the direft way to ruin, inftead of flrength-
ening and eftablifhing it ; and fince it cannot be
thought that he is fo foolifh and flupid as not to
know this, it is malicious and abfurd, to the laft de
gree, for you to fay that I defeat devils by any power
derived from him.
19 And to retort the invidious charge, he fur
ther faid, If ye fuggeft that I caft out devils in con
federacy with their chief, pray what do ye fay to
your own difciples, who caft them out in the name
fore fliall they be of the God of Abraham, Ifaac, and Jacob ? Ye
your judges. .never ventured to talk thus of them. And what do
you think of your own honefl, plain, undefigning
countrymen, who do the like in my name ? Ye have
no room to imagine that fuch as thefe are in league
with the devil : (fee the note on Matth. xii. 27.)
They therefore fhall witnefs againft you, and con
demn you for your partiality, rafhnefs, and injuflice,
in afcribing what I do of the fame kind to the power
of Satan.
20 But if, contrary to your blafphemous infinu-
ations, I caft out devils by the power of God *,
as I evidently do, ye cannot deny but that I am
come from him to fet up his kingdom of grace n-
mong you ; and by oppofing me, ye are the great?
eft enemies to yourfelves, finning againft your own
mercy to your utter confufion.
21, 22 And flill further to fhew that what he did
¦ herein
NOTE.
* The finger of God feems to be an allufion to what the magicians faid, when
they found themfelves out-done by Mofes, (Exod. viii.19.) and it is called the Spi
rit of God, (Matth. xii. 28.)

19 And if I by
Beelzebub caft out
devils, by whom
do ypur fons caft
them out ? there

20 But if I with
the finger of God
caft out devils, uo
doubt the kingdom
of God is come up
on you.

21 When a ftrong man

Chap. xi.
man armed keep-
eth his -palace, his
goods are in peace.
22 But when a
ftronger than lie
fhall come upon
him, and overcome
him.hetakethfrom him all his armour
whereirrhe truft ed,
and divideth his
fpoils.

Luke paraphrafed.

119

23 He that is
not with me, is a-
gainft me : and he
that gathereth not
with me, fcatter-
eth.

24 When the un
clean fpirit is gone
out of a man, he
walketh through
dry places, feeking
reft ; and finding
none, he faith, I
will return unto
my houfe whence I
came out. .
25 And when
he cometh, he
findeth it fwept
and garnifhed.
26 Then goeth
he, and taketh. to
him feven other
fpirits more wick^
ed than himfelf,
and they enter in,
and dwell there :
and the laft ftate,
of that man is
worfe than the
firft.

herein was really a deftruftion of the devil's power,
he illuftrated it by this fimilitude, faying, When an
armed and mighty man is in poffeffion of his houfe, he
rules without controul, and 'thinks himfelf fecure :
But when one, ftill more powerful, breaks in upon
him, and gets the maftery over him, he difarms him,
and takes all his goods into his own hands. So when
Satan has got poffeffion of the fouls and bodies of men,
and, by his wiles and ftrength, keeps them under his
own dominion, there are no mutinies againft him, and
he thinks himfelf able to hold them faft : But when
I come upon him with fuperior ftrength, and exer
cife my authority over him, I break to pieces all his
power by which he before detained them, raife an
oppofition againft him in thofe who before were
tamely fubjeft to his tyranny, and deliver the prey
of the terrible one out of his hands, that I may ufe it
for myfelf.
23 His intereft and mine are fo direftly oppofite,
that it is impoffible we fhould agree in the fame de
figns : He therefore cannot approve of my doftrine,
and of the works which I perform to confirm it, for
the deftruftion of his power and kingdom ; nor can
he fide with me, but will ever do his utmoft to op-
pofe me therein ; and fo do all thofe of you that deny
my operations to be the effeft of the power of God :
There, is no neuter' in this caufe ; but every one,' who
will not allow my doftrine and miracles to be truly
divine, is really an enemy to me.
24, 25, 26 And your lamentable condition* O ye
hypocritical and cavilling Jews, may be illuftrated in
the following manner : When an evil fpirit is caft out
of a man, he difcontentedly wanders about, feeking a
fettlement elfewhere : But meeting with perpetual
disappointments, he returns to attempt a recovery of
his old habitation ; and, upon trial, finds nothing to
oppofe him, but every thing ready to entertain him.
Upon which he enters again, and gets fafter hold of
the fame man than ever, bringing many other more
malignant fpirits than himfelf to take poffeffion with
him : And by this means the cafe of that man is
much more deplorable than it was before. So when
the power of Satan is fhaken by what I do among
you of this wicked generation, he, being forced to
retire againft his will, roves about among the Gen
tiles, to carry on his. empire there : But at length the
gofpel, attended with the power of miracles, and
with internal sperations of the Spirit, following him
thither, to overthrow his intereft among them, by
vanquifhing their idols, and captivating the fouls of
multitudes to the obedience of faith, 'he will' return
R 2 * to

120 The Evangelift Chap. xi.
to make another trial upon the Jews ; and, finding
them deftitute of the grace of God, and unreclaimed
under their high pretences to religion, he will enter
again among them with greater power and preva
lence : And they thereby will become more vile and
wicked than ever, tp their utter deftruftion, both in
this world and the next. And thus it is with all in
whom there' has been only a temporary work : Satan
returning again to fee how things ftand with them,,
and, finding that they are only cleanfed from fome
former grofs fins, and garnifhed with fome falfe ap
pearances pf goodnefs, but are void of all true princi
ples of religion, he takes poffeffion of them again, and
works in them with more malignity and power than
uver before ; fo that they prove utter apoftates, turn
to be the worft of men, and are brought to the moft
dreadful condemnation and ruin.
27 And it came 27 Whilft our Lord was difcourfing in this excel-
to pafs as he fpake fent and awful manner, a certain woman was fo
thefe things, a cer- m,-„ht;iy affefted with it, that, in a rapture of admira-
tain woman ot the . ° i. . „ , ... i 1 j
company lift up her tion and joy, fhe interrupted him, crying out aloud a-
voice, and faid uri- mong the people, What a wonderful perfon is this !
to him, Bleffed is with -what authority does he command devils, and
the womb that wjth wh?t w;fo0m does he confute men ! O happy
„™ Jwi!" *i,™ woman who bore and brought thee up ! what would
paps wnicn tnou , o *
haft fucked. ' I have given to have been the mother of iucn a £>on i
All generations will rife up and call her bleffed.
2S But he faid, 28 But he replied, Do you think it fuch an ho-
Yea, rather blefs- nour an(j privilege to have conceived, brought forth,
hear"the word of and fuckled .me ? a mUch Sreater diS"kY and haPP'-
God and keep it. nefs than this lhall be conferred on thofe who hear
my gofpel, and receive the love of the truth, that they
may be faved. It is this that leads the way to real
bleffednefs and glory, and is inexpreffibly better than
the neareil relation to me, according to the" flefli.
29 And when the 29 The people, being alarmed at this furprifiug
people were ga- focident, ran together, crowding up ftill nearer to
theredhehbe an'§to him » and then' «fuming his difcourfe, he proceed-
fav "ihis is an evil ed by way of reply to thofe that had demanded a
generation: they fign from heaven, (ver. 16. ) faying, The men of this
seek a fign, and degenerate age are exceeding obftinate and perverfe.
there fliall no fign Notwithftanding all the unqueftionable miracles I
be piven it, but the - , 5... . lr ,, , ,. „ r
fign of Tonas the have wrought, lull they unreafonably infift on proofs
prophet. of my divine commiffion, by fome extraordinary vifible
appearance in the heavens * : But their wilful, and in
corrigible
NOTE.
* The time was not yet come to give ncration ; and afterwards at Chrift's fe-
Ihem a fign from heaven : This was not cond, glorious appearing to judge the
to be till after Chrift's afcenfion, fiift at world: And therefore he would not fo
the overthrow of Jen/falcmyvhichv.c\\]d far humour their unrc-afonable obftinacy
be the deftruiftion of the then prefent ge- and unbelief, as to give them fuch figns

Chap* xi.

Luke paraphrafed.

121

corrigible infidelity {hall.not be gratified by any other
fort of wonders, for the prefent, than I have already
wrought ; • except fuch anone as refembles that of the
. prophet, Jonah, which will, clofe my appearance a-
mong them on earth, and will leave them altogether
i without excufe.
30 For las Jonas 30 For as. the miraculous .deliverance of Jonah
was, a fign unto the ,from death, on the third -day* after he had been buri-
Ninevites, fo fliall ed m tfo beU 0f agreat £m fo the fea was an evi-
alfo the Son of man . A '„. .° ,, . .-, , r ,. ,•
be to this -genera- "ence to the Nmevites that God fent him to warn
tion. •¦ them of -their- approaching deftruftion, unlefs they
fhould repent : So I, who am truly man, fhall be de-
monftrated to this generation to be the Son of God
with power, by my. rifing from the dead, on the third
day, after I fhall have been crucified, and buried in
a fepulchrer; and if, after this proof that my mef
fage to them is from heaven, they continue in un
belief,, deftruftion fhall come upon them to the utter-
moft. -
31 The queen 3 1 And our Lord fore-feeing that this grand evi-
of the fouth foall dence of his being the, Meffiah would likewife be re-
rife up in the judg- j,eaed by the bvlk of the Jewifh nation, faid, The
ofThirgeneratbn" examP'e °f the Queen of Sheba, (who dwelt in that
and condemn them: part of Arabia which was called Sabcea, and lay
for fhe came from fouthcrly from, Jerufalem,) will turn to the confu-
the utniofl: parts of non an(j .reproach of this unbelieving and hardened ge-
the wifdom' of So- nerati°n °f men, in the day of judgment : .For fhe,
though-a great woman, and a ftranger to the com
monwealth o{.Ifrael,'tooh. a long journey from the
moft diftant parts of the continent, to fatisfy herfelf
about what fhe had heardi of Solomon's wifdom ; and,
upon feeing fome fpecimens of it, fhe was convin
ced, and ftruck with admiration at it. But obferve
vthe perverfenefs of the profeffing people of this
age ! one of incomparably greater dignity, wifdom,
and glory, than Solomon, now appears among them
at their own doors, and that with much higher evi
dence of the divine excellence of his perfon and doc
trine ; and yet they rejeft and vilify him.
32 The. behaviour of the Ninevitcs fhall likewife
teftify againft the obftinate perverfenefs of the people
of this age, to aggravate their condemnation in the
great day of account : For though they were hea-
demn it : for they thens, and the prophet Jonah was a ftranger, and a
n!S?!L " ThC man of like finful Pafilolls w'th themfelves ; and
though he preached to them but three days, in which
he denounced nothing but deftruftion, and wrought no
NOTE.
as they infifted upon then. But at another, time he told them, (Matth. xxvi. 64.)
Hereafter ye Jhall fee the Son of yiaii fitting on the right hand of power, and
coming in the do tids. of heaven.

lorn on
hold,
than Solomon
heie.

and be-
a greater

32 The men of
Nineveh foall rife
up in the judgment
with this genera
tion, -and fhall con

preacliing of Jo
nas; and behold, a
greater

122
greater than Jonas
ii here.

The Evangelift

Chap. xi.

33 No man when
he hath lighted a
candle, putteth it
in a fecret place,
neither under a
bufhel ; but on a
candleftick, that
they which come
in may fee the
34 The light of
the body is the
eye : therefore
when thine eye
is fingle, thy whole
body alfo is full of
light : but when
, thine eye is evil,
thy body alfo is full
of darknefs.

3j Take heed
'therefore, that the
light which is in
thee be not dark
nefs.

no miraefe in their fight ;! yet they believed, and
were influenced by his meffage, ' to go into a ge
neral humiliation and repentance. But obferve the
difference ! a much greater prophet, even the Mef
fiah himfelf, is now come among you : And though
he is one of your own nation fent of God to you as
a people vifibly in covenant with him ; though he has
year after year, preached the glad tidings of falva
tion through faith in himfelf, as well as denounced
the righteous vengeance of God, which will certainly
come upon you in cafe ye., continue impenitent and
unbelieving ; and though he has multiplied miracles
of various kinds before your eyes, to confirm his cha
rafter and his doftrine ; yet ye harden yourfelves in
your wickednefs, and will not believe in him.
33 Thefe are awful truths. But as no man lights
a candle to conceal it, or to hide it under a veffel, but
to fet it up in a candleftick that all in the room may
fee by it : So, whether ye will receive my doftrine
or not, I muft go on to publifh it ; and it will vifi
bly turn to your advantage or confufion, according to
your entertaining or rejefting it ; a further iUuftration
of which, ye may take in the following fimilitude.
34 As it is a man's eye that lets in the light of
this world ; and therefore, if this valuable organ be
free from catarafts, and all vicious humours, his whole
body has the benefit of the light for its direftion and
comfort : But if his eye be perifhed, or its fight be
loft, how clearly foever the beams of the fun itfelf
were to furround him, he can have no advantage by
it, but is as incurably dark as if no light fhone upon
him. So it is a man's underftandirrg that lets in fpi
ritual light ; and therefore, if his judgment be free
from the influence of pride and covetoufnefs, carnali
ty and unbelief, his whole foul is enlightened with
the glorious things of the gofpel, approves of them,
takes pleafure in them, and is direfted and profited
by them : But if his judgment be corrupted by any
depraved affections, how brightly foever the evidence
of gofpel-truths may be fet before him, his whole
foul is as full of darknefs, confufion, and mifery, and
is as effeftually deprived of guidance andinfluence to
falvation, as if no external revelation were made to
him. 35 Let every one therefore take care that the eye
of his mind, which ought to receive the light of my
doftrine, be not fhut up under the power of lufts and
prejudices: For this will be the worfl of all dark
nefs ; and will certainly miflead the foul to ruin, in-
1 ftead of its being direfted into the way to everlafting
bleffednefs. 36 But,

Chap, xk
36 If thy whole
body therefore be
full of light, having
no part dark, the
whole fhall be full
of light, as when
the bright fhining
of a candle doth
give thee light.

Luke paraphrafed.

123

37

And as he
certain
Pharifee befought
him to dine with
him : and he went
in, and fat down
to meat.
38 And when
the Pharifee faw
it, he marvelled,
that he had not
firft wafhed before
dinner.

39 And the Lord
faid unto him, Now
do ye Pharifees
make cl^an the
outfide of the cup
and the platter :
but your inward
part is full of ra
vening and wicked-
aefs.

40 Ye fools, did
not he that made
that which is with
out, make that
which is within
alfo?

41 But rather
give alms of fuch
things as you
have: and behold,
all things are clean
unto you.

36 But, on the contrary, if the judgment be en
lightened, and, together with this, the will and af-
feftions be renewed and fanftified, the whole man
will be filled with the light of truth, holinefs, and
comfort ; and the gofpel, which is as a light fhining
in a dark place, will, like the clear burning of a can
dle in a dark room,' fhed its light into all the powers
and faculties of the foul, for its direftion in the way
of life and peace to eternal glory.
37 Whilft our Lord was engaged in this difcourfe
to the people:, a certain Pharifee civilly invited him
to take- a dinner at his houfe ; and as Jefus was affa
ble and courteous, and took pleafure in opportunities
of inftrufting all forts of men, he readily accepted the
invitation, and fat down to eat with him.
38 But (h) the Pharifee, like the reft of his fuper
ftitious feft, holding it to be finful and defiling, ac
cording to their traditions, to eat a common meal
without wafhing one's hands immediately before it,
thought it ftrange that a prophet of fo much fanftity,
as Chrift profeffed to be, fhould begin to eat without
having firft performed that rite.
39 And our Lord, obferving this, reproved him
and his brethren for their folly and hypocrify, faying,,
Ye Pharifees are like perfons, who, to get a reputa
tion for cleanlinefs, take a great deal of pains to fcour
the out-fide of their cups and difhes ; but, at the
fame time, leave them very filthy and naufeous with
in : So ye are fuperftitioufly nice and exaft in exter
nal wafhings and cleanfings, that ye may appear with
a face of ftrift holinefs in the eyes of men, while
your minds and confciences are defiled, being full of
rapine and extortion, cruelty and covetoufnefs, and
all manner of vile affeftions, which render you abo
minable in God's fight.
40 What a filly as well as hypocritical part do ye
herein aft, as if ye could impofe upon the all-feeing
and heart-fearching God, who defires truth in the in
ward parts ? Did not he create the foul as well as the
body ? and can ye fuppofe, that he , is pleafed with
your ceremonious wafhings of the flefh, and takes no
notice of the impurity of your fpirits ?
41 But there is a better way of having an allowed
and fanftified ufe of your common food ; and that is
by liberal diftributions out of your worldly fubftance
to refrefh the bowels of the poor, according to God's
ordinance, for a holy enjoyment of creature-comforts,
and of his bleffing upon them: (Deut. xxvi. 12, —
15.) And as the duties of mercy and charity are of
moral obligation, and are proper fruits of true repent
ance, efpecially when perfons have been guilty of ex
tortion

124 The Evangelift Chap. xi.
tortion and oppreffion, ye fhould be much more folicit
ous about thefe than about external wafhings, that
all things may be clean to 'you, as they are to him
who is clean. (Tit. i. 15.)
sj.3 But wo unto 42 But the greatefttofall woes hangs over your
youf Pharifees: for heads, ye hypocritical Pharifees : For, under pre-
ye u e mm an tence 0j extraordinary piety, ye are wonderfully ex-
rue, and all man- . -c,n- r, li
ner of herbs, and act in paying tithes 01 the molt inconfiderabie parts
pafs over judg- of your increafe, fuch. as mint, anife, rue, and cum-
ment, and the love m;n> antJ gjl rorts 0f ,nerbs, which are of little value,
of God r thefe ought h • thg admiration 0f the people ;n_
vc to tiiivt? clone ^ j a t • n * i j*
and not to leave gratiate yourfelves with the priefts, and make a merit
the other undone, of it with God; and, at the fame time, ye fhameful-
ly negleft the plaineft duties of the moral law, foch
as the praftice of juftice and righteoufnefs in your
dealings with men, and a fincere affeftion to God :
Whereas ye ought to have attended to thefe duties in
the firft place, as of chief importance and eternal o-
bligation, though not to the negleft of fuch ritual
performances as are of divine inftitution.
43 Wo unto you, 43 The heavieft vengeance is coming upon you, 0
Pharifees : for ye hypocritical Pharifees : For ye are exceffively fond
love the uppermoft ' r ¦ ¦ r . rj-ji- -a,- j /- ¦ i_
feats in the fyna- oi appearing in feats ot diftinguifhing and fupenor ho-
gogues, and greet- nour, in places of public worfliip, where there ought
ings in the mar- to be the moft humble fentiments and behaviour, as in
ke£s- the prefence of God ; and your ambition is fo extra
vagant, that ye are eagerly defirous of, and mightily
pleafed with, the higheft compliments and homage
from the people, in all places of common refort, as if
ye were holier than others, and were the lords of
their faith and obedience.
44 Wo unto you, ^ j likewife pronounce you to be extremely mifer-
feesbCS hy Lrites1- able> ° 7e fcribcs and Pharifees, who play the hy-
for ye are as graves pocrite with God and man : For as the * graves of
which appear not, dead men are full of rottennefs and corruption ; but,
and the men that lying level with the ground, and being over-grown
walk over them w;th f arg not eafil diftinguifhed . and ^ey that
are not aware. of ,1 , , ¦ & r ,
t}]em- walk over them, not being aware of them, are cere
monially defiled by touching them. (Numb. xix. 16.)
In like manner your outward appearances are fo fpe
cious, that men cannot eafily difcover your hypocri- fy;
NOTE.
* Some grnves' or fepulchres were • perfons being unawares defiled by them,
whited with chalk or lime, that people becaufe they could not be diftinguifhed.
might know and avoid them, to prevent' And in both thefe confiderations our
being defiled by them. Thefe are men- Lord might fpeak of them at fit emblems
tioned,' Matth. xxiii. 27. as full of all of the fcribes and Pharifees, indifferent
loathfomenefs within, notwithftanding difcourfes, as thefe were : For this was in
the beauty of their outward appearance, the houfe of a Pharifee, ver. 37. ; but
But others were overgrown with herbs the other was fome rime after, in the
or grafs, which hindered their being temple, in the hearing of the difciples
known to be graves. Thefe are refer- and1 multitude, Matth. xxiii. 1, Stc. and
red to here, to reprefent the danger of xxiv. 1.

Chap. si. Luke paraphrafed. 125
fy ;. but ye are full of all uncleannefs within ; and
they that converfe with you are infefted, and drawn
into fin, by your corrupt doftrines and manners, be
fore they are aware.
45 Then anfwer- 45 At thefe words, a certain doftor of the law,
ed one of the law*. <^tn prefent, was highly offended ; and, interrupting
him lifter? thus Chrift's difcourfe, faid, Mafter, you not only have
faying, thou re- been reflefting on the Pharifees in general, but now
proacheft us alfo. youjnake too free with our charafter in particular,
confidering the eminence of our funftioh*.
46 And he faid, 46 But (h) Jefus, who was no refpefter of per-
Wo unto you alfo, fons, nor afraid of the faces of men, replied, Ye al-
ye lawyers : fop ye foare exceeding guilty before God, and expofed to
deus^riewus to be his dreadful wrath, O ye- expounders of the law :
borne, and ye your- For, in your .interpretations of it, ye ftretch foch
felves touch not the things as may be moft burdenfome to the people, be-
biirdens with one y0n(J wjjat Qotl ever intended, and ye furthermore
° ' add many fevere and expenfive precepts of human in
vention ; and all thefe ye enjoin with the utmoft ri
gour upon others, without the leaft abatement : But
ye yourfelves live in the negleft of the moft imppr-
tant things, which it is your office to teach and4 en
force upon them, how ftrift foever ye may be in
fome rituals that coft you little crharge or trouble,
and may recommend you to the reverence and ap-
plaufes of men.
47 Wo unto you: 47 Wo unto you, ye hypocritical boafters : For
for ye build the ye fhew abundance of zeal to keep up, repair, and
^mbeisdnl our ^^^Y' the fepulchres of the holy prophets, that
fatherskilled them. were Perfeeuted to death for their faithfulnefs, and
to garnifh their tombs, under pretence of your ha
ving all poffible veneration and refpeft for their me
mory ; but (3s) your fathers were the perfons that
fo cruelly deftroyed them.
48 Truly ye bear 48 And ye are the inheritors of their wickcdnefs,
witnefs that ye al- an(J praftically approve of what they did, being as
yo^r^hers: for truIy ^he[r DfFsPring in your temper, difpofition, and
they indeed killed behaviour, as by natural defcent. For it is indeed
them, and ye build true^that they were the murderers of the Lord's pro-
their fepulchres. phets, and that ye take care to keep their tombs in
good repair : But this is fo far from being, as ye
would have it thought, an evidence of your piety,
that it is really a perpetuating the memory of that
malignant fpirit in your anceftors, who put them to
death ; which reigns with greater fury, and will dif
cover
Note.
* The fcribes or lawyers, which are fynagogues; and therefore they nifumed
terms of the fame import, were, by their to themfelves an air of great ^invitv, and
office, interpreters of the law, and were valued themfelves upon the dignity ot
commonly judges in the Jewift) fanhe- their ftations; and they were moftly of
drim, and teachers in their fohools and the fedr. of the Pharifees. •
Vol. II. S

126 The Evangelift Chap. xi.
cover itfelf With ftill higher aggravations, in your
felves.
49 Therefore al- 49 Therefore the Son of God'*, in whom are hid
fo faid the wifdom au the treafores of wifdofo and knowledge, and , by
t°hem°dro hetwnd whom their brighteft glory is difplayed, proceeded
apoftfesr,OPand>L to deal ftill more plainly with theni, faying, I will
of them they fhall fend, among you of this age, divihely-infpired pro-
flay and perfecute ; phets, and extraordinary meffengers, to publifh my
gofpel ; and fome of thefe ye will barbaroufly de
ftroy, and others of them ye will perfecute with
reproaches, imprifonmentsj fcourges, and other
cruelties.
SoThattheblood 50 Hereby ye will far exceed your fathers in ex-
rif all the prophets, tenfive and outrageous inftances of wickednefs, which
which was fhed Qod ^-ij rnffer you to c0mm{t, in defiance of greater
titnTof the world, mercies, an<J more evident means of conviftioh, than
may be required of they ever enjoyed, that ye may bring upon the pre-
this generation ; fent generation of the Jews all the terrible wrath
threatened and due for national guilt, in fhedding the
blood of the fervants of God in former ages, from the
beginning of the world.
51 From the 5 1 Even from the blood of righteous Abel, which
blood of Abel, un- was fhed by (jain on acCount of religion, and which
thariasbl which Ze" c"ed aJo'ld to heaven for vengeance, before the giving
riihed betwe'en the OI" tne law> unt° the blood of that well-known Za-
altar and the tem- charias, under the law, whom your predeceffors fto-
ple : verily I fay ned to death, for reproving their idolatry, in the
unto you, It foall court between the altar of burnt-offering and the
generation. ° lS temple, and who, when he died, faid, The Lord
look upon it, and require it : (2 Chron. xxiv. 20, —
22. fee the note on Matth. xxiii. 35.) I afluredly
tell you, that, God, in his righteous judgment, will
revenge all this blood upon the men of this genera-*
tion, for their flill more flagrant iniquity of the fame
kind, in the utter deftruftion of their city, temple,
and nation.
52 Wo unto you ^2 Wo unto you, in particular, ye perverfe inter-
iawyersrforyehave ters of tfo law . p jnftead of faithfuny difehaf,
taken a way the key r. , . , r Z. .„ , , ' , .
of knowledge : ye glng t«e duty of your office, ye miflead the people f,
entered not in your- and will not fuffer them tp take the fcriptures in any
felves, and them other fenfe than ye think fit to impofe upon them ;
that and
NOTES.
* If, as fome fuppofe, Chrift himfelf have fpoken thefe things; (Matth. xxiii.
here fpoke-of1 that divine perfedlion which 34.) and who was reprefented under the
we call the wifdom of God,- it is difficult characlerof Wifdom, in Prrai. viii. ; andfo
to make any tolerable fenfe of this verfe, is called the wifdom of God, 1 'Cor. i. 14.
unlefs the things here mentioned, as faid f The key of knowledge, asfome think,
by the wifdom of God, were to be found is an allufion to the cuftom of the ancient
in the Old Teftament, which, I think, is Jew!, who, at the ordination of a Rabbi,'
filent about them : And therefore I take or teacher of the law, gave him a key, to
this phrafe to be the evangetift's appella- intimate that he was to open the fcrip-
tion of Chrift, who is exprel'sly faid to tures to the people.

Chap. xi. hvKX paraphrafed. 127
that were entering and fo ye not only refufe to enter into the gofpel
in, ye hindereiL kingdom yourfelves, but likewife keep them in igno
rance who feem. inclined to put in for its benefits,
and do all ye can to hinder them by the falfe gloffes
which ye give to the word of God, and by iiiding
from them its, plaineft references to the Meffiah.
53 And as he 53 Whilft our Lord was thus freely expofing and
faid thefe things reproving the wickednefs and hypocrify of the fcribes,
fcribes* W the ^Y' together with the Pharifees, were enraged at
Pharifees began to it > and therefore preffed him with many captious
urge him vehe- queftions, to try, whether they could not provoke him
mently, and to to drop fome unguarded expreffion, which might,
freakkeofhimman° °ne way or other, be turned to his difadvantage:
things :° many 54 They, at the fame time, critically obferving e-
54 Laying wait very thing he faid, and endeavouring to put an invi-
for him, and feek- dious copftrijftion upon it, that might give them a
fog to catch fome- pl3lmwe pretence, either of prejudicing the people a-
thing out of his •* . „ , ..r A • 1 r r
mouth, that they g3*1™ him, as. an enemy to their law, or ot proiecu-
might accufe him. ting him as an enemy to the Roman government.
RECOLLECTIONS.
What need have we that Chrift foould teach us topray unta God, as our hea
venly Father, for all temporal, and efpecially fpiritual bleffings, with holy adora
tion and reverence, importunity, faith, and fervour, and with a charitable and for
giving frame of fpirit, that God, in all things, may be glorified 1 And what' encou
ragement have we to hope for a gracious anfwer, when we are enabled in this man
ner, and with an eye to the great Mediator, as difcovered in the clearer light of
the gofpel, to pour out our hearts before the Lord '. Bat while fome are defirous of
Chrift's teaching them to pray, how are others left to blafpheme, inftead of receiv
ing him, who is the only deftroyer of Satan's power, and deliverer of his mifcrable
-captives ! And though fome are more defperately wicked than others, there are no
neuters in religion, but all are really either friends or enemies to the only Saviour;
and many, who feem to be reformed, and freed from the power of the devil, may
turn the vileft apoftates, and be more than ever fubject to his tyranny over them.
But oh. happy fouls that believe and obferve the word of God ! They are dearer to
our Lord than his neareft kindred, according to the flefh ; whilft others, whofe un
belief will hot fubmit to the cleareft evidence, fall under his fevere rebukes ^ Even
heathen, nations will rife up in judgment againft them. What a mifcrable cafe is
it to be blinded with finful prejudices in the midft of gofpel-light ! But their folly
and wickednefs is moft aggravated, of all others, who pervert and abufe the means
of grace, u,nder the power of a fuperftitious, hypocritical, and perfecuting temper :
They prefer external forms and ceremonies to the fubftantial duties of love and 0-'
bedience ; they take up with fair fhews of religion, whilft all manner of impuri
ties are indulged, and reign within ; and they are inveterate enemies to Chrift, his
gofpel, and-his followers, while they pretepdto condemn others of a like temper in
former ages. But God will take the heavieft vengeance upon them, if not in this
world, in that which is to come ; and national fins, muft iffue in national reform
ation, ot national ruin. Bleffed be God for the free ufe of the fcriptures: May npne
of us incur the wo of taking them out of the hands of the common people, or of
impofing our own fenfe of them upon their confciences '. And may none of us be ever
fo impatient of reproof, as to have heart-rifings againft Chrift and his word for con
demning our faults, inftead of taking convicTrion of them 1
/
S2 ; CHAP,

12 8 The Evangelift Chap. xii.

CHAP. XII.
Chrifi cautions his difciples againft hypocrify and cowardice in their
profeffion and 'preaching, I, — 12. ; and againft covetoufnefs,
¦1o)  21. DireBs them to eafi all their care upon God, and to
ipake religion their chief bufinefs, 22, — 34. Shews them the ne
ceffity of watchfulnefs, 3J, — 48. Bids them expeB perfecution,
49, — 53. And warns the people of the danger of negletls and de-
l«ysi 54>— S9-
Text. Paraphrase.
JN the mean time, TY7"HILST our Lord was difcourfing with the
¦aThe'red^eTher fcribes zn& Pharifees, a vaft multitude of the
frf "innumerable people crowded about him, and were ready to tram-
multitude of peo- pie on.e another under foot in preffing forward to get
pie, infomuch that near enough to hear him : Then, in the audience of
they oth^r T be" a11 the PeoPle> he turned his difcourfe particularly to
gantofayrunt?oh1s his difciples, ' faying, Take heed, (^arov) above all
difciples firft of all, things elfe, of hypocrify, which is the reigning fin
Beware ye of the 0f the Pharifees, and, like leaven, puffs them up,
leaven of the Ph a- .rourS) an(j corrupts their fpirits, fpreads its infeftion
iocrifyT 'C ™ '' through all their profeffions, words, and aftions, and
utterly fpoils their fpecious pretences to religion. Be
not ye like them :
2 For there is 2 For how clofe and artful foever your hypocrify
nothing covered, may be, it cannot be fo fecret, but that, as it is al-
fhat fhall not be wa g known to God, it fhall one day be manifefted
l,id!athat fliall tot to others ;_ nor can it.be fo difguifed, but that, fooner
be known. or later, it fhall be expofed in its true light to pub
lic view, fometimes to the confounding of its own de
fign even in this world, and certainly in the day of
judgment.
3 Therefore 3 Your moil concealed tranfaftions, therefore, with
whatfoever yejiave one another, fhall hereafter be made manifeft ; and
fpoken in darknels, wnat. private inftruftions foever I have communicated
thelig^t/aTdtha't to Toll> and Je have hitherto talked, over only among
wliich ye Jiavc fpo- yourfelves, like perfons whifpering in the dark, or in
ken in the ear in a clofet, ye foall publifh them in the plaineft manner
clofets, foall be pro- wnereveY ye go, that they may be feen like the light
limifcto T" ' h£ at noon-day' and maY be heard like a proclamation
from the battlements of an houfe, by all about you* :
Remember that it fhall appear at laft whether ye have
been fincere and faithful in all thefe things or not.
4 And
NOTE.
* It feems, by comparing this with brought in by way of caution againft hy-
, 7iTaft!f. x. 26, 27. (fee the note there) pocrify, I have alfo had a regard to the
r.nd Mark iv. 21, 22. that our Lord IpOke difcovery of, fecret tranfactrions in the
it with relation to his difciples publifh- day of judgment.
jy^- the gofpel; and yet, as it is heme

Chap. xii. Luke paraphrafed. 129
4 And I fay un- 4 And let me caution you, my difciples, whom I
to you, My friends, efteem, and am concerned for, as my deareft friends,
Be not afraid of „,ot to fo difeouraged in, or turned afide from, the
bod* thandkiUafter waY of Your duty» by fears of provoking the Phari-
thaf'havenomore fees, or any man whatfoever : For the utmoft that

that they can do.

5 ButI will fore
warn you whom
youfhallfear: Fear
him which, after he
hath killed, hath
power to caft into
hell ; yea, I fay
unto you, Fear
him.

6 Are not five
fparrows fold for
two farthings, and
not one of them "is
forgotten before
God? 7 But even the
very hairs of your
head are all num
bered. Fear not
therefore : ye are
of more value than
many fparrows.

8 Alfo I fay un
to you, Whofoever
foall confefs me be
fore men, him fliall
the Son of man al
fo confefs before the
angels of God.

their malice and power can do againft you, i6 only to
deftroy the life of the body, which would quickly
die of itfelf; they, after all, can neither deprive the
foul of its life and happinefs, rior hinder the body's
rifing again to eternal life.
5 But I will tell you, whom ye ought to regard
as the objeft of religious fear, and to be afraid of of
fending, by the omiffion of any duty, or commiffion of
any fin ; and that is the great God, who is able to
kill the body whenever he pleafes, and afterwards to
make both foul and body for ever miferable in the
torments of hell; but, without whofe permiffion, the
worft of your enemies can do you no harm : It is, I
fay, your higheft wifdom and intereft, as well as du
ty, to be governed by a holy fear of him.
6 Are not fparrows of fo little worth, that five of
them are ufually fold for two farthings ? and yet the
all-governing providence of God fo carefully watches
even over them, that not one of them dies, or is kill
ed without his cognizance and leave. (Matth. x. 29.
fee the note there.)
7 But there is ftill a more fpecial care of Providence
exercifed about you, infomuch that all your minuteft;
concerns, even to the hairs of your head, are under
God's exaft infpeftion and difpofal ; none of them
can fuffer injury, much lefs can your lives be-deftroy-
ed or hurt, without his knowledge and will. Be not
therefore afraid of what man can do unto you : For
ye as men, and efpecially as God's fervants and chil
dren, are in the rank of creatures, and, in his account,
of much greater value than ever fo many fparrows ; and
he, who does not forget them, ye may be fure, will
never be unmindful of you.
8 And, for your further encouragement and cau
tion, I affure you, that, whether God fhall fee fit to
proteft you from the fury of your enemies in this
world or not, your being courageous and faithful, or
timorous and men-pleafing, in your profeffion and
preaching, will be of the greateft confequence in the
world to come : For whoever fhall boldly own and
profefs his faith in me here, and fhall ftand up for
my honour, truths, and ways, in the face of all op
pofition, reproach, and perfecution from men ; ' I, the
Meffiah, will hereafter publicly own and honour him
as one of my difciples, and pafs a fentence of eter nal

130 The Evangelift Chap. xii.
nal bleffednefs upon him. in, the prefence ofr my Fa
ther, (Matth. x. 3,2.) a,nd his holy angels.
9 But he that 9, But whoever, through fear or fhame, in days of
denieth me before terror and calumny, for my fake, fhall refufe an ho-
^dbetettat uourable teftimony to me, and fhall, decline or -caft off
gels of God. an °Pen P^otefl1011 °* my name, to the gratification
of mine enemies, and difheartening of my friends, in
this life ; he fhall certainly be difowhed by me, and
expofed to public fhame, before God (Matth. x. 33.)
and angels, as one whom I neyer approved of, and
fhall be condemned to eternal mifery and confufion in
the day of judgment.
10 And whofo- 10 And while ye make a due profeffion and de-
ever fliall fpeak a claration of my gofpel to others ; if any among them,
word againft the fo my prefent ftate of humiliation, fhaU fpeak light-
Son of man, it fhall , I r , ..- . „ r, . °,
be forgiven him ! ty of me, and even difpute againft my bemg the
but unto him that Chrift of God, through their own ignorance and pre-
blafphemeth a- judices, occafioned by the meannefs of my appear-
5-aim2 !h^ nHol3r ance, and the greatnefs of my fufferings, , contrary
Ghoft, it fliall not ,' . • _ °. , ,' ,, «. , ° y, '
be forgiven. to their expectations about t;he Meliiah ; they may
obtain repentance and remiflion of thefe fins, through
the Spirit's influence, and my mediation : But who
ever, after my refurreftion from the dead, afcenfion
to heaven, and pouring down of the Holy Ghoft, lhall
fpeak malicioufly againft him in his extraordinajfy
gifts and operations for the confirmation of my cha.
rafter, imputing them to the agency of the devil, as
fome of the Pharifees do the miraculous works which
I now perform ; the guilt of their fin will be fo great,
and fo direftly againft the laft and only means of
conviftion and falvation, that no repentance or for-
, givenefs of it fhall ever be granted.
it And when \\ But (Se) whatever be the event to others, and
they bring you un- fow much foever any may be enraged againft you
-ind C unto^'mzvi- ^or l^e teftimony ye bear to me, even though they
iirates, andpowei-s, fhould carry you to ecclefiaftical courts of judicature,
take ye no thought held in the fynagogues, to be tried, judged, and con-
' how or what thing demned by the Jewifh. rulers, or fhould bring you
w\at% foaTffay : b5foi:e rnagiftrates, and governors among the Gen
tiles, to anfwer for the doftrine which ye profefs and
preach ; yet fear none of their faces, nor be over-
folicitous, much lefs anxioufly and diftruftfully care*
ful, about what defence ye fhall make for yourfelves,
and for the truth.
1 2 For the Holy j 2 For, as the caufe is mine more than yours, I
Ghoft foall teach W;U ftand v ^ tfo jj. Ghoft n^ be at
you in the fame . t . r, ' ' r .' . r ... ' ,
hour what ye oueht that lnltant, a fpirit 01 wifdom and courage to you,
;o fay. that ye may know what to anfwer, and how to be
have, as may be moft for my glory and intereft in
the world, and moft becoming yourfelves as my fer-
1 yants. 1 13 Whilft

Chap; xii.
13 And one of
the company laid
unto him, Mafter,
fpeak to my bro
ther, that he di
vide the inherit
ance with me.

Luke paraphrafed.

14 And he faid
unto him, Man,
who made me a
judge, or a divider
over you ?

15 And he faid
unto them; Take
heed, and beware
of covetoufnefs :
for a man's life
coirififteth not in
the abundance of
the things which
he pofTefieth.

ifi And he fpake
a parable unto
them, faying, The
ground of a certain
rich man brought
forth plentifully.
17 And he
thought within
himfelf, faying,
What fhall I do,
becaufe I have no
room where to be
llow my fruits ?
iS And he faid,
This

I3I
13 Whilft our Lord was difcourfing in this man
ner to his difciples, one of the ftanders-by, a worldly-
minded man, broke in upon him, faying, Sir, as
you are a perfon of an extraordinary charafter, and
fet tip for the Meffiah, I beg that you would be fo
good as to decide a controverfy between my brother
and me about an hereditary eftate, and order him to
do me juftice.
iJ(. But, (Se) Jefus replied, Friend, whatfoever
your notions of the Meffiah's temporal power may
be, I make nb pretences to interpofe in an affair of
this nature ; my bufinefs lies in fpiritual things, rela
ting to the inheritance of eternal life, and not in fe-
cular concerns, relating to the inheritances of this
world : And, we're I to meddle with them, no
doubt but fome would fay to me, as the Egyptian
faid to Mofes, in a way of refentment and reproach,
Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us P ( Exod.
iL l2t")
15 Chrift, having in this manner waved intereft-
ing himfelf in temporal affairs, took occafion from
the unfeafonable motion that had been made to him
about them, to fay^ to his difciples, and the reft of the
company, Be watchful over your own hearts, and
ftand upon your guard, left the fin of covetoufnefs
infenfibly enfnare, defile, and ruin you : Do not give
way to a fondnefs for the good things of this world,
to an over-folicittide about them, and eager purfoit af
ter them, or to an Unwillingnefs oh proper occafions
to part with them : For as a little will fuffice for the
neceffaries, conveniencies, and comforts of the body ;
fo the happinefs of the prefent life, and fatisfaftion
of the foul, does not confift in an affluence of earth
ly poffeffions, which ufually brings incumbrances and
fnares, rather than contentment and advantage, and
is rather an hindrance than furtherance of a man's u-
fing and leaving this world with decency, and ex
changing it for a better.
16 To illuftrate and confirm this, our bleffed
Lord added a fuppofed, inftance of a rich man, who
was far from being an happy one, faying, A certain
man poffeffed and occupied a very large eftate in
land, which yielded fo great an increafe of fruits,
that he had not ftowage fufficient to hold them.
1 7 Hereupon, inftead of contriving what he fhould
render to the Lord for all his benefits, and how he
might beft improve them for his glory, and the good
of others, his mind was full of folicitous concern how
to fecure and difpofe of all this abundance for his
own ufe.
18 And at length the refolution he came to was
this :

I32
This will I do : I
will pull down my
barns, and build
greater; and there
will I bellow all
my fruits and my
goods. 19 And I will
fay to my foul,
Soul, thou haft
much goods laid
up for many years ;
take thine eafe,
eat, drink, and be
merry. 20 But God faid
unto him, Thou
fool, this night thy
foul lhall be re
quired of thee :
then whofe fhall
thofe things be
which thou haft
provided ?

The Evangelift

Chap. xii.

21 So is he that
layeth up treafure
for himfelf, and is
not rich towards
God.

22 And he faid
unto his difciples,
Therefore I fay un
to you, Take no
thought

this : I will even pull down' my old barns, and build
new ones more commodious and capacious than ' the
prefent ; and will put my vaft increafe into them, that
I may keep it in ftore, and ufe it for my pleafure.
1 9 And, having fo much treafure heaped together^
he vainly congratulated himfelf, as if nothing more
were neceffary for his fafety and comfort, faying, O
my foul, thou haft now enough to, regale thyfelf with,
to the utmoft of thy inclinations and appetitesj for a
great many years to come ; fear no evil, and fpare
no coft on any account whatfoever ; but indulge thy
felf in all the indolence and pleafure, luxury and mer
riment, that heart can wifh for.
."O But juft as he was thus laying out his fchjpfhes,
without any thought of death or danger,-' God broke
all his meafores in an inftant, by an awful fummons,
faying, O vain, inconfiderate creature, who imagine
yourfelf to be lord and fole proprietor of all this
plenty, as if you neither received nor held it of me,
nor were accountable to me for it ; and who are
grown fo felf-fufficient, as to fancy that thefe uncertain
riches would fecure long life and pleafure, and make
up an entire fatisfaftion to your immortal foul itfelf :
This, your way, is your folly ; that foul of yours fhall
this very night be ftripped of all thefe poffeffions, and
be required to give an account of itfelf and them at
my tribunal ; and furrounding devils will demand it
for their own, that it may be tormented with them
for ever : And then, who will inherit the treafur'es
which you, with care and toil, have fcraped together ?
How do you know whether they will fall into the
hands of friends and relations, or of Arrangers- and e-
nemies, of wife men or fools, of niggards or fpend-
thrifts ? but whoever may be the poffeffor, they will
be no longer yours ; you can carry none of them a-
way with you, and they will be fo far from profiting
in the day of wrath, that they will rife up in judg
ment againft you for your abufes of them.
21 Such a fool as this, is every earthly-minded
covetous man, who fets his heart upon, and feeks af
ter, the riches of this world, as if his chief happinefs ,
lay in affluent circumftances, and in making provifion
for thev flefh, to fulfil the lulls thereof ; and who is
not rich in faith, hope, and holinefs, nor is ferious-
ly concerned about a fhare in the treafores that are
incorruptible, undefiled, and never fade away, and
from which he himfelf fhall never die. '
22 But (h) as Chrift's difciples, being generally
poor, might be apt to think that they had little or
no concern in what he had faid about the rich, he
proceeded more particularly to warn them againft fuch foil-

Ghap. xii.
thought for your
life, what ye fhall
eat ; neither for
the body, what
ye (hall put on.

23 The life is
more than meat,
and the body is
more than rai
ment.

J4 Confider the
ravens : for they
neither fow nor
reap ; which nei
ther have ftore-
houfe nor .barn ;
and God feedeth
them : How much
more are ye better
than the fowls ?

25 And which
of you, with taking
thought, can add
to his ftature one
¦ cubit ?

26 If ye then be
pot able to,do that
thing' which is
leaft, why take ye
thought for the
reft ?

*7
lilies

Confider the
how they
grow : they toil
not, they fpin not :
and yet I fay unto
< you,
Vol. II.

Luke paraphrafed. 133
folicftude of mind about the neceffaries of life, as
their low and expofed circumftances were the great
eft temptations to, faying, Take heed of'being anxi-
oufly careful, and difquieting yourfelves with unbe
lieving fears, even about thofe enjoyments of this
world that are requifite to the fupport and the ordi
nary comfort of your lives, fuch as food and raiment,
and accommodations of that kind ; but depend on
the providence of God, in the way of your duty, for
fuch things as may be needful and convenient for you.
23 For as the human life and body are more valu
able than food and clothes, which are only the means
of their fuftenance and comfort ; fo God having al
ready brought you into being without your own
concern about it, or contribution toward it, he will
much more give you a fufiiciency for continued fubfift -
ence, without your perplexing thoughtfulnefs about
it, as long as he defigns you to live, or has any work
for you to do in the body.
24 As to food, obferve what care God, in his pro
vidence, takes of the fowls of the air, even of the
moft hungry and voracious among them, fuch as the
ravens ; he conftantiy fopplies them with the provi-
fions of the day, though they can do nothing to pre
pare it, nor have forefight enough to lay up for time
to come : And are not ye a much more noble part
of God's creation as men, and much dearer to film
as his children ? furely then, he, who feeds and takes
care of ravens, will not ftarve and negleft you.
25 And your carking thoughts about thefe things
are as foolifh, as they are needlefs. To convince you
of this, confider, that ye infenfibly grow up to that
determinate ftature and age (r,\ix.ia) of the body
which God has appointed to you refpeftively : And
who among you can, by any contrivance, art, or ma
nagement, make it one degree taller, or ftretch out
its life one moment longer, than God pleafes ? It, af
ter all, muft be juft as he fees fit to order it.
26 If therefore it is impoffible, by your utmoft
anxiety, to do fo trivial a thing as adding ever fo
little to that ftature of the body, or that time of
its life, which God has fet for it : How much lefs
can ye do all things that are neceffary for the fupport
of its whole frame, and lengthening out its age to
any number of years ? Why then fhould ye diftrefs
yourfelves about them ?
27 And as to raiment, there is as little reafon to
be over-folicitous about this : For do but obferve how
the flowers of the field, and particularly the lilies or
tulips, are arrayed, without their own weaving, or
fpinning, or taking any pains to provide for them-
T felves

134
you, that Solomon,
in all his glory, was
not arrayed like
one of thefe.

aS If then God
fo clothe the grafs,
which is'to-day fn
the field, and to
morrow is caft in
to the oven ; how
much more will he
clothe you, O ye of
little faith ?

20 And feek not
ye what ye fhall
eat, or what ye
fliall drink, neither
be ye of doubtful
mind.

30 For all thefe
things do the na
tions of the world
feek' after : and
,your Father know-
eth that ye have
need of thefe
things.

The Evangelift

Chap. xii.

31 But- rather
feek ye the king
dom of God, and
all thefe things
fliall be added un
to you.

32 'Fear not, lit
tle flock, for it is
your Father's good
pleafure to give you
ihekins-dom.

felves: And yet I tell you, that .God, in his provi
dence, adorns them with £ beautiful clothing, of vari
ous colours, vaftly.fuperior in their paint to the richeft
robes of Solo/non and ihis courrtiers, when on high
days he appeared in all his fplendor.
28 Ifthen God pute fuch exquifitely fine and cu
rious ornaments on thefe ihort-liyed flowers of the
grafs, which one day ,flpurifh in the field, apd the
next either fade of themfelves, or are mowed down
and confumed in heating an o.ven ; Can ye fuppofe
that he will. not much more give you at leaft necef
fary apparel, till ye be cut down hy death, and you*
bodies be confumed in the grave ? Surely your faith
is low indeed, if ye diftruft the care of Providence tp
clothe you.
29 Be not therefore perplexingly thoughtful a-
about, and eager in your purfuits after, the things
of the prefent life,, fuch as meat, drink, and raiment,
whether ye fhall be provided with them, or whether
they fhall be of the more ordinary, or of the more de
licate and fumptuous kind; nor give way to a diftraft-
ing, unfettled, fluctuating, and diftruflful temper a-
bout them, (fin uirta^iorh) as if God would not fup
ply you with fuch things as are proper for you.
30 Such a temper as this is very unbecoming you,
'my difciples : For this is to behave juft like the hea
then, who are ignorant of God and his providence,
and live without hope of a bfeffed life to come ; and
who, for want of knowing better, are carking and
caring about the concerns of this world, as if their
happinefs lay in them, and nothing more than their
own induftry were requifite to fecure them. But
(Se) as all things are under the management of your
heavenly Father, and he knows that fome of them
are neceffary to your fubfiftence and comfort, ye may
well truft in him for feafonable fupplies.
31 But let your principal, care, defires, and pur
fuits, be after the more important, fpiritual, and eter
nal bleffings that belong to the kingdom of grace and
glory ; feek thefe, rather than even the neceffaries
of the prefent life ; feek them firft and principally,
before and above all things elfe ; and if ye are but
partakers of thefe, ye may be fure that he, who has
given the^ greater, will not with-hold the lefs, but
will add ail fuch temporal things as he knows are rfit-
teft for you.
32 Fear no want of any good thing, O ye my dear
property and charge, who, compared with the nume
rous herds of the wicked, are like a fmall flock of
fheep and lambs : For your heavenly Father, by a
fovereign, gracious aft of his mere good pleafure, has
appointed

Chap. xii. Luke faraphrafed. 135
appointed and provided for you, has given you a
right' and title to, and will bring you to the poffef
fion" of all the riches, honours, and delights of the
kingdom of glory : How much more will he give you
all the neceffaries of this life ?
33 Sell that ye 33 Inftead therefore of following the chace of this
have; and give world, or being anxioufly thoughtful about food and
yourfelves ^"bags raiment i be ready to part with even what ye have,
which wax not when God, in his providence, calls you to refign it for
old, a treafure in his glory and the relief of the poor : And let your
the heavens that principal concern be about the heavenly inheritance,
no I thief'appr^acli! ^ & thinSs here may be managed in a due fubfer-
eth, neither moth vience to this'; which is like a treafure put into bags,
corrupteth. that will never rot or decay ; nor will it ever wafte,
or be fpent, or ftolen from you by fraud or violence ;
nor be moth-eaten, like garments for the body ; but
will endure incorruptibly, arid make you happy with
out abatement or end.
34 For where 34' For whatfoever ye efteem as your chief treafure,
your treafure is, w;]j corfrmand and govern your hearts and affections,
heart beVialfoy°Ur defires and hoPes» cares and feafs' whether il be any
thing- in this world, or the glory and bleffednefs of
that which is to come.
35-Let yonrfoins 35, 36 And as the beft of treafores are to be en-
be girded about, joyed or loft; when your Lord fhall come to judg-
and your , lights mentj tfo t;me 0f wn;ch [s unknown and uncertain ;
36" And ye your- be ye like fervants that are continually waiting*
felves like unto with their loins girt, and lights burning, in all readi-
men that wait for nefs to receive their mafter, at the firft notice of his
their Lord, when returnmff home from a wedding. See that ye live
he will return from • -, ~i -i- r j 1 r r j
the wedding, that, m a daily exerciie of grace, and performance ot du-
when he' cometh ty : Labour to keep your evidences clear for heaven,
andknbcketh, they and to fpread the knowledge of fpiritual things all a-
may open unto him round you, that ye may be continually prepared in
y* your frame and employment, as well as in your ftate,
and may be waiting with expeftation and hope for
your Lord, whenever he fhall appear in his glory to
take up the church to heaven, which he has efpou
fed to himfelf, by the miniftry of the gofpel, on earth :
And be always circumfpeft, that, as foon as ever
the alarm fhall be given of his being juft at hand, ye
may be in no furprife ; but may be ready to bid him
welcome, and to enter with him into his joy.
37 Bleffed are 37 Thofe faithful fervants are happy, beyond ex-
k 1, ^ervants preffion, whom their Lord, at his fecond appearing,
whom the Lord, ftaH find to be thus diligently waiting in expectation
T 2 of
NOTE.
* Here is a manifeft allufion to the ny fervice was to be attended to ; as alfo
long garments that ufed to be worn, by to the lights that fervants were wont to
the eafterly nations,' down to their feet, carry at weddings, which were ufu-"-
and to be girded about the loins whr n ?.- in the night.

'-'-¦'.

135 The Evangelift Chap, xii,
when he cometh, of it : I affuredly tell you, that he will fhew the
ni31- veril Wffa " Sreateft condefcenfion to them *, and put the higheft
™to' yo" ^t'hat he mar^s °f honour upon them, in admitting them to
fliall gird' himfelf, his glory, and entertaining them with all' the delights
and make them to of the heavenly world.
fit down to meat, 3g And, whether he fhall appear fooner or later,
andfervXm at the beginning of their expeftation, or after they
38 And if he bave long waited for him, every one who fhall be
foall come in the found ready in this manner to receive him, ffiall be
fecond watch, or truly and for ever bleffed with him.
come in the thud v - Andas the corruW of your Lord will, for its
W3.tcn unci lind «/ - « o / *
them fo bleffed are furprifing fuddennefs, and fad confequences to the un-
thofe fervants. watchful and unprepared, be like that of a thief in
, 39 And this the night, obferve what I fay in the following para-
know, that if the kfe .. jf any houfe-keeper certainly knew before-hand
houfe had known tQe exaft time when thieves would attempt his dwell-
what hour the thief ing, he could not be fo ftupid and carelefs as not to
would come, he be on his watch juft then to prevent them : But eve-
v/ould have watch- yy w;re an(j prudent man wul do more than this ; he
fuffered hi'shoufe to ^^ *a-'ie care tbat his houfe be always in a ftate of
be broken through, good fecurity, left it fhould be affaulted at unawares.
40 Be ye there- 40 In like manner therefore, fee that ye defer not
fore ready alfo : for your preparation for the coming of your Lord to
the Son of man :udgment till the furprifing hour overtakes you ; but
cometh at an hour J.& ' . . *. ,° „ , , r ' ' ,
when ye think not. that ye be always in fuch a ftate, and frame, and
courfe of life, as ye would wifh to be found in, when
ever it may be ; for the Meffiah will certainly and fud-
denly appear, to your confufion, or joy, at a time
when ye may leaft of all expeft it.
41 Then Peter 41 Then Pw*r faid to Jefus, Lord, is this awaken-
f.ud unto him, • paraDje fpoken to us only, who are thv fervants in
Lord, fpeakeft thou -& r , rr, - . .„ ' ' „ , .' . .
this parable unto tne work ot the miniftry ; or doft thou intend that it
us, or even to all > lhould be applied in common tp all that hear it ?
42AndtheLoVd 42 Our Saviour replied, Though all in general are
faid, Who then is concerned in it, I fpoke it more direftly to^you: For
th.a^ „ falth1}11 ,an° who, think ye, but fuch as, like good flewards, are
wife fteward, whom r • .* r 1 • ¦ • ..- • • ° . , ... .
his lord fliall make *aith?ul in improving their various talents, will be
aulerover hishouf- highly advanced in their lord's houfe, to have the
hold, to give them management of his affairs according to his will, and
their portion of to make foch diftributions in proper time and feafon,
meat in due fea- as ar£ fu;tab]e tQ tfo rerpea;ve ftates and circumftan
ces of all under their charge ? 43 Such
NOTE.
* We arc not to fuppofe that this is at fome feafts among the aneients, and
to be underftood literally, as if our Lord, particularly among the Romans at their
kt his fecond glorious appearing, 'will put Saturnalia, or feafts dedicated to Saturn;
himfelf into foch an abject form, and mi- where fervants had the honour of fitting
nifter to his faints in foch an humble at table, and their mafters waited upon
manner, as he did when he girded him- tbem, to ferve them; as it is cuftomary
felf and wafhed hisdifciples' feet on earth, among feme of our nation, in the pre-
But thefe eapreflions are to be taken in a fent age, for the bride-groom, to wait at
figui arrive fenfe, alluding, to the praftice table, like a fervant, on his wedding-day..

Chap. xii.

Luke paraphrafed.

*37

ruler over all
he hath,

that

to be drunken ;

46 The lord
that fervant

of

43 Bleffed U that. 43 Such, and fuch only, are happy fervants, what-
fervant, whom his foever their ftation may be, who fhall be found faith-
lord when he co- ful^y discharging the trufts committed to them, when-
doin . ever their Lord fhaU come t0 cal1 ^ to an account.
44 Of a truth I 44 I affuredly tell you, that he will own and ac-
fay unto you, that cept them in their work and labour of fidelity, faith,
he' will make him and fove, and, will raife them * to the higheft dignity
and glory, when he fhalljudge the quick and the dead,
at his appearing and kingdom.
"* 45 But and if 45 But if, on the other hand, any one, who pro-,
that fervant fay in feffes to be my difciple and fervant, fhall give way
detach' hi! 'co- to ""believing thoughts, as if his great Lord and
ming • and foall Mafter would never come again to call him to an ac-
begin to beat the count, becaufe he fees no prefent appearances of it ;
men-fervants, and and if, under the power of this praftical infidelity , he
maidens, and to fa^ gr0w remifs and carelefs, and fhall thereupon give
himfelf liberty to revile, infult, abufe, and perfecute
others of his fellow-fervants, and to be luxurious and
intemperate in his fenfual appetites, as well as outra
geous in his paffions ;
46 His Lord will furprife him in the midft of all
will his unbelief and wickednefs, when he little thinks of
when he looketh ^-5 "and will~cut bim off by death from all his vain
not for him and and Altering imaginations, from all his comforts here,
at an hour when and from all hope and happjnefs hereafter : He will
he is not aware, feparate his foul from his body, and feparate them
and will cut him Dotn from God and bleffednefs ; and fentence him to
everlafting deftruftion, which is the portion of unbe
lievers. . 47 Only there will be this difference : As under
the law a diftinftion was made between fins of igno
rance and prefumptuous fins, (Num. xv. 29, 30.) (and
criminals were to be beaten with a number of ftripes,
more or lefs, according to the degrees and aggrava
tions of their faults : (Deut. xxv. 2, 3.) So he, who
had a clear knowledge of what his Lord requires, and
may reafonably expeft from him, under all his advan
tages and opportunities, and yet neglefts his duty,
and fins againft the light and convictions of his own
confeience, fhall be proportionably punifhed with the
heavieft ftrokes of divine vengeance.
48 But he who, though he had proper means of
knew not, and did being acquainted with his Lord's will, did not under-
thy'offtriDes^foaU ^and **' and *° a&eCl contrary to his commands, fhall
be beaten with few be punifhed with lefs feverity than the other : For,
firipes. For unto according to the univerfal law of equity among men,
whomfoever much the greater capacities, opportunities, and advantages,
is any
NOTE.
* Chrift here alludes to the further honours and trufts that mafters ufe to confer
on thofe fervants who have approved themfelves to bevprudent and faithful, as. Pha
raoh dealt with Jofeph, Gen. xii. 40.

in fonder, and will
appoint him his
portion with the
unbelievers. 47 And that fer
vant which knew
his lord's will, and
prepared not him
felf, neither did ac
cording to his will,
fliall be beaten
with many jlripes.

48 But he that

i38
is given, of him
foall be much re
quired : and to
whom men have
committed' miich^
of him they'' will
afli'the more.
49 I am come
to fend fire on the
-earth, and what
1 will I, if it be al
ready kindled.

The Evdhgeitft

Chap, xii;

50 But I have a
baptifm to be bap
tized with, and
ho w am I ftraitened
till it be accom-
plifliedV

51 Suppbfe ye'
that I am come
to give peace on
earth ? I tell you,
Nay ; but rather
di virion :

52 ' . For frOnru
henceforth there
foall be five' in' one
houfe divided,three
ugainft two, and
two againft three.
53 The- father
foall be divided a-
gainflr the foil, and-
the fon againft the
lather: the mother
againft' the daugh
ter, -and the daugh
ter againft the mo
ther ; the mother-
in-law againft her
daugh-

- any'fflrvrah't has for difcharging a truft' committed to
hhri;1 the higHer1 will be his Mailer's expectations and
demands from him^ and the more he is' intrufted with,
trie1 greater Will his gtfrlt and punifhment be, if, on
any acccoiint whatfoever, he prove negligent and un
faithful. 49 I: airi corsie1 to eftabliffi a dbftririe fo contrary
to the pride and prejudices of meri; that it will in
cenfe them againft me and my difciples, and be the
occafion of great ariirnofities, contentions, and perfe-
cutiorfs in the worid : And as thefe fiery trials are alt
ready, begun, in the oppofition aind'rageof ^dad fcribes
and Pharifees and others^ on this account, 'what fhall
I fay, or do, or wifh for, with refpeft thereunto ?
Shall I defiftfrom mydefign of publifhing my" gofpel ?
No ; _it is' too important for the glory of God, and
the falvation of finners, to be declined, how much fen
ever I and my followers may fuffer for it upon earth.
50, For my part, I know that the firft and heavieft
ftorm will fall upon myfelf in the moft terrible igno
minious fufferings and death ; fo that I fhall be fo
lemnly confecrated to my prieflly and ' kingly offices
by the1 baptifm of my' own blood, as I have been to
.my prophetic office by the baptifm of water, and of
the Holy Ghoft : But I am fo far from refufing the
diftrefsj that, like a -woman in travail, who longs for
her pains to increafe upon her;' that fhe may bring
forth her child, I am exceeding defirous of going
through.it, that I may fee my feed, and the pleafure
of the Lord rriay profper in my hand.
51 And as for1 you, my apoftles and difciples,
Do ye imagine that the defign of niy'coming into the
world is to fettle temporal peace arid, profperity ? A-
las ! that is a very- great miftake. I affure you, the
event will be fo far from this, that, on the contrary,
ye will find it turn to greater flrifes and divifions, mi
feries and confufions, than ye ever knew before.
52, 53 For though my gofpel is full of love and
goodnefs, and direftly fuited and defigned to pro
mote friehdfhip,- kindnefs, arid focial affeftion, and
will have this happy effeft on thofe that cordially em
brace it'; yet, through the corruptions, enmity, and
oppofition of others, it will henceforward prove an
occafion of fierce contentions, and cruel perfecutions :
So that, when fome in the fame houfe fhall receive,
arid others rejeft me, .as fuppofe, in a family confifting
of fiv'e perfons, there be two of one fort, and three of
the other, they who continue in unbelief will be fo
enraged at the converted, that even father and fon,
mother and daughter, every rank and degree of rela
tions, according to the flefh, will caft off all the ten der

Chap.

XII.

Luke paraphrafed.

*39

daughtrer-in-law, -der.-fentjnients and obligations of natural affeftion,
and the daughter- arld,be tiie.maft implacable perfecutors of one ano-
in-law againft her t^' * ' ."'
TJfien Jefus, turning to the unbelieving
titude, reproved them for. then- ftupidity and fol-

-aga
mother-in-faw,

ther.

54 A"* he faid \&> SS
.niultit

alfo to the people,
When ye fee a ly ;n rejefting him, notwithftanding the plain evi-
^weffVai' tit- denCeS he ^ Siven 0* his being the true Meffiah y
wlfye fay, There %ing, If at (anytime a cloud appears toward the fea,
cometh a flower ; which lies weft of Judeft,'- ye immediately conclude
and fo it is. ^that .there will' be a fhower of rain ; and if ye obferve
/- S5bffouVnfod that the wind blows fouth, from the hot country of
blow, yefay, There dlfdca, ye reafonably expeft that the weather will
will be heat ; and be -hot and fultry, and, generally fpeaking, ye are hot
it comeljh.topafs. mift^ken.
56 Ye hypocrites, .56 ,Q ye hypocritical people, what blindnefs, ob-
focrofthffkT.and ftffiaqy, and prejudices, are ye under, with refpeft to
of the earth:' but your fpiritual .concerns ? ye are fagacious enough in
how is it, that ye obferving the motions of the wind and clouds, and
do not difcern this prognofticating ,the weather from thence, that ye
may order your affairs accordingly ; but ye take no
notice of the much plainer and forer tokens of the
prefent day of merciful vifitation, which is of infinite
ly higher importance to you. Ye may fee that the
Old-Teftament prophecies of the Meffiah are fulfilled
in my birth, tribe, and family, in the place where I
was born, in John the Baptifi as my forerunner, and
in the manner of my life and doftrine ; and ye may
fee that ^11 my .pretenfions to that charafter are con
firmed by numerous miracles. How is it then, that
ye do not difcern this time, that it is indeed a day
of grace, in which I appear as a Saviour among you?
57 Yea, why do not ye take example from your
felves ? (ap' izvtuv) In the inftance but now men
tioned, ye are fkilful and diligent abfervers, and aft
with prudence according to your obfervations : Why
then fhould ye not be excited, by what ye do in
thofe leffer things, to take the fame care, and ufe as
much obfervation and prudence, with refpeft to the
greater things that relate to your eternal peace ? And
why do not ye aft in this affair as the common pru
dence of a man would foggeft to be right in temporal
concerns * ?
58, 59 Suppofe any of you were going tp a court
of judicature with an adverfary who has an aftion of
debt againft you, which, if profecuted, .would be your
utter ruin ; common fenfe would tell you, that all pof-
give diligence that fible means fhould be ufed for a timely compromife
thou mayeft be de- ^.{fa n;mj fefl. fo foould get judgment and execution
livered " - n
againft
N O T JE.
.* If we cflpnecl this verfe with the foregoing, both thefe interpretations may
r/tand; but if it be connected with the following verfe,' the latter is to' be preferred.

57 Yea, and why
even of yourfelves
judge ye not what
Js right ?

5S When thou
goeft with thine
adverfary to the
magiftrate.ajrioa
art in the way.

140 . The Evangelift Chap. xii.
livered from him; againft you, to your imprifonment all the days of
left he hale thee to yQur l;fe- t„ like manner, as fin has brought you
judge i5.v« thee int0 a fts*e of eiimity with God, and were he to mark
to the officer, and iniquity, you could not ftand ; it is your higheft wif-
the ofEfcer caft thee dom now, while you are in the Way of mercy, to fall
into prifon. down at his feet, acknowledging your tranfgrefllons,
-t.S?n. i/„„. a» and to feek peace arid reconciliation with him, through
thou fhalt not de- . . r ,,..<?
part thence, till faith in the Melfiah, that you may be delivered from
thou haft paid the the hand's of his vindiftive juftice ; left he bring you
very laft mite. Jnto judgment for rejefting the only Saviour, and for
your other innumerable fins, and the Judge of all
fhould condemn' you, and deliver you over to the exe
cutioners of his righteous vengeance, and they fhould
caft you into the prifon of hell. I affure you, that
if once, through your own impenitence and unbelief,
this becomes your cafe, you muft be held there in e-
ternal torments, becaufe you will never be able to fatis- ,
- fy divine juftice, or pay the debt of fufferings, which
1 is due for your iniquities.
RECOLLECTIONS.
What a fenfelefs fin is hypocrify,- fince our moft fecret thoughts.lies open to the
omnifcient eye pf that God who will bring them all to light '. And how prepofter-
-ous is it to fear man more than him ; fmce we have immortal fouls which cannot^
be' killed with the body, and men cannot hurt the body itfelf without God's per-
mifuOn, but he can make both foul and body for ever miferable in hell ; and fince
Chrift will certainly own or reject them in the other world who own or reject him
in this ! But. there is forgivenefs with pod for all forts of fins, except that againft
the Holy Ghoft, which none that have any ferious defires after the gofpel-falvation
can be guilty of. Arid O with what fatisfacfion may true believers commit all the
concerns of thfe life to that God, whofe providence takes care of all his creatures,
and extends to the minuteft affairs '. And with what humble confidence may they
commit the concerns of their fouls, to Chrift,. who was eagerly defirous of dying the
wqrft of deaths to redeem them; and to, the God of all grace, whofe good pleafure
it is to give them a kingdom of glory ! That kingdom connfis of riches infinitely
preferable, to all the poifeflions of this world : And therefore they fliould be fought
before, and. above all things elfe,: as they will be by thofe who really efteem them
as their chief treafure : This is the way to all true happinefs here, and efpecially
hereafter; but covetous and anxious,cares about the things of the prefent life are
the bane of religion, and the riches of this world are often the ruin of carnal minds.
— Chiarrels and confufions will indeed arife among men, on account of Chrift and
his gofpel, as long as the lufts, paffions, and prejudices of multitudes lie in oppofi
tion to them. But .diftinguifhing grace makes a difference in others, and that in
the fame families j and if we, are hatred and perfecuted for Chrift's fake, and do not
bear a guilty part in religious quarrels, he will enable us to make a juft defence of
his caufe, and df ourfelves for our Jrofeflion of it. . How careful fliould minifters of
the gofpel be to imitate their great Ebrd in keeping to their own province, and not
intermeddling, as umpires,-,in feculai affairs, nor affuming to .themfelves civil pow
ers I And how apt foould they and all others be to take every word of Chrift to
themfelves, that they may be always ready to meet him in death and judgment,
not knowing how foon he may fummonthem to appear before him ! But O what
a fource of ftupidity, fenfuality, and wickednefs, is unbelief ! And how are fecure
finners in 'perpetual danger of being- furprifed into utter deftruction '. Their igno
rance and inobfervance' of what they ought to know and confider, is no juft excufe
for their1 fin ; and yet finning againft light and convictions is attended with ftill
higher aggravations, and fliall be more feverely punifhed. How perverfe are the
hearts of men that let themfelves againft the only Sa-viour, and the only way of
falvation

Chap. xiii. Luke paraphrafed. 141
falvation by him '. And hoW much more careful and prudent are the generality of
them about their temporal, than about their fpiritual concerns '. But as their natu
ral ftate is a ftate of enmity with God, and expofes them to' the utmoft danger of
falling into the hands of his juftice ; fo, unlefs rthey feek and obtain peace and re
conciliation with him now, through faith in his Son, while there are means and
hopes of it, their mifery will be unavoidable, infupportable, and without end.

CHAP. XIII.

Chrift's remarks upon the defiruBion that fell on the Galileans and
others, I, — 5. His parable of the barren fig-tree, 6, — 9. His
healing a crooked woman on the Sabbath-day, io, — 17. His pa
rables of a grain of mufiard-feed, and of leaven, 18, — 21. His
preaching, and anfwer to the quefiion, Whether few fhall be fia
ved ? 22, — 30. His flighting ilerod's threatenings, and lamenting
over Jerufalem, 31, — 35.
Text Par A phrase
'pHERE were pre- "tTTHILST our bleffed Lord was fpeaking of the
fent at that fea- VV importance of being in a ftate of peace and
fon, fome that told „. ,„ • • 1 /-1 1 r c^i 1
him of the Gali- friendfhip with God, tome or the company took
leans, whofe blood occafion to mention to him the fudden tragical flaugh-
Pilate had mingled ter of certain Galileans, whofe blood Pilate, the Ro-
with theu- facrifi- man g0vernorj },a(j fo^ by fending foldiers to cut
them in pieces, even while they were offering their fa-
i crifices at Jerufalem ; becaufe, being followers of Ju
das of Galilee *, they perfuaded the Jews that they
were a free people, and ought not to be fubjeft to a
foreign government, or to pay tribute to Ccefar:
2 And Jefus an- 2 And as the perfons who made this report,- would
iwering, faid unto thereby feem to intimate, as if thefe mull needs be
that™' thefe ° GaU- uncommonly wicked people, and very unprepared to
leans were finners die, fince vengeance fo remarkably fell upon them
above all the Ga- in the midft of their external devotions ; Jefus, to
liieans, becaufe gu^d againft this uncharitable cenfure, replied, Do
thro sT "'^ fUCh ye conclude from the time and manner of thefe GalW
leans being thus barbaroufiy murdered, that they
were more notorious finners than all the reft of their
countrymen ?
3 I tell you, j I affure you that no fuch inference can be juftly
Nay : but, ex"P* drawn from thence : But as thefe men are only ex-
all likewifeypeiifh. amples in providence of the miferies that every finiicr
deferves, and is in danger of ; fo,,' unlefs ye repent of
your infidelity and wickednefs, your whole nation
fliall as certainly be deftroyed, and your blood fhall be
NOTE.
* Thefe feem to have been fome of rofe up Judas of Galijee, and drew a-
.that faction which Gamaliel referred to way much people after him; he alfo pe-
whenhe faid, (Aifts v. 37.) After this rifbed, andall, even as many as obeyed
man (viz. Theudas, . a noted lmpoftor) hint, were difperfed.
,. Vol. II. U

142 The Evangelift Chap, xiii*
be mingled with your facrifices in as dreadful a man
ner, by the fword, as theirs Was f ; and all impenitent
finners fhall perrfhby the righteous judgment of God,
if not in this world, yet inevitably in the next.
4 Or thofe eigh- 4 Or, to remind you of another awful providence,
teen, upon whom which ye know befel fome among yourfelves nearer
the tower in Silo- }lomej j)0 ye imagine that the eighteen perfons who
them think ye that were killed, without the immediate hand of men, in
they were finners the fall of the tower of Siloam * , were more flagiti-
above all men that ous finners than all the reft . of the people of Jeru-
dwelt in Jerufa-- fafem g
ltm ' T tell 5 Whatfoever; ye may think of the matter, I tell
Nay : but, except you, No fuch cenfure 'ought to be paffed upon them,
ye repent, ye fhall fince all things relating to the prefent life come alike
all likewife perifo. to an . gut th;s is Jjkew;fe a fample of the dreadful
calamities which are coming upon all the inhabitants
of Jerufalem, who, unlefs they are brought to repent
ance, fhall perifh in the ruins of the whole city, as
thofe perfons did by the fall of that tower : And the
guilt of every one of you is fo great, that, if ye per-
fift in impenitence and unbelief, ye fhall certainly be
punifhed with everlafling deftruftion in the world to
come, whether ye fall by any remarkable judgment
here or not.
6 He fpake alfo 6 And ftill further to enforce this folemn warning,
this parable : A an£j fa^ tfo (}an~er and aggravations of their iniqui-
certain man had a , , . . ,° . . °° , . , T ^ ,
fig-tree planted in tles under the rich advantages they enjoyed, our Lord
his vineyard, and added the following fimilitude : " There was (faid
he came and fought he) a certain owner who had planted a fig-tree in his
fruit thereon, and vfoeya,-^ anj coming at the proper feafon, with an
expeftation of gathering fruit from it, he found
none." — So God, whofe vineyard is his church, gave
' his peculiar people, the Jews, all the fpiritual privi
leges of that facred inclofore ; and when it might
be reafonably expefted that they fhould bring forth
fruits of righteoufnefs to his glory, he found that
they had only the leaves of an outward formal pro
feffion,
NOTES.
f This was literally fulfilled, accord- its water to, the pool of Bethefda: That
ing to Jofephus's account, that many it belonged to one of the porches, where
thoufands of the Jews were flaughtered the impotent people lay watching for the
in the temple, and round about it, at the moving of the waters ; and that fome of
feaft of the paffover, becaufe of their op- them, or fome others, who came thither
pofition to the Roman yoke: And fo -to purify themfelves for the temple- fer-
their blood was mingled with their fa- vice, were killed by the fudden fall of
crifices by the Roman fword, and that that tower. But when, or how this tow-
for the fame caufe, as the blood of thefe er fell, or where it ftood, is uncertain to
' Galileans had been by Pilate. Vid. us, we having, as far as I can learn, no
Jofepb. Bell. Jud. 1. vi. c. n. fit /. vii. other account of it, either in facred or
c. if. &. Eufeb. Ecclef. Hifi. I. iii. c. 5. civil hiftory, than what is here faid a-
* Dr. Lightfoot fuppofes that this was bout it, where our Lord fpeaks of its fall
¦a tower by the pool of Siloam, which was as a remarkable well-known fact in thofe
the fame with, or at leaft communicated days.

Chap. xiii. JLuke paraphraftd. 143
feffion, and continued to be carnal and fenfual, impe
nitent and unbelieving ; And this is the cafe of all
obftinate fmners> and hypocritical profeffors, under
i the means of grace.
7 Then faid he 7 " Then the owner faid to his vine-dreffer, See
unto the dreffer of how long I have waited, even three years paft, in
holdVlntheafed' three vain» and ftiU this fi.S'tree is en&elY barren : Cut it
years I come feek- down 5 why fhould it any longer take up the place
ing fruit on this of better plants, and draw away the" fruftifying juices
fig-^ree. and find of my ground, that might be profitable to other trees ?
none : cut it down (imr, ««< w yn, xjgrtci^yu.")— §0 God, having exerci-
tie^round ? ted much patience, and beftowed many fpiritual advan- "
tages upon the hardened unbelieving Jews, faid to his
Son, and to his fervants who laboured in the miniftry
under him, Behold, I have, with great long-fuffering,
borne with this incorrigible people year after year *,
while there was any room to expeft fruit from them ;
take no further pains with them, but deliver them
up to fpeedy executions of wrath ; For to what pur
pofe fhould my care and kindnefs be any longer abu
fed by them,: who, like cumberers of the ground, do
more harm than good, mjfimprove the means of grace,
and fill up the room of others that might profit by
them ? And in like manner he fpeaks of all that con
tinue obftinate and unfruitful under the preaching of
the gofpel.
8 And he an- 8,9 " But (Se), the vine-dreffer anfwered the own-
fwenng, faid unto er> sir, I beg that you would bear with the fig-tree one
alone this year al- Year longer, till I have tried forne further methods of
fo, till I foall dig cultivation, fuch as digging about it, and dunging it :
about it, and dung If, by thefe means it fhall become fruitful, all will be
Ji •' well; but if not, do with it as you pleafe." — So
9 And if it bear chrift ;„ tne greatnefs of his compaffion, intreated
fruit, well : and irrr- i 1 1 1 • 1 ,
not, then after that for fpanng mercy to be exieuded a little longer to
thou foall cut it the Jewifh church ; as he likewife does for others
down. under the gofpel ; and that fome further means of con-
- viftion might be ufed with them, before God fhould
utterly cut them off f : And his fervants are earneft-
,U 2 ly
NOTES.
* The three years of God's patience before they began to bear: Thereforej til!
are fuppofed, by fome, to relate to the that time, there was a reasonable ground
three years of Chrift's perfonal miniftry. of expectation thatthey might bring forth "
But the one year of further trial, men- fruit; butifthey bore none then, there was
tioned afterwards, does not foit this li- little room to hope for it afterwards. But,
teral conftruction ; fince it was between be this asitwill, there feenistobe a direct
thirty and forty years after the death of reference in this parable to. what the pro-
Chrift, before the Jewi/b church and na- phet faid of the church of Ifrael ; (Ifa. v.
tion were dellroyed. The conjecture of i, — 7.) and much light may be received
Grotius feems lefs liable to exception ; from thence to explain it.
which is, That thefe three years are f Thefe further meaHS feem moft im-
mentioned with a reference lo the nature mediately to refer to the higher eviden-
of fome fig-trees in that country, which ces that foould be given of the truth and
did not ufe to be longer than three years excellence of Chriftianity, after the iefur-
.rection

144 The Evangelift Chap. xiiL
ly defirous and importunate with God, that their ob
ftinate hearers may be fpared fome time longer, and
tried with further means of grace, in hopes that he
may give them repentance; If at length they fhall
be effeftually changed, the patience and pains be
llowed upon them will have a happy iffue, to the
glory of God, to the joy of Chrift and his fervants,
and to the falvation of thofe fouls themfelves : But
if, after all, they ftill continue ftupid, hardened, and
carnal, neither Chrift nor his fervants will offer any
thing in their favour ; but will leave them, as utter-,
i ly inexcufable, to the executions of God's righteous
wrath.
io And he was io, ti Now as Jefus, according to his cuftom,
teaching m one of wag preaching on a certain Sabbath in one of the fy-
the SabbithT8 0" nag0g4es, behold, a lamentable objeft prefented to his
1 1 And behold notice. There was a poor woman, whofe body had
there was a wo- been convulfed to fuch a degree, for eighteen years
man which had a together, by the power of Satan, who had been per-
fpint of infirmity mkt d t affl;a h / l6 \ ^t foe could by no
was bowed tote- means raife her head, or ftand upright.
ther, and could in 12 And, as fhe came with great difficulty to pub-
«o wife lift up her- fo worfhip, Chrift looked with compaffion upon her ;
', , and, calling her to him, faid, Woman, I command
Tefus faw her he that you be now delivered from your difeafe, by
called her to him, which you have been bowed down fo many years.
and faid unto heir, 13 And, whilft he was fpeaking, he laid his hands
y™"1' thou art Upon her; and fo powerful were his authoritative
infirmity' ' v,OT^ an(^ touch, that, in an inftant, her body was re-r
: 13- And he laid ftored to its proper ftature and flraightnefs : And
his hands on her : foe, feeling fuch a fudden and furprifing cure, bleffed
and immediately God for it, witfogreat joy, before all the people.
rftraightrand^fo! < H 'But the ruler of the fynagogue, (fee the note
rifled God. ' on Mat. ix. 18.) ^envying Chrift the glory of this un-
14 And the ru- doubted miracle, cavjUed.at it, becaufe it was wrought
ler of the fyna- on the Sabbath j and, intimating to the people, as if
gogue anfwered jt profanation of that holy day, he feverely
with indignation, . . ,r. . ... _ . \ ', . , '
¦becaufe' that Jefus reprimanded theirr, faying, Goa has appointed fix
had healed on the days in the week for doing all manner of works ; and
Sabbath-day, and therefore, if ye want to be healed of any diftempers,
faid unto the peo- - ¦ ht to comg on thofe , f ; and ^ Qn
pie, There are fix" <,- ceL , , , . , „ , , ' . »
days on which men the sabbath, which God flas appropriated to his own
ought to work : in immediate feryice.
them ; . therefore je Then the Lord Jefus himfelf, taking up the
'amenarf'noteoriethe Caufe' r?PMed' ° hypocritical pretender to a mighty
Sabbath-day.' zeal for the fanftification of the Sabbath, that you
15 The Lord may defame the divine and merciful work which I
then anfwered him, have wrought in this cure ! Is it not an univerfal and
and allowed
.., . ,. NOTE.
ruction of Chrift" and efFufion of his Spirit, and the folemn expoftulations that were
ro madewitli -them by the apoftles on this foot.

Chap.

XUI.

Luke paraphtafed.

*45

and faid, Thou hy
pocrite, doth not
each one of you on
the Sabbath loofe
his ox at 'his afs
from the flail, and
lead him away to
watering ? v
16 And ought
not this woman,
being a daughter of
Abraham, whom
Satan hath bound,
lo, thefe eighteen
years, be loofed
from this bond on
the Sabbath-day ?

1 7 And when
he had faid thefe
things, all his ad
verfaries were a-
foamed : and all
the people rejoiced
for all the glorious
things that were
done by him:

1 S Then faid he,
Unto what is the
kingdom of God
like ? and where-
unto fliall I refera
ble it ?
19 It is like a
giain of muftard-j
feed, which a man
took, and caft into
his garden ? and it
grew, and waxed
a great tree : and
the fowls of the air
lodged in the bran
ches of it.

jo And again
he laid, Whereun-
to fliall I liken the
kingdom of God?,

allowed praftice among you, to untie and let out your
ox, your afs, or other cattlev and to lead them a-
broad to a watering place on the Sabbath-day ?
• 16 If this is done without any fcruple for the re
lief of a beaft, that' it may not fuffer fo much aS one
day's thirft, is it not ftill more evidently and unqueft-
ionably lawful for me, merely by a word and a touch,
to fet a woman at liberty, on the Sabbath-day, from
a- much forer diftrefs, whicl\ fhe had been affiifted
with for eighteen years together ? efpecially confider
ing that fhe is not only a rational creature, but a de-
fcendant from your father Abraham, and a daugh
ter of the covenant, to whom the promife of Abra
ham's bleffing belongs ; and that what was done
for her, was refcuing her out of Satan's hands who
had fo long and fo cruelly oppreffed her ?
1 7 The force of this anfwer was fo exceeding plain
and convincing, that all his enemies were entirely
baffled, 1 and were afhamed that any of them had
made fuch a weak and frivolous cavil as. could by no
means be fupported with the leaft fhew of argument :
And, on the contrary, there was a general rejoicing
among the common people, who were much affefted
at the glorious appearance of Chrift's wifdom, power,
and mercy, in what he had done and fpoken on this
occafion. 1 8 Then feid our Lord, By what fit emblem fhafl
I reprefent the rife and progrefs of the kingdom of
God, as it relates both to the gofpel in the world,
and the work of grace in the heart ? Or by what fi-
militude fhall I illuftrate it to you ?
19 "It may be compared to a grain of muftard-
feed, which a man fowed in his garden, and which,
though it is one of the leaft of all feeds, grew, up to
a tree, whofe branches were large enough for the
birds of the air tp lodge, and build their Uefts in them."
— So the gofpel of the kingdom, which, in the firft
preaching of it, is confined to a corner, and is recei
ved but by very few, fhall, in due time, fpread
through the world of Jews and Gentiles, and be the
power of God to the falvation of jaft multitude's ;
and the work of grace in the heart, which is at firft
fo very fmall as to be hardly perceivable, fhall gradu
ally increafe and flourifh, to the joy and encourage
ment of others, as well as to the benefit of the foul
itfelf in which it is planted, till it fhall be perfefted
in heaven. 20 Again, he faid, By what further fimilitude fhall
I reprefent the filent, fecret, and efficacious power of
the gofpel, and of the grace of my kingdom, as one
is the means of conveying and propagating the other I
21 " It

146

The Evangelift

Chap. xiii.

21 It is like lea
ven, which a wo
man took and hid
in three meafures
of meal, till the
whole was leaven
ed.

a, 2 And, Jfe went
through the cities
and villages, teach
ing, and journey
ing towardsjerufa-
lem. 23 Then faid
one unto him,
Lord, are there
few that be faved ?
And he faid unto
them,

24 Strive to en
ter in at the ftrait
gate : for many, I
fay unto you, will
feek to enter in,
and fhall not be
able.

85 When once
the Mafter of the
'/houfe is rifen up,
rand hath foot to
jthe door, and ye
hegin to ftand
.without, and to
knock

21 "It may be compared to the nature of leaven,
.which, when it 16 put, as it ufually is by women, in
to a great quantity of meal or dough, ferments and
diffufes its virtue through the whole mafs." — <So the
doftrine of the gofpel comes not with outward pomp
or fhew, or human authority ; but fecretly and effec
tually makes its way in the world, and into the hearts
of. men, by a divine evidence and power ; and the
grace,, which it is the means of begetting in the foul,
fecretly and effeftually operates there, till it makes a
thorough change in the heart and life ; fo that old
things pafs away, and all things become new, and
grace, at length, is perfefted in glory.
22 After this, our bleffed Lord, who was indefa
tigable in his labours, travelled through many cities,
towns, and villages, direfting his courfe toward Je
rufalem, and preaching, as opportunities offered, in
every place where he came.
23 And a certain perfon faid to him, Lord, are
there but few of mankind that fhall be faved ? But
(2s) Jefus, perfectly knowing with what temper of
mind this queftion was put, waved a direft and pofi-
tive anfwer, that he might neither gratify curiofity,
nor give a captious hearer any advantage againft him ;
and, turning to the people, took this occafion to fay
to them ;
24 Inftead of making curious inquiries whether few
or more fhall be faved, let it be your chief concern,
that ye yourfelves may be of the happy number of
thofe who fhall get into the way to eternal life, the
entrance into which is indeed exceeding ftrait and dif
ficult : Be diligent in your attendance on the mini
ftry of the word ; feek after an" experimental ac
quaintance with the only true way of falvation
through the Meffiah ; wreftle earneftly with God for
his Spirit to teach and affift you, to change your
hearts, and to give you faith and repentance;, and, in
a dependence on him, fpare no time or pains, which,
by his, grace; may fobferve your arrival to everlafting
happinefs. For I affure you, that many, who would
willingly go to heaven, feek after it, either in fuch a
formal, cold, and flothful manner, or by fuch mifla-
ken methods, which their own ignorance and carnali
ty, pride and prejudices, fuggeft to them, that they
will never be able to obtain it.
25 And if ye reft fhort of, or turn afide from, the
true way, to that bleffed ftate now, it will quickly be
too late to hope for admiffion thither : For though,
at prefent, a door of mercy is opened before you in
the gofpel, and there are rich encouragements for
ftriving to enter into it by faith ; yet, as fopn as ever the

Chap. xiii.
knock at the door,
faying, Lord; Lord,
open unto us ; and
he foall anfwer and
fay urito yon, I
know you not
whence you are:

2& Then foall
ye begin to fay,
We have eaten and
drunk in thy pre
fence, and thou
haft taught in our
ftreets.

Luke pataphraftd.

147

27 But he foall
fay, I tell you, I
know you not
whence ye are :
depart from me,
-all ye workers of
iniquity.

18 There fhall
be weeping and
gnafhing of teeth,
when ye foall fee
Abraham, and I-
faac, and Jacob,
and all the pro
phets in the king
dom of God, and
you yourfelves
thruft out.

S9 And they
foall come from
the eaft, and from
the weft, and from
the north, and from
the fouth, and fhall
fit down in the
kingdom of God.

30 And behold,
there are laft which fhall

the great Lord of his houfe fhall fhut up this door, at
death *nd judgment, it -will then be too late for you
to find mercy, how earneft and importunate foever ye
may be for it, or how confidently foever ye may ex
peft it : For he will turn a deaf ear to all your cries,
and tell you, to your everlafting confufion, that he
never owned or approved of you as his real difciples.-
26 Then, full of eonfternation at your miferable
repulfe, ye will begin to plead various privileges,
wliich ye relied in herey as if they would be your
paffport to heaven hereafter : Some will be ready to
urge, that they had frequent converfation with the-
Lord himfelf upon earth, were admitted into his
company, and freely eat and drank with him, and
heard him preach in their ftreets ; and others will
think to make a merit of their having often attended
upon fermons and prayers, and gone to the Lord's
table, and made a ftrift profeffion of his name.
27 But alas ! he will neverthelefs rejeft you, fay
ing, with awful and tremendous majefty, I tell you,
that I never looked upon, or efteemed you as my true
difciples : What fignified all your external privileges
and profeffions, while, under the power of unbelief,
ye continued to be in love with one or another fin,
and to go on in the praftice of it? Depart, all ye ha
bitual impenitent finners, from my bleffed and holy
prefence; and be gone to your own company, to
fhare with them in everlafting torments.
28 Then anguifh and defpair, the bittereft lamenta
tion and horror, will feize you, like perfons howling
and grating their teeth for vexation and envy, when
ye fhall behold the famous patriarchs, Abraham, I-
faac, and Jacob, and all the holy men and fervants
of God, triumphing amidft the exalted honours and
delights of the heavenly world ; and, at the fame time,
fhall find that all your hopes and pleas are defeated,
and that ye are violently pufhed back with indigna
tion, though ye were a people vifibly in covenant
with God, the natural feed of glorified faints, and the
children of' the promife.
29 And what will ftill further add to your eon
fternation and envy, O ye unbelieving Jews, will be,
that, while ye are thus difappointed and rejefted for
your obftinacy and wickednefs, great multitudes of
the Gentiles, being made, by faith, the fpiritual chil
dren of Abraham, and walking in his fteps, fhall
come from all parts and nations of the earth, and be
admitted to a ftate of reft, bleffednefs, and glory, with
your own renowned and godly anceftors.
30 So that, O ye depth of the riches, both of the
wifdom and knowledge of God! the Gentiles, who, for

*48

The , Evangelift

Chap.

xm.

foall be firft,
therewhichlaft.

and
are firft
fliall be

3 1 The fame
day there came
certain of the Pha
rifees, faying unto
him, Get thee out,
and depart hence :
for Herod will kill
thee.

22 And he faid
unto them. Go ye
and tell that fox,
Behold, I caft out
devils, and I do
cures to-day and
to-morrow, and the
third day I fliall
he perfected.

for many ages, were not his people, fhall be favour
ed with the rich bleffings of the gofpel; and the Jews,
who formerly were his people, fhall be rejefted for
their impenitence and unbelief : And it lhall appear at
the day of judgment, that they, who feemed, in hu
man view, to be at the utmoft diftance from heaven,
and leaft likely to get thither, fhall at length obtain
it through faith in the Saviour of Ifrael; and they
who feemed to ftand faireft for heaven, fhall, for their
iniquities, fall fhort of it.
31 The fame day came fome of the Pharifees,
Chrift's moft inveterate and implacable enemies, who
envied his growing reputation among the people, and '
wanted to get rid of him ; and they, hoping to fcare
him out of Galilee, told him, It would be his wifeft
way to haften out of Herod's jurifdiftion, becaufe he
had formed a defign againft his life, and was feeking '
an opportunity" to apprehend and put him to death,
as he did John the Baptifi.
32 But our Lord was fo far from being intimidated
by this malicious and artful infinuation, that he bold
ly replied,. Ye may go, if ye pleafe, to that fubtile
contriver*, who, like a crafty fox, thinks to remove
me from his neighbourhood by ftratagem, whilft he
dare not attempt my life ; and ye may tell him from
me, that let him do his worft, I am not afraid of him,
but fhall go on with my work for fome time ftill : My
triumph over devils in cafting them out, my compaf
fion to the fick in healing them, and my preaching
to the people, muft be carried on -j- a little longer :
And at the time appointed of my Father, which is
very near approaching, I fhall finifh the work that he
gave me to do on earth, fhall be perfeftly qualified
for, and confecrated to, the remainder of my office,
by my fufferings and death, and fhall be as willing to
NOTES.

* Tho»gh this difhonourable appella
tion, of a prince from a private perfon,
might be thought opprobrious language,
and a reviling of the rulers of the people,
contrary to God's law ; yet it was not fo
in Chrift,, who herein acted- under the
character of a prophet ; and fo, by virtue
of his office, had liberty and corrimifvion
to reprove, and that fharply, the great
eft princes upon earth, according to What
Goo faid to Jeremiah; (chap. i. 17, iS.)
and the name which Chrift gave Herod.,
moft fitly agreed to his crafty character
and conduct, particularly on this occafion.

ber of days : For in the next verfe Chrift
(peaks of his continuing to walk on the
day after the morrow ; whereas here he
fpeaks of his being perfected on the third
day, which relates to his finifoing the
work of redemption, and being confe
crated by death fohis office, as our great
High-prieft, and Captain pf falvation, ac
cording to the common ufe of this word
TiMitsficci, as particularly in Heb. ii. 10.
W v., 8, 9, io, W vii. 27, 2S.; and it is
the fame word which is ufed in the Sep
tuagint to fignify the confecration of Aa
ron, and the legal priefts to their office •-

t To-day, to-morrow, and the third But it was many days after Chrift fpoke
day, muft be underftood to fignify a lit- this, that he continued to work, before
tie time, and not precifely fuch a num- he was crucified.

ChapiiiSii. Luke paraphrafed. 149
to-idle, I a facrifice for fin, as Herod can be to kill
me.
3 3 Neverthelefs, 33 However, in the mean while, be his defigns or
I muft walk to- threatetiings what they will,-' they are all vain and im-
row, "and theTay P°tent : l ™llft» according. - to divine appointment,
follo'wing r for it piirfue my journey, '(ver. 2ra.) and go on a little
'cannot be that a longer in my Father's bufinefs ; and I fhall not fall
prophet peri fli out Dy Herod's hands in Galilee: For, -as God has,fore>
J 8 em' ordained the place, as well as the time, of my death ;
fo no prophet can be tried and executed, under pre
tence of law, hi any other place than Jerufalem,
where the great council fit, who claim the power of
judging about the Lord's prophets, and, by long
prefcription, have exercifed it in murdering them.
34 ° Jerufalem, 34 Hereupon our1 bleffed Lord, as a holy man,
kffleft the1' oWhett and affeftionate minifter, took occafion to lament 6-
and ftone^th"* ver Jerufalem, fayfog,. witK "a moft tender, earneft,
that are fent unto and moving pathos, O Jerufalem, Jerufalem, -iivho
thee: bow often once Wert the holy and beloved city, 'but novvart'fee-
would I have- ga-- come defperately and incorripibly wicked, even urito
thered thvchildren .1 f • r u. ,° ' t .1 !T -'ja' j
together,' as a hen ne murdering of the prophets of the Lord, and
dith gather her cruelly perfecuting his meffengers of peace ; in- which
brodd under her you Will go on, to fill up the mefefore of your iiYiq-ui-
wings, . and-- ye ij, by patting me and my followers to death ! 'Hfrw
often have I inftrufted, cautioned, reproved, encou
raged, and expoftulated with! you-r - inhabitants, -and
ufed all manner of convincing and engasrinrr methods
• - to bring them 'in to myfelf,' that they, like chickens
under the wings of an hen, ..might be fecured from
the deftruftion which would otherwife come upon
them, and- -might be cherifhed and comforted .with
my mercy arid falvation ! But "alas"!, they would not
come to me that they might, have, life, nor would
, , they that I fhould reign over' th'ern ; ' and ye, ' their
teachers and -rulers, would neither, go into my king
dom yourfelves, nor fuffer your difciples and dep'end-
' en'ts to enter into it.
35 Behold, your 35 Behold therefore now with dread and' aftonifh-
houie is left unto mentj an(j know for certainty, that your temple and
you defolate : and . .-, r r „ . ' ' • f
verily I fay unto city, +n* houfe <m -C*od, and your own houfes, are
you, Ye fliall not configned over to final and utter deftruftion, which
fee me, until the fhall quickly lay them defolate : And I affuredly tell
"nl' ™e w,h™ you, that the time haftens apace,' (fee the note on
ye fhalt faV, Blefs- jr . ... \ , T '-¦'.„ -rd** r 1 ¦
ed is -he that co- MaL xxlll-,39-) whcn. l Will vifit Jerufalem in mer-
meth in the name cy DO, more ; and ye fhall neyer fee me again, till, as
of th.- Lord. an emblem of my laft awful -and glorious appearing,
I foall come to deftroy it': Then ye , will have quite
other thoughts of me than, ye now haye, and be for
ced to own that I am the bleffed One, and the fent
of God, whom ye treated as an impoftor, and load
ed with a curie ; and then ye 'would be glad to
Vol. II. X be

n

1-50' ' The Evangelift Chap. xiv.
be found among thofe who fhall bid me welcome, and
embrace me, as their Saviour.
RECOLLECTIONS. - ¦¦¦¦
Howfhould we guard againft uncharitable rcenfures of others, with refpect to the
judgments of, God falling upon them ! And. how much rather foould we go into a
¦humbling fenfe of our own iniquities and obnoxioufnefs to his wrath, whofe exact
retributions of juftice are referved for the world to come '. In the, mean wliile, he
takes notice Of allthe feafons and means of grace that we enjoy, .and of all our un-
prdfitablenefs. under them : But as long" as\ through the mediation pf Chrift, the
gofpel is continued to us, there is room for hope of its being made effectual : Though
it .he'rejected by many, it fliall have a wide fpread among others , and wherever it is
received in truth, and is the means of producing a principle of grace in the foul, it
ftajl flourifo and prevail to a thoroijgh change in heart and life, like the growth of
ij grain of muftard-feed, and the efficacy of leaven in meal. But God's patience
. will, not always laft towards incorrigible finners; their abufes of gofpel-opportuni-
ties will, fooner'or later, turn- to their righteous and utter ruin :fiThe,n they would
be glad -of the falvation which they,before neglected ; but all thejr cries for mercy
then will be in vain; all their. hopeS and .pie as' from external privileges, and pre-
ienc'es'to religion, will be defeated"; and there will be none to intercede for tbem :
This will be the awful- condition of vaft multitudes. But of how much greater im-.
parlance is it to us, to feek in- good earneft after our own falvation; than, to indulge
curious queftions about-the fewnefs of them that fliall be faved; And yet, to quick-
enOur diligence and dependence upon God's grace, and to raife our admiration and
praife, if we are made partakers of it, we foould remember that the number of
¦ -thefe- is very fmall, compared with thofe who will be loft ; and that God maintains
fuch a wife and holy fovereignty in beftowing his favours, that the leaft likely, in
. human account, many times freely receive them in his way, .whilft others, more '
likely, fall fhort of them. And Orwhat rich encouragement have we to hope and
try for mercy, while we are in the way of it, and fuch an almighty gracious Savi-
- our as Chrift. is fet before us 1 How godlike was his power a«d goodnefs, in his mi
raculous cures, to/prove his divine character; and What a lively embiem did he
therein give of his. tender compaffion tothofethat are, and<iiave been, long bowed
down -iii fpirit, under the power of fin and Satan [ He prevents them with -his grace,
arid commands; tlveirdeliverance. — How indefatigable was he in his labours and
preaching 1 What anhonour did he put upon public worfliip, and Sabbath-folem-
nities '. And, with what wifdom did-he fettle the law of God's holy-day, that works
of piety and mercy may be attended to thereon ! How did he defpife the terrors of
men ; and how willingly did he give himfelf up to the worft of deaths, to make a-
tohement for fin! But till his time was cpme, no powers on earth were able to de
ftroy him. W,hat lohg-fuffering, .and bowels of compaffion did be fhew to finners ;
what a variety of endearing methods did he ufe to win upon them ! And who can
think of fuch as are finally obftinate and impenitent, and not like the tender-heart
ed Jefus, mourn over them", in that they wilfully reject him and his gofpel, and re-
foluteiy perfift in their fins, with high aggravations, for which their deftruction at
laft will be infupportable and unavoidable.

CHAP. XIV.

Chrift cures a dropfy, and vindicates his doing it on the Sabbath-day,
1, — 6. His lefifon of humility, 7, — 11. Of charity to the poor,
12, — 14. The parable of the guefis invited lo a great fupper,
15,-24. ,A defeription of true difcipleffhip, 25, — 33. And the
difference between good and bad tninifi 'ers and profeffors, 34, ,35,
* Text. Paraphrase.
AN" ic "met0 OUR Lord being invited (ver. 12.) on a certain

N13 it came to f^UR Lord being invited (
pafs, as he went {J ^y^^ * a ^^

,,„. .w..-day to a neceffary refrefhment,-at the
houfe

Chap. xiv.

Luke paraphrafed.

J5J

into the hgufe of houfe of a^jreat man*, who was a Pharifee; he-cour-
of the" chief, teoufly accepted the invitation, and went in to take

Pharifees to eat „ „i .„;i.i,\:„
bread on the Sab- a meal Wlth him

watched him. .

2 And rbehold,

day? 4 And they held
their peace. And
he took him
healed him,
let him go ;

and
and

But fome of that feci, and feve-
bath-day-, that they ral doctors of the law, being prefent, narrowly watch
ed him, as ufual, (Mark Hi. 2.) to fee if he would
4o any thing contrary to their rules about the Sab
bath, that they might take an, occafion to accufe and
reproach him.
2 And a' remarkable opportunity offered to try him :
there was a cer- jror at that time there was prefent f a poor miferable
ntwrnchha'dlhe: man who was grievouftyafBiaed with the dropfy.
dr0pfy. 3 And as Chrift, in his wonted compaffion, deter-
3 And Jefus an- mined to heal him, but knew the captious defigns of
fwering, fpake un- the fcribes and Pharifees, he, anfwering to their in
to the lawyers and moft thought alked themj Whether, it were contra-
Phaniees, faying, . 9 , „ , ,ri n. r
Is it lawful to heal *7 to the law of God to do iuch an act ot mercy
on the Sabbath- and charity, as to heal a difeafed man On the Sab
bath-day ?
4 They not knowing how tp make a defenfible
reply, confiftent with their fuperftitious rites about
the obfervation of the Sabbath, chofe to be filent ;
And therefore Chrift, without more ado, took, the
dropfical man afide, to avoid oftentatiori, and laying
fo's hand upon him, (iif-.ax/26ftives,) reduced his fwoln
body to its proper fhape and bulk in an inftant ; and
then fent him away in perfect health, that the Pha
rifees might not quarrel with hini for fuffering him
felf to be cured on that, day.,
5 Then Jefus, turning again to the Pharifees^
faid; Who is there of you all, that if his ox or his
aft were fallen into a pit, would make any fcruple e-
ven of taking great pains to pull it out on tjie Sabbath-
pit, and will not day ? none of you would refufe to do this, or think
ftraightway - pull there were any harm in it. Ye cannot therefore,
without the greateft partiality and injuftice, count
me guilty of any crime, m. only Hi-etching forth my
hand to heal a poor diftreffed man, in danger of his
life, on the ' Sabbath-day ?
6 And there, was fuch undeniable evidence in this
way of. reafoning, that they were all confounded, and
could not reply a word againft it.
7 Our Lord obferving, that, when the invited
forth a parable to guefts, efpecially thofe of the fcribes and Pharifees,
thofe which were came to place themfelves at the table, every one ftrove
bidden when he for the upper hand, endeavouring to get the higheft
marked bow they r - . , f r , / r A ° 6 c °
chofe leat>- he took occanoi? from thence, as from a pro-
X 2 per
NOTE.
* He feems to have been one of the Jewift) fahhedrim,. and a chief ruler in the
fynagogue. t He probably came there,- hoping for a cure ; or perhaps was one of the family.

5 And anfwer
ed them, , faying,
Which of you (hall
have an .afs or an
fallen into

him out on
Sabbath-day ?

the

6 And they could
not anfwer him
again to thefe
things. 7 And he put

*5*
chofe out the chief
rooms ;, faying -jun
to them,
S When thou
art bidden of -any
man to -a wedding,
fit not down in.
the higheft room :
left a more honour
able man than thou
be bidden of him ;
o And he that
bade thee arid him,
come and fay to
thee, Give ' this
man place ; and
thou . begin with
lhame to take the
¦low-eft room.
io But when
thou art bidden', go
- and fit down in the
lowelt room ; that
when he that bade
thee cometh, he
may fay unfo thee,
Friend, gouphigh-
er : then foalt thou
have worfhip in the
prefence of -them
that fit 'at meat
with tfiee. v
1 1 Fpr whofo
ever exalteth him
felf, foall be abafed;
dr.d he that bum
ble th. himfelf, foall
be exalted.

12 Then faid he
alfo to him that
bad*: him. When
thou makeft a din
ner or a fupper,
call not thy friends,
nor thy brethren,
neither thy kinf-
men, nor thy rich
neighbours ; left
they alfd bid thet
-again, and a1 re-
coir pence be made
tbee.

i% 'But. v-'heri
thou makeft a
'feaft, call the p'oor, the

The Evangelifl

Chap. xiv.

per fitoilitudey to reprove their; pride, and recommend
the excellence and advantage of humility, faying,
¦;8, 9 When any -of ybu are invited to a wedding,
or other public feaft, do not put forward for the high
eft place, vainly conceiting yourfelf to be -worthy of
it ; left there fhould 'be fome other gueft of higher
rank, by ' his age, ftation, or qualifications, and
thereupon the mafter of the feaft fhould, oUt of due
refpeft to him, come and defire you to let him take
your feat ; and fo you fhould be expofed to contempt
before all the company, and be forced, with confufion
and difgrace, to remove lower.
io But, on the other hand, whenever you have
fuch an invitation, chufe to fet yourfelf in one of the
loweft feats, with a due fenfe of your own unwor-
thinefs, and with a preference of others ; that when
the mafter of the houfe obferves it, he may defire you,
in a refpeftful manner, to remove to a more honour
able place : This will procure you much efteem and
reputation among all that fhall be at table with ypu.
And as in this, To in all other,a£lions of life, let yom-
behaviour toward God and man be with all humble-
nefs of mind, and becoming modefty.
1 1 For whofoever is wife and deferving in his own
conceit,- and would take honour to himfelf before the
Divine Majefty, or fellow creatures, fhall certainly
have- contempt poured upon him ; God will abhor
and bring him low ; and men will defpife and difdain
him : But whoever is of an humble fpirit, abafing
himfelf at the foot of God, under a fenfe of his own
nothingnefs ahd viler.efs, and preferring others to
himfelf, he fharll be highly honoured of God and man.
(Prov. xxirx: 23.)--'."" -¦¦--'- ¦ ¦'>-
12 Then Jefus, obferving what fort pf guefts were
at table with him, turned to the Pharifee who in
vited him, and faid, When you defign to make an
entertairrment, - if you would have it pleafing to God,
and really advantageous to yourfelf, do not confine
it to your friends and neareft kindred, nor to your
rich neighbours and acquaintance, exclufive of others,
to 'the wafting1 of your fubftance, and hindering your
liberality, where itr may be needed ; nor be fond of ma
king fumptuous and coftly feafts, that your great and
wealthy friends and relations may honour your table,
and admire its elegancy; left fhey retaliate your
bounty,'" by fcafting you with' their dainties again,
and that be the whole of your reward : For all this is
. only feeding your own felfiflincfs, pride, and luxury.
I3 But when you make a feaft, let it ordinarily
be -of good, wholefome, and lefe coftly food; and
invite or fend portions of it to thofe (Neb. viii. 10.) that

Chap. xiv. Lukje paraphrafed. 153
the maimed, . the that are really in want, foch as the poor, the maim-
lame, the ;blind : e^) foe lame, and the blind, who are objects of great
compaffion, and unable to provide for themfelves.
14 And thou 14.- And though it is not in ;the. power of thefe to
flvalt be bjefled; return the fame fort of kindnefs to you, ye fhall ne-
com^fet^e- for verthekfs be bleffed' in tke beft manner ; for they will
thmffoalt be ' re- blefs ^^ ^3r you » afid> being fenfible that they
compenfed at the- have no other way to make you amends, will -pray
refurreotian ofthe for his bleffing upon you: (job xxix. 13.) And,
flj" l you beingfound among the righteous, he will own and
honour thefe charities, and gracioufiy reward them,
if not in this world, yet with rich advantage at the
1 ^general judgment. Bleffed are the merciful: For they
fihadl obtain mercy. (Matth. v. 7.)
15 ,A.nd when 15 Now one of them who fat at table feemed ta
one af them that fo much affected with this difcourfe ; and, breaking
hfm^heTrd' ™£- out- irt a fort of ecftacy, faid to jefus, They are blefs-
rhifigs, he faid un- dd indeed that fhall f fhare in the privileges and plea-
to him, BleffeaSi'j fures of the Meffiah's kingdom on earth, and fhall
he that fhall eat ufo -admitted to all the delightful entertainments of
bread m the kinS- ,th h .u. wori<i at tfo reforreftion of the juft.
dom of God. , _, , ;. T , ... ,_, . , ¦> .
16 Then faid he J" * ° this our Lord replied, What you lay rs very
unto him, A cer- true ; my kingdom is full of bleffings, though many
tain man made ft defpife and rejeft them ; as may be reprefented in the
great flipper, and fo|fowfo~ parable : A certain man made a great feaft,
cade many : , . , & r- , r , . . ¦ , ° „
'which, as uttial, was at fupper, and invited many guefts.
So Chriftj- now in the end of the world, has made
plentiful provifions of gofpel-graee for fpiritual re-
fremment and perfeft happinefs, that finners may be
holy here, and bleffed for ever ; and he freely in
vites all that hear the gofpel, beginning with the
Jewifh nation, to aceept thofe rich provifions for-
their prefent relief and eomfdrtj vamd for their eternal
falvation.
17 And fent his 17 And when the feaft was fully prepared, and
fervant at fupper- f,ut few of the guefts were come in, the mafter fent
th^^wcrTbfdden1 b's fervant again to them who had been invited, to
Come; for all let them know that all things were now ready for
things are now their entertainment, and to bid them come without
wady., any further delay. So Chrift bavirrg called the Jews
by his perfonal mimftry, and by the preaching of his
fervants, whom he fent to the cities of Judea, with
little fuccefs, he eominiffioned the apoftles and evan-
gelifts
NOTE.
f To eat bread was a ufual phrafe for vcti -hereafter, are very rfeafonably ex-
a whole, meal, whether of common or de- prtfied by the metaphor of eating bread
Kcious provilions, (7 Sam. ix. 7. and xii. in thekihgdomof God: Though, as fome
17. and Prov. ix. 5.) And as the com- tell us, this was a faying common among
pany were now at table, and Chrift's dif- the Rabbins from Efdras's days; and it i^
courfe had turned upon fpiritual fubjects, probable that this man had carnal notions
in allufion to a feaft ; the advantages of about the honours of the Meffiah's king-
religion here, and the bleffednefs of hea- dom, when he ufed it.

154 - The. Evangelift Qh&p. xiv*
: , gelifts after his reforreftion, Jrq renew his gracious
invitation, and to affure them rthat now all things
• were, thoroughly prepared, that the work of redemp-
, tion was aftually finifoed, that the Spirit was poured
out from on, high to bear witnefs >pd give efficacy to
it, and that he was ftill willing to receive every one
i who fliould come by faith to him. And this is the
, language, of the gofpel, wherever it isr preached *.
18 And they all 18, uoj, 2p And yet the invited guefts, as it -were
with one confent by common confent, put off their coming, upon vari-
cif^Tht'firl'0'11 pretences: One alledged, that he had lately
feid' unto him/ 1 bought a piece of ground, and muft needs go to fee
have , bought a how the bargain was like to prove ; and therefore
piece of ground,- begged to be excufed: Another pleaded, thatr he
and I muft needs had juft bought five yoke of; oxen, and .muft go to
pray thee Tiave me trY whether they were fit for his. bufinefs ; and there-
excufed. fore defired that he might be excufed : And another
- 19 And another infifted, that he was lately married ; and therefore
faid, I have bought peremptorily declared, he could not come. So the
five yoke of oxen, ~ } general, and the fcribes and Pharifees in
And I go to prove J . ° - , ¦ , , r i 1 r i
them : I pray thee particular, and many others, that lit under the golpel,
have me excufed. rejeft its gracious invitations, upon frivolous and
20 And another carnal pretences ; fome preferring their worldly- gains
ried a1 wife"- "and and advantages, and others their fenfoal eafe and
therefore I cannot pleafure, to Chrift, and the bleffings of eternal life;
come. and all unbelievers are for fhifting off a prefent at
tention, to his calls, which carries in it a real denial,
though they are afhamed in plain terms to avow it.
rru So that for- 21 The fervant, returning to, his lord, reported
vant came, and the feveral excufes they had made : And the mafter
Shewed his lord 0f the feaft, being provoked at their ingratitude and
thefe things. Them - ^ ,. j j i_- * • j- \ 1 • » *i.
the mafter of the contempt, _ ordered him to go immediately into the
houfe, being an- public parts of the city, and invite the poor, the maim-
gry, faid to his ed, the halt, and blind, whom he might meet with
fervant, Go out there. So the minifters of Chrift give him an ac-
ftreets7 an"d° lane's count> WI'th grief, in their prayers, of the unfuccefs-
©6 the city, and fulnefs of their labours, faying, Lord, we are a fa-
bring in hither vour of death unto death to many ; ' they will not
the poor, and the hear and. receive our meffage : And he,, being highly
l"htned'and,d the ~oSarM ^ith $ofe fi^' refufers of his grace, fent
biind.' ' his 'fervants to the difperfed , Jews and the Gentik
profelytes^ to preach the gofpel to them, and even
. to the, moil defpicable people, who make but little fi
gure in the world, and are remarkably ignorant, im
potent, and miferable.
22 And the for- 22 And when the fervant had executed this com-
vant faid; -Lord, 'it m;flfon with fome fuccefsj he faid to his mafter,
1S , Lord,
'N 0,' T ,'E.
* Though this parable primarily related to the calling of the Jews, and after
wards of the Gentiles, yet it is applicable to all perfons, in all ages of the world, ta
whom. Chrift fends his gofpel.

Chap. xiv.
is dohe as thou
halt commanded,
and yet there is
room.

Euke paraphrafed.

*55

25 And the lord
faid unto the fer-
vantj Go out into
the highways 'and
hedges,-' arid com
pel them to com'e
in, that- my home
inay.be filled.

24 For I fay un-
to you, That none
of thofe.men -.which
were bidden, foall
tafte of my fup
per. - ' .

25 -.Arid there
went great multi
tudes,: with him :
and he turned, and
faid unto them,
26 If any n%in
come to me, and
hate not his father,
and mother, and
wife, and children,
and brethren, and
lifters, yea, and his
own life alfo, he
cannot be my dif—
¦ciple.

Lord;, thy -orders have been obeyed, and fome are
come in, and yet there is room. So upon preaching
thegdfpel to .thofe Jews and "profelytes, many of
them believed ; and the fervants of Chrift rejoice to
tellhim of the fuccefs of their miniftry, whenever, by
his grace,' their preaching is made a favour of life to
life ; and this revives their hearts, and encourages
their pleas, that'Sftill there is room for more in the
chiirch, and in the heavenly roanfions, which are not
yet full, and in the grace of God and .merit of the
Redeemer, which are not yet exhaufted.
23 Then the lord bf the feaft ordered his fervant
to go into the high roads and hedges without the ci
ty, '"-and to be very earneft with even the beggars,
and the country people there, to come in, ':hat his
houfe might be filled.. So the Lord JefuS fent his
gofpel to the ignorant and idolatrous Gentiles,, who
were afar'offj (Eph. ii. 12, — 17.) and to the moft
notorious. finners ; and he made, it effeftual among
them, wha flocked in -multitudes to him and his
church,- like perfons conilrained to it, not by force
of arms, but of arguments attended with the Divine
Spirit, who perfoades, encourages, convinces, and
tweedy overcomes the hearts of the difobedient, and
draws them with cords of a man, with bands of love,
that they may be a willing'people' in the day of
Chrift's power. (Hof. xi. .4. and Pfal. ex. 3.) '"
24 And the .reafon why: the mafter of the feaft
would fend no more to the refolute refufers, was, . be
caufe, being angry with them, he declared not one
of them fhould ever tafte of his rich entertainment.
So Chrifi; being provoked at the ingratitude and ob
ftinate infidelity of the Jews, ordered his apoftles to
make no further propofals of the gofpel to them ;
but to turn to the Gerttiles : (Ails xiii. 461) And
God has fworn in his. wrath againft them who be
lieve not, that they fhall not enter into his reft. (Heb.
iii. ,18.) .''"',-'
25 After this, a great multitude attended our
bleffed Lord in hia way to Jerufalem ; and, that they
might not pretend td be his followers in expectation
of fecular advantages, he, turning to them, laid,
26 It is not fo eafy a thing to be my difciples,
nor fo confiftent with, much lefs fo fubfervient to,
your carnal pleafure; and worldly fafety and interefts^
as ye may imagine ; do not deceive yourfelves in a
matter of fuch confequence as this : For if any one
would come by faith to me, would make a profeffion
of my name, and cleave to me for the bleffings of my
kingdom, he muft go into fuch afts of fell denial,
and fubmit to fuch hardfhips and'perfecutions for my
fake,

156 The Evangelift Chap. xiv.
!¦ fake, as' foew that he prefers me to all the deareft
comforts and relations of lifei fuch as parents, wives,
children,- brethren, and fillers ; and muft be as ready
to part with :them, and to' be feparated from them at
-' my cally as if he really hated them ; and muft be in
deed averfe to thierti" «tftd> to .his own enjoyment of
them, fo far as they would hinder his faith, and love,
"¦- andrfaithfulnefs toltne: : Year,- he muft have the fame
• 'felf-denying temper of fpirit, with regard to his own
' life too, being as' willing, to irefign that alfo for my
glory j when they: ftand in ' competition ; or elfe he
i cannot bea true difeipfeto me, nor fhare in my blefs-
-  ings--' ''"' ' . '' ' r. ; "
27 And uabofo- ¦ 27 And- whofoever is not willing and refolved, by
Wer dorh nort bear the grace of God hefbre-hand, to rfobmit to reproach-
ifterr°m ^caTo?; es' irifuries» atld cruelties, esfin unto- death, if he
be'my-diici-ple. '3-"fli««ll<I be called to- endiire them, for my/ fake, and
• '¦>- '1 > ¦ ¦ after-my example, that 'ha may maintain his fidelity
-:..- ' tame, cannot be, in truth, one of my difciples, nor
-' will I own him as foch : Think therefore of thefe
things feriorrefly arid deliberately now, as ever ye would
be Ohriftans indeed ; left, irn a time of fore trial, ye
be difcamraged, and all your profeffion and hopes
; ; . ' came to nothing. Thus men rife to do in other cafes
-, of importance. - ". ¦ '
-, *&¦ For which of - , jg, 2o, 30 For who is there ainong you, that, de-
you intending' to fornjng to build an houfe, would: not, before he be-
bmld a tower, fit- ? ? , r . , , c „ , ,.,
teth not down firft, gms the work, fit down, and carefully compute the
and 'countetn; the whole charge, and confider whether he is 'able to go
ooft, whether he through with it? left, after he' has inconfiderately be
have ..fafiuitnt to gUn,!the building, he be forced to defift for want of a
n' ' ' Left haolv fufficient flock of money to defray the neceffary ex-
afier he hath laid pence ; and fo fhould expofe himfelf to the derifion
the foundation, and of all that know him, for havingfoolifhly attempted
is not, able tofinifo what he had no reafonable profpeft of ever being a-
it, all' that behold bJe to ffoifn.
%t be?m to mocK _. . . . „ r
jjjjj, 31, 32 Or, to give you another inftance 01 pra-
30 Saying, This dence among men : What king, of common thought
man began to build, or conduft, who is in danger of being engaged in a
and was not able war w;th fome other potentate,, would not, before
ii Or'whatkino- be ventures a battle, deliberate ferioufly with him-
goin-g to make war felf, whether he be able, with only ten thoufand, to
agaihft , another encounter twenty thoufand of his dkemy's forces?
king, fiUeth not amj jf he thinks he is no match for him, what man
iiown irjt, an . ^. fenfes would not rather fend ambaffadors, while
confultcth, wlie- . ,.,. , - ,- - r
their he be able, the enemy is at a diftance, and fue tor a treaty 01
with ten thpufandj peace upon any tolerable terms, than rafhly give
to meet him that hjm battle, to the apparent hazard of a total defeat,
cometh againft him ^ entjre lofs of aU ^ ^^j and eve„; of fos
with twenty thou- .... , _ , , , ' . . :.
iiincl ? own "*e • purely every thoughtful prince would
j 2 Or elfe, while dp this.
the 33 It

Chap. xiv.
the other is yet a
great way off, he
i'endeth an embaf-
fage, and defireth
conditions of peace.
33 So likewife,
whofoever he be of
you, that forfaketh
not all that he
hath, he cannot be
my difciple.

Luke paraphrafed.

157

33 It is therefore of much greater neceffity and
importance fpr thofe of you, who would engage in a
profeffion of my name, and entertain hopes from me,
to fit down and thoroughly count the coft, reckon- •
ing upon the very worft, as well as the beft, that ye
may expeft to meet with for my fake. And then it
behoves you to think ferioufly with, yourfelves, whe
ther ye fet but upon fuch a foundation as will fup
port your hopes and views for eternal life, and carry ,
you through all the difficulties that lie in the way to
it ; whether, though ye cannot go on in your work,
and go out againft your enemies, in your own
ftrength, my grace be not fufficient for you ; and
whether ye find your hearts engaged thereby to run
all rifques, and encounter all oppofition from Satan,'
the flefh, and the world, rather than abandon me ?
For I have already told you, that unlefs ye come to
a point in the fpiritual difpofitions and fettled purpo
fes of your fouls about thefe things, even to the lofs
of all this world, if need be, ye cannot be really my
difciples, owning me, and owned by me.
34, 35 My doftrine, and a holy profeffion of it,
are, like fait *, very valuable and ferviceable ; and
truly gracious and holy Chriftians, and efpecially
found and faithful minifters, are the excellent of the
earth, andj.of great ufe to fpread the favour of the
knowledge of God, to prevent corruption, and im
prove all company, where they come : But if my
doftrines be debafed ; or a profeffion become loofe
and lifelefs, and profeffors and minifters themfelves
degenerate, and prove carnal, gracelefs, deftitute of
the power of religion in their- hearts and lives, and fo
fink under the difficulties and^ifcouragements* they
meet with, for my fake ; they become like taftelefs,
fpiritlefs fait,, which has loft all its virtue and reliftif-;
and no other principles or means can ever recover
fuch perfons from their depravity and apoftacy : And
as infipid fait is neither fit for fo much as to manure
land, or to make dung ; fo error is mifchievous ; and
fuch perfons are rather injurious, than ferviceable to
any, the leaft valuable purpofes 'whatfoever ; and
are to be utterly abandoned and rejected ; to be call
out of the church in this -world, and (hut out from
the kingdom of heaven in the next :• Attend there
fore to, and deliberate carefully upon, what I have faid,
NOTES. i
* By fait may be meant either the Chrift calls the fait of the earth, (Mat-
dodlrine of Chrifi, and a profeflion of his v. 13.)
name, (Mark ix. 50.) or good Chrifti- \ This taftelefs fait is fuch as chymifls
ans, and efpecially good minifters, Whom call, after difirillation, Caput mortitum.
Vol. II. - y

34 Salt is good :
but if the fait have
loft his favour,
wherewith foall it
be feafoned ?
35 It is neither
fit for the land,
nor yet for the
dunghill ', but men
caft it out. He
that hath ears to
hear, let him hear.

158 The Evangelift Chap. xv.
faid, as a matter of the higheft moment to yourfelves>
if ye would be indeed my difciples.
RECOLLECTION?.
How careful ihouhfwe be to obferve the law of the Sabbath, free from- the ex
tremes of fuperftition on one hand, and af profanation on the other ! Happy is he
who does not allow himfelf in that which he condemns in others : Nature requires
proper repafts on the Lord's day, and religion demands fuch acts of mercy and good-
rrlefs as are fuitable to prefent circumftances : But our ohiefemploynaent, difcourfe,
and table-talk, like our hleffed Lord's, fhould be of a religious ftrain.^-How amir
able and exalting is true humility ; but how,qdious and debating is pride, both in
the fight of God and man, and in its different events relating to this world and that
which is to come ! And how little is the higheft honour and efteem among great
men and friends on earth, to be compared with the glorious recompence which
foall be made at the refurrection of the juft 1 In order to the obtaining of this, be
hold the rich provifions of gofpel-grace, and its free invitation to all forts of finners,
even the moft unworthy '. -And behold its victorious power, in bringing them in to
Chrift 1 Nofte foall be excluded, who do not, by unbelief, exclude themfelves ; and
yet, alas '. how many are there. that make light of its bleffings, prefer this world to
them, excufe themfelves, by trifling- pretences, from embracing them, and provok-
ingly refufe them, to their own eternal lofs and ruin'. But, bleffed be God, there is
yet room ; and as all things "are now ready, they (hall pot be utterly loft : The
whole human race foall not be fuffered to reject the gofpel ; but fovereign grace
will make it effeftual to many, even to finners of the Gentiles, and to the molt un
likely, in human view, till Chrift's houfe be filled. Minifter* muft give an account
to him of their labours and fuccefs, in their prayers here, and at the day of judgr
ment hereafter ; and whilft he accepts them in the faithful difcharge of their of
fice, he will be angry with the obftinate refufers of his grace, and never allow them
to partake of its faving benefits : But he will make all thofe heartily welcome who
by faith receive him. How fhould he have the preference, in our hearts, to life it
felf, and all its deareft relations and comforts. iJtad how concerned fhould we be
to enter upon a profeffion of his name, on frtclS^iMiaeiples as will carry us through
the worflr that can befal us for his fake !,, We fliouid fit down and count what uur
religion will coft lis, and what bleffed affiftances, encouragements,, and comforts,
are to be found in Chrift, to fupport us under tribulation, over-balance it, and
crown us with victory, and triumph over it : And O how excellent is his doctrine, '
and how effectual, when maintained in its purity, and the heart is feafoned with
grace '. We then are bleffed, and made bleffings. But how pernicious is error} and
how ufelefs and injurious a.t prefent, "and miferable,at laft, will loofe and carnal,
corrupt and carelefs profeffors and minifters be! They foall be rejected of God as
contemptible and vile. With what attention and concern fhould we think on thefe
things, that we may not be of them that draw back to perdition ; but of them that
believe to the faving of our fouls '.

CHAP. XV.

The Pharifees offended at Chrift's converfing with, and preaching to
publicans and finners, 1, 2. He vindicates himfelf in the para
ble of the lofi fheep, 3,7^-7. ,- and of the lofi piece of money, 8,—
1 o. ; and of the prodigal fon, 1 1 , — 3 2.
1 ext. Paraphrase
THuntodhimneaail AS Ch"il ™ Poaching in a certain place f,
tne there were prefent a. company of men who col-
lefted
NOTE.
t It feems that our Lord was now in Galilee of the Gentiles, beyond Jordan,
from whence lie afterward went to Jerufalem j chap. xvii. 1 1. and that the
'An nets

Chap. xv. Luke pdraphrafed. 159
the publicans and fefted the tribute which the Romans demanded of
finners for to hear tQe Jews> and were moftly perfons of ill charafter ;
lm" thefe, with abundance of other infamous finners,
came to hear and receive inftruftion from him, under
a cbnviftion of their fin ; and with a defire to learn
the way of recovery and falvation.
2 And the Pha- 2 Upon this, the fcribes and Pharifees, a fuper-
rifees arid fcribes ftitious, felf-conceited people, took offence, quarrel-
ThTsZnlcefveA 4ed with Jefu8> and reproached him, as if he could'
finners, and eateth not be a good and holy man, becaufe he preached to
with them. fuch defpicable and abandoned wfetches as thefe, and
fuffered them to come fo near him, and even fome
times to eat with him. (Chap. y. 29, 30.)
3 And he fpake 3 But (Ss) our Lord, to vindicate his own con-
this parable unto faft for tfo recovery 0f foft finners, and t6 fhew the
' ' "* condefcenfion and the riches of Divine grace to the.
chief of them, Gentiles as well as Jews, illuftrated
His defign in the following fimilitudes*, faying,
4 What man of 4 Suppofe any of you had an hundred fheep, and
y°u> paying an orre 0f them, going aftray, were loft in the wildernefs,
hefofeone^Tth'em! ?nd in danger of being dellroyed. Would he not
doth not leave the leave all the reft of his nock, which were vifibly in
ninety and nine in fafer circumftances, and go in fearch after that which
the wildernefs, and ^g fo^ tjjj he fhould find it ?
fin* ^iT'fS 5 A"d ^en he meets with it, he would certafo-
is lpli, until he find . ¦> , . . . ' , . . , ?
it } ly take it up, and carry it back upon his fhoulders,
5 And when he with more than ordinary pleafure, in thethought thaf
hath found ft, , he he had recovered, and faved it from ruin.
kyeth it on his g And foon as he ets home he would ex_
Jhoulders.reioicing. r ' . - ,.*>-.,.,, ,
6 And wherl he Prels greater joy among his friends, neighbours, and
cometh home, ite acquaintance, and expeft them to rejoice with him,
calleth together more at his finding and bringing back this loft fheep,
¥i ,[nendfV *nd than on account of all the reft which were not fo ex-
neighbours, faying- r . ,
unto them, rb!' pofed to danger.
joice with me ; for 7 In Eke manner, I tell you, that I have fheep a-
I have found my mong the. greateft of finners, Gentiles As well as
foeep which was jewSj who are gone altray from God, have Joft their
7' I fav unto vou wa^ to beaven and happinefs, and are running head-
that likewife joy long to deftruftion ; and who are loft to the fervice
fhall be in heaven and honour of God, and to their own fafety and com-
over one finner fort . And wherever they are fcattered, or into what-
more thln^ove'r ^oever lengths of fin and danger they have run ; I will.
ninety and nine f°MoW them by my word, providence, and Spirit, to
juft fearch and find them out, and bring them into my
Y 2 fold:
N _0 T E S.
finners here mentioned fo emphatically, grace of God in fearching his people out,
were finners of the Gentiles, which beft chiefly among the Gentiles; and the 0-
agrees with the. fcope of the following ther in receiving them with great kind-
parables, nefs, upon their return to him ; and all
* Here are three parables of like im- of them reprefent the great pleafure he
port, the, two firft of which reprefent the has in their falvation.

i6o
juft perfons. which
need no repent-.
ancp. , ' -

The Evangelift

Chap. xv.

8 Either what
woman having ten
pieces of filver, if
foe lofe 'one piece,
doth not light a
candle, and fweep
the houfe, and feejt
diligently till foe
find it ?
9 And when foe
hath found it, foe
calleth her friends
and her neighbours
together, faying,
Rejoice with me ;
for I have found
the piece which I
had loft.
io Likewife, I
fay unto you,
There is joy in' the
prefence of the an
gels of God, over
one (inner that re-
penteth. ' r l And he faid,
A certain man had
two fons :

fold : And when my grace becomes effeftual for
bringing them to repentance unto life, this is matter
of rejoicing to my Father and me, who delight in
mercy ; and to the holy angels, who rejoice in our
glory, and in their happinefs : Yea, fpeaking accord
ing to the ufual workings of mens paffions upon ob
taining what was much defired, and yet feemed paft
recovery, There is more joy in the converfion of a fin-
ner of human race, than in the confirmation of the
angels, who never finned ; in the converfion of the
Gentiles, than in the prefervation of the Jewifh
church, whofe covenant-relation fuppofes them to be
already turned to God ; in the converfion of notori
ous finners, than of thofe who have always been fo
civilized as not to need fuch a vifible change ; and
there is undoubtedly more joy in the converfion of all
ranks and degrees of finners, than in the pretended
religion of fuch felf-righteous perfons as think them
felves too good to need any repentance. And if, on
thefe occafions, there is fuch joy in heaven, it fhould
furely be matter of high approbation, and not of mur
muring on earth.
8 Again, Suppofe a woman had ten pieces of mo
ney, and out of her -little flock had loft one of them
in her houfe, Would fhe not light a candle, and
look about for it, fweep the room, and narrowly
fearch every creek and corner till fhe fhould find it.
9 And, as foon as fhe finds it, fhe would natu;
rally exprefs more abundant joy to her friends and
neighbours, and expeft them to be more pleafed on
that occafion, than if fhe had never loft it.
io In like manner, I tell you, that all who be
long to God, and are in a loft ftate of fin and mifery
among the Gentiles as well as Jews, are of high
account with him, who will fearch till he finds them
out, and will fuffer none of them to be loft for ever :
And, upon the converfion or true repentance of any
one of them, fuch is the joy of God therein, that he
will difcover it among his holy angels in heaven ; and
they will rejoice in it more than if this penitent had
never finned, and expofed himfelf to the damnation of
hell. 1 1 Then, ftill more direftly to convince the Jews
in general, and the Jcribes and Pharifees in particu
lar, of their pride and wickednefs, in being envious at
his fhewing favour to publicans and finners," and that
even among the Gentiles, he added another fimilitude,
faying, Ye may eafily conceive of a certain man, as
having two fons. So God, as the Creator and Prefer-
ver, Benefactor and Governor of all mankind, is the
fjmimpa Father both of Jews and Gentiles, who, in
their-

Chap. xv.

Luke paraphrafed.

161

12 And the
younger of them
faid to Aij'father,
Father, give me
the portion of goods
that falleth to me.
And he divided un
to them his living.

13 And, not ma
ny days after, the
younger fon ga
thered all together,
and took his jour
ney into a far coun
try, and there waf
ted his fubftrance
with riotous li
ving.

14 And when
be had fpent all,
there arofe a migh
ty famine in that
land: and he began
to be io want.
15 And he went
and joined himfelf
to a citizen of that
country ; and he
fent him into his
fields to feed fwine.
16 And he would
fain have filled his
belly

their original ftate, had a fulnefs of all things as his
offspring : And, fince the apoftacy, fie has fons of
both thefe forts, by gracious choice and adoption ;
the ekfer being the Jews, whom he calls his firft-
born, (Exod. iv. 22.) becaufe firft' taken into his co
venant, and the younger being the Gentiles. And
the like may be faid of all thofe who have long been
vifibly in covenant with God, and of others, who,
having gone on a great while in a courfe of fin, are
at length turned to him.
1 2 Now the younger of the fons not caring to
be , under his father's eye, and imagining he could
improve a flock to the beft advantage, pertly demand
ed his portion : And his father made a proper divi-
fion to them both. So the Gentiles, and all man,1
kind by nature, and young people in particular,
chufe to be at their own difpofe, without controul ;
and being conceited of their own abilities, are apt to
challenge good things as their due : And God, in the
bountiful difpenfations of his providence, giving them
all, and more than they have any juft claim to, righ-
teoufly leaves them, at leaft for a while, to follow
the way of their own hearts, in managing his gifts
and talents, that they may fee what their own con
duft will bring them to.
13 And foon after the younger fon had received
his portion, he turned it into ready money ; went
with his whole flock, from his father's prefence, in-:
to a diftant country, and there fpent it all in riotouf-
nefs, loofenefs, and debaucheries. So it was with
the Gentiles ; Soon after they were left to natural
light, and fome traditions of the earlieft revelations
of God to man, they corrupted their notions and
their way, fell into idolatry, fuperftition, fenfuality,
and profanenefs, mifapplied all their talents, and be
came vain in their imaginations : And fo it is with
particular finners, who, being left to themfelves, a-
bufe their mercies, run into every kind of excefs and
wickednefs, and lofe all fenfe of God and religion.
14, 15, 16 But after fome time, when the young
man had fpent all his fubftarice, there was a great fa
mine in the country where he dwelt ; and he began
tp want all the neceffaries of life : And finding him
felf reduced to the utmoft ftraits, without any friend
to help him, he was obliged to hire himfelf, for mere
fuftenance, to one in thofe parts, who employed him
in the mean drudgery of lopking after the fwine, and
fo ftinted him in his wages, as not to allow him to
eat to the full, even of the very huflcs which the hogs
themfelves lived upon ; though, if he might, he
would have been glad to fatisfy his hunger with them.
Sq

I (31
belly with the
hufks that ¦ the
fwine did eat :
and no man gave"
onto him.

The EvangeUft

Chap. xv.

17 And When he
came to himfelf, he
faid, How many
hired fervants of
my father's have
bread enough and
to fpare, and I pe
rifo with hunger !
18 I will arife,
and go to my fa
ther, and will fay
unto him, Father,
I have fhjned a-
gainft heaven, and
before thee,
19 And am no
more worthy to be
called - thy fon :
make me as one
of thy hired fer
vants.

So the Gentiles in general, after they had departed
from God, defaced the fmall remains of religion that
were formerly found among them, and yielded them
felves up to the will of Satan, who ruled with tyran
ny over them, carried them into the worfhip of devils,
and many fuperftitious and cruel rites, and into the
moft abfurd methods of feeking peace and happinefs,
in which they could never find the fatisfaftion they
fought for : And fo all finners, ' being far from God,
and having finned away their light and mercies, give
themfelves up to the mearteft and worft of fervitude,
to the lulls of their own hearts, to Satan and the
world, and feek their happinefs in the empty, unfa-
ti'sfying enjoyments, and finful, fordid pleafures of
this life, in which they can never find it, till at length
they are reduced to the utmoft perplexity and want.
17, 18, 19 At laft, the youth's pinching neceffity,
and extreme diftrefs, even to a defpair of relief in that
far country, brought him to his fenfes, and put him
upon thinking with himfelf, What have I done, in
running away from my father's houfe, where the
pooreft of his hired fervants are daily eating to the
full, and leave enough for the fatisfaftion of many o-
thers, whilft I am juft ready to ftarve by means of
my extravagancies ! Hereupon he refolved to go to
his father, with humble confeffion of his high offen
ces, and with earneft Amplication, that, though he
was unworthy to be put among his children, he might
neverthelefs be received into his family, among the ,
meaneft of his fervants, to have their fare, and do
their work. So finners, who, in the days of their
unregeneracy and departure from God, afted direftly
contrary to all true principles of reafon and religion,
are at length brought to their right mind when God
comes to work effeftually upon them : He, by his
word and Spirit, and oftentimes by means of difap-
pointing and diftreffing providences, lays a fenfe of
guilt and danger upon their confciences, foews them
what madnefs and folly they have been guilty of, in
running away from him, and betaking themfelves to
creature-comforts for happinefs, and that there is no
poffible relief for them but in the rich provifions
which he has difcovered, as made in Chrifi for the
houfehold of faith. Hereupon a fenfe of neceffity
brings the awakened finner to fay, Whatever the e-
vent may be, I am sefolved, in the ftrength of divine
grace, to depart from fin and Sutan, and from all de
pendence on felf and the world, and to go to God, as
a Father of mercies in Chrift ; I will humbly confefs
mine iniquity to him* faying, " I have heinoufly fin
ned againft thee, the God of heaven, before thy face, and

Chap. xv.

JfiUKE paraphrafed.

163

2P And he arofe,
and came to his
father. But when
he was yet a great
way off, his father
faw him, and had
compaffion, and
ran, and fell on
his neck, and kifs-
ed hira.

21 And the fon
&id unto him, Fa
ther, I have tin
ned againft hea
ven, aad in thy
fight, and am no
more worthy to be
called thy fon.

and, Wider thine eye ; I therefore own myfelf to be
Utterly unworthy of being received and dealt with as
a fon, and fhall think it wonderful condefcenfion and
grace if I may but be admitted -to have the privilege
of only a door-keeper in thy houfe, and of ferving
thee, in vyhatfoever thou fhalt command me, all the re
maining days of my life. Thus it. was with the hea
thens, when they turned from idols to ferve the li
ving and true God ; (1 Theff. i. 9.) and thus it is
with every finner, when God is bringing him home
to hfoifelf by converting grace. ,
20 Accordingly the young penitent fet out, be
tween hope and fear, for a return to his father ; But
whilft he was yet at a great diftance, his father was
q^kk-rfighted to djfeover him ; and, his bowels being
mgved toward him, he ran with all fpeed to meet him,
and in a mpft affectionate manner embraced and killed
him. S° the finner, under a true fenfe of fin, and
apprehenfion of the mercy of God in Chrift, fets a-
bput returning to him from all iniquity in good ear
neft, and without delay ; And whilft he is full of
doubts and fears left fo vile a wretch as himfelf fhould
never find acceptance, Go4 obferves him in all his dif
trefs, and in the very firft motions of his foul toward
him ; apd, being foil of compaffion, prevents him
with the bleffings of his goodnefs, makes hafte to re
lieve his fears, and manifefts his love to him, with
great endearments, and in moft affeftionate expref
fions, to fhew that he is'reconciled. Thus God gra
cioufiy dealt with the Gentiles, when he granted
them repentance unto life ; and thus every returning
finner is accepted of him in the Beloved.,
21 Upon this difcovery of the father's kindnefs,
the young prodigal's heart was melted, and encoura
ged to claim relation to him, and to caft himfelf up
on his mercy, with ingenious eonfeffions of his ag
gravated offences, and of .his utter unworthinefs ever
to be owned and received as his fon. So God's ma~
njfefting his favour to the Gentiles wrought on them,
and emboldened their humble hopes toward him ;
And an awakened finner's heart is much affefted with
the difeoveries of God's condefeending, free, ' and
pardoning grace, and is thereby encouraged to plead
with him as a father,, and to hope in his mercy,,
through Jefus Chrift, for all falvation ; and a fenfe
of forgiving love is fo far from making him think the
lighter of fin, that it humbles him the. more for it,
and makes him the more afhamed of it, and the more
ready to confefs, with the greateft contrition, . that
God might juftly have difowned a>nd abandoned him
fcr ever. 22,

164 The Evangelift Chap, xv.i
nz But the fa- 22, 23, 24 But inftead, of the father's rebuking
ther fahltohis.fer- tfo recovered prodigal, he feemed to flop him fhort
vants Bring forth Jn h; fobmJffions as jf he fl,ould fay ft is enouo.k
the beft robe, and , , , , T r ,; , 1- 1 •
put ft on him; and that thou art thus deeply ieniibfe ot thine own unwor-
put a ring on 'his thinefs, I will be better to thee than all thy deferts,
hand, and fhoes on and than all thy hopes : And he ordered his fervants
his feet- „, ; to bring out the very beft garment in his, wardrobe,
hither the fatted an(^ cl°tbe him with it ; to put a ring on his hand,
«alf. and kill it; and fhoes on his feet ; and to kill the fatted calf, and
and let us eat and make a feaft for him, that they might eat and re-
be merry: joice together ; becaufe his fon, whom he had look-
fon was°de,ad^ a'nd ed uPpn as dead' and had £iven uPl°rl°ft, was now
is alive again; he alive, and returned to him in fafety: Accordingly
was loft, and 'is they, and the whole family then prefent, began to
found. And they exprefs great joy on this happy occafion. So when;
began to be mer- flnners come in to God through Chrift, the more they
lothe and/rondemn themfelves for their iniquities, the
, lefs will he fhew any tokens of difpleafure ; and, fo*
the glory of his own grace, her will not only make
them fervants, but fons ; and do exceeding abundant
ly more for them than they are able to afk or think:
As, they come to him im filthy garments, he gives
them change of raiment, clothing them with the glo
rious robe of Chrift's righteoufnefs, and with the rich
drefs of heavenly graces : As they come poor and
deftitute, he gives them a pledge and earneft of the
everlafting inheritance by the Holy Spirit of promife:
As they come lame and wounded, like cripples, un
able to go, he furnifhes them with the preparation of
the gofpel of peace, that they may walk with eafe
and cheerfulnefs, and may hold on and hold out in his
ways : As they come in a ftarving condition, he fets
before them a feaft of fat things in the gofpel, and
gives them the bread of life, that they may eat and
be fatisfied, and may be nourifhed unto eternal life :
And as they were in great diftrefs and forrow of heart
before, he rejoices to comfort them, and to make
them glad with the light of his countenance ; and all
his family in heaven and earth, exceedingly rejoice
with them, upon information, that they? who were
dead in trefpaffes and fins, are now made alive to God;
and that they, who were in a loft condition, are now
recovered to a ftate of fafety, ufefulnefs, and bleffed
nefs. Thus when God called the Gentiles, he free
ly admitted them, not only to all the external privi
leges of the gofpel-ftate, but to the faving and eter
nal bleffings of his covenant ; whereupon they ' and
the believing Jews rejoiced ; ( ABs xi. 1 8. and xiii.
48.) and the holy angels rejoice in this great joy to
all people, to Gentiles'as weR as Jews: (.Luke ii. 10,
13, 14.) And thus when any, efpecially notorious finners^

Chap. xv. Luke paraphrafed. 165
finners, are converted, Chrift is made to them wif
dom, righteoufnefs, fanftification, and redemption ;
and there is great rejoicing in heaven and earth.
15 Now his el- 25, 26, 27, 28 Now the elder fon returning from
der fon was in the tfo ffeldS} and hearing an unufual found of extraor-
came ana "drew d'nai7 rejoicing in the houfe, inquired of one of the
nigh to the houfe, fervants what might be the meaning of it : The fer-
he heard mufic and vant told him that his younger brother was returned
dancing. home,1 beyond all expeftation ; and his father was fo
Ar ' ""'¦ :'- exceedingly affefted with it, that he had killed' the
fatted calf to entertain him, and exprefs his joy ; be
caufe he had received him, not only in health of bo
dy, but alfo as a thorough penitent, and in his right
mind : But the elder brother, inftead of being plea
fed, as he ought to have been, was highly offended
and thy father at his»father's favour to the young prodigal, and re-
hath killed the fofeed not to go in : Whereupon the father himfelf
went out, and with great condefcenfion and kindnefs,
entreated him to come and partake of the entertain
ment and joy. So the Jews in general, and the

ed one of the fer
vants, and afked
what thefe things
meant. 27 And he faid
unto him, Thy
brother is come

fatted calf, becaufe
he hath received
him fafe and found.
28 And he was

not go in : there
fore came his fa
ther out and in
treated him.

angry, and would fcribes and Pharifees in particular, were highly of
fended and enraged when they heard of God's fliew
ing mercy tp the Gentiles, and making them parta
kers of the richeft privileges and bleffings of the gof
pel*. And fo great was their envy at this, that they,
through unbelief, refufed and fhut themfelves out from
its benefits : Neverthelefs, God did not immediately
caft them off ; but, bearing long with them, came in
the miniftry of Chrift and his fervants, preaching
peace to them. In like manner f , many of a Phari-
faical fpirit, that have lived foberly, and made a pro
feffion of religion, are offended at the doftrines of
God's free and fovereign grace to the vileft and un-
wortliieft of finners ; and this is fuch an offence to
fome of them, that, through their own pride and en
vy, it proves an occafion of their rejefting Chrift and
the gofpel to their own perdition : And yet God
does not take their firft refufal, but continues befeech-
ing them to be reconciled to him.
29, 30 But (0*1) the elder fon ftill continuing ob
ftinate
NOTES.

29 And he; an
fwering

* They were filled with fuch envy on
this occafion that they fpoke againft the
things Paul preached to them, contra
dicting andblafpheming. (ActsTsiii. 45.)
And when he was afterwards making
his defence to them, as foon as he fpoke
of Chrift's fending him to the Gentiles,
they loft all patience, and faid, Away
with fuch a fellow from the earth ; for

their clothes, as ready to ftone him. and
threw duft into the air, to fhew their in
dignation againft him. (Ails xxii. 21,
22, 23.)
f Something like this was the cafe e-
ven of the believing Jews themfelvc<,
who contended with Peter for going 111
to the Gentiles, and difcovered their dif
pleafure at it, till he cleared up that dif-

it is not fit that he fhould live: And penfation of God's grace to them. (Ait's,
they cried out againft bim, and caft off xi. i, — 8.)
Vol. II. Z

166
rfwering, faid to his
father, Lo, thefe
many years do I
ferve thee, neither
tranfgreffed I at
any time thy com
mandment, and
yet thou never
gaveft me a kid,
that I might make
merry With my
friends :
30 But as foon
as this thy fon was
come, which hath
devoured'thy living
with harlots, thou
haft killed for him
the fatted calf.

The Evangelift

Chap. xv.

31 And he faid
onto him, Son,
thou art ever with
me, and all that, I
have is thine.
32 It was meet
that we fhould
make merry, and
be glad : , for this
thy brother was
dead, and is alive
again ; and was
loft,, and is found.

Urinate and refufing to go in, talked very pertly, fay
ing, As for me, I have always been your obedient
fon, have lived like a fervant in your family, and ne
ver offended you in any inftance whatfdever ; and
yet fo cool and unkind hatfe you been to Tne, that
you never fo much as gave me a kid to entertain my
friends, that they might rejoice "with me : But no
fooner was this vile wretch, your fon, come, whom
I am afhamed to own as a brdthei-j and who has pro-
fufely fquandered away all the portion which you
gave him, in rioting, luxury, knd debaucheries, but
immediately the fatted calf muft be killed to enter
tain him, and make merry with him. So Hit fcribes ,
and Pharifees, and the generality of the Jews, not
withftanding the repeated gracious invitations of the
gofpel, continued obftinately to refufe coming in to
Chrift, and behaved infolently toward God : They
boafted of their own exaft regularity and obedience,
as if they bad never offended him ; they thought
themfelves fo worthy of his favour, that all the blef
fings of the Meffiah's kingdom ought to be confined
to them ; they looked with indignation and difdain
upon the Gentues as the moft defpicable wretches,
that ought hot to be owned as their brethren ; and
could not bear the thought that they fhould be e-
qualled to themfelves, much lefs that they fhould be
preferred before them : And thus it is with felf-righ-
teous profeffors of Chrift's - name, who are apt fau-
cily to arraign the difpenfations of God's grace, not
withftanding the continued overtures that are made
of it to themfelves.
31, 32 But his father replied, Son, what room is
there for all this difcontent, and all thefe murmuring
complaints ? you have conftantiy eat at my table,
which has been fupplied with rich provifions every
day, and have continually lived in my prefence, un
der the tokens of my favour, who have hitherto con
fined them to you : and I have ftill enough for you :
But here is a fit occafion for expreffing more than or
dinary joy, in that your brother, whom I love, and
you ought to love too, and • who was given up for
dead and loft, is now returned alive and well, deeply
fenfible of, humbled for, and reclaimed from, his
extravagant wickednefs and folly, and is now a duti
ful fon to me. So God vindicates the free difpen
fations of his grace to the Gentiles, and to the moft
infamous finners, againft all the diffatisfaftion and
murmurings of its enemies : He had been exceeding ,
liberal to the Jews, confining his covenant-mercy for
many ages to them, among whom he had pitched
his tabernacle with the fpecial tokens of his prefence ;¦
(Rom.

Chap, xv. Lym p&raphrafed. 167
(Rom. ix. 4, 5.) and if they fhould not cut them
felves off by unbelief, all would ftill be theirs, he ha
ving ei>qugh for them and others too : But the con
verfion of the Gentiles, and of remarkable finners, is
the quickening of them who were moft evidently dead
in trefpaffes and fins, and a bringing them home who
were far from God in a perifhing ftate : And this
cannot but be a juft occafion of exceeding great jay,
in the account of God and angels, and all good
menf.
RECOLLECTIONS.
Hotv dread-rill is a. ftate of fin and apoftacy from God 1 It ii a loft, perifhing, 'and
enflayed ftate ; injurious to the Author of our beings, to ourfelves, and others; defti
tute of all that is honourable and comfortable; iuvolved in difappointments and
perplexity, want, and mifery ; and expofed to. utter ruin. But behold the riche*
of divine grace to the worft of finners and young prodigals 1 God fearcheth after
his loft fheep, finds them out, and brfogs them home to himfelf, and his heart and
arms are open to receive every humble penitent ; he obferves all their groanings
and diftrefs, all the workings of their confciences, and folicitous thoughts about
their wretched condition, all the firft and moft diftant motions«of their hearts to
ward him, all their defires, fears, and hopes, and all their purpofes, and attempts
of coming to him ; bis bowels move tpw,ards them, and he prevents them'with his
mercy, fecretly draws them, that they way run, after him, helps them againft their
difcouragements, melts their hearts into ingenuous repentance for fin, and embold
ens their truft and hope in his mercy, through the Lord Jefus ; and he gracioufiy
accepts them in their returns to hira, forgives all their fins, takes them into his fa
mily, manifefts himfelf to them as he does not unto the world, foeds abroad his
love in. their hearts by the Holy Ghoft, fopplies all their wants, and enriches them
with the bleffings pf grace and glory, as if they had never offended him. And O
what a happy change does his grace make upon them 1 They, who before were
befide themfelves, _are then brought to their right mind, and made wife to fal
vation; they that were proud and felf-fufficient, and had run great lengths in fin,
are made humble, and brought back again to God; they that were loft to all that
is good, and to their own or others power, tp work effeftually upon them, are re
covered to every thing that is happy and glorious ; ' and they that were dead in tref.
paffes and fins are made alive to God, to glorify him here, and enjoy him for ever :
And-, on this occafion, what exceeding great, joy is there, in their own fouls, and a-
mong the faints and fervants of Chrift upon earth : Yea, in the heart of the bleffed
God pimfelf, and among the angels in heaven '. But O how naturally perverfe is
the tinner's heart, that, notwithftanding all this, he willtry to make any foift, ra
ther than return to God through Ghrift; and that nothing but a fenfe of abfolute
neceffity will ever bring him in : And how monftrouily wicked are they, who, from
a high conceit of themfelves, rife up with prejudices againft the freenefs and fove-
reigflty of God's grace, and would hinder or murmur at the happinefs of finners,
in their converfion to him ! And yet how patient and unexceptionably kind are the
overtures of mercy in the gofpel, even to the moft froward in heart 1 Happy for
them, who, at length, are overcome by it 1 But wo to them, who, after all, conti
nue obftinately to reject it.
Z 2 CHAP.
NOTE.
f The elder fon's making no reply to heirs with them, and had nothing toreply
this, may intimate either that thofe againft it, according toAfls xi. 18. And
Jews, who perfifted in their infidelity, the fame may be faid of falfe and formal
ftill retained their prejudices againft the profeflbrs of Chrift on one hand, and of
gofpel on this account, being enemies to fome real believers on the other, with re-
it for the Gentiles fakes: Rom. xi. 28. fpect to the inveterate prejudices of the
Or it may intimate, that thofe Jews one, and the weak and ignorant murmur-
who believed, were fatisfied with' this ac- ings 0/ the other, againft the riches of di-
count of the Gentiles being made fellow- vine grace t» the worft of finners.

i6S

The Evangelift

Chap. xvi.

C H A P. XVI. :"
The right ufe of worldly enjoyments, reprefented in the parable of the
unji/fi fieward, t, — 13. A reproof of the Pharifees for their co
vetoufnefs and hypocrify, 14, — 18. And /he danger of fetting one's
heart on earthly ireafures, illujlrated in the parable of the rich man
and Lazarus, 19, — 3.1.' , ' r\

Text.
AND he faid al

fo unto his dif
ciples, There was
a certain rich man
¦which had a ftew
ard;
was him
wafted his goods.

11 And he called
liim, and faid unto
him, How is it
that I hear this of
thee ? give an ac
count of thy ftew-
ardfoip : for thou
rnayeft be no long
er fteward.

Paraphrase.
f^UR Lord, having reproved the fcribes and Phe-
*-' rfees for their pride and envy, proceeded to in
ftruft his difciples, ' in a, parable, about the right ufe.
of worldly enjoyments, faying, A certain great man
ard ; and the fame committed the management of his eftate to a ftewi
arcu e un 0 ar(j ^ , ^n(j^ after fome time, an accufation was
brought againft him, that he had wronged his mafter,
and mifapplied his goods. Soft may juftly be charged
upon the men of this world, that, through unfaithful-
nefs and negleft, they have abufed the bounties of
Providence, and applied them to other purpofes than
thofe for which God beftowed them.
% .Thereupon the lord of the fteward fummoned
him to appear before him, and faid, What a fad re:
port do I hear of your treachery ? deliver up your ao
counts of all that I h^ve entrufted you with ; for now
I will turn you out of your office. So the cry of
their iniquity who abufe the goodnefs of Providence,
is, like the fin of Sodom, great againft them : (Ge&.
xviii. 20.) And the time is coming, when God
will fay to them, as he did to Cain, What hafi thou
done? (Gen. iv. 10.) And as he then will fuffer
them to have no further ufe of his bounties, fo he
gives them warning before-hand in their own confci
ences and in his word, that every one of them fhall
give an account of himfelf to God. (Rom. xiv. 12.)
3, 4 Upon this notice from his -lord, the fteward
reafoned in himfelf after this manner, I'fliall foon \>e
I do ? for my lord difmiffed from my matter's fervice, and reduced to
taketh away from the, utmoft neceffity : What fliall I do for a fubfift-
me the fteward- ence, "who have never been brought up to labour,
foip; I cannot dig, an(j am afoamed to' go" a-begging ? But at length' he
tae(i. , " refolved upon a projeft, to fecure friends to himfelf
4 I am refolved among his lord's debtors, that, when he fhould be
what to do, that, difcharged from his ftewardfhip, he might find enter-
when I am put out tainment with them. So floth, and pride, and un-
thev righteous ways of living, having brought the fpend- thrift
N , O . T E.
j The rich man in this parabTe reprefents God ; and the fteward reprefents thofe,
dint are entrufted with the bourtties of Providence, and abufe them. .

3 Then the ftew
ard faid -within
himfelf, What (hall

Chap. xvi. Luke paraphrafed. 169
they may receive thrift to diftrefs, and to expeftations of utter ruin'
me into their hou- j,e ;s a£ his wit's ends, and is full of inquiries after
a provifion for time to come, till he has encouraging
profpefts of obtaining it : And the finner, who is tru
ly brought to fee his danger by fin, will dread the
confequence, and never reft till he hath hopes of eter
nal happinefs.
5 So he called 5, 6, 7 Now the policy of this fteward, to pro-
every one of his vide for himfelf, was this, He fent for all his lord's
lord's debtors unto debtors, anQ having taken their juft accounts, order-
the firft How much ed one of them, in all hafte, to deduft half, and a-
oweft thou unto my nother a fifth part out of the bill, which was to be
lord ? given to his lord ; and fo abated every one a greater,
& 6 v"^a *!f fald" or ^s ProPorti°n °f bis debt, that he might fecure
r !! "f , m "^eaj a retreat when his mafter fhould put him out of his
lures ot oil. And 01 r ¦> ¦ ,, r n r r 1 -i
he faid unto him. place. 00 the men of this world are full pi iubtile
Take thy bill, and contrivances, and negleft no means, though ever fo
lit down quickly, unjuft, to retrieve their defperate affairs : And the
an tj!/ r^'\ u finner ought to confult, in a better manner, what he
to another,*' and . fball do to be faved.
how much oweft 8 And when his lord heard how artfully this man
thou? and he laid, \mc\ managed, he owned that it was a politic fcheme
fcres of" wheat" fpr fecuring a fuPP'y when he fooM be reduced to
And he faid unto extremity*. So though the difhonefty of fuch a fer-
him, Take thy bill, vant is deteftable ; yet his forefight, care, and contri-
and write fourfcore. vance, about the interefts of this life, deferve an imita-
8 And the lord tj w;tn re„ar(j to tfo more important affairs of a-
commended the . * ° , , d, r 1 n
unjuftfteward be- nother, ana condemn the inconfideratenels and ftu-
caiife he had d,one pidity of thofe that are lefs thoughtful abovit them :
wifely : for the For worldly-wife men, who place their chief happi-
children of this nefs ;n wjjat ^i^gg to the body, are, generally fpeak-
world are in their . r . , . , A ¦ ¦ 1 • ' t
feneration wifer lnS' more fagacl°u§ and induftnous, in their way, to
than the children form and Compafs their defigns for temporal advan-
•f light. tages, than the profeffors of religion, who have the
light of the gofpel, are for the concerns of their fouls
and eternity, though they know that in a little time
they muft die, and give an account of themfelves to
God : And even true believers do not ordinarily con
trive and lay oUt themfelves fo much about fpiritual,
as the men of this world 'do about temporal things.
9 And I fay un- 9 I therefore advife and charge you to ufe as
youKesMffiend°s muth. forefight and diligence about the concerns of
of the mammon eternity, as worldly-minded men do about the things
of of time. Inftead of employing j- uncertain riches in
any
NOTES.
* Some fuppofe that the Lord here in- mon or riches of unrighteoufnefs, in op-.
tended is Chrift himfelf, who paffed this pofition to (ax»6i»o») the true riches,
judgment upon the fteward's conduct. . ver. 1 1. becaufe they are empty and ui>-
t Mammon fignifies riches ; and, ac- fatisfying, precarious and difappointing
cording to the heathen theology, was to the expeftations of thofe that place
the gpd of plenty : And all the treafores their happinefs in them. And yet they
of this world are here called the mam- may likewife be fo called, becaufe they sre

1 70 The EvangeHft Chap. xvi.
sfunrigiteoufrafs; any unrighteous way, ufe them in afts of piety and
that when ye fail, charity, with a fubfervience to real and everlafting hap-
SntT/verTaftli^ P«* J that, when flefh and heart and aU thefe enjoy-
habitations. ments foil, and ye come to die, (ixXtiryirt) God may
receive you, as faithful ftewards, to eternal manfions
in the heavens, the holy angels may take charge of
your fouls to conduft them to glory, and the poor
members of Chrift may receive you with joy in the
other world, whofe bowels ye refrefhed, and whofe
prayers were offered for a bleffing to come upon you*
in this.
10 He that is 10 It may generally be obferved, that a man who
feut • T fl-that >'s found faithful or unfaithful in a fmall truft, wffl
which is leaft, is ir- j- 1 • • r •
faithful alfo in prove to be fo in a greater ; accordingly it is uiuat
much : and he that to advance an honeft, diligent fervant from a lowef to
is unjuft in the an higher poft : But no prudent perfon will ever ven-
-iC muchUDJUft alf° ture to do this by Gne that is treacher<>us-
1 1 If therefore 1 1 If therefore you are fo unfaithful, as not to
ye have not been improve the mean and perifhing enjoyments of this
faithful in the un- world for the great ends for which God committed
them to, your charge, how can ye expeft that he
fhould ever intruft you with the more important and
fubflantial riches, that relate to the heavenly world I
1 2 And if ye aft the part of difhonefl ftewards in
1 a And if ye tne management of the good things of this life, which
faith fufn°in that are not your own' ^ut wb>cb God has committed to
which is another you, as a truft, to be employed for his glory, and the
man's, who foall good of others, and which, in a little while, ye muft
give you that feave to ye know not whom, how can ye expeft that
^our he fhould enrich you with thofe better treafures,
which, when once they are beftowed upon you, are
that good part, which, by the conftitution of his co
venant, Jhall never be taken from you ?
1 3 Add to all this, mat it is impoffible for any one
to be heartily engaged in the interefts of two mafters,
whofe demands are direftly oppofite : For if he loves
one of them, and lays himfelf out in his fervice, he
dier ; or elfe he muft of neceffity be averfe to the other, and chufe
will hold to the t0 negleft n;s affa;rs_ -phus it is with refpeft to
" C\r\i\ nr>A flip rirli*

righteous mam
mon, who will
commit to Vyour
truft the true rich
es ?

which
ewn ?

13 No fervant
tan ferve two ma
fters : for either he
will hate the one,
and love the o-

and

jhe other. Ye can- ^od, and tlie "cnes of this world : The man,
jiot ferve God and who fupremely loves God, as his chief good, will
mammon. defpife all earthly treafures, when they come in com
petition with him, and will ufe them to hpnour and
pleafe him ; but the man, who has an inordinate
affeftion to this world, will difrelifh and negleft the
fervice of God, arid make religion itfelf fubfervient to
his fecular views. (See Jam. iv. 4.)
¦ i4AndthePha- 14 Some of the Pharifees, a covetous, hypocriti-
rifees cal
NOTE.
are often unjuftly obtained and pofferffed, abufed and made the means of corrupting
many, and are the only portion of unrighteous men.

Chap. xvi.
rifees alfo, wtio
were covetous,
heard all thefe
ttiings : arid they
derided him.
15 And he faid
linto them, Ye are
they which juftify
yourfelves before
meh ; but God
knoweth your
hearts : for that
which is highly
efteemed amongft
men, tc -abromina-
tion in the fight of
God.

Luke parapbrafed.

171

- TO* The law and
-the prophets were
until John : fince
that time the king-
'dom of God is
¦preached, and e-
very man .preffeth
into it.

r7 And it is ea
fier for heaven and
earth to pafs, than
one tittle of the
Jaw to fail.

cal. fet of men, .being rpiiefent, heard this difcourfe,
and treated Chrift with contempt for it ; becaufe,
though they could not confute it, they were refolved
not to comply with directions, which lay fo entii ely
oppofite to their darling lufls.
15 But, though he knew how to defpife the fhame,
he reproved them for their fin, facing, Ye indeed
verbally difclaim every charge of iniquity ; and, by
your outward fhews of uncommon devotion, and great
exaftnefs in ceremonial obfervances, pafs fpr extraor
dinary faints in the eyes of men : But God fees
through the inrmofl pride, covetoufnefs, and hypo
crify of your hearts ; and fo ye ftand quite otherwife
in his account than in theirs : For your high pretences
to holinefs and piety among men, who can only fee
your outward appearances and profeffions, are deteft
able in the judgment of God, who fees you as ye
are, and beholds all the fecret and governing vilenefs
of your hearts ; and he will rejeft you, and admit
others to his favour in your room, notwithftanding
your high conceit of yourfelves, and contempt of
them, as well as of me and my doftrine;
16 For the Old Teftament difpenfation, which
prefigured and prophefied of the Meffiah, continued
till John appeared to point him out unto the people j
and,. as that difpenfation was, in a manner, confined to
the Jews^ ye have an high opinion of yourfelves, on
account of your external compliances with it : But,
from the time of John the Baptifi, a difpenfation of
much greater light and grace began to be publifhed ;
and now multitudes of perfons, of what nation or
charafter foever, even publicans, and finners of the
ddentiles, are eameftly defirous of hearing and em
bracing the gofpel, are putting in by faith for an in
tereft in its bleffings, and are admitted to them,
though they are no obfervers of the rites and ceremo
nies of the law.
t 7 And yet the law is not hereby made void ; the
prophecies, types, and fhadows of the Old Tefta
ment are fuEy accomplifoed, and the moral law is
honoured and confirmed, by the gofpel ; its precepts
are explained by my doftrine, and are exemplified
and fulfilled by my obedience ; it is eftablifhed as an
effential law of my kingdom, and as an eternal and
unchangeable rule of righteoufnefs ; its obligations are
enforced, and the praftice of it is fecured upon the
moft effeftual -principles : So that the heavens and
the earth fhall fooner fail, and the whole frame of
them be diffolved, than any precept of this law fhall
be difannulled by the New Teftament difpenfation,
which is defigned to vindicate it from all corruptions, to

172

The Evangelift

Ghap, xv?.

I S Whofoever
putteth away his
wife, and marrjeth
another, commit-
teth adultery : and
whofoever marri-

dultery.

19 There was a
certain rich man,
which was clothed
in purple and fine

to reftore it to its primitive purity, and to difcountc-
nance all depraved affeftions that lie in oppofition to
it,, as appears (among other inftances) in that which.
relates to the original law of marriage.
1 8 Mofes indeed permitted a man, in various ca
fes, to give his wife a bill of divorce, and put her a-
way, for the preventing of greater mifchief, which,
through the perverfenefs of your hearts, might have
enfoed. (Matth. xlx. 4, — 8.) But to ftrike at the
eth her that is put r00j- 0f ajj iniquity, and reduce this ordinance to its
band, comittetha- ?rimit^ve inftitution, which was moft fuitable to the
ftate of human nature, I declare that this ' fhall be
permitted no longer; but that whofoever fhall divorce
his wife, and marry another, except it be.on account
of his firft wife's having been guilty of adultery, (fee
the note on Matth. v. 32.) he himfelf fhall be ac
counted an adulterer ; and whofoever fhall marry the
divorced woman fhall be accounted an adulterer too,
he having no lawful claim to her, whilft her firft
hufband is alive.
19 Our bleffed Lord having thus reproved the
Pharifees for their pride, covetoufnefs, and hypocrify,
returned to his difcourfe about the right ufe of tern-
linen and' fared poral riches, and reprefented the great danger of per-
fumptuoufly every verting them unto felfifh, fenfual, and licentious purr
day. pofes, in the following parable, faying, There was
a man of a very large eftate, who indulged himfelf to
the utmoft in the enjoyment of it : He was arrayed
in the richeft and fineft apparel, with purple robes,
like a nobleman or a prince, and feafted on the moft
delicious rarities, and elegant dainties every day. So
many of the rich men of this world, fpend all their
treafures upon themfelves, to appear gay and great,
to gain, the admiration of others, and to gratify
their own fenfual appetites, in all the luxuries of life
that wealth and art can provide.
20, 21 At the fame time there was a certain man,
fitly named Laxarus *, who, being reduced to per
feft beggary, and (iiAxs'ftuvos) all over-fpread with
ulcers, was laid at the rich epicure's gate, where he
begged for the broken meat or fcrapes, yea, rather
zt And defiring than fail, for the very crumbs, that the dogs ufed to
crumbf'which fell Pick UP und,er the table :. But thIs profufe and ua-
from the rich man's natural man hardened his heart againft his miferies
table : moreover, and his cries, and would take no notice of him, to
the dogs came and or(jer him the leaft relief; and yet (aAA« v.cti) his
fores were fo grievous, that the very dogs got a-
bout
NOTE.
- -'* By the rich man clothed in purple, Chrift perhaps pointed to Herod ; and by
Latarus, -which fignilies one who has God, for his help, he might mean fome emi
nently pious man of that name, who was a known beggar in thofe days.

20 And there
was a certain beg
gar- named Laza
rus, which was laid
at his gate full of
fores.

Chap. xvi.

i JiUKE parapbrafed.

aij-And it came
to pafs, that the
Ijeggar died, and
was carried by the
arlgcls into Abra
ham's bofom : the
rich man alfo died,
apd was buried :
,33 And in 'hell
he - lift up his
eyes, being in tor
ments, „and feeth
Abraham afar off,
-and Lazarus in his
bofom.

*73
bout him, and fhewing more pity than their cruel
mafter, licked them. So many of God's own chil
dren are among the' poor of this world, and afflifted
with diftempers, pains, jind fores, as well as others ;
in thefe circumftances they are fometimes caft, by
Providence, in the way of rich and fenfual men, who
have ability, but no hearts to relieve them, and will
rather wafte their fuperfluities> upon their dogs, than
refrefh the bowels of thefe poor faints with them, and
are more unnatural and unmerciful than the brutes
themfelves. 22, 23 But (?s) in a little while the poor diftrefs-
ed beggar was difmiffed, by death, from all his af--
fliftive, wretched, and neceffitous circumftances ; and
his foul, as the departing fouls of all believers are,
was immediately cpndufted, with fafety and gran
deur, under a convoy of angels, to a ftate of glory
and bleffednefs, where he had the honour and the de
light of being lodged and cherifhed, like one leaning
on Abraham' s'hoiom, amidfl all the rich entertain
ments of the heavenly world *,. The rich man like-
wife died, as well as the poor beggar; and had a pom
pous funeral, which finifhed all his glory ; but, alas !
how infipid, vain, and worthlefs were the laft honours
paid to his formerly pampered, and now infenfible and
loathfome carcafe, whilft, at the fame time, his foul
was no longer confeious of them, but was tortured in
the midft of terrible agonies, which is the cafe of all
that die in their fins, how grand foever their lives and
burials were : For in- his feparate ftate f , immediate
ly after the death of the body, he fell under execu
tions of vindictive wrath, for his abufes of God's
goodnefs ; and there, furrounded with devils and
damned fpirits, his companions in hideous horror, he
had a difcovery of the feat and company of the blefs- ed,
N ,0 T E S.
was a phrafe, by and entertainment with him, as Chrift
does with his Father, who is faid to be
in his bofom. (John i. iS.)

-* Abraham's bofo
which the Jews expreffed trje happinefs
of the fouls of the righteous, immediate
ly upon their death, which they ufed to
fay were carried thither by good angels :
And this defeription of heaven(y bleffed
nefs feems to allude to the pofture that
was cuftomary amon£ the ancients at
their feafts, where the guefts fat leaning
"backwards, the fecond in the , bofom of
the, firft, and fo on to the laft : Thus the
beloved difciple leant on Jefus' s bofom :
(John xiii. 23.) And fo poor Laxarus
had the honour and felicity of being pla
ced next to Abtaham, the father of the
faithful, and the friend of God, to (hare
in communion and reft, in refiefliment
Vol. II. A

f A.h;, the word here tranflated hell,
properly' fignifies the ftate of feparate
fouls, and it appears from hence, as alfo
from this rich man's having five brethren
ftill living upon earth, under the means'
of grace, that his mifery-, and Laftarus's
bleffednefs, immediately followed their
refpective deaths, though their different
ftates are.- reprefented, in a figurative
ftrain, by moft affeSTring images, taken
from the body, and from what we know
to be moft feufibly touching to, it, in the
painful or pleafing way.

174

The Evangelift

Chap. xvi.

Same.

ed, at a great diftance from him, which aggravated
his own mifery, and that fo much the more, as he
there beheld poor Lazarus, whom he had formerly
neglefted and defpifed, lodged with fafety, honour,
artdjoy, in the very bofom of Abraham himfelf.
24 And he cried, 24* The rich man feeing Lazarus poffefled ' of all
and faid, Father happinefs, and himfelf plunged into all infupportable
Abraham, have m;ferfeSj cr;ed out to Abraham *, mih great ear-
feriu'LTaras,' that neftnefs, in the defpairing agony of his foul, O thou
he may dip the tip Father of all Ifraelites, have compaffion upon me,
of his finger in wa- who am one of thine offspring, and who hoped to be
ter, and cool my bleffed by thy covenant, as a defcendant from thee,
tormented°iii this or<^er Lazarus, I befeech thee, to come hither, and
give me a little relief, thoughit be no more than a
drop of water, hanging on the tip of his finger,
might be to cool the tongue of one in the midft of a
raging fire,, which is the hvelieft emblem of what I
feel : For I am dreadfully tortured, under the fenfe
and impreffions of Divine vengeance, as in an intoler
able flame. So the fenfual and flourifhing finner,
who neglefted and fcorned the people of God in
their poverty and affliftion, being miferably torment
ed, immediately after death, in hell, whatever his re
ligious privileges were on earth, would be glad tore-
ceive any favour, though ever fo little, at their hands,"
to whom they refufed the leaft kindnefs before.
25 But Abraham bid him reffeft, as the damned
in hell can do, upon his own and Lazarus's former
and prefent circumftances, faying, You are indeed
my fon, according to the flefh, and had many privi
leges as fuch ; but how unworthy have you afted of
the father, from whom you vainly boaft of your de-
feent ? and how ungratefully, as well as foolifhly,
have you finned away the advantages, which might
have been hoped for from thence ? Confider, that
you, whilft on earth, had riches, pomp, and plea
fure in abundance : Thefe were all the good things
that you defired, efteemed, and placed your happi
nefs in ; thefe you ufed only for yourfelf ; and ha
ving abufed thefe, through the hardnefs and impeni
tence of your heart, no further good remains to you
for ever. And confider that Lazarus, whilft he li
ved in the body, was deftitute and affiifted, pining
with hunger, and a defpicable objeft in human view:
Thefe circumftances were very uncomfortable to him ;
thefe
NOTE.
* 1 he following converfation between guage, of the happy'a'nd miferable ftate
the' rich man and Abraham is not to be of things, and of the fenfe which the righ-
iiterally underftood. as if, in fact, fuch teous and wicked have of them, in the o-
difrourfe had paffed between them; it is ther world.
only a reprefentation, by borrowed laa-

25 But Abraham
faid, Son, remem
ber that thou in
thy life-time recei
ved ft thy good
things, and like-
wife Lazarus evil
things : but now
he is comforted,
and thou art tor
mented.

Chap. xvi.

26" And befides
all this, between
us and you there
is a great gulf fix
ed : fo that they
which would pafs
from hence to you,
cannot ; neither
can they pafs to us,
that would come
from thence.

27 Then he faid,
I pray thee there
fore, father, that
thou wouldeft fend
him to my father's
houfe :
28 For I have
five brethren; that
he may teftify un
to them, left they
alfo come into this
place of torment.

Luke pardphrafed. 175
thefe he received with fubmiffion and patience, from
the fovereign, holy, all-difpoling providence of God ;
and fome of thefe he received immediately from cruel
and unmerciful men, who, like you, fhut up their
bowels of compaffion againft him. But now the ta
bles are turned, all his evil things are paft and gone,
and he poffeffes bleffednefs without allay ; but all
your good things are at an end, and you are infup-
portably tormented : And how can you, who would
not allow him a crumb of bread, expeft a drop of
water from his hand now ? So none of the enjoy
ments of the finner, and none of the affliftions of God's
people, reach any further than the prefent fhort, pe
rifhing life ; the faint, at death, will exchange his
forrows for all comforts ; and the finner will ex
change his mercies for all miferies ; and fliall then be
forced to remember all that paffed on earth, in fuch
a manner as will condemn himfelf, and add a firing to
his torments, and will juftify God's righteoufnefs in
inflifting them.
26 Abraham furthermore added, Ah poor wretch!
the time of mercy and hope is now over ; God hath
fixed fuch a vaft and unpaffable diftance between the
happy arid the miferable, by an irreverfible decree and
fentence, that if any of us were ever fo defirous to go
and relieve you, it would be abfolutely impoffible to
do it ; and it is as impoffible for any of your diftrefs-
ed company to come to us, and fhare in our joys,
though they were ever fo earneft in attempting it.
So the ftate of every foul, at death, is unalterably
fixed in heaven or hell, there is no medium ; to one
of thefe it muft go, and there abide for ever,
27, 28 Then the rich man, defpah-ing of any com
fort for himfelf, faid to Abraham, I entreat thte, by
all the tendernefs of a father, to fhew me, at leaft,
fo much favour, as to difpatch Lazarus to my fa
ther's houfe, where I have five brethren ftill living,
who are your offspring too, that he may acquaint
them with the true ftate of things in the eternal
world : Let him tell them what a dreadful condition
my fins have brought me into ; and let him warn
them of the danger of treading in my fteps, left they
fharfc with me in my plagues, and increafe my guilt
and torment, for having drawn them into ruin by
my example. So though there is no compaffion or
charity in hell, yet the damned there are in fearful
expeftation of growing miferies, when their compa
nions in iniquity come thither ; and as their punifh
ment is already more than they know how to bear,
they would fain have every thing prevented, that
might add ftill further to their diftrefs.
A a 2 29 To

176

The Evangelift

Chap; xvi.

29 Abraham faith
unto him, They
have Mures and the
prophets ; let them
hear them. ' - - -

30 And he faid,
Nay, father Abra
ham : but if one
went unto them
from the dead, they
will repent.

31 And he faid
unto him, If they
hear not Mofes and
the prophets, nei
ther will they be
perfuaded though
one rofe from the
dead.

29 To this Abraham replied, No requeft can be
granted to you, who are under an irrevokable fen-
tence of damnation ; and as to what you afk for your
brethren, it is unreaforiable : God' will not go out of
his appointed and fettled way to humour you, or
them ; they have fufficient notices and warnfogs in the
writings of Mofes and the prophets, which they may
read as often as they pleafe, and .which are read and
preached in the fynagognes every Sabbath-day : If
therefore they would efcape the torments of the
damned, and obtain the bleffednefs of the righteous,
let them attend to thofe inftruftions which God has
already afforded them. So finners in hell will find
no expedient to prevent their increafing calamities ;
and finners under the means of grace upon earth muft
ftand or fall, according to their ufe or abufe of thofe
means, having no room to expeft that God will con
vert them by voices or vifions from the other world,
or go out of his ordinary and inftituted way to fave
them. 30 The rich man anfwered, Nay, father Abra
ham, what I urged for them is more likely to be ef
feftual than what you mention : The doftrines, the
commands and threatenings, contained in the law and
the prophets, are become fo common and familiar to
them, that they the lefs regard them ; but what I
fpeak of, would be a new and ftrange thing, and fo
much more affefting and convincing : And therefore
if fuch an one as Lazarus, who was known to be a
good, though a poor and affiifted man upon earth,
were to rife from the dead, on purpofe to tell them
of the vaftly important things of the invifible world,
and to admonifh and warn them- by his own and my
example; they could not but be brought to alter
their fentiments, and to turn from fin to God, that
they might efcape my torments, and enjoy his blefs-
ednefs. - So people infenfible of the power of natu
ral corruption, and of the neceffity of divine grace to
make an effeftual change upon the heart and life, are
apt to imagine that fome other means would be more
effeftual to converfion, than thofe which God him
felf has appointed.
31 But Abraham replied again, If they will not
believe the warnings given by Mofes and other infpi-
red writers, -whofe doftrine is plain, and has been con
firmed by unqueftionable miracles ; an exprefs fent
from the dead, might indeed ftartle and furprife them,
but they would give no more credit to- his teftimony
than they do to that which they have already, and
which is lefs liable to be fufpefted of any fraud : So
the fame depravity and perverfenefs of heart, which will

Chap. xvii. Luke paraphrased. 177
will not be prevailed upon by ordinary means, would,
were a man left to himfelf, as effeftually throw off
the influence of all extraordinary ones whatfoever ;
and it is only by the bleffing of God on his own ap
pointments, that any. can warrantably expeft conver
fion and falvation.
RECOLLECTIONS.
What are all the enjoyments of this tranfitory life, but trufts, which God has
committed to us for his glory and doing good ? We cannot bold them long, and a
day of reckoning will quickly come, God only knows how foon, when everyone
of us muft give an account of our ftewardfoip to him: And O how great is the
concern that we be found faithful in the great day ! How foolifh is it, and how
contrary to the maxims Df common prudence in other affairs, to be more induftri
ous in purfuing earthly riches, than eternal treafures ! Who that is, as wife for a-
nother world, as prudent men are for, this, would not ufe all his opportunities and
advantages here, in fubfervience to everlafting abodes of bleffednefs hereafter !
And they only, who are earneft in preffing after them, can expect to obtain them.
How watchful foould we be againft all unfaithfulnefs and iniquity ; fince little fins
lead on to greater, and an abufe of lower trufts and enjoyments is a juft , reafon
why God foould deny us higher ! But alas how apt are covetous, proud and hypocri
tical people, and all under the dominion of any fin, to deride reproof, rather than fall
under conviction by it '. And how often is that, which is of high account with men,
abominable in God's fight, who knows the. heart, and whofe law is a rule of righ
teoufnefs and of judgment, which never can be reverfed ! How inconfiderable and
worth'leis are all the riches of this world ; fince God fets fo light by them, as to
bellow them with the greateft affluence on wicked men, and they grow worfe, in
ftead of better by them, confuming them on their lufts ! And how much more de
ferable is the lot of the pooreft and moft diftreffed Chriftian upon earth, whofe evil
things, which will foon have an end, are only in this world, and whofe go6d-
things will be enjoyed in the next with everlafting and unutterable delight, than
that of the fiche'ft finner, whofe uncertain and unfatisfying comforts are confined
to this flioit and vanifhing life, and who, will be ftripped of all enjoyments, and ex
change them for infupportable and endlefs torments in the world to come ! There,
immediately after death, the different ftates of unmixed happinefs, or mifery, will
be unalterably fixed for ever, to the exceeding joy of the now afflicted believer,
and to the utter confufion of the impenitent epicure. And O how terrible will the
reflections of loft fouls be then, how much foever they may flight and trifle about
their eternal concerns now ! But bleffed be God, that, on this fide hell, there is yet
room for a happy change of ftate, ffom nature. to grace, from wrath and curfe to
favour and a bleffing, by means of God's word and the miniftry of it. But if by
thefe We' are not brought to repentance, there is no room to expect that' any
other means will be given, or be made effectual for that purpofe. Howearneft-
ly therefore foould we beg, that, while we are in this world of mercy, the gofpel
may be fet home upon our hearts by the bleffed Spirit, and fo may be the power
of God to our own falvation '.

CHAP. XVII.

Chrifs difcourfe about offences and forgiving of injuries, 1,-4. A-
bout faith and humility, 5, — 10. His curing ten lepers, 11, — 19.
¦And his account of the nature of his kingdom, and of the defiruc-
¦ tion of the. Jewifh nation, 20, — 37.
Text. Paraphrase.
THEN ft'd he /^TJR Lord, turning his difcourfe to his difciples,
unto the ihfc,- \j remfoded them 0f feverai thfogs which he had
delivered

i7a

The Evangelift

Chap, xviii

pies, It is impoffi
ble but that offen
ces will come : but
wo unto him
through whom
they come !

2 It were better
for him tfiat a mil-
ftone were' hanged
about his neck, and
he caft into the
fea, than that he
foould offend one
of thefe little ones.

3 Take heed to
yourfelves : If thy
brother trefpafs a-
, gainft thee, re
buke him ; and if
he repent, forgive
him.

4 And if he tref-
ttafs againft thee
feven times in a
day, and feven
times in a day turn
again to thee, fay
ing, I repent ; thou
lhalt forgive him.

S And the apo-
jRrles faid unto the
Lord, Increafe our
faith.

delivered to them before, (Matth. jtviii.) faying,
Such is the wickednefs and perverfenefs of mankind,
and fuch their paffions and prejudices, that it is mo
rally impoffible* but that occafions will arife to the
flumbling and falling of many. It is therefore to be
expefted that perfecutors, feducerfc, and carnal pro
feffors will ufe fuch violence, vent fuch corrupt doc
trines, and lead fuch fcandalous lives, as will grieve
and difcourage fome, and pervert others from the
fimplicity of the gofpel, and draw them into fin :
But great will be the guilt and ruin of that man,
through whofe errors and evil praftices any fuch of-
fenjive and injurious things fhall be brought into the
world. 2 It would have been much better for him to have
undergone the worft of capital puniffiments, from the
hands of men, fuch as being thrown int&the fea with
a great ftone about his neck, to drown him, than
that he fhould have lived to difhonour and provoke
God fo highly, and to bring fuch dreadful miferies
upon himfelf, by doing fo much mifchief to any one,
even of the weakeft of them who believe in me. ( Mat.
xviii. 6. )
3 Take heed therefore that by your example, doc
trine, or mifconduftj ye do not lay ftumbling-blocks
in the way of any, or become an occafion of faddert-
ing their hearts, or of drawing them into fin ; but do
all that in you lies ^to encourage them, to prevent
their falling, and to recover them from their falls : In
order hereunto, if one, who is called a brother, fhould
affront and injure any of you, be watchful over your
own fpirit, that it be not filled with prejudices againft
him, or againft me and my gofpel for his fake ; but,
in a prudent, tender, and brotherly manner, endea
vour to convince him of his fault, and of the greater
mifchief it does to liimfelf than to you ; and, when
ever he difcovers a concern for it, pafs it by, and be
heartily reconciled to him.
4 Yea, fuppofe it fhould happen, that, through
forgetfulnefs, careleffnefs, imprudence, and the like,
he ffiould foOn and often repeat his offence, even to
feven times in one day, and fhould as often renew ac
knowledgments of it, with promifes to take care that
he be not guilty of the like for time to come, fo that
he at laft feems to be in good earneft, go on ftill to
forgive him, perfevering in your duty toward him, till
you thoroughly overcome and reclaim him.
5 The apoftles having beard Chrift's charge about
thefe great and difficult duties, which lay fo contra
ry to natural refentments, were much affefted with a
fenfe of their excellence and importance, and o^their own

Chap. xvii.

Luke paraphrafed.

179

6 And the Lord
faid, If ye had fiiith
as a grain of muf-
tard-feed, ye might
fay unto this fyca-
. inine-tree, Be thou
plucked up by the
root, and be thou
planted in the fea;
and it fhould obey
yon.

7 But which of
you, having a fer
vant plowing, or
feeding cattle, will
fay uiito him by
and by, when he
is come frorh the
field, Go and fit
down to meat ?

3 And will not
rather fay unto
him, Make ready
wherewith I may
fop, arid gird thy
felf, and ferve me,
till I have eaten
and drunken ; and
afterwards thou
(halt eat and
drink >
9 Doth he thank
that fervant be
caufe he did the
things that were
commanded him ?
I trow not.
10 So likewife
ye, wjjen ye (hall
have done all thofe
things which are
, commanded you, fay,

ownipdifpenfihle need of his fpecial affiftance for put
ting them into praftice ; and therefore earneftly be-
fpught him, as their Lord, that he would ftrengthen
their faith in God's forgivenefs of their own great
a(nd multiplied provocations,, and would draw it into
lively exercife, foy deriving- ftrength from him, where
by they might be- inclined and enabled to anfwer thefe
high demands.
6 And the Lord Jefus replied, If yoiu- faith in
Bie be of the right kind, though it were, compara
tively fpeaking, as fmall as a grain of muftard-feed, it
has fuch a vigorous communion with my fulnefs, that,
in its proper exercife, ye might perform all thefe dif
ficult duties, which by your own power are, and in
your own fenfe of things may feem to be as hard and
impoffible for you to do, as it is by a bare word, to
root up that fycamore-tree, which ye fee growing in
the earth, and to plant it in the fea : And thefe du
ties are as eafy to the leaft true and faving faith, by
ftrength derived from me, as fuch tranfplanting of a
tree can be to a miraculous faith ; for ye may do all
things through my ftrengthenings. (Phil. iv. 13.)
7 But always remember that, how great or diffi
cult duties foever ye perform for the glory of God,
your, own, or other's good ;¦ as the ftrength whereby
ye do them is from him through me, fo ye can deferve
nothing at his hand on their account : For if any of
you have a fervant who is your property, and whom
you maintain at your own charges, to do your
bufinefs ; when he has been plowing your land, or
feeding your cattle, and returns home, do you im
mediately order him to go to fupper, before you your
felf have been ferved ?
8 Or rather, will you not charge him to do the
neceffary bufinefs of the houfe, in order to your own
fupping, and then wait uport you at table, till you
have done eating and drinking ? and after all this,
but not before, do not you ufe to bid him take hit
own fupper, to refrefh himfelf ?
9 And when his mailer's injunctions have been
complied with in all thefe things^ does he think him
felf indebted to that fervant, or obliged to returs
him thanks for it ? No, by no means, he having done
no more than his mafter had a right to, and the du
ty of his own place required.
10 Even fo the cafe Hands between the great God
and you : Ye are his fervants, and abfolute property,
and ought to be fo, more than any creature can be
yours ; and when ye have gone through one fervice,
in obedience to his commands, ye muft not think
yourfelves difcljarged, but go on with the greateft
application

1 80 The Evangelift Chap. xviL
lay, We are unpro- application and diligence to another, as long as he
fitable fervants : h th; f t d d muft cont;nue
we have done that ..-' 5 , ¦ ^ , • . 1 • ¦ 1 r
which was our du- waiting upon him, and waiting his time, berore ye
ty to do. reft from your labours, and are entertained with ever
lafting refrefhments : And after all that it was poffi
ble for you> to do, by the richeft 'fupplies of grace
and ftrengthi ye muft r humbly own that ye could me
rit nothing at the hands of the fovereign Lord of all,
1 nor lay the leaft obligation upon him, no, not fo
much as to deferve any thanks from him, becaufe ye
have only done what was your proper bufinefs, and
indifpenfible duty to do.
11 And it came n As Jefus was afterwards travelling to Jerufa- ¦»
to Temfalem "that lem> he' by a fpecial defign of Providence, took the
he paffed through courfe which carried him into thofe parts of Samaria
the midft of Sama- that lay next to Galilee, and fo paffed, as it were,
ria and Galilee. in the midft, between thofe two countries**.
1 j And, as he I2 And as he came near to a certain village, ten
entered Into a cer- , r , ijjr _i
tain village there lePr°us perfons, who were excluded from towns and
met him ten men common converfation, becaufe of their uncleannefs,
that were lepers, were gOt together to converfe with, and condole one
which ftood afar another f , and they meeting with our bleffed Lord,
and knowing who he was, kept at a diftance from
him, in obedience to the law, (Lev. xiii. 46.) and
under a fenfe of their own unworthinefs :
13 And they j^ But, believing that he was able to cleanfe them,
lifted up «A«rvoi- ^ caUed u him wjth a loud and earneft cry ag
ces, and faid, lefus, . ; £ . . _ . T r ' ,
Mafter have mer- wltn one content, and one voice, faying, Jefus, thou
cy on us. compaffionate Saviour, who haft the mattery and do
minion over all difeafes, look upon our miferable con
dition with an eye of pity, and cure us of our leprofy.
14 And, when l/l_ And he, feeing their diftrefs, and their faith
Jf' ,fa™ ^""x l,e and importunity for healing, took pity on them, re
do fhew your- folving in himfelf to magnify his power and goodnefs
felves unto the by granting their requeft : In order thereunto he
priefts.- And it bade them go and prefent themfelves to fome of the
came to pafs, that, pr;efis at Jerufalem, according to the appointment
as they went, they rr ., . J J, T . . - ? , . .rr .. V .
were cleanfed. °* t"e 'aw ' (Lev. xiv. 2.) thereby intimating that
they fhould pronounce them clean, and thereby give
a public teftimony to his miracle in cleanfing them :
And as they were going, in obedience to his com
mand, they all found themfelves reftored to perfeft
health ; the power of Chrift being as effeftual to re
cover them, when they were corporally at a diftance
from him, as if they had ftill been before him.
15 And one of 15 Then J one of them, finding what a wonderful
them work
NOTES.,
* Vid. Lightf. Hor. Hebr. rf 'Tis likely that they all went to the
f .Or they might have heard of Chrift's prieft, to be difcharged from the confine-
coming that way, and fo might be got to- ment they had been under, by reafon of
gather to wait for him. their leprofy ; and then, all but one,
went

Chap. xvii. Luke paraphrafed. 181
them; when he faw work Chrift had wrought upon himfelf, #s well as the
that he was heal- refl. 0f Jjjg companions, was fo affefted with it, that
and ^th^loud 1,e went bac^ aSa"1 to hinl> with an heart full of gra-
voice glorified God. titude and joy, being as earneft to proclaim the prai
fes of God with a loud voice for his cure, as he had
been before to beg for it~
1 6 And fell down I0- And, proftrating himfelf with profound hu-
on his face at his miljty and reverence at Jefus' feet, he particularly
thanks : ind he. returned folemn thanks to him, who was the imme- ,
was a Samaritan, diate author of this great deliverance : And it is re
markable, that the grateful creature, who thus ho
noured him, by- doing the duty which the reft ne
glefted, was a Samaritan, who, as fuch,' line w and
profeffed lefs than the Jews, nine of which were
healed with him. ¦ ,
17 And Jefus 17, 18 But (id) Jefus, knowing what he had done
WeT'there ^not ™ CU"ng them aU' faid VM{dY> hY way °.f rePr°°f
ten cleanfed ' but *° the^ew.r, and approbation of this Samaritan, Was
where are the not the fame mercy fhewn to ten lepers, in their be-
n'ne ¦ ing all healed at once ? what is become then of the
t'f n )? arC °^ner nine, who are mine own countrymen, and pro-
turned to give glo- ^* tbe God °^ Ifrael, and from whom it -might moft
ry to God, fave of all have been expefted, that |hey fhould render
this ftranger. thanks according to the benefit beftowed upon them I
How is it that none, but this ftranger to the com
mon-wealth of Ifrael, As come back to glorify God
for his mercy to him ? iWhat a- better fenfe of grati-
- - - tude and religion does he difcover than they ? and-
what a reproach- is this to them \
10 And he faid 19 Then turning himfelf to the Samaritan, he -en-
unto him, Arife, COurage(l and comforted him, faying, Get up from
l°ith haThy ntlde* y°ur proftration, at my feet, go in peace;. I have
thee whole. - obferved , your faith, expreffed in your prayer and
praifes, which hath been uncommon, and hath ob
tained a cure , for you, with rich advantage, not to
your, body only, but likewife to your foul *.
20 And, when , 20 Our bleffed Lord and his difciples having of-
of the Pharifees, ten' declared m their preaching, that the kingdom of
when the kingdom heaven was at band, feme of the Pharifees afked
of God fliould come, him, when it.fhould be fet up in the world ? In an-
, he anfwered them, ,Xwer to which he faid, Your notions of the Meffiah's
domaodf'Godk'co- k^gdom are- very wrong, while ye imagine that, like
meth not with ob- earthly kingdoms, ft will make a pompous appear-
fervation. < ance in external riches and grandeur, and will rife
and fpread, by temporal power, >to draw the eyes of
the
NOTES.
went about their bufinefs, without taking ed, but this man's faith had fomething
,any further notice of the benefit they had Angular in It ; and Chrift's anfwer feem-r
received. to extend io 'the falvation of the feu I
* All thefe lepers had 'faith to be heal- Thv faith bath faved thee, twou c-
Vol. IL Bb

lit The Evangelift Chap. xvii.
-the people, and force their fubjeftion to its fceptre ;
' thefe things are not fuitable to its nature.
21 Neither, foall 21 Nor fhall any be able to fay, Behold in this
they fay, Lo here ; or tfo otfor particular place is the Meffiah's throne
vii. ij t.Z*e-l- °r and court, or- this or, that is the city or nation where
Denoldr the king- . -vT 1 r , 1 • , i-ix
donl of God is ne reigns. No, the gofpel-kingdom, which 1 am
within you. come to ereft, is laltogethfir fpiritual in its nature,
power, and defigns, fuited to the benefit of fouls for
another world ^ it works inwardly in men's, hearts
and confciences, and makes wonderful revolutions
there, turning them from darknefs to light, and from
the power of Satan to God : Behold, therefore, it it
already begun in the preaching of the gofpel, and in
the converfion of fome among yourfelves, though ye
perceive it not ; it is (svto? vprn) in the hearts pf
> thofe among you that believe, though invifible to 0-
thers. : ,
22 And- he faid 22 He likewife, direfting his difcourfe to his dif-
unto the difciples, ciples,- faid, Do not ye entertain any fond notions of
The days will come the temporal glory of my kingdom : For fuch tribu-
when ye fliall de- , . r.„ , °c , J } ,& • , 1 1 * .-
fire to fee one of rations will beta! you, together with the whole nation
th_- days of the Son of the Jews, and fuch fevere restraints will be laid
of man, andyefoall upon you, before ye have fulfilled your miniftry, that,
not fee it. jn thofe times of fore diftrefs, ye would be glad of one
fuch day of my perfonal prefence with you on earth, as
ye now enjoy ; but, alas 1 ye will wifh for it in vain.
22 And they lhall 23 And, in the midft of the difappointments and
fay to you, See troubles that will furround you, fome will pretend to
here; or fee there: jj hat ^ M€ffiah js in ^ Qr tfo Qtfor ;.
go not after them, ' , , . , . - , ,f
nor foiloiy them. vate place> or ln this pr that city, ready to deliver
his follo'wers, and to put an , end to all the troubles
of thofe days : However, do not let your fondnefs
for his perfonal prefence incline you to give any heed
to them, but look upon all fuch reports as falfe and
foolifh. , ,
24 For as the 24 For, as the lightning does ndt fhine merely in
Jightimng, that this or that particular part of the heavens, but darts
&%?»»*« a* once through all the air: So the Meffiah will not
heaven, foinethun- appear in this or that particular, place only, when he
to the other pait comes to deftroy the Jews, and advance hia kingdom
under heaven: lo in the world ; but vengeance, by his providence,
fhall alfo the Son ftaljl fuddenly fpii«i thwugh aU -W«f, to cut off his
of man be in his , . . ' .* , ,,° r , , , . ,
,)„„ obftinate enemies ; . and the gofpel, by the mighty
power of his Spirit, fhall fly like lightning through
the nations, and prevail with wonderful fuccefs among
the Gentiles, far and wide.
25 But firft muft 25 But before all thefe things come to pafs, the
he fuffer many eternal purpofe of God, the ancient prophecies, the
'octal' of thif e- riShts of divine juftice> ^e wickednefs of the Jews,
aeration. ^e Perfeftion of the gofpel-ftate, and the everlafting
falvation of the church make it neceffary, that I, the
Meffiah,

Ghap. xvii'. Luke poraphrafed. 183
Meffiah, fhould undergo many grievous fufferings of
pain and fhame, even to the worft of deaths, by the
unbelieving, fpiteful, and wicked Jews of this age :
After this, my gofpel will diffufe its light through the
earth, and my vengeance will fall upon thofe mine e-
nemies all at once, and before they are aware, juft as
it was in the deftruftion of the old world, and of So
dom.
26 And as it i 26, 27 For as, in Noah's days, the people went
•was m the days of on fecure and merry, 'and bufy, following the affairs
Noe, fo foall it be , ,. J. n-f j . n.- •
alfo in the days of an" diverlions or fife, and contracting marriages, in
the Son of man. expectation of continued fafety and pleafure ; yea,
27 They did eat,- they mocked at that holy man's warnings, rather than,
they drank, they gave any heed to them, and fo they continued to do,
they ' were given l'^ on a Sudden the deluge came, and fwept them all
in marriage, un- away.
til fhe day that 28, 29, 30 And juft as,, in Lot's age, the people of
Noe entered into g0^om. lived in fenfuality and fecurity, gave therm-
the ark ; and the f j fa lufts f h flcfh ^ hfi ord;
flood came and de- r r rt- -i , r n. ¦ n 1 r -r "i
ftroyed them all. courle or trafhc, provided for pofterity, and delpilea
28 Likewife al- the admonitions of that righteous man, as if they
fo, as it was in the were in no manner of danger ; and fo they lived at a
!?-a/s . .1 j ty carnal and riotous rate, till the very day on which he
dideat,thcydrank, .-, . 1 ,-. ? , ' , i .-, .
they bought, they 'ert tnat city, and God poured utter aeitruftion upon
fold, they planted, them and confumed them all, by a dreadful tempeft
they builded : 0f extraordinary lightning from heaven. Even fo the
29 But the fame unbeIjev;n„ yews w;u perfift obitinately in the pur-
day that Lot went r . r,°Jr -, , r • 1 ¦ • 1 j r
out of Sodom it *ult °* bufinefs ^nd pleafure, in their wicked courles,
rained fire and alid in expeftation of a temporal Saviour ; will defpife
brimftone from all the warnings which I and my apoftles fhall give
fT^n' hand if 6" them : And Wl11 contmue fo to do> tiU the veiT time
"?o Even ^hus t^iat mY righteous fervants fhall be hid with fafety,
lhall it be in the and my vengeance fhall come with fudden furprife up-
day when the Son on mine enemies, by the hands of the Romans, to
of man is revealed. their utter deftruftion *.
. 31 In that day, ji, 32 When an army therefore fhall come to be-
ueoWthehoufeUtobe fiege Je!rufale'n> whoever would be fafe, let him fly
and'hisftuff in the w^ ^uc^ fyee&> as> ^ ne be on the top of his houfe,
houfe, let him not not to go into it ; (fee the note on Matth. xxiv. 17.)
come down to take and if he be abroad in the fields, not to go home, to
it away : and he tafo care 0f even jn-3 moft valuable treafure there :
let3 him likewife' ^-n^ ^or Y0UT caution againft hankering after world-
not return back, ty poffeffions, when God ffiall call you to fly for your
32 Remember lives from among the people of his wrath, remem-
Lot's wife. for Jlow Lot's wife was dellroyed, and turned into a
B b 2 pillar
(NOTE.
* This is very applicable to other fin- againft all counfel and reproof, and againft
ners in all ages, and particularly at the all warnings of death and judgment, till,
end of life and time : They go on carelefs to their great.confternation, Chrift will
and fecureiti ^he worldly and fenfual tern- fummon them, before they are aware, to
per of their hearts, hardening themfelves appear at h,is awful tribunal.

1 84 The Evangelift - Chap. xviL
pillar of fait, as a monument of divine vengeance, on
ly for lingering and looking back with a wifhful eye
upon her temporal concerns in Sodom, which God
had- marked out for deftruftion.
¦ 33 Whofoever r:3 3 .'In like manner,- whoever, in the terrible days
V? \-t%'u '*&' X am fpeaking of, fhall think to fecure his own"life,
his life, foall Iole , r 1 ,t • i- • it-, .. ¦
it t and whofoever "Y -atiY worldly poficy in difobedience to my com-
fhall lofe his life, mands, by giving up his profeffion, of my name, or
fliall preferve it. ; by hearkening to the Jews, and finfully complying
¦ ' ' with them, he fhall certainly fall by the righteous
•judgment of God in the common calamity with them:
1 . But he who, notwithftanding all vifible danger, ffiall
1 ftedfaftly adhere to me, and regard the notices I have
, ' 'given, fhall be in a fair way of efcapirig the miferies
• - of that dreadful defolation, 'and fhall certainly ohtaii)
everlafting life.
34 , 1 tell you, In 34,35,36 Ye may- depend upon thefe things: For
-that night -there i^ho am the Amen, the faithful and true Witnefs,
iii one bed • the an"ure you, that in the darjteft of thefe tribulations,
one foall, be ta- diftinguifhing afts pf providence and grace fhall, ap-
Isen, and the other pear to fbme, beyond Others, who may be equal as
foall be left. to their vifible danger and circumftances in life; Ijke
n. -\t u W° ™°^,en, two men in the fame bed, or in the fame field, or
foall be grinding ... . ,-. ' 1 -, r •«
together ; the one "ke two women grinding together at the lame mill ;
fhall be taken, and God will then' feparate the precious from the vile; one
the- other left., t fhall be taken into his peculiar care and proteftion,
n. i3,6 uTw-° mdn and the other fhall be left to perifh in the common
fhall be 111 the  r
field; the one foall ruin for his iniquities. _ . -
-betaken, and the 37 Upon hearing thefe , things, the difciples put
other left. - the following queftion to him, faying, Lord, where
37 And they an- js ;t j^at au, this deftruftion on one hand, and fafety
unto, him * Where on t^1£ 'othery ffiall be found? And, - referring to the
Lord? And he faid Roman enfigns, which had an eagle for their arms,
unto them, Where- he replied; Wherever the unbelieving Jews ffiall be,
foever the body is, tfo Roman foldiers will purfue them to their deftruc-
/ iE' V^iw,„jta~ tion, while 'others fliall efcape. And according; to
gles be gathered to- ' „ f * .,¦-., . P. ,
gether. , - ¦- ' a proverbial expreluon, As thole quick-fighted birds
, ¦ ¦¦ • gather about a dead carcafe to devour it,"fo the judg
ments of God will' find out obftinate finners, wher
ever they are ; and, as eargles fly-fwiftly to their prey,
fo wherever Chrift, the. Saviour, is to be found, thi
ther will true- believers flock, with eager defire for
their fafety and refrefhment," till at length they fhall
all be gathered up to him in glory.
/ ¦<-< ¦¦ ¦
RECOLLECTIONS.
What on imperfecTr, wretched world is this ! How full of fins and forrows, defo-
"'atioiis' and deaths, of infidelity and lieentioufnefs, of earthly affections and ingrati
tude, and of ftupidity and contempt of Chrift's word and warnings; and how ex
pofed to fudden furprifes by -the righteous judgments of God ! How many offenfive
and injurious things are found among' the profeflbrs of Chrift's name, to the griev
ing and (tumbling of fome, and fo the everlafting ruin of others I And what heavy wors

Chap, xviii. Luke paraphraftd. 185
jroes muft fall on. their heads, whofe corruptprinciples and practices are the occa
fions of thqfe mifchiefs !, How weak is the faith of God's own people ; and how
hard do they find it tp cofoe up to felf-denying duties 1 How prone are they to of
fend God and one another ! How backward is the offender to repent, and the of
fended brother to forgive ! And how often are Chrift's difciples mourning the want
of. his prefence, whiah fometimes they.have. enjoyed, and fain would be favoured
with again! 0 may the mifcarriages of others, and the rebukes and miferies
thereby brought upon, them, be a caution, to us, that we be neither ungrateful to
God and our Saviour, like the nine lepers, who were cleanfed ; nor hanker after
this world, like Lot's wife ; nor defpife divine Warnings, fo as to go on in fin, till
death and judgment furprife us, like the old world, and the inhabitants of Sodom,
and like the Jewifh nation I, What need have we, under a fenfe of our own vilenefs,
tp cry out with the lepers, lord, have mercy upon us.; and, with a dependence on
his power and grace, to go on in the way of his appointment for healing! And, under
a'fenfe'of airdifcouragerhents, how foould we fay* Lord, increafe our faith ! And
after the utmoft that- we can attain to, in a way of duty,- what low thoughts fliould
we have of ourfelves as-unprofitable fervants who defervenothing at God's hand 1
And what honourable thoughts fliould' we ever have of Jefus, as a divine perfon,
and the true Meffiah, who is the author and finiflier of our faith, and can heal and
fave wherever we are, as if he were vifibly prefent with us ; and whefe predic
tions have been punctually fulfilled, with regard to the deftrucTrion of the infidel
Jews, aad the threading, like lightning, among the Gentiles, that kingdom which
is pf a fpiritual nature, ..and does not come with obfervation, but lies within men's
own hearts,; And whatfoever we may fuffer from men for Chrift's fake, all our fafe
ty and happinefs lies in a faithful adherence to him, who is tenderly affected to-
ward'the weakeft believers, -refents the injuries and griefs that are brought upon
them, and will diftinguifh his own, and gather them at length to himfelf in
heaven. , i

CHAP. XVIII.

The parable of the importunate widow, i, — 8. Of the Pharifee and
publican, o, — 14. Chrift's kind and gracious regard to infants,
'15, — 17. The rich ruler's coming to him, and Chrift's difcourfe
1 on that occafion with his difciples, 18, — 30. His prediBion oj 'his
own fufferings, death, and refurreBion, 31, — 34. And reftoring
a blind man to fight, 35, — 43.
1 Er-.T. Paraphrase
^rabfe^unto AS P1*?*-.'-'9 the duty °f all> and beliw«S are a
them, to this end, generation that feek God's face, our Lord in-
that men ought aL. timated, that they ought daily to go on with perfe-
ways to pray, and verance in that duty, and not give way to defpond-
not to faint; ency, becaufe of any prefent troubles, or becaufe
their prayers are not immediately anfwered : And,
tp ftir up a holy fervour and cpnftancy therein, he
reprefented the happy fuccefs of importunity in the
following fimilitude :
2 Saying, There 2 There was, faid he, an unrighteous, wicked
j^dge!nwhichfear! magiftrate in a certain city> who had no confeience
ed not God, nei- or honour, no religion toward God, nor concern
ther regarded man: for his own reputation among men, no regard to
right or wrong, but only to his own paffions ; and
therefore little juftice-or mercy could be expefted
from him. 3 And

i86
3 And there was
a widow in that
city, and fhe came
unto him, faying,
Avenge me of mine
adverfary.

4 And he would
not foi a while :
but afterward he
faid within him
felf, Though I fear
mot God, nor re
gard man ;

5 Yet becaufe
this widow trou-
bleth me,* I will a-
venge her, left by
her continual co
ming foe weary
me. 6 And the Lord
faid, Hear what
the unjuft judge
faith.

7 And fhall not
God avenge his
own eledt, which
cry day and night
unto him, though
he bear long with
shem ?

The Evangelift

Chap, xviii.

' 8 I tell you that
he will avenge
ihem fpeedily. Ne
verthelefs, ' when
the Son of man
•cometh, fliall he
find faith on the
earth ?

3 And in the fame city, which was Under the ju-
rifdiftfon of this magiftrate, there was a certain poor
widow, who being oppreffed by a powerful enemy,
and having no other way of relief, was forced to ap
ply to him, begging that he would plead her caufe,
and do hjer juftice, as, by his office, he was able and
obliged to do.
4 And, for a while, he took no notice of her pe
tition, hardened his heart agairtft her miferies, turned
axfeaf ear to her earneft cries, and would do nothing
to redrefs her grievance : But ffie continuing time
after time, to follow him with importunate entrea
ties ; and taking no denial,- he at length thought
with himfelf, Though I have no regard to confei
ence or hpnefty, to the fear or favour of God, or to
the reproaches or applaufes of men,
5 Yet, for mine own eafe and quiet's fake, I will
do her juftice, ^hd deliver her out of the hands of
her cruel adverfary ; left I fhould be perpetually teiz-
ed, and have no reft at home or abroad, by reafon of
her repeated preffing importunity ; and fo, to get rid
of her, he granted her requeft.
6 Obferve, faid qur Lord, how even this hard
hearted, unrighteous, and unmerciful creature owns
himfelf to be perfectly overcome by the earneft and
continued entreaties of this poor woman, and how
he refolved to efpoufe her caufe againft her oppreffor,
though. he had no value for her, or concern for her
miferies. '
7 How much more then will the holy and graci
ous God, who has ftiled himfelf a God hearing pray
er, and delights in mercy, attend to the cries of them
that call upon him, and arife for the fuccour and fal
vation of his own chofen people, whom he loves, and
whofe concerns lie near his heart ? Can ye think
that he will not do this, when they are in any tem
poral or fpiritual trouble, and when, according to his
own appointment, and their duty, they wreftle with
him in their continual prayers, though for wife ends
he may exercife forbearance toward their enemies,
and may try his people's patience, by deferring his
-^indication of their righteous caufe to the fitteft fea-
4b n? 8 I affure you, that ere long he will hear and de
liver them : His compaffionate nature and will, his
affeftion and promifes to them, and peculiar propriety
in them, his juft vengeance againft their enemies, and
righteous regard to their high-prieft and advocate, the
glory of his own name, and the intereft he himfelf has
in their caufe as his own, and his delight in their ber
lieving and fervent prayers, will ceitainly engage liim to

Ghap. xviii. hmisparaphraftd. 187
to hear and anfwer them in due feafon. But,
notwithftanding all t^is, whenever the time ffiall be
at hand, in which Chrift will remarkably appear a-
gainft their perfecuting enemies in this age among
the Jews, or in any after-ages among the Gentiles,
, and in which he fhall come to execute judgment upon
all the wicked and ungodly, and to fave his elect at
the laft day, how few true believers and faithful men
will, then be found on the earth ? how few that have
any faith in him, and particularly concerning his com
ing ? and among fincere Chriftians themfelves, how
few will be found in a lively exercife of faith, pray
ing with holy importunity and continuance for it ?
9 .And he fpake 9 Our Saviour having encouraged and enforced the
this parable unto duty of importunity and perfeverance in prayer, pro-
certaih which truft. Geeje(Jj jn another fuppofed inftance, to caution a-
that thev were gam^ a felf-righteous pharifaical fpirit, which muft
righteous, and de- be renounced, and to recommend humility and felf-
fpifed others : abatement, which muft have a place in the heart, if
ever we find acceptance of our perfons and prayers :
And he direfted this difcourfe to a fet of people,
who, like the Pharifees, had high confidence in their
own merit, and made this their great plea with God
for acceptance, and who looked with contempt and
djfdain upon others, as not worthy to be regarded of
God, or compared with themfelves.
io Two men ip To illuftrate this defign he faid, Two men of
went up into the very different charafters went up *, at the fame time,
temple to pray; tne t prefent tlle;y prayers to God in the temple, one of
one a Pharifee, and . r '. '... ., , „, ,, r , „
the-other « publi- them was a proud, felt-conceited chan/ee, who truft-
can. ed in his own righteoufnefs to recommend him to di
vine acceptance ; and the other was a poor, humble,
penitent, felf-condemned publican, who had an af-
-fefting fenfe pf his own guilt and vilenefs, and of his
abfolute need pf pardoning mercy.
.11 The Phari- 1 1 The Phflrifee flood by himfelf, with great for-
fee ftood and pray- nudity, in a place where he might be taken moft
ed thus w,th him- noticeof and made 'his addrefs after this lofty and
lerit, God, 1 thank r ¦ T i i i /-> '/-. i i
thee that I am not cemonous manner, 1 thank, thee, O God, thou au-
as other men are, thor of my being, for the noble powers with which
extortioners, un- thou haft endowed me,' by my own wife and careful
juft, adulterers or improvement of which, I have kept myfelf from be-
even us tins publi- •p,iii-i«* / \i ,>
can> ing fo wicked and irreligious, as (m Aojn-oi) the relt
of the World. I am no cruel oppreffor, no knave or
cheat, no adulterous -or unclean perfon ; nor am I
guilty of any of the vices which, in particular, yonder poor
NOTE.
* The temple ftood upon mount Mo- the appointed place; but likewife the me.
riah; and it was ufual for the people of dium of acceptable worfoip, as it was a
God to go up thither, and offer up their type of Chrift.
prayers there, becaufe it was not only

i88

The Evangelift

Chap, xviii.

-poor defpicable wretch, the publican, has doubtlefs
committed ; none of all this iniquity is found with

ii_I faft twice 12 But I am a perfon of more than ordinary piety
in the week, I give and holinefs ; I keep a folemn faft two days in every
*-.t-U,.„ nf nil +li<it- T iti'i -1 r ii 11
week ; and 1 devote the tenth part of all my world
ly poffeffions to religious ufes, whether they be tith-
able by the law or not. \ i
1 3 On the other hand, the poor publican, like a
truly humble and contrite penitent, flood at a great

tithes of all that I
poffefs.

1 3 And the pub
lican, ftanding a-

lift up fo much as
his eyes unto hea
ven, but fmote up
on his breaft, fay
ing, God be mer
ciful to me a (in-

far off, would not ,j;(i-ance from the holy of holies, as unworthy to draw
I • Ft- itr\ fn mnrh 1c 1 1- • 1 *-» -in 1 1 f
nearer, and as deferving, that GocLfhould for ever
behold him afar off ; yea, fo deep was the fenfe he
had of his own vilenefs, that he feared it would be
prefumptuous for him to lift- up fo much as his eyes
to the habitation of God's glory in heaven ; but,
looking downward with dejection, he beat his breaft,
as if he would take revenge upon his own wicked
heart, and cried oJt with great earneftnefs, O thou
God of all grace, mercy, and not merit, is my plea,
I moft humbly befeech thee to be propitious to me,
(iXas-Syiri f&ot) a poor perifhing finner, as thou fhe weft
thyfelf to be unto fuch, by the atoning facrifices of
fered at this place, and by the mercy-feat here.
14 I tell you, 14 Then our Lord added, I affure you, that, what-
down to his houfe foever °P"u"oh thefe two men feverally had of them-
juftified rather felves, or others might have concerning them, the
"than the other : humble, felf-abafing, penitent, and believing publican
for every one that returned.hpme difcharged from guilt and condemna-
' abafed"" t;°n' and accepted of God, and not* the proud felf-
j uftifying Pharifee : For whofoever is righteous in
his own eyes, or conceited of his own .goodnefs to
the contempt of others, and expefts that God fhould
accept him on account of any merit in himfelf, fhall
be righteoufly brought low, to his utter confufion and
ruin ; but every one who is felf-diffident, mean,
worthlefs, and vile in his own eyes, depending en
tirely on the mercy of God for pardon and accept
ance, as he has' difcovered himfelf to be propitious to
finners through an atonement, fhall be gracioufiy ad
vanced to endlefs glory.
1 5 After this, fome of the believing Jews, who
were concerned for their childrens happinefs as well
he would touch as their own, brought (rx /3ge<p») babes in their arms,
them : but when and prefented them to Chrift, defiring that he would
*" lay his hands upon them, as a fignal of his owning them,
N O T 'E.
* Rather than, feems from what fol- the particle (») is put fpr (mawion n) in
lows to be put for not ; as rather is ufed this evangelift, chap. xv. 7. and in 1 Cor.
in the pofitive, inftead of the compara- xiv. 19.
tive fenfe, Eph. iv. zS. and v. 4, 11. and

foall be
and he that hum-
bleth himfelf fliall
be exalted.

15 And they
brought unto him
alfo infants, that

Chap, xviii*

Luke paraphrafed.

189

his difciples faw it,
they rebuked them.

them, and conveying the bleffings ef his kingdom to
them, (fee the note on Mark x. 13.) according to a
famous prophecy of the Meffiah's days, that God
would pour his Spirit upon their feed, and his ble/'s-
ing upon their offspring. (Ifa. xliv. 3.) But when
his difciples obferved their attempt, they fhewed a
difpleafure at it, and went about to prevent them,
left it fhould lead the way to a praftice, that might
be too fatiguing to their Lord, and prevent what
they took to be more, important work.
16 But Jefus, to fhew his favour to the infants,
and encourage thofe that brought them, faid to the
difciples, By all means let the . little children come
unto me, that I may blefs them ; and do not do any
thing to hinder or difcourage it :. For the gofpel-dil-
penfation is not defigned to exclude them from God's
covenant ; but fuch as thefe, as well as adult perfons, "
are to be deemed fubjefts of the Meffiah's kingdom.
(See the note on Matth. xix. 14.)
1 7 Hereupon, to rebuke his difciples for their rafh
and haughty zeal, and to improve this occurrence to
fpiritual advantage, he added, I folemnly affure you,
that no man, who does not receive the things of the
gbfpel,, with a teachablenefs and meeknefs, humility
and fimplicity of fpirit, and 'with a childlike fubjee-
tion to mine authority, fhall ever enjoy its bleffings
of grace here, and of glory hereafter.
18 As Chrift was going from this place, there
met him a certain young man, (Matth. xix. 20.) a
perfon of diftinction, and authority among the Jews,
who, falling upon his knees, (Mark x. 17.) faluted
him under the title of Good Mafter * ; and, with
thefe tokens of fivperior revereucej afked, by what
works of righteoufnefs he might obtain everlafting
life ?
19 Jefus replied, by way of reproof, What means
this high fwelling title to one whom you take to be
no moi-p than a man ? It is God only,, who is ftrift-
ly and properly fpeaking good, there being none ori
ginally, abfolutely, and perfeftly good befides him ;
and therefore,, unlefs you believe me to be God, yon
go too far in applying this epithet, with fo much re
verence, arid in fuch an abfolute, unreferved manner
to me.
20 Then our Lord, without taking any notice
whether he himfelf were God or not, proceeded to
the queftion, faying, If you would get eternal life by
NOTE.-
* This the ambitious rabbies of that age affecTred to be honoured with; In.',
as fome fuppofe, it was an higher title than ufed to be given, even to the n;<."i.
celebrated among them.
Vol. II. Cc

i6J3utJefoscall-
ed them unto him,
and faid, Suffer lit
tle children to come
unto me, and for
bid them not : for
of fuch is the king
dom of Gbd.

1 1 Verily, I fay
unto you, Whofo
ever foall not re
ceive the kingdom
of God as a little
child, fliall in no
wife enter therein.

iS And a cer
tain ruler afked
him, faying, Good
Blafter, what fhall
I do to inherit ex
ternal life ?

Jefus him,
thou

19 And
faid unto
Why called
me good ? none is
good lave one, that
is, God.

20 Thou know-
eft the command
ments Do not
commit

hgd

The Evangelift

Chap.

XVIII.

commit adultery, by your own performances, you know what God in
Do not kill, Do tjje jaw fos commanded them to do, who would live

mot fteal. Do not
bear falfe witnefs,
Honour thy father
and thy mother.

by it : As for inftance, thou fhalt not commit adul
tery, nor be guilty of any kind of uncleannefs ; thou
fhalt not injure any one's life, or reputation ; thou
fhalt not rob, or cheat him of his property ; thou
fhalt not tell untruths, or give into falfe reports or ac-
cufations againft any one whatfoever ; thou fhalt pay
all due reverence and honoUr to thy parents and fu-
periors*, and ttye like, i
n And he faid, 2 1 The young man, having been of a fober and re-
All thefe have I gular behaviour, but ignorant of the exceeding ftrift-
Kept from my youth nefe an(j fpirituality of God's law, as extending to
l-x the heart as well as life, faid, I have always punctu
ally fulfilled every one of thefe commands from my
childhood to this very day ; furely then I muft be
fafe for heaven, there is no flaw in my title to it.
22 Now, when 22 Now when Jefus fceard this anfwer, he, to con-
Jefus heard thefe -vjnce him that he was far from being perfeft, repli-
thm-gs, he feid un- d y neVei-thelefs deficient in one thing, viz.
to him, Yet lack- ' , * , , ... ,?' ,
eft thou one thing ¦ hearty love to God and your neighbour, which the
fell all that thou law requires, as the main principle of all obedience :
haft, and diftribute And, for your trial in this; I infift upon your going
tho'u thfhaPlt°r'have and felling all your eftate, and giving the money a-
treafore in heaven : waY ^or the relief' of poor diftreffed objefts ; and
and come, follow if you cheerfully fubhiit only to this one proof of your
me- love, I tell you, for your encouragement, that, inftead
' of earthly treafure, you fhall have an heavenly one rr
And when you have done this, come again, and give
up yourfelf to me, as my difciple and fervant, ' and I
will further inftruft you in the fure way to everlaft
ing life. (See the note on Matth. xix. 17.)
23 At this he was forely difappointed ; and as he
was really deftitute of a governing principle of love
to God, and to them who needed help, he went a-
way from the only Saviour, much troubled in him
felf to think that he muft lofe a treafure in heaven,
becaufe he could not confent to part with all his
temporal enjoyments, in profpeft of it : For he had
great poffeffions, which he refolved not to quit,
whatfoever might be the confequence.
24 Our Lord Jefus obferving what a fnare this rich
man's eftate was to him, took that occafion to caution
his difciples (Mark x. 23.) againft an inordinate love
of this world, faying,. How hard a matter is it for
fuch as are in affluent circumftances, and are fond of
them, to fubmit to the felf-dcnial that is neceffary to
my
NOTE.
*' G]jrift inftanced only in thefe duties of the fecond table, that he mi°ht con-
rcc the ruler of his defect even iri them, and fo'uforfrt flitw him that he was far
ar having duly kept the whole law.

23 And when
he heard this he
was very forrov.
ful : for he was ve
ry rich.

24 And when
J.efus faw that he
w.-u v<-ry forrowful,
lie laid, How hard
ly foail they that
tiTive riches enter
info the kingdom
of God !

Chap, xviii.

25 For it is ea
fier for a camel to
go through a nee
dles eye, than for
a rich man to enter
into the kingdom
of God.

25 And they that
heard it faid, Who
then can be faved ?

27 And he faid,
The. things which
are impoffible with
men, - are poffible
with- God.

2S Then Peter
faid, Lo, we have
left all, and follow
ed thee.

29 And he faid
unto them. Verily,
I fay unto you,
There is no man
that hath left houfe,
or parents, or bre
thren, or wife, or
chil-

Luke paraphrafed* 191
-my difciples, when their temporal enjoyments ftand
in competition with the bleffings of grace and glory \
25 For fuch is the deceitfulnefs of riches, and
fuch the natural addift ednefs of mens hearts to them,
and fo many are the temptations and incumbrances
which attend them, that hardly, any thing can be
imagined fo difficult, no, not for a camel to pafs
through the eye of a needle, as for a man of a great
eftate, whofe heart is fet upon it, to be willing to re-
fign it for the bleffings of my kingdom, or to be fo
weaned in his affections ( from it, as is neceffary for
one of my difciples to be, in profpeft of an eternal in
heritance. (See the note o,n Matth. xix. 24.)
26 When the difciples heard him fpeak after this
manner, they were greatly amazed to think, what a
fad condition the affection of moft mens hearts to this
world has brought them into, and what a difappoint-
ment they themfelves muft meet with, who expefted
that in the Meffiah's kingdom they fhould -abound in
riches ; and thereupon they cried out, If this be fuch
a bar to good hopes of eternal life, who among man
kind can evgr be faved ? And what fuccefs can we
expeft in the miniftry to which thou haft called us?
27 Our Lord replied, It is indeed impoffible for
any man, by his own ftrength, or by any natural
principles within himfelf, to get the maftery over his;
worldly affections, and to become fo dead to the al
lurements of this prefent finful life, as to prefer fu
ture and invifible things to them, and be willing to
part with them, whenever I call him to refign them:
But all this may eafily be done by the power of God's
almighty grace, which, accompanying my gofpel,
works effeftually in them that believe.
28 Then Peter, reflefting upon what he and the
reft of the difciples had done, when Chrift firft called
them, faid, with a mixture of humility and pride,
Behold, Lord, how readily we, thy difciples, have, by
the power of this grace, at thy command, and for
thy fake, given up our trade, friends, and relations,
together with the beft accommodations and advanta
ges of life, which we enjoyed ! and as thou telleft us,
that, abundance of wealth and temporal poffeffions is
fo far from going into the bleffings of thy kingdom,
as to be a hindrance to perfons enjoying- them ; what
may we expect from thee in this world and the next ?
29, 30 To this our Lord replied, I folemnly af
fure you, that no one fhall be a lofer by me : Whe
ther a man have more or lefs of the good things pf
this world, if he lofes his temporal poffeffions, or his
neareft and deareft friends and relations, and is will
ing to forfake and give them all up, rather than ,a-
C c 2 bandon

I92

The Evangelift

Chap, 'xvjii.

children, for the
kingdom of God's
fake, 30 Who, foall
not receive mani
fold more in this
prefent time, and
in the world to
come life everlaft
ing. 31 Then he took
unto him the
twelve, and faid
unto them, ' Be
hold, we go up to
Jerufalem, and all
things that are
written by the pro-
.phets concerning
the Son of man,
foall be .accom
pli fhed.

32 For he fliall
be delivered unto
the Gentiles, and
foall be mocked,
and. fpitefully en
treated, and fpit-
ted: on :-

33 And they
foall fcourge him,
and put him to
death : and the
third day he foall
rife again.

34 And they un
derftood none of
thefe things : and
this faying was
hid from them,
neither knew they
the, things which
were fpoken.

bandon me and my caufe, and his h&pes of the blefs-
ings of my kingdom ; he ffiall, even in this prefent
life, have more valuable friends, whofe hearts will be
inclined to pity, favour, and affift him ; and fhall have
infinitely better fupports and joys, and more content
ment of fpirit in his circumftances, than he ever had
before ; and in the other world he fhall poffefs the ut
moft glory and bleffednefs without interruption or end.
3 1 Chrifi, being now on the journey that would
iffue in his death, took the twelve apoftles afide from
the company, and told them what would very foon
befal him, that they might not be furprifed and dif-
couraged when they fhould fee it come to pafs : Ob;
ferve, fays he, what I am about to tell you, we are
now going up to Jerufalem, and this is the time in
which all thofe thirigs fhall be fulfilled in me, that
have been foretold by the ancient prophets concerning
my fufferings, and the glory that is to follow them ;
the word of God muft be herein fulfilled, which will
be a clear and certain proof that I am indeed the true
Meffiah. 32 Fdr as it was prophefied, that kings and ru
lers fhould take counfel together againft him, (Pfal.
ii. 2.) that he fhould be a reproach of men, defpi-
fed of the people, and laughed to fcorn, (Pfal.
xxii. 6, 7.) and that he would not hide his face from
fhame and fpitting. (Ifa. 1. 6.) So I fhall be delivered
into the hands of the Romans, fhall be fummoned be
fore their tribunal, and be derided, infulted, and a-
bufed by their foldiers, and they will fpit upon me
with contempt and difdain.
33 And as it was foretold that the Meffiah fhould
give his back to the fmiters, and his cheeks to them
that pluck off the hair ; (Ifa. 1. 6.) that he ffiould be
cut off, but not for himfelf; (Dan. ix. 26.) and that
God his Father would not leave his foul in a feparate
ftate, nor fuffer his holy One to fee corruption.
(Pfal. xvi. 10.) So mine enemies will lay me under
the lafh, as if I were a contemptible wretch, and put
me tp the moft cruel and ignominious death, even
that of the crofs ; (fee the note on Matth. xxvii. 26.)
and on the third day I fhall break through the bands
of death, by rifing again.
34 He fpoke thefe things in the plaineft manner
poffible ; and yet the difciples heads were fo filled
with notions of the temporal grandeur of his kingdom;
that they could not tell how to underftand his re
proaches, fufferings, and death, in a literal fenfe,
nor what to make of his rifing from the dead ; but
thought fome other unknown conftruftion muft be
put upon all thefe words. 35 As

Chap, xviii.
35 And it came
to pafs, that, as he
was come nigh un
to Jericho, a cer
tain blind man fat
by the way-fide
begging :
36 And hearing
the multitude pafs
by, he afked what
it meant.

37 And theytold
him that Jefus of
Nazareth paffeth
by. 38 And he cried,
faying, Jefus, thou
fon of David, have
mercy on me.

39 And they
which went before
rebuked him, that
he foould hold his
peace : but he cri
ed fo much the
more, Thou fon of
David, have mercy
on me. 40 And Jefus
flood, and com
manded him to be
brought unto him :
and when he was
come near he afk
ed him,
41 Saying, What
wilt thou that I
foall do unto thee ?
And he faid, Lord,
that I may receive
my fight.
42 And Jefus
faid untohim, Re-

Luke paraphraftd. 193
35 As Jefus was paffing along, Providence fo or
dered it, that, when he was near Jericho, he met
with a noted blind beggar *, who being poor, and
unable to get his livelihood, fat by the fide of the
road, as beggars ufe to do in public places, to afk
the charity of the people :
36 And when he heard the noife of the great
company that went alo'ng^ with our Lord, his curi
ofity, or his hopes of fome advantage, put him upon
inquiring what might be the occafion of fuch a great
con courfe.
37 And fome of the company informed him that
Jefus of Nazareth was there, and that all this mul
titude was going along with him.
38 Upon which, being defirous of a cure, he lift
ed up his voice, faying, with great earneftnefs, Lord
Jefus, as I believe thee to be the promifed Meffiah
of David's race, who art fent of God for the falva
tion of Ifrael, I befeech thee to have compaffion up
on me, who need thy help.
39 And fome of thofe, who went in the foremoft
part of^th'e crowd, reprimanded him for it, bidding
him be quiet, and not teaze Chrift with his clamour
now upon his journey : But, inftead of being re
ftrained by their chidings, he cried out with fo much
the more importunity, O thou Meffiah, who art
raifed up in the houfe of David, I beg that thou
wouldft hear, and have pity upon -me.
40, 41 Then Jefus feeing his faith; and being full
of mercy and tendernefs toward him, whilft others
checked, difcouraged, and defpifed him, made a
ftand, and ordered the people to bring this poor crea
ture to him : And upon his coming near, he, for
the further trial of his faith, and more diftinft noti
fication of his own goodnefs in giving him the very
thing he wanted, afked him what the particular mer
cy was which he fo earneftly begged ? The blind man
prefently replied, Lord, it is not for an alms, but
that thou wouldft pleafe to open mine eyes.
42 And Jefus, approving of his faith and his
choice, faid to him, I command that your fight be
4* reftored :

N O
* Matthew xx. 30, ^34. fpeaks of two
blind men, that were' cured, and Mark
%. 46. tells lis the name of one of them
was Bartimeus. ffere, and in our evan
gelift, notice is taken only of this one,
becaufe he was the moft noted beggar.
¦Matthew and Mark fay Chrift wrought
this miracle, as he went out, or depart
ed from Jericho ;jvtbeKz$ Luke feeips to

T E.
fpeak of his doing it, as lie drew near t«
Jericho: But perhaps the v>ord (ifyi{trt)
here rendered coming nigh, may fignify
only (ifyve u\at) his being near Je
richo ; and fo this facTr is anticipated in
Luke's hiftory, which he rcfumes in the
beginning of the next chapter. See a
note relating to Jericho in chap. x.

194 The Evangelift Chap, xviii.
ceive thy . fight :, reftored : Your faith has prevailed with me to an-
thy faith hath fa- fwer your requeft.
^42 ' And imme- +3 -^n^ no f°oner did ^e fpeak, but it was done ;
diately he received the blind man immediately faw, and was fo affefted
his fight, and fol- with the inftantaneous and perfeft cure, that he fol
lowed him, glori- lowed Jefus in his way to Jerufalem ; and with a
fying God : and all hearf. ^y f thankfulnefs and : glorified God for
the people when . . n°i-nr j
they faw it, gave this fignal mercy, which was fhewn to himlelr, and
praife unto God. for fending the long-looked for Saviour to open the
eyes of the blind : And all the people joined their
thankfgivings and praifes to God, who had raifed
up an horn of falvation for them, in the houfe of his
fervant David. (Chap. i. 69.)
RECqLtECTIONS.
It is furely gpod for us to draw nigh to God ; and the more perfevering and im
portunate our faith is in the duty, of prayer, the more welcome and fuccefsful
we foall be. Though the anfwer may be deferred for a time; yet every confi
deration of God, as revealed in the gofpel, affures his people, that it foall certainly
come in the proper feafon. But how differently may the fame duties be performed
by different forts of perfons ! Some, like the Pharifee, manage them with pride, hy
pocrify, formality, and contempt of fellow-worfhippers, to the provoking of God,
inftead of getting advantage to themfelves ; whilft others, like the humble, contrite
publican, -abafe themfelves at his footftool, truft in his mercy and grace, through
the great Atonement, and obtain juftification to eternal life. And O what a com
fort is it to believers, that Chrift takes notice of their little ones, has confirmed
God's covenant with their feed, has enrolled them with themfelves, as the fubjec-fs
of his vifible kingdom under the gofpel-ftate, and is fo much fet on their being pre
fented to him, to blefs them, as to take it ill of thofe that would debar them of
their privileges \ But neither privileges nor duties are to be retted in ; for perfons
may go a great way in religion, like the Pharifee, and in morality, like the young
ruler, and yet fall foort of faving grace : And were we to have a right view of our
felves, in the light of God's law, we foould foon be convinced of our defects, and
of our need of a better righteoufnefs than our own to entitle us to heaven. But,
alas ! what dangerous foares are the riches of this world to men of carnal minds ;
Nothing foort of God's almighty grace, with whom all things are poffible, can ef
feftually change the bias of their hearts, and make them think it worth their while
to give up all their temporal enjoyments for Chrift. But whatfoever, upon prin
ciples of faith and love, we may lofe for him, we may be fure of lofing nothing by
him : And what Chriftian would think much of fuffering for him, who was abafed
and crucified for us, and rofe again from the dead, according to the predictions of the
prophets, and his own declarations before-hand, as a demonftration of his being
the Chrift ? And yet how great is the power of carnal prejudices to hide the plain
eft truths from us '. But as the companions of the great and merciful Saviour are
extended to the moft wretched objects, he can as eafily cure the depravity of our
underltandings, as open the eyes of fuch as were corporally blind : And when we
receive any fignal mercies from him, what fpecial engagements are they upon us,
to follow him, and glorify God for raifing up fuch a powerful and gracious Savi
our to us !

CHAP.

Chap. xix.

Luke paraphrafed.

*95

CHAP.

XIX.

The con verftonof Zaccheus, t, — io. The parable of the ten pounds,
ii, — 27. Chrifi' s riding into Jerufalem, 28, — 40. His lament
ing over it, 41,— 44. And his cafting the buyers and fellers out of
• the temple, 45, — 48.
Text. Paraphrase.
-A-N1? dJndS T CiHRIST proceeding on his journey toward Je'-
ed through .Jeril rufalem, his way lay through the city of Jeri-
cho. cho, in the tribe of Benjaminx
2 And, behold, 2 And behold a wonderful inftance of his grace,
there was a man as he paffed along ! There. was,fn that neighbour-
whfeh w^the hood a certain ™rn> called Zaccheus, who was one
chief ' among the °^ ^e dhied colleftors of taxes for the Roman empe-
publicans, and he ror, or a receiver-general, to whom the other publi-
was rich. cans brought their money ; and fo he had more
authority and influence, and a larger fhare of pro
fits, than the reft; and by this means was grown ve
ry rich *.
3 This man having heard much of the fame of Je
fus, which rung through all the country, had a great
curiofity to fee what fort of perfon he was ; but,

3-And he fought
to fee Jefus who he
was, and could.
not for the prefs,

becaufe he was lit- being low in ftature, he could not hope to obtain his
tie of ftature. defire, ftanding on the ground, becaufe of the crowd
of taller people.
4 And he ran 4 Therefore, laying afide all ftate, he ran to a fy-
before, and climb- camore.tree, by the fide of the road, where he knew
ed up into a lyca- T r J , , . , . . , ,
more-tree to fee Jeius was to go ; and climbed up into the tree, that
him ; for he was to he might have a full view of him.
pafs that way. c; And it was happy for him that he was found in
5 And when Je- Quill's way, though only curiofity brought him thi-
iiis came to the
place, he looked up, ther : For as Jefus caifte t0 fav<?.the chief of finners,
and faw him, and fo when he arrived at the, place where Zaccheus had
faid unto him, Zac- fet himfelf, he looked up to the tree ; and, feeing
cheus, make hafte, ^Jjjj there, (uhv avtov) knew him to be one of ,his '
fheep, whofe name was written in the book of life ;
and, contrary to this man's expeftations, he took
a kind and particular notice of him, and calling to
him, faid, Zaccheus, come down with all fpeed ; for
I muft needs ftay a while to-day at your houfe.
6 Thefe words wrought effeftually upon him by a
fecret energy that attehded them ; and he was fo af
fefted with the thought of Chrift's taking fuch par-
ticular

and come down
for to-day I muft
abide at thy houfe.

6" And he made
hafte, and came
down, and recei
ved him joyfully.

N O
* This Zaccheus was probably a Jew,
as his name intimates, it being a com
mon name among that people : However,
his office, 'and the abufive methods with

T E.
which it was ordinarily managed, ren
dered him odious to them ; and the great.
er he was, the more criminal and deteft
able thcv accounted him.

196 , The Evangelift Chap. xix. ,
ticular notice of him, that he inftantly came down,
and cheerfully received him into his heart, and then
into his houfe.
7 And when 7 And when the company faw the kind faluta-
they faw it, they t;ons an(j behaviour tnat parfed between them,
f^T^tlll *ey were highly offended, and expreffed their re-
gohe to be gueft fentment at it, faying, How unworthy is this ot
¦with a man that the profeffedfanftity of Jefus, that he fhould go for
is a finner. entertainment to one of the greateft finners in all the
city ?
8 And Zaccheus 8 But (3s) Zaccheus, to fhew that the grace of
M°tdheaLord d Be" Chrift had indeed reached hIs heart> and that he waS
hold Lord ' the now become another man than he had been before,
half of my goods I and than they uncharitably and malicioufly fuppofed
give to the poor: him tp be ftill, ftood and publicly profeffed his faith
and if I have taken an(j reperitance before all the people, faying, Behold,
mw Sfalfe «"£ ° 'L°rd' th°U exPefted Meffiah' what an effea thY
fation, I reftore him words have had upon me ! whereas I have gathered
four-fold. a great eftate, and hitherto ufed, it only for myfelf, I
now feel fuch remorfe and grief, as even conftrain me
to give away one moiety of it immediately, for the
benefit of fhe poor, that I may honour God with my
fubftance, and do all the good I can with fuch mo
ney as may have been injurioufly taken from perfons
at prefent unknown to me : And if any one, whom
I have wronged by fraud or extortion, by falfe char
ges- or oppreffion, will give me an opportunity of re
paying him, I am ready, in teftimony of my hearty
repentance, to make him amends, not only by re
ftoring as much as I took from him, but even four
times more with it, according to the utmoft demands
that the law makes of reftitution, in any cafe of in
jury whatfoever *.
9 And Jefus faid 9 Jefus, to encourage him, and vindicate himfelf,
unto hira, This day againft the murmurs of the people, replied, I, the f
is falvation come Savfeur 0f feft finners, am this day come hither,
to ' , .
bringing
NOTES.
* In cafes of theft and fraud, and have for it. This is the genuine way in
fwearing falfely, to deprive another of which true grace works in the heart, and
his property, the law required a reftura- where there is no concern about this,
tion of, the principal, with the addition when we have cheated, robbed, or de-
of a fifth part. (Lev- vi. 1, — 5.) If the frauded any man, in vain do we flatter
theft were found in a man's pofleflion, it oni felves that our repentance is unto life.
required reftoring double ; and for a fto- f- By falvation may be meant Chrifi
len-ox, that was killed, or fold, it de- himfelf the author of falvation : (ifa.
manded five oxen to be reftored. (Exod. xlix. 6. nndL/iieii. 29, 30.) Or, as is moft
xxii. I, 4.) Zaccheus therefore, to fhew ufual, the bleffings of falvation, (ABs iv.
the fincerity of his repentance, declared 1 ?..) or the promifes and the gofpel
himfelf willing to comply with the ftriclr- of falvation. (John iv. 22. and ABs
eft of all the laws about reftitution. And xnviii. 28.) And by Zaccheus's being
repentance can never be proved to be fin- the fon of Abraham, may be meant, his
cere, without reftitution for the injuries being fo, both by birth and by faith in
we have done to others, according to our Chrift. Accordingly all thefe fenfes are
ability, and the opportunities we may included in the paraphrafe.

ham.

Chap. xix. Luke paraph afed. ' *97
to this houfe, for- bringing the glad tidings, and all the bleffings of fal-
lomueh as he alfo vation along wkh me t0 th;s man wh . ,
is the fon of Abra- , . r rr • 1 . I i- '.
his own confeffion, is become a true believer aiid
penitent ; and this day the promifes of falvation are
brought to his family, they being taken into cove
nant together with himfelf ; becaufe he is now, not
merely by birth, but by faith in me, one of the true
and fpiritual feed of Abraham; what I have therefore
done herein cannot reafonably be objefted againft.
io For I, the Meffiah, am fent to fearch and fi"»L
out my ffieep, wherever they are fcattered, efpec' 3f
thofe of the houfe of Ifrael ; and as this man, by be
ing a publican, was looked upon as loft to God and
all goodnefs, and as he really was in the loft ftate
and condition of a finner, I amdoing my proper bu
finefs in converting him, and bringing falvation to
him and his.
1 1 The people having heard Chrift fpeak of his
coming to aft the Saviour's part, and knowing that
he was on his way to Jerufalem, the feat of their an
cient kings, imagined that, as foon as he ffiould get
thither, he would openly declare himfelf to be the
Meffiah, and fet up his kingdom with great pomp
and worldly power there : And therefore, to reftify
their miftaken notions, he acquainted them that the
nature of his kingdom was very different from what
they apprehended, that the generality of the Jews
would exclude themfelves from it, and that its glory
would not appear fo foon as they vainly fancied ; and
this he illuftrated in the following fimilitude :
12 A certain noble lord took a long journey into
another country, to be veiled and confirmed in his
kingdom, and then to return, with all his honour
and authority, to diftribute proper rewards to his fub
jefts *. So Chrift is of high and noble birth, as the
Lord from heaven ; and being King of Ifrael, and
of the whole church of God, he afcended up on high,
to be veiled in his fpiritual and glorious kingdom ;
and afterwards to return in power and great glory, to
execute judgment in the rewards and puniffiments of
the great day.
1 3 And before the*king fet out on this defign, lie
called .together ten of his fervants, and divided among
them ten pounds f, ordering them to trade with thefe to

io For the Son
of man is come to
feek and to fave
that which was
loft.

1 1 And, as they
heard thefe things,
he added, and
fpake a parable,
becaufe he was
nigh to Jerufalem,
and becaufe they
thought that the
kingdom of God
fliould immediate
ly appear.

\2 He faid
therefore, A cer
tain nobleman
went into a far
country to receive
for himfelf a king
dom, and to return.

13 And he call
ed his ten fervants,
and delivered them ten

NOT
* Here feems to be an allufion to the
kings of Judea, who ufed to go to Rome,
to receive the inveititure of their king
doms from the.R0/Ba/4emperors, and then
return to Judea in the full glory of their
character. Vol. II. D A

E s.
t The value of a pound is uncertain,
though fome have reckoned it at about
three pounds two foilling.-- and fixper.ee- ;
and otitis at twice as much of our m<j.
ney.

198

The Evangelift

Chap, xix.

ten pounds, and
faid unto them,
Occupy till I
come.

14 But his citi
zens hated him,
and fent a meffage
after him, faying,-
We will not have
this man to reign
over us.

15 And it came
to pafs, that when
he was returned,
havingreceivedthe
kingdom, then he
commanded thefe
fervants to be call
ed unto him,- to
whom he had given
the money, that
he might know
how much every
man had gained by
trading. iS Then came
fhe firft, faying,
Lord, thy pound hath

to the beft advantage, till he fhould return. . So
Chrift, before fie left this world and went to the Fa
ther, inftead of raifing his difciples to temporal' pre
ferments, as they were ready to expeft, called them
to duty and fervice ; in order to which, he beftowed
upon them feveral gifts, fuited to the nature and de
fign pf his kingdom, fuch as * knowledge and grace,
utterance, miracles, and the means of falvation, com
manding them to make a proper ufe and improvement
of them for the advancement of his intereft in the
world, till he fhould come again, and call them to
an account.
14 But as foon as the prince was gone, his own
citizens, who all along had hated him, declared that
they would, not fubmit tp his dominion. So the
body of the Jewifh nation, who were Chrift's kin
dred, according to the fleffi, and his covenant-peo
ple, difcovered their continued enmity againft him by
their obftinate refufals of his grace and government,
and violent oppofition to his gofpel^ after he was a-
fcended into heaven. And in like manner, all unbe
lievers hearts are naturally fo averfe to him, that they
will have nothing to do with him ; or if they would
have him for their Saviour, they will by no means
have him for their King.
15 And, being eftablifhed in his kingdom, he or
dered his fervants, at his return, to give an account
of the money, which he had entrufted them with,
that-he might fee what improvement each one had
made of it. So Chrift being exalted at the right hand
of the throne of God, far above all heavens, will
come again at the laft day, and make a ftrift inqui
ry of every one, how he has ufed the- feveral gifts and
talents committed to him, according to his ftation
and charafter, circumftances, and opportunities in the
world, /and what good he has done by them, for the
glory of God, and the good of his own and others fouls.
1 6, 1 7 Then one of thefe fervants, whofe improve
ments had been moft confiderable, gave in his accounts
to his lord,, faying-)-, The produce of thy one pound, which
NOTES.
lievers, and unfanctified minifters ; or,
together with them, the additional gifts
of fpecial grace to true btlievers, and his
faithful fervants. See the note on Mat.
xxv. 14.

* We are not to fuppofe that the gifts,
fignified by the pounds delivered to each
perfon, were all of one fort, and were
beftowed upon all alike ; for this parable
is of much the fame import with that of
the talents, (JSlptth. xxv.) which were
diftributed, in various allotments, to one
and another fervant ; and thefe pounds
and talents include all the gifts which
Chrift beftows on different perfons, whe

t The fervant's faying, Thy pound-
has gained ten pounds, may intimate
that, though he v/as aclive in employing
it, the advantage made by it fprung out

ther of common providence, of common of the pound itfelf, and was owing to
affiftances and gofpel-privileges to unbe-j'that, rather than to himfelf.

Chap. xix.
hath gained ten
pounds. 17 And he faid
unto him, Well,
thou good fervant :
becaufe thou haft
been faithful in a
very little, have
thou authority fl
yer ten cities.

18 And the fe
cond came, fay
ing, Lord, thy
pound, hath gain
ed five pounds.
19 "And he faid
likewife to him,
Be thou alfo over
five cities.

20 And another
came, faying, Lord,
behold, here is thy
pound which I have
kept laid up in -a
naplcin : #
21 For I feared
thee, becaufe thou
art an auftere man :
thou takeft up that
thou laidft not
down, and reap
ed' that thou didft
not fow.

Luke parapbrafed. 199
which thou committedftto me, is ten more for thine
honour and fervice : And his lord, commending his
diligence and faithfulnefs in the good ufe he had made '
of fo fmall a truft, generoufly rewarded him with
the government of ten cities. So when Chrift fliall
come again tojudgment, fuch of his fervants, as have
the grace of God in truth, and have been moft la
borious, faithful, and fuccefsful in laying it out, to
gether with all other gifts and furniture, for the in
tereft of Chrift, and religion, will afcribe the improve
ment, not to themfelves, but iq the grace of God
which was with them ; and yet he will publicly de
clare his approbation of their care and faithfulnefs,
and will amply beftpw upon them gratuitous rewards,
letting them know, at the fame time, that what they
had done in fo very little a matter, and that by vir
tue of his own free gifts to them, could never de
ferve fo high an honour and advantage, as anfwers to
being made a governor over ten cities.
18, 19 Another of his fervants faid, By means of
thy one pound, five more are gained for thee ; and
his lord, expreffing his approbation of him alfo, boun
tifully rewarded him with the government of five ci
ties. So fuch of Chrift's fervants as have been help
ed to be faithful in improving his gifts, though not
with fuch remarkable and uncommon diligence and
fuccefs as fome others, for the advancement of his
kingdom in the world, will be publicly and favourably-
approved of by him : and he will give them fuch a
proportion of his free rewards, as fhall carry like evi
dence, that it is all the vouchfafement of his own rich
and fovereign grace.
20, 2a And a third of thefe fervants, who had been
carelefs and flothful, came with -excufes of himfelf,
and accufations of his lord, faying, Here is thy mo
ney, which I have wrapped up and laid by ; for I
durft not venture to trade with it, left it fhould not
turn to good account, becaufe thou art a fevere ex-
after, who, I expefted, wouldft demand more than
thou gaveft me. So it is with gracelefs, carelefs, and
flothful minifters and profeffors of Chrift, who, ha
ving gifts fuited to the edification of others, have no
concern about doing- good with them, and think it
enough if they do no harm : They are apt to form
vain excufes for themfelves, as if there were danger of
lofs, and no profpeft of fuccefs, though they were to
take ever fo much pains in attempting to do their du
ty ; and they entertain'hard and unrighteous thoughts
of God, as if he demanded more difficult ferviAs,
than he had furnifhed them for, or would affift thena

Dd

2 2, 23 Bui:

200 The Evangelift Chap. xix.
22 And he faith, 22, 23 But (h) the king, being offended at his
unto him, Out of frivolous pretences and unjuft charges^ ' faid to him,
thine own mouth Th wretched, evil-minded fervant, not only your
will I mds-e thee. ¦ . . • . ,' ,i n. 11 -
thou wicked for- own iniquity, but even your ©wn mouth lhall con-
vant. Thou knew- demn you: If you thought that I was a fevere mafter,
eft that I was an who demanded more than I gave, Why did not that
auftere man ta- very confideration put you upon trying fome way or
king up that I laid J . r- ' * , ' 5 „.•..-
not clowri, and reap- °ther t0 ™prove my money, at leaft by putting it to
ing that I did not intereft* in fome public fund, where it might have
fow: been fafe, and I might have receiverl it, though not
23 Wherefore ^(.^ tfo greateft, yet with fome increafe ? So it will
thou my* money be in the day of judgment : The carefefs, gracelefs,
into the bank, that and flothful, wili then be found to be bafe and wick-
at my coming I ed fervants ; and Chrift will condemn them as fuch,
might have requi- not onjy for their injurious charges upon him, but
re mine own ni for their not doing what even their own wrong no
tions about him told them he expefted from them :
For if they knew that he would demand an improve
ment of his gifts, to his glory, and their own and o-
irhers good, as indeed he juftly may, How could
they expeft to efcape his anger for their negligence
and floth, in making no good ufe of them at all ?
24 And he faid 24 Hereupon the king ordered fome that were pre-
unto them that fent, to take this pound away from the wicked and
ftood by. Take flothful fervant, and give it to him who had already
¦pound and rive ten pounds. So- Chrift, in the adminiftration of his
it to' him that kingdom in this world, often blafts the gifts of thofe
hath ten- pounds, that make no good ufe of them, and, in the day of
judgment, will ftrip them of all the advantages they
enjoyed before ; and he increafes the gifts and graces
bf his good fervants, that live in the exercife of them
here, and will diftinguifh them that have been moft
faithful and diligent, with remarkable degrees of glo
ry hereafter.
25 (And they 25 The ftanders-^by, objefting againft this, faid
faid unto him, to the king, How is it that thou wilt order this
Lord, he hath ten p0un(j- to fo given to hiiii who has already ten
V pounds ? So fome, who are ftrangers to the rich li
berality of Chrifi, in his gracious dealings with his
faithful people and fervants, are ready to envy their
fuperior gifts here, and the high honour Chrift will
put upon them in the day of judgment.
26 For I fay un- 26 But the king fignified that his order fhould not
to you, That unto be reverfed : For I tell you, faid he, it is my will
hath* foall be1"?- that he wh° makeS * "?¥ ufe of what 1 have en"
ven ''aniHrom him trulled him with, fliall have ftill more ; but he who
that makes no good ufe of it fhall be deprived even of that
which
NOTE.
* Chrift here feems to allow of improving money, by way of intereft in public
funds : And therefore every kind of ufury, or of increaiing money by lending it, is
iiot"to be deemed unlawful.

foall be taken away
from him.

57
mine
which

But thofe
enemies
would not

Chap. xix. LvKEparaphrafed. 201
that hath not, e- which I had given him. So Chrift allures us, that
ven that he hath Jjfs faithful difciples and fervants, who make a right
improvement of the graces, gifts, and opportunities
he bellows upon them, ffiall have the greateft increafe
of them here, and fhall fhine as the ftars in the fir
mament for ever and ever ; and that the unprofitable
and flothful fervant and profeffor, fhall often be de
prived <of his gifts and abilities in this world/ and
fhall be caft into outer darknefs in the next. (Mat.
xxv. 30.)
27 When the king had taken this account of his
fervants, and dealt with them fuitable to their differ
ent charafters, he at laft proceeded, with the utmoft
over them, bring feverity, againft his obftinate and implacable enemies,
hither, and flay faying, But as to thofe rebellious fubjefts of mine
them before me. own city, who abfolutely refufe to have me for their
ruler, I will make them the moft dreadful examples
of my juft indignation, by bringing them forth, and
putting them to death before my face. So Chrift
will execute the moft terrible vengeance on the rebel
lious nation of the Jews, and.on all that obftinately
rejeft his authority and grace, efpecially on thofe
that bore a vifible relation to him *.
28 And when 28 Our bleffed Lord, having thus guarded againft
hehad thus fpoken, miilaken prejudices about the nature of his kingdom,
e,went e oie, a- contmue(1 jjjs journey toward Jerufalem; and, know-
lceno-ing up to Je- . , J J, . -y J , .
ing that tlje approaching paffover was the appointed
time for his being made a facrifice for fin, he. went
foremoft of the company, to fhew how ready he was
to offer himfelf.
29, 30 And when he arrived at the mount of 0-
lives, near Bethphage and Bethany, he thought fit
, .,.._., n to make a public, entiy feto Jerufalem, in a fort of
Bethany at the humble triumph, which might at once reprefent his
mount called the low condition in this world, and the high honours
mount of Olives, he that were neverthelefs due to him, as the King of Iff
r1n'™WO °f hLS dif" rae^ and» m a ''"k t'me' woum be conferred upon
him in his exaltation to his kingdom, at the Father's
right hand. And therefore, having a perfeft fore
knowledge of every minute circuiriftance of things,
he ordered two of his difciples to go into a village,
which lay at a little diftance, telling them, that at
their
T E.
them by the Romans. And this was to
be a lively emblem of the ftill more ter
rible and everlafting deftruction he will
bring upon them, and upon all the un-
odly, who obftinately perfift in their

rufalem.

29 And it came
to pafs, when he
was come nigh to

ciples, 30 Saying, Go
ye into the village
over againft: you ;
in the which, at
your entering, ye
fliall

N O
* As the Jews, after Chrift's afcen-
fion, and the effufion of his Spirit, conti
nued refolutely to oppofe his grace-and go
vernment, petfifted in their impenitence
and unbelief, perfecuted his difciples, and
blafphemed his name, he.deftroyed their fins, and in their rejecting of Chrift and
city and nation by a moft exemplary ex- his gofpel, and efpecially upon apoftates,
ecution of his vengeance upon them, in when he foall come to judge the world
the dreadful havock that was made of at the laft day.

202; The Evangelift Chap. xix.
foall find a - colt- their very entrance into it, ; theyvffipuld find an afe's.
lied, whereon yet ^^ which had never been backed* and bade them
loofe' him" ana.untie;apd,;bring,it-tohiflJU (jSee thp note on Matth.
bring him hither., xxi- '].) -,
3iAndifanyman, 31- And, faid he., if -any one go .about to prevent
tifk you, Why do. y0U) aflong, what bufinefs ye haye to meddle with the
foa!rye*fay\mto colt, .and.kad it away, ye ffiall *nfwer him, that your
him Becaufe the Lord and Mafter has, at prefent, a fpecial occafion
Lord hath need of to make ufe of it ;_ and, this ffiall. fo far pacify him,
him. that he will readily let you bring it, to me.
32 And they 32 Then the two, difciples, in obedience to their
that were fent, Lqrd's-command, went into the village; and, punftu-
went their way, a]ly f0liow;nDi his direftions, found every thing come
and found even as ' r ' . n V 1 .-;",, ' ' °
he had faid unto to pafs,. juft as. he; had foretold.
therm 33 Accordingly, whilft they were untying the
33 And, as they colt, feme of its proprietors afked them, what, they
were looting, the meant by 0ffer;nK to take it away ? thereby intimat-
colt, the owners . ! / . „ ° , , . . , " ; '
thereof faid unto ingi> ll>at they fhould let it alone.
them, Why loofe ' 34 But (tie) they, according to the inftruftions
ye the colt?, Chrift had given them, replied, That their Lord
34T^njuheZfa"j an(* Mafter had a fpecial occafipn, juft then, to make
of irir£ ufe of {t 5 WPP which thefe perfons made no fur
ther oppofition, but let the difciples take their own
courfe.
35 And they 35 And they, bringing- the colt to Jefus, put their
brought him to clothes upon it, for the eafe,. convenience, and de-
Jefus_: and they cenc 6f ys fltt;ngr . and, having thus arrayed it,
caft their garments ' - . *> » .'- o •'. . .
upon the colt, and they mounted him upon it, thatr, he might ride in
they fet Jefus there- the meek glory of his triumph to Jerufalem; where
on- by fome ancient prophecies of the Meffiah were ful
filled in him. (See Matth. xxi. 4, 5, 7. and the
notes there. )
36 And as he 36 And, as he marched toward the city, the peo-
™™r'r i^Lln "5 P^' to exrPrefs their high refpeft and joy, fpread
their garments, like carpets, in the way, for h#n t°
pafs over, as was ufual at the triumphal proceffions
and entries of great princes into their capital cities ;
Others cut off the branches of trees, and ffrewed them
in the road. (Matth. xxi. 8. fee the note there.)
And many, when they heard at Jerufalem of his ap
proach, went out from thence to meet him, with
branches of palm-trees in their hands. (John xii.
37 And when he 3*7 And when he arrived at the lower part of mount
was come nigh, e- olivet, on that fide which was next the city, and not
ven now at the de- r r j c jt • » V-i .
fcent of the mount iar from Jt, a numerous croud ot ditcipres, that at-
ofOlives, the whole tended him, began, as with one heart and one mouth,
multitude of the to unite their voices in fuch loud and joyful acclama-
difciples began to tionSj a3 caufed the air to echo with the high praifes
Cod w'th' a loud °^ God, for the many great and wonderful miracles
voice, which their King and Saviour had wrought, and
which

their clothes in the
way.

Chap.xix.

Luke paraphrafed.

203

39 And fome of
the Pharifees from
among (he multi
tude, faid unto him,
Mafter, Rebiike
4hy difciples,

voice,1 for- all the' -which were brought to their remembrance by what
inightyworksthatr they had lately feen, or heard bf, in his raifing La-
they had feen. aarax from the dead. (John- xii. 17, 18.)
38 Saying, Blefs- J ^8 Therefore, amidft their praifes of God, they
ed be the King Honoured Jefus;- and expreffed their joy, as they -ufed
that cometh wthe _to d at tfo^ feift of tabernacfes .faying, Bleffed
name! of the Lord :j , -.«.„-, ,ir. , \ . ' J . ?' ...
peace in heaven, De M-eihah our King, Who is come with a divine
and' glory in the Commiffion and authority to fave us : Peace is brought
higheft. to earth from heaven, fjod-now fhews himfelf to be
reconciled, all is fafe and happy : May profperity at
tend the Saviour and his kingdom, and every glory
be" heaped upon him ! we extol him in the higheft
"rftrains ; may his throne be ekalted above every other
throne ! And may the bleffed angels join their loudeft
fongs- with ours, that his name may be ever glorified,
ahdGod'sUame in him ! (See the notes on Mat. xxi. 9. )
' 39" While they, under a divine afflatus, were thus
paying their honours to Chrift, his enemies were vex
ed and enraged at1 it j and fome of the Pharifrjs,
¦ who mixed with this vaft multitude, fearing that it
weuld effeftually deftroy their authority among the
; people, and defeat their malicious defigns againft him,
fpake to him with great contempt and indignation,
faying, Mafter, how does this confift with your pre
tences to gravity and humility ! •¦' What a ridiculousv
farce is here ! and,how mutinous and feditious is this !
Command your difciples to be quiet, and not to make
fuch an intolerable noife.
40 But, ' inftead of checking them, he fevere'ly re
buked the Pharifee s, faying, Whatever evil construc
tions ye put' upon their joyful acclamations, I affure
you,' they are- fo' fit and neceffary, and due to me,
and fo much to my Father's honour, that if thefe
would immediate- perfons were to be filent to our praife, others fhould
be found to proclaim it ; yea, rather than faQ, as
great a miracle ffiould be wrought for this purpofe, as
if thef very ftones were to burft out into the loudeft
Tongs ; and if all the Jews were to with-hold the
honour which belongs to me, as the Meffiah, the moft
ftupid and unlikely, fuch as ye reckon the heathens-
to be, ffiould rife up and pay them.
41 And when 41 When he drew fo near the city, as to take a
he was dome near, fu]l profpeft of it, he beheld its grandeur and mag-
he beheld the city, n;nGence . and jjis human paffions being moved with
and went over it, , . , !¦¦ ,r. , r, . ° 7. , ,
the thoughts ot its approaching delofation, tor the ob
ftinate impenitence and unbelief of its inhabitants, he,
amidft the hofannas of the people, compaffiouately la
mented over it with tears*, 42 Say-
N O T E.
* He did this to fhew that he had the derly touctied with the thoughts of Je-
real affections of human nature, was ten-, rufatem's iniquities and miferies, and
would

46 And he an
fwered and "faid
unto them, I tell
you, That if thefe
foould hold their
peace; the ftones

204
41 Saying, If
thou hadft known,
even thou, at leaft
in this thy day, the
things , which be
long unto thy
( peace ! but now
they are hid from
thine eyes.

The Evangelift

43 For the days
fliall come upon
thee, that thine
enemies fhall caft
a trench about
thee, and compafs
thee round, and
keep thee in on c-
very fide,
44 And foall lay
thee even with the
ground, and thy
children within
thee ; and they
foall not leave in
thee one ftone up
on another-: be-
cra^ife thou kneweft
not the time of thy
-^ifitation. 4;, And he went
into the temple,
and began to caft
out them that fold
therein, and them
that bought, 46 Say-

Chap; xix.
, 42 Saying, as a man and minifter, O thou great
and populous city, who haft been flourifhing and*prof-
perous, and once wert the city of God's peculiar ha
bitation, how melancholy is the thought, that, ere
long, thy glory will depart ! O that thou hadft been
wife -j- ! Happy would it have been for thee, hadft
thou but underftood, and ferioufly confidered, the
things which relate to thy temporal and eternal
happinefs, if not before, yet now at leaft in this laft
feafon of grace ! But, alas ! whatfoever may be the
cafe of fome few among you, it is now too late for
you, as a community, and for the chief and greateft
part of yOu to obtain mercy : God is about to de
prive you of all means of falvation, to give you up,
in righteous judgment, to that blindnefs of mind, and
hardnefs of heart, which ye have chofen, and to bring
upon you the utter deftruftion which ye have defer
ved. 43 For the appointed time draws near, in which
your enemies will furround and clofely befiege you on
every fide, and will fhut up all your inhabitants with
in your walls, fo that none of them ffiall efcape.
44 As to thy ftrong and fumptuous buildings,
they fhall be fo utterly razed to their very foundations,
that not one ftone fhall be left upon another, to fhew
the ruins of thine ancient grandeur ; and as to thine
inhabitants, they ffiall all be miferably deftroyed by
the fury of their enemies, and by the juft vengeance
of God, becaufe thou haft fhut thine eyes, and har
dened thine heart againft the light of my word, and
the ftrivings of my Spirit, and wouldft not regard
my warnings and threatenings on one hand, nor my
kind invitations and overtures of mercy on the other J.
45, 46 Jefus at length arrived in the city r; and,
alighting from the afs's colt, went not to the royal
palace, as if he defigned to fet up for a fecular prince,
1 but to the temp-fe, as to his own houfe, whofe king
dom was not of this world : And upon his entering
into the outward court, called the court of the Gen
tiles,
NOTES.
fieged Jerufalem, caft up a trench, and
built a wall round about it, that none of
the Jews might efcape ; and at laft the
temple being fired, contrary to his will,
he commanded the foldiers to dig up the
foundations of the temple and city, and
to lay all level excepting three towers,
which, in Julian, the apoflate's days,
were alfo levelled with the ground, as
we are told by Jofephus and other hifto-
rians. Vid. Jofeph. de bell. Jud. I. 5
1. 27. & I. 7. c 1. St- Socrut. r. 30.

would try all proper means to awaken a
julc concern in the people's minds about
¦their own fin and ruin.
f Some fuppofe this to be the form of
a with ; others take it to be an abrupt
fentence, under ftrong workings of the
paffions, which is to be fupplied with
fuch words as thefe, Happy would it
have been for thee, if thou hadft known,
ifc. accordingly I have taken both fen-
fes into the paraphrafe.
¦ t All this was exactly verified, when,
.about forty years afterwards, Titus be-

Chap. xix. Luke paraphrafed. 205
46 Saying unto tiles, where the profelytes ufed to worfhip, he found
them. It is written, that the people, by the encouragement, and for the
houfe "of6 prayer! advantage of the priefts, had turned it into a market-
but ye have made place, for changing of money, and for buying and
it a den of thieves, felling of oxen, ffieep, and doves: (fee the para
phrafe on Matt. xxi. 12.) But, he drove out all
thefe* traders, and would not fuffer them to continue
there ; filing, It is written, (Ifa. lvi. 7.) Thy houfe
fhall be called an houfe of prayer for Gentiles as well
as Jews; but ye have profaned it, by putting it to
fecular ufes, to which it was never confecrated ; and,
according to the complaint in another prophet, (Jer.
vii. 11.) Ye, by your covetoufnefs and unlawful gains
here, have turned the fanftuary of the Lord into a
place for robbery and extortion. (See the note on
Mark xi. 15.)
47 And he taught 47, 48 And, when he had purged the temple
daily in the tern- frorn thefe abufes, he continued preaching there e-
priefts and the veiT ^Y OI" tnat week, till the paffover came on at
fcribes, and the which he fuffered *. But the chief priefts, doftors
chief of the peo- of the law, and the principal heads and rulers of the
pie, fought to de- people, were fo enraged at his fpiritual and holy
r°y8 'a 'd co Id doftrine, and at his oppofing their corruptions and
not find what they their authority, that they held clofe consultations a-
might do : for all bout putting him to death ; and yet they could not
the people were tell how to contrive a fcheme for doing it effeftually,
hear sTm"^ *" and with MctY to themfelves : For the generality
of the common people (crjjscg^tMcra) hung upon him,
and were exceeding diligent in attending his mini
ftry, who, they thought, fpoke like one having au
thority, and not in fuch an empty, jejune, trifling
manner as the fcribes.
RECOLLECTIONS.
What riches of fovereign grace are there in Chrift, whofe eye is upon his fheep
wherever they are \ He prevents them with his free mercy, touches the hearts of
the rich as well as the poor, and of greater as well as leffer finners, and fometimes
turns curiofity itfelf into effectual faith and repentance ; it is good to be found in
his way. And O what a wonderful-change does grace make in its fecret opera
tions ! It opens the ear to Chrift's call, and the heart to receive him gladly ; it
brings the whole man into an obediential fubject ion to him, in whatfoever he de
mands ; it turns the covetous, proud, and cruel opprelfor and extortioner, into an
humble and honeft, merciful and liberal man ; and it engages him to make refti
tution, as far as poffible, for every injury he has done to others. How great is the
happinefs that attends this change, as the bleffing of Abraham therein comes upon
him, who was in a loft ftate before ; and as it opens a door of hope for his family,
together
NOTE.
* He, in thofe few days, difcourfed day, with feveral other things relating
concerning the nature and defign of his to himfelf and his faving work, as we
death, the incredulity and rejection of find them recorded in the next chapter,
the Jews, and bringing in of the-Gen- and in Matth. xxi, xxii, xxiii, xxiv, xxv.
tiles, his own divine authority, and his chapters, Mark xi, xii. chapters, and
coming to judge the world at the laft John xii. jo. to the end of the chapter.
Vol. II. E c

106 The Evangelift Chap. xx.
together with 'himfelf ! And how high fliould Chrift ftand in our account, wh»
came to fave us in the name of the Lord ! All that we call out property is his, and
nothing fliould be with-held from him ; he is worthy of the moft exalted triumph,
and joyful praife ; and, however fome may enyy and detract from his honour, he
will have a feed to ferve and glorify him : -His houfe fhaTl be reformed, divine in-
rftitutions (hall be preferved, and his authority fliall bear down all oppofition before
him : All our knowledge and afrBftances, privileges -and means of grace, are Ipis
gifts, to be improved for him,; and when , he comes again to judgment, he will re
quire a ftrict account of wjiat we -have done with them. How earneft then foould
we be for grace to make a good ufe of all his other gifts 1 Dreadful will be the cafe
of the flothful fervant ; Chrift will count him a wicked one, for not doing what he
might and ought, and will righteoufly flrrip Rim of all the comforts and advantages
}ie ever enjoyed or hoped for : The things that belong Xo his peace may foon be hid
from his eyes ; and thofe enemies, who will not that Chrift foould reign over them,
foall be flain before him. But O what free and bountiful rewards will he bellow
upon his faithful fervants, in wife proportions, beyond their expectations or de-
ferts ! God works in them that which is we-ll-pledfing in his fight, through Jefus
Chrift, that tbey may do his will ; and they are encouraged to be always abound
ing in the work of the Lord, for as much as the.yjknoHvthat their labour jhall not
be in vain in the Lord, Heb. xiii. zit and i Cor. xv. 58. '

C H A F. XX.

Chrift's vindication of his authority by a quefiion about JohnV bap
tifm, 1, — 8. The parable of the vineyard, 9, — 19. The obedi
ence that is to be. paid to the civil magiftrate, 10, — 26. The re-
furreBion vindicated againft the Sadducees, 27, — 38. The fcribes
puzzled with a tpuefiion about Chrift's being David\r_/o», 20, — 44.
And a caution againft the fcribes, 45, — 47.
Text. Paraphrase.
AN°fsi,;tc^e^ ""THE chief priefts, fcribes, and ekfers, that made-
one of tiioffday" /" UP .th<= Jelw.ii(h fa»hedrim, having formed a de-
as he taught the %n againft Chrift's life, wanted a fair pretence to
people in the tem- execute it ; and as they were afraid of provoking the
pie, and preached people, who had generally a good opinion of him,
chief priefts and *¥? Eefolved t0 trY> whether they could not urge
the fcribes came h™ to faY fomething that might give them a plaufi-
upon him, with ble occafion of laying fedition, or blafphemy to his
the elders, charge : And therefore as, from day to day, he was
continually inftrufting all that came to the temple,
and preaching the gofpel to them; fo, on one of
thofe days, thefe men came in a body, hoping to
furprife and terrify him.
2 And fpake mi- 2 And they faid to him, in a fierce, intuiting man-
,t,°e'U^1 wi"ag;T,e1' Mr' We come as P«fons that have * right to demand
thority doft thou what you mear} hY tnis way of going on, and infill
thefe tH'mgs ? or UP011 your telling us by whofe commiffion you thus
who is lie that take upon you ? who empowered you to enter Jeru-
gave rtee this au- fa/em m mcn a pubi;c and nol-fy mannerj,t0 turn Lj,e
buyers and fellers out of the temple, to broach new
(doftrines, , and preach down thofe which have been
fo long eftablifhed, and to attempt the leffening of

Chap. xx. Luke paraphrafed. 207
our charafter among the people ? Pray, who could
pretend to give you a commiffion, and from whom
do you fay you had authority for doing fuch things
as thefe i
3 And he an- 3 But (^s) Jefus knowing tlieir invidious de-
fwered and faid figns, and having many a time before afferted his
u"t0 them> J *' divine commiffion, and proved' it by various fignal
alfo afk you one . . » r ,} 6
thing • and an- miracles, laid, f have likewife a queftion ot the ,fame
fwer me : nature to put to you ; and if ye will anfwer it, I
will tell you plainly who it is that has authorized me
to do all thefe things :
4 The baptifm 4 When John came preaching the doftrine of re
ef John, was it pentance, and baptized the people into the faith of
ifmeiiT'"1' °r the aPProaching Meffiah, Was it by a commiffion
from God ; or only of his own head, or by the
order and appointment of any other man ?
5 And they rea- 5, 6 This queftion exceedingly gravelled them,
rfoned with them- their thoughts working after this manner : If we fhall
felves, faying, If f that jofjfl the Baptifi was fent of God to preach
we foall fay, From •'. , J „ ,; ! J. . . r ,
heaven • he will ana baptize, we fiiafl give up our main point, and
fay, Why then be- confirm the authority of Jefus againft ourielves ; for
lieved ye him not? he will certainly reply upon us, that then we can ne-
6 But and if ver anfwer 0ur rejefting himfelf and his doftrine, to
all the peopirwill which that divine meffenger gave teftimony : And,
ftone us : for they on trle other hand, if we fhall fay, that John came
be perfuaded that of his own head, or only by the order and appoint-
John was a pro- ment of fome other man, the generality of the peo-
^ pie will be fo incenfed againft us, as to ftone us ; for
they are fully perfuaded that he was a prophet, who
had a divine commiffion for what he faid and did.
7 And they an- 7 And therefore, perceiving the danger of an
fwered, That they fwering either way, they declined giving their real
whence it was fentiments about John's doftrine and baptifm, and
pretended not to know whence, or from what origi
nal his authority was derived.
8 And Jefus faid 8 Upon this Jefus faid to them, Since ye refufe
unto them, Nei- to anfwer fo plain a queftion, which would have fer-
lihlt^Lthl^l yed forajuft rePty to y°ur own> I nlaY w^1 be ex-
do thefe things, cufed telling you from whom I have my authority
to do what ye have feen and heard ; and therefore at
prefent ffiall fay nothing further about it.
9 Then began r 9 Having thus defeated the defign of fihefe his im-
he to fpeak to the placabfe enemies, in fuch a way as carried a fmart
ble ^ E a"Sc rta' " reproof for their difregai'ding both his own and
nian planted a John's authority, he proceeded in a difcourfe to the
vineyard, and let people, together with them, to deliver the following-
it forth to hufband- parable; by which he intimated, that God would
STfar^ouTtf for cal1 off the >«"> nation> and particularly the fcribe s
a long time. l anc* Pharifees, notwithftanding all their pretences
to religion, for their obftinately rejefting him ; and
would receive the believing Gentiles in their room :
E e 2 There

208

The Evangelift

Chap. xx.

lb And at the
feafon, he -fent a
fervant to the huf-
bahdrfien, that they
lhould give him of
the fruit of the
vineyard : but the
hufbandmen be^t
him and fent him
away empty.

1 1 And again he
fent another fer
vant : and they
beat htm alfo, and

him and
away

again

entreated
rfliamefolly, fent him
empty. 12 And
he fent the third
and they wounded
him alfo, and caft
him out.

13 Then faid
the- lord of the
vineyard, What
fliall I (lo ? I will
fend my beloved
fon : it may be
they will reverence him

There was, faid he, a certain man, who planted a
vineyard, and provided it with every thing neceffary
and convenient ; and, having let it out to fome huf
bandmen, to cultivate and improve it, he took a long
journey, from which he was not to return for a great
while. So God inftituted the Jewifh church by the
hand of Mofes, enriching it with many privileges and
bleffings, fuitable to that difpenfation^ and then,
committing its adminiftration to the chief priefts
and rulers of the people, he withdrew the vifible ap
pearances of his prefence, and left them promifes of
returning again in fome future age. •
10 And when the proper feafon for vines bear
ing, and bringing forth ripe grapes was come, (fee
the note on Mark xii. 2.) the mafter fent his fervants
to the hufbandmen, to require the profits, and to
affift in gathering and managing the fruits : But
they, inftead of anfwering his juft demands, ffiame-
fully abufed his fervants, and1 drove them empty a-
way. So when God's ancient people the Jews had
enjoyed thefe rich advantages for a confiderable time,
and brought forth little good fruit anfwerable to
them, he fent feveral prophets, under the former part
of the Old Teftament difpenfation, to ftir them up
to their duty, and to inftruft and encourage them in
his ways : But they raifed up perfecutions againft his
fervants, and. difregarded their meffage, inftead of re
turning to him, and yielding the holy obedience he
demanded of them ; and the corruptions of the priefts
and rulers had fuch an influence upon the people, that
God had no revenues of glory from them.
'- 11,12 And again the mafter fent other fervants,
one after another, from time to time : But (Ss) the
hufbandmen, ftill perfifting in their difobedience, a-
bufed them more than the former, driving them away
alfo, empty-handed. So God continued to fend the
latter prophets to the Jews, with further counfels
and cautions to reclaim them ; and, at the clofe of
that difpenfation, he fent John the Baptifi to point
out the Meffiah, and to call them to repentance, and
to faith in him: But they ftill perfifting in their obfti
nacy, impenitence, and unbelief, rejected and defpi-
fed, vilified and perfecuted all thefe, one after ano
ther, with yet greater virulence ; and thruft them a-
way, refolving not to be reformed.
13 Then the mafter of the vineyard confidered
with himfelf what might be proper for him to do
further, to win upon thefe obftinate repels ; and at
laft refolved to fend his own fon and heir, fuppofing
that they might fhew a due refpeft to his authority.
So God, according to the eternal counfel of his will,
determined

Chap, xx.
him when they fee
him.

Luke paraphrafed.

209

14 But when the
hufbandmen faw
him, they reafoned
among themfelves,
faying, This is the
heir: come, let us
kill him, that the
inheritance may be
ours. 15 So they caft
him out of the vine
yard, and killed
him. What, there
fore, fhall the lord
of the vineyard do
unto them .'

16 He foall come
and deftroy thefe
hufbandmen, and
foall give the vine
yard to others.
And when they
heard it, they faid,
God forbid.

17 And he be
held them, and
faid, What is this
then that is writ ten,

determined to fend at length his only begotten and
dearly beloved Son, who is Lord of all, as the laft
expedient , for working Upon the rebellious Jews ;
fince it might juftly.be expefted, that they fhould
homage and fubmit to fuch a divine perfon, who gave
the plaineft proofs of his being fo by the miraculous
works which he wrought in a God-like manner among
them. 14, 15 But, upon the hufeandmen's feeing their
mailer's fon and heir, they thought, that if they
could but get rid of him, they might take poffeffion
of the eftate for themfelves : And . therefore they
defperately refolved to lay violent hands upon him ;
and, dragging him out of the vineyard, dellroyed
him. So when the Son of God appeared among the
Jews; and the chief priefts and rulers faw with
what authority he preached and behaved, what won
derful miracles he performed, and how the people
applauded him, they, inftead of believing in him
themfelves, and encouraging- others to embrace him,
were filled with envy at him : And thinking that, if
they could but difpatch him, there would be none left
to oppofe their authority, they rofe up in rage againft
him, caft him out of the church, who was indeed its
chief Corner-ftorfe, and crucified the Lord of glory.
What punifhment therefore, faid Chrift, muft ye fup
pofe the lord of the vineyard will inflift upon thofe
wicked wretches, meaning the Jews, for abufing and
deftroying, not only the fervants he fent to, them
time after time before, but at laft his own dear fon
alfo? 16 He will certainly execute judgment upon them,
to their utter deftruftion ; and commit the care of
his vineyard to others, who will be more true to their
truft, and yield him its fruits in due feafon.' And,
as Jefus had not explained this parable, the chief
priefts and elders, not confidering at firft how far
they might be concerned in it, condemned thofe wi-ck-
ed hufbandmen, as deferving to, be dellroyed with
out mercy, that more faithful men might be put in
to their jilace. (Mat. xxi. 41.) But as foon as they
perceived that Chrift herein pointed at themfelves,
as the perfons reprefented by the hufbandmen, they
faid, Far be it from us to be guilty of putting
the true Meffiah to death ; whenever he comes, we
ffiall take care that we do not commit fo horrible a
villany. 17 But, (h) while they were thus profeffing their
deteftation of fuch wickednefs, our Lord, looking
upon them with compaffion, and yet with feverify
and difdain, faid, If what ye pretend be real, what
means

2IO-
ten, The ftone
which the builders
rejected, the fame
is become the head
of the corner?

The Evangelift

Chap. xx.

1 8 Whofoever
fiiall fall upon that
itone, fliall be bro
ken: but on whom
foever it foall fall,
it will grind him
to powder.

io And the
chief priefts and
the fcribes the
fame hour fought
to lay hands on
him ; and thSy
feared the people :
for they perceived
that he had fpoken
this parable againft
them. 20 And they
watched him, and
fent forth fpies,
which fhould feign
themfelves juft
men, that they
might take hold of
liis words, that fo
they might deliver
him unto the pow
er and authority of
the governor.

21 And they
afked him, faying,
Mafter, we know
that thou fayeft
and teacheft right
ly, neither accept-
eft; thou the perfon
of any, but teach-
eft the way of God
truly. 22 Is it lawful for

means that ancient prophecy^ where it is written-,
Pfal. cxviii. 22.) Thefione which the builders refu
fed, is become the head-fione of the corner ? i. e.
The Meffiah, who was rejected by the chief priefts
and elders, that ought to have been builders of God's
houfe, and by the generality of the Jews under their
influence, is made the foundation and chief Corner-
flone of the church, upon whom, when he cornes to
be exalted, both Jews and Gentiles ffiall reft, like
the two fides of a building^" and be firmly and beauti
fully knit together in him.
1 8 If therefore,, under the power of miftaken pre
judices, any ffiould be fo offended at the Meffiah, be
caufe of his mean appearance on earth, as not to be
lieve in him, he expofes. himfelf to great hurt and
danger, which will be like flinging him down upon a
great ftone : But if any fhall utterly rejeft Chrift af
ter his exaltation, he ffiall be inevitably deftroyed
without mercy, and that for ever, like one crufhed to
death by the weight of a heavy ftone caft upon him.
(See the note on Matth. xxi. 44,)
1 9 Then the chief priefts andfcribes, who by this
time clearly faw that Jefus meant all this againft them,
inftead of being concerned about it, and humbled un
der it, were fo much the more incenfed at it, and
would immediately have feized him by force, and put
him to death, had they not been reftrained by their
fear of the people, who they knew had a high efteem
of him. '
20 And therefore, that they might get a fairer
opportunity for it, they refolved to keep a watchful
eye over him, and fent fome Pharifees, who were zea
lous for the liberty of the Jews, and fome Hero-
dians, who were as zealous for the Roman authority,
to be fpieS upon him; (Matth. xxii. 16. fee the note
there) ordering them to put on the appearance of ho
neft, confcientious men, who wanted him to fatisfy
the fcruples of their own minds ; and in that way to
try whether they could not draw fomething from him,
that might either offend the common people, or ex
pofe him to the refentments of the government, and
lay a foundation for a judicial procefs againft him.
21, 22 And they, according to their inftruftions,
addreffed him in a refpeftful manner, faying, Mafter,
we are well affured that you are a perfon of great in
tegrity and wifdom, and teach the right way of plea
fing God, and that your impartiality and refolution
fet you above being influenced by favour or affeftion,
or by me fear of any man whatfoever. We therefore
defire that yoti would refolve a cafe of confeience
which lies in debate between us, viz. Whether ft be
lawful

Chap. xx.
.for us to give tri
bute unto Cefar,
•r no ?

23 But he per
ceived their crafti-
nefs, and faid unto
them, Why tempt
ye me <

24 Shew me a
penny: Whofe i-
mage and fuper-
fcription hath it ?
They anfwered
and faid, Cefar's.

2$ And he faid
unto them, Render
therefore unto Ce
far the things
which be Cefar's,
and unto God the
things which be
God's.

26 And they
could not take hold
of his words before
the people : and
they marvelled at
'his anfwer, and
held their peace.
27 Then came
to him certain of
the Sadducees,
(which deny that
there is any refur-
rection) and they
afked him,
2S Saying, Maf
ter, Mofes wrote
unto us, If any
man's brother die,
having a wife, and
he die without chil
dren, that his bro
ther foould take
his wife, and raife
up feed unto his
brother.

Luke paraphrafed. 211
lawful for us, who are God's own peculiar people,
and under his immediate government, to fubmit to
the authority of the emperor, who by nation and re
ligion is a foreigner, and, in confequence thereof, to-
pay the tribute he demands of us ? What do you fay
is our duty in this cafe ?
23 But he, who faw through their treacherous and
wicked defigns againft him, knew that if he ffiould
anfwer in the negative, they would accufe him as un
enemy to Ccefar ; and if in the affirmative^ they
would incenfe the people againft him, as an enemy to
their rights and liberties ; and therefore he faid to
them, Why, under a pretence of refpeft, in referring
a cafe of confeience to me, do ye attempt to enfnare
me, as if I did not underftand your deceit ?
24 Let me fee a piece of your tribute -money ; and
when they fhewed him a Roman penny, which ufed
to be paid on that occafion, he afked them whofe i-
mage and fuperfcription were ftamped upon it ? They,
not perceiving his defign, immediately replied, Cce-
far's, as the Roman emperors were ordinarily ftiled.
25 Upon which he anfwered, Your receiving Cce-
far's coin, as current, is a praftical confeffion of his
authority ; it being always accounted the preroga
tive of the higher fecular powers to coin money, and
thereby to afcertain its value, and make it current :
Ye therefore ought to return the tribute of that to
Ccefar, which ye receive and enjoy by his authority
and proteftion, as far as ye can do it confiftently with
the homage and fervice ye owe to God, to whom ye
muft likewife be faithful, in rendering all religious o-
bedience unto him.
26 And there was fo much wifdom and equity in
this anfwer, that thefe captious, fubtile enemies, . did
not know how to give a bad turn to what he faid, in
the hearing of all the people ; but were amazed at his
prudence and caution, and were entirely filenced and
confounded. 27 They having failed in this attempt, fome of the
Sadducees, who were the free thinkers of the age,
and denied the immortality of the foul, and the re
forreftion of the body, came on the fame day,
(Matth. xxii. 23.) and put the following queftion to
him, 28 Saying, Mafter, Mofes ordered in the law,
(Deut. xxv. 5.) that if a married man, who has bre
thren, ffiould die without iffue, one of them, be
ing fingle, fliould marry his widow, to keep up his
name and family, and perpetuate his inheritance in
Ifrael.
29 Now

212
29 There were
therefore feven
brethren': and the
firft took a wife,
and died without
children. 30 And the fe-
eond took her to
wife, and he died
childlefs. 31 And the third
took her ; and in
like manner the
feven alfor. And
they left nb chil
dren, and died.
t 22 Laft of all
the woman died
alfo. 33 Therefore in
the refurrecTrion,
whofe wife of them
is foe ?, for feven
had her to wife.
34 And Jefus ?n-
fwering, faid unto
them, The chil
dren of this world
marry, and are gi
ven in marriage :

The Evangelift

Chap. xx.

35 But they
which fhall be ac
counted worthy to
obtaui that world,
and the refurrec-
tion from the dead,
neither marry, nor
are given in mar
riage :
36 Neither can
they die any more ;
for they are equal
unto the angels,
and are the chil
dren bf God, be
ing the children
of the , refurrec-
tion. 37 Now that the
dead are raifed, e-
ven

29 Now, fay they, It happened that there were
in a certain family feven fuch brethren, the eldeft of
which, having taken to him a wife, died, and left
her without any child.
' 30 And the fecond brother marrying her, died
likewife, leaving no iffue behind him.
3 1 And then the third' in c/rder took the wi
dow for his wife ; and fo, in their turns, did all the
reft, none of which had any child by her.
32 At laft the woman herfelf died without iffue
likewife. 33 If therefore there be a future ftate, and a re
furreftion of the body, we would afk you, whofe
wife ffiall this woman be in that other world, fince
they were all married to her in this, and ffie bore no
child to either of them, to give one more than ano
ther a claim to her?
34 Jefus replied," Ye are grofsly miftaken, in fup
pofing that this is any real objeftion againft the doc
trine of a future exiftence, and of the refurreftion of
the dead ; and all your cavils of this fort proceed
from your own ignorance of the true defign of thefe
and other fcriptures, and of the exceeding greatnefs
of God's power, as if he could not raife the dead.
(Mat. xxii. 29. and Mark xii. 24.) Here indeed, in
this mortal ftate, it is neceffary for the continuance
of mankind upon earth, and is proper for their conve
nience and comfort, that men fhould many, and wo
men ffiould be given to them in marriage ; and the
law of inheritances, and of keeping up diftinft fami
lies in Ifrael, made it expedient, that furviving bre
thren ffiould, in their order, marry the childlefs wi
dow of a deceafed brother :
35 But they, whom God ffiall gracioufiy accept
as worthy to be admitted to the inheritance of eter
nal life, and to be raifed from the dead to the poffef
fion of it, in the other world, wiil have no occafion
for marriages, either to keep up the flock of its inha
bitants, or to provide for their own conveniency or
comforts, or to entail their inheritances upon their fa
milies after them.
36 Nor can they die out of that world, and leave
fucceffors behind them, as they do in this : For they
fhall all be as glorious, happy, and immortal, as the
holy angels themfelves ; their manner of living and
enjoying fhall be juft like theirs, and they ffiall pof-
fefs all the glory of a divine adoption, as the fons of
God, who are to abide in his houfe for evef, after the
refurreftion from the dead.
37 And (Ss) that there really will be a refurrec-
tion of the body to a bleffed immortality, may be
fairly

Chap. xx. Luke paraphrafed. 213
ven Mofes fhewed fairly argUed from what even Mofes himfelf faid, (fee
at the bulb, when tfo note on Matth. xxii. 31.) in his recital of the
he calleth the Lord , 1. ¦ u n j /¦ 1 i_ l j ,. 1. •
the God of Abra- worcls» which Lrod fpoke, when he appeared to him.
ham, and the God in the buffi, faying, (Exod. iii. 6.) Not I was, but
of Ifaac, and the / am the God of Abraham, Ifaac, and Jacob, ma-
God of Jacob. ny years after they were dead; thereby intimating,
that they ftill continued to be his children, and fo
the fons of the refurreftion, who are waiting for,
and ffiall receive the adoption, to wit, the redemp
tion of the body. (Rom. viii. 23. fee the note on
Matth. xxii. 32.)
38 For his being their God implies, that he is
their portion, and exceeding great reward : But as

38 For he is not
a God of the dead,
but of the living :

for all live unto they never were partakers of the full glory of this re-
him. lation here ; fo he could much lefs be ftill the God of
thofe human perfons, if that effential part of the
man, which is now dead, were never to rife again.
Therefore, as tlieir fouls already live in another world,
and it cannot be faid that in all refpefts they are
even now dead ; fo their bodies fhall revive at the re
furreftion of the juft : For all his people live to him,
that not only a part of them, but the whole man, ac
cording to the tenor of his covenant, may be for e-
ver and completely happy in the enjoyment of him ;
and they now live in his account, who calls thofe
things which be not, as though they were, becaufe
he quickens the dead. (Rom. iv. 17.)
39 Upon this, fome of the Jewifh doftors, who
believed the immortality of the foul, and the re-
Mafter"'thou haft forreftion of the body, were fo pleafed with his ju-
wellfaid. dicious anfwer to the Sadducees, that they coilld'
not but exprefs their fatisfaftion in it, faying, Maf
ter, you have clearly folved the difficulty, and efta
blifhed thefe great doftrines beyond all reafonable
contradiftion. 40 And fuch was their conviction of his wifdom and,
ability, by this and feveral other anfwers to queftions
which were put to him, that they were afraid to offer
any more, or to engage in any further difpute with him.
41 He then took an opportunity, in his turn, to
propofe the following queftion to the Pharifees,
(Mat. xxii. 41.) faying, Why do the fcribes, (Mark
xii. 35.) or interpreters of the law affirm, that the
Meffiah fhall be a fon of David's race * ? How can
that be, or how do ye underftand it ?""~ 42, 43 David

$9 Then cer
tain of the fctibes
anlwering, faid

. 40 And after that
they durft not afk
him any queftion
at all.
41 And he faid
unto them, How
fay they that Chrift
is David's fon ?

, N O
* It was generally owned among the
Jews, that the Meffiah was to fpring
from David's loins : Accordingly, on oc
cafion, fome of them pleaded, Has not
the fcripture faid, that Chrift comes of Meffiah, was, Thou Son o/David
Vol. II. F f

T E.
the feed of David, and of the town of
Bethlehem, where David was ? (John vii.
42.) And the ufual appellation of,Chrift
among thofe who looked upon him as the

214 4». And David
himfelf faith in the
book of pfalms,
The- LORD faid
unto my Lord, Sit
thou on my right
hand, 43 Till I make
thine enemies thy
footftool. 44 David there
fore calleth hira
Lord, how is he
then his fon ?

45 Then-, in the
audience of all the
people, he faid un
to his difciples,

46 Beware of
the fcribes, which
defire to walk in
long robes, and
love greetings in
the majkets, and
the higheft feats in
the fynagogues,
and the chief rooms
at feafts ;

The Evangelift

Chap. xx.

47 Which de
vour widows hou
fes, and for a fhew
make long prayers:
the fame lhall re
ceive greater dam
nation.

42, 43, David himfelf, under the infpiration of
the Spirit of God, owned him as then exifting, ahci
honoured him as his fuperior, and as a divine perfon,
faying, (Pfal. ex. 1.) God the Father faid unto my
Lord, the Meffiah, Sit thou enthroned in all dignity
and power, glory and delights, in heavenly places ;
and continue reigning in thy mediatorial kingdom, till
all thine enemies be effeftually and entirely put under
thy feet, in a way of fubjeftion.to thee.
44 Since therefore David, in this known prophe
cy of the Meffiah, exprefsly ftiled him his own Lord,
by way of fuperiority to himfelf; How can ye recon
cile this with your other notion, which ye truly have,
of his being a defcendant from David? And his ene
mies, being at a lofs what reply to make, held their
peace. (Matth. xxii. 46.)
-45 .Then as, by this and other inftances of their
perverfenefs, it appeared that whatever he faid, and
how much foever he confuted them, they either would
not be convinced, or would not own themfelves to be
fo, Jefus applied himfelf to his difciples ; and, in the
hearing of all the people, publicly cautioned them a-
gainft thefe men, faying,
46 Take heed of being impofed upon by the fcribes
and Pharifees, and of imitating or gratifying their
pride, hypocrify, and felf-conceit, who wonderfully
affeft to put on folemn airs, that they may command
the greateft reverence, and get an afcendency over o-
thers : Accordingly they chufe to walk about in long
garments down to their feet, with an appearance of
ftately gravity ; they are ambitious of receiving high
compliments, and vifible tokens of refpeft from the
people, in the ftreets and markets ; and they are e-
ver pufhing forward for the upper-hand and higheft
feats, in all places of public worfhip, and at all en
tertainments, as if they were holier and more worthy
than the reft of mankind.
47 They likewife make high pretences to uncom
mon piety, and draw out their prayers to a much
greater length than others : But all this.fond appear
ance of fanftity and zeal, is only a cloak to their co
vetoufnefs and oppreffion, that they may be the lefe
fufpefted of any ill defigns, and may the better im
pofe upon and injure the richer fort of widows, and
their fatherkfs children, by getting their affairs into
their own hands, and facrificing them to their own
gain : And as they commit this wickednefs under,
and by means of a hypocritical form of godlinefs, the
more aggravated and provoking is their guilt, and the
more dreadful vengeance will the righteous God in-
flift upon them for it. R E C O 1..

Chap. xxi. Luke paraphrafed. 215
RECOLLECTIONS.
How unreafonable are all exceptions againft the authority of Chrift, who ought
to be reverenced as God's own Son, and the chief Corner-ftone of the church! And
what hard foift do his enemies make to avoid the conviclion that would lead them
to own and honour him \ And yet behold the furprifing patience of God, and the
various means of grace, which he fends, time after time, to an unfruitful and re
bellious people, before he utterly calls them off! But haw dreadful will be the mi
fery of thofe, that finally rejecf; Chrift, and fet themfelves againft his fervants and
him ! They are all along doing mifchief to themfelves, and pulling down the-hea-
vieft, deftruction upon their own heads ; while they, who build on him as their only
foundation, foall find the utmoft fecurity and fatisfacTrion in him, fliall be taken
into his vineyard, kept under his eye and care, and made fruitful to eternal life. —
O what a wonderful perfon is Chrift, who was David's fon and Lord '. It is only a
confideration of his divine and human natures, that can reconcile the feemingly con
tradictory characters of fopremacy and inferiority, which the fcripture gives of him.
How fecurely may we depend on him without danger of being deceived ! And how
carefully foould we beware' of evil men, that we may guard againft their defigning
hypocrify, and never place an implicit faith in any human guides, how dignified
and facred foever their profeflions may be '. Eut there is no inconfiftence between
an entire fubjeclion of confeience to God, in all matters of religion ; and yielding
faithful obedience to civil magiftrates, in fecular concerns : And though difficulties
may be ftartedand urged againft the moft evident and important truths; yet our
faith foould not be foaken by them ; but whatever is afferted in, or, by juft confe
quences, deduced from the word of God, foould be heartily believed ; and we may
be fure, according to its infallible teftimony, that, as there will foon be a change in
the circumftances and relations of this dying world; fo true believers can never die
away from their God. And O what a bleffed lot will they have in the world to
come, where they foall be the children of the refurrecf ion, and be like the holy an
gels, at the final manifeftation of the fons of God ! ; _

C HA P. XXI.

Chrift's obfervation of a poor widow's cafting two miles into the trea-
fury, I, — 4. His prediBion of the deftruBion of Jerufalem, as a
-type and figure of the end of the world, 5, — 33. His caution to be
watchful, 34, — 36. And a general account of his preaching,
37, 3«-
Text. Paraphrase.
_^ND he looked A S our Lord was one day fitting over-againft the
up, and faw £\. treafury fe the temple, (Mark. xii. 41.) he
tne lie il IUCH C^Il- « ¦ p p 1 * i r 1 " '1
ing their gifts into t00'1 notice ot ieverat rich perfons making very farge
thetreafury. free-will-offerings, which they put into the public
cheft for the fervice of that holy place, and for the
feveral religious ufes to which thofe gifts were to be
applied.
2 And he faw 2 And he obferved there came, among others, a .
alfo a certain poor p00r widow, who being defirous to honour God, ac-
thithK twf mftes? cord;ng to> and even beyond her ability, threw in two
fmall pieces of money, which amounted to the value
of but one farthing. (See the note on, Matth. x. 29. )
3 And he faid, N 3 Hereupon Chrift, to fhew his approbation of it,
Of a truth I fay calfed his difciples to him, (Mati xii. 43.) and bade
unt0 F f 2 them

2i6 The Evangelift Chap. xxi.
unto you, that them obferve that indigent, and yet generous creature,
this poor widow afferfeg them, that the little prefent which fhe had
th'n thf alim°re made> was rezllY more for her t0 Sive' and of hiSher
an Cy S account with God, than all the large offerings of the
rich.
4 For all thefe 4 For, faid he, all thefe haveparted only with a
have of their a- fmall proportion of what they might well fpare out of
bundance caft in their abundant wealth ; whereas this deftitute widow,
of God ''but foe of being herfelf in neceffitous circumftances, has freely
her penury hath given all that ffie had in poffeffion for her prefent fub-
caft in all the li- fiftence, which fhews that her love and zeal are great-
ving that foe had. er than the;rs_
S And as fome y Soon after this, as he was going out of the tem-
fpake of the tcm- ^et (Mark xiii. I.) fome of his difciples took no-
ple, how it was a- {. ^^ hat yaft ftoneg and beautiful' ornaments
domed with good- . , .. ,
ly ftones and gifts, Herod had rebuilt it, (fee the note on John 11. 20.)
he faid, and with what rich prefents the people honoured it ;
and they defired him to obferve and refleft upon all
this, that the dreadful fentence might not be execu
ted, which he had juft before'pronounced againft it.
(Matth. xxiii. 37, 38.)
6 As for thefe 6 But he replied, Do the external pomp and gran-
things which ye . deur 0f thefe things raife your admiration, and move
behold, the days r concern trmt they may never be demolifhed ?
will come, m the ' , T n- ..u ..- • u a. ¦
which there foall -"-las ! I affure you, the time is haftenmg apace, in
'not be left one which this ftately building, with all its glory, ffiall
rftone upon another, fo fe entirely dellroyed, that there ffiall be no re-
that foall not be ma; fo much as t0 fllew wlier'e ;t ft00d. (See the
thrown down. ¦ */r ..l • \
note on Matth xxiv. 2.)
¦j And they afk- 7. The difciples hearing this plain and peremptory
ed him, faying, declaration, alked him, how long it would be before
Mafter, but when tfo furprinng things he had mentioned ffiould come
befan'dwhatta to 'Pafs> r*nd by what evident figns they might know
will there be when when to expeft fuch alterations, as they fuppofed
thefe things fliall would put an end to the prefent ftate of things upon
come to pafs ? earth, and confummate the glory of his kingdom ?
(Matth. xxiv. 3.)
8 A"d he faid, 8 Our bleffed Lord replied, Be very cautious that
Take heed that ye no man delude you by fpecious and falfe pretences :
be 'riot deceived : por before the accomplifliment of the terrible defo-
lor many fliall come iations 1 fpake of, various impoftors will take upon
m my name, lay- .-, n r r ir n- 1 1 ri
ing I am Chri/i ; them tne character ot the Meffiah, each ot them pre-
and the time draw- tending, that, if Ifrael would obtain the expefted
eth near : go ye advantages of his kingdom, they muft repair to him,
the\>heVCfCrC aUer and that thc time °f dei;verance from ali theil" bond
age and mifery is juft at hand : Give no heed to any
of thefe fediicers, for by their fair promifes of what
they will do for their followers, and by other ftrata-
gems and falfe appearances, they will deceive many,
to their utter perdition. (Ma/th. xxiv. 5.)
P But when ye 9 But when ye fliall have rumours of great tumults
foall ¦ and

Chap. xxi. Luke paraphrafed. 217
Jhall hear of wars; and wars among the Jews, and between them and
and commotions,be other nations, do not be furprifed or affrighted at
ZVetetrhS'muft them' to thf? difcouragement of your faith 'and holy
firft come to pafs, profeffion : For all thefe troubles muft precede the
but the.end is not deftruftion of Jerufalem ; but they will be fome
by and by. time before it.
10 Then faid he io, 1 1 Then, by way of further explication of
unto them, Nation thefe events, he faid to them Qne body of Jews
foall rife againft ... , • « 1 ,/-.¦>
nation and king- wilt take up arms agamlt another, and Gentiles
dom againft king- againft Jews; and fo civil and foreign wars will make
dom : dreadfulhavock in Judea : And, befides the miferies
ti And great arjjrjno- from hence, there will be terrible earthquakes,
earthquakes foall ,.,, % r , , , r •<¦
be in dive'rfe pla- diltrefimg famines and pfagues, and furprifing appear-
ces, and famines, ances in the air, fuch as comets and blazing-flars,
and peftilences, which will ftrike a panic fear of fome tremendous
and feTefUl H^' fag™"11 as at hand *•
foall there be from ' 2 -But' before all thefe public confufions, your
heaven. enemies will difcover a cruel temper, and raife up
12 But before perfecutions of all forts againft you ; they will deli-
all thefe they fliall ver y0U Up to ecclefiaftical courts, as if ye were the
yo^ and perfecute WOrft °f aPoftates> and &* UP ki"SS an4 C"fl m?S|~
rod, delivering you ftrates againft you, as if ye were the vileft of crimi-
up to the fyna- nals ; and they will throw you into jails, and exer-
gogue^ and into cife all manner of feverities againft you for my fake f .
brounht before J3 N^verthelefs' W God » his providence, and
kings and rulers by the influence of his Spirit upon your hearts, will
for my name's over- rule all this to his glory, and your own and o-
¦falie- thers good : For by means of thefe fufferings, and
13 And it fhall y0ur Chriftian behaviour under them, ye fhall bear
teftimonyOU ° " an honourable teftimony to me, to the truth, 'excel
lence, and power of my gofpel, to your own faith and
integrity in your profeffion of my name, and to your
being affifted and owned of God in it ; and ye will
thereby have opportunities for preaching, clearing, and
defending my gofpel, fo much the more, to the con
futation of its enemies, to the converfion 'of many,
and to the confirmation of my difciples in their moft ,
holy faith.
14 Settle it 14 Since therefore your caufe will quit coft, in-
therefore in your ftead of being anxioufly careful before-hand how to
hearts, not to me- anfwer interrogatories, accufations, and inditements,
ye fhall anfwer : either in ecclefiaftical or civil courts ; and, inftead of
being diffident about the iffue, becaufe ye are Arran gers
NOTES. ,
¥ Thus hiftorians tell us it was before confidered as applicable to the time of
the deftruclion of Jerufalem; and thus Chrift'scoming to judge the world at the
we may expect it to be in other nations, laft day.
toward the end of the world. See the ,
notes on Matth. xxiv. and the paraphrafe f The AcTrs of the apoftles inform us
on that chapter, and on Mark xiii.; that all thefe things were fulfilled in
where, thefe and feveral other events are thofe days.

2lS

The Evangelift

Chap. xxi.

v gers to the arts of pleading, let it be a fettled point
' with you to commit the affair to me :
15 For I will 15 For I, your Lord and Mafter, will give you
give you a mouth fucb a fp;rit of wifdom and coUrage, and will furniffi
and wifoom, which wkh fuch convincinp. proofs of the truth and ex_
all your adveria- ' „ .. , n . ° r , r . , . ,
lies fhall not be a- cellence 01 my doctrine, and ot its being your duty
ble to gainfay, nor to profefs and preach if ; and I will fuggeft fuch pro-
refifl. per expreffions for your defence, as the very worft of
your malicious and fubtile enemies ffiall by no means
be able to withftand or contradift *.
16 And ye foall 16 But (2e) notwithftanding all this, , fuch is the
be betrayed both ,£reft contrariety of my gofpel to the corrupt prin-
brethren and kins- c'P^es aud. practices of the world, that even the near-
folks, and friends ; eft relations and acquaintances will break through all
and fome of you the bonds of natural affeftion and friendfhip, to op-
foall they caufe to p0fe y0U for ownfeg and publifhing it : So that kin
dred and intimate friends will deal perfidioufly with
you, and even your own brethren and parents will be
tray you into the hands of cruel perfecutors, and be
the means of putting fome of you to death.
V/ Yea, a malignant fpirit againft you will fpread
be hated of all men to fuch a degree, that the generality of men, even
tor my name's fake. a]1 the feed of the old ferpentj wul unite in their an
tipathy, oppofition, and rage againft you, becaufe
ye belong to me, and bear my name.
1 8 But, I tell you for your comfort -f- , furprifing
deliverances fhall be wrought for you, whilft I have
any work to do by you ; and if, after that, any of
you ffiall fall by death for your faithfulnefs to me, it
ffiall be only exchanging this mortal life for an im
mortal one ; and fo in the balance of accounts all will
be fafe, . and turn to your own profit.
19 In your pa- 19 And therefore whatfoever your danger or fuf-
tier.ce poffefs ye ferings for my fake may be, do not be difcouraged
in yourfelves ; and let not the terror of your adver
faries difcompofe and ruffle your fpirits ; but keep
poffeffion of your own fouls in quietnefs and peace,
in holy fortitude and calm refignation, with all long-
fuffering and patience, by a humble confidence, that,
As your days, fo your [ftrength Jhall bei (Deut.
xxxiii. 25.)
20 And now, that I may give you an immediate
ly preceding fign of the utter deftruftion of this mag
nificent
NOTES.
* How remarkably was this fulfilled, at the deftruftion of Jerufalem, when
when Peter and John were called to an fuch vaft multitudes of the Jews were
account, about the cripple, before the flaughtered by the Romans ; or rather it
rulers, elders, fcribes, and others, with may be confidered as a proverbial ^xpref-
the high-prfeft, as met together in coun- fion, to denote the beft of fafety and ad-
cil! ABs iv. 5, — »i. ' vantage in times of danger; for Chrift
t This may poffibly refer to the re- had exprefsly faid, (ver. 16.) fome foal!
markable prefervation of the Chriftinns be put to death-.

be put to death.

17 And ye foall

18 But there
foall not an hair
of your head pe
rifo.

20 And when y?
fliall fee Jerufalem com-

Chap. xxi. Luke paraphrafed. 219
compaffed with nificent city and temple, whenever ye ffiall fee the
armies, then know Roma„ forces laying fiege to Jerufalem, and cafting-
{wi/Sk""' theirlines about it, ye may affuredly conclude, thai
the time of this dreadful calamity is * very near.
a 1 Then let 21 Then let them that are in any part of Judea,
them which are flee for their lives into fome diftant mountains, or
in Judea flee to , 0f retirement, to hide themfelves from the ob-
the mountains ; £ . » "-
and let them which iervation and fury ot both Jews and Romans ; and
ate in the midft of let thofe that are in the holy city, get out of it, be-
it depart out ; and fore they be hemmed in ; and let no one, who*3 in
let not them that tfo g^ Qr ^j^gg r0und about, venture to go into
are in the coun- ... e ^> . . . . .r, P , ,
tries enter there- ll> either trom a vain imagination, as it he might be
into. fafeft in fuch a place of ftrength,, or from a covetous
defire of carrying off fome effects which he may have
there : But iet every one flee with all poffible fpeed,
as ever he would not fall in the common defolation.
22 For thefe be 22 For this will be the very time in which God's
the days ot ven- patience toward this provoking people will expire,
thfoeT'which are and bis righteous wrath will flame out upon them,
written may be that all the horrible defolations, fo often threatened in
fulfilled. the prophecies of the Old Teftament, may be inflift
ed upon them, to their utter ruin.
s3 But wo unto 2, jjutj nnce fpeedy flight will be fo neceffary
child ^n'dTo6 them tC> MetY in thofc days> fad wiU .thdr cond;tion be,
that 'give fuck in whofe circumftances render them incapable of expedi-
thofe days : for tion, fuch as women with child, and thofe who have
there foall be great infants hanging at their breafts ; it will be very dif-
' and^w ath1 * ura ficuIt for them t0 efcaPe: For that wiU be a time of
this people. UP°n extreme and fpreading diftrefs through all the land
of Judea, and full vials of divine and human wrath
will be poured out upon its inhabitants.
24 And they 24 Civil wars among themfelves, and the fword of
foall fall ^ by the tfo COmmon enemy againft them all, will make a
andJhaUbe led "a- dreadful flaughter among them ; and fuch as - efcape
way captive into the fword fhall be led into captivity, for death, 01-
all nations : and flavery, in all the nations round about f . And Je-
Jerufalem foall be rufafem itfelf fhall be facked and trampled upon with
trodden down of j d; ; u contempt and man be kept under
the Gentiles, until o .^,.«. r 1 A. ¦/ 1 if x. -u
the times of the tbe jurifdiction of the Gentiles, and never be rebuilt
Gentiles be fulfil- again with any grandeur fuitable to its prefent ftate,
fed. till -the glorious days fhall come, which are appoint
ed for the general converfion of the Jews, and bring
ing in of the fulnefs of the Gentiles %. 25, 26 And
NOTES.
* It afterwards appeared that the fiege ces, to be deftroyed in the theatres, by
was never raifed, till ferujalem, and the the fword and wild beafts: But they that
temple with it; was deftroyed. ' were under feventeen years of age weiv
t Accordingly Jofephus tells us, that fold. Vid. de Bel. Jud. 1. 7 c. 29.
the pumber of thofe who were taken cap- % Our Lord hereby feems to intimate
tive by the Romans, during this war, was that then Jerufalem foould be rebuilt,
niaety-feven thoufand, mofi of which Ti- and the Jews gathered to their own
ti/s difperfed through the Roman proviu- country and city again ; and that the
Gentiles

The Evangelift

, —&•¦"_ ••• HJlaLUJUS) L1XC- 1UU<(.11XUU ui 1.111. i », t^^fj'.' CU11.1111111.111.J
"ind^li" the rellgion> and laws,,wiU be fo great, that (as the pro-
andunonthe ph£t expreffed thefe terrible revolutions, Joel'ii. -ii.

220 "ihe Otvangeiijt Chap. xxi.
25 And there 25, 26 And at the clofe of the fore-mentioned de-
fliall.be 'figns in folations, the- fubverfion of the Jewifh government,
the fun, and in the
moon,ftars;and.uponthe phet expr
and iii. 15, 16.) they ijiay be reprefented under jtlie
figures* of the fun, moon, and ftars,, the heavens,
the earth, and the fea being co-founded, and the
whole frame of nature diffolved ; and then the nations
of the earth, will be filled with confteniation and di
ftrefs; and the hearts of the unbelieving Jews will be
utterly funk and overwhelmed with anguifh, in ex-
peftation of the dreadful miferies that are coming

earth diftrefs of na
tions, with per
plexity'; the fea
and the waves

roaring ;
2(3 Mens hearts
failure them for
fea^a-nd for look
ing after thofe
commg on the upon them : And at the clofe of like troubles toward
earth : for the the end of the world, there ffiall be, in a literal fenfe,
powers of heaven a diffolution of the prefent frame of the heavens and
foall be fhaken. ^ ^ earth# ^ p^_ ;;;_ IO> „.)
27 And then 2? ^he unbelieving Jews themfelves ffiall then
foall they fee the f h , , too late ! that Jefus is indeed the on-
Son of man coming f- ' & -> - . ¦
in a cloud with ly true Meiliah ; and he will appear in lucn a lolemn
power and great manner, as ffiall fully convince every one of his great
gfory. majefty, power, and glory, to the joy of his faints,
and the confufion of his enemies : And thus it will be
ftill more remarkably,, when every eye fhall fee him
perfonally appearing in the clouds' of heaven, at his
coming to the final judgment,
28 And when thefe figns of Jerufalem 's destruc
tion begin to appear, look upward by faith for pro-
then look up, and tection, fupport, and a happy iffue ; and rejoice with
lift up your heads ': exceeding joy, in the near profpeft of approaching
mercy to you ; for whatfoever becomes of others, ye
may be fure that your deliverance will then be juft at
hand, and that my kingdom ffiall foon be exalted :
And when like tokens of the laft general judgment
fliall be feen, let all my difciples rejoice in a believing
confidence, that they ffiall quickly have complete de
liverance from their fins and forrows, and obtain fal
vation with eternal glory.
29 And for an illuftratidn of thefe awful things,

28 And when
thefe things begin
come to pafs

to

for your 1 redemp
tion draweth nigh.

29 And he fpake

BeholXhe fi^tree' Chvi11 fUrther faid' 0bferve how they maY he rePre-

and all the trees

fented by a fimilitude taken from the fig-tree, and all
other trees -j-. 30 As
NOTES.

Gentiles foall then no longer lord it over
them ; but all nations fliall flow in unto
them, and fliall walk in their light, re
joicing in God's mercy to them, and foar
ing in all fpiritual bleffings with them.
* Thefe expreffions may be confider
ed in a metaphorical fenfe, as relating to
the deftruftion of Jet ufalem ; or in a li-

meaniii£r of thefe paflagcs, according to
thefe different ways of applying them.
f It was in the fprin^, juft before the
paffover, that Chrift fpoke thefe words;
and fo, according to his cuftom, he took
an occafion from the prefent feafon of
the year, when all the trees were bud
ding on the mount of Olives, where they

teral fenfe, as they may relate to the then were, (Matth. xxiv. 3.) to make
diffolution of all things at the end of the lift of this fimilitude
world : And fo I have reprefented the

Chap, xxi.' Luke parapbrafed. 12 r
30 When they $o As ye now fee all nature in its fpringj and all
now (hoot forth, the trees round about you breaking out in buds and
ye fee and know k and tender (hoots are f u fatjsned from
ot your ownfelves , r . ' >. ' '
thatfommerisnow your own oblervation ot things, that the lummer is
nigh at hand. juft now coming on.
3r So likewife gi So when ye ffiall fee the forementioned progno-
J,e'f wJ??n ye fee flics come to pafs, be affured upon the credit of my
thefe things come . . , r , ' „ . r , r„, . _ , '
to pafs know ye word, that the deftruction ot the jewifh temple and
that the kingdom city, religion and polity, to make way for the ad-
of God is nigh at vancement of my kingdom in all its glory through the
han<1, world, will be then juft at hand : And the like may
be obferved in after-days, with regard to the diffolu
tion of the world, to introduce tho laft and moft ex
alted glory of the Meffiah's kingdom.
32 Verily I fay g2 As to the events which particularly relate to
neration'fliallS ^t t'le deftruftion of Jerufalem, and the calamities that
pafs away, till all ffiaU precede it, I tell you for certain, that there are
'be fulfilled. , fome now living, who fliall not be carried off the
ftage, till they ffiall fee every one * of them fully ac-
complifhed.
33 Heaven and 33 And as to the like events, which will go be-
earth foall pafs a- fore h dertruaioii of the world at the laft day, I
way : but my word r , „. , , r x r 1 •<-
fhall not pafs a- further allure you, fhat the prelent ltate 01 the vih-
way. ble heavens, and of^rhe earth, fliall certainly in due
time be diffolved : But nothing, that I have foretdld
you, ffiall ever fail of a punftual accomplifhment,
though the precife time for thefe laft things is not
certainly known as yet f . (Matth. xxiv. 36.)
34 An(l *alc£ 34 Since therefore the time for the diffolution of
feft at ^anv \ime ^ wb°^e frame of nature, and for the final judg-
your hearts be o- ment, will as certainly come, as the defolation of the
vercharged with Jews, but none knows when ; fee to it that ye ne-
furfeiting, and ver indulge luxurious and intemperate appetites, in
run enn<^! and eatfeg and drinking to excefs, nor give way to any
an(j fenfual and irregular pleafures, which will bring great
• guilt
NOTES.
* In faft the apoftle John and others all them that dwell on the face of jrhe
did fee and furvive this dreadful cata- whole earth, ver. 35. and of which he
ftrophe. fays, But of that day and hour knows no
man, no not the angels of heaven, but
\. This fenfe of thefe words feems beft my Father only, M^tth. xxiv. 36. there-
fuited to the mixed defign, which, as ap- by intimating, that as to the precife time,
pears to me, our Lord carried on, through when that day will be, it was then a IV-
this difcourfe, "to notify his coming to cret in his Father's own breaft, which he
deftroy Jerufalem, and to judge the world had not revealed to any man or angel, no,
at the laft day : For as one was a livley not to the Meffiah himfelf, asman, atlealt
type of the other; fo he here declares not with any commiffion to reveal it to
what in faft foould be, with refpeft to others at prefent: And anfwerable to-this
the final alteration which is to be made conclufion ofChrift's predictions, relating
upon the whole face of nature, and fo to the final judgment, he difcourled at
paffes on to what moft direftly and im- large on that fuhject in the next chapter.
mediately relates to the general judg- (Matth. xxv.) See the notes on Matth .
¦ ment, which would come as a fnare on xxiv. 35. and Mark xiii. 32,
Vol. II. G g

222 The Evangelift Chap. xxi.
and fo th'at day guilt upofl the Confeience, and rftupify and unfit you
come upon you un- for aU fpiritual and important concerns ; and take
' n heed that ye do not greedily involve yourfelves in
cares, projefts, and purfuits after the riches of this
world, which will irtgrofs' your time and hearts, and
fhut out better things, left the day of God's dreadful
vengeance ffiould rufh upbfi you before ye are aware,
and when ye will be worft of all prepared for iti
35 For asafnare 35 For the folemn judgment of the great day* a*
fliall it come on we)i as tfot oti Jerufalem, will certainly come witlj
m IhTflce. otTh" furprifing ahd inevitable ruin to all carelefs, fenfual,
whole earth. and worldly-minded finners, in whatever part of the
world they may be, : And juft as birds when they are
caught in a feare, are frighted and flutter, but can
not get out ; fo they will be ftared in an evil time,
when it fuddenly falls upon them. (Ecclef. ix. 12.)
36 Watch ye 36 Be ye therefore always in a wakeful, circum-
therefore, and pray fpec^ temper, and ftriftly upon your guard againft
may be accounted temptations to fin on one hand, and dreadful fur-
worthy to efcape prifes on the other ; and be inftant in daily prayer for
all thefe things continual affiftance unto the difcharge of every duty,
that foall come to and departure from every iniquity, that ye may be
beforeathetSoftnao<f foUnd* bearing*he charafter of thofe whom the Met
njfcu. fiah ffiall adjudge to the honour and privilege of e-
fcaping, not only the vengeance which ffiall be exe
cuted in this world, but the fting of death, and the
condemnation of the ungodly at his awful tribunal, in
the laft day ; and that ye may be deemed meet to
ftand in the congregation of the righteofts, who ffiall
be acquitted by him, and have boldnefs before him
at his coming. '
37 And in the 37 Now after Chrift's public entry into Jerufalem,
day-time he was fo conftantiy, for alittle while, repaired to the tem-
temple ? and 'at Ple ^Y ^Y* tllat bemight preach there, and retired
night he went out, *° tbe mount of Olives by night, that he might have
and abode in the the better opportunities for private devotion, in view
mount that is call- 0f his approaching death, and that he might not be
ed the mount ofO- ft^ up with^ tfo walk of the city, and io betaken
before his appointed time was fully come.
38 And all the _gS And in the morning, upon his return to the
people came early terripfe the common people, either out of curiofity,
in the morning to r -, , .. . r - -5 , . ¦ o . 1 .v • , - .
him in the temple, °.r fro™ a &ood °Pmlon <» nitn, flocked thither be-
for to hear him. ' tjmes in great multitudes, that they might be ready
to attend on his miniftry ; fo that he always had a
crowded
NOTE.
* H?erthy,i-n the feripture-fefifeofthe of God, andofthc vocation wherewith we
term, fometimes relates to an honour put are called, and to bring forth fruits wor-
upon a perfon, as when It fpeaks of be- thyof repentance. (1 'Theff. ii. u. Eph.
ing counted worthy to fuffer fhame for iv., 1. and Lteke iii. S.) Add fo to be
, Chrift ; (ABs v. 41.) and at other times counted worthy to'efcape, idc. is to havfe
if fignifies meeknefs,' and what is b'ecom- the honour of it, and to be fitted, or pre-
ing, as When we are faid to walk worthy pared for it.

Chap. xxii. Luke paraphtafed. 223
crowded audience, though, alas ! there were but few
•unpng then} who received th? |ove of the truth, that
tljey might be fa,yed,
It E C O L L E CTIOHS.
What a critical notice- does our Lord take of all our offerings, and of all the cir-
cjiraftances^hat attend them \ And who can think of his awfulprediftions, and their
apcompliihrnent, and not read in tlierp the. Saviour and the God, as alfo the demo
lition of the Jewifh frame of worfoip, with the temple at Jerufalem, and the efta
blifoment of a new difpenfation of grice oh. its-ruins 1 Obftinate finners may well
expeft fevere judgments upon earth, for perfifting in their iniquities, and in their con
tempt of Chrift >apd his gofpel ; and the hea,vieft deftruftion will certainly overtake
tfcern $t the great day, yqjefs they fly to Jefus, and. cleave to him in oppofition to
all other pretended Saviours. Though heaven and earth (hall pafs away, his words
fhall never fail; but his threatenirigs agaiiift the wicked', as well as promifes to, his
people, will have a fure accomplifhment : Aral O how wili-his fecond coming be
to the utter confufion of the vhe, aud.the upfpea^ble, joy of the other '. He faith
fully gives his followers notice, jJeforei-haiiij, of their dangers and deliverances ; and
whatfoever tribulations may befal them, for his fake, frorri-the greateft powers on
earth, or from the hands of their neareft kindred and friends, why foould they be
terrified or-difcouraged at them? All fliall be accompanied with fpecial aids; and
turn for a teftimony of good account, to the hpnour of their JjLedeemer, the confu
tation pf hig enemies, and the comfort of fheir pwn fouls : They may lift up their
heads and lejoice ; fpr their redemption draws nigh ; a"4 ^a'tn and patience will
carry them fafe through all difficulties, in their way to the better ftate, whicji
foall fucceed the diffofution of all things here. But O how dangerous are the cares,
the pleafures, gnd exceffes of life '. and what need is there of conftant watchfulnefs
-and prayer againft them, and for an efcape from the miferies, and an arrival to thp
blefiednefs fpoken of in the word of God '., And how happy will it be for thofe, who
fliall be enabled to ftand till, and to ftand at, the appearing of Jefus Chrift in the
clouds of heaven, in all his majefty and glory I In order hereunto, may we have
wifdom to difcern 'the figns of the times, and our calls to anfwerable duties. And
may we attend uppn gofpel miniftrations in fuch a manner, as to hear that our
fouls may live '.

CHAP.. XXII.
Judas'-r betraying hi/r L°i~d, I,— 6". - Chrifi's eating his laft paffover, "
7,^18. His infiituting hid fupper, 10, 20. His difcourfe with
his difciples, . %\, — 38. His agony in the garden, 39, — 46. '', His
being apprehended, A, > — S3- P?ter'j- denying hfpi, 54, — 62.. And
his trial and condemnation in the high - prieft' s hall, 63, — 71.
Tfft. ' Paraphrase.
j^JOW the' feaft A T this time, the fourth paffover after Chrift's
of Unleavened A Jpaptifni, at which, according to the determi-
whichh^Tledfte n-ate counfel of God" he ffiould fuffer, was coming on
PatTov*r. within two days, (Mark xiv. I.) and was called the
feaft of unleavened bread, becaufe the Jews were tot
have no leaven in their bread or houfes, during that
folemnity.
2 And the chief 2 And then it was that the fanhedrim, made up of
priefts and fcribes the chief priefts and doftors of the law, together with
fought how^hehy the elders of the people, men of great reputation for
£ G g 2 piety

224

The Evangelift

Chap.

XXII.

might kill him ;
for they feared the
people.

piety and 'learning, met to confult how they might
moft conveniently apprehend Jefus, in order to their
putting him todeath ; for they were under a difficul
ty about it, becaufe of the extraordinary concourfe
of people at that feafon, who they knew had a high
veneration and efteem for him,- and who they were a-
fraid would take his part, and rife up in arms to re-
feue him out of their hands' ; and therefore they re
folved to attempt it not by open force, but privately
byftratagem. (Mark xiv. i, 2.)
3 At the fame time Satan, who had fet them to
work, ftirred up the corruptions and covetoufnefs of
Judas Ifcariot, one of the twelve apoftles, and drew
him into a treacherous defign agaffift his Lord ; (fee
the note on John xiii. 27.) and it pleafed God to
permit it, that by the over-rulings of a wife and hpr
ly providence, he, who was the true pafehal Lamb,
might die at the very time of the paffover, and be
fore many witneffes. ,. .
4 Accordingly this bafe and perfidious ' difciple,
knowing where to find the chief priefts, and the cap
tains of the temple, whom they had called in to their
affiftance, went and proffered his fervice, by making
a propofal about his -own privately- and- effeftually be
traying Chrift into their hands.
5 And they no fooner heard this, but were migh-
glad, and covenant-., tiiy pfeafed, ,and readily accepted the offer, it exaft-
„ev s"e- lm " ly- falling in 'with- their own fcheme ^ and to encou
rage and bind him to a performance of- this projeft,
they agreed to give him a fum of money, to the va
lue of " thirty ffiekels of filver. (Matth. xxvi. 15. fee
the note there.)
6- And, though this offer was of no more than the
law appointed to; be given for a flaye, (Exod. xxi.
32.) this fordid,-' covetous, and vile-fpirited wretch ~
ftruck a bargain, and engaged to do his utjnoftto de
liver Jefus into their hands, not doubting but he
ffiould be able to acc'omplifh the horrid defign : And
from that time forward, he watched for ah opportu
nity of letting, them know the place of Chrift's re
tirement, that they might privately cpme upon him,
when none of the people ffiould be prefent to make
an uproar, or attefnpt his refcue. v
7 Then came on the firft day of unleavened bread,
(Matth. xxvi. 17.) * on which the Jews were obli
ged by the law to kill the pafehal lamb, in order to
their

' 3 Then entered
Satan into 'Judas,
fimamed ifcariot,
being of the num
ber of the twelve :

4 And he went
his way, and com
muned with the
chief priefts and
ciptains, How he
might betray him
unto them.
5 And they were

6 And he promi
fed, and fought op
portunity to betray
him unto therri.in
the ahferice of the
multitude.

1 Then came the
Jay of unleavened
bread, when the
paffover muftt be
killed.
N O
* It is, obfertfahlc that our Lord, w)io
was typified by the pafehal lamb, fufferj
ed at tin is paffover for the redemption of
his people ; aivi was feized on the very

T E. ¦
day (the fifteenth of the month Nifar)
On- which Ifrael were delivered cut of £-
gypt. (I^fumb. rxxxiii. 3.]

Chap.

xxii.

Luke paraphrafed.

225

S And he fent
Peter and John,
faying. Go and pre
pare us the paffo
ver, that we may'
cat. ' '''

9 And they faid
unto him, Where
wilt thou that we
prepare ?
.to And he faid
unto them, Behold,
when ye are enter
ed 'into the. city,
-there foall a man
meet you, bearing
a pitcher of water ;
follow him into the
houfe where he en-
tereth in.
1 1 And ye foall
fay, unto the good-
man of the houfe.
The' Mafter faith
unto thee, Where is
the gueft-chamber,
where I foal] pat
the paffover with
my difciples ?
12 And he fhall
foew you a large
upper-room fur-
jiifoed: there make
ready. 13 And they
went, and found as
he had faid unto.
them : , and they
made ready the
paffover. 14 And when
the hour was come,
he fet down, and
the twelve apoftles
with him.
15 And he faid
unto them, With
defire I have de
fired to eat this
paffover with you
before I fuffer.

their eating it at the evening, which belonged to the
following day.
8 And as our Lord came to fulfil all righteoufnefs,
he ordered two of his difciples, Peter and John by
name, to go before him into Jerufalem, and there to
•getievery thing ready for the paffover, which he de-
,fignedto celebrate in the city, together with his dif
ciples, whom he had taken under his care and charge
as his family.
c) And as they had no dwelling of their own there,
they- defired him- to let them know at what houfe
he would pleafe to have them get things ready for
that fervice. ...it
10 And for a demonftration of his own foreknow
ledge and government < df all events, as well as for
their direftion, he gave them this token, faying,
When ye are got into the city, obferve a man, whom
ye will meet with, carrying a pitcher of water ; and
whatfoever houfe he goes into, follow fiim thither.
(See the note on Matth. xxvi. 18.)
11 Andas foon as ye enter the houfe, tell the
honeft man who- keeps it, that I, your Lord and
Mailer, fent you to afk him for a proper room for
me- and my difciples, to eat the pafehal lamb toge
ther. 1 2- And ye need not fear his being offended, or his
refufing you a1 fuitable accommodation ; for as foon as
ye have told him this, he will immediately, without
making any difficulty of the matter, conduft you to
a large chamber, which is proper for your purpofe :
There prepare all that is needful in order to our cele
brating that ordinance.
1 3 Accordingly thefe two difciples, believing the
words he had fpoken, went, and found that every
circumftance punftually anfwered his prediftion ; and
in that room they made every thing ready .againft his
arrival to eat the paffover.
14. And when, after fun-fet, the latter evening
came on, wliich was the time appointed in the law
for the Jews to eat the pafehal lamb, (fee the note
on Matth. xxvi. 20.) Jefus came to this houfe, and
fat down with his twelve apoftles to fupper.
1 5 And whilft he was fitting with them round the
table, he faid unto them, I have moft earneftly look
ed and longed for the time in which I might eat this
my laft paffover with you before my death : I know
my bittereft fufferings are now juft at hand, by which
I fhall finifh the great work of redemption ; and fuch
is my delight to do my Father's will, that I have as
eagerly wifhed for this time of fulfilling it, as if no
terrors were to attend it ; and I am glad that it is

236

The Evangelift

Chap. xxii.

I S For I fay un
to you, I will not
any more eat there
of, until it be ful
filled in the kjng-
doity of God.

thanks, and, faid
Ta"ke this, and di-
vide ft among your
felves. 1 8 Fori fay un-

now fa aear, ajidthat I hsw this opportunity of free
ly opening my heart, * and giving you fome ufeful
and comfortable counfel alone, juft before I am to
bleed and die for you, and to be taken from you.
1 6 For I affure you, that I ffiall never Have an
opportunity of eating ariother paffover >vith yoti, tijl
its types and figures ffiall be really accompliffiecj in
me, the true pafehal Lamb, and their fubftance or
antitype ffiall take place in that gofpel-kingdom, which
I am come to fet up, and in which I will inftitute an
other ordinance to fupercede this ; nor till at length
we ffiall delightfully commemorate, in the kingdom
of glory, that greater redemption from fin and wrath
by my death, which was typified by the deliverance
of Ifrael out of Egypt-,
17 And he took 17 And Chrift, as was ufually- done by the m^f-
the cup, and gave ter of the family at this feaft, took a cup of wine in
to his hand, and gave thanks in a folemn manner to
God his Father ; and then drinking part of it, de
livered the reft to his difciples, ordering them to hand
it round, and partake of it in their turns.
1 8 For, faid he, I again tell you, that I ffiall ne-
to you, I will not ver have an, opportunity of drinking the pafehal cup
drink of the fruit any more, till this divine inftitution ffiall be fuperced-
the kin' dDDirf ed by a redemption from all fpiritual and eternal evils,
God- foall come. and by another ordinance in the gofpel-ftate, to com
memorate it, which was prefigured by that deliverance
of Ifrael, in rememberance -of which the paffover was
appointed, and has been obferved to this day ; ^nd
from henceforth I will rejoice with you in no other
falvation, than that which ye ffiall enjoy with me for
ever in the kingdom of glory. (See the note on
Matth. xxvi. 29.)
1 9 As fqon as the pafehal fupper was ended, our
Lord again took bread into his hands ; and, fetting
it apart by thankfgiving and prayer , for a religious
purpofe, he broke and diftributed it among his dif-'
js my body which 'ciples f, faying, (1 Cor. xi. 24.) This is what I
is given for you : appoint to be henceforth the memorial of my body's
this do in remem- be; foQfon ty terriWe fu.fferin„s fe your ftead, as
brance of ifte. - ,° . ' , , r & J . ' ,
freely given up to death tor your redemption, and
made over to ycu for falvation : From this time on
ward to my fecond coming, eat ye bread, with faith,
thankfulnefs,
NOTES.
* It is obfervabje, that at this time f He did not ftand at an altar to offer a
he delivered thofe excellent difcourfes to facrifice to God, that his difciples might
them, which follow jn this chapter, and adore the bread; but he fat at a comraou
in the thirteenth and fourteenth of Join ; table, and fet it apart to facred ufe, that
to which he alfo added thofe in the fif- they might take and eat it. See the note
teenthand fixteenth of that Evangelift, on Mark *iv. in.
as foon as he went opt ©f the houfe to the
jnount of Olives.

jp And he took
bread, and gave
thanks, and brake
it, and gave unto
them, faying, This

Chap. xxii. Luke paraphrafed. 227
thankfulnefs, and joy, ia perpetual remembrance of
my dying for you, even as ye have hitherto eat the
paffover, in commemoration of Ifrael's deliverance
from * Egyptian miferies.
20 Likewife aU eo In like manner, after the pafehal fupper, and
fo '^fofo Tfos "^ eatin? bread in this ncw inft'tution, he took a
cup^V theSine* a cup of wine in his hand f ; and, having likewife fo-
teftament in my lemnly fet this apart for. facred ufe by thankfgiving
blood, which is foed andprayer, he gave it to his difciples, faying, Drink
for.you. yd all of this : (Mat. xxvi. 27.) For I appoint that,
from this time forward, your drinking wine, in this
ordinance, ffiall be a perpetual memorial of the con
firmation of the new covenant by my blood, as fhed
for the remiffion of your fins, inftead of drinking
wine, at the pafehal fupper, in commemoration of If
Tael'% great deliverance \.
»t But behold, 2I But while they were celebrating the paffover If,
thatWa ethhi" (Matth. xxvi. 21. and Mark xiv. 18.) Jefus, know-
is with foe oii the *"& tn* mon^ fccret defign of Judas's heart againft
table. him, took an opportunity to give them an alarming
hint about it, faying, Behold, one of you, my moft
intimate and familiar friends, who are now fitting with
me at table, will perfidioufly betray me into the hands
of mine enemies, according to that ancient prophecy,
(Pfal. xii. 9.) Mine own familiar friend, which did
eat of my bread, has lift up his heel agjiinfi me.
n And truly the t2 And to tell you the plain truth, I, the Mef-
as^t^as&fermil fiai' a™ juft now going freely> and not by conftraint,
ned: but wo unto t° the place, where I ffiall be apprehended in order
that to my laft fufferings and death, according to the de
terminate
NOTES.-
* As CIi»iflr had juft now celebrated of all imaginable abfurdities, and direct
the pafehal fupper, which was called the contradictions.
paflbver ; fo, in the like facramental lan- (| It feems, by the way of the evange-
gttage, he cafls this bread his body : And lifts Muttbeiv and Mark's placing and
this circumftance of itfelf was fuffici- exprefling Chrift's difcourfe on this occa-
ent to prevent any miftake, as if this fion, as if it was at the pafehal fupper,
bread were his real body, any more than and not at the Lord's fupper, that he
"*- the pafehal lamb was realty the paffover. gave this notice : For they both reprefent
See the note on Matth. fcxvi. 281 this intimation ks made while they were
f Here is an undeniable figure, where- eating the pafehal fupper, and bring it
by the cup is put for the wine in the cup * in before our 'Lord's proceeding to the in-
apd this is called the new teftament in ftitution of his fupper : And they tell us,
Chrift's ^lood, which could not poffibly that he notified the perfon who would
mean, that it was the new teftament it- betray him, by feying that it was he who.
feff, 'but only the feal of it, and the fign dipped his hand with him in the difh,
or memorial of that "blood which was foed which could relate to no other than the
to confirm it. pafehal fupper, ( Matth. xxvi. 2 1, 23. and
i This appears to me to be a plain and Mark xiv. iS, 20.) And Luke himfelf
eafy account of the nature and defign of here expreffes it by Chrift's faying, that the
this inftitution ; and effectually over- traitor's hand was with him on the table,
throws the PopiJh doctrine of tranfub- which feems to refer rather to the man-
ftantiation, which is contrary to the very ner of eating the paffover, than the Lord's
nature of a memorial, as we'll as is full fupper. See the note on Mark xiv. 10.

228"
that man by whom
he is betrayed.

The Evangelift

Chap. xxii.

23 And they be
gan to enquire a-
mong themfelves,
which of them it
was that foould do
this thing.

terminate counfel and foreknowledge of God, and
various prophecies in the. Old Teftament, concerning
me:. But, though the wickednefs of the traitor will
be over-ruled, by the wifdom of God, to accompliffi
his own moft gracious, holy, ,and eternal purpofe for
the redemption of the church ; this is no excufe for
that'man's fin, who afts upon the worft of principles,
without any knowledge of, or intention to fulfil this
.purpofe ; and therefore the moft terrible- of all woes
belong unto, and ffiall be inflifted upon him, who,
under a cloak of difciplefhip and friendfhip, willtrea-
cheroufly deliver me up to my crucified
23 Upon Chrift's giving fo plain and moving a
hint as this, all the difciples, except Judas, were
fhocked and grieved to think, that any among them
ffiould ever go into fo bafe a villany againft their
Lord ; they were humbly jealous of their own hearts,
left they fhould deceive them ; and were exceeding
folicitous to clear themfelves, and to know who it
was that ffiould be guilty of this horrible wickednefs,
every one of them faying, Lord is it I ? (Matth.
xxvi. 22.)
24 And there, 24 A little before this time likewife, the difciples,
was alfo a, ftrife a- having entertained carnal notions about Chrift's king-
mong them, which d difcovered great emulation, and entered info
of them foould be . ¦ , ,s : , r , „ , . , , . . . „
accounted the warm debates, which 01 them lhould have the higheft
greateft. polls of truft and honour 'under him ; one and ano
ther pretending that the pre-eminence belonged to
himfelf, either on account of his fuperior age, or ta
lents, or intereft in their Mailer's favour.
25 And * our Lord gave them a gentle reproof
for it, faying, In the kingdoms of this world, among
the heathens, who have no higher views I an what
relate to the prefent life, every one is aiming to be
uppermoft ; kings and emperors are exceeding ambi
tious of authority and power over their fubjefts, and
over one another ; and they that have the greateft in
tereft, influence, and power, and the largeft purfe,
are moft highly honoured, and readily fubmitted to ;
and in all this they would fain pafs for common be-
nefaftors. 26 But fuch a temper and fuch views muft not be
indulged among you, the fubjefts of my kingdom,
the nature and defign of which is fpiritual : If there
fore any would be great and eminent under me, what
foever
T E.
Marks.. 42, — 45.)' And. this naturally
accounts for Luke's placing this part of
the hiftory in a different order from thofe
Evangelifts.

25 And he faid
unto them, The
kings of the Gen
tiles exercife lord
fhip over them ;
and they that ex
ercife authority up
on them are called
benefactors.

26 But ye fhall
not be fo : but he
that is greatt-1 a-
mong .you, let him
be as the younger; and

N 0
* I fee no abfurdity in fuppofing that
Our bfef.ed Lord, upon wafhing his difci
ples feet, reminded them of his late dif
courfe to them againft aiming at pre
eminence : (Matth. XX. 25, — 28. and

Chap. xxii. Lujce pardphraj'ed. 229
and he that is chief, - foever his ftanding, privileges, or attainments may be,
as he that doth fo mufl- not a;m at WOrldly pdrrip and authority, but
muft be willing to condefcend to perfons of low de-
'gree, and fubmit tp the meaneft offices of love and
kindnefs ; and muft labour to promote their edifica
tion, and help their joy, as if he himfelf were the
youngeil among; his brethren, and were indeed their
fervant.
27 For whether ' 27 For ye ffiould learn of me, who am meek and
fittlthataetrmeatthat Iowly°f heart : Which is moft honourable, he who
he that ferveth? is ^Its at taD^e> an(^ 1S waited upon ; or he who flands,
not he that fitteth and waits upon him ? Ye will readily agree, that the
at meat ? but I am pre-eminence belongs to the former of thefe : But I,
t^tferW as, he your Lord and Mafter, am fo far from taking ftate
upon myfelf, or indulging mine own eafe, that I have
fubmitted to the form of a fervant, and performed all
offices of condefcenfion, love, and fervice to you, as
if I were yoUr inferior *. If therefore ye would be!
truly great in my kingdom, follow my example in all
poffible condefcenfion, meeknefs, and kindnefs to
wards one another, as there may be opportunities and
occafions for them.
28. Ye are they 2g, Ye have hitherto attended me in my trials, a-
which have conti- bafenlf,nt and fufferings, wherein ye have feen no-
nued: with me in ,.'-,., , , 1 . r 1 • 11
my temptations. thing ".ke the pomp and glory of this world, or any
affeftation of it ; nor have I given you any promifes
relating to it ; and yet ye have not been difcouraged
from abiding with me : Go on then, notwithftanding
the further fufferings ye may fee in me, and undergo
yourfelves, to maintain your adherence to me, and
the interefts of my kingdom, in expeftation of what
is every way better than all the riches and grandeur
of this life.
29 And I appoint 29,30 And as my Father has appointed to me, in
onto you a king- my office-charafter, a fpiritual kingdom on earth, and
dom, as my Father , ; kingdom on highf : "I, in like manner, ap-
hath appointed un- a o *> 1 ' . . . ; - r-
t0 me . point unto you honours and Dleilings, ot a fpintua!
30 That ye may nature, in my gofpel-kingdom here, and in heaven
eat and drink at .hereafter ; that ye may have the dignity and delight
my table in my 0f fetrfmate communion with me, like the nobles of a|
onnthroTcs, judging kingdom, who are admitted to eat and drink with
the twelve tribes of their prince at his table ;/ and that ye may have the
Ifrael. honour and authority of publifhing and enforcing the
laws
N O T E ,S.
* It feems as if Chrift was fitting at ta- fecondarily to all Chrift's fervants and
ble when he fpoke thefe words, and that difciples, whofe fpiritual powers, ho-
immediately afterwards he rofe and wafh- nouib, and delights, -are here reprefent
ed his difciples feet; an account of which ed in figurative terms, with refpect to
we have, John xiii. 4, 5. their advancement in the kingdom of
f The'fe expreffions feem to be prima- grace here, and iri the kingdom of glory
rily applicable to the twelve apoftles, and hereafter.
Vol. II. H k

23°

The Evangelift

Chap. xxii.

defired to hdveyoa.
thathe may (xftyou
as- wheat :

32 But I have
prayed for thee,
that thy faith fail
not ; and when
thou art converted,
ftrengthen thy bre
thren.

laws of my kingdom on earth, to bind the confcien
ces of all the tribes of Ifrael, and of publicly appro
ving of my fentence upon them, and confenting to it
as righteous, in the final judgment.
31 And the Lord 3 j, And yet, to humble them for their conten-
faid, Simon, Simon, t;ons aD0Ut dignities, our bleffed Lord forfewarned
behold, Sata- 1 h them 0f the offence' which they would take at his ap
proaching fufferings ; (Mat. xxvi. 31.) and,- turning
to Peter, he fpoke to him, and by him to them all,
faying with great earneftnefs, Simon, Simon *, attend
to what I am going to tell you: The devil has an evil
defign upon (1/^*5) you and the reft of my difci
ples ; and, being exceedingly defirous to have you all
in his power, has afked leave to fearch and fhake you,
like wheat, when it is winnowed j and, in a very lit
tle time, he will take advantage, from my fufferings
and death, to hurry and fright you> that ye may
fling up your profeffion, faith, and hope, and may
forfake and rejeft me.
3 2 But, as I know that his fterceft affaults and
greateft prevalence will be on thee, Peter, I particu
larly affure thee of my having prayed for 'thee, that
how terribly ^foever thy faith may ,be ffiaken, it may
not be utterly and finally deftroyed : And whe'n thou
fhalt be recovered, by a fort of fecond converfion,
from thy approaching fall, fee that thou improve thine
own experience for the counfel and caution of thy
feliow-Chriftians and minifters, againft temptation,
and for their relief and comfort under it, and reftor
ation after they may have been overcome by it.
33 Peter replied with too much felf-confidence,
unto him, Lord, I thpugh with an honeft heart, which meant as he faid,
ready to go j^.^ j fear no temptations of Satan j but am pre
pared for all events, and fully refolved to ftand by
thee, and take my fuffering lot with thee, though it
ffiould be unto imprifonment, and death itfelf : Be
my trials ever fo great, I never will defert or difown
thee. 34 Then, to warn him of the d&:eitfulnefs of his
I tell thee Peter, own heart, our Lord faid, Notwithftanding all thefe
crow'thisdav be- high profeffions of refolution and courage, zeal and.
fore that thou (halt friendfhip, I tell thee, Peter f , that this very day
thrice on which we are now entered, even before the time of
NOTES.
* Chrift here feems to call him by his Peter better than .Peter knew himfelf;
former name Simon, and not Peter, which and that, to humble him, he would fuf-
fignifies a Rock, becaufe what he was go- fer him to fall very foully, though he had
ing to fay to him was an argument of his prayed that his faith foould not utterly
infirmity, and not of his liability, or fail. See the notes on Matth, xxvi. 34,
ftrength: And here is a plain allufion to and Mark xiv: 30. for reconciling the
the hiftory of Job, chap. i..ii. different ways-, in which the Evangelitts-
f Chrift hereby fliewed that he knew expreffed the time here referred to.

33 And he faid
nt
am
with thee, both in
to prifon, and to
death.

34 And he faid,

CHp, xxii.

Luke paraphrafed.

231

his garment^
buy one.

thrice deny that of cock-crowing in the morning, thou wilt pofi-
thou knoweft me. tfvely deny, three times over, that thou ever hadft
the leaft acquaintance with me.
35 And he faid 35 And, that he might ftill further lead his dif-
unto them, When cJpfes to an expectation of a near approach of dangers
I fent yo« without and fuffering h reminded them that, when he had
purfe, and fcnp,and . &» , '
fooes, lacked ye a- iormerly (Matth. x. 9, 10.) fent them forth to
ny thing ? And preach the gofpel, he ordered them not to make any
they faid, Nothing, provifion fpr themfelves of money, or viftuals, or of
more fhoes or clothes than they had on, or of weapons
for their defence ; but to depend entirely upon Pro
vidence for their fupply and fafety : And he afked
them, whether, when they went out, in thofe circum
ftances, they ever fuffered axvant of any thing that
was needful for them ? to which they replied, No,
none at all.
36 Then faid he 36 Then faid he upto them, But now things will
unto them, But immediately take fuch a perilous turn, and ye will
now he that hath be fo friendlefs and expofed, that ye had need have
a purle, let him . , , ¦ , r. r ' ,' . , \, „. .
take it and like- both money and food before-hand tor tne necefianes
-wife his fcrip: and of life, and fwords too for your defence againft the
he that hath no enemies that are Coming upon you : Yea, your dan-
fword, fet him fell wfll be fo exceedjng great that ye would be glad
his tra'rvnpnt unH0 . &O - J O
even to part with your coats on your backs for a
fword to defend you againft it *'.,
' 3 7 For I tell you, that ttiere are ftill ancient pro
phecies, concerning the Meffiah's ignominious and
bitter fufferings and death, which muft -be fulfilled in
me ; as particularly, that he muft be looked upon,
And he was reck- and treated as a tranfgreffor, and muft fuffer and die
ened among the under all the infamy of that charafter, in company
tranfgreffors : for kh the v;left malefaa0rs : For- the time is now tuft
the tnins's concern— - ¦> **
ing me have an at hand, wherein, according to God's eternal coun
fel, all divine predictions relating to my bearing the
fin of many, (Ifa. liii. 12.) muft have their complete
accompliffiment, that I may finiffi the work which
my Father gave me to do,- and that all may end well
for me and them.
38 Upon this the difciples, underftanding Chrift
to have fpoken literally of ufing the fword for de
fence againft their enemies, faid to him, Lord, we are
ready to obey, thy orders; fee, here are two fwords,
amongft us : Shall we take care to get more, that we
H h 2 may
NOTE.
*. It feems as if what Chrift faid, a- them, but by the. power of the fword t
bout getting fwords, were to be under- For he afterwards faid^ (ver. 38.) that
ftood not literally, as an order to buy two fwords were enough, which could
them; but emblematically, as an intima- not be true, if their armed enemies were
tion of dangers coming on, which would to be refifted by force ; and when Peter
be fo extreme, that the difciples had ufed a fword in that way, Chrift reproved
need be well^rovided againft them, and him for it, (Matth. xxvi. 51.)
would think that they could not repel

37 For I fay un
to you, that this
that is written
rauft yet be ac-
complifhed in m

end.

38 And they
faid, Lord, behold,
here are two
fwords. And he
faid unto them, It
is enough. '

232 The Evangelift Chap. -xxii.
may all be armed againft any affault upon thee or us ?
But he having intended only to intimate, by the fyn>
bol of the fword, how great their danger was, repli
ed, Thefe two are fufficient to anfwer the inftruftive
defign for which I mentioned them : Let me therefore
hear no more of your providing fuch fort of weapons
for your defence and victory, as if my kingdom were
of this world*.
30 And he came 'g0 After thefe difcourfes Chrift went but of the
hewaTwom'to'the rp°m' wher£ he had eate" the Pafchal lamb' &nd
mount T^OUves* celebrated the Lord's fupper ; and, night being come
a nd his difciples al- on, he, according to cuftom, retired to the mount
fo followed him. of Olives ; and all his difciples accompanied him thi
ther, except Judas, who before had gone from fup
per in order to his betraying him into the hands of
the Jews. ("John xiii. 30.)
r: 40 And when 40 And as foon as he arrived at a place called
he was at the Qethfemdne, (Matth. xxvi. 36.) which was at the
tothem Pra that foot of the mount of Olives, he found his difciples
ye enter not into were heavy for fleep ; and, to roufe them, rfaid, This
temptation. is not a time to indulge yourfelves in floth, while dan
ger is fo nigh at hand : Beg earneftly of God to keep
you from, or in, the diftreffifig trials, which ar ecom-
ing upon you, that ye may not be hurried into fin
by them, but may be fupported, and enabled to be
have in a becoming manner under them, and carried
fafely through them.
41 And he was * 41, 42 Then having taken with' him three of his
withdrawn from djfeipleS) (Matth. xxvi. 37. and Mark xiv. 33.) and
i1™ *b,?ut , JJ having afterwards retired from thefe, to the diftance
Itones- caft, and o n . n -r r i_ 1 1 j
kneeled down, and of about a ftone's caft, tor fecret prayer, he kneeled
prayed, - down, arid with all humility and reverential fear, and
42 Saying, Fa- w;th earneftnefs and tears, addreffed his Father,
ther, if thou he ,Rb y> y f • q my heavenly Father , the near
willing, remove v. ' / J o» ..,-',./„-. ' , , ' , ,-1
this cup from me : vlew I have of the terrible fuftenngs and death which
neverthelefs, not lie juft before me, and what I now begin to feel from
my will, but thine the weight of thy hand, and the powers of darknefs,
be done. isio fhocking to my human nature, that, were it
confiftent with the eternal courifels of thy will, relat
ing to thy glory, and the falvation of thy people, I
fhould be glad to efcape them : Neverthelefs, I freely
bow, and fubmit to thy difpo'fal, renouncing all the
will of the fleffi', and defiring that not this will of
mine,
NO T E.
- * It istoo curious to inquire howthefe us, that it was cuftomary among the Ga\
iVffciples came to have two fwords among lileans to wear fwords when they travel-
tbem : But it may be fufficient to fay,' led, that they might defend themfelves a-
that it was providentially ordered, to give gainft the robbers and afTafiins which in-
oiir Lord an opportunity of ufing this em- fefted their roads; and as this was lawful,
blem, and of-leading his difciples to un- Chrift might very well allow of it in his
derftand his meaning in it: And fome tell difciples, though he wore none himfelf. '

Chap. xxi}.

Luke paraphrafed.

^33

mine, but that thy moft holy will may be done,
whatfoever it coft me.
43 And there 43 And immediately thereupon, an angel was dif-
appearedr an an- patched from heaven, to encourage him in his work,
heivW'te/T hY intimations that thejffue of his fufferings ffiould

ening him.
44 And being in
an agony, he pray
ed more earneftly :
and his fweat was

ground.

be to his own and his Father's glory, and that they
ffiould be crowned with a full reward.
44 However, as his lively apprehenfions of what
he was to endure were enlarged ; and as his foul then
began to feel the terrors of the Almighty, that were
as it were 'great due to the iniquities of his people *, his confterna-
drops of bfood fall- tion and horror increafed ; upon which, proftrating
l"n,m°Wn t0 ^ himfelf on the ground, he prayed with ftill more vehe
ment fervency, to the like purpofe as he had before :
And the agonizing conflifts and terrors of his mind
were fo amazingly diftreffing, that, though it was a
cold night, and he was lying on the ground, his blood
and animal fpirits were thrown into fuch a violent
fermentation, as opened the pores of his body in an
extraordinary manner, and forced their way through
them in a bloody fweat, which, being thickened by
the cold, fell down in clods ' to the ground.
45 And after he had fpent fome time in thefe
great conflifts, and in earneft fupplications and pray-
to'hi"difeipfesC,°he &.8> *!e Sot UP from h{s proftration, and returned to
found them* fleep- his difciples, who, he founds were all afleep, it not
only being very late, but their fpirits being alfo ex-
haufted by grief, at what he had told them. (ver.
36, 37, 40. and Matth. xxvi. 38. )
46 Then, reproving them in a gentle manner for
f0oheif' ^yflcep their own caution, he faid, Why do ye fuffer your-
feft yVenierPfato ^ves to fleeP at ^uc^ a time as l^s> wherein I am
fo full of forrow, and ye yourfelves are fo near to
danger ? Is this your love to me, and your care for
yourfelves ? get up, and pray for help againft this
unfeafonable drowfinefs, and againft the evils that
are juft at hand ; left ye be furprifed unawares, and
be overcome by the approaching trials.
47 And while he 47 And whilft our Lord was thus talking to
yet fpake, behold, them, behold, the very thing he was hinting came
a multitude, and Up0n them ; There immediately appeared a large par-
lie tr)3.i. W3.S Cfliled r r i t* » r r 1 it* 1 1
fadas one of the tv °* foldiers, and ot fervants and officers, and others
twelve.went before (ver. 52.) from the fanhedrim, all armed with fwords
them, and
NOTE.
* As their iniquities were laid upon ternal fufferings came upon him ; efpecial-
.Chrift, and it pleafed the Lord himfelf to ly confidering, that, at this very time, an
bruife him, and to awaken the fword of angel was fent from heaven to ftrength-
juftice againft him, Ifa. liii. 5, — 12. and en him, and that fo many martyrs have
Zech. xiii. 7. So, unlefs our great Lord thought of, and gone through as great
had a prefent view and fenfation of this, corporal fufferings with undaunted bra-
ftis to me unaccountable, that he fliould very and triumph.
be in fuch terrible diftrefs before his ex-

45 And when he
rofe up from pray

ing for forrow,

46 Anfl faid un-

temptation.

3J4

The Evangelift

betrayeft thou the
Son of man with a
kifs-?

XXJ1.
them, and drew and ftavesa (Mtftth. xxvi, 47. and John xviii. 3.) at
near unto Jefus to the head of which, that perfidious wretch Judas,
¦ ' * lm' one pf his twelve aj>oftleS, appeared as their leader ;
and, according to the fignal he had before agreed to
give them, (Matth. xxvi, 48.) he marched direftly
-up to Jefus, and faluted him with a kifs. (See the
note on Matth. xxvi. 49.)
48 But Jefos faid 48 But, though Chrift did not go about to arroid
unto him, Judas, his fuffering6, as knowing th,at the time appointed
for tbem was then come, he reprimanded the, traitor
in fuph a meek and, melting, and yet clofe and cut-;
ting manner, as one would think muft have affefted
the -hardeft heart, faying, What, Judas ! one of my
old and intimate friends and acquaintance, who haft
had fo many proofs of my divine authority, goodnefs,
care, and kindnefs, and never found any evil in me,
Doft thou come hither to betray me into the hands of
my implacable enemies, that they may cruelly deftroy
me ? And what, art thou capable of doing this un
der the form of friendfhip, and by the tendereft fymbol
of love and peace ? What canft thou think, Judas,
of fuch aggravated hypocrify, ingratitude, and
treachery as this ? or how couldft thou find in thine
heart to be guilty of it ?
45 When they 49 Now when the difciples faw the defign upon
which were about which this multitude came, with Judas at their head,
w'ouldfo^fow.They an<i that tfley were ahout, to feize their Lord ; fome
faiduntohim'Lord, of them allied hijn, whether they ffiould draw upon
foall we, fmite with the enemy, and ufe their fwords in his defence ? (ver.
the fword? ,g-\
50 And one of 50 And one of them Peter by name, being in too
them fmote the fer- much heat and hafte to wait for an anfwer, irnmediate-
Va-ntfr °f d'6 h'gff ly drew' and ain^ed at t5ie head °* Malchus, one of
nisCriehtnear. the high-prieft's fervants ; but, miffing his ftroke, cut
off only his right ear. (John xviii. 10.)
51 And Jefus ji But ($1) Jefus obferving this, rebuked Peter
anfwered, and laid, for be;ng fQ nfa . (Matth. xxvi. 52.) and then, to
A & h° 'torched aPPea^e his enemies, he faid to them, Do not refent,
his ear a«d healed hut pafs by this injury and affront, which one of my
him. difciples hath offered without my order, and which I
will immediately repair* : And thereupon, to fhew
his divine power and- goodnefs, he touched the
wounded man's ear, and inftantly- healed it.
52 After Jefus had fhewn all this meeknefs, mer cy,
NOTE.
* Some think that our Lord fpoke to he fpoke to hi« enemies, to pacify them,
his'dilciples to be quiet, and make no that they might not revenge the affront,
further oppofition, when he faid ix"u ior which they had fo far fuffered from Pe-
tuU, permit, or fuffer ye thus far: But ter's hand; and he hereby fhewed the
his healing the wounded ear immediate- excellence of his Spirit, who would for-
ly upon his faying thefe words, makes it give and heal his enemies, above that of
probable that (as Dr Whitby obferves) Peter's, who wanted to deftroy them.

52 Then

Jefos ;
faid

Chap. xxii. Luke paraphrafed. 233
faid unto the' chief cy, and power, he addreffed Himfelf to the chief
pridfts and cap- prfefts and captains * of the temple; and to the elders
andS0 the* ^eWe^s of tIie people, who came along with them to appre-
which were come hend him ; and, expoftulating with them, faid,
to him,' Be ye came What means your coming armed with fwords and
out as- agafoft a clubs, in this manner to feize me, as if I We're fome
Ind ftaws^ - defperate rogue, who muft be taken by main force ?
Have I ever behaved like fuch a perfon, or appear
ed with any guard about me ?
jy Wheir I was ^ When I was fo often, day after day, publicly
the'y Tern*" le°U '" teach'ng"in the temple, ye had all defirable opportu-
ftretdfed forth no nitfes to, feize me, if ye- knew any evil by me; and
liarids againft me : yet none of you ever offered, in fuch an hoftile man-
but this is your ner, to make me your prifoner then. : But- I know
e°of fntthf.pow* that the time appointed- of the Father, and foretold
in prophecy, (Mark xiy. 49.)' for my fufferings is
now come ; and therefore his over-ruling providence
has taken off the reftraints', by which he hitherto
with-held you : This is the feafon in which he has de
termined to let you have your wilf againft me, and
to fuffer the infernal powers of darknefs to ftir you
up, as their inftruments, to cut me off : I therefore
readily acquiefee, fubmit, and yield myfelf up into
your hands, and am prepared for the worft.
54. Then took 54 Then the foldiers, taking Jefus into cuftody,
they 'htm, and led led- him away like a criminal ; and, according to their
him' into the hfirh orders, carried him to the palace of Caiaphas, the
prieit's houfe. And high-prieft, where, though it was fo late at night,
Peter followed afar the fcribes and elders of the people were gathered to*
°8* gether, ready to fit in judgment upon him. (Matth. t
xxvi. 5,7.) And, the reft of. the difciples flying, Pe
ter followed him at a conliderabfe diftance, to fee
what would become of him.
55 And when ^j And, fome time after the company entered fn-
they hadkindled a tQ tfo bouf h t admjfijon too-. where he found
fire jn the midft of , r . , 7. . ° , „ ... , . , ,
the half and were tne fervants fitting round a hre, which, the night be-
fet d6wn together, ing cold, they had kindled at one end of the hall to
Peter fat down a- warm themfelves, while the counfel were examining
tflimg them. jerus at the other ; and Peter fat" down with them f ,
hoping by that means to conceal himfelf, and to hear
how things went with his' Lord.
5* But a certain c6Biit- there wa6 a maid-fervant of the high-prieft's,
maid who
NOTES.
* Some fuppofe that thefe captains of \ The evangelift John fays,, (chap.
the temple Were captains of the feveral Xviii. 18.) the fervants ftood there, and
watches which the1 priefts and fcribes Peter ftood with them. Some of them,
kept there ; and others, that they were it feems, wete ftanding. and others fit-
captains of the Roman foldiers, which u- ting ; and Peter beinsf reftlefs in- his own-
foally kept garrifon in the tower of An- mind-, w-as likewife reffclefsi-.i hispoftare,
tvnia, but, at the three great feftivals, fometimes fitting, and at others ftanding
were placed at the porches of the temple1 among them.
to-keep- the peicei-

236

The Evangelift

Chap. xxii.

as he fat by the
fire, and earneftly
looked upon him,
and faid, This man
was alfo with him.
57 And he de-

59 And about
the fpace of one

maM beheld him, who obferved him, as he , fet in company with the-reft
round about the fire ; and,, looking ' "wiftly at him,
faid, I am ftrongly perfuaded that this man w|s one
of the friends and followers of Jefus of Galilee.
57 At this, Peter's courage failed him ; and being
full of fear and furprife, he, in all hurry and confufion,
Woman"1'! know denied 'he charge, faying with an air of confidence
him not. ' and refentment, Woman, you do me a great deal of
wrong, I am a ftranger to him.
58 And after a ^8 Soon after this, a man * in the company look-
1therefawhhim Trni ^ at Peter, and taxed him home, faying, Whatfoe-
faid Thou art alfo ver you pretend, you certainly are one of the follow-
ofthem. AndPe- ers bf Jefus : But (Se) Peter, ftill full of furprife
ter faid, Man, I and fear, and under fhe power of temptation, denied
am not. jt again> faying, Man, I tell you, it is no fuch thing,
I do not belong to him, nor do I know any thing of
him. 59 And, within the compafs of about an hour af
ter this, another of the ftanders-by was very peremp-
confidently Affirm- torY in affirming» that Peter was one of the follow
ed faying Of a ers °f Jefus of Galilee : For, faid he, I know by his
truth this fellow brogue that he is a Galilean ;, and befides this, he
alfo was with him; fafd he had feen him with Jefus in the garden, when
for he is a Gallic he cut off the ear of on£ of the high prieft>s fervants>
to whom this perfon was related. (John xviii. 26.)
60 And Peter 60 Then Peter, in the midft of the utmoft terror
faid, Man, I know and confternation, refolving ftill to brave it out, (as
n2 w «a 1 °u ^" perfons are too prone to do, when once they have in
ert. And imme- £ r .... . {
diately while he inared themlefves with a fie) faid, with ftuf greater
yet fpake, the cock vehemence, and with ffiocking imprecations and
dew. oaths f, (Mark xiv. 71.) I tell you, man, I know
nothing of the matter. And no fooner had he this
, third time denied that he knew Chrift, but he
heard a cock crow ; it being early in the morning, •
which, by way of eminence, was called the time of
cock-crowing. (See the noter on Mat. xxvi. 34.)
6i{ And the Lotd 61 Immediately upon this, the Lord Jefus, who
turned, and' loo]:- was ftanding before. the high prieft,'with his back to-
e upon Jr"e er , ward peter and by his divine omnifcience knew all
and Peter remem- J '.
bered the word of that had paffed, turned himfelf about, and in much
the Lord, how he mercy looked upon him, to reprove, fhame, and hum-
had faid unto him, ble him j and this was with fuch power, that it melt-
Before H ed
NOTES.
* We are told (Mat. xxvi. 71. and fecond's fpeaking directly to Peter him-
Mark xiv. 69.) it was another maid that felf, and that probably upon what he had
charged Peter, when he, the fecond time, heard this woman fay concerning him ;
denied Chrift; whereas Luke here fpeaks which takesoff the feeming contradiction
of this perfon as another man : But it is in thefe accounts.
to be obferved, that both Matthew and f He probably heard vollies of oaths in
Mark fay, the maid fpoke concerning Pe- the company he then kept; and, to ren
te) to tbem that were there, or to them der himfelf the lefs fufpefted, thought of
that ftood by; whereas Luke Mentions a confirming his denial in their own way.

Chap. xxii. Luke paraphrafed. 237 -
Before the cock ed him into repentance : Then Peter inftantly called
nr°meththrfeealtde*' t0 ™nd the warninS which his Lord had given him,
when he faid, Before the time of cock-crowing is
i. paft, thou wilt three times over peremptorily deny
me. (ver, 34.)
(a. And Peter _ 62 And Peter, finding how fadly this was verifi-
werrtflufe- and wept ed, got out of the high-prieft's hall, as faft as lie1 goulcf,
J ' - that he might give free vent to the grief and anguiffi
of his fpirit, in fome private place by himfelf; and
there he poured out floods of penitential tears, with
bitter lamentations and bewailings of his; felf7confi-
derice,- weaknefs^ and wickednefs, and of his ftiame-
ful ingratitude to his dear Lord.
63 And the men 5 j- JefUSj fe the mean-while, being under arraign-
that held Jefos m£ ;n the high.pTiefl-.s haU thc abjeBs gathered
mocked him, and , , ' . °. r ¦ „ ,¦ ,„,, a \
f'mote hvji. themjelves together againft him ; (rial. xxxv. 15.)
die high-prieft's fervants, who had him in cuftody,
, r .- infulted and derided, boxed- and bunetted him*.
64 And when 64. And, among' other indignities, they hood-
foldyedhfombthe" winkedhim' and then* like children at play, fport-
ftruck him 'oh the ^Y fruote him on the face, and, jeering his pro-
face, and afked phetic office,, faid, Come, you who pretend to know
him, faying, Pro- . all things, tell who it is among us that flrikes you.
phefy who is it -65 And to. thefe they added abundance of other -
6< And manv blafphemous affronts, to ridicule and revile him, as if
other things blaf- he were the fool of a pky, and to abufe him with -
phemoully fpake fpittings and buffettings, and other rude and feorn-
they againft him. ful barbarities, as if he were the moft odious and con
temptible wretch upon earth.
66 And affoon 5,5 And a great, part of the night having been
as it was ay, t.ie f_ent jn examinations, and in ludicrous and cruel
elders ot the peo- r r T, . _, •„,,, , - r
pie and the chief treatment ot our .Lord, the Jewifh elders, chief
priefts and the priefts, and interpreters of the law, affembled together
fcribes, came to- in full council, after a ffiort recefs, very early in the
gether, and led morning-, 1 and had him brought before them for fur-
lum into their , ° .. . , „ , ° ,, , ... .
counc;i ther examination, (bee the note on Matth. xxvn. 1.)
67 Saying, Art 67, 68 Saying, Do you indeed profefs to be the
thou the Chrift? true Meffiah, who is the Son of God ? (Matth'.
tell us. And he xxv,\ (,§.} Tell us plainly whether you do avow and
i"eHUno°u "Cwill ftand t0 this or not' But (ls) he rePi;ed, If I ffiould
not believe. affirm and demonftrate it ever fo plainly, fuch- is the
6S And if I alfo obftinacy and malice of your prejudifed hearts, that
afk you, you will ve would not believe me : And if I mould afk you,
fet?f 7r''le' noc what ye can objeft againft the proofs I have already
" ' given of it, ye would neither giv'e me a fair anlwer,
nor agree to my being difcharged ; it is therefore to
. .little purpofe to, fay any thing to you about it.
69 How-
N O T E.
* This fort of ill ufa^e is placed after no inconvenience in fuppofing that he
the council's condemning him in Matth. was abufed in this manner, both kl-nc
xxvi. 67. and Mark xiv. 65. But I fee and after hi; condemnation.
Vol.- II. I i

I5S The Evangelift Chap. xxii.
So Hereafter fhall 69 However, this I wffl tell you, I, who am tru-
the Son of man fit ty man> feaU ere long fo enthroned in majefty and
of" the "ntver^f gW at my Father's right hand, and my great ppw-
Gad, r er and authority will appear afterwards with undent-
able evidence, in thedeftru&ion of your city, temple,
and nation, and in the amazing progrefs of mfy gof
pel ; and at laft in arraigning you and the whole
world at my awful bar : Then all your procefs againft
me now ffiall be tried over again ; and ye ffiall be con>-
vinced, to your coft, that I am the Chrift of God.
70 Then faid 70 Hereupon they all cried out with tumultuous
they all, Art thou ,rage> ^hat thenj ,do you indeed fet up.for that Mef-
God? AndShTfaid fiah' and kinS o( Ifrael, who is the Son of God*-'
unto them, Ye fay And he abiding by his confeffion, though he knew
thai I am. he ffiould die for it,, replied, I do own that I am he, .
according to the juft conftruction which ye make of
Ay word's f.
71 And they faid, 71 And as foon as they heard this, they, like a
What need we any a COUncil that pretends to infallibility, cried out with
we' oSes have' infoknce, and without afking how he could make his
heard of His own affertion good, or ffiewing the leaft remorfe, or dread
i*iouthi of his great power, (fee the note on Matth. xxvi. 66.)
Here is evidence, enough for us, as an ecclefiaftical
court, to condemn him upon ; why ffiould we inquire
after, or ftand to hear any pther witneffes ? He has,
by his own confeffion, thoroughly proved enough a-
gainft himfelf ; for we all have heard dfcecrt blafphe
my from his own- mouth.
RECOLLECTIONS.
It is hardi to- fay which is moft to be wondered at, the lengths of wickednefs, that
the corruption of mankind, under the inftigation of the devil, will carry them to,
or the diftrefs and ignominy, that Chrift fuffered for fin, Covetoufnefs and treach
ery, infidelity and hardnefs, of heart, malice and rage know no bounds, unlefs God
refirra-ins them ; witnefs the defperate nisHgnity. with which they vented them
felves in betpa-ying and confpiring againft,. apprehending and condemning, revi
ling and abufing the Son. of God. And O what terrible agonies did he undergo in
his foul, what fatigues in his body, what rude infults and ridicule in bis name and
character ! Eut with what matchlefs patience and refignation to his Father's will,
and meeknefs and com paffion to h-rs enemies, did he behave- under them '. And how
amazingly did Infinite Wifdom over-rule ifhe hour and power of darknefs, for the
accomplishment of ancient prophecies, to the glory of God, and the falvation of
the Church ! — Chrift our paflbver was facrific.ed for us ; and under the gofpej-ftate
we have a' better deliverance to- commemorate, than that of Ifrael out of Egypt .-
O
NOTES.
* The council's mieftion Whether he the Meffiah, who, was to be both God
' were the Sorfof God, occafioned by his and, man.
having, fpOke of himfelf as the Son of f- If we compare this paffage with
man, Who fhou-ld Jit on the right hand of Matth. xxvi. ,64. and Mark xiv. 62. it
fhe poiuer of God, fhews that both thefe appears that ye fay that I am, and ye
were known characters of the Meffiah; have jaid, are terms of the.fame import
one taken from his human, and the o- in, the Jewifh phrafeology, with faying,
ther from his divine nature ; and that lam : So that Chrift hereby plainly de-
to own him; either as the Son of God, clared himfelf to- be in truth the Son of
ot the Son of maw, was to own him as- God.

Chap, xxiii. Luke paraphrafed. 239
O with what thankfulnefs, folemnity, and joy, fliould all his difciples profefs their
faith in a redeeming Saviour* and remember his dying love, in affection to his per
fon, in obedience to his authority, and for the. honour of his name '. He will com
mune with them in ordinances of his own inftitution here, till he receives them to
-nearer intimacies and delights in his heavenly kingdom ; 'and they, who faithfully
abide with him, in days of the greateft trial, fhall lack nothing that is needful for
them in this world, andfhail fit on thrones of glory with him in that which is to come:
But, as all that make a profeffion of Chrift are not his true difciples, w hat a godly
jeafoufy fliould we have over ourfelves, left we prove treacherous to him, or have
ambitious or temporal views, unfuitable to the humility and f'pirituality, that be
long unto his children'. O the danger of.felf.confi,dence, and of entering into temp
tation ; and the need of watchfulnefs, andearoeft prayer rlbr help againft them !
But, after all, the fecurity of true believers lies in Chrift's intercefEon for them ;
that, how much foever their faith may be fliaken, it may not utterly fail : And
when any of us have found its powerful influence for .our recovery, how fliould we
improve -our own experience for the cautioning and fti'engtheiiing of our brethren '.
— How great is the difference between the fms of believers, and .others '. They,
like Peter, fall into fin by furprife, and under the hurry of temptation, contrary
to their habitual difpofitions and defigns ; and, a remembrance of it cuts them to
the heait, and makes fome of -them weep 'bitterly : But others, like Judas, and
the high-prieft and council, commit iniquity with deliberation and choice, and
perfift in it with obftinacy and hardnefs of heart- And how far are. they from all
hope of recovery, and from fincere inquiries, who afk ifter Jefus, and his doctrine,
-only that they may ftrengthen their own aud-others prejudices againft him '. But
Ae will hereafter appear, in all his majefty and glory, to the confufion of thofe
lhat defpife and reject him, .as well as to the unfpeakable joy of thofe that believe
in him.

CHAP. XXIII.

Chrift's trial before Pilate, 1, — 5. His examination before Herod,
6, — 12. His further trial before .Pilate, 12, — 25.-. His cruci
fixion, 26, — 38. The different behaviour of the malefaBors to-
ixxird him, 39, — 43. His death, -and the miracles that .attended
it, 44, — 49. And his burial, 50, — 56.
Text. ". Paraphrase.
^ND the whole r I 'HE council having condemned our hleffed Lord
multitude of X ;n their ecclefiaftical court, as a blafphemer, and
led^im^unto ^i- ^n^nS themfelves under a difficulty about their own
.kte. power of putting him to death ; ( fee the note On John
xviii. 31.) they proceeded to bind him, as a male
factor ; (Matth. xxvii 2.) and, the whole multitude
attending them, went with him dire&ly. to the judg
ment-hall, to inipeach him of high crimes and n.ilde-
meanors before Pontius Pilate, who, under the iio-
man emperor, was then governor of judea.
2 And they be- 2 And, that they might render him obnoxious to
gan to accui'e him, the ftate, they entered a charge againft him as an im-
faying. We found pofl.orj pretending that they could prove him to be,
verting thTnation' not only a notorious deceiver, wife milled the people
,and forbidding to into pernicious notions of religion, but likewife a fe-
give tribute to Ce- ditious fellow, who endeavoured to raife infurrecTions
far, faying, that he a2-ainft the government, by diffuading the people
hunftlf * J i 2 from

4 Then faid, Pi
late to the chief
priefts, and to the
people, I find no
fault in this man.

240 The Evangelift Chap, xxiii.
himfelf is Chrift a frofn paying any taxes to the emperor, and fetting
kinS- himfelf up as King of Ifrael, in oppofition to Tiberi
us Ccefar, whom they, on this occafion, profeffed to
acknowledge as their 'lawful and only fovereign.
(John xix. 15.)
3 And Pilate afk- 3 Upon their urging this, Pilate thought himfelf
ed him, faying, Art obliged, as the Roman governor, to take fome notice
th™ the king of of the maUer and tbet,efore he put our Lord to the
the lews? And he „ . . .: T^, . , r ,- . ,.
anfwered him, and queftion, faying, Do you indeed, as they allege,
feid, Thou layeft profefs to be the King of Ifrael? To which he re-
:"f- plied, What you fay is in a certain fenfe true. I do
indeed own myfelf to be the Meffiah, and fo Ifrael'*
King ; but not fuch a king as to interfere with Cce
far' s civil authority, or to invade, his rights, and di-
fturb his government in a feditious manner, as they
rnalicioufly and falfely accufe me ; for my kingdom is
not of 'this world, (John xviii. 36.) but relates only
to fpiritual and religious concerns.
4 When Pilate had heard Chrift's defence, he
went out of the judgment-hall to the chief priefts,
fcribes, elders, and all the people, who would not
venture in, left they fhould be defiled, (John xviii.
28.^ and faid, Whatfoever ye may have to charge
him with, relating to the religious doftrines _ he
preaches up among you, which do not fall under my
cogriifance as a- civil magiftrate, I cannot fee, upon
examination, that he afferts, or attempts any thing
feditious, or injurious to the government ; and there
fore it does not belong to me "to trouble myfelf any
further about him.
j- And they were ' r And when the Jews perceived that Pilate was
the more fore?, defirous to difmifs him, they cried out with the more
faying, He ftirreth , , r . ' J r . TXT, _
up the people, vehemence and furious outrage, faying, What, fee
teaching through- no fault in him ! We infift upon it, and can prove it,
that he has taken abundance of pains fo raife infurrec-
tions amoYig the people, by his rebellious principles,
through all parts of our land ; and has fpread his
dangerous notions wherever he has gone, even from
his head-quarters in Galilee to Jerufalem itfelf*.
6 When Pilate heard them mention Galilee, he
hoped he had a fair opportunity to get rid of Jefus ;
and therefore inquired whether it were true that he
was a Galilean ? '
7 And finding- that his moft ufual reiidence was in
that country, and that he lately came from thence, Pilate
NOTE.
* They feem to have mentioned his lee h'ad before appeared in that country,
beginning fibm Galilee, to ftir up Pilate and incited the people to throw off the Ro-
fo much the more againft him, becaufe nan yoke, telling them that payi-ig tri-
the Galileans were notorious for thci: in- bute to Ccefar was a fign of flavcry ; the
clirr.itions to. rebel ; .and Judas 'A Gat'i- account 'of whom we iavi-in-.-.Y/.c v. -7.

out all Jewry, be
-ginning from Gali
lee to this place.

d When Pilate
heard of Galilee,
he afked whether
the man were a
Galilean. 7 And afl'oon as
he knew that lie
belonged

Chap, xxiii.

Luke paraphrafed.

241

lem at that time.

S And when
Herod faw Jefus,
he was exceeding

belonged unto He- Pilate- thought that the cognifance of this cafe might
rod's jurifdiction;, properly belong to Herod, who was then governor of
' rod whiThfmfe^f G^l/ee> and at this VC17 time was come UP to tne feaft
was alfo at Jerufa- at Jerufalem ; and therefore Pilate immediately order
ed Jefus to be carried before him, that he might eafe
himfelf of tins troublefome affair : God over-ruling
this circumftance, by his providence, to accompliffi
a remarkable prophecy. (Pfal. ii. 2.*)
8 And Herod was mightily pleafed at the fight of
Jefus : For he had long wifhed that it might come in
glad: for he\va^ his waY to fee him, becaufe he had heard much of
ilefirous to fee him his fame irThis own country ; (Matth. xiv. 1.) and
of a long feafon, now he hoped that his curiofity would be gratified,
becaufe he had ^ being- an eye-witnefs of Chrift's performing fome
heard many things .' r 1 1 • 1 • r
of him ; and he ho- ' wonderful work in his prefence.
ped to have feen 9 Accordingly he put feveral queftions to our
fome miracle done Lord, relating to the miracles that were reported to
y ."' , r have been wrought by him, with intimations how de-
thmed withhimln f,r0US he waS>. that.' if he could do any ftrang.e th'n&.
many words; but he would oblige him fo far as to let him fee it : But
he anfwered him as Jefus knew that Herod's defire was not from any
nothing. good inclination or defign, but merely to give him
felf and his courtiers a little diverfion, that they might
have fomething to talk of, he would neither profli-
tute his diyine power to fuch a vain and ludicrous hu
mour ; nor reply to any queftions that were put to
him about it.
10 And as the chief priefts and Jewifh doftors
had exhibited clarrtorous accufations againft him to
Pilate ; fo they followed him to Herod, and were as
noify, bold, and urgent in the fame charges there,
fiercely and feverely accufing him of publifhing infec
tious and treafonable principles, that they might a-
waken Herod's fears, left the people of Galilee, as
wtll as of Judea, fhould be thereby influenced to
make infurrections, and difturb the civil government.
1 1 Then Herod finding that Jefus would neither
fatisfy his curiofity, ncr anfwer for himfelf, he, and
his foldiers, by his encouragement, treated the Lord
of glory with difdain ; (^mimc-af) they making no
thing of him, fet him afide as a weak and filly wretch,
who could neither do nor fay any thing worth mind
ing, and was rather to be defpifed than feared : And
therefore, inftead of inflicting any capital punifhment
upon him, he and his guard made their game of him,
-derided and infulted him, and, by way of fcorn and
mockery,
NOTE. '. " "
* This is exprefsly taken notice of as Chrifi, to do whatfoever God's hand and
fulfilled, when Herod and Pontius Pi- counfel determined before to be done,
late, with the Gentiles, and the people Acts iv. 26, 2-], 2%.
ef Ifrael, were gathered together againft

10 And the chief
priefts- and fcribes
'•ftood and vehe
mently accufed
him.

with

And Herod
his men of
war fet him at
nought, and mock
ed him, and array
ed him in a gorge
ous robe, anil fent
him again "to Pi
late.

»42

The Evangelift Chap, xxiii.
mockery, put him into a gaudy drefs, which refero-
bled the purple robes of princes, to ridicule his king
ly office ; as if all his claims of that nature were a
ffiam pretence ; and, after all thefe vile abufes, Herod
fent him back again to Pilate to do what he would
with him.
1 2 And the mutual meffages and civilites, that pafs-
ed on this occafion between Pilate and Herod, were
the means of reconciling them, one to the other,
who * for fome time before had been at variance.
13,14 Now Jefus being brought back from Herpd\,
who had flighted the iiSbrmations laid againft him,
and paffed, no fentence upon him, Pilate fummoned
together the chief priefts and elders, with the reft of
the council, and the principal perfons among the
Jews, that had appeared to accufe him, and faid un
to them, Ye have had a fair opportunity of bringing
this man to his trial ; he has been already before me
under the charge of being a pretender to the Jewifh
crown, and a fomenter of tumults and infurrecitions
among the people ; and ye fee that I have given you
. i and be fair play, I have openly examined him, and heard all
iold, I, having ex- that ye have to fay ; but, upon the whole, I cannot
find that ye have made good your allegations againft
him. 15 No, nor has any thing of this nature been
found upon him even by Herod himfelf, who, being
one of yonf own nation, is better acquainted with your
principles, laws, and cuftoms, than I am : For, to
oblige you, I fent you to have the caufe tried before
him ; and yet, fee how this man's innocence appears !
he has ordered nothing to be done to him, that car
ries the leaft intimation, as if he thought him to
have deferv.ed death.
1 6 Therefore, for your fatisfacf ion, and to avoid
the fhedding of innocent blood, I will order him to
be feourged as if he were a criminal, though not guil
ty of a capital offence ; and then I will difcharge him,
at your requeft, in honour of the folemn feftival,
which is now returned. This he faid to appeafe the
clamour of the people, and to fpare Chrift's life in
a way of as much complaifance to them, as poffible.
1 7 For the cuftom of thofe times made it neceffary, that,

1 2 And the fame
day Pilate and He
rod were made
friends together ;
for before they
were at enmity
between them
felves. 13 And Pilate,
when he had call
ed together the
chief priefts, and
the rulers, and the
people, .
14 Said unto
them, Ye have
brought this roan
unto me, as one
thatperve'rteth the

amined him before
you; fyave found no
fault in this man,
touching , thofe
things whereof ye
accufe him ;
15 No, nor yet
Herod : for I fent
you tO him ; and
lo, nothing wor
thy of death is done
unto him.
16 I will there
fore chaftife him,
and releal'e him.

17 For of necef fity

N O
* Their former quarrels had probably
been, either about the extent of their ju
rifdiction and authority, or on account
of emulations that were between them,
pj: of fome encroachment which one had
made upon the other. And perhaps
Herod thought Pilate had invaded his
rights by putting to death the Galileans,

T t.
who were his fubjects, when they came
up to Jerufalem to offer facrifice, which
feems to be referred to in Luke xiii. 1.
But now they forgot their former grud
ges, and were reconciled into the friend
fhip of this world, which was enmity
with God. (Jam. iv. }).)

Chap, xxiii. Luke paraphrafed. 243
fity he muft releafe that, at every return of the paffover, the governor
t^fwft0 thetB ^ °{J^dea fhould g*atify the Jews with the releafe of
a prlfoner, whom they ffiould defire to be fet free.
18 And they eri- i8 But, inftead of being pacified with this pro-
a T A w" °with P°fa1' the chief priefts and elders perfuaded the peo-
this man and re- P^e Dy no means to hearken to it ; and thereupon
leafe unto us Ba- they all cried out, as with one voice, Let this mau
rabbas : be hanged ; away with him from the earth, as one
not fit to live ; we infift upon it, that, inftead of
him, you would favour us with the releafe of Barab-
bas.
19 (Who for a 19 Now this Barabbas, whom they preferred to
certain fedition the holy Jefus, was a notorious malefacfor, and was
Mid C for murder*' t'len '" Pr'f°n for a dreadful riot at Jerufalem, in
was caft into pri- which he was one of the chiefs, and had been guilty
fon.) of murder, as well as of robbery and plunder. (John
xviii. 40.)
20 Pilate there- 20 Pi/ale therefore finding, by this monftj-oufly
fore willing to re- bafe and unworthy demand, that their furious out-
leafe Jefus, fpake cr;es a„a;nfl- jefus proceeded from bitter malice and
again to them. ° , J r , ,- -/-mi r , ¦
envy, was the more delirous, it pofubie, to fet him
at liberty ; and expoftulated with them again,, per-
fuading them to defift from their impetuous clamours,
and to be fatisfied with his being fmartly corrected
by fcourgfng, which was a proper punifhment for
fuch as oppofed their laws.'
ni But they cri- 21 But they cried out with ftill more noife and
ed, faying, Crucify fUIyy Crucify him, crucify him ; let nothing fhort of
bim, crucify him. that worft of deatbSj wh;ch belongs to the vileft flaves,
be inflifted upon him, who pretends to be our king.
22 And he faid 22 And Pilate feeing ftill more thoroughly into
unto them the their wickednefs, and being loth to comply with it,
third time, Why? arp-ued with them ag-ain a third time, fayinn-, Why
what evil hath he , 6 r . ,. 2_ „ .. j ¦
done? I have found do 7e fo tumultuou fly call upon me to order an in-
no caufe of death nocent man to be crucified ? What capital crime haye
in him : I will ye been able to prove upon him ? for my part, upon
therefore chaftife ,-fo ftric"left examination, I cannot fee that, accord
ing, and let him ing tQ OU]. j^ fo has done any thJng for w{];ch fo
deferves to die, much lefs to be put to the infamous
death of the crofs : And therefore, if ye will be fa
tisfied with it, I will (as I faid before) order him to
be feourged, and then difcharge him*.
23 And they 23 But, (Se) inftead of yielding to his argument*
were inftant with an(j entreaties, they grew more furious ftill ; and, ur-
loud °
^ ging
NOTE.
* As Peter, a difciple of Chrift, dif- third plea for Chrift, and before fenrence
honoured him by denying him thrice, ivas palled, againft. him, that Pilate or-
though he believed him to be the Son of dered him to be fcotuged, defighing
God ; fo Pilate, a heathen, honoured thereby to move the p'ly of the Jews
Chrifi by owning him thrice to be inno- toward him, and fo'to prevent thtir fur-
cent, though he did not believe in him: ther infifting on his be;ng crucified. See
And it feems to me that it was after this the cote on Matth. xxvri. r;tf.

244 'The Evangelift v Chap, xxiii.
loud voices, requi- ging him with repeated, loud, and tumultuous da
ring that he might mours, they proceeded to fuch infolence at length,
t£ volt! of tbem, a*even to demand that he ffiould condemn him to
and of the chief crucifixion : And the people, together with the chief
priefts, prevailtd. priefts and rulers, preffed him with fuch vehemence,
and high threats, (John xix. 12.) that, though he
believed Jefus to be- innocent, he had not virtue e-
nough to refill their unrighteous importunity, and
to overcome his own feats of a further mutiny, and
of being expofed to Ccefar's refentment.
24 And Pilate ' 24 And fo Pilate yielding to what he to,ok to be
gave fentence that tfo neceffity, as well as the iniquity of the times, pafs-
reftukedbCaSthey ed fentence uPon Chrift> according to their requeft,
though directly contrary to his own reafon and con
feience.
25 And he re- 25 And to curry favour with the Jews, and go
leafed linto them, through flitch with their dirty work, he, in viola-
him that for fedjr t;on 0f au right and juftice, complied with all their
tion and murder d d both in difcharging that notorious villain,
was caft into pn- ' x. ¦ -r c 1 j
fon whom they Barabbas, who was then in prilon tor a real and
had defired ; but known riot and murder, and in condemning the finlefs
he delivered Jefus Jefus, and putting him into their power to fee the
to their will. 'fentence executed upon him. (Matth. xxvii. 26. See
the notes there.)
26 And, as they 26- Hereupon they, together with the Roman
led him away, they foldiers, fed him as a criminal to be crucified : And
laid bold.upon one though at firft they obliged him to carry.his own crofs ;
Simon a Cyrenian, ... ,° . . , ' p ,. , i , , r '
coming out of the {J°h* XIX- 1 7-) yet finding that, through the fa-
country, and on tigues he -had lately undergone, his natural fpirits and
him they laid the ftrength began to fail, they were afraid pf lofmg the
crofs, that he might cruel pfeafure of feeing him publicly and fcamefully
ear j a e je us. execute(j . an(j therefore, meeting with one Simon,
a Cyrenian, who was coming out of the country
into the city, they feized upon him, and forced him
to undergo the irkfome drudgery of carrying Chrift's
crofs after him to the place of execution. (See the
note on Matth. xxvii. 32.)
27 And there 27 And, as they were going thither, vaft multi-
followed him a tudes of people crowded after him to be fpeftators
great company of Qf jjjs cruc;nxion . an(J among; others there were ma-
people, and of wo- , ,. ,° , -.
men, which alfo nY women, who wept bitterly, as they went, to fee
bewailed and la- a perfon of his innocence, worth, and ufefulnefs, go-
inented him. ing to be put to fo miferable and ignominious a death :
/ Some of them being moved thereto by the common
principles of humanity and compaffion, others by
the refpeft which his fame, or their own knowledge
of him had raifed in their minds toward him, and o-
thers by a peculiar affeftion to him.
2S But K Jefus, 28 But Jefus turning his head, and feeing the bit-
turninguniotheni, ter lamentation of fome that were near him, was mo-
, aug e" ^ Ye(j T,vith pity toward them, though he himfelf was in

Chap, xxiii.
Jerufafem, weep
not for. me,, but
weep for yoiir-
felves, and for your
children.

Luke pataphtafed.

M5

29 For behold,
the days are co
ming, in the which
they fhall fay,
Bleffed are the
barren, and the
wombs that never
bare, and the. paps
which never gave
fuck.

30 Then fhall
they begin to fay
to the mountains,
Fall on us ; and
to the hills, Cover
us.

31 For if they
do thefe things in
a green tree, what
fhall be done in,the
dry?

32 And there
were alfo two other
malefactors led
with him to be put
to death. V«t. II.

¦ in fuch diftreffing circumftances, and faid, Ye daugh
ters of Jerufalem,- my friends, do not weep and take
on fo much for me, who am entirely refigned to my
Father's will in all thefe fufferings, and freely under
go them for his, glory and the falvation of my peo
ple ; but turn the tide of your, forrow into tears of
lamentation, for yourfelves, and your dear offspring,
on account of the fins which, in a little time, -will
bring the heavieft judgments upon the inhabitants of
your city, whether they be young or old.
29 For, obferve what 1 fay, the days of God's
vengeance haften apace, in which-he will execute fuch
terrible wrath on this city and nation, for thefe and
all their other crying abominations, that, inftead of
reckoning children a bleffing, it will then, be a fort of
commoa proverb, Happy would it have been for us
never to have been born, and happy are thofe women
that never bore and nouriffied any children to be in
volved in the dreadful calamities which it would pierce
their hearts, to behold.
30 Yea, this wicked people, in their anguiffi and
defpair, w,ill then wifh to be fpeedily cut off, and e-
ven buried alive under the ruins of their mountains,
rather thau be expofed to the further extreme mife-
,ries,i which they will find to be unavoidable : And
, fuch as refufe to; take refuge in the, Meffiah, fhall, like
thofe trembling and amazed finners of old, (Hof. x.
&.) call in yam to the hills and mountains to fkreen
and fhelter them from the fierce anger of the Lord.
31 For as dry wood , is fitter for the flames than
that which is green ': So if thefe Jerufalem finners
bring fuch diftrefs upon me, who , am innocent, and
have deferved no evil at their hands ; how dreadfully
will it be repaid upon themfelves, who are loaden
with iniquity, as fuel fully prepared for wrath ? If
the Romans are fuffered,- by the inftigation of thefe
Jews, thus to abufe and put me to death, who have
never done any thing to pffend them ; what fury will
not God fuffer, and even ftir them up to fhew, in
the, juft punifhment of this people, who will provoke
both him and them ? And if divine Juftice proceeds
with fuch feverity againft me, who have no guilt of"
my own, but am only come to be a facrifice for the
fins of others ; what will become of thofe heinous
tranfgreffors themfelves, whofe iniquities will be up
on their own heads, through their rejefting me ?
32 Now to put the greater indignity upon Chrifi,
which God over-ruled for the literal fulfilment of that
ancient prophecy, He was numbered with tranf
greffors, (Ifa. liii. 12.) his enemies led him in com
pany with two infamous male-faftors,, who. lay' under
K k fentence.

246 The Evangelift Chap, xxiii.
fentence of death for robbery, that he might be cru
cified together with them, and the people might be
induced to think that his crimes were as great and
injurious to the public as theirs.
33 And when 33 And when they arrived at mount Calvary,
theX lie™ which X wfeichfignifie3thePIaceofalkull» (fee the note on
called*" Calvary, Mat. xxvii. 33.) there they nailed him tfifrough his
there they cruei- hands and feet to the crofs ; and then fet it up, be
rried him, and the tween the two notorious thieves, they hanging one
malefactors ; one 0„ eacjj f1(je 0f yffl> asif he were the worft criminal
and 'the other "on of the three' (See the feeond n0te 0n WattL XXV"'
the left. 26.)
34 Then faid Je- 34 Then he difcovered a moft exemplary, compafc
fus, Father, forgive donate, and gracious temper, even to his barbarous
know' noT what crucifim, faying, Father, lay not this iniquity to
they do. And they their charge ; and inftead of revenging my blood up-
parted his raiment, on'them, whieh they are fhedding, let it plead for
and caft lots. their obtaining repentance and remiflion of fin : For
though their guilt be exceeding great and aggrava
ted, there is room for a pardon, fince they do not
know that they are crucifying the Lord of glory.
And whilft he was thus pitying and praying for them,
the four foldjers, who were his moft immediate exe
cutioners, were bufy in dividing his cloaths, which
were their perquifite : But, as his upper garment was
all bf one piece, they caft lots who ffiould have it,
and fo punftually, though not defignedly, fulfilled
the prophecy, (Pfal. xxii. 18.) where it is faid,
They parted my garments among them, and caft lots
upon my vefiure.
35 And the peo- 35 At the fame time the common people ftanding
pie ftood behold- {)yj i00ked at him, and fpoke of him, with fcorn
inp and the rulers d d ;fi and the chief priefts and elders, not-
alfo with them de- ..„,., - r . • , r, • • ,
tided him, faying,i withftanding the gravity ot their characters, joined
He faved others ; with the mob in infulting and ridiculing him, fay-
let him fave him- feg, He pretended to heal difeafes, caft out devils,
felf, if he be Chrift raife the dead and brIn„ felvation to Ifrael; let him
the chofen of God. - . . . . ° . , ,.J ........
now fhew his miracufous power in dehvenng himfelt
from the crofs * ; if he be indeed the Meffiah, as he
vainly boafts, now is his time to give proof of ft, by
faving himfelf from death.
36" And the fol- 36, 37 The foldiers, that attended his crucifixion,
diets alfo mocked i;kew;fe abufed and vilified him ; and, inftead of
him, com-
N O T E.
* They faid this to infult him, to in- confirm his doctrine, and not to make
cenfe the people againft him. and to juf- an atonement for fin, his delivering him-
tify themrelves in bringing him to this felf from the crofs, after he was nailed
fhamefol death. But had he added this to it, would have undoubtedly anfwered
miracle to all his others, fuch were the that end, much more thap his undergoing
obftinate prejudices of their hearts, that death itfelf could be fuppofed to do it.
rhey would not have believed in him : See the note- on Mmtth. xxvii. 43. ,
And yet, if Chrift hacWeligned only to-

Chap, xxiii.
him, coming to
him, and offering
him vinegar,
37 And faying,
If thou be the king
of the Jews, fave
thyfelf.

38 And a fuper-
fcription alfo was
written over him,
in letters of Greek,
and Latin, and He
brew, THIS IS
THE KING OF
THE JEWS.

39 And one of
the malefactors,
which were hang
ed, railed on him,
faying, K thou be
Chrift, fave thyfelf
and us.

40 But the other
anfwering, rebuked
him, faying, Doft
not thou fear God,
feeing thou art in
the fame condem
nation ?

41 And we in
deed juftly ; for we
receive the due re
ward of our deeds :
but this man hath
done nothing a-
mifs.

42 And he faid
.unto Jefus, Lord, re-

Luke paraphrafed. 247
compaffionately giving him fome cooling or intoxicat
ing cordial to eafe his pains, they came and offered
him vinegar to drink ; {fee the note on John xix. 28,
29.) and, in a way of feornful infult, they challen
ged him to free himfelf from the tortures and the
death of the crofs, and thereby prove himfelf to be
Ifrael's Meffiah.
38 And, further to expofe him to the ridicule
and refentment of the people, Pilate, according to
the Roman cuftom of fpecifying the crimes of male-
faftorrs at their execution, wrote a title of this im
port, Jefus the King of the Jews ; and this was
placed over his head in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew,
the three chief living languages of the day, that
ftrangers, as well as Jews, might be able to read it :
But God over-ruled the infcription to the honour of
his .Son, it being in faft a declaration of the real
truth of his charafter, and an intimation of the near
concern, which Jews and Gentiles, perfons of all
languages and nations had in it.
39 One of the thieves alfo, that were crucified
with him, being infenfible of his own fin, and of the
innocence, worth, and dignity of Chrifi, reproach
ed him as if he were an impoftor, crying out, with
daring infolence and mockery, If you be the Meffiah,
as you pretend, come, let us fee what you can do to
deliver yourfelf and us from our miferable and dying
circumftances. (See the note on Matth. xxvii. 44.)
40 But the other thiePs heart being touched, and
melted by diftinguifhing grace, was made deeply fen
fible of the enormity of his own guilt, and brought
to believe in Jefus as the true Meffiah ; and therefore,
calling to his fellow-criminal and fufferer, he feverely
reproved him, faying, What defperate and infolent
language is this ? How dare you be fo horribly wick
ed, and caft off all fear of God, and of further pro-
yoking him, juft as you are going to appear at his^
awful bar ; fince you are fuffering under a fentence
of death, as well as Jefus and I ?
41 And as for you and me, it is highly juft in
God, and in the government too, that we fhould un
dergo all the punifhment inflifted upon us ; for the
notorious crimes we have been guilty of deferve it :
But as for this righteous and holy perfon, lie fuffers
wrongfully, having committed no fault at all, nor
done any thing unworthy of his great and glorious
charafter: See with what meeknefs, patience, and
mercy, toward his very enemies, he behaves under all
their injuries and affronts !
42 And having thus, by confeffing his own crime..
given glory to God, and rebuked his companion in
K k 2 fin,

24S The Evangelift -Chap, xxiii.
remember me fin, he then, direfting his fpeech to JefUs, confeffed
when thou comeft h;s fa;th ;n y and ;mplored his grace, faying*
into thy kingdom. Lord, j believe that tho£ art fedeed'the Meffiah,
and Saviour of all who truft in thee, ,and that thy
fufferings will iffue in an advancement to thy heaven
ly kingdom. O, when thou art exalted upon thy
throne of glory there, remember me in the greatnefs
of thy mercy, ' and grant that I may dwell with thee
for ever * !
43 Ar"l Jefus 43 JefUs, in the riches of his condefcenfion and
rifl2°xvZ'thee gra"' rePlied> Thy petition is granted; I affure
To-day yflialt° thort t'lec' t^lat l*"s vei7 day, as f°on as 6ver you breathe '
be with me in pa- your laft, yom- foul ffiall be with me in that ftate of
radife. bleffedriefs, which the feparate fpirits of the righte
ous enjoy in the heavenly manfions, and which is a '
paradife pf divine delights, much better than the
earthly paradife, which man was expelled fpr his a-
poftacy from God.
44 And it was 44. By this time it was full noon, which, accord-
hour' a'nd ther'e 'ng to the' JewiP' way of computation, was the fixth
was a darknefs o- Vour °^ the day ; and then there was a thick dark-
ver all the earth nefs over all the land of Judea, and other countries,
until the ninth which continued till the ninth hour, or, according tp
*10ur' the Roman way of reckoning, three o'clock in the af
ternoon. (See the note on Mark xv. 25.)
45 And the fun 41; And this darknefs was occafioned by a miracu-r
was darkened, and ious eclipfe of the fun, as if that great luminary blufh-
temple was rent in ed t0 behold the wickednefs of Chrift's crucifiers,
the mids. and the extremity of his fufferings. ( See the note
on Matth. xxvii. 45.) And another prodigy attend
ing his death was, that the hanging between the
fanftuary and the holy of holies was torn afunder
from top to bottom, as an intimation, that the holi
nefs of the temple was abolifhed, that the formerly
vailed myfteries were explained, that the partition-
wall between Jews and Gentiles was broken down,
(Eph. ii. 14.) and that a way was opened by the
blood of Jefus for all true believers, of what nation
foever, to have free accefs into the holieft of all, e-
ven heaven itfelf. (Heb. x. 19, 20.) 46 And
NOTE.
y Here was a furprifing degree of and i? a good argument againft defpair;
kubwledge, faith, repentance, and other but is no encouragement'to any to defer
graces, and abundance of good works, their faith and repentance to the laft
as their fruit, in this thief's public con- hour, fmce, as far as appears, this was
feffion of his fin, reproof of his fellow- the firft time that this criminal had an
criminal, and honourable teftimony to opportunity of knowing any thing about
Chrift, and profeffion of faith in him, Chrift ; and his converfion was defignerf
whilft he was in fuch difgraceful and fuf- to put a peculiar glory upon the Saviour
fering circumftances, as were (tumbling at his death, whilft his enemies derided
even to his difciples. This fhews the hup, and bis own difciples either denied
power and fovereignty of divine grace, or'forfook Irim.

Chap, xxiii.
46 And, when
Jefus had cried
with a loud voice,
he faid, Father, in
to thy hands I com
mend my fpirit :
and, having faid
thus, he gave up
the ghoft.

Luke , paraphrafed.

249

47 Now when
the centurion faw
what was done, he
glorified God, fay
ing, Certainly this
was a righteous
rnan. ,

48 And all the
people that came
together to that
fight, beholding
the ¦ things which
were done, fmote
their breafts, and
returned.

49 And all his
acquaintance, and
the women that
followed him from
Galilee, ftood afar
off beholding thefe
things.

50 And behold,
there was a man
named Jofeph, a
counfellor ; and he
was a good man,
and a juft :
A (The fame had

46 And about three o'clock, to ffiew how willing
he was to yield himfelf up to death, (fee the note on
Matth. xxvii. 50.) he cried out with a ftrong voicei
in the words of David, (Pfal. xxxi. 5.) Father, in
to thy hands I commend my fpirit. • q. d. Father,
the work is done ; I now make the offering of my
foul to thee, and pay it down as a price of redemp
tion into thine hand, in confidence that, according
to covenant-agreement between us, I ffiall receive a
full reward ; and I commit my departing fpirit to
thy faithfulnefs, care, and love, in full dependence
that it ffiall be received to glory, and re-united with
my body to dwell with thee for ever. And, as foon
as he had thus fpoke, he refigned his laft breath, to
teach and encourage his difciples to die fubmiffively
and in faith, after his example, with the word of
God in their mouths.
47 Now when the Roman officer of the band, that
had the care of his execution, faw the great eclipfe,
and the earthquake, and obferved Chrift's holy, meek,
and heavenly behaviour, during his crucifixion, he,
the foldiers therein joining with him, could not help
faying, to the divine glory, that he verily believed
Jefus to be an extraordinary holy man, and even the
Son of God, (Matth. xxvii. 54.) though he had
been charged with blafphemy, and crucified for af-
ferting it.
48 ' And the generality of the multitude there pre
fent, when they faw all the affefting things that at
tended his death, were ftruck with grief and remorfe
at the thoughts of what had been unrighteoufly
done to fuch an innocent and excellent perfon ; and
went away from the fight ' fmiting their breafts, in
token of their bitter lamentation and trouble on that
account, and in fear of what might be the dreadful
confequence to themfelves and others.
, 49 There were likewife a great number of his ac
quaintance and difciples, and among them feveral wo
men, who, out of their great affeftion, had attended
him in his miniftry and labours, even as far as from
Galilee ; thefe ftood among the fpeftators, moft of
them at a great diftance from the crofs, looking up
on their fuffering Lord with mournful hearts and
weeping eyes.
50, 5 1 And as he was put to death before many
witneffes, in circumftances which punftually accom-
plifhed feveral prophecies concerning him ; fo it is
obfervable, that Providence ordered his burial to be
made with the rich in his , death, according to the
prediftion in Ifa. liii. 9. There was a -man of di
ftinftion

25°

The Evangelift

Chap, xxiii.

the kingdom
God:)

of

had not confent- ftin&ioii and chara&e?, Jofeph of Arimathea*, who
ed to the counfel was a. member of the great council* and a man of pro-
i:dir/0°fArim2 «*«* religion, who ahVexpefted the Meffiah's
thea, a city of thfe appearing at this time to fet up his kingdom in the
Jews; (who alfo world, and was a fecret difciple of Jefus, though for
himfelf waited for fear 0f the Jews, he did not publicly own it: (John
38.) This man, when his Lord was examined,
judged, and condemned by the fanhedrim, would by
no means confent to their cruel and unrighteous con- -
flotations, and proceedings againft him.
52 And he was fpirited to fhew an honourable re
fpeft to Chrift, even whilft he lay under the weak-
™dJj!e£S^theb°- nefs and difgrace of a crucifixion : For, as foon as
he was certainly known to be dead, Jofeph took cou
rage and went to Pilate, begging a grant of his body,
that he might have power to difpofe of it, and fo
might prevent its being ignominioufly buried with
the two other criminals that were executed with him.
53 And having obtained this requeft, he immedi
ately went to the crofs with the governor's warrant ;
laWit in'a fepul- an<^» un-nailing the body, took it away, and wrapped
chre that was hewn it up in a clean-ffieet, and then placed it in a new
ftone, wherein tomb, which had been cut in a folid rock, and in
which no corpfe had ever been interred before ; fo
that the fepulchre could not eafily be broke into, nor
could any other body be miftaken for that of Jefus,
which, with other circumftances of laying a great
ftone to flop, up the door, and fetting a feal Upon it,
and a watch before it, was ordered by Providence
for the more unexceptionable evidence of Chrift's re
furreftion, when it ffiould come to pafs.
54 Now all this was done on the fixth day of the
week, tht day before the Sabbath ; and fo much
expedition was ufed in it, that thefe affairs might not
break in upon the religious fervices of that holy day,
which, it being toward fun-fet, was then coming on.
J 5 And, during all thefe tranfaftions about the

52 This man
went unto jPilate,

dy of Jefus.

53 And he took
it down, and wrap
ped it in linen, and

never man before
was laid'.

£4 And that
day was the pre
paration, and the
Sabbath' drew on.

55 And the wo
men alfo, which crucifixion and interment of our Lord, the good wo-
from Gd'ilee ifeT- men> w^° nac* attended him from Galilee, followed
lowed after,' and him forrowing, firft to his crofs, and afterwards to
beheld the fepul- his funeral, and particularly obferved the fepulchre,
where his body was laid, and in what manner it was
depofited there.

chre, and how his
body was laid.

56 And,
T E.
were fet over the affairs of a Roman co
lony : But all the circumftances related
concerning him feem rather to intimate
and was the place where that he was a Jew ; and its being faid,
born, (1 Sam. i. 1, no.) that he confented not to the counfel and

, N O
* Arimathea was prob?.bly Ramah in
the tribe of Benjamin, which is fpoken
of in Jofb. xviii. 25. It was alfo called
Ramathahn Samuel wa

Some fuppofe that Jofeph was one of Pi- the deed of the fanhedrim, intimates, that
fate's council, and others that he was a
^e curio, or one of the ten chief men that

fate's council, and others that he was a he was one of them, or one of trie high
prieft's council.

Chap, xxiii. Luke paraphrafed. 251
5« And they re- $6 And, immediately after this, they went their
turned, and pre- way to get and mix coftly fpices and (/tvex) fweet
oTmenf;68 and f ^ T 't^T £ S° W ^^l "*
refted the Sabbath- the next day> being the Sabbath, they, in obedience
day, according to to the command of God for refting from fervile works
the commandment, thereon, deferred going to perform that office of re
fpeft to him.
RECOLLECTIONS.
How worthy is our dear Redeemer to be receivecl and owned as our Saviour and
our King! But how great is the power of prejudice againft him ! It flights and de
rides him, becaufe it does ndt gratify curiofity, and anfwer unfeafonable demands ;
it raifes evidently falfe accufations againft him, prefers the vileft of men, and tem
poral interefts tohiai, and cannot be fatisfied that he fliould reign, or that his name
and intereft fhould live in the world. But how did God over-rule all the defigns
and management of his enemies, for fulfilling the fcriptures concerning him; and
publicly own him by the prodigies that attended his death '. How did he conftrain,
the heathen- judge, centurion, and foldiers, that were concerned in Chrift's cruci
fixion, to beat an honourable teftimony to him ; and make the multitude of fpecta-
tors, as well as his difciples and friends, fmite their breafts in bewailing him ! And
how were the hearts of high and low inclined to fb,ew tokens of the greateft refpect
to him ! But O the weaknefs and depravity of human nature, even when it ap
pears to be beft difpofed '. How many, like Pilate, feem to be well affected toward
Chrift, convinced of his worth, and inclined to favour his righteous caufe ; and yet
through importunity and fear, and through the temptations of this world, violate
all the facred bonds of right and truth, confeience and honour, in their behaviour
towards him ! — What a day of lamentation and diftrefs was that in which our blefled
Lord was crucified ; how terrible to him, and with what holy mourning fhould his-
people reflect on what their fins then coft him! But our affections may be touch
ed at the moving ftory of the barbarous ufage he met with, and of his dying love,
without an effectual change, upon our hearts* and without true faith in him, or love
to him ; and if, after all; we reject him through unbelief, our lamentation will, one
day be dreadful for ourfelves, on account of our neglects of him, aud oppofition to
him, Ah how little do finners think what they are doing, while they reject Chrift '.
and yet their ignorance is attended with fo many aggravations, as make it highly
criminal, and need forgivenefs : But how much more aggravated ftill are fins, com
mitted againft light and evidence ! What dreadful hardnefs of heart do thefe bring
upon the tinner ; and what infupportable wrath do they expofe him to '. and yet
how compaffionate and gracious is a fuffering and interceding Saviour, toward the
worft of his enemies ! How ready to forgive them ! And how free and diftinguifh
ing is his grace in bringing one malefactor tov faith, repentance, and eternal life,
and that at the laft hour, whilft another is left to perfift in the defperate wicked
nefs of his own heart, to his eternal perdition ! And when grace makes an effectual
change, what confeffion of fin, and of the juftice of our fufferings for it ; what ho
nourable thoughts of Chrift, and grief at the iniquity of fellow-criminals ; what
compaffion for them, and endeavours to reclaim them ; and what concern about,
and applications by faith to the Lord Jefus for falvation, will it produce in us ! But .
late examples of mercy fhould never encourage any to prefume. — Thefe fouls of ours
are immortal ; and if we have an intereft in Chrift, they go, immediately after
death, to be glorified, with him. With what compofure, therefore, in a dying
hour, may the believer commit his departing fpirit into the hands of a reconciled
God and Father, through the great Redeemer, and after his example, in humble
confidence that he will accept, and own, and eeceive it to glory !

CHAP.

252

The Evangelift

Chap-, xxiv.

; C H A P. XXIV.
The refurrecdion of Chrifi, as declared to , the women, I,— 8. As
reported to the difciples, 9, — 12. As made known by Chrifi. him
felf to two of them who were going, to Emmaus, 13, — 35* • *9
the reft of them affembled together, 36, — 49. And, laft of all, at
his afcenfion to heaven, 50, — 53.

Text.
VTOW upon the
firft day of the
week, very early
in the morning,
they came unto
the fepplchre,
bringing the fpices
which they": had
prepared, and cer
tain others with
them. 2 And they found
the ftone rolled a-
way from the fe
pulchre.

3 And they en
tered in, and found
not the body of the
Lord Jefus.

4 And it came
to pafs, as they
were much ' per
plexed thereabout,
behold, two men
ftood by them in
fhining garments.

5 And as they
were afraid, and
bowed down their
faces to the earth,
they laid unto
them, Why feek
ye the living a-
mong. the dead ?

Paraphrase.
"ITTHEN the Jewifh Sabbath was ended, (fee the
*^ note on Matth. xxviii. 1.) the women, who on
the evening before that day had prepared fpices and
ointment, went and carried them to Chrift's Sepul
chre, about fun-rifing of the firft day of the week,
in hopes of an opportunity for ufing them in embalm*
ing his dead corpfe : And fome other good women,
having been acquainted with their defign, attended
them to teftify their affeftion, and indulge their grief,
and to affift in the work.
2 And when they arrived at the place, they, t»
their great furprife, found one of their chief difficul
ties removed, in that the great ftone, which they 'had
feen placed at the mouth of the fepulchre, was rolled
away by an angel. ( See the paraphrafe on Matth.
xxviii. 2.)
3 Then the women came up with a defign of going
into the fepulchre; and, (ue-$x6owxi) as they were
entering in, they looked and faw that the body of
their Lord was removed. (See the notes on Matth.
xxviii. 2. and Mark xvi. 5.)
4 And while they were thereupon exceedingly
troubled, in thinking what might become of it, they
were furprifed with the appearance of two angels, in
the form and likenefs of men, who (nri<rrno-x-t) pre
fented themfelves near to them, and were arrayed in
robes of illuftrious light and glory ; and, being two,
were fufficient for a valid, as well as honourable tefti
mony, to their great Lord. (See the laft note on
Matth. xxviii. 2.)
5 At this amazing fight the women were filled
with terror, as finful mortals are apt to be, under a
confeioufnefs of guilt, at any extraordinary appear
ance ; and in the reverence, awe, and furprife of their
minds, they bowed themfelves exceeding low, with
their faces toward the ground, ftill looking about for
the body of Jefus : Then one of the angels, fpeak
ing in the name of both, (Matth. xxviii. 5. and Mark
xvi. 6.) faid unto them, Why do ye take fo much pains

Chap. xxiv.

Luke paraphroftd.

253

6 He is not here,
but is rifen : re
member how he
fpake unto you

pains in coming hither to find a perfon in a fepulchi e
of the dead, who is really alive ?
6, 7 Jefus, whom ye thus carefully are fearching
after, and who was dead, is aftually rifen ; and ye
need not wonder at this, but fhould rather have be-
when -he- was yet lieved and expefted it, confidering what he himfelf
in Galilee,
7 Saying, The
Son of man mult
be delivered into
the hands of finful
laien, and be cruci
fied, and the third
day rife again.

8 And they re

membered words.

his

9 And returned
from the fepulchre,
and told all thefe
things unto the e-
leveh, and to all
the reft.

often told you before-hand about it. Do not ye
remember hqw again and again, and particularly when
he was. with his difciples in Galilee, (Matth. xvi. 2 1 .
and xx. 19. ^nd Luke ix. 22, 44.) he affured them
that, according to the determinate counfel of God,'
he muft be given up into the hands of wicked men,
and be put to death by a crucifixion, and that on'
the third day he fhould rife again ?
8 Upon their being reminded of this, they recol-
lefted what they had formerly heard of tlieir Lord's
own prediftions about it ; which was a great evidence
that he was rifen indeed, though it did not fully fi-
lence their doubts. (See the note on John xx. 2.)
9 And, according to the direftion given by the
angels, they immediately departed from the fepul
chre to carry the aftoniffiing tidings of all that they
had feen and heard to the eleven apoftles, and. to
any other difciples whom they might meet with there,
they themfelves being ftruck with a. mixture of fear
and wonder, as not well knowing what to believe.
(Mark xvi. 7, 8.)

10 Now the names of thefe women, who were the
firft witneffes of the refurreftion of Chrift, and the

10 It was Mary
Magdalene, and
Joanna, and Ma- ,
ry the mother of hrlt meffengers of it to the other difcipfes, were Mary
James, and other Magdalene, out whom he had caft feven devils ; and
women^that wen Joanna, the wife of Chu%a, Herod's fteward ; (Luke
viii. 2, 3.) and another. Mary, who was fhe mo
ther of James the lefs;- (Mark xv. 40.) with the.
other women, who attended them to his fepulchre*.
(ver. 1.)
1 1 And when they came and delivered their mef
fage, the difciples were fo full of prejudices againft
the doftrine of Chrift's refurreftion, fo thoughtlefs
about it, fo ignorant and unbelieving with regard to
the intimatidns he had given of it, and fo overwhelm
ed with dejeftion, difappointment, and defpair,
that they looked upon thefe women's report as a
filly, fanciful, weak* and unlikely ftory, and could
not give any credit to it.

with them, which
told thefe things
unto rhe apoftles.

1 1 And their
words feemed to
them as idle tales,
and they believed
them not.

1 j Then arofe
Peter,

1 :

However, (h) Peter, upor

N O
,e Thefe were the firft witneffes and
meffengers of his refurrection, to fhew
the condefcenfion of Chrift, and to take
Vol. II. L

hearing this
ftrange
T E.
off all fufpicion, as if eit'n-r force or fraud
had been employed in the mrJiirroemtnrr.
of this important affair.
1

254 The Evangelift Chap. Xxiv.
Peter, and ran un- ftrange account, haftened kwray to "the fepulchre, to-
andftoo [nPUdohrn' gether with >A«, (John xx. 2, 3.) to fee whether
he behel'd^he^Ii- there ^ere an7 appearance of its being true } And go-
nen clothes laid ty ing in, (John xx. 6.) he faw the linen cloaths in
themfelves, and de- which the body of his Lord had been buried,' but
parted, wondering couy not ffed tfo fody itfelf. And when he had
in himfelf at that thortni_hiy fearcfoed fhe fepulchVe, and obferved that
which was come , - 9 ,' .-...,, f . , . , ¦¦,
jp pllfSi the orderly poiition ot the burial-wrappers had no ap
pearance of fuch hafte or hurry, as might be expefted
in clandeftinely removing the dead'corpfe, he return'
ed full of aftojufhment and 'perplexity of mind, not
knowing what to conclude from all thefe circum
ftances ; nor ye"t underftanding and believing the fcrip
ture prophecies, or Chrift's own former words about
. ,. his refurreftion. (See the not'e on John xx. 8.)
J 3 And behold, - 13 Soon after thefe things, obferve another re-
two of them went markable teftimony to this great faft. -Two other of
aha village called Chrift's difciples were walking together that very day
Emmaus^ which on which he rofe from the dead* to a certain village
was from Jemfa- called Emmaus* , which was about feven or eight
lem about three-, miles- diftant from Jerufalem.
ftore fnriongs- j, And as they were on their jouniey the con-
14 And they 7. J . J . v ' , . .
talked together of -venation turned upon the late luttenngs and death
alf thefe things of Chrift, and upon the reports, which they had that
which had happen- morning heard, concerning his being rifen again.
A j -,, lS -"-nd while they were thus talking over the
tonafs that while 'mournful ftory of his death, and arguing about the
they communed io- probabilities or improbabilities of his refurreftion, he,
getberzoi reafon-^ knowing their hearts, and the ftraits they were in, gra-
ed, Jefus himfelf c;ouj]y took that- opportunity to come and join com-
w'cwt with'them. PmY WTith 'them, like a ftranger who was going the
feme way, that he miglit manifeft hirpfelf to them.
16" rfBut their 16 But as he defigned for a little while to conceal
eyes were hold'en, Jjimfelf, that he "might give them the fairer occafion
'ofknowMm. of teffinS 'the!r ^ fenfe^of things* and might after
ward, with the greater advantage, reprove, convince,
and comfort them ; fo he miraculoufly affefted their
fight in fuch a manner, that they had not a juft dif-
cetning of him, and little fufpefted him to be their
Lord-f. 1 7/ And
NOTES.
' * They might be going thither, either in another form to them ; for this altera-
vtpon biifincfs, or 6n a vifit, of rather to- tion upon the air, or upon the organs of
get from the noife and heats, infults, re- fight, gave his appearance a different
proaches, and dangers of tlieir enemies, , form from its own : But that thediftin-
with a defign of retiring ftill further in- guifhing form of his .body, and features
to,Galilee, becaufe of the dife,ppointment of his face themfelves, were not altered,,
they had met with, ^nd the confufion is evident, becaufe then there would have
they were in, relating to their crucified been no occafion to with-hold' their "eyes
Lord and Saviour. , ( -ft-qm knowing him ; and as foon as that
f This is very confident with its being obftruction was removed, they knew Who
faid (Mark xvi. 12.) that he appeared he Was.

Ch?p. xxiv. Luke paraphrofed. 255
17 And; fee, fei^ 17 And he, like a -fellow-traveller providentially
wto Hiem, What caft into their company, afked them in a courteous
manner of comrtiu- an(i frien(jly manner, What are ye fo earneftly talking
nications are thefe .. ' . i'- r ¦ &
that ye have one ab°ut m Y°*\ journey, that gives you fo much un
to another, as ye, eafinefs, as difcovers itfelf in your countenances, lan-
walk, and are fad,? gUage, and behaviour? Pray he fo kind as to tell
me, that I may fympathize with you, or offer fome
thing for your relief.
18 And the one 18 Then one of them, named Cleophas*, replied,
pf the™ci "h°fe -P? you ^ wha- makes US *° fad • Alas ! we have
angering, fe idun- ?a"fe. enough .for it ; and methinks you might eafily
to him, Art thou imagine what it is ; Surely you, who feem to have
only a ftranger in come direftly from Jerufalem, cannot but have heard^
Jerufalem,-andhaft tlje difmaj news, which all the city rings of, rela-
thin skwhi"h Ire ting to the moft ffiocking and amazing tranfaftions
come to pafs there that have fallen out there, within thefe two or three
in thefe days ? days laft paft. If you are ignorant of thefe things
- you are certainly the only perfon there that is fq.
19 And he faid 19 Our Lord, making himfelf look ftill more like
unto them, Wj>at a ftranger, anfwered, What furprifing and melan-s
faid gS unto ninT cnory things do you mean? To which Cleophas repli-
Goncerning Jefus e^> Why, if we muft tell you, we mean the cruelty,
of Nazareth, which even to the moft fhameful death, that has been exer-
was a prophet cifed upon him who was commonly called Jefus of
m! wort'"" before A^r^,. <md who, to fay the leaft, was certainly
God and 'all the a great prophet, as appeared by the excellent, hea-
people : , venly, and holy doftrine, which he preached, and
by the many great and glorious, merciful and divine
miracles, which he evidently and often wrought to
confirm it : So that he was highly owned and ho
noured of G°d, and had obtained a great reputation
and efteem among .the generality qf the people.
20 And how tlie 20 And yet, alas 1 tp go on with the account, it
chief priefts and js notorious that the chief priefts and ciders of the
him to be con- Peop'e? n°t being able to bear the purity of his doc-
dernned to death, trine, and its oppofiriop to their authority and inte-
' and have crucified refts, were fo full of envy againft him, that they ap-
"lm- prehended him, tried and condemned him in their ecr
clefiaftical court, as an impoftor anil blafphemer ; and
then, delivering him up fo the Roman power, they
accufed and profecuted him, as a feditious perfon,
and an enemy to Cafar, till they got a fentence of
death paffed upon him, and took care to fee him
aftually crucified.,: Is not this a very fad and affeft-
L 1 2 ing
N O T E.
* This Cleophas feems to have been paring ver. 10. with Matth. x'. 3. Mark-
Alpheus, who was the hufoand of Mary, rsv. 40. and John xix. 25. And Eufe-
the mother of James the lefs, which bins' tells us from Hcgiffipus, that Cleo-
Mary, attended Chrift to his crofs, and phas was the brother of Jofeph, the re-
went that morning with Mary Magda- putcd father of our Lord. Enfeb. Ecclr/i
lene to the fepulchre, as appears by com- Hift. I. 3. cap. 1 1.

256 The Evangelift Chap. xxiv.
ing cafe, enough to make any one's heart ake to
think of it ! You therefore need not think it ftrange
that we are troubled in our refleftions upon it, and
talk about it. , '
11 But we truft- 2 1 But even this is not all with refpeft to us, who
ht' which" fliould have met witt a dreadful'difaPPomtmcnt; For we,
have^refemed If- own ourfelves to have been two of his difciples, and
rael : and, befidc to have received, and firmly depended upon him, as
all this, vo day is the Meffiah, the Saviour of Ifrael, expefting that
the third day fince ;n a little time he would have fet up his kingdom with
done. - "SS "** Sreat power and glory amongft us : But what are all
our hopes come to now ? alas ! they are dead and
' buried with our crucified Mafter. And yet there arc
fome circumftances which throw lis into vaft perplex
ity, between hope and fear : We remember he talk
ed fomething about his rifing again on the third day;
but, though that day is now come and far fpent,
¦ (ver. 29;) none of us have feen any thing of him.
22 Yea, andcer- 22, 23 We have indeed («AA* r-xi) heard fome-
tain women alfo of tm-„g ^ very mQXVfm%, which looks a little like his
u"afto,Xd^hfeh being_ rifen ; but this increafes our perplexity, as not
were early at the knowing what to make of it: For fome good wo-
fepulchre : men, who were his affeftionate difciples, furprifed
23 And when us w;th an account, that they went to his fepulchre
they found not h.s i;ttfe after break of day, with a defign to embalm
bony they cuine <•
faying, That they h>8 body ; and when in Order thereunto they fearch-
had alfo feen a ed for it, they could not -find it: Hereupon they
vifion of angeis, cyme back to feveral of us full of this ftory, like per-
vd'^l^ that ^ ^ons in an ec^acY. of wonder, mixed with fear and joy,
and added withal, that, to their further amazement,
they had been favoured with a vifion of angels, who
informed themthat their Lord was really rifen again :
But we are apt to look upon all this, as merely the
fancy of weak and credulous women, it not being
likely to us, that angels ffiould be fent with fuch an
inrpoitant meffage to them, rather than to the apo
ftles of our Lord.
14 And certain 24 And yet we have had a further confirmation,
af them which that by feme means or other his body is removed from
rTe'fe'uichre1, the, fePulcllre : For> immediately upon this report,
and found it even Tome bf our number, two perfons' particularly, being
10 as the women defirous to fee what appearance of truth there might
had faid; but him fo in it, ran, with all fpeed to his tomb, and were
ihfylaw,noi;,{ :.,-,. .ihemfelves. eye-witneffes that, as the women had faid,
the body of Jefus was notthere ; but, alas ! they nei
ther faw him alive, nor heard what was become of him,
¦ as might have been expefted, if he indeed were rifen
from the dead: And therefore, upon the whole, we
are in great confufion and fear, left all hopes of this
kind be vain ; we doubt the news of a rifen Saviour is
too great and too good to.be true. 25 Then

Chap. xxiv.
25 Then he faid
unto them, O fools,
and flow of heart
to believe all that

Luke paraphraftd.

*51

, 26 Ought not
Chrift to have fuf
fered thefe things,
and to enter into
his glory?

25 Then our Lord, though ftill concealing who he
was, thought it high time to reprove andinftrucl them,
faying, How prodigious is your folly*, and your back-
^"p'r'ophet^have wardnefs of heart to reffeft, and depend upon the vari-
•poken ! •. v 1 - - ous teftimonies of God, by the ancient prophets, com-
; - cerning thefe very things ! Had ye but confidered and
believed them, ye could not have been fo diftruftfol
and fufpicious about thefe events as ye are, but would
have been well fatisfied that your crucified Saviour is
rifen from the dead.
26 Was it not neceffary for the divine honour, ac
cording to the cleareft determinations of prophecy,
and the eternal counfel of God made known therein,
that the Meffiah fhould undergo the fufferings, re
proaches, and death, which of late have befallen yonr
Lord, and that afterwards he ffiould rife again to en
ter upon his kingdom, and to be exalted in a ftate of
immortal glory, fuitable to his own merit and digni
ty ? Why then ffiould ye be ftumbled at his ignomi
nious death and fufferings, or doubt of his nefurrec-
tion to complete his great defigns ?
27 And having thus -referred them to the Old
Teftament-writings, he began with the five books of
Mofes, 1 and then went on to the fucceeding prophets,
and other parts 'of- fcripture, particularly reciting
and explaining the principal types and prophecies,
that related to his own fufferings and death, refruirec-
tion and glory, and thereby proving that they were
all neceffary in their proper place and order.
28 Whilft our Lord was talking to them, in this
inftruftive and moving manner, concerning himfelf,
and ftill feemed to be a ftranger, they arrived at Em-
maus, whither they were going ;- and when the dif
ciples flopped at a certain houfe there, Jefus made no
offer of turning in with them, but behaved as if he
were travelling further, that he might give them an
opportunity, either of letting him go, or of defiring
his continuance with them.
29 But they were To affefted with his excellent
and feafonable difcourfe, that they could by no means
think of parting with him ; and therefore importu
nately entreated him to favour them with more of his
good company, urging that it grew too late for him
to go much further, and that they ffiould be extreme-
1 ly
N O T E.
* Thev were fools, as they refufed pro- his ownrule, (Mat. v. 2 5.) where he for-
per evidence, andacjed againftrtheir own -bids calling our brother fool, which is
comfort and interefts by their inadvert- to be underftood of doing it, by way of
ance and unbelief. ' And Chrift's calling caufelefscontemptandinjurionsreproach,
them fo, by way of juft reproof, for their to cenfure and expofe him.
conviction and recovery, is no Vjreach of

27 And, begin
ning at Mofes, and
all the prophets,
he expounded un
to ' them in all
the- fcriptures, the
thifags concerning
himfelf.

2S And they,
drew nigh unto the
village whither
they went : and he
made as though he
would have gone
farther.

29 But they con-
ftraihed him, fay
ing, ' Abide with
us ; for it is to
wards evening, and
the day is far fpent. And

358 The Evangelift Chap. xxiv.
And he went in to ly obliged to bim, if he would pleafe to tarry with
tarry with them. them :^ And he, who is always ready to be found of
them that feek him, yielded to their importunity,
flaying fome time with them *.
30 And it came 30 And a fupper having been ordered for their re-
to pafs, as he fat feeffiment, he, fitting down at table, took bread, and
at meat with them afked a bleffing upon it, and then brake and gave it .
he took bread, and , &. fi , ' , , . , , °... __
bleffed < it ¦> and to them to- eat, juft as he had ufed to do at ordinary
brake, and gave to meals, as well as at miraculous and religious feafts.
them. , 31 Hereupon they, beginning to fufpeft who he
3 1 And their V3iSr looked at him more intently ; and, the obftruc-
and 'they1 knew tions to. their fight being then removed, they faw
him^ and he va- : plainly that it was Jefus himfelf; and as fooh as they
nifbed out of theii; were thoroughly fatisfied of this, and -confequently
^Sat- that he was indeed rifen from the dead, he fuddenly
flipt away from. them f, s
32 And they 32 And, immediately upon his difappearing, they,
DidnTt'ouTheart refle&nS Qn a11 that had paffed, faid, each of them
bum within ' us ln their turns, and with mutual agreement, What an
while he talked inftruftive, quickening, and comforting difcourfe had
with us by the way, we from our bleffed Lord, as we came along in the
and while he open- way hither ! with what force and fweetnefs did he ex-
iuresT plain the. fcriptures to us! how home did he bring
) things to our oafe and confciences ! and what divine
energy was his words attended with ! Were they not
fpirit and Hfe ? Did not we feel their power ? and
did not our hearts glow with a divine ahd heavenly
warmth while we heard them ? How ftrange is it, and
what fools were we indeed, that we fhould not un
derftand him, nor perceive . who he was then, or
ffiould ever think that any but he could have fpoke
in fuch a fuitable and effeftual manner to us !
33 And they 33 And, being full of rapture and joy at this dif-
rofe up the fame C0Very of Chrift, they prefently got up from table,
hour, and returned j 1 . xn. j & vi .11 r
to Jerufalem, and and' late as ll was' battened away with all fpeed
found the eleven back again to jerufalem, to give vent to their own
gathered together, , tianfports, and to comfort the hearts of their bre-
a"riifhhmthatWere thren ; and therc they found the greateft part of the
wi t em. * eleven apoftles, with others that ufed to affociate with
them, affembled together. '( See the note on Mark
xvi. 14.) 34 And
NOTES.
* There was no diffimulation, as feme f- He might, at that inftant, make
have fuggefted, in our Lord's conduct on himfelf invifible to them by a miraculous
this occafion ; for he only behaved here- interpofure of a cloud upon their eyes, or
in, juft as common rules of civility would upon his body, to conceal it fjom their
have obliged any ftranger to do, that he view' till he got out of the rpom ; by
might not feem to thruft himfelf upon 0- which he gave them to underftand, that
ther company, but might leave it to them they were not expedl fuch a continuance
to invite him or not, determining in his of his company with them in bis rifen
own mind to ftay with'them, upon their ftate, as they had been ufed to before his
difcovering a defire & further converfe- death. ,
tion with him.

Chap. xxiv. Luke pdraphrafed. 259
34 Siiyftig, The 34 And the two- difciples, at their entring the
Lord is rifen in- room*, heard fome of the company faying, 0 blefs-
^eartd'to Simon2*1" ed ri<KngS ! We haVe ^ad fWaral r^rts that our dear
im n. lotj js Yjr^j, fro-m tjie &t7tc\ ,f an£ Simon Peter has
bad the honour of a vifit 'from him.
35Andtheytold 35 Then fhe two difciples, ftill further to confirm
what things were tfo{r fc^, gave ^em a particular and full narrative
and' how he ^as of all that bad paffed between Chrift and them that
known of them in afternoon, in their way to Emmaus, arid how, when
breaking of bread, they got thither, he plainly difcovered himfelf to them,
while they were fitting together at table, .and he, like
the Mafter of the feaft, was breaking the bread,
' which had b'eeh provided for their refrefhment.
36 Aiid as they 36 And whilft all thefe difciples were thus confer-
himfelf ftood intte ring^about the refurreftion of their Lord, in a private
midftof'them and houfe, the doors- of which were fliut for fear of the
faith unto them, Jews, (John xx. 19.) Jefus himfelf appeared on a
Peace be unto you-, fudden among them, and pronounced all happinefs
upon them ; thereby affurihg them that he came, not
to refent their late unworthy treatment of him, when
they all forfook him in his extremity, but to fatisfy
them of his refurreftion, and of his abiding love to
them, and to comfort and blefs them.
37Buttheywere. 37 But inftead of being delighted with this ap-
terrified and af- pearance, they were furprifed, and terribly frighted at
^'fedlhatfte had k' becaufe Chrift came fo uneXpeftedly among them,
'feen a fpirit. a"^ without making any noife, though the doors
' ' were ffiut. And, in the hurry of their thoughts, for
getting the -many prtiofs they had formerly feen of
' ' his divine power, and the feveral evidences they had
but juft before received of his refurreftion, they pre
fently fancied it was only a fpirit, which formed the
¦v appeaifcnce of a body among themf.
38 And he faid 38 Then, to quiet and fatisfy them, he, in a free
unto and
NOTES.
* The conftrn&iori of the Greek (*t- fears, on account of his having fofhatne-
j-on-W being the acojfative cafe) plainly fully denied his Lord ; though where, or
fhews that thefe were the words, not of in what manner this was done is not re-
the two difciples that came from Em- corded. Sfee the note on Mark xvi. 13.
rdttus, but of fome of the company which - 'f It is vain to inquire how Jefusvcame
they found at Jerufalem, who were ei- among them, the doors being fliut, or to '
ther fpeaking in this manner one to ano- imagine that his body penetrated other,
ther ; or elfe faluted the two difciples as bodies ; fince it was as eafy to bis divine
foon as they appeared, with the good .power to open a door iiidifeernibly, and
news they had received from Peter .- without noife, as to have, come in at a
And. we learn from 1 Cor. xv. 5. that door opened by fome other hand ; and to
Chrift was feen ,o£ Simon Peter, before pretend that bis body .penetrated, any
he wasfe.en of the twelve qpojlles ;. by door or wall, without opening or break-
which it is evident that Jefus, in his ing it, is to fuppofe that his body wji
wonderful condefcenfion and grace, had not a real human body of flelh and hones,
takei) an opportunity on the former part though the reality of its being fo was the
of that day to fhew himfelf to Peter, that very thing which he defigned by this ap.
he might early relieve his diftreffes and pea-rancc to convince his difciples of.

n6? The Evangelift Chap, xxivi
onto them, Why and friendly manner; faid to them, What means all
"a yC t^ouble^i this confufion, which difcovers itfelf in your counte-
Zugte ; arife in nanfces and behaviour? and why do ye give way t?
your 'hearts ? fuch unreafonable fears and terrors, as 1 know di-
ftraft and diftrefs your minds, as if what ye faw
were an imaginary and not' a real body ? but to con
vince you of the contrary,
39 Behold my 39. Obferve the marks of my crucifixion, and exa-
Jiands and my feet mjne my. fonfa} anr\ feet, and fide ; ( John xx. 20.)
-Ha^dfe 'me^atd ^ carefully upon my body, and feel it with your
rfee : for a fpirit own hands for your fatisfaftion, that it is I mylelt,
hath not flefh and your Lord and Mafter, who am rifen from the dead :
bones, as ye fee me jror a fpfeft, with all the appearances it can make,
"ave' has not fuch a corporeal fubftance, as may be feen
and felt, and diftinguifhed to be a body of flefh and
bones, and as your own eyes and touch may( prove
this to be, in which I now appear before you.
40 And, when 40 And at the fame time he held , out his hands
he had thus fpoken, and his feet, and ffie wed them his fide, (John xx.
he fhewed them 2o.) that they might both fee and feel the fears of
fe"t. the nails which had faftened him to the crofs, as well
as of the fpear that had pierced his fide ;• which pro
ved, beyond all contradiftion, that there could be no
deceit in the appearance he then made to them ; who
had been fo long -acquainted with him, and had fo
lately feen him crucified, 1
41 And while 41 And while their ecftacy and aftonifhment were
they yer believed fo great) that they harcjly knew what to believe, he,
Wered^he feid to give them more time, and ftill further evidence,
unto them, Have afked them to fet fomething before him, that he
ye here any meat ? might eat in their prefence.
42 And they 42 Then they gave him a part of fuch fare as they
ofVa bro'iled1'^ had with t}>em> which was a piece of broiled fiffi, and
and of an honeyl °£ a" honey-comb.
comb. 43 And though his rifen body had no need of ani-
43 And ne took rrial refrefhment, yet he eat part of this food in theij;
it, and did eat be- company) fpr t]le confirmation of their faith, and to
give an advantage to their future teftimony concern
ing him *. v '' •
44 And he faid 44. Our Lord having, on this, and afterwards on
unto them, rhete oifor occafions, given them unqueftionable proofs that
which ^e was reauy the fame perfon whom they formerly u-
fed
NOTE.
* The apoftle Peter after wards infift- (Gen. xviii. 8. and Six. 3.) But as Chrift
ed on this part of the evidence, that he eat with his difciples on this occafion on-
Was fhevrn openly to his difciples, who ly to demonftrate his refurreftion ; fo he
did eat and drink with him after he rofe could eafily diffolve the food, or difcharge
from the dead. (Acts &. 41.) To afk it invifibly by his divine power, as foon-
what became of this ibod after he had as he had eat it, fince the ftate of his ri-
eat it, is as ufelefs and over-curious, as fon hody did not need it for nourifliment
to afk what became of the meat which and fupport, as the fame body, whilft it
the angels eat with Abraham and Lot. was inwtal, did before his death.

Chap. xxiv. Luke paraphrafed. 161
which I fpake un- fed to converfe with, proceeded, time after time,
to you, while I t;jj jjjg afeennon t0 p.;ve them more clear and exten-
was yet with you, „ . «. f,. ., ° ,. -¦ ,
that all things muft "ve ""tractions, than ever before, concerning the
be fulfilled which neceffity and defign of his fufferings, death, and re-
were written in furreftioh, faying, Thefe are the Very things' which
Ind1^ the^ro' I in'Wnded to fuggeft to you, by the feveral intima-
nhets'^arid^B^he t'ons * heretofore gave you, whilft I was daily con-
pfalm's, concerning verfing with you: I then affured you, that every
me. thing relating thereunto muft be accomplifhed, which '
had been anciently foretold * in the feveral parts of
the Old Teftament concerning me, as the Meffiah ;
and now ye fee they are all exaftly come to pafs.
45 ^en °.Peneo 4.5 Then, as he had before opened the fcriptures to
ftandina- that thev f°me or" n's difciples in a doftrinal way, and made
might underftand their hearts burn within them f ; (ver. 27, 32.) fo
the fcriptures, he furthermore took off the vail from all their hearts,
by the fpecial illumination of his Spirit, who remov
ed the darknefs, doubts, and prejudices of their minds,
that they might readily apprehend, and fall in with
the true meaning of the fcriptures, efpecially in what
4 related to their accomplifhment in him.
46 And laid un- ^g p^n^ fethis manner he evidently demonftrated
hwritte'n, ancUlius to them, that, according to the prophecies of the
it behoved Chrift Old Teftament concerning the Meffiah, and accord-
to fuffer, and to ing to the eternal Counfel of God, with refpeft to
^ ^ d^ ^^ *"S own £lor?» and the falvation of his people, it
the third day: was neceffary that he ffiould die for their fins, and
rife again for their juftification :
47 And that re- ^ J±nr\ tfot> Upon th;s footj tfo great evangeli-
pentance and re- caj joftrines of ingenuous repentance of all iniquity,
miffionotfinsfliould „ r ,P , r , j . , . , . ' ri . 1
be preached in his a"d torgivenels ot fins through faith 111 him, as lnfe-
- name, among all parably connefted in the gofpel-difpenfation, fhould
nations, beginning be publifhed by his authority, power, and efficacy,
at Jerufalem. an(j jft tfo vjrtlle 0f j,;s mer;t) among all forts of peo
ple, whether Jews or Gentiles, beginning at, the city
of Jerufalem : And this he particularly took notice
of, that, according to ancient prophecies, the word of
NOTES.
* The general divifion of the books the head of that fort of writings: And fo
of the Old Teftament, in thofe days, was Chrift, by mentioning thefe three, took in
into thefe three parts, (i:) The Law, the whole of the Old Teftament, which,
which contained the five book's of Mofes : in feveral places, fpoke of his fufferings,
(2.) The Pnphets, which contained not and of the glory, that fhould follow.
only thofe books that weie merely pro
phetical, but thofe likewife, which were f Though the two difciples hearts
hiftorical, and were wrote by.propheti- burned within therri while he opened to
cal men : And (3.) The Hagiographa, them the fcriptures; yet there was more
which contained divine hymns, and mo- warmth than light; and it doth not au
ral inftruftions for the conduft of life, pear that they duly undeifLood thofe
and went under the general title of the fcriptures, or believed in a rifen Saviour,
Pfahns, becaufe thefe were efteemed as according to them, till after they came
the moft eminent, and were placed at to Emmaus.
Vol. II. M m

26a The Evangelift Chap, xxivi
of the Lord might go, forth from thence; that the
Jews might have the privilege of the firft-born ; that
the eleft of God among themrmight be called-in great
numbers there, as the firft-fruits of the gofpel-mint-
flry ; that Jefus might the more evidently prove him
felf to be the Son of God, and the true Meffiah, at
that very place where he was crucified ; that the glad
tidings of falvation might have the quicker fpread
from thence to other countries ; and that the great
eft of finners, even fuch as were concerned in his cru
cifixion, and all others, to. whom this gofpel ffiould »
be afterwards preached,. might be encouraged to hope
in the riches of divine grace through him, for their
, , recovery and falvation.
4S And ye are 48 And ye, faid he, my apoftles and difciples,
witneffes of thefe are the perfons whom I appoint to bear witnefs in.
things., your miniftry, that, according to what ye yourfelves
have feen and heard, all things which were prc-
difted of old, concerning the death and refurreftion
of the Meffiah, have been punftually accomplifhed
in me. %
49 And behold, 49 And, for your encouragement, obferve, Soon
Ifend the promife after my afcenfion to heaven, I will fhed down the
YouTbut tarryPye Holy Ghoft upon you in an extraordinary manner,
in the city of Jeru- according to my Father's promife ; ( Joel ii. 28.) and
falem, until ye be therefore I order you not to go forth immediately
endued with power to preach the gofpel, but to continue, for a while,
rom on ug 1. -> waiting together at Jerufalem, till ye ffiall have
this plentiful effufion from the throne of the Majefty
on high, to enrich you with all needful gifts and gra
ces, and fupernatural powers, for the work on which
I fend you, and to confirm your teftimony, and fuc
ceed you in it..
50 And he led 50 Having in this manner given them many infal-
them out as far as j;Dje proofs 0f his refurreftion, and various inftruc-
he lift up his tions relating to his kingdom and their miniftry in it,
hands, and bleffed he, at the end of forty days, condufted them out
them- to the mount of Olives, which lay in a traft of land
called Bethany, not far from the village of that
v name * ; and having -brought them thither, he, lift
ing up his hands toward them, as Aaron did toward
the people, (Lev. ix. 22.) , authoritatively and effec
tually commanded a bleffing upon them, to fhew his
affeftion
N O T E^-
*_Tbe town or village of Bethany, dav's journey of Jerufalem, which is fup-
whe-te Lazarus dwelt, and was raifed poled to have been about eight furlongs:
from the dead, was about fifteen furlongs And this was the place to which Chrift
from Jerufalem: (John rti. 18.) But led his difciples, and from which he
there was 0 traft of ground called by afceilded,. as appears from Ails i. it.
that name, which reached from thence Vid. Lightf. Hor, Hcbr.
x.u the mount of Olives, within a Sabbath-

Chap. xxiv.

51 And it came
to pafs, while he
bleffed theijv he
was parted from
them, and carried
up into heaven.
32 And they
worlhipped him,
and returned to Je
rufalem with great
joy--

53 And were
continually in the
temple, praifing
and bleffing God.
Amen.

Luke paraphrafed.

263

affeftion to them, and to affure them of what they
might ftfrther expeft from him.
£i As foon as he had taken this gracious and fo
lemn farewell, he left them,, and vifibly afcended up
into heaven by his divine power ; they all looking
at him, till a glorious cloud received htm out of their
fight. (Aftsi. 9)
5 2 And as he was afcending, they, beholding
his glory, adored him as their God and Saviour, and
went back to Jerufalem, according to his order, be
ing filled with exceeding joy in refleftion on what
they had feen, heard, and felt, and in expectation of an
accomplifhment of his parting promifes, which would
iffue in the advancement of his kingdom on earth, and
in their being- at length received up to glory after him.
53 And they attended religious fervices in the
temple *, day by day, referring thither at the hours
of prayer, and bleffing God, in repeated praifes, for
the glory he had difplayed in their crucified, rifen,
and exalted Redeemer : And in this manner they
continued waiting in faith and hope of their Lord's
making good his promife of the Holy Ghoft.,
Amen, faid they ; Amen, fays the writer of this gof
pel ; and Amen, fays every true believer: So let it
be, arid may God be ever magnified for all this !

RECOLLECTIONS.
What fure and bleffed tidings are the refurreftion of Chrift ! And how often
does he furprife the moft unlike!; and unworthy with fuch difcoveiiesof himfelf as
they are apt to think are too great and good to be- true ! But early feekers of him
fhall find him ; and while they are converfing together about him, he will honour
them with his prefence, open their imderftandings, and make their hearts burn
within them to their exceeding joy : Though their hopes may fometimes be ready
to fail, yet in due feafon he will make himfelf known to them, and clear up what
the fcriptures fay concerning him, as a fuffering and exalted Saviour ; and they
that are importunate for his abiding with them, fhall be favoured with further
manifeftations of himfelf to them ; and when they find him to the fatisfaftion of
their own fouls, they cannot but be defirous that others fhould be comforted with
their comforts. Bui O the folly of unbelief, a.s it lies againft the cleared evidence,
and againft our own beft and trueft interefts: How groundlei's are the .fears of
¦ Chrift's difcijiles; and yet how does he condefeend to their infirmities to relieve
them 1 And how endearing is the conftancy of liis love, who, after all, will blefs
them,

N O
* Some fuppofe that all this while, the
difeiples dwelt, and continued together
lor fupplication and prayer, in fome up
per chamber or apartment of the temple,
by the permiffion of fome prieft or Levite,
to whom it belonged ; and that what is
here called their being }ixTu*Ur ivTsiiffu
continually in the temple, praifing and
bleffing God, is much of the fame import
with what is faid, (Aftsi. 13, 14.) about

T E.
their going us to, v-xtguov into an upper
room, and r.ala/xiysyUr abiding and conti
nuing with one accord there, in prayer
and fupplication: And admitting this,
the feeming difference between thofe
two pafl'ages is eafily reconciled, fince all
the buildings in the temple were called
the temple. (2 Kings xi. 2, 3.) See this
argued pro and con in Hammond and
Whitby on Acls i'. 15.

M m 2

264 The Evangelift Chap. x;xiv.
them, and fend the proijiifed Spirit to them, that they may be fitted for every
trial and fervice to which he Sails them '. Yea, how exceeding and abundant are
the riches of his grace to the worft of -finners, like thofe of Jerufalem, that had.
imbrued their hands in his blood '. And what bleffed grounds of hope are there e-
yen for fiyrh, that they may obtain repentance, andnemiffiati of fins-rtbrough faith
in his name ! And O how fhould our faltb i*nd nape, hearts and afftftions follow
the afcended Head and Redeemer into heaven, looking' after him, adoring and
worfhipping bim, bleffing God for him, living in daily espeftation of all needful
bleffings from him here, and of afeending up to him in our own perfons hereafter,
that where he is, there we may be alfo I Amen and amen : So let it be to every
one of us.

A PRACTICAL

A PRACTICAL
E X P O S I T I O N
OF T H E
EVANGELIST JOHN,
IN THE FORM OF A
PARAPHRASE.

CHAP.

I.

The Evangelift's teftimony concerning the eternal Godhead, the office
and incarnation of Chrifi ', i, — 14. John the BaptiftV teftimony
concerning him, 15, — 37. And Chrifi's calling of feveral to be
his difciples, 58,-51.

Text.

IN the beginning "W" ]
was the Word, I
and the Word was -^r.

Paraphrase.
N the beginning * of the world, when God crea
ted the heavens and the earth, a Divine perfon,
with God",' and the ftikd emphatically the Logos \ or word, neceffarily
Word was God. exifted ; and fo the Word was co-eternally prefent
with God X ^e Father, and the Word himfelf, though
NOTES.
* The firft Socinians underftood this than an attribute, or operation of the Fa-
of.the beginning of the gofpel; and fo ther, is evident from the perfonal cha-
intetpreted all that follows, as relating rafters under which he ie fpoken of in
to the gofpel-reformation : But a bare this and feveral following paffages, where
reading of the following verfes with at- he is exprefsly called God with God,
tention, is fufficient to confute that in- (ver. 1, 2.) is diftinguifhed from John

terpretation, as exceeding unnatural and
forced ; accordingly there are few, if a-
ny now, that plead for it
t The term Logos, tranflated word,
fignifies wifdom or reafon, as well as
word ; accordingly Chrift is called both
the Wifdom, and the Word of God.
(Prov. viii. and Luke xi. 49. Rev. xix.

the Baptift, (ver. 8.) is faid to come af
ter him, and to come to his o<ivn, (ver.
ti, 15.) to be the only begotten of the
Fatter, to be madeflefb, and to dwell a-
morig us. (ver. 14.)
% The term God in this paffage is
plainly meant of God the Father, as per
fonally diftinguifhed from the Word;

13.) He is the Wifdom of God, fay fe- "though h« is not here called the Father,
veral of the fathers, confidering him in becaufe the Evangelift had not yet fpoke
his pre-exiftence before all worlds ; and of Chrift under the title of the Son : And
fo he is compared to filent thought reft- this Word, who in the clofe of the verfe
ing in the mind,: And he is the Word of is called God, was-with God ; not as one
God, confidering him in his incarnate God with another God, but as one divine
ftate; and fo he is compared to out- perfon with another in the fame GOd-
ward fpeech, whereby he reveals the Fa- head.
ther to us. And that this word is more

a66

The- Evangelift

Chap. L

2 The fame was
in the beginning
with God. ,
3 All things were
made by him ; and
without him was
not any thing made
that was made.

4 In him was
life , and the life
was the light of
men.

though perfonally diftinft from him, was in a ftrift
and proper fenfe God *, partaking of the fame divine
nature and effential perfections with the Father.
2, 3 This divine perfon ha<l all along an infepara-
ble exiftence with God the Father, not only before
he was born of the Virgin, but even from everlafting,
before there were any creatures, he being the author
of all made things whatfoever : So that by him, as
their Creator, they were brought forth into being ;
and without his efficiency no one of them, from the
higheft to £he loweft, was formed at all f .
4 He not only created alHnanimate, but likewife
all animate things, whether of the fenfitive or rational
life, and that by a vital principle, which was origin
ally and neceffarily in himfelf; and this was the fpring
and fource of all kinds and degrees of life, that are
communicated to others, and particularly of all the
reafon and underftanding, that is, or ever was found
among men, and of all that can be called the light of
life. 5 The light of natural confeience, which proceeds
from God the Word, glimmers amidft the moral
darknefs that is brought upon the minds of men by
fin ; but this darknefs is fo great, that it overpowers and
NOTES.
or author of them : For an inftrument
or under-agent to God, in creation-work,
do not agree to any notions of creating
power, which mnft be ftriftly and pro
perly divine and infinite, and is always
fpoken- of in fcripture ; as immediately
and entirety peculiar to God, whojiretch-
ed forth the heavens alone, and fpread
abroad the eirth by himself ; (Ifa.
xliv. 24.) and ojhim, through bim, orby
him, (It' «u7ou) are all things. (Rom.
xi. 36.) And Chrift is fpoken of, as the
Lord, or Jehovah, who, by his own pro
per efficiency, in the begiitning laid the
ally, without the article, as particularly foundation of the earth, and the heavens

5 And the light
ihineth in dark
nefs ; and the
darknefs compre
hended it not. ..

* The chief objeftion againft this in
terpretation is, that in the Greek the ar
ticle is added to the word God, when fpo
ken of the Father, which is left out when
applied to the Son : But this is no more
than the rules of grammar made proper
to determine the nominative cafe in the
fentence, which, if the article had been
added, would have been more naturally
rendered, God was the Word, than the
Word •was God; and there are feveral
places in this very chapter, where' the
word God is applied to the Divine Be
ing abfolutely, or to the Father perfon

ver. 6, 13, 18. At other times 'tis ap
plied with the article to the Son ; (chap.
xx. 28.) and at others, even to falfe
gods: (Aits xiv. 11. and 2 Cor. iv. 4.) So
that no ftrefs can be laid upon the omiffi
on of the article here. "And that Chrift
was properly God by nature, and not by
office, is evident, becaufe he was God be
fore any creatures were made, and con

are faid to be the works of his hands.
(Heb. i, 10.) Thefe exalted charafters
of the Logos cannot agree to any, the
moft glorious creature that can be ima
gined; fince that muft be a made being,
and all Tuch beings are here diftinguifh
ed from the Logos, who made them; and
therefore he cannot be himfelf made.
Nor can they, I think, agree to a fuppo-

fequently before any dominion could be fed pre-exiftent, created foul of Chrift ;
exercifed over them. fince the Divinity and the power, here,
and in the following verfes, afcribed to
him, are diftinguifhed from all made
things, and are peculiar to Godhead, as
will appear in the Evangelift's further
account of them.

t 'Tis not fufficient to objeft againft
, this, that by him denotes only an inftru
ment, or under-agent, in the making of
all things^ and not properly the efficient

Chap.

John paraphrafed.

26f

and ftifles it, inftead of being Overpowered by it :
And the light of revelation, wh&h he communicated
with a gradual increafe through various difpenfations
of grace, fhines now at length in all its luftre amidft
the darknefs of a degenerate world ; but fuch is the
blindnefs of mens hearts, that they naturally do not
underftand it, but fhut their eyes againft it, hate and
oppofe it, and will not receive it, having loved dark
nefs rather than light, becaufe their deeds are evil.
(Chap. iii. .19, 20.)
6 There was a 6 The opening of the laft and cleareft of thefe dif-
man fent from God, penfations began in the miniftry of John the Bapti/l,
whofe name was x. 11 j ..1. u d
t -. who was really a^an and no more, though an extra
ordinary one in his birth, gifts, qualifications, and
remarkable fanftity, and a man, who was thereby
proved to be fent of God, that he might be the fore-
' runner of the glorious perfon before fpoken of.
j This John came among the Jews, as a witnefs
from God, and for God, to fpeak of Chrift, and
point them to him, as a divine perfon, in whom
through him might were hid all the treafures of wifdom and knowledge,
believe. ' -  " - -<¦ .  .- •<¦ < .

7 The fame came
for a witnefs, to
bear witnefs of the
Light, that all men

8 He was not
that Light, but
•was fent to bear
witnefs ¦ of that
Light.

and who was juft ready to appear, and diffufe a glo
rious light among them : And the great defign and »
tendency, of his teftimony was, that through his mi
niftry, as a moral and appointed means, all forts *
of men might be induced to believe in Jefus, as the
propet objeft of their faith, (ver. 12.) whether they
were Pharifees, Sadducees, or the common people
among the Jews, or publicans and foldiers among
the Gentiles.
8 It might be truly faid of John, that, by the
clearnefs of his. preaching, the fervour of his fpirit,
and the holinefs of his life, he was minifterially,
(0 Aw^ves) a burning and fhining light, (fjohn v.
35.) But, as he himfelf cornfeffed, he was not that
divine perfon, who, by way of eminence, is (to ty&d)
the light, from which all others are derived, but was
fent of God, to fhew him to the people, who really
was fo, and to affure them that he, as the SUn of
righteoufnefs, was then rifing upon them.
'9 that was the 9 This matchlefs perfon was, by way of eminence
true Light, which anjj excellence, the, true light, in oppofition to the
falfe lights of the Gentile philofophers, and the cor
rupted, as weft as the faint typical light of the Jews ;
and in diftinftion from John thi Baptifi, and the a-
""* poftles,
NOTE, a-
* All men, in this place, cannot pofli- miniftry was cpnfkied to the land of Ju-
bly mean every individual of mankind, dea, and but few, comparatively fpeak-
becaute the Evangelifthere fpeaks of the ing, heard his teftimony. See the notes
defign of John the Baptifl's perfonal mi- on vet: zg. and chap. iii. 18.
niftry, to prepare Chrift's way, which

lighteth every man
that cometh into
the world.

268

The Evangelift

Chap. i.

io He was in
the world, and the
world was made
by him, and the
world knew bim
root.

ti He came un-

v poftles, who bare a more direft witnefs to him, and
delved their light, from him. He is indeed the ori
ginal fountain-light, from whom all kinds of natural
and divine knowledge are communicated to every
man, whether1 Jew or Gentile, who has been par
taker of them in former ages, or now is, or ever
fliall be fo, to the end of the world *.
i io By him, as was faid, (ver. 3.) the whole crea
tion was formed, and he has ever fince been prefent
in the world by his Beiing and Providence, uphold
ing all things by the word of his power ; and By
feveral difpenfations of light and grace in different
degrees through all ages. And yet fuch is the blind-
nefs, fenfuality, and depravity of mankind, that the
Gentile world neither Underftood nor owned the cha
rafters of Deity, which he impreffed on his works,
as the Creator of all things ; nor did the generality
of men obferve and believe the charafters of grace,
which he difcovered by tradition, or by his word, as
the only Saviour.
1 1 Yea, in the folnefs of time, he perfonally ap-
to his own, and his pearej} ;n h;s incarnation and miniftry, among the
own received him ^^ and man;fefted h;mfetf ^th more abundant
light and power, by his doftrine and miracles to
them, who were his own people and property,' not
' merely in common with the reft of the world, by
right of creation, but likewife in a more peculiar
manner, as he was the God of Ifrael, and they were
his covenant! and profefiing people, and his own kin
dred according to the flefh: (Rom. ix. 4, 5.) And
yet fo ignorant, obftinate, and perverfe, wfere the ge
nerality of them, whoi were thus his own, that they
wilfully rejefted their Creator, their covenant-God,
and their kinfman, broke through all their natural
and fpecial obligations to him, and would not receive
him as their Meffiah.
ii- But as many 12 But there was « remnant, according to the
as received him, to efeclion of grace, (Rom. xi. 5.) who embraced him
as the free gift of God, with hearty approbation of
him, and of the way of falvation alone by him, as their
prophat, prieft, and ^ing, and with an entire truft
and dependence upon him for themfelves, that they,
might have life through him : And on all who thus
by faith received him, he beftowed (ifyvirixv) thedig-
' n'[y
NOTE.
* Or thefe words maybe rendered, He cometh; and then it moft peculiarly re-
was the true light, which, coming into lates to his appearing in the world to
the world, enlightenetli every man. And fpread the light of the gofpel among
fo coming into the world, refers not to Gerftiles, as well as Jews, or amongft all
every man, but to Cbrjl the true Light, that are enlightened by it.
who is ufually ftiled 0 tgx>/i.mr he that

them gave he po,w
er to become the
fons of God, even
to them that be
lieve on his name:

Chap. i. John paraph rafed. i6()
nity and prerogative, right and privilege of being
the children of God ; not in name and title only,
but fe noble difpofitions and enjoyments, whether
they be Jews or Gentiles, weaker or ftronger belie
vers *, they being all the children of God by faith
in Chrift Jefus: (Gal. iii. 26.) '
13 Which were 13 He, as the. fountain of honour, bellows this
born, not of blood, glorious privilege on them, who are new begotten, or
nor of the will of ? • / 6 » \ , , , r
the flefh, nor of the born again, ("oux sf xtftatm) not by natural delcent
will of man, but of or pedigree, from Abraham, nor by the blood of
G°o. circumcifion, which was therfign and feal of Ifrael's
covenant-relation to God ; nor byv the intention of
parents in begetting them, nor by the ceremonial ob-
-i 1 fervances of Jewifh carnal ordinances, nor by any in
clinations of crprrupt nature, which, in a moral fenfe,
is called flefh ; nor is it according to the way of man's
willing, in adopting fuch as are in themfelves worthy
to be his heirs for want of natural iffue, nor accord
ing to any principles of a natural man, whereby he
gives a turn to his own will, nor yet according to
the mere power of moral fwafion, which one man
may ufe with another : This fpiritual birth does not
proceed from any of thefe principles, which are in
deed either contrary to it, or inluffieient to produce
it ; but, on the other hand, it is entirely of God,
as the free,- fovereign, and efficacious caufe of that
divine and heavenly principle, which is infufed into
believers by regeneration, that they might live in all
righteoufnefs and holinefs to him.
i4AndtheWord 14 And in order to the faving defign, for which
was made flefh, and God the Word appeared on earth, he was made man,
dwelt among us, ^y affuming human nature into perfonal union with
„[ory himfelf j-; and he tabernacled in flefh with a divine
prefence
NOTES.
* Though formerly the adoption per- made man, or having a true human foul,
tained only to the Jews ; yet under the as well as body: But his human nature
gofpel-ftate, it is no longer confined to is moft ufually called flefh, or a body,
them, believing Jews and Greeks being to exprefs his infinite condefcenfion and
all one in Chrift Jefus. (Gal. iii. 28.) grace in taking upon him, even the
And as the name of Chrift is often put meaneft part of man, with all the natu-
for Chrift himfelf, according to the dif- ral infirmities of the body ; to fhew that
coveries we have of his perfon, offices, he came to recover that flefli from cor-
works, and benefits ip his word : So to ruptiOn, which, by Adam's fin was made
believe in his name, is to believe in him, obnoxious to death, and that not the
which is the fame with receiving him, foul only, but the body likewife fhould
as it is expreffed in the former part of the be raifed to eternal life ; and to affure us,
verfe. that he had a true human body, or real
t The term jlejh is often ufed in fcrip- flefli, „ in oppofition to fuch as. in eaMy
ture, by a Synedoche, for ther whole man, days, pretended that it was only a phan-
as in Matth. xxiv. 2 1. Alls ii. 17. and torn or appearance of flefh. But his be-
Rom. iii. 20. and feveral other places; ing made flefli, was not by bis divine na-
and fo the Word or Logos, being made ture's being changed into the human, but
flefh, is the fame in fenfe with his being by the human natufe's being perfonally
V»L. II. N B unite*

ql-jq The Evangelift Chap. i.
glory, the glory as prefence and glory» like the Jehovah of Ifrael in the *
of the only begot- Shechinah, as aft the futeefs of the Godhead dwelt
fon ;°of ^r^ina "in the temP}e of his hodY' w,ith a continued atodc
troth, for a feafon amongft us men, and amongft us parti
cularly who were his difciples, till at length he re
moved from earth to heaven : And his appearance
amongft us, was foil of grace, in oppofition to the
law, as a minddxation full of wrath and terror, and
as, at beft, only afhadow -of good things to come ;
and it was full of fubftance ,and truth, as he thereby
completely anfwered all his own engagements, and
was the end of the law for righteoufnefs to every
one that believes, and as all the promifes, types,
and prophecies were fulfilled in him : And though
his divine glory was vail'd by his tabernacling in flefh
amongft us, yet it was not loft, nor totally hid ; but
we, his difciples, were eye-witntffes ef his Majefiy,
and beheld by faith, as well as with our bodily eyes,
foftie radiant beams, which difcovered the Saviour
and the God : We faw the glory of his divine wif
dom, power, holinefs, and grace, which, on various
occafions, difplayed theiSfelves in him ; we faw the
glory of his Godlike miracles, and of his fovereign
way of performing them ; we faw the glory that
fhone in his transfiguration, refurreftion, and afcen-
fion to heaven ; (i6&H-x[*.°Jx) we fledfaftly confidered
and obferved it with the clofefl attention, and high
eft wonder f , as the glory that was really becoming the
NOTES.
Suited with the divine in himfelf; by majefty of a king : And the fcripture of-
which perfonal union he did not ceafe to ten ufes fuch forms of fpeech to declare
be what he was before, w'rs. God, but the reality of things, and their fuitable-
became what he was not before, viz- nefs to charafter. See Matth. xiv. 5.
man; and fo both natures conffituted but 2Cor.iii. 1 8. and Eph. v. S. Andhowna-
one perfon in him, God-man. Accord- turally does this mixed confideration of
ingly it is faid, that he was made, or -be- Chrift as God-man, and as Mediator be
came flefh, as Adam was faid to be made, tween God and man, account for all the
or became a living foul. (Gen. ii. 7.) high and low things that are fpoken of
* Emtnvao-sv ty n/uv, he dwelt amongft him; for all the abfolute charafters "of
us, evidently refers to the Shechinah, in divine glof y, tljat are afcribed to him as
which God dwelt, in the tabernacle that God, and for all the Charafters of w'eik-
was pitched among the Ifraelites, and nefs and dependence, that are afcribed
was a figure of the incarnation of Chrift, to him as man ; for all the exalted pow-r
and of his abode for fome time on earth, ers and honours that are faid to be given
by which God's appearance, in the ma- to him as God-man Mediator, and for all
nifeftation of his glory among men, was the infinite capacities he has to receive
the moft vifible and remarkable that had thofe donations from his Father, and to
ever been made before. exercife the powers, and wear the ho-
f The particle as in this place, is not nours, that belong to him in that confi-
defisned to fignify a bare refemblance of deration of him ! And how aptly dtaes
the Son of God, but what was really be- this mixed view of Chrift account for all
coming him, and was proper to him: thofe paffages of fcripture, that oh' one
Thus we fay of a king when he afts up hand fpeak of him abfolutely as God,
fro charafter, or appears like himfelf, he whilft he is confidered in his original na-
afts as a king, or he appears as with the ture, and effential perfeftions'and rights ;
and

Chap. i. John paraphraftd. 271
the Son of God, and was proper and peculiar to him,
who is originally the fame in nature with the Father,
and eternally begotten of him, in fuch an inconceiv
able manner, as none ever was befides him.
15 John bare je * Of this wonderful perfon John the Baptift,
witMftof hin,,^n| that gr€at and extraor(iinary prophet, was only the
was he of whom I forerunner, to give notice of his coming, and lead the
fpake, He that co- people unto him : This he freely owned was all the
meth after me, is honour he pretended to ; and in the abundant zeal,
mefefordh Jaffa? and fervour of his SPirit> he lifted up his voice, to
fore' me. " e" proclaim the incarnate God, faying to the people,
aftel* he had feen Jefus at his baptifm, The long
Iooked-for Saviour is now come ; he whom I have
fhewn to you is the very perfon of whom I before
told you, that he indeed appears after me in the
exercife of his miniftry, but is every way my fupe7
rior in himfelf, and in his office too ; he is fo not
barely in my efteem, but likewife in the account of
his Father, and of all the prophets who wrote of him ;
and he fhall be fo in the account of all thofe whom
he will fend to bear witnefs to him, and of all that.
believe in him : And it is highly fit that he fhould be
preferred before me ; for he had an eternal exiflence
as a divine perfon with the Father, and was fet up
from everlafting in his office-charafter, before all
worlds, and therefore undoubtedly before I bare wit
nefs of him, and before I was born. '
l6 *nd of his 16 And as f he is fuperior in dignity to John, fo
receiveSdlra"^ he is in fulnefs.and Efficiency to all apoftles and New-
for grace. Teftament believers ; he receives nothing from them,
but they derive all from him : For as he has an effen
tial fulnefs of all divine perfections, as the God who
inhabits the man Jefus ; fo he has a communicative
fulnefs treafured up in him, by the Father's appoint
ment and his own merit, as the head of the church :
And of this inexhauffib"le fulnefs all of us, who be
lieve in him, have received, and continue to receive, all
N n 2 fpiritual
NOTES.
gnd all thofe places on the other hand, + Some fuppofe that- this and the two
that diftinguifh him from God, whilft he following yerfes are John the Baptifts
is fpoken of in his office, as Mediator in further teftimony concerning Chrift: But
human nature between God and man. they feem to be rather the Evangelift's
* This and the next teftimony, (ver. own words, as appears by the variations
19. ifc.*) which John gave to Chrift, of the words themfelves, and the proprie-
feem to have been during the time of our ty of their application to Chriftians, ra-
Lord's temptation in the wildernefs: For ther than to John's hearers, who were
as foon as he was baptized, he was led moftly ignorant of Chrift, and had, at that
by the fpirit into the wildernefs ; (Mar. time, received little or nothing from him ;
iv. 1. and Luke iv. i.) and John faw Je- as alio by the agreement of the fixteenth
fus coming to him again, the next day and feventeentii vevfes, with what the ti-
after the priefts and Levites from Jerufa- vangelift had faid, ver. 14. and furthei
lem had been with him at Bcthabara, fjys, ver. iS. and [ John iv. 12.
(ver. 2S, zy. of this chapter)

272

The Evangelift

Chap. I.

17 For the law
was given by Mo
fes, but grace ami
truth tame by Je-
f'usChrift. ' .

18 No man hath
feen God at any
time; the only be
gotten Son, which
is in rhe bofom of
the Father, he hath
declared him.

fpiritual bleffings, multiplied one upon another, ac
cording to our capacities and wants, as an empty vef-
fel receives the water that is poured into it from the
fountain ; and we receive abundance of grace, .as a
beggar receives an alms, from the treafures of his
grace, heap upon heap, according to the meafure of
his gift ; and all that we derive from his fulnefs, is
anfwerable, in nature and kind, to the grace which
is in him ; fo that it bears the image of his grace, as
the wax does of the feal, hne for line*.
17 This divine perfon is likewife fuperior to
Mofes : For he has done more than that famous law
giver could do ; and the glory of his miniftration ex
cels that which was under him. Mofes indeed, as a mi
nifter of the law, delivered the mind and will of God
to the Jews, in a manner fuitable to their circum
ftances, in a miniftration of death and condemnation,
and in obfoure types and figures, which were infufii
cient to make the worfhippers perfeft : But the in
carnate Son of God is the Lord and giver of the
better things of the gofpel, has brought in the rich-
eft and plaineft difcoveries of divine love and grace,
and is the real fubftance of all Judaical types and pre-
diftions, as they are accomplifhed in and by him ;
and all the great and good things, which he is come
to bring in, proceed from his grace, and have their
performance from his truth, in a miniftration of life
and righteoufnefs.
18 Yea, this adorable perfon is fuperior to all
creatures whatfoever, and his revelation excels all that
any other could be fuppofed to make. No .mere man
could ever fee the inyiiible God, vaho is a Spirit, and
no mere creature, (o»§«s) not one* whether man or
angel, was ever privy to Gpd's counfels, as they lye
in his own mind, or ever knew any thing of them but
by revelation : But the Eternal Word, having com
munion with the Father in Godhead, and in coun
fels, perfeftly underftands him, and all his defigns ;
he being, in an ineffable and peculiar manner, his on
ly begotten Son, of the fame nature with the Fa
ther, and infinitely dear to him, is, as he always was,
and will be, intimately prefent with him, and tho
roughly acquainted with his whole heart, like a bofom-
friend, the Father being in him, and he in the Fa
ther. (John xiv. 10.) He accordingly has revealed
all that is known, or was needful to be known pon-
cerning him, and particularly relating to his infinite
wifdom

NOTE.
* Thefe I take to be the moft genuine fenfes of this expreffion.
*c feveral other interpretations' in Lightfoot on the place.

The reader mav

Chap.

1.

John paraphrafed.

273

afk him
thou ?

wifdom and grace in the redemption and falvation of
loft finners ; whatever the prophets of old, and his
forerunner John, have faid about thefe things, was
by his Spirit ; and now he himfelf has come to make
flill further difcoveries of them in his own perfonal
miniftry, and with ftill greater evidence and extent
by his Spirit in the apoftles, whom he fent forth in
his name.
,io And this is IO, And*, at another time, John the Baptifi
t rec°rd J° ' gave the following teftimony concerning Jefus, when
lefts' a^dLevites d}e great council of the Jews at Jerufalem fent to
from Jerufalem, to him : They having heard much of John's fame, and
Who art how he was honoured among the people, for the
' ftriftnefs of his life, the excellence of his doftrine,
and the folemaityof his baptifm, deputed fome of their
riumber, who were priefts and Levites, men of high
account for their piety and knowledge in the law, to
examine him about the charafter he affumed, and to
demand of him whether he profeffed to be the Mef
fiah or not.
20, To this inquiry John anfwered in plain terms,
and with great earneftnefs, freely confeffing, and by
no means denyingthe truth ; and (r-xd) what he fo
ftrongly confeffed was, that he neither was, nor ever
pretended to be the Meffiah, nor would have any
one entertain a thought of him as if he were.
21 Hereupon they further afked him, What then
do you profefs to be I Are you the great prophet E-
lijah the Tijhbite, who our doftors fey is to appear
in perfon immediately before the coming of the Mef-
prophet ? And he fiah ? to this he anfwered, No, I am not that Elias
anfwered, No. whom ye expeft. They replied, Are you then Je
remiah, or any one of the ancient prophets, (Matth.
xvi. 14.) who before the coming of Elias we expeft
will rife from the dead ? to which he frankly anfwer
ed again, No, I am not.
22 Then, like perfons that knew not what to
think of him, they faid, If you are none of thefe,
who do you pretend to be ? we infift on a direft an
fwer, that we may know what account to give of
that fent us: what you to the fanhedrim, by whofe authority we are
fayeft thou pf thy- come, and to whom we muft make our report. As
for us, we cannot imagine who you are, or by what
authority you take upon you at this rate ; tell us
therefore in plain terms what you call yourfelf, and
what fort of commiffion it is that you pretend to.
23 To
N O
* They who take the foregoing ver
fes to be John's teftimony, fuppofe that
this record refers to what was there faid :
?.ut I rather think that the hiftory is

20 And he con
feffed, and denied
not ; but confefs-
ed, I am not the
Chrift.

21 And they afk
ed him,What then ?
Art thou Elias ?
And he faith, I am
not. Art thou that

Then faid
unto him,
art thou ?
that we may gi.-e
an anfwer to them

22
they
Who

T E.
here re-affumed, and that this refers to
what follows,1 in the difcoupfe between
John and the meffengers from Jerufa
lem. See the notes on ver. 15, and 16.

274
23 He faid, \ani
(he voice of qne
crying in the wil
dernefs, Make
ftraight, the way
of the Lord, as
faid the prophet
Efaias.

The Evangelift

Ch»p. i.

»4 And they
which were fent
were of the Phari
fees.

25 And they afk-
htm, and faid unto
him, why baptizeft
thou then, if thou
be not that Chrift,
nor Elias, neither
that prophet .'

26 John asifwer-
ed them, faying, I
baptize with wa
ter :" but there
ftandeth one a-
mong you, whom
ye know not ;
27 He it is, who,
coming after me, is
preferred before
me, whofe fhoes
Jatchet I am not
worthy to unloofe.

23 To this, their perempto?y demand, John repli
ed, I am the Meffiah's harbinger, whom Ifaiah,
(chap. xl. 3.) deferibed in prophecy, as the voice
of him that cries in the wildernefs, Prepare ye the
way of the Lord, mak'i firaight in the defart fi high
•way for our God. Ye fee that I appear in the wil
dernefs, and not in populous places, like one who
feeks his own glory ; and my fpecial commiffion is
to lay myfelf out with zeal and fervour, in rectifying
the errors of *he people, and making way, by my
doftrine and baptifm of repentance, for their receiv
ing the Meffiah, who is Ifrael's Jehovah, and whom
I openly proclaim, as juft ready to appear among
you. 24 Now it is to Ve obferved, that thefe meffen
gers from the council to John, were of the feft of
the Pharifes, who were a captious fort of people,
wonderful tenacious of their ceremonies and tradi
tions, and fuch proud felf-jufticiaries, as thought
they needed no repentance.
25 And therefore they expoftulated with him,
faying, If this is all that you pretend to be, what
is the reafon of your making fo many profelytes,
and baptizing them, into your new doftrine ? A mere
harbinger furely has no right to fet up for himfelf as
you do, and to make fuch extraordinary innovations
as thefe : Since then you confefs, that you are nei
ther the Meffiah, nor Elias, nor Jeremiah, nor any
other of the ancient prophets raifed from the dead, we
wonder at your prefumption, and would fain know
by what authority you do thefe things.
26, 27 John replied, Ye greatly miftake the mat
ter : I do not make difciples to myfelf, nor baptize
them into the profeffion of any new doftrine of my
own : I only baptize with water, as a fign and
emblem of a better baptifm. But thefe is one, who
already lives among you, and lately ftood at Jordan
in the midft of you, (ftsa-o; "hi vpm stroiitsv) though he
has not yet fully appeared in his public charafter, and
ye have not known him ; he will fhortly baptize his
difciples with the Holy Ghoft ; and my great bufi
nefs is to confign the people over to him, that they
may receive him, and his doftrine, together with all
the fupernatural gifts, and graces, and bleffings of his
kingdom : He is that Divine Perfon, of whom I
have before publicly declared, (ver. 15.) that,
though he fucceeds me in the manifeftation of himfelf,
and in the exercife of his office ; yet he is infinitely
more excellent than me, and had an eternsd exiftence
before me, who does not deferve to be employed in
the meaneft- office about him, no, not fo much as to
take

Chap. i. John paraphrafed. 275
take -off his fhoes : But as I, though unworthy, have
the honour of God's commiffion to be his forerunner,
¦according to Ifaiah's prophecy, I have fufficient au
thority in this manner to make difciples unto him,
and this is all that I pretend to.
28 Thefe things 28 This converfation, between John and the
thabarT"6 be ond" me{Iengers from Jerufalem, was held publicly at Be,
Jordan wherejohn thabard, which fignifies the houfe of paffage , and lay
was baptiirBg. a little beyond that part of Jordan, where people u-
fed to go over it, and which was the place where
John had been for forne time baptizing the multi
tudes that came to him.
29 The next day 29 The next day after this, John feeing Jefus,
John feeth Jefus who then returned back from the wildernefs, (fee
ZTc^-^l u'Tj the "ote »n ver. 15.) pointed to him, and faid
and faith, Behold . . , ' r _ , , , ' . ,
the Lamb of God to iite pe°pfe then preient, Behold, here is the
which taketh a- very perfon of whom I have fpoke fo much, now ap-
way the -fin of the pearing before your ey-es ; look with attention upon
w1 ¦ him, and look by faith unto him, for the remiflion
of fins ; receive, admire, and prize him, who is, by
way of eminence and preference to all others, the
Lamb of God : this is the true and only effeftual
propitiatory Sacrifice, chofen, fet apart, and fent
of God, devoted to him, and accepted by him, and
prefigured, as by all the typical facrifices of atone
ment, fo particularly by the pafehal lamb, and thofe
that were offered for a continual burnt-offering, e-
irery morning and evening. (Exod. xxix. 38, 42.)
Behold, God has now provided a moft excellent
Lamb for himfelf, which is no other than this holy,
meek, and humble Jefus, a lamb without blemifh
and without fpot, who -wasffore-ordained before the
.foundation of the world, but is now manifefied,
( 1 Peter i. 9, 20. ) to take away the guilt and punifh
ment, power and .pollution of all fin, both original
and aftual, and that with abiding efficacy from every
one, whether Jew or Gentile, that believes in him*.
30 This is the great Meffiah; fee there he comes,
30 This k he of of whom ye have heard me fay before, that a mighty
whom I faid, Af- marlj (K]/^) .the man of God's right hand, whom
h he has made firong for himfelf, and the man his
Fel-
N O T E.
* The terms world, all men, and'tlije was given in John the Baptifis miniftry,
Jike. when ufed to denote the perfons when he declared that all flefh fhould
concerned in the faving "benefits of fee the falvation of God ; and when the
Chrift's death, moft generally fignify in Reman foldiers and publicans came to be
the writings of the -New Teftament. and baptized of him. (Luke iii. 6, 12, 13,
particularly of our Evangelift, not every 14.) And here he feems to fpeak of
individual of mankind, but all nations, the Lamb of God, is taking away the
inclufive of Gentiles, as well as Jews, fin of the world, in oppofition to the ty-
(See the notes on ver. 7. and chap. iii. pica! fambs that were offered in the ftead
16.) A very early intimation of wliich of the Jews only.

276

The Evangelift

Chap. i.

man which is pre
ferred before me ;
for he was before
me.

31 And I knew
bim not : but that
be fhouJd be made
mamfelt to Ifrael,
therefore am I
come baptizing
with water.

32 And John
bare record, faying,
I faw the Spirit de-
fcending from hea
ven like a dove,
and it abode upon
him. 33 And I knew
him not: but he
that lent me to
baptize with wa
ter, the fame faid
unto me, ' Upon
-whom thou fhalt
fee the Spirit, de-
fcending and re
maining on him,
the fame is he
which baptizeth
with the Holy
Ghoft.' 34 J.nd I faw.
and bare record
that this is the Son
of God.

Fellow, ("Pfal. lxxx. 17. and Zech. xiii. 7.) was juft
ready to appear after me, as his forerunner; a man
every way fuperior in excellence, dignity, and au
thority, to myfelf, and indeed God as well as man,
and therefore infinitely to be preferred to me ; for
he had a divine and eternal exiftence before I had a
being. 3 1 And, to tell you the truth, in all the former
part of my life and miniftry, I had no manner of per
fonal acquaintance or correfpondence with him, to
bias me in his favour, or to give me the leaft opportu
nity of concerting any meafures with him, about go
ing before hkn, to give teftimony concerning him :
But, according to my commiffion from above, I'at
firft only declared (as ye all know) that the Mef
fiah would quickly appear among you ; and the rea
fon of my baptizing with water into the faith of him
was, to awaken your expectation of it, and to prepare
the way for a more particular and exprefs difcovery
of him afterwards -to his people Ifrael, that they
.might then take fpecial notice of him, and might
own and believe in him.
32 And the way in which I myfelf came to know
this very perfon to be the Meffiah, was by the hea
ven's opening in my fight, and the Spirit of God
defcending in a vifible appearance, and hovering over
Jefus, after the manner of a dove, till it refted upon
his head. ( See the note on Matth. iii. 16.)
33 Before this time, I again infift upon it, that I
had no manner 'of perfonal knowledge of him : But
the fame God who commiflioned me to baptize with
water, revealed to me likewife, when Jefus was com
ing to my baptifm, that I fliould prefently know the
true Meffiah by a certain miraculous token, faying,
On whomfoever you fhall fee the Spirit vifibly defcend
ing, and refting upon his head, he, and no other, is
mine anointed, who fhall baptize his difciples with
the Holy Ghoft.
34 Accordingly, I plainly faw the Spirit defcend
ing and lighting- in that vifible form upon Jefus,
and, at the fame time, heard a voice from heaven,
which gave a ftill further teftimony to him, faying,
(Matth. iii. 17.) This is my beloved Son, in whom
I am well pleafed : And being hereby fully fatisfied,
that the extraordinary fignal before given was then
exaftly anfwered, I immediately did, and could not
but declare, that this very perfon, who now appears
among you, is indeed the eternal Son of God, and
the true Meffiah ; and thenceforward I have, on all
occafions, folemnly repeated that teftimony concern
ing him. 35 Oa

Chap.

John parapkrafed.

277

Again, the 35 On the day immediately after this, John was
day after, again teaching and baptizing the people ; and two

pies; 3<S And looking
upon Jefus as he
walked, he faith,
Behold the Lamb
ef God :

37

And die two

35
nextJohn flood, and j his difc;ple-s who were n"t oni " hearers but be-
two of his dilci- .. r. K , ' . ..ii-
lievers 01 his doctrine, were with him :
36 And, Jefus paffing by in their fight a fecond
time, John, defigning particularly to make him
known to thofe two difciples, fixed his eyes upon him,
and faid to them, in the hearing of all the company,
Obferve, there the perfon now appears again : See,
there he walks ; look by faith to him, who, as I
yefterday told you, is ordained and fent of God to
be the only true propitiatory Sacrifice, as a fpotlefs
Lamb of his own providing, that ye might believe,
and receive remiffion of fins through him.
37 And, upon hearing John repeat thefe words,
difciples heard him the two difciples looking were enlightened, and their
fpeak, and they hearts were touched and moved to go after, Jefus,
that they might be particularly acquainted with him.
3S Then Jefus 38 Then he, who obferves and encourages the
turned, and law feft motions of tbe foul toward himfelf, turned about :
them toffowing, , r . ., rv u- i_ c
and faith unto an" leeing them come after him, began a tree and
them, What feek friendly converfation with them, faying, What is the
ye ? They faid un- defign of your thus following me r? What is your pe-
to him, Rabbi, t;t;on ? Come, tell me what ye want, *and it fhall be
bdng interpreted' done unto you- They replied with great efteem and
Mafter,) where veneration *, Rabbi, by what we have heard from
dwelleft thou ? John the Baptift, we look upon you to be a great
Mafter in Ifrael, and beg leave to wait upon you at
home, or wherever you lodge or flay any time, that
we may be further acquainted with you, and fully
inftrufted in the things that belong to our peace.
39 Thereupon Jefus, to fhew his willingnefs to
receive all that come to him, affeftionately invited
them to go along with him, that, according to their
defire, they might have his company and counfel,
might know where to have recourle to him, and
might fee by the meannefs of his habitation, that no
great things for this world were to be expefted from
him : And they, encouraged by his grace, went and
faw his place of abode, and were fo taken with him,
that they thought it good for them to be there ; and
they tarried with him all the remainder of that day,
it being then, according to the Roman way of reck
oning, about ten o'clock in the morning f . 40 Now
NOTES.
* Rabbi was a title of high refpecTr, by intimation of their defire to be taught by
which it was ufual to compliment the him.
dodlors or teachers of thofe days ; and f It feems that this Evangelift, wri-
thefe difciples of John faluting Chrift un- ting after the deftruclion' of J, rnfi/em,
der this appellation, was at once an ho- -commonly ufes the Roman computation
mourable way of addreijing him, and an of the, hours of the day, as here, and in
Vol. II. 0 o ^"J>-

39 He faith un
to them, Come and
fee. They came
and faw where he
dwelt, and abode
with him that
day : for it was
about the tenth
hour.

178

The Evangelift

Chap.

1.

40 One of the
two which heard
John fpeak, and
followed him, was
Andrew, Simon
Peter's brother.
41 He firft; find-
eth his own bro
ther Simon, and
faith unto ' him,
We , have found

4O Now one of the two difciples of John, who
was induced in this manner to follow Jefus, by what
they had heard their mafter fay concerning him, was
Andrew, the brother of Simon, who was afterwards
firnamed Peter*.
41 Andrew's heart being much affefted with the
convincing and engaging difeoveries that he had 're
ceived in his converfes with Jefus, immediately went
in fearch of his friends and relations, that he might
the Meflias, which bring them into an acquaintance with Chrift : And.
is, being interpre- feft 0'f aU meeting with his brother Simon \, he told
ted, The Chrift. j^ w;th great 'garaeftViefs and ecftacy, That he and
another of John's difciples had been direfted by their
mafter to, had been in company with, and were fully
fatisfied th^t they had at length found the great and
promifed Redeemer of Ifrael, . who, in the Hebrew
language, was ftiled the Meffiah, which is of the feme
fignification with the Greek word, the Chrift, or the
anointed \,
42 And Andrew, having recommended the Savi
our in the beft manner he could to his brother Simon,
condufted him to Jefas ; who, taking particular no-
he faid, Thou* art tice of him, fhewed that he thoroughly knew him,
Simon the fon of though a ftranger, faying, Your prefent name, which
fignifies a hearer or learner, is Simon, and you are
the fon of Jonah : But hereafter you mall be more
commonly known by the name of Cephas in the Sy-
riac, or of Peter in the Greek tongue, which figni
fies || a rock or ftone ; and fo will better exprefs
, your
NOTES.
chap. iv. 6, 52. and xix. 14. and fo the any of his own friends to bring them to
tenth hour is ten o'clock in the morning: Jefus : For as foon as the grace of God
But others think, with Dr Lightfoot, reached thefe difciples hearts, they were
that he follows tlie Jewifh computation, defirous that it might fpread in the hearts
and fo make the tenth hour to be four o'- of all their friends too.
clock in the afternoon ; and the doctor \ As the ancient prophets, priefts,
fuppofes that thefe difciples abode with and kings, were anointed to their re-
Chrift all that night, and that the next fpective offices, this title, being by way
day was the Sabbath, which they like- of eminence applied to our Lord, inti-
wife fpent with him. But the former ac- mates that they were types of him, and
count appears moft probable to me, as that God his Father anointed him with
more agreeable to this Evangelift's way his Spirit ah'ove meafure for the difcharge
of reckoning the hour in other places, of all thofe offices.
See the note on Mark xv. 25. || It is obfervable that this Evangelift
* And the other probably was John gives us the interpretation of the Hebrew
himfelf, t|ie writer of this gofpel, who and Syriac words in the Greek, more fre-
itfually conceals his own name. This quently than any of the other evange-
difeiple and Andre w were called before lifts; the reafon of which feems to be,
Peter; and Andrew was the means of that he wrote after the deftrudtion of the
bringing Peter to Chrift, inftead of Pe
ter's bringing him.
t Or this firft finding of Peter may re
late, either to Andrew's finding him be
fore the other difciple had met with him;
or before that other, difciple had found

42 And he
brought him to
Jefus. And when
Jefus beheld him

Jona : thou (halt
be called Cephas,
which is, by in
terpretation, A
ftone.

Jewifh nation, and after many of the
Gentiles were called, when the Greek
w.is more commonly ufed, and thofe o-
ther languages were left known than
they had been before.

Chap.

John paraphrafed.

279

43 The day fol
lowing, Jefuswould
go forth into Gali
lee, and findeth
Philip,- and faith
unto him, Follow
me.

44 Now Philip
was of Bethfaida,
the city of Andrew
and Peter.

45 Philip find
eth Nathanael, and
faitfi unto him, We
have found him of
whom Mofes in
the law and the
prophets did write,
Jefus of Nazareth,
the fon of Jofeph.

46 And Natha
nael faid unto him,
Can there any good
thing come out of
Nazareth ? Philip
faith unto him,
Come and fee.

your religious temper and behaviour, as a firm belie
ver in me, a ftedfaft maintainer of my gofpel, and a
patient fufferer for it.
43 Our Lord, having now begun to make difci
ples to himfelf, was fo intfent upon this work, that the
very next day he went into the province of Galilee,
to fearch and find out his fheep : And there, meeting
with Philip, he firft began with him, and, in his
preventing mercy, faid to him, Come along with me,
yield yourfelf up to my authority and grace, counfel
and conduft, and follow my example ; and his words
were attended with fuch divine light and power, as
made an effeftual impreffion upon Philip's heart ; fo
that he was immediately brought over to Chrill, and
became one of his difciples.
44 Now this Philip lived at Bethfaida *, which
was lituated on the eaft of the lake of Gennejareth,
and was a very wicked place ; (Matth. xi. 21.) and
yet even hei-e God had fome chofen veflels, Andrew
and Peter being likewife inhabitants of this city,
and called from thence.
45 Philip having been fully convinced that Jefus
was indeed the Chrift, as the other difciples had been
before, he likewife prefently went to feek out fome
of his friends, to whom he might communicate the
glad tidings ; and, meeting with Nathanael, faid in a
tranfport of joy to him, I' with fome others have at
lad certainly found out the perfon, having been firft
found of him, whom we hav"e earneftly longed to fee,
even the true Meffiah, whom f the books of Mofes,
and the reft of the prophets defcribed by. thofe very
charafters which we find in him ! It is \ Jefus of Na
zareth, the fon of Jofeph.
46 Nathanael fuppofed Philip to mean, that Jefus
was born at Nazareth ; and knowing from feripture-
prophecy, that the Meffiah was to corr.e forth from
Bethlehem, (Mic. v. 2.) and being under the power
of a common prejudice againft Nazareth, (fee the
note on chap. vii. 52.) he objefted to this account,
O o z faying,
NOTES.

* Bochart in his Geogr. Sacr. fpeaks
of Bethfaida, as fignifying a houfe of fifh-
ing': Er Lightfo.ot in his harmony fays,
it was a pbice of hunting, becaufe it
ftood in or near the tribe of Napthali,
which abounded with deer : And this,
which was at firft but a little town or
village, was afterwards changed By Phi-
lip the Tetrarch into the ftate of a city,
which he called Julia, in honour of Cx-
far>s daughter.
•} It is probable that our Lord himfelf

had referred Philip to* the predictions of
the law and the prophets concerning
himfelf, and had explained them in his
difcourfe with him.
t Though Bethlehem was the place of
Chrift's birth, and not Ka-zaretb, where
he afterwards dwelt; and though lit was
only the fuppofed l'on or Jojeph ,- yet, as
he was commonly called jt Ks of Na-za-
reth the fon of Joftph, Pun,; di-fcribed
him by that name, and this occalioned
Nathanael's prejudice againft hirp.

280 The Evangelift Chap.!..
faying, How is it poffible, that any confiderable pro
phet, and efpecially the great and only Saviour of If
rael, fhould come out of fuch a mean, defpicable, and
wicked town as Nazareth ? Philip being ignorant of
the true ftate of the cafe, and not knowing how to
folve this difficulty, replied, Come along with me,
and talk with him yourfelf, as I have done, and he
will certainly anfwer this, and every other objeftion,
that you can raife againft hint : Whereupon Natha
nael being defirous to know the truth, fo far laid a>-
fide his prejudices, as to, go and converfe with Jefus
himfelf.
47 Jefus few 47 And when Jefus faw Nathanael approaching,
Nathanael coming he fpoke of him to the company with high commen-
1? wm' *ni?'ulth dation, faying, Obferve, and admire the man who is
or him. Behold an ' . J ©> ', n <v z.
ll'raelite indeed, in now coming to me ; he is a true lon ot honelt Jacob,
whom is no guile '. plain-hearted like him, an inheritor of his fpirit, as
well as a defcendant from him by birth ; he is, what
an Ifraelite fhould be *, a man without prevailing or
allowed hypocrify in his dealings with God, or with
his fellow-creatures.
48 Nathanael 48 Nathanael, being within hearing, was much
iaith unto him. ferprifed at this high encomium, and faid, to our
thou me? Jefusan- Lord, How is it poffible for you, who are a perfeft
fwered and faid ftranger to me, and, I fuppofe, never once faw me
unto him, Before before, to know who or what I am ? How can you
that Philip called te]j my charafter, and 'what I am in heart and truth ?
waft'under the* fi° - alaS ! 1 fear l d° n?t deferve the Praife You have g»"
tree I faw thee." ven me- Jefus replied, How mucrh foever yoU may
wonder at this, and how low thoughts foever you
have of yourfelf, I have thoroughly known you long
before we had any perfonal interview ; and to fatisfy
you of this, I will tell you of what none but God
and yourfelf were privy to, which is, that before Phi
lip met you, and afked you to come to me, I obfei-
,.ved you, and faw the inmoft temper and thoughts of
your heart, at a certain remarkable feafon, (you know
when) while you retired to a private place under a
fig-tree, and there was employed in religious exerci-
, fes t- 49 Nathaniel
NOTES.
* Our Lord here feems to refer to Na- modefty and humility would hardly have
ibanael's private retirement for religious allowed him to afk, how Jefus knew him
exercifes, (ver. 48.) where no human eye under that character.
faw hime and to his willingnefs to come f Our Lord here feems to remind him
to him and judge for himfelf, notwith- of fome fofemn fecret tranfactions, that
Handing the miftaken prejudices he had paffed between God and him, when he
conceived againft him ; for Chrift knew was under a fig-tree, in which Natha-
all that had paffed between Philip and nael's own heart was confcious of its ber
him. He likewife feems to refer to 'Na- ing moft (incerely and unrefervedly de-
thanael's known character among his voted to him; and fo the reminding him
neighbours ; otherwife this good man's of this was an evidence of Chrift's omni-
fcience.

Chap.

John paraphrafed.

281

God, thou art the
King of Ifrael.

49 Nathanael 49 Nathanael being folly convinced of Chrift's di-
snfwered and faith yjne knowledge, as the fearcher of the heart, by this
thou art"tiie S n f evIt^ent ant* affefting inftance of it, anfwered with
profound humility and reverence, Worthy art thou of
the title of Rabbi, in the higheft fenfe poffible ; my
prejudices againft thee are all overcome; and, by what
thou haft now told me, I am thoroughly fatisfied,
that thou art more than a mere man : I verily believe
thee to be the Son of God, and the promifed Mef
fiah, Who frjallfit on the throne of David, and reign
over the houfe of Jacob for ever ; (Luke i. 32, 33.)
as fuch I receive thee, and truft in thee for all falva
tion. 50 To this noble confeffion of his faith, Jefus re
plied, with an air of approbation and wonder, Haft
thou fo high and ftedfaft a faith in me, as the Son of
God, and the Saviour of Ifrael, becaufe I told you
what I knew and obferved of you in one inftance on
ly, relating to your fecret retirement under the fig-
tree? Great is your faith : And, for your further en
couragement, you fhall have ftill much more extraor
dinary and affuring proofs of my knowledge and pow
er to confirm it.
51 And thereupon he faid to him*, I, the Amen,
who am Truth itfelf, certainly affure all of you,
my difciples, that in a little time ye fliall fee the ac-
complifhment of Jacob's vifion in me. As he beheld
the angels of God afcending and dej'cendmg on a lad
der fet upon the earth, the top of which reached to
hecwen :
NOTES.
feience,_ and of his own integrity : And 0j truth, )E)N TI^K (Ifa. Ixv. 16.) and

JO Jefus anfwer
ed, and faid unto
him, Becaufe I faid
unto thee, I faw
thee under the fig-
tree, believed thou?
thou (halt fee great
er things than thefe.

51 And he faith
unto him, Verily,
verily, I fay unto
you. Hereafter you
fhall fee heaven o-
pen, and the an
gels of God a-
fcending

it is highly probable that Nathanael was
then reading, or meditating upon, and
confidering the meaning of Jacob's&re&m,
(Gen. xxviii. 12.) which our Lord recites,
and explains as referring to himfelf, (ver.
51.) and thereby fatisfied Nathanael's
enquiries about it, and gave him an un
deniable proof of his knowing what were
then the particular thoughts of his heart.
* It is obfervable that our Lord here
changes the number, from the lingular to
the plural, (\iy£t avru' Ajuwv afuiv \<yu
v/iiv) which fhews that this was faid
to all the difciples, as well as to Natha
nael. Verily, or Amen, was never ufed
by any under the Old Teftament, but in
the form of a wifh ; and in that manner
the Jews, and afterwards Chriftians of
ten ufed it, and fometimes doubled it at
the clofe of their prayers. But ourblefs-
ed Lord conftantiy ufed it at the begin
ning of a fentence, and in the form of a
folemn affeveration, to intimate that he
is the Amen, (Rev. iii. 14.) and the God

that therefore his own authority was
fufficient to confirm what he faid ; and
it is peculiar to this Evangelift to repre
fent Chrift, as doubling the affeveration,
though he himfelf probably ufed it fing-
ly. But the reafon of the apoftle John's
repeating it, in this manner, might be to
exprefs the double fenfe that is included
in our Lord's ufe of the fingle word, the
true meaning of which, as proceeding
from his mouth, is, that He who is Truth
itfelf, fpeaks the truth ; and fo the dou
ble form of expreffion being <beft adapt
ed to keep this Evangelift's great point
in view, relating to the divinity of Chrift,
he conftantiy reprefents it in that form.
And I have accordingly, for the moft
part, kept up its meaning thtough the
paraphrafe ; though perhaps, as fays Dr.
Lightfoot, St. John being to write for
the ufe of the Hellenifts, might write the
word in the Hebrew letters, wherein
Chrift ufed it, and in the fameletterfe
wherein the Greeks ufed it.

282 The Evangelift Chap, i-
feending and de- heavetr. (Gen. xxviii. 12.) So while I, the Mediator
fcendir.g upon the between God and man, am in my human nature on
Son of man: ?arth> my Godhead teaches to heaven ; and ye ihalf
fee fuch manifeftations of my glory, m the great and
•vyopderfol miracles I fhall work, in the divine wifdom
and knowledge I fhall difplay j and in the friendly In
tercourfe I fhall fet on foot between God and men,
that all things in heaven and earth fhall as evidently
appear to be under niy command, as if ye faw the an
gels of God perpetually coming and going from hea
ven to me, and from me to heaven, to carry on a
correfpondence between my Father above, and me
the * Son of man here below ; and as if they were
vifibly bringing meffages tp me, ^nd executing or
ders according to my will : And fome time hence -j-,
ye fhall really fee the ^ngels, in a literal fenfe, ?.%-
tending to pay their honours to me.
RECOLLECTIONS.
How folemn and fublime, magnificent and awful, is the account here given of
•ur blefled Lord, as God co-eternal wuh the Father, a diftinct and yet infepera-
ble perfon from him, and as intimately prefent to him, as thought is to mind ; as
the Creator of all things without reftrictrion or limitation, the proper fountain of
life and honour, and the true light, who was in the world to illuminate, uphold,
and govern it, ever fince it was created by him ; and as the object of faith, the di
vine author of evangelical truth, whofe own, Verily I fay unto you, demands our
faith and obedience, and who is the difcerne? of the thoughts, and the ruler of
the heart ! How adorable is the cotiftitution of his incarnate perfon, as the eternal
Word made flefh, the Son of God and the Son of man ! Apd what dignity and ho
nour does his divinity put upon his condefcenfion, who tabernacled in flefh among
men ! full of grace and truth ; and died 2 facrifice to take away their fins '. Behold
this Lamb of God ; look to him and be faved ; look and love, and follow him. And
O how fliould we exalt him, and abafe ourfelves before him, as thinking it honour
enough to be employed in the meaneft fervices for him ! How evidently divine were
the teftimonies given to this wonderful perfon ! To him give all the prophets wit
nefs, and the eternal Father hirqfelf difcovered him to John, and miraculoufly own
ed him from fieaven, by an exprefs notification and infallible fignal at his baptifm ;
and, to preyent all ppfljble collufion in John's teftimony, the wifdom of Providence ordered
NOTES.
* Though Nathanael owned our Lord fliould feem to fpeak too little of hiqj,
tp be the $on of God; yet he called him- who was fo glorious in himfelf, and in
felf the Son of man, to fhew his own their eyes.
great humility, and to check his difci
ples' expectation of temporal grandeur in f This the difciples faw at the afcen-
his kingdom, as alfo to fet us jcpow that -fion of our Lord ; but as the word aa-aj ti,
he vyas the promifed Meffiah, foretold un- rendered hereafter, properly fignifies
der that title, (Pfal. lxxx. 17. and Dqti. henceforth, which intimates that this dif-
yii. 13.) who was to be as truly man as coveryof Chrift's glory was juft then corn-
God, and that it was moft fuitable tp his mencing ; and as the angels, that attend-
ftate of humiliation, to call himfelf by ed him at his afcenfion about three years
his Joweft name. Accordingly, fie ufu- afterwards, are no where faid to afcend
ally fpojee of himfelf in this ftile, as the and defcend upon him, T rather prefer
Sop of rrjan, though others did not ufe it the metaphorical fenfe of this paflage,
concerning him : His enemies did not, which, from the very time of his fpeak-
that they might pot feem to own him ing thefe words, immediately bewail to
under this kupwn charafter pf the Mef- be fulfilled in his miracles and preaching,
fiah ; and his difciples did not, left they with increafing light and efficacy.

Chap. ii. John paraphrafed. 283
ordered that he Himfelf fliould not perfonally know Jefus, till he came to be open
ly manifefted to Ifrael. How excellent is a gofpel-miniftry, which leads us not to
man, but to Chrift, as God-man Mediator, the great Prophet of the church, and
the only propitiation for fin, that all who believe in him might receive of his fulnefs,
trace for grace, and as the author of all the efficacy of gofpel-ordinances by the
aptifm Of the Spirit I And yet alas, how many remain in darknefs, in the midft of
iioon-day light ; and how many of his own profeffing people reject him and the gof
pel 1 But, bleffed be God, there are fome that receive him with a true aud faving
faith, by an affent and approbation of the mind, and by a full confent of the will :
And O how great is their happinefs \ they are made partakers of the dignity and
privilege of fons of God by adoption, and of a divine nature by regeneration, as
the gifts and effects of foyereign grace, which begins with us before we begin with
Chrift. VVe are indeed brought to know and believe in him by the miniftry of his
fervants : But, it is a divine power, going forth with his word, that fweetly over
comes the foul, and makes it willing to follow him ; and he will ever encourage
early and earneft enquiries after him : \yhatfoever objections or prejudices they
might before have in theit hearts againft him, how will a true acquaintance with
hint effectually cure and anfwer them all : The foul that finds Chrift, finds enough
in him to determine it to abide with him ; yea, they that, relying on his teftimo
ny, believe in him, fliall fee ftill greater things, for his glory, and their own con-
folation and eftablifhment. And O how happy is it to have his approbation of us,
as Ifraelites indeed, in whom there is no prevailing deceit, or allowed guile ! And
what a grateful and generous turn does the grace of God give to the temper
of a man's heart . He wants to have Chrift exalted in every foul, and fain would
have all his acquaintance, friends, and relations, as well as himfelf, brought to a
laving knowledge of him, and intereft in him. And how fecurely may we depend
upon the infinite merit of his blood, commit our all to him, and furrender up our
felves entirely to his authority, guidance, and grace, as God manifefted in the flefh,
and as able to fave to the uttermoft, all that come unto God the Father by him i

CHAP. II.

Chrifi turns water into wine at Cana of Galilee, I, — ii. Goes t»
Capernaum, 1 2. Goes from thence to keep the paffover at Jerufa-
lerti, where he cafis the traders out of the temple, vindicates what
he had done, and 'declines trufiirig himfelf with pretended difciples,
Text. Paraphrase.
j^_ND the third 'T'HREE days after Chrift's coming into Galilee,
day there was ± an£j beginning t0 gather difciples there, a wed-
na of Galilee • and ding was celebrated at a village called Cana. in that
the mother of Jefus country, at which Mary the mother of Jefus was
was there. prefent *.
fus* Asncalf0dh nd 2 Our Lord likewife, being at that time in the
his difeiples to the neighbourhood, with the few difciples he had called,-
marriage. ' was invited, as they alfo were for his fake, to the
marriage-entertainment ; and that he might not refufe
the common offices of civility and friendfhip, nor flip
fo feafonable an opportunity of putting an honour upon
NOTE.
* It is probable that this was a mar- were ; anil becaufe die concerned her-
riage of fome near relation of Mary, he- felf fo much nbout a recruit ot wine for
caufe fhe is not fpoken of as an invited the fealt.
gueft, as Chrift himfelf and his difciples

284 The Evangelift Chap. ii.
-upon marriage, as the ordinance of God, he accept
ed of the invitation for himfelf and them.
3 And when g When by this increafe of company there was
theynSherdof ^e' n0t W'mt enouSh for a11 the §uefts ; the motlrer of
fctoh unto him, our Lord> beinS concerned at a difappointntent of
They have no wine, that nature, on fuch a joyful occafion, told him pri
vately that the wine provided for the entertainment
was juft fpent ; intimating that it would be kind in
him to fupply the prefent neceffity, which fhe appre
hended he could eafily do, and which, he having juft
begun to appear in his public character, fhe hoped
he would do *.
4 Jefus faith un- 4 Jefus replied, Though I am willing to pay all
to her, Woman, DeCominp- filial duty to you, and to do good on all
what have I to do r J ^d ¦ x. y x.v ..-
with thee ? mine ProPer occafions to others ; yet, what obligation
hour is not yet am I under to regard this motion, for exercifing my
come. divine power, which I have not, as your fon, but
as the Son of God j ? You are not to meddle in the
affairs of my kingdom ; nor are you to fuppofe that
I muft obey you, as my mother, more than any o-
ther woman, in performing miraculous works : Be
fides, the time J for the public manifeftation of my
glory, is not yet fully come, whatfoever I may do
more privately, in the mean-while, among my
friends : Leave this matter therefore entirely to me.
r • £ mother ^ Hereupon Mary, his mother, filently fubmit-
vaL" Whatfoever ted to the rePr0°f ? but> though he feemed to be
he faith unto you, angry, fhe hoped in his power and goodnefs, .and de-
do it. fired the fervants in waiting, to obey any orders that
he might give, without difputing or objecf ing againft
, them.
6 And there were g Now as the Jews were wont to have veffels in
fet there fix water- their houfes to keep water, which they daily ufed,
pots 01 itoric, nttci ir*ii i • 11* • c
the manner of the an0- eipeciafly at their pubfic entertainments, tor
purifying of the wafhing hands and cups, and for various ceremonial
Jews, containing purifications, fome of divine, and others of human
two or three firkins inftitution, there were in this houfe fix large jars, or
-piece. cifterns of ftone, each of which contained two or
three large meafures ||. 7 Jefus
NOTES.
* As (lie could not be a perfect (Iran- rf I take this intimation to relate, ra-
ger to the greatnefs of his power, of ther to the time of his openly manifeft-
whom fhe had heard fuch magnifi ent ing his glory fhortly after at Jerufalem,
things fpoken by angels and infpired (ver. 13, We.) than, as fome fuppofe, to
men ; fo it is not improbable but that, the time of turning the water into wine,
during his private life, he had miracu- as foon as the other wine fhould be quite
loufly relieved the wants, either of his fpent, this interval being fo very fmall.
own family, or of fome of his friends, || What thefe (/«Tf»Tai) firkins were,
though care was taken to prevent its be- is very uncertain to us, who know fo lit-
ing known abroad. tie of the ancient Jeiviftj meafures : But
f 'Vh at a reproof it this to the idola- all agree that the water-pots, which held
try of the papifts. in praying to the Vir- two or three of them, uiuft be of a pret-
gin Mary to command her Son ! ty large lize.

Chap. ii. John paraphrafed. 285
7 Jefus faith un- y Jefus therefore, to clear his defigned miracle
wate^ots^'th fmm aU fufPicions of flaud' fPoke to the waiters
water. And thev themfelves to fill the fix ftone jars with common wa-
filled them up to ter : And they, remembering Mary's advice, readi-
the brim. ly complied with his direcf ions, filling them up to
the very brim.
S And he faith 8 And when they had done this, our bleffed Lord,
unto them, Draw as the fovereign God of nature, who could work his
imto^he' governor miracles how, when, and wherever he pleafed, by a
of the feaft. And mere acf of his will, ordered the fervants to draw
they bare it. out of the veffels, and carry fome of the liquor to
the perfon * who had the management of the feaft,
that he might tafte of it ; and they did fo. '
9 When the ru- 9 But though the fervants, who at Chrift's corn
ier of the feaft had mand put in water and j- drew out wine, faw the
ta e t e water won(ferful change which was made, in that it was
that was made , & ,
wine and knew n0 longer water but wine ; yet the. manager ot the
not whence it was, feaft knew nothing of the matter, nor whence the
(but the fervants fervants had it : And when, uuon taftinsj, he found
wmen "rew 'j^ it to be more pleafant and generous wine than they
governor of the ^ad drunk before, he called out to the bridgroom ;
feaft called the IO And, returning the thanks of the company to
bridegroom, him, he faid, The ufual cuftom at feafts is to begin
10 And faith with the richeft wine, while the palate is nice, and
m"n at the begin- can reliftl *l witfl the greateft pleafure and advan-
ning doth fet forth tage > and afterwards, when the guefts have drank e-
good wine ; and nough to pall their appetites and raife their fpirits, a
when men have poorer fort of wine is generally fet before thenij
well drunk then wh;cn vy;j, ea(kr d and be kfs fetoxfeat;ns- .
that which ii . _. , ° , , ., , , &
worfe : but thou -But you> "ir, though our wine has all along been vc-
haft kept the good ry good, have, by an uncommon generofity, furnifhed
wine until now. us now at laft with fome, which is every way better
than any that we have drank before £.
11 This begin- II This miracle, at the wedding in Cana of Ga-
ning IHce,
NOTES.
* The governor of the feaft was either ing it out of the veffels; irnd Chrift or-
the chief gueft, who fat at the upper end dering them all to be filled, might be
of the table, or one whofe office, like only to intimate that, whatfoever q'uan-
the SympoJiarchus among the Greeks, tity of wine there fhould be occafion for,
was to take care that there were neither he could eafily fupply the want without
any want, nor any irregularities or ex- reftraint.
cefs. See Light. Harm. rf This is a very different crufe frofn
,-f- If Jefus turned all this water into the pretended tranfubftantiation of bread
wine, it is not to be fuppofed that the and wine into the body and blood of
whole of it was drank at that time ; biit Chrift: For the moft competent judges
that a confiderable quantity was. left for faw and tailed that, after this change,
the ufe of the family, and for, an abiding , the water continued no longer what it
proof of the miracle, which had been was before, but was really and evident-
wrought in this fupernatural change up- ly wine. Whereas, after the Popifh con-
on the. water: Or perhaps; as the wi- fecration, every capable judge lecs and
dow's pot of oil increafed in the pouring taftes that the elements continue to be
of it out ; (2 Kings iv. 4, — 6.) fo this what they were before, not flefli and
water was turned into wine in the draw- blood, but bread and wine.'
Vol. II. P p

286 The Evangeli/l Chap. ii.
ning of miracles liee, was the firft that Jefus performed, after his en-
did, Jefus in Cana trance on his public miniftry ; and by this he gave
°TG^deef anh T' a clear Proof tothe whole CoW,Pany of his dIvine
Slory! X dif! power, which now began to break forth, as a pledge
ciples believed on and earneft of what would be more llluftriQUfiy dil-
him. played afterwards : And the difciples, whom he be-
/ fore had called, and who were prefent at this mani
feftation of his glory *, were hereby confirmed in
their faith in him as the true Meffiah.
1 2 After this he 12 After this, our Lord Went to Capernaum,
went down to Ca- which fey about a day's journey eaftward from Cana,
pe'rnaum, he, arid d ^ , wJj after a few months, (fee
his mother, and his , r '. ' . a. r ' 1 r
brethren, and his the note on chap. iv. 1.) he had his moft uiuaf refi-
difeiplesl and they dence ; (Matth. iv. 13.) and hither his mother, and
continued there not n;s other relations, (fee the note on Matth. xii. 46.)
many days. together with his four or five difciples, which he had
before called iii Galilee, went along with him, to ob- .
ferve what further difcoveries he would make of his
power and glory f . But their continuance together
there at this time, was only for a few days.
13 And the 13 And the reafon of this was, becaufe the firft
Jews paffover was paflpver after Chrift's baptifm drew near ; and, be
at hand ; and Jefus . made under th{, j he ;B obedience to its ap-
went up to Jerula- & , ' ' r . . , *
lem pomtment for all the males of l/rael, repaired to Je
rufalem as ufual, that he might celebrate the ap
proaching feftival there.
14 And found in 14 When he came thither, he, having entered
the temple thofe on n;s puDlfe office, went direftly to the temple, to
that fold oxen, and .. . i_. j 1. „ rr j
fheep, and doves, enSa£e m Prayer and Pleaching ; aud as he palled
and the changers through the court of the Gentiles, he found the peo-
of money, fitting : pie had turned that holy place into a market, ftored
with oxen, fheep, and doves, and the like, which
were expofed to fale there for facrifices : He likewife
found feveral ftalls of perfons, who traded in bills o£
exchange, and in furniftiing thofe with half-fhekels,
that were to offer them for the fervice of the fanftu-
ary. (Exod. xxx. 12, — 16.^ 1,5 And'
NOTES.
¦* This could not be faid of the mira- with an air of independent power and
cles wiought by any of the prophets and divine Majefty, by a thought as well as
apoftles : They did not therein mauifefl; by a word, according to his pleafure,
their own glory ; for it was not by their juft in fuch a manner as the eternal Fa-
own power or holinefs that they did ther himfelf might be expected to ait,
them; they.only manifefted the glory of had he been incarnate ; and all this was
that God, whofe power altine wrought a manifeftation oV difplay of Chrift's own
thofe wonderful works. But Chrift, in divine glory, as the fulnefs of the God-
the performance of his miracles, mani- head thereby appeared to dwell in him.
feftird his own glory as God, together + His relations themfelves feemed to
with his Father's glory, as his great de- be affected at the fight of his firft- mira-
puty in our nature: He was their proper cle, however afterwards, fome of them,
efficient caufe, by virtue that went out at leaft, (chap. vii. 5.) (lighted his won-
from him ; ftnd he moft ufually wrought derful works, when the frequency of
them in a fovereign, Godlike manner, them took off their furprife at them.

Chap.

a.

John paraphrafed.

287

15 And when 1$ And as this was a profanation of the temple,
he had made a occafioned by the avarice of the priefts, who had
fcoiirge of fmall th -,. ftar(; 0f rents and f for the people>s ftanding
cords, he drove : T . , .-. ... ,.r /- „ ,°
them all out of there, our JLord, making a * whip of fmaff cords,
the temple, and drove away the oxen and fheep ; and at the fame
the fheep, ancj the time turned out all the traders with them, and threw
oxen; and poured the flails of the bankers, with the money upon them,
out the changers , , . ' ¦ j r
down to the ground-
16 And that he might not fet the doves a-flying,
tp the lofs and injury of their owners, he ordered

money, and over
threw the tables ;
1 6 And faid un
to them that fold
doves, Ta^e thefe
things hence; make
not my Father's

17 And his dif
ciples remembered
that it was writ

them to remove their goods from thence, faying, I
can by no means, allow that the temple, which, by
the appointment of my heavenly Father, is peculiar-
houfe an houfe of ly dedicated to his fervice, and to the honour of his
merchandile. name, fhould be turned into a place of common traf-
fick, to the diflurbance of thofe who come to wor
fhip here, and to the proftitution of this facred houfe
to covetous and worldly views. And his divine
power impreffed the fpirits of all the traders with
fuch an awe of his majefty and authority, that they
fubmitted to his copimands, though he had no hu
man aid to enforce them.
1 7 And his difeiples obferving with what undaunt
ed courage, and fervent zeal for the glory of God and
ten The zeal of t^le Punty of divine inftitutions, -he expofed himfelf
thine houfe hath to the rage of his moft powerful enemies, called to
eaten me up. mind that prophetic paffage, relating to the Meffiah,
(Pfal. Ixix. 9.) where it is faid, The zeal of thine
houfe hath eaten me up ; and, feeing this fo remark
ably fulfilled in Jefus, they were confirmed in their
belief that he could be no other than the true Mef
fiah. 18 The common people of the Jews being here
by difturbed in their profitable trade, and their .chief
What fign fheweft priefts and rulers being highly difpleafed, both at the
thou unto us, fee- lofs of their own gains, and at this open attack upon
ing that thou doft their prerogative, who pretended to have the only
'  right of ordering all things about the temple and its
fervices, joined together in objefting againft the law
folnefs of his taking upon himfelf to do, what they
could not deny but was'lawful, and commendable in
itfelf to be done ; find therefore they expoilulated
with him, faying, By what authority have you done
this I If you pretend to an immediate commiffion
from God for it, where are your credentials ? By
, P p 2 what
NOTE.
* -Chrift probably found thefe cords in into the temple, he ufed a feourge,
the temple ; which might be fuch as had which feemed to have been in the em-
been ufed by the owners of the cattle, blematical, rather than in the forcible
either to drive or lead them thither : way.
And as it was not -lawful to bring a ftaff

1 8 Then anfwer
ed the Jews, and
faid unto him

thefe things ?

A

288 The Evangelift Chap. ii.
what miraculous works do you prove it, that we may
believe it ?
19 Jefus anfwer- 1 9 Our Lord Jefus havfeg juft before given a very
ed and faid unto furpriflng proof of his divine power, by the awful and
them Deftroy this ;rrefift;ble influence he had exerted upon all %ir
temple, and in . , , , . . , • ¦ , r • *i.- A
three days I will minds ; and knowing that their deiign m tnis ae-
raifr it up. mand was to cavil, rather than to receive cpnyift ion,
did not fee fit to gratify their perverfe humour by
working a miracle at that very inftant ; but referred
them to one in figurative terms, which ere long would
be the greateft of all others, faying, Deftroy * this
'¦¦' temple, and in three days I npill raife it up : By
which he meant, that, as they had profaned that facred
place, and he had by his own power cleanfed it from.
their defilements ; fo they would wickedly defttoy
his human body, of which the temple was a type;
and then, by a ftill more eminent aft of his own di
vine power, he would, in the fpace of three days af
terward, certainly raife it up again from the dead,
and thereby undeniably demonftrate himfelf to be the
Son of God. (Rom. i. 4.)
29 Then faid 2o Then thefe rulers and people of the Jews, ta-
the Jews. Forty k; k for nted that he fpoke literally of the tern-
and fix years was , b ^ . , • , • r* i-
this -temple in Y-£-3.tJeruJalem, cried out, in a way of iiidignation?
building, and wilt contempt, and feorn, This ftrong and magnificent edi-
thourear it up in ffee, though many thoufands of hands were employ-
three days > ed jn tfo work continually, was no lefs than -j- forty-
fix years in building ; and what ! if it were now to
be demolifhed, do you pretend that you alone could
ereft it again, in fo very fnort a time as three days ?
This is abfolutely impoffible, and a ridiculous conceit
indeed.
2 1 But he fpake 21 But though, if he pleafed, he could eafily have
of the temple of his Jone what they took to be fo very abfurd ; yet it is
y' certain that he fpake only of the death and refurrec-
tion of his body, which was the true temple of God,
prefigured by that at Jerujalem, as he was holy to
the
NOTES,
* "Tis more than probable that, at rebuilding it, from the time that Herod
fpeaking thefe words, he pointed to his began the work, to the time when thefe
own bedy, or gave fome other intimation words were fpoken, the temple, or at
by which a careful obferver might dif- leaft its out-buildings, not being then
'¦em his referring to it : And it feems as quite rinifhed : But whether it were ex-
if the Jews themfelves had either then, actly fo or not, it no way affects the cre-
or afterwards, fome notion of what he dit of the facred hiftory, which only gives
meant, though to ferve a turn they put a true relation of the fenfe of the Jews?—
another construction upon it. See the bout this matter ; and it'feems that it
note on Matth. xxvii. 63. was then forty-fix years, from the time
f Great pains have been taken by fe- when Herod began to build it : Accord,
veral learned men; to (hew that the ingly they mentioned it to fuggeft the
time fpent in building Zerobabel's tem- abfurdity of Chrift's pretending that, if
pie, was juft forty-fix years ; and that it were again deftroyed, he could build
the fame number of years had run out in it up again in three days.

Chap. ii.

John paraphrafed.

289

22 When, there
fore, he was rifen
from the dead, his
difciples remem
bered that he had
laid this Unto
them : and they
believed the fcrip
ture, and the word
which Jefus had
faid. 23 Now, when
he was in Jerufa
lem at the paffo
ver, in the feaft-
etay, many believed
in his name, when
they faw the mi
racles which - he
did. 24 But Jefus did
not commit him
felf unto them, be
caufe he knew all
men ;

35 And needed
not that any fhould
teftify of man r for
he knew what was

the Lord as the true Shechinah, even all the fulnefs
of the God-head dwelt fubftantially in him, and as
he is the grand appointed medium of all commu
nion between God and his people, and all the accept
ance of gofpel-worfhip depends on its relation to him.
22 This therefore being his real meaning in that
remarkable expreffion, the Spirit of God, after his
refurreftion, brought it to the remembrance of his
difciples in its true light ; and they reflefted upon it,
as a prediftion of what was tben clearly accomplifh-
ed, and were abundantly confirmed in their faith in
him thereby, and by comparing the Old Teftament-
prophecies of the Meffiah's death and refurreftion
with thefe and other words in which Chrift himfelf
had foretold them.
23 Now whilft our bleffed Lord tarried at Jerufa
lem, daily preaching and working miracles, (tv tt jsgr-/))
during the whole time of the pafehal feaft, many of
his hearers, when they came to fee how his excellent
doftrine was witneffed to by his wonderful deeds,
could not but own that he was at leaft fome great
prophet fent from God ; they affenting to his doc
trine as true, and to his miracles as divine.
24 But as thefe were only temporary, or at beft
weak and unfettled believers, who profeffed their faith
in Chrift, under the power of a fudden furprife at
his mighty works, he was too wife and cautious to
truft his perfon in their hands, or to converfe too
freely and familiarly with them ; becaufe he was per
fectly acquainted with the very heart of every man,
and fo forefaw that few, if any of thefe upllart dif
ciples could be depended upon ; but that fome of
them would be turbulent and mutinous in attempting
to fet him up for a temporal king, that others would
be fo difcouraged and offended at his fufferings and
reproaches, as to defert him, and that others would
betray him into the hands of his enemies.
25 And his divine knowledge of all men's make
and frame, of their prefent and future principles and
defigns, temper and difpofitions, motives and aftions,
was fo entirely immediate and intuitive, that he had
no occafion for any information about them from any
one whomfoever ; or for flaying till they appeared in
external behaviour, to direft his judgment about
them : For he infallibly knew of himfelf before-hand,
the fincerity or hypocrify, the weaknefs or wicked
nefs, the courage or cowardice, and all the moft fe
cret thoughts and turns that ever were, or would be,
in the heart of everyroan ; fo that there was no im
pofing upon him.
RECOl-

zgo The Evangelift Chap. iii.
RECOLLECTIONS.
What Jiappy weddingB are tjiey that are graced with Chrift's prefence ! and how
innocently may friends feaft together, when they manage with a due regulation un
der his eye ! In all our wants he is able to give us the beft fupplies ; but we
muft not go about to prefcribe to him in our expectations from him, left he fay to
us, What have I to do with you ? The way to receive any favour from him is, to
follow his directions and commands, who will, in due time, (hew us his glory ; and
the more we fee of this, the more firmly will our faith be eftablifhed in him, and
the more we fhall want to be with him. And O what folemn and exalted thoughts
lhould we have of him, whofe miraculous works were manlfeftations of his own glo
ry, who vindicates the honour, and maintains the purity of divine idftitutions, with
out injuring civil property ,-wbo knows all that is in man, and can overawe the fpi
rits of his moft fturdy enemies, and who had all the fulnefs of the Godhead dwell
ing in his human body, as in its tpmple, and by his own power raifed it from the
dead ! What an undoubted confirmation is all this of his divine character and doc
trine I and yet how perverfe is unbelief in its oppofition to him ! and how foon is a
carnal' heart offended at a reformation of worfhip and manners by his fingle autho
rity ! But how fhould a remembrance of thefe things, and a comparing them with
ancient predictions concerning him, encourage our faith in him, and engage our
obedience to him '. and with what godly jealoufy fhould we fee to it, that we be
lincere in our profeffions of his name, and attendances on public worfhip after his
example ; fmce he, whofe eye is always upon our hearts, perfectly knows whethe*
we be fo or "not, and will treat us accordingly !

C HsA P. III.
Chrift's difcourfe with Nicodemus about regeneration and -faith in
himfelf, I, — 21. John the BaptiftV difcourfe with the people con
cerning Jefus,, 22, — 36.
Text. Paraphrase.
^ma^ofthePha* N 0W amDngtlle many, who profeffed to believe
rifees, named Nico- *n Jerus at Jerufalem, there was one man of
demus, a ruler of great note and eminence, namely Nicodemus, who
the Jews : was of the left of the Pharifees, the moft bigotted,
proud, felf-conceited, and fuperftitious of all other
fefts among the Jews ; and was one of their rulers,
being a member of the fanhedrim. (Chap. vii. 50.)
2 The fame came 2 This man, whofe principles, as a Pharifee, lay
*° Jf"s \niBK< in direft oppofition to the doftrine of Chrift, and
and (aid unto him, ¦-• , r , , , . , , - ~.
Rabbi, we know whole power, as a ruler, made him capable of afting
that thou art a againft it, was neverthelefs convinced by his miracu-
teacher come from lous works, that there was fomething extraordinary
God : for no man ;„ him : And therefore being defirous of further fa-
can do tneie ninra- . • r n • , „ , ° , r
cles that thou doft, t^1 aftion, and yet afhamed to be feen in company
except God be with Wlth him, and afraid of the refentment of his brethren
h'"»- of the great council, in cafe they fhould know it, he
went privately to Jefus in the night, and faid to him,
Rabbi, (fee the note on Matth. xxiii. 7.) It is evi
dent by theSwonderful things you have done, and
many of the people, as well as I, are well fatisfied,
that you are a great prophet fent immediately from God

Chap. iii. John paraphrafed. 291
G6d to us ; for without doubt the amazing miracles,
which y&u have wrought in confirmation of your
doftrine are fuch, as it is abfolutely impoffible for
any man to perform, unlefs he were in an extraordi
nary manner affifted and approved of God : Be
pleafed therefore to inform me of the chief points
that you are come to teach.
3 Mik anfwer- , 3 Jefus replied, I, who am Truth itfelf, affure
him? Veiily, "eri- V°U' one of «}y principal doftrines is this, that no
ly, I fay unto thee, man> confidering his prefent ftate of corruption and
Except a man be degeneracy by the fall, cap truly underftand or en-
bora again, he can- joy the bleffings of that kingdom of grace which I
dom of '(Sod k"S" am COme t0 fct Up here' and °f the k'ngdQm of glory»
which it leads the way to, and will iffue in hereafter,
unlefs he pafs under a new birth, byafupernatural pow
er from above * : Meaning -thereby, that whatfoever
may be any man's moral attainments, religious advan
tages, or external privileges, all will be ineffectual to
his partaking of the bleffings of grace here, and glory
hereafter, except hjs heart and life be thoroughly
changed in their principles, courfe, and ends, and he
become a new man, by the regenerating operation of
the Spirit of God.
. 4 Nicodemus 4. But Nicodemus, taking Chrift's words in a li-
How cTa m^n tS™1 &T>d Car"al fenfc' anfwered> What ! am I to fup-
be born when he is P°^e' t^lat a^ter one ^as defcended from fo worthy a
old ? can he enter progenitor as Abraham, and has lived fo long as I
the fecond time in- helve in the world, he muft be conceived again in his
to his mother's mother's womb, and -be a new-born infant as at firft ?
jj0I,n j This is furprifing doftrine indeed ! it feems an im-
poffibility, even by any power of God himfelf; I
can neither underftand it, nor imagine what could
be the advantage of it.
5 Jefus anfwer- c Our Lord replied, It is not a corporal, but
ffo^umoThee' amoraland fpmtual birth that I fpeak of: And
Except a man be' ¦"¦» wn°fe words are truth, -folemnly affure you, that
born of wateV, and every man, be he young or old, muft be renewed in
of the Spirit, he the fpirit of his mind, and have a new vital principle
cannot enter into formed within him, by the powerful agency of the
Gocj " Holy Ghoft, which like water, cleanfes and refrefhes
the foul, and produces fruits of righteoufnefs in the
life, and is fignified by John's baptifm of repentance
unto the remiffion of fins, and by the wafhing with
water, which is to be ufed henceforward, as the ini
tiating ordinance of God's covenant : In this fenfe,
I fay, every one muft be born again from above ; or
elfe
NOTE.
* Avaiiv, here tranflated again, pro- i"o Chrift intimates, t'-.at this new birth
perly (ignifies from above, and is fie- is wrought by afupernaturnl pejwevfeor"
quently ufed in that fenfe, and paiticu- heaven.
larly hi ver. 31. and chap. xix. n. ; anil

292

6" That which_is
born of-, the flefli,
is, flefh; and that
which is born of
the Spirit, is' fpirit.'

The Evangelift

Ghap. iii.

7 Marvel not
that I faid unto
thee, Ye muft be
born again,

. S The wind
bloweth yvhere. it
liftefh, and thou
heareft the fOurJd
thereof, but canft
not tell whence
it cometh,. and
whither it goeth •
fo '3 every o-.-.e that
is born of the Spi
rit.

elfe he cannot be capable of enjoying the fpiritual
and faving bleffings of my kingdom.
6 Were it poffible, according to your grofs no
tion of things, for a man in a natural fenfe to, be
born of his mother again, this Would indeed be of
no advantage to him in his fpiritual concerns : For
as nothing can rife higher than fts" principles; fo who
ever is born, though it were ever fo often, of flefhly
parents,- who are themfelveS-«orrupt, muft be him
felf corrupt ftill; (Job xiv. 4. and xxv. 4.) and
whatfoever proceeds from bim, according to this his
(depraved nature, muft be depraved too, and fo unfit
for .the kingdom of God. But, on the contrary,
whoever is new formed, in all the powers and facul
ties of his foul, by the regenerating Spirit, is him
felf a fpiritual man, poffefled of a principle, which
is fuited to the holy nature of its author ; and what
foever he does by that principle, and -according; to
it, is of a fpiritual nature too, and fo he is made meet
for tKe holy duties and enjoyments of the gofpel-
ftate, and for the inheritance of the faints in light.
7 Do not therefore wonder that I fpoke of this
great work of heart-changing grace in fuch ftrong
terms, and laid fuch ftrefs upon it, as abfolutely ne
ceffary to your own, or any other perfon's being a
happy fubjeft of my kingdom ; and do not think it
impoffible to be thus born again.
8 Though you are not able to conceive how, or
in what manner it is to be brought about, that is no
objeftion againft the thing itfelf : For, even in the
world of nature, there are manifeft effefts, the im
mediate caufe of which, and the manner of their pro
duftion, you are utterly ignorant of ; and fo there
are in the world of grace ; as for inftance, the wind
blows wheh, and wherever the God of nature orders
it, without confinement or cpntroul ; and you feel
its force, and hear its found, by which you are fully
affured that there is fuch a thing as the wind ; though
you are not able to affign t4ie caufes of its' blowing
at one particular time more than another, or from
one determinate point to its- oppofite, rather than in
another courfe ; and though you cannot account
for the manner of its motion, how it begins and ends,
how it proceeds, or what becomes of it : So the Ho
ly Spirit, who in fcripture is compared to the wind,
(Cant. iv. 16.) works like a free agent, with won
derful power and fovereignty, upon fome men's hearts
lather than^upon others ; and they themfelves are e-
vidently fenfible of the thing by its happy effefts up
on them, by its enlightening, quickening, fanftify-
ing, and' comfortfeg their foujs ; though they are not
able

Chap. iii. John parap&rafed. 293
able to conceive by what manner of fecret operation
he produces thefe effefts, nor to what glorious
heights and iffues he will canry them.
9 Nicodemus 9 Nicodemus having been trained up in the felf-
anfwered, and faid fufficient notions of a legal pharifaical righteoufnefs,
can° th T' th'n™s an<^ being ignorant of the corruption of his own
be? ' ' ' heart, and of the powerful operations of the Spirit
of God, was full of prejudices, and objefted againft
this doftrine, even in its fpiritual fenfe, as unreafon-
able and unlikely, faying, I am ftill as much at a lofs
as ever to conceive your meaning. How is it poffi
ble that thefe, things can be true ? For my part, I can.
never believe fuch incomprehenfible and unintelligi
ble myfteries.
1 o Jefus anfwer- 10 Jefus replied, Are you not only, as an Ifrael -
ed and faid unto fte, daily converfant with the oracfes of God ; but
hirn, Art thou a are yOU likew;fe one 0f the great Robbies, whofe
and knoweft not bufinefs * it is to explain them to others ; and yet
thefe things. cannot you take in what I fay about a new birth in
a moral and fpiritual fenfe, relating to the thorough
change which muft pafs ppon the foul ? what a fhame
is this f to one of your charafter ? And how defec
tive, trifling, and ufelefs, have all your knowledge
and inftruftions been, while you are ignorant of fo
neceffary and important a truth, which you might
and ought to have learnt from what the fcriptures fay
of God's fprinkling clean water, and giving a new
heart and a new fpirit, (Ezek. xxxvi. 25, 26.) and
of 1 nation's being born at once ? (Ifa, Ixvi. 8.)
11 Verily, veri- 1 1 I, who am the faithful and true Witnefs, fo-
ly,I fay unto thee, femmy amire you, that, as to what I fpeak from my
do^now and'tef- Father, and under the anointing of his Spirit, who
tify that' we have fpeaks thefe things together with and by rne, and
feen ; that,
NO T E S.
* By a mafter in Ifrael is meant a pharifaical purifications, thofe notions ra-
teacher of the law to Ifraeli either as a ther hindered, than forwarded his con-
public preacher in their fynagogues, or ceptions of that internal, fpiritual birth,
in their divinity fchools; or as a member which Chrift fpoke" of; and therefore it
of the fanhedrim, who undertook to ex- was no fuch matter of wonder, that Nico-
plain the law, and determine its mean- demus was not led by. thefe notions to
ing : Nicodemus was one of thefe, and underftand our Saviour's meaning, as it
probably a divinity-profefTor too, who, was that he fliould be fo entirely igno-
like Gamaliel, taught it in their fchools ; ,rantofit, though he was profcffedly pu
and all thefe were called Rabbles. expounder of the word of God, in which
f Our Lord, fay fome, expreffed his this doclrine was* fo clearly revealed.
admiration, that Nicodemus fliould -be fo And this fhews that, T}y being born a-
ignorant of his meaning about the new gain,- Nicodemus himfelf underftood our
birth, and fhould think it an impoflible , Saviour to mean much more than being
thing ; becaufe the Jews themfefves u- baptized with water ; otherwife his no-
fed to fpeak of baptized profelytes as tions of profelytes by baptifnv muft necef-
new-born infants. But as all their no- farily have taken off all his amazement
tions about that fort of new birth, rela- at, and objections againft, this doiiri iiie
ted only to external, ceremonial, and of the new biith.
Vol. II. C^q

294 , "Tfo Evangelift Chap, vii
feen; and_ye re- that, according to what the infpired prophets of old,
ceive not our wit- &nr\ my forerunner John the Baptifi have faid before,
• we * certainly know thefe things to be true, and in
various methods bear witnefs to them : And yet fuch
hlihdncfs and prejudices have fpread through your
own and others minds, that neither you nor they unr
derftand, believe, and embrace our doftrine, which
is fo infallibly' true, fo plainly delivered, and fo di.
vinely teftified.
iz If I have 12 If 'therefore I, with all this concurring evi-
told you e^rt^y dence, have difcourfed of the nature and neceffity of
*lSo'*howe|hsrfi a Work of grace, which muft be wrought and experi-
ye believe if Itefl enced in the fouls of men upon earth, in order to
you of heavenly their falvation : And"if I have familiarly illuftrated
things 1 the matter in language taken from earthly things,
which ye are daily acquainted with, fuch as a human
birth, and the wind, and yet ye cannot take in, and
give your affent and confent to what I fay ; how
' much lefs would ye be able to underftand and give
credit to my teftimony, were I to declare unto you
the ftill more fublime myfteries of my gofpel, relating
to the dignity of my perfon amd offices, the glorious
defign of my incarnation, obedience, fufferings, death,
and exaltation, and relating to the fpiritual nature of
my kingdom; and the bleffednefs of the world to come ?
were I to talk to you of thefe heavenly things in a
ftife fuitable and -proper to their -own nature; how
amazirrg-and Humbling would they be to your carnal
minds ?
13. And no -man j^ Now to inftance in fome of thefe, no mere man
t^heaven" buthe whatfoever' has entred, or can enter into trhe fecrets
that came down of God's heart in heaven, relating to the great myf-
from. heaven, even teries of falvation, fo as immediately and perfeftly to
the Son of man, underftand them, and make them known to others :
But this privilege is peculiar to the Meffiah, who is
fpoken of under the charafter of the Son cf man,
(Pfal. Ixxx. 17. and Den. vii. 13.) and f always •had
NOTES.
* Here Chrift changes the number brethren of the great council, and the
from I and thou, to we and ye, to add generality o.f the Jews.
the greater weight to his teftimony, and f The Socinian fenfe of the wordsi He
to aggravate the unbelief of all that re- afcended up to heaven, as fignifying Jris
jeft it : By fue. who teftify, fome have local afcenfion thither, to be' fully in-
thought he meant himfelf, together with ftfucTred into the thind and will of God,
the ancient prophets and John the Bap- before he entered on his public minift'ry,
tif, who preached the fame doftrine, o- is entirely unfcriptural and groundless,
thers fuppofe he meant himfelf, together there being no hint of it in any other
with his -Father a^d. Spirit-, who had part of the word of God ; and it is as en-
been fpoken of in the foregoing verfes, tirely needlefs, becaufe he was unmea-
and, w)io tc-llified thefe things by him, furably anointed with the Spirit at his
ami tqgether with him. And by ye, baptifm, as well as had the divine nature
v\ ho receive not our witnefs, might be dwelling in him: If therefore this paflage
meitnt Nicodemus, together with fes is to be" underftood of a local afceufion, it

which is in hea
ven.

Chap. iii. . John pamphrafed. 295
had an exiftence in heaven as the .Son of God, and
who came from thence into an incarnate ftate, that
he might reveal God's counfels to men, arid even
now, while in his human nature he is on earth, ftill i
' (gpjitinues in his * divine nature to be in heaven.
fcs'tira"1 " Mh " J* ^"d r father tell you, that, great and divine
ferpimt in the wil- as e Meffiah >s m himfelf, he muft be put to an
demefs, . even fo ignominious death, in order to his bringing falvation
muft the Son of to finners, according to an eminent type of him under
man be lifted up : the few : Jor as when the children of Ilrael were
•rtr' bitten by fiety ferpents in the wildernefs, Mofes made
a ferpent of brafs in their likenefs, though without .
their venom, and fet it op a pole in the n-iidft of th-e'
; camp, as God's ordinance for healing all that were
wounded, and ffiould look to it for a cure ; and as
they, that, did fo were perfeftly healed, hqyv. weak fo-
... ever their fight, and how great foever their wounds
niight be. (Numb. xxi. 6,— -9.) So the Meffiah, who
appears in thejikenefs of finful flefh, though there
. really is no fin in him, muft be lifted up on the crofs,
and, in confequence thereof, be afterwards **»i*r4*kV jt
in heaven, and propofed as God's ordinanee in the t
gofpel, for finners to look to by faith for falvation a»^'»l,
15 That whofe- 15 That every one, of what rank, degree, of na*-
ever believeth in t;on feever he be, who, under an affefting fenfe of
him fliould not pe- ,.• r" r 1 /• j 1 • r r ' ,¦ ¦ - n n
rifli but have e- "ls "ntulneis and obnoxioufnefs to divine wrath, fhall,
terriallife. according to God's, appointment, look to, and hum
bly truft in him alone for falvation, may be healed of
his foul's difeafes, may be delivered from his perifh-
,ing condition under the guilt and power of .fin, and
may be made partaker of eternal life 5 and whoever
Qjj 2 fhall
NOTES.
it expreffes in prophetic (file what.cer- tributionsare made of the properties Of
tainly would be after Chrift's refurrec- one nature to liirn, whilft he is fpoken of
tion, as if it were already paft, in like under a title which relates to his other
manner as it is faid in prophecy, (Pfal. nature. Thus when it isfaid, (1 Cor. ii.
lxviii. iS.) Thou haft afcended on high ; ^S.) The Lord oj' glory was crucified,
and fo thefe wordsof our Lord intimate, and (ABs xx. 28. ) he is called God, who-
that though Enoch and Elias had afcend- purchafed the church with his ownblood:
,.ed to heaven, yet no man had afcended, The meaning is not that he, as the Lord
by his own power and merit, to open of glory, was crucified! or, as God, fhed
Jieayen's gates for the reception of finners, his blood', as if the divine nature could
as he fliould. But thefe words feem ra- be crucified and/bleed; but that the per-
ther to refer to "Sent. xxx. 11, 12. where fon, who was the Lord of glory in one
it was faid of the commandment of God, nature, was crucified in the other; and
fVho jhall go up to heaven, and bring it the perfon, who was God in one' nature,
to us .s i. e. who fliall enter into God's fe- redeemed the church with his own blood,
cret counfel, and learn it by immediate which belonged to his other nature : So
knowledge in heaven ? And fo what when it is laid, The Son of man is in.
Chrift here faid of himfelf is of like im- heaven, the meaning is not tl-i't he, as
port with what Join the Baptift had faid the Sonofman, was theie Whilft he was
concerning him, chap i. 18. on earth, but that he, who w as here in
* A* the divine and human natures his human nature, v?as there in his di,.
were united in the perfon of Chjift, at- vine.

tg6

IS
loved

For God ;fo
the worlds
that' he gave his
only begotten' Son,
. that whofoever be-
lieveth in him
fhould not periih,
but have everlaft
ing life.

MM .tvK»*»
%0tn\-^> 17 For God fent
not his Son into
the world fro con
demn the World ;
but that the world
through him might
be faved.

N O
* To underftand what is meant by
the world in this and the following verfe,
we are to confider that it is ufed in op
pofition to the, prevailing notion of the
Jews, as if God loved only their own
nation, and the-Mcffiah would confe to
fave only them, and to pour confufion
upon all other nations for their fakes :
And therefore v^lien this word is ufed, e-
fpecially in the writings of this Evange
lift, fo exprefs the objefts of God's love,
¦asiA of the benefits of Chrift's redemption,
it commonly fignifies the world, as in-
clufive of the Gentiles, to guard againft
that vain conceit, and to fhew that the
bleffings of the Meffiah's kingdom were
not to-be"confihed to the Jews ; but to
have an equal refpeft to Gentiles of all
forts together with them. And as Nico-

The Evangelift Chap, iii*
fhall thus with the heart believe in the only true Mef
fiah, though his faith be ever fo weak,, he flail cerr
tainly be faved, how great or many foever his fins
have been. • -¦
16 For the great and bleffed God, even the, Fa,
ther, who delights in merey, looking with compafe
fion upon the loft and miferable ftate of mankind, Un
der their dreadful apoftaey, conceived fuch a furpri
fing, matchlefs defign of mere love and grace, from
all eternity, toward finners of this wretched, guilty,
and rebellious world .*, not of the Jews only, but
of the Gentiles alfo, that he freely gave his dearly
beloved and only begotten Son, to be his falvation
to the ends of the earth, and gave him up to be cru
cified, and thereby made a propitiation for their fins, ¦
that whoever fhall by faith -cordially receive and truft
in him, as -the Son of God and the Redeemer of
loft finners, may not periih for or by his iniquities,
ljut have a foil remiffion of them, and be delivered
from the wrath to come ; and not only fo, but may
be entitled to, and in due time put in poffeffion of
everlafting bleffednefs and glory.
17 -For God, -according to this gracious defign,
has now at length fent his own Son into this lower
world, not, as the Jews through the power of their
prejudices, and felf-love fuppofe, to pafs and execute
a fentence of condemnation upon all others befide
themfelves ; but that perfons of all, nations may be ef
feftually faved from the ruins of their apoftaey, and
bleffed with eternal life, even all and every one of
them, that fhall believe in him.
18 Sq
T E.
the gofpel-falvation, as extending to o-
ther nations, as well as themfelves : And
fo it intimates that all the eleft among
the Gentiles as well as Jews, are the ob
jefts of this great love of God, in the
gift of his Son for their falvation : Foil
the world here fpoken of, is the world
which God defigned to he faved through
him ; (ver. 17.) and thefe are the fame
with thofe that fliould believe in him,
and are oppofed to thofe that, not belie
ving in him, fhould be condemned, (ver.
iS.) Now thefe may be called the world,
becaufe they are originally of this fallen
world of mankind, in oppofition to fallen
angels, and are (cattercd through^ the
whole world, Rev- v. 9. and even
through thofe nations of the earth,
which, by way of diftinftion from the

demus, like the reft, was full of that con- JeWs, are ftiled the world, in Rom. xi
ceit, out Lord ufed this expreffion- to con- IJ; IS. See the notes on cbap.-i. 7 io.
-Hite it, and to give him a larger view of - . ¦¦:-¦

Chap.1 iii.

John paraphrafed.

29?

iS He that 6e-*r 18 So that thirigs are now brought to this point,
lieveth on him, is that whofoever, Jew or Gentile, believes on the Son
pot condemned: 0f God, as manifefted and propofed in the gofpel, is
vcth'n 't^isron- freed ^rom tlle condemning fentence of the law, its
demned 'already ; curfe ftanding no longer in -force againft him: But
becgufe he hath whofoever rejefts, or neglefts the crucified. Saviour,
not believed, in the, remains under a fentence of condemnation ; and per-
beTtwn 'son^tf flftinS therein to the end, he fhall certainly be call in

begottetSod.

19 And this is
the condemnation,
that light is come
into the world,
and men loved
darknefs rather
than light, becaufe
their deeds were
evil.

the day of judgment for all his iniquities, and efpe
cially for the great fin of unbelief, in refufing his on
ly remedy ; becaufe, notwithftanding all the light, en
dearments, and obligations of this laft difpenfation.
of grace, he has not by faith embraced God's ow
eternally begotten Son, and the only method of ft's
vation brought in and revealed by him. , ,iat
19 And this is the greateft and fureft cauf. ec*
men's ruin, and the higheft aggravation of thei"nce
and mifery, that, in this glorious difpenfation o*" °Y
cy, the way of falvation opens, and is fhortly } Y°a
fet with the cleareft evidence before them, w1" "lm
they be Je ws or Gentiles; and yet the Je'™nY'
fer their vain traditions and corrupt gloffes/'yums>
-law, and the Gentilei their ignorant devotions to\
unknown God ; and both one and the otjfher prefeV
their own dark, fuperftitious, carnal,
notions of religion, to the pure light of
And the real reafon of this is, becaufe ti
heavenly, and holy doftrines lie irt dire-
tion to their beloved lufts and evil pr
they will by no means abandon, and wl

:r pret
miftaken gofpel :
efe fpiritual,
contradic-
ices, which
ich their felf-
em upon in-

20 For every
one that doth e-
vil hateth the
light, neither co
meth to the light,
leftjiis deeds fliould
be reproved.

flattering and erroneous conceits put
dulging. 20 For every oiie that is wedded rip his fins, and
refolved not to part with them, has L fecret enmity
in his mind againft the truths of divine revelation,
that oppofe and condemn them jf and, as they are
deeds of darknefs, he does what Jae can to ftifle con-
viftions, and fhun the light of th/at knowledge, whiqh
expofes his darling corruption^ in their fhameful, hi
deous, and dangerous forms/left his confeience fhould
be fo flung -with remorfetr''as not to dare any longer
to gratify them, and tike fuch pleafure, as he ufed
to have, in afting according to them.
21 But * an upright man, who defires to be ap^
nheThtThat Pr.°Ved °f G°d' k (lferdY willing to be fearched and
his deeds may be tried, and to know the Divine will, how cpntrary fp-
made ever it may be to his own natural notions, inclina tions,
NOT E.
* As light was before oppofed to error man's afting with fincerity and godly
and miftakes ; fo doing the truth is here fimplicity, in oppofitioti to his being ihi
oppofed- to doing evil, and refpefts a fluenced by a love of lin.

n But he that
doth truth Cometh

&9% The Evangelift Chap. ii&
made manifeft that tions, and worldly interefts ; and he lies open ta
they are wrought conviftion, - that whatfoever he thinks* fays, or does;
ia,God. may. fo regyfete^- ancj appear with evidence, to his
own mind and confeience, as well as to others, that
it is the effeft of the regenerating power of God, ac
cording to his' will, and to has glory, and that it pro
ceeds from the vital union and communion which he
himfelf has with God. .-¦- r>
22 After thefe 22 When our Lord Jefus had thus difcourfed with
thuigs came Jefus Nicodemus, who afterwards appeared to be a real con-
ami his difciples . / ; .. j ¦ _ \ v. -jr
into tne land of V£rt> \chaP' vl>- 5°> 51- an<l xix. 390 he retired frpm
Judea; and there Jerufalem to the country of Judea, together with
'ie tarried wiih thofe difciples whom he defignedto make his conftant
fern,', and kapti- attendants, and to call to-r-the'apoftlefliip :-And he
continued there, they accompanying h\pa, for fome
time, preaching the gofpel, working miracles, and
converting many, whom he thereupon baptized, not
by- his own hand, but by the miniftry of thofe difei-
"ples.' (Chap. iv. 2.) j.
-And John 23 And at the fame time, whUe Jefus was thus
<**• **•* baptizing employed in Judea, John continued ftill to preach
,4v*#**.-'ik becaufe to t'le PeoP^e> a"d to baptize them into the faith 0I"
** ffC wait much him who now appeared openly, among them. But,
jUntet thei\ ; and 'that he might not feem to combine with Jefus, he
¦f they camel and did not affociate with him, but -went on with his
were ^baptizSo . work in diftant parts, -and removed to Enon * near
Salim ; becaufe there were many ftreams of water,
which made it acpnyenient fituation for baptizing all
the people that might be wrought upon by his mini
ftry : And they came, and were baptized by him
therer
24 For John \'as 24 For all the tranfaftidns of Chrift, hitherto re-
not yet caft inlto hearfed, paffed before the time of John's being com-
P'"on- ¦ mitted to prifon by Herod, on account of the re
proof which he gave him for marrying his brother ¦
\Phi/ip's wife. (Matth. xiv. 3.)
25' Then there 25^ And while ,both Jefus and John were thus en-
arofe a queftion gaged in different places, fome of John's difciples,
between Jof™^\ and fome of the carnal Jews entered into a debate, on
1 \» N O T E.
# Expofitors are ndueh at a lots, about were many waters, give the etymology
this Enon, becaufe it is no when- elfe of the word Enon, or the reafon why'
mentioned in fcripture, nor found ni the that place was fo called, rather than the
geography of the ancients : Some ajrpre- reafon why John baptized there : The -,
hend it was on one fide of Jordan, end -argument therefore, drawn from hence
others on the other : Some think that it for baptizing by dippings is very uncer-
was a town or city ; others that it was tain, becaufe none of thefe ri-vulets might
a river ; and others, that it was a large be deep enough for that purpofe : And
traft of ground full Of frefh fprings and becaufe fuch an open country, qver-
fmall rivuletsof water; and that i.sEnon fpread with fmall ftreams, was very con-
lignifies a fountain, fo the words, becaufe venient for baptizing vaft ipultitudes,
there was much water, qt as. oujara placed, in proper order by way of pour-
rroAAa more literally fignify, becaufe there ing water upon t}iera.

Chap. iii.
Jihn'sdifciples an4:
fhe Jews about pu
rifying.

John paraphrafed.

$99

¦ - 26 And they
came unto John,
and faid unto him,
Rabbi, he that was
with thee beyond
Jordan, to whom
thou bareft - wit
nefs, behold, the
fame baptizeth,
and all men come
to him. (

i on this occa^on, about the preference of John's bap
tifm to the legal, and pharifaical purifications, that
had been long in ufe ; his difciples pleading that their
matter's baptifm was to be preferred to all thofe wafh-
- ings and cleanfings ; and the Jews, on the other
hand, contending that his baptifm was needlefs, or
at beft infufficient for 'purification, becaufe there was
another perfon who had pretended to fet up a new
and better' baptifm, and was more followed than their
mafter ; and that therefore there would be no end
of going into dangerous innovations, but that it
would- be much better to abide by their ancient cuf-
,toms*. ;
26 And John's difeiples being puzzled with this
difficulty, for want of having duly attended to what
he had fo often told them concerning Chrift, applied
to him, faying, Mafter, the man who not long fince
came like a difciple to you, and was baptized by
you on the other fide of Jordan, and to whom you
gave a moft honourable teftimony to recommend him
to the people ; this very man, to the furprife of many,
has taken an advantage, from your high encomiums,
to fet up already for himfelf, and to baptize and make
difciples in his own name : He even fupplants you
in your work ; and the people are fo fond of him,
that they generally run after him, while you., take
no care to reltrain them : This finks your credit^ e-
fpecially among your enemies, who hereupon objeft
againft the authority, the ufefulnefs and fufficiency
of your baptifm ; and as for us, we are troubled to
think that any other fhould arife to leffen you, and
cannot tell what to fay to thefe things.
27 John replied, TI113 is no juft objeftion againft
my office, nor.ought it to be a trouble to you : There
is no inconfiftency between Jefus's baptifm and mine,
which tend to the fame end ; mine is only fubfervient
to his, and his improves and perfefts mine ; as 1 bear
witnefs to him, fo what he is now doing proves the
truth of my teftimony concerning him ; and whether
ye confider the matter with relation to him or me', it
is all of God f : For neither could I have done what
I have, in pointing the people to him, as the long-
looked-for Meffiah, who was juft ready to appear,
and in baptizing them into the faith of him ; nor
could he have done the ftill greater things, which he
^oes
N O T E S.
* This appears to have been the tub'- which Chrift and John received for their
jeft of their debate, from the queftion feveral offices' ; and others, to the ].eo-
' which John's difciples hereupon put to pies receiving and entertaining wa -t they
hfm in the following verfe. did. by vlrti"-.- of their refpeftive com-
f Some refer this to the commiflion millions; and we may take them all hi.

-,-,- 27 John anfVer-
ed, and faid, A
man can receive
nothing, except it
be given him from
heaven.

The Evangelift

Chap. iii.

28 Ye yourfelves
bear me witnefs",
that I faid, I am
not the Chrift, but
that I am fent be
fore him.

29 He that hath
the bride, is the
bridegroom : but
the friend of the
bridegroom, which
ftandethand hear
eth him, rejoiceth
greatly becaufe of
the bridegroom's
voice. This my
joy therefore is
fulfilled.

30 He muft in-
cre'afe, but I" ruufl
decreafe.

31 He that co
meth

does under this charafter, in baptizing and making
difciples to himfelf, without a commiffion from hea
ven ; and the objeftion, which his enemies make a-
gainft him and me on this account, as well as your
own Humbling at it, after all that I have fo often,- and
fo plainly told you before-hand about him and myfelf,
is an evident demonftration, that no man can heartily
embrace the plaineft doftrines of divine revelation, un
lefs he be enlightened and enabled from above to un
derftand and receive them.
28 I appeal to my former teftimony on this head,
which might have fatisfied you : Ye yourfelves may
remember, and ought to bear me witnefs, that I was
fo far from pretending to be myfelf the Meffiah, that
I frankly and openly declared before you and all the
people, (chap. i. 19, 20, 23.) that / was not the
Chrifi, but was only his forerunner to prepare his
way, according to ancient prophecy concerning him
and me.
29 A bride, every one knows, is the peculiar pro
perty of the bridegroom ; but the bridegroom's friend
has the honour and the pleafure of doing all that in
him lies to help forward the match, and court for
him : He herein cheerfully purfues his directions,
a(id rejoices when the bridegroom tells him, that he
has at length obtained the virgin's confent, and e-
fpoufed her to himfelf. So Chrift is the Bridegroom
of the Church, which is to be for him, and for no
other : But I make no pretences to fuch an intereft
in her : I have only afted the part of his hearty
friend, who wifh well to his caufe, and have been
laying out myfelf, with all alacrity and faithfulnefs,
in wooing the people for him, by telling them what
a great and glorious perfon he is, on what a bleffed
defign he came into the world, and how willing he is
to receive and fave all that cordially confent to be
his : And now I exceedingly rejoice to hear that he
is already enthroned in fo many hearts, and I gladly
deliver them all over to him, who has the only right
to them.
30 It is neceffary that Jefus fhould increafe in the
manifeftations of his glory, and in the number of dif
ciples to be made to him, and that I ffiould decreafe
in -my reputation among men, and in the importance
of my office as a forerunner to him, who will no longer
have any occafion for my teftimony : His honour
will eclipfe mine every day ftill more and more : and
when my work fhall ceafe, his will ever abide with
rich and growing advantage ; and it is highly fit
that it fhould be thus.
31 He being of divine original came down imme
diately

Chsfp. iii.

Jojjn paraphrafed.

301

fcove all.

methfromaboVe, is diately from heaven, and therefore is infinitely fupe-
above alf : he that jfer, in his perfon and adminiftration, to all others :
earthl'v a "d f k^" ^or as ^ and evet7 Other prophet that appeared be-
eth of the earth : ¦^are me' nat^ our original from the earth, hke our
he that cometh firft common father, we being of earthly pai-ents,
from heaven, isa- and of an earthly frame ; fo we naturally are moft af
fefted with, and fpeak of earthly things, and can of
ourfelves fay nothing of heaven, but in a grofs and
earthly manner ; and what we fpeak of the things of
God, even under fome degrees of infpiration, is low
and flat, and favours of the earth, if compared with
the fublime myfterfes of Infinite Wifdom, as they lie
in God's' own mind : But this divine perfon natu
rally fpeaks of heavenly things, and that in the mo|t
furprifing and exalted ftrains, like himfelf, like oife
intimately acquainted with them, as they lie in the
divine counfels, i and as they are in themfelves d and
fo he, who came down from heaven, is every way
fuperior to me and all other prophets whatfoever.
32 And the doftrines, which he reveals and deli
vers with divine authority, are no other than * he
has been- originally and thoroughly acquainted with,
man receiveth' his by his intuitive knowledge of God ; like one who lay
teftimony. . \x\ the bofom of the Father,, and was in counfel with
him about them ; and even his human mind has feen
and heard them, by the immediate illumination ] and
diftates pf the Spirit, which dwells unmeafurably in
.- him. Though ye therefore are apt to be grieved and
filled with envy at his having fo many difeiples, none
of them embrace his'bleffed and glorious gofpel, from
any principle naturally in themfelves ; and alas ! the
number is comparatively fmall, and next to none,
that heartily entertain, or believe and receive it :
33 But every one of the happy few that believe
in him according to his word, thereby fubferibes,
hisfealthat God is and puts his Amen to the truth and faithfulnefs of
true. - God himfelf, as believing that he has fulfilled his
promifes concerning the Meffiah, and fpeaks the moft
important truths by him, and that he will certainly
fulfil all the reft of his promifes to his people through

,32 And what
he hath feen. and
heard,, that he tef-
tifieth ; and no

33 He, thathatfi
received his tefti
mony hath fet to

all

yea,

and amen, to the

. him, 'in whom they are
'- glory of Qod.
, - 34 For he whom 34 For this divine Perfon, who was fent by God
Qpd . hath fent , tfo- Father immediately from heaven, not only de-
fpeaketh the words clares the mind and will of God at certain feafons,
01 God: tor God- , . r . , , . . ,1
giveth relating to tome particular points ; but, having all
. the
NOTE.
* This may relate either to the origi- fedge pf his human mind, as God gave
nal knowledge of Chrift's divine mjnd, as not the Spirit by meafure to him ; (ver.
God over all. who came down from hea- 34) and I have taken them botlvi".
Ten, (ver. 2 1.) or to the acquired know- :
Vol. II, R r

302 The Evangelift. Chap. iii.
giveth not the Spi- the treafures of wifdom and knowledge in him, he
rit by meafure un- doth this in every thing that he fays, and is come to
t0 hm- make known the whole of that revelation, which is
ever to be communicated to the "fons of inert : For
God, who gave his Spirit Only in certain efegreesj
and on fpecial occafiiOns to other prophets, Mofes
himfelf ndt excepted, has, in an unlimited manner,
anointed Jefus, in his office-capacity, with the Holy
Ghoft, who refides perpetually in him as an infalli
ble and abiding principle of truth, holinefs, and
goodnefs ; it having pleafed the Father, that in him
fhould all fulnefs dwell.
35 The Father 35 Yea, fuch is the infinite fuperlative love of the
loveth the Son, and Father to' his own Son, as he is of the fame nature
hath given all d fea.;ons w;th himfelf, and as he freely came
thmsrs into his ,r . » . '
han|. to do his will, that he has committed to his manage
ment all affairs, relating to the kingdoms of provi
dence, grace, 'and glory, that he may fubdue his ene
mies, diftribute all bleffings amongft his people, and
judge angels and men at the laft day.
32 He that be- 36 The conclufion of all then plainly comes to
hathth °n th,e'f-on' this, that whoever receives the doftrine of Chrift, and
life : and "e* that trufts in him according tp it, as the Son of God, and
believeth not the the Saviour of finners, has a right and title to eter-
Son, fhall not fee nal life, together with the beginnings, fecurities,
life; but the wrath pfedges, earnefts, and foretaftes of it, which fhall cer-
of God abideth on .^.^ ;mie fn h;s completely enjoy;ng it . And, on
the contrary, whoever wilfully rejefts Chrift, and
finally perfifts therein, fhall never be admitted to that
bleffed life ; but, whilft he obftinately continues
in unbelief, all his fins are bound upon him with
high aggravations, a righteous fentence of wrath
flands out in the law of God againft him, and he
daily lies expofed to a dreadful execution of it ; fo
that, unlefs it be prevented, through faith in the Son
of God, there is no remedy, but divine wrath muft
certainly come upon him to the uttermoft, and he
muft bear it for ever.
RECOLLECTIONS.
How could any one do fuch miracles as Chrift did unlefs he and his doftrines were
owned of God '. and how plain and important were the doftrines of regeneration
and faith in him, which he preached as neceffary to falvation ! And yet how natu
ral is it for carnal minds to misjudge of fpiritual things, to difbelieve them, and to
be prejudifed againft them, becaufe, after all, there will be fomething incompre-
henfihle in them '. For who caiij tell the reafon, and the manner of the fovereign and
Holy Spirit's aftmg'upon, and effeftually changing one finner's heart rather than a-
nother's ? Or who can tell how the divine and human natures are perfonally united
in the God manifefted in flefh, who, as the Son of God, always was hi heaven,
wKilft, as the Son of man, he was only upon earth ! And O how furprifing is the
thought of the Lord of glory's being lifted up on the crofs, that he might be propo
fed in the the gofpel as a proper pbjeft for a finner's faith, and that we, under fe
fenfe of guilt and dangef, as wounded by fin, might look to him, and he as effec
tually

Chap. iv. John paraphrafed. 303
tually heajed of our foul's difeafes, as Ifrael weie of their defperate wounds by look
ing to the brazen ferpent in, the wildernefs '. And how inexpreflibly rich and free is
that love which is the original caufe of falvation, and has difplayeri itfelf in the gifc
of Chrift to our world, to Gentiles as well as Jews, that whoever believes in him,
whether it be wit;h a weaker or ftronger faith, may have everlafting life '. With
What efteem, and preference to all otheis, fliould we think of the dear and only Sa
viour, who was originally fiom above, and was anointed with the Holy Ghoit, for
office-performances on earth, without meature, ' who is the ohjeft of the Father's
higheft love, and who is the great Lord and Hufband of the church,' and is Head
over all things for its welfare ; and wliat an honour and delight is it to be infiiu-
mental in efppufing fouls to him ; What his fervants dp in holy miniitrations, by his
authority, is as valid as if it were done perfonally by himfelf; and they fhould go
on in his work according to the ability and opportunity he gives for it, without en
vying others that excel them in gifls and graces, and fuccefs, as knowing that no
man can receive any good thing for the fervice of otheis, or the benefit ot his own
foul, unlefs it be given him from above ; for that which is born of the ffefh is flefli,
and that which is born of the Spirit is fpirit. But, alas ! how much moie are form
alins in religion concerned about an external baptifm and purification, than about
being baptized with the Holy Spirit, and having an experience in themfelves of a
real worlj of heart-changing grace ! — How great is the fin of unbelief: It rejefts
the teftimony of God concerning his Son, and is envious at Cliriit'-s glory; and it
proceeds from unreafonable prejudices againft him, from a iove of evil ways, and
unwillingnefs to be reformed, and from a hatred of the pure light of God's word,
left it fliould difturb the foul's peace and pleafure in an indulgence of beloved l*ufts \
and how dreadful are its effefts, as it binds all a man's other fins upon him, refu-
fes his only remedy,, and fubjefts him to condemnation and wrath with the high
eft aggravations of, guilt ! But 0 the excellence of true faith '. It receives the Lord
Jefus, fets to its feal that God is true, and depends upon his faithfulnefs for the
performance of all that he has faid about liis Son, and laid to us in a way of grace
and mercy through liim ; it rejoices in the prol'perity of his intereft, in the el'pou-
fal of fouls to him, and in every thought of his being exalted ; it proceeds from a
defire of coming to the light of God's word, and from the difcovery that is thereby
made of the finner's own vilenefs, and of the relief there is in Chrift for him, and
from a, wiliingnefs to be faved from his fins, as well as from the curfe of the law,
and the wrath of God ; and by means of this faith the fentence of condemnation is
reverfed, and the foul is entitled to eternal life. Which of thefe ftates is mine? and
in which of them am I like to be found at death aud judgment ?

CHAP. IV.
Chrifi goes from Judea into r Samaria, I,— 6. Hist difcourfe with the
woman of Samaria, 7, — 26. The efifeB it had upon her, 27, — 30.
His difcourfe with his difciples, 31, — 38. Many Samaritans be
lieve in him, 39, — 42. And he goes to Galilee, and heals a noble
man's fon there, 43, — J4.
Text. Paraphrase.
WH£N there- TESUS having flayed and preached a confiderable
fore the Lord J t; j j j * ;,. as nQ lo fafe for him to
knew how the ..-'¦, „ *> tl . , , ,
Pharifees had heard continue in that country : for, as nothing could be
that Jefus made hid from him, he knew that his moft powerful and ma-
and 'lfeious enemies, the Pharifees, when met in council
R r 2 at
N O T E.
* It feems that he continued there about half a year, or more, he IraVing sore
into Judea foon after the paffover, (chap. iii. ii.) and returned to Galilee ioi-i
months before harveft, chap. iv. 35.

304 The Evangelift Chap. iV.
and baptized more at Jerufalem, had received informations,- and were
difciples than John, pr0v0ked to hear that he made more profelytes, and
fus2 himfelf 8ba"ti~ entered more difciples into his religion by baptifm,
zed noV but^his than ever John had done before him ; though in rea-
difeiples,') lity, Jefus himfelf, for good reafons, baptized none
3 He left Judea, w;th his own hands, but only by the miniftry of his
i'nto GalTtef aSai" difc;Ples * : And therefore as he ordered his fervants
when they fhould be perfecuted in one city to flee to
another; (Matth. it. 23.) fo, the courfe of his mini
ftry not being yet fulfilled, nor his difciples fit as yet
to be expofed to hardfhips and dangers, he retired
from Judea into Galilee, where the Pharifees would
be lefs difturbed, and lefs capable of obferving him,
or of doing,any thing againft him, and where John's
miniftry had prepared his way, and John's imprifon
ment, by this time, had made room for him. (Matth.
iv. 12. and Mark i. 14.)
4 And he muft ' 4 And, as Samaria f lay between Judea sndXda-
needs go through fUee, there was a natural neceffity of Chrift's going
Samaria. through fome part of that country in his journey to
Galilee, unlefs he would take a compafs round a-
bout ; and, as he had fpecial work to do in Samaria,
there was a moral neceffity of his going through it,
that he might bring fome of his fheep there into his
fold.
5 Then cometh ¦ 5 Accordingly, in his paffage-through thofe parts,
he to a city of Sa- fo went t0 a Samaritan city called Sychar J, border-
SfedSychar' near ing uPon a Piece of land> which the patriarch Ja-
to cob bought of the fons of Hamor, and gave at his
death
NOTES.
* We may fuppofe Chrift to have ta- f Samaria was inhabited by Gentiles,
ken this method, that he might main- mifced with apoftate Jews : And that
tain the dignity of his own charafter, as mungrel people received the law of Mo-
Lord of the Church, and every way fu- fes, and wdrfhipped the God of Ifrael ;
perior to John, who was merely a fer- but denied the divine authority of the
Vant, and baptized only with his own reft of the Old Teftament, and mingled
hands, without cOmmiffioning others for many heathen idolatries and fuperftitions
it ; as alfo that he might not feem to in their worfhip. See Prid. Conneft. Svo.
aft with impropriety, and to feek his Vol. I. pag. 30, — 33.
own honour, by baptizing in his own f This Sychar is fuppofed to be the
name ; that he might fhew himfelf to be fame with Shechem, which is mentioned
fent, not. to baptize with water, but to Joft>. xxiv. 32. and in feveral other pla-
the more excellent work of preaching ces of the Old Teftament ; but which
the gofpel, and baptizing with the Holy the Jews, in their enmity .to the Sama-
Ghoft; that he might prevent difputes ritans, called by way of reproach Sy-
and emulations amongft his difciples, on char, wliich fignifies the drunken city :
account of fome being baptized by him- And near to' this was the valley of A-
rfelf, and others only by his commiflioned chor, which was given as a door of hope,
fervants ; and that the validity and effi- with refpeft to the calling of the Gen-
cacy of baptifm might not be fuppo- tiles. (Hof.-ii. 15.) The firft fpecimen of
fed to depend on the worthinefs, of the their believing in Chrift was now to be
perfon who adminifters it, but only on given here ; and here (as Dr. Lightfoot
the authority and bleffing of Chrift up- obferves from Gen. xxxiv. 9. and xxxv.
on the adminiftration according to his 2.) were made the firft profelytes to the
will. church of Ifrael. 1

Chap. iv. John paraphrafed. 305
to the parcel of death to Jofeph, as an inheritance for him and his
ground that Jacob children, and in which Jofeph's bones were buried.
gave to his fon Jo- ^Ge„m xiv;;;. 22- compared with jojb. xxiv. 32.)
PcT Now Jacob's ^ ^ow 'n t^s ground» near the city, was a certain
well was there, well, which by long tradition was called Jacob's
Jefus therefore be- well * : And our Lord being a man of like natural
jng wearied with weaknefs of body and animal fpirits with other men, ,
thus on'thTwell ¦ and having, fuitable to his ftate' of humiliation, tra-
and it was about veiled as ufual on foot, he was tired and fpent with
the fixth hour. his long journey, and therefore, like a weary, hungry,
and thirfty traveller as he was, he fat down by the
fide of the well to reft him ; and it was about fix
o'clock in the evening. (See the note on chap. i. 39.)
7 There cometh 7 Whilft he was there, the providence of God fo
a woman of Sama- ordered it, that a certain woman came from the neigh-
fefes 'feiTlT unto bouring cItY to fetch water from thence : And as
her Give me to Rebecca, Rachel, and Zipporah, got their feveral
drink. hufbands, Ifaac, Jacob, and Mofes, by going to
draw water at a well, (Gen. xxiv. 11, is-'c. and
xxix. 2, is'c. and Exod. ii. 15, <fa*c.) fo this wo
man unknowingly met with Jefus at this well, that
fhe might he efpoufed to him. In order to which
he, in the greatnefs of his condefcenfion and prevent
ing mercy, began firft with her, faying, Pray give me
a little water to quench my thirft.
S For his dif- 8 And this was a proper opportunity for afking
pples were gone j-ucjj a favourj anc\ talking with her alone : For as
to -buy meat be d'd not ordmarily live by miracles, and had no
friend in Samaria to entertain him, he had fent his
difciples into the city to buy food for himfelf and
them.
9 Then faith the 9 Then the woman, knowing him by his fpeech
woman of Sama- an(j habit to be a Jew, replied with wonder and fcorn,
isaitUthaththo'uHbe! How comes k t0 Pafs' that y°u> who are a yew>
ing a few a'fkeft ffiould thus unufually, for people of your nation,
drink of me, which condefcend fo far as to afk, or to be willing to receive
am a woman of Sa- any kindnefs at my hands, who am a Samaritan?
mana ? for the Qr now can imagine that I fhould comply with
ews have no deal- , r , ' . . ° r , 1 r
ings with the Sa- your defire hY gIvlng Yon fo much as a drop of water
maritans. for your relief, whatfoever your neceffity _may be i
for it is well known that there is foch an old and ir-
reconcileable grudge between the Jews and Samari
tans j-, that one will neither afk, nor receive the leaft
civility
NOTES.
* Jacob's well is no where elfe fpo- veterate enemies to one another, on ac-
ken of in fcripture; and it is uncertain count of ancient injuries that had paffed
why it was fo called, whether becaufe between them, and of their different
he dug it, or whether only becaufe he4 temples and religions ; and the enmity
Was the proprietor of it, and ufed it for had rofe to fuch an height, that they
himfelf and family, (ver. 12.) or for treated one another with the utmoft ab-
What other reafon. horrence and contempt . And though in
t The Jews and Samaritans were in- cafes of neceffity they fometimes traded
together;

30.6 The Evangelift Chap. iv.
civility of the othey ; nor, if he would, will the o-
ther fhew it to him.
io Jefus anfwer- io Jefus anfwered, If you had but known howr
3^r *{f hfa'dk Wnt° ™PortaHt a g^1 the great ^°d, of his own, mere love
eft the eiftofGoll" and grace, has beftowed upon finful men, and* now
and who it is that prefents to you in fending me hither ; and had you
faitfy to thee, Give but known what fort of perfon I am, who have afk-
me u drlf ^ ' ^n/ ec* you to g've me a ^ttk water to drink, yo,u would
ed°of him^and he ^00n ^ave 'a'^ a^e your prejudices againft me, as a,
would have given Jew ; and, inftead of refufing fo fmall a requeft, ,
thee living water, would yourfelf have immediately become an earneft
Alitor to me, and I would not have upbraided or re-
pulfed you, hut would readily and freely have given
you the moft excellent living water ; thereby meaning
bis Spirit, who was promifed under this metaphor,
(Ifa. xliv. 3. and Ezek. xxxvi. 25, 27.) and
whofe gifts and graces are more refrefhing to a necef-
fitous, thirfty foul, than the beft water can be to a
weary, droughty body.
n The woman n The woman underftanding Chrift to fpeak of
faith unto him, Sir, fprmct-water in a literal fenfe, and being ignorant of
thou haft nothing 1 • , V j • f j-«„'
to draw with, and hlS P0W:er a.d g^Ce> rePhed ln a way ?f dlfdaln>
the well is deep : You, Sir, give me the moft excellent fpring-water !
from whence then that is a likely matter indeed : What occafion then
haft thou that li- had you to afk for any of mine rr? As for the water of
Ving water . tnjs ^^ wejj^ yQU cannot poffibly come at it ; for
you have no veffel tp draw with : Where then do
you pretend to get the fine living-water you talk
of?
1?. Art thou 12 Befides, though you feem to fpeak great things
greater than our fa- 0f yourfelf, and 1 know not who you are ; yet I fup-
ther Jacob, which / ' „ .,- ' u 1 „
eave us the well P°'e you are not a greater, a wiler, or more holy man
and drank thereof than the patriarch Jacob was, from whom we Sama-
himfelf, and his rilans, as well as yoU Jews, claim a defcent as his
children, and his pofterity : And he, as tradition informs us, left us
this well, as the beft for its water in all the country, he
NOTES.
together ; yet they refufed all afts of the more to her purpofe to remind Chrift
friendfhip, humanity, and coranjon civi- of it.
lity to each other, as the laft: words * Some think that by the gift of God
of this verfe intimate, compared with is here meant the Holy Spirit, who is
ver. 8. Many learned expofitors fuppofe fpoken of in the clofe of the verfe, un-
thefe to be, not the words of the wo- der the metaphor of vlu? f<a» living-wa-
man, becaufe they think there was no ter, which was a Hebrew phrafe for
occafion for her to mention a thing fo fpring-vfrater, Gen. xxvi. 19 : But others
univerfally linown to both nations ; but take it to be meant of Chrift himfelf ;
the words pf the Evapgelift, which he and this feems moft natural to me, be-
added for our better underftanding the caufe in the next words, which may be
re^fonof her queftion to our Lord: And taken as explanatory of thefe, he evi-
yet, as this was a peirtinent fupport of dently fpeaks of himfelf, who would give
her queftion, I cannot fee why fhe her- this living-water ; and becaufe in the fore-
felf might not alledge it : for the more going chapter (ver. 16.) he had fpoke of
the fa,ft was known, (he might think it the gfejit love of God in giving him.

Chap. iv. John paraphtafed. 307
he himfelf, and his children, as well as his cattle, ha
ving made ufe of it, and been refreflied by it : How
then can you propofe to give me better water than
this ?
13 Jefus anfwer- 13 Jefus anfwered her, faying, You are under a
ed and faid unto great miftake in imagining that I fpake of common
drinketh of ^this water> h'ke this of Jacob's well, which, how much
water fhall third foever it may be efteemed and ufed, can only refrefh
again : the body, and that but for a -little while : For when
any one has drank ever fo freely of this water, he
will foon grow as thirfty as ever* ; and many other
wants will ftill attend him to render him unhappy J
and though he drink it ever fo often, it will not make
him immortal, but after all he will languiffi and die.
14 But whofo- 14. But the bleffing which, under the figure- of
ever drinketh of y^t-g^ J fpake of giving, is fo excellent in its nature,
lhallgivehim fliall that whoever is made partaker of it, fhall find fuch
never thirft : but abundant and abiding fatisfaftion in it to his foul, as
the water that I will take off all ififatiable appetites and inclinations
aTii hgi^e h-him' for other tnings > fo that he wiH think this alone fuf-
well of watet ^ent f°r his happinefs ; and though he will be de-
fpri'ngirtg up into foous of ftill more of this, yet he ffiall never fo thirft
everlafting life. for it, as to languiffi or perifh for want : But the li
ving-water which I will give him, fhall abide in him,
as a perpetual and fufficient fource for his fupply, and
v fhall daily fpring up in frefh fupports and confola-
tions to an overflowing, till all his wants and uneafi-
neffes fhall be entirely removed, and all his defires fhall
be completely fatisfied in the enjoyment of eternal
life.
15 The woman 15 But the woman ftill, like Nicodemus in the
faith unto him, care 0j tfo new ^h-th, (chap. iii. 4.) underftood
w'ater 'that*! thirft Chrift in a grofs and carnal fenfe, as if he meant fome
not, neithet come extraordinary water of the elementary kind ; and
hither to draw. therefore replied j-, Sir, 1 beg, if you are able, that
you would let me have fome of this wonderful water,
that I may have no further occafion to give myfelf
the trouble of coming time after time to fetch any
from this well.
16 Jefus faith 16 Our Lord, finding how her mind was over-
untoher, Go, call f d w;th ignorance, flupidity, and infenfibility of
thy hufband, and * r . . . ° ' f ' \ . , '.
come hither "er fpintual wants, waved any further expfanation
of his meaning about this living water ; but proceed ed
NOTES.
* Thirfling again, and never thirft- rifli for thirft, being miraculoufly fuppli-
ing, are here to be underftood of fuch a ed with water, to fatisfy their drought.
thirft as makes one faint, languid], and
die, for want of fufficient relief; as where f She faid this either with fcorn, as
it is laid of Ifrael, (ife. xlviii. jr.) They fuppofing what he mentioned to be ridi-
thirjled not, when the Lord led them culous and impotable ; or with feriouf-
througb the Wildernefs, i. e. though nefs, as thinking that he fpoke of feme
they were very thirfty, they did not pe- unknown benefit pertaining to the body,

hufband :

308 The Evangelift Chap. it.
ed to awaken a fenfe of guilt in her confeience, and
then to difcover himfelf to her as the Meffiah, that
the riches of his grace might be the better under
ftood, and the more valued by her : And to intro
duce this merciful defign, he faid to her, Go home,
and fetch your hufband to me. .
17 The woman ty The woman, though fhe lived adulteroufly
anfwered, and faid/ with a man> as ;f he W£re her hufband, immediately
Je^°™£S replied, Why do you talk of bringing hither my huf-
Thou haft well band ? 1 am a fingle perfon, and have none ; thereby
faid, I have no defigning to evade a difcovery of her reproach, and
any further converfation on that head : But as Chrift,
by his infinite underftanding, perfectly knew all the
circumftances of her life, he anfwered, What you fay
is very true, you have indeed at prefent none that
can juftly be called your hufband, whatfoever you
may have pretended among your neighbours.
18 For you have indeed had fucceffively five*, that
were your lawful hufbands ; but the nian, with whom
you at prefent cohabit, is not fo ; it is an adulterous
life that you lead with him : You have therefore own
ed the real truth in faying that you have now no huf
band at all, and you have fo far done well.
19 The woman's confeience being touched with
this clofe reproof, and yet willing, as far as poffible
to fhift it off, and divert to another fobjeft, fhe re
plied, Sir, as I cannot fuppofe that any man hath e-
ver acquainted you with my manner of life all my
days, I verily believe, by the particular account you
have now given of it, that you are fome extraordi
nary prophet.
20 I would therefore gladly know what you have
to fay upon a grand queftion in debate, between the
Samaritans and the Jews, about the worfhip of God.
We, the Samaritans, infift upon it, that mount Geri-
%im\, on which our temple is built, and which is not far
NOTES.
* Some fuppofe that fhe had buried Perjian, one of the fons of Jehoiada the
five hufbands-fucceflively ; others that (lie high-pried, whom Jofephus caMsMdnaf-
had been divorced from five for-her adul- feh, having married the daughter of San-
terous practices, or had by indireft ballat the Horonite, Nehemiah, that
means, contrary to law, obtained a di
vorce from one or more of them, that fhe

1 S For thou haft
had five hufbands ;
and he whom thou
now haft is not thy
hufband : in that
faidft thou truly.
19 The woman
faith unto him,
Sir, I perceive
that .thou art a
prophet.

20 Our fathers
worfliipped in this
mountain ; and ye
fay. That in Jeru
falem is the place
, where

great reformer obliged all who, contrary
to the law. had taken ftrange wives, to

might cohabit with another man, as if put them away, or to quit the country

he were her hufband r But I rather think
the firft of thefe fuppofitions to be the
moft probable, becaufe Chrift feems to
allow that thofe five were her lawful
hufbands. \ There was a temple on mount Geri-
%im, and the occafion of building it was
this r Soon after the rebuilding of the
temple at Jerufakn} under Darius the

Whereupon Manaffeb, being unwilling
to part with his wife, flew to Samaria,
and with many others in like circumftan
ces, fettled under the proteftion of San-
ballat, who was governor of that place :
And Sanballat, at his inftigation, built
a temple, on modnt (Serixim, like that at
Jerufalem, and in oppofition to it ; and
Mutuijeh was the high-pvieft there. From

Chap. iv. John paraphrafed. 309
where men ought far from this well, is the place where facrifices and
to worfhip. offerings are to be prefented to the Lord, and our an
ceftors have all along ftuck to this place of worfhip ;
and on the other hand, ye, the Jews, as earneftly
plead, that Jerufalem is the only place where facri
fices are to be offered, and praftife accordingly. Be
pleafed to inform me which of us are in the right, and
which in the wrong.
2t Jefus- faith 2I In anfwer to this, Jefus faid to her, Woman,
unto her, Woman, as u own mg tQ fo a prophet, obferve and believe
believe me, the , ' T . r tt ¦
hour cometh, when what l am g°ing to fay. How important a comro-
ye fliall neither in verfy foever this has been hitherto between the two
this mountain, nor nations, it will foon be entirely put to an end : For
yet at Jerufalem, ere feng all facrifices themfelves ffiall be abolifhed, and
ther 11P C a" none ffiall be offered by any appointment of God to
him, who is worffiipped under the notion of a Fa
ther *, either by- you at mount Gerizim, or by the
Jews at Jerufalem; and then all religious diftinftion
of places will ceafe, and God may be acceptably worr
fhipped every where alike.
22 Ye worfhip 22 However, to come to your point, I muft tell
ye know not what: that hitherto the Jews have befin right, and
we know what we '. „ . J , , , °. , ,~, ,
worfliip • for fal- the Samaritans wrong, as to the place which (jod
vation is of the had appointed for offering facrifices : As for you Sa-
Jews. maritans, your notions of God, dad your worfhip of
him, are corrupted by the heathenifm of your ancef
tors, Who knew not the mariner of the God of Ifrael ;
(2 Kings xvii. 26.) and the homage you pay him is
not according to his inftitution, but according to
your own inventions ; and fo ic is all ignorant, fuper
ftitious, random work, without a divine warrant and
1 rule f . But as for Us Jews, who have the facred o-
racles entire, have had the bentfit of a fucceffion of
*¦ prophets, and pay our religious homage, according
to divine prefcription, we are acquainted with the
true God, who is the objeft of our worfhip ; and we
know where, and in what manner it is to be perform- ed,
NOTES.
From that time forward Samaria became (Deut. xxvii. 12.) for bleffing the people;
the receptacle of all difcontented and a- and that Jojhua had built an altar thei e,
poftate Jews, and bitter contentions for the fupport of which notion-the-' liiid
were carried on, from age to age, be- corrupted their copy of the pentateuch.
tween the two nations about the true See Prid. Vol. I. p. 413,421, tfc .
place of worfliip ; the Jews, that had * God and the Father are put promif-
not revolted, pleading for Jerufalem, as cuoufly in this context for each other,
the place which Godhimfelf had exprefs- which intimates that by the Father is
ly appointed for the temple, and honour- here meant, not the firft Perfon in che
ed with his fpeciaf prefence ; and the Trinity only, but the Divine 13eir.:;.
Samaritans pleading that Abraham and f And fome have thought that the Sa-
Jacob built altars on mount Gerizim, maritans ftill continued to worfliip the
and offered facrifices there long before true God, rather as a local deity, like the
the temple was built at Jerufalem ; that gods '-of the heathens, round about them,
God himfelf had appointed mount Gerteim than as the God of the whofe univerfe.
V01.' II. S f

3io

The Evangelift

Chap.

iv.

23 But the hour
cometh, and now
is, when the true
worfhippers lhall
worfliip the Father
in fpirit and in
truth : for the Fa
ther feeketh fuch
to worfliip him.

24 God is a Spi
rit, and they that
worfhip him, muft
worfhip-AzV/i in fpi
rit and in truth.

25 The woman
faith unto him, I
know that Meflias
couieth, which is
called Chrift : when
he is come, he will
tell us all things.

26 Jefus faith
unto her, I that
fpeak unto thee, am
\<c.

ed, and upon what grounds we proceed therein : Fpr
the promifes of falvation in a particular manner be
long to the Jetvt, as his covenant-people, the means
of falvation are found among them, and the Saviour
himfelf, according to the promifes, proceeds from
them, and comes firft of all to blefs them, in turning
them from their iniquities.
23 But the time is juft at hand, when, under a
new difpenfation of grace, the worfhip of God fhall
be no longer performed by burnt-offerings and facri
fices, .nor falvation be reftrained to the Jews, as has
been the cafe hitherto ; but the acceptable worfhip
pers of the Divine Being, who is the common Father
''of all mens fpirits, as well as the peculiar covenant-
Father of his people, are thofe who, wherever, or of
what nation foever they be, ferve him, not in cere
monial obfervances, but in fpiritual ordinances, with
their whole hearts, in an exercife of fpiritual graces,
and by the aid and influence of his Spirit, according
to his own appointment : For God requires, owns,
and approves of fuch worfhippers ; and. though the
number of them is fmall, he will form and find fuch
as thefe by the grace of that difpenfation, which is
already begun to be fet up, and fhall hereafter migh
tily prevail in the world.
24 For God is an infinitely pure and perfeft Spi
rit, an incorporeal, invifible, intelligent, free, and
aftive Being, poffeffed of all poffible perfeftions ;
and therefore they that would worfliip him acceptably,
and fuitable to his fpiritual nature, muft worfhip him
after a fpiritual manner, in the fincerity of their fouls,
and with believing, fpiritual, and holy difpofitions,
by the affiftance of his Spirit, and in conformity to
his revealed will.
25 The woman having nothing to objeft againft
this anfwer, and- yet not being fully fatisfied with it,
replied, How far what you fay may be true, I am
not able to determine ; but I am perfuaded that, ac
cording to the general expeftation of this age, among
the Samaritans as well as Jews, the Meffiah, who
is by way of eminence called the Anointed, is juft rea
dy to appear ; and when he comes, he will certainly
adjuft all our difputes, clear up our doubts, and give
us a perfeft revelation of God's mind and will about
thefe .thingsJ
26 She being thus brought to exprefs her faith in
the Meffiah, as ready to appear, and her willingnefs
to receive inftruftion from him, Jefus took that op
portunity to manifeft himfelf to her, faying, I affure
you that the Meffiah, whom you expeft, is already
come ; and you now fee and converfe with him ; For I,

Chap. iv. J ohn paraphrafed. 311
I, who have been talking in this clofe and convincing
manner to you, am he.
27 And upon 27 Immediately upon this, the difciples returned
this came his dif- frotn the city, where they had been to buy provifions ;
pte, and marvelled (vgr 8.) and they, being under the power of nation-
with the woman: al prejudices, were much amazed to find him difcour-
yet no man faid, fing in fo * friendly a manner, as he feemed to be,
What feekeft thou? with a poor ordinary woman of Samaria : However,
or, Why talkeft g^ was the;r reverence of their Lord, and fatisfaftion
in whatfoever he thought fit to do, that none of them
durft find any fault with him, or alk him what he
wanted of that woman ? or why he fo freely converfed
with her ? ,
28 The woman 28 Our Lord having fo exprefsly, and with fuch
then left her wa- convincing evidence, told this woman of his being
ter-pot, and went the chr;ft and the conference between him and her
her way into the , , . '„, . . ,.r . , . , -
city and faith to breaking oft by his difciples coming up to them, fhe,
the men, in the greatnefs of her joy and zeal to make him
known to others, ran back to the city in great hafte,
leaving her water-pot behind her f ; and in a fort of
rapture faid to all fhe met with ;
29 Come, fee a 29 I bring you bleffed tidings of the Meffiah,
man wh\ch told wh0m we are all expefting as juft ready .to appear ;
ever I did • is not ^ ^iave certainly had a long converfation with him, in
this the Chrift ? which he, though a ftranger, told me abundance of
fuch fecret paffages in my life, and impreffed a fenfe
of them with fuch power upon my confeience, as I
am very fure none but the Meffiah himfelf could do ;
I am therefore fully convinced that this is he, as he
himfelf likewife told me : However, do not take my
word for it ; but come along _with me, and I will
conduft you to him, that ye yourfeli-es may talk.
with him, and judge whether fuch an extraordinary
perfon as this be not the Chrift.
30 Then they 30 Upon this furprifing report, though made by
went out of the ci- f0 mconfiderable, infamous, and unlikely a woman,
y, an came un o multitudes of the citizens readily went with her to
fee and' talk with Jefus, that they might fatisfy
themfelves concerning him.
31 In the mean- 31 While the woman was gone to call her neigh-
while his difciples bours, and Jefus and his difciples were alone, he
hT^Mafter' ei!t~ feeftled fo ^ar to forget his wearinefs and want of
food,' as to difcover no inclination to eat ; and there
fore they importuned him to it, faying, Mafter, we
S f 2 beg
NOTES.
* Poffibly at their coming up, they \ She left her water-pot, either as not.
heard him faying to her, I that fpeak thinking of it, or not willing to incumber
unto thee am he : If fo, it might increafe herfelf with it, or as defignin j, that Chrift
their wonder to think that he fhould Tnould make as much ufe of it as he might
make himfelf known with greater open- have occafion for in her abfence.
nefs and freedom to her, than he was
wont to do to the fews themfelves,

312 , The Evangelift , Chap. iv.
beg that you would pleafe to refrefh yourfelf with
the provifions we have brought, after your long faft-
ing, and great fatigue in your journey hither.
32 But he faid 32 But, his heart being fet upon the good work
unto them, 1 have that lay before him, he replied, I have much better
"eT t0 mJh&t food to eat than yours, which ye little, think of;
ye now not o. mean;ng that the great bufinefs he had begun, and
was going further to engage jn, for the falvation of
the Samaritans fouls, by bringing them to' know
and believe in him, was inexpreffibly more defirabfe,
entertaining, and delightful to his mind, than the
moft neceffary and agreeable repaft could be to his
body, though he were ever fo hungry.
33 Therefore 33 His difciples not underftanding what he meant,
laid the difciples but fuppofing that he fpoke of corporal food, faid in
one to another, a fort Qf furprife one to another : What ! has this
Wght him oMgtt woman, or fome other perfon privately brought him
t0 eat ? ', any provifions, while we were gone to buy fome ?
what meat is this that he fpeaks of r?
34 1 Jefus faith 34 Jefos knowing how they miftook him, and
unto them,' My wjiat tfoy whifpered among themfelves, correfted
wilfof him that their error, faying to them, The meat I fpake of is
fent me, and to fi- not of a corporal, but' of a fpiritual nature, and is to
nifh his work. be underftood in a figurative fenfe : What I mean
by it is thi^; No gratification of the moft hungry
appetites of the body can afford me fo much fatisfac-
tlon, as I find in fulfilling that fpecial will of my
¦¦ heavenly Father, for which he fent me into the world,
' and fent 1 me hither, by bringing about the converfion
bf thefe Samaritans. '
35 Say not ye, 35 Then, to explain himfelf ftill further, he added,
There are yet four js not this, literally fpeaking, the feed-time, in
months, apd then wh[ch tfo nuftjandlnan ;s fowmo. his corn, and from
cometh harveft? . . . ° , ' r ,
behold I fay unto which ye commonly reckon tour mounchs before the
you, Lift up your harveft will come, when he hopes to reap the fruit
eyes, and look on of his labour ? And does not even this diftaut profpeft
the fields ; for maj-e him diligent, and give him a great deal, of
rtearfy'to harveft?" pleafure,' in cafting his feed into the earth ? But,
1 faid' he, (the Samaritans juft then appearing, and
flocking toward him_) Behold ! the fpiritual harveft
of fouls, which lies before me, is much nearer at
hand : I have no fooner begun to fow by the conver
fation I had with the woman, who is juft gone from
me, but I am ready to reap ; and to allude to the
white appearance of the corn-fields when harveft is
near at hand, look yonder, (pointing- to the Samari
tans,) fee what vaft crowds are coming out of the
town, many of which fliall foon, by means of my
preaching, believe and be gathered in to me : The
converting of thefe is that neceffary and ipnportant
bufinefs, which I take fo great delight in. ,
36 And

Chap. iv. John paraphrafed. 313
36 And he that 36 And this is a fpecimen of the pleafant work,
reapeth receiveth in which ye fhall be employed, The time is now at
wages, and gather- hand for gathering in of people unto the promifed
eth truit unto life „, -. , ° , 9 , , r r , r r.
eternal : that both kbilon 5 and as the labourer, who tows and reaps,
he that foweth, and receives a reward from his mafter, fo fhall ye from
he that reapeth, the Lord of this harveft : He will own you, and
may rejoice toge- gjve yon a noble fatisfaftion in the very fervice itfelf;
and hereafter ye fhall reap the moft precious fruits of
it, in the eternal falvation of your own and their
fouls, that fhall be converted by your miniftry : And
then both ye, and all the ancient prophets, and John
the Baptifi, yea, and the Lord of the harveft himfelf,
who have gone before you in fowing the good feed
of the word, fhall rejoice together in the numberlefs
fouls that fhall be gathered to him, and they fhall be
your joy, and crown of rejoicing, in the day of his
glorious appearing. (1 Ihef.ii. 19.)
37 And herein 37 And, for your greater comfort and encourage-
is that faying true mentj j tt\\ yOU, that the common proverb, One
another reaneth fows, and another reaps, fhall be remarkably veri
fied, to your advantage, in the great fuccefs of your
labours, for which both I and my fervants, who pro-
phefied of me, have prepared the way by our pre-
cedingi miniftrations.
3S I fent you to 38 'I am about to fend you (cnrto-TuXa.) with a corn-
reap that whereon mjffion tQ ch th f j and when'ye go into
ye beftowed no fa- or* j ^ o
bour : other men one Piace an(l another, ye fhall be the reapers of this
laboured, and ye fpiritual harveft, which was fown by others, and is
are entered into now ripened for you to gather it with richer abun-
their labours. dance, than either I by my perfonal miniftry, or any
of my former fervants by their preaching, ever did
before you. So that ye will have the advantage and
the increafe of all preceding labours, as well as of
your own, and be inftruments of perfefting the blefs-
ed work, which they only began, to the converfion
and falvation of multitudes of fouls *.
39 And many 39 But, (h) to return, the Samaritans of Sy-
of the Samaritans c^ar fov[ns heard the amazing; account that the wo-
ut that city belie- °. _,, .n . . ,° , . r
ved on him for the man gave ot Chrift s divine knowfedge, and ot the
faying of the wo- power with which his words came to her heart, and
man, which teftifi- of the declaration he made to her concerning himfelf,
ed, He told me afi many 0f them were wrought upon, by means of her tef
timony, to believe that he really was the true Mef fiah,
N O T E.
* As the writings of the prophets, the their hands, efpecially among the Jews -
preaching of John the Baptift, and of our So the number of converts in a few years,
Lord himfelf, laid the foundation of the under the miniftry of the apoftles, vaftly
numerous^ converfions that were made by exceeded all that had been made for ma-
the miniftry of the apoftles among Jews ny ages before, under the miniftry of the
and Gentiles, and had facilitated their prophets, and of John the Baptifi, and
work, and in a manner half done it to of Chrift himfelf.

3H

40 So when the
Samaritans were
come unto him,
they befought him
that he would t;.r-
ry with them . and
he abode there
two days.

The Evangelift

Chap, iv.

41 And many
more believed, be
caufe of his own
word.

42 And faid un
to the woman,
Now we believe,
not becaufe of thy
faying -i for we
have heard him
ourfelves, and know
that this is indeed
the Chrift, the Sa
viour of the world.

43 Now, after
two days, he de
parted thence, and
went into Gali
lee :

44

For Jefus
himfelf

fiah, who they expefted would foon appear in the
world. 1
40 And this faith of theirs had fuch an effeft up
on them, though they were Samaritans, that they
haftened with great defire, to converfe with him
themfelves ; and when they came to him, they were
fo affefted with what they faw and heard, that they
feid afide their prejudices againft him, as a Jew, and
earneftly entreated him to go into their city, and
continue for fome time at leaft with them, that they
might fhew him tokens of refpeft, and receive his hea
venly inftruftions about their own falvation: And as he
is good to the fouls that feek him, fo he went into their
city, arid ftaid two days preaching to them, and there.
by giving an earneft of his mercy to the Gentiles.
41 And, whilft he was at that place, many others,
who were not convinced by the woman's teftimony,
were brought to beMeve in him, when they them
felves came to hear his excellent doftrine, and feel
the power of his grace upon their own hearts *.
42 And both the frefh converts, and thofe that
had before believed upon the- woman's report, faid to
her, Now our faith is not founded upon your tefti
mony : For we ourfelves have heard fuch divine and
important things from Jefus, and they have come
with fuch evidence and authority to our minds and
confciences, as fully affure us, that he is ii> truth the
promifed and long-looked-for Meffiah, even the Sa
viour, whom we, as well as the Jews, may claim an
intereft in, and in whom, as God promifed to our Fa
ther Abraham, all nations fhall be bleffed \.
1 43 Now when he had fpent two days at the city
of Sychar, preaching and converting many there, he
purfued his intended journey from thence to Galilee;
but declined going to Nazareth, where he was
brought up, and which lay in that country.
44 For as himfelf had declared \, when at the be
ginning
NOTES.
$ He faid this with refpect to Naza
reth ; (Luke iv. 16, — 24.) and we are
told, (Matth. iv. 12, 13.) that at his
coming into Galilee, when he heard of
John's being caft into prifon, he leavingV
Nazareth, went and dwelt in Caper
naum : Unlefs we fuppofe our Evange
lift to refer to his not going thither, it
will be very difficult to make out the
connection of this with the foregoing
verfe : But upon this fuppofition it (lands
eafy and pl^ain thus, He went into fome
parts of Galilee, but not into the town
of Nazareth.

* It does not appear that he wrought
any miracles here : But the bleffed effect
of his preaching to this people was fur
prifing ; and he can as effectually con
cert the worft finners, and the moil un-
Jikely to be wrought upon, without mi
racles as with them, whenever be ple'a-
fes'to fet home his word with power up
on their hearts ; but without this, the
greateft of all miracles will.have no fa
ving effect.
f Thus the world in this place, as
well as in many others, is only made
ufe of to, comprehend Gentiles as well
as Jews. See the note on chap. iii. 16.

Chap. iv. J0HN paraphrafed. 315
himfeff teftified, ginning of his miniftry he preached there, Even a
that a prophet hath true prophet, who really comes with a meffage from
no honour in his God js neverthelefs feldom efteemed and regarded a-
own country. , . c . . . . 6 ,
mong his former acquaintance, with whom he was
brought up in low life, and who are apt to form their
opinion of him by what they have all along known of
his family, education, aad circumftances in the world,
rather than by the plaineft evidence of his eminent
qualifications, and divine authority.
45 Then, when 45 Therefore, paffing- by Nazareth, he went into
he was come into other parts of Gajilee, and many of the people there
leansKce'ived h\m, J0yfu% entertained him, becaufe they had before
having feen all the been much affefted with his doftrine and miracles,
things that he did which they had heard and feen at Jerufalem, when
at Jerufalem at the tfoy were feft there to celebrate the paffover : (chap.
frwentVn^the "' z3\) For k was their conftant cuftom to go up to
feaft, that city every year, at the time of that folemnity,
in obedience to God's command.
4(5 So Jefus ^6 So Jefus, finding that there was work for him
came .again into tQ d went and preached in feveral towns and villa-
Cana. ot Galilee, . . * , , , . .
where he made the ges in that country ; and among others, he again vi-
water wine. And fited that Cana, which lay -in Galilee, where fome
there was a cer- time before he had miraculoufly turned water into
tain' nobleman, w;ne . (^(7/)_ ;; xl\ And during his abode at this
whole (on was lick , \ ' ' r rT . ,"., . 1 r r
at Caoernaum place, there was one ot Herod s nobles *, whole lon
lay fick at Capernaum.
47 When he 47 And this man, great as he was, and that in a
heard that Jefus wicked court, having heard of the fame of Jefus, and
T. - . „ ... of his being- come out of Judea into thofe parts of Ga-
Judea into Galilee, . o J § r
' he went unto him nice, was io concerned tor fns ion, and had lo much
and befought him faith in the power of Chrift, that he took a journey
that he would 0f about fifteen miles from Capernaum to Cana, to
heThiffon'- for P8? hIs refPec^ perfonally to him: And when he faw
he was at' the him, he humbly begged with great earneftnefs, that he
point of death. would pleafe to go home with him] and work a cure
upon his fon,- whofe difeafe was fo defperate, that at
his Father's leaving him, h<* was looked upon as a
dead child, paft hope of recovery by any buman meaner
whatfoever.
4S Then faid ^8 Hereupon pur bleffed Lord faid to. him f, I
Jefus unto hira, pla;nly perceive 'how it is with you Galileans :
and wonders °ve Though my doftrines and behaviour be ever fo hea-
will not believe, venly and holy ; and many of you have feen my mi
racles at Jerufalem, (ver. 45.) yet ye will not believe in
NOTES.
* This nobleman feems to have been an Herodian, and one of Herod's courr.
either Chuza, Herod's fteward, mention- tiers, who had received good impreffions
ed Luke viii. 3. or elfe Manaem, who from John the Baptijl's miiuitry.
had been brought up with Herod, men- f Chrift's faying this to him, together
tioned ABs xiii. 1. : But whether he with the reft of the company, intimates
were fo or not, it is probable that he was that he was a Jew.

316

The Evangelift

Chap. iv.

49 The noble
man faith unto
him, Sir, come
down ere my child
die.

50 Jefus faith
unto him, Go thy
way ;• thy fon li
veth. And the
man believed the
word that Jefus
had fpoken unto
him, and he went
his way.

51 And as he
was now going
down, his fervants
met him, and told
him, faying, Thy
fon liveth.
5 j Then enqui
red he of them the
hour when he be
gan to amend : and
they faid unto him.,
yefteiday, at the
feventh hour the
fever left him.

5; So the father
knew that it was
at the fame hour,
in the which Jefus
faid unto him, Thy
fon liveth ; and
himfelf believed,
and his whole
houfe.

54 This is again-
the fecond mira
cle that Jefus did,
when he was come
out of Judea into
Galilee.

in me, as the Samaritans did upon hearing my dif- '
courfes, (ver. 42.) unlefs ye fee my divine power ex
erted in performing fome wonderful works in your
own country.
49 The royal courtier neverthelefs perfifted in his
humble addrefs to Chrift, faying, Lord, as I believe
thou couldft heal my child, wert thou with him, I
beg that thou wouldft go along with me now with
out delay, left he be dead, and paft any poffible re
covery before we g'et to him.
50 Jefus, to bonour the faith of this nobleman, »
and to help its infirmity in thinking that Chrift's cor
poral prefence was neceffary to the cure, intimated
to him, that he had power in himfelf to heal his fon
in an inftant, by a mere aft of his will, wherever he
was, faying, Depart in peace ; I now at this diftance
reftore your fon to health, and affure you that he is
alive and well : Upon this, the faith of the child's fa
ther was fo ftrengthened, that he depended on Chrift's
word, and went home to fee, and rejoice in the hap
py event.
5 1 And, whilft he was on his journey back to Ca
pernaum, fome of his fervants, who were fent to ac
quaint him with the good news, met him on the road,
and told him that his fon was perfeftly well again.
52 Then, for the further confirmation of his faith,
he ordered them to tell him exaftly at what time his
fon began to grow better, fuppofing that the diftem
per went off by degrees : And they replied, that
he did npt gradually recover, as is ufual in fuch ca
fes ; but that, to their joyful furprife, the fever left
him all at once, and he became perfeftly well in an
inftant the laft night, as near as they could remember,
at feven o'clock. (See the note on chap. i. 39.)
53 Hereupon the nobleman recollefting the precife
time when Jefus faid to him, Thy fon liveth, found
that, at that very inftant, his fon was fuddenly and
miraculoufly healed ; and he believed that Jefus, who
Could work fuch a miracle, afar off, as well as near
at hand, was the true Meffiah : And when, upon
coming home, he faw that his dear child, whom he
left at the point of death, was indeed reftored to a
ftate of perfeft health, and when he and the eye-wit
neffes of the recovery had compared notes about it,
bis own faith was ftill further eftablifhed; and all his
family, after his example, believed in the Lord Jefus.
54 This was the fecond miracle that Jefus wrought
in Galilee, upon his coming out of Judea into that
country, where he had been fome months before at
Cana, and turned water into wine. (Chap. ii. 7, —
11.)

Chap. v. John paraphrafed. 317
RECOLLECTIONS.
Into what a low and humbled ftate did our bleffed Lord come \ How was he fur-
rounded with troubles and dangers, and denied the refrefhment of a little cold wa
ter ; What toilfome" journies did he take on foot ! and how, being a man made like
unto his brethren, did he fuffer wearinefs; hunger, and thirft ! How laborious was
he in his work, fetting us an example '. and how does Providence fubferve the de
fign of his grace, by throwing things into fuch a courfe as is neceffary for meeting
with the appointed objects of faving mercy ! and when he meets with them,
how tenderly, and yet how clofely does he deal with their confciences ; and
what a glorious harveft of fouls does he gather to himfelf! When once they are
brought in earneft to enquire after him, he will gracioufiy afford them his prefence,
and will m'anifeft himfelf to them,- that they may have an experimental acquaint
ance with him, which is beft of all. And 0 what a free and rich gift of God, in
preference to all others; is Chrift in himfelf, and in the efteem of them that faving-
ly know him, though they were naturally ignorant of him, and much more defirous
of temporal advantages, than of the fpiritual bleffings that come along with him !
But O amazing condefcenfion and grace, that God, who is a Spirit, will feek wor
fhippers among fuch carnal creatures as we are ! And bleffed be his name that he
will accept of gofpel- worfliip, without diftinction of places, wherever-it is perform
ed in fpirit arid in truth. — What delight does our Lord Jefus take in glorifying his.
Father, and doing good to immortal fouls '. and what abundant encouragement
have his fervants to go on with his work ! They, like their bleffed Saviour, fliall be
received by fome, while they are rejected by others : The pains of thofe, that have
gone before them, prepare their way, and make their work the eafier to them ; and
after they themfelves are dead and gone, many fliall reap the advantage of the feed
they fowed among them r Their labour -is indeed great, like that of fowing and reap
ing ; but they fhall have the pleafure of being inftrumental in gathering fouls to
Chrift, and lhall receive a glorious reward, to their everlafting joy. But, alas :
how do prejudices againft the minifiry we fit under, hinder our profiting by it '. It
is well for us if afflictions themfelves are fanctified, as means of bringing us, like
Herod's courtier, to Chrifi: : He will then give us the defile of our hearts, and e-
ven exceed our faith and hope, and ftill further confirm them in him. Happy the
great men and nobles of the earth, that are brought to know and believe in Jefus,
for the faving of their fouls. And happy mafters of families, whofe faith is followed
by all that are in their houfes, and who, by comparing experiences with them, gain
ftrength and eftablifhment in their fpiritual concerns '. Whenever Chrift difplays his
power and goodnefs in thefe, or any other inftances, how (bould we record it to his
praife, and to the encouragement of our own and others fouls !

CHAP. V.

Chrift cures a man on the Sabbath-day, who lay at the pool ¦s/'Beth-
efda, and had been lame thirty-eight years, i, — 9. The Jews quar
rel about it, 10, — 16. Chrifi vindicates himfelf by afferting his
own divine charatler as the Son of God, 17, — 31. Proves this by
the teftimony of John the Baptift, of his own miracles, of his Fa
ther, and of the Old 'Teftament fcriptures, 32, — rji_). And charges
the Jews with various faults which they were guilty of, 40, — 47.

Text. Paraphrase.
^AJrTER. this ^ FTER our bleffed Saviour had healed the noble -
feaft

there was a f\ man>s fon jn Gfl//y„ f one 0f ^ aunual fcails

returned,
NOTE.
* It is highly probable that this feaft four paffovers, in their order, that wore
was the paffover ; for it feems that the between Chrift's baptifm and death :
evan-jclift J'ohn particularly recited the The firft, in chap. ii. 13. : The fecond,
Vol. II. T t i*

3i8

The Evangelift

Chap.

to Jerufalem.

2 Now there is
at Jerufalem, by
the fheep- market,
a pool, which is
called in the, He
brew tongue Beth

feaft of the Jews, returned, at which all the males of Ifrael were obliged
tnMrlZ^"1 Up t0 aPPear before the Lord at Jerufalem' (Exod.
xxiii. 17.) and Jefus went thither, as ufual, that be
might pay obedience to the law.
2 Now there * was in Jerufalem, near the ffieep-
gate, (itti r-4 ;5-g»£#T«y>]) a certain bath or pond of
water, called in the common dialeft, ufed among the
Jews, Bethefda, which fignifies, The houfe of mer
cy or kindnefs ; and, adjoining to this, were -J- five
el'da, having five cloyfters, or covered walks, whofe roof was fupport-
porches. e(j j^ co]umnS) for tfo pfeafure and convenience of
the people, and efpecially of thofe that came to wafh
in this pool.
3 In thefe lay a 3 In thefe cloyfters abundance of diftempered peo-
great multitude of pie iav fome b\{nA others lame, and others finew-
impotept folk, of r
blind, halt, wi
thered, waiting for
the moving of the
water.

4 For an angel
went down at a
certain feafon into
the pool and trou
bled the water:

fhrunk, and the like, who came or were brought
thither, and continued waiting there, in hopes of be
ing healed by the water of that pool, when it fhould be
put iuto a fupernatural motion, as it had fometimes
been. 4 For God, to awaken the expeftation of Ifrael,
that he was about to return to them in vifible tokens
of his favour, .after they had been withdrawn for fe
veral ages, and to encourage perfons attending on
whofoever then any means of hi3 appointment for conveying bleffings
firft, after the to tfom had of late fent an angel at fome particular
troubling ot the rr . ,.r ... c. , * F
water ftepped in iealons, to give a difcermbfe motion to the water of
was made whole of this bath, which immediately thereupon became of a
whatfoever difeafe healing nature, in a very extraordinary manner, not
- e ha"- for the curing of all that might go into it, but only
of any one perfon J, who ftepped in firft after the
moving of the water, that the Divine Power and
fovereignty might be the more remarkably feen in the
cure ; and how defperate and long continued, or of
what kind foever the difeafe of this perfon might be,
he was inftantly and effeftually healed.
5 And a certain 5 And among many others, that lay in thefe cloy-
man was there, fl-€rs waJting for the happy opportunity, there was
which one
NOTES.
in this place, or no where: The third, gefted, to a mixture of the blood of the
in c hap. vi. 4. : (fee the note there) And facrifices, which ran into this pool, and
the fourth, in chap. xiii. 1. Vid. Lightf. to a motion which fome meffenger from
Hor. Hebr. pag. 554. and Harm, pag: the fanhedrim,. or from the priefts, put
664, toV.. the impregnated water into, nor to any
* The Evangelift's mentioning this other natural caufe whatfoever : For
in the prefent tenfe feems to be an inti- then its virtue would not have been re-
roation, that he wrote his gofpel before ftrained to the healing of the fingle per-
the deftruction of Jerufalem. fon who firft ftepped in ; and no natural
f Thefe, fays D^r Lightfoot in his virtue could be effectual to cure all. one
Harmony, p. 661. were 'fuch walks as as well as another, of the different forts
are m the Royal Exchange at London. of difeafes here mentioned ; and there-
1 This fhews that the virtue of this fore every cure by this means muft be
water, was not owing, as fome hay'e fug. entirely miraculous.

Chap. v.
which had an in
firmity thirty and
eight years.
6 When Jefus
faw him lie, and
knew that he had
been now a long
time in that lafe,
he faith unto him,
Wilt thou be made
whole ?

7 The impotent
man anfwered him,
Sir, I have no man,
when the water is
troubled, to put
me into the pool :
but, while I am
coming, another
fteppeth down be
fore me.

John paraphrafed.

3^9

5 Jefus faith un
to him, Rife, take
up thy bed, and
walk.

o And immedi
ately tfie man was
made whole, and
took up his bed,
and walked : and
on the fame day
was the Sabbath.

io The Jews
therefore faid un
to him that was
cured. It is the
Sabbath-day ; it is
not lawful for thee
to carry thy bed. ,

ii He anfwered
them, He that
m;de

one man in fuch deplorable circumftances, that he
had loft the ufe of his limbs for thirty-eight years paft.
6 When our bleffed Lord came among thefe mifer
able objefts, he took particular notice, of this diftrefs-
ed man ; and knowing in himfelf, that he had con
tinued fo many years in this lamentable condition, his
pity was moved toward him ; and that he might raife
the poor creature's expeftation of a cure, and give
him an opportunity of declaring before the people how
much he needed it, Jefus going up to him faid, Are
you really defirous to be healed of your diftemper ?
7 The lame man having no notion of Chrift's heal
ing him, but hoping that now, at laft, a kind friend
was come, who might affift him in getting into the
water, anfwered him, Sir, the very defign of my com
ing hither is to wait, and try in the beft manner I
can, for a cure : But alas ! I am fo poor, that I can
not hire a fervant, and fo neglefted and defpifed, that
I cannot find a friend to put me into the pool imme
diately upon the moving of its waters ; and whilft I
am crawling toward it, fome other difeafed perfon
always gets the ftart of me, jumps in before me, and
receives the benefit, which is obtained only by him,
who gets in firft ; and fo hitherto, I have not been
able to fucceed in my defire.
8 Hereupon Jefus defigning to work a miraculous
cure upon him, and therein to conform to the rule
that had been fettled by Providence at Bethefda,
for healing only one perfon at a time, faid to the
lame man, in a way of fovereign authority, Get up,
and, taking your bed upon your back, carry it hence,
as a proof that your health and ftrength are perfeftly
reftored. 9 And' fuch almighty power went forth with this
word of command, that the poor man was entirely
healed in a moment, and received ftrength to enable
him to obey Chrift's order, which he accordingly
did by taking up his bed, and carrying it away in
the fight of all the people : And the time when this
miracle was wrought, and this evidence given of it,
was on a Sabbath-day.
io When therefore fome of the Jews-ohferyed that
the man, who was healed, walked along the ftreets
with his bed upon his back, they were offended at
it, and quarrelled with him about it, faying, This,
you know, is the Sabbath, and it is a profanation of
this holy day, for you to carry your bed, or any bur
den whatfoever : How dare you then be guilty of
fuch a great and public fin ?
1 1 The man replied in vindication of himfelf,
What 1 dn is by the exprefs command of the very
X t : perfou

320

The Evangelift

Chap.

12
theyman is that which
faid 'unto thee,
Take up thy bed
and walk ?

13 And he that
was healed, wift
not . who it was :
for Jefus had con
veyed himfelf a-
way. a multitude

made me whole, perfon who miraculoufly healed, me in an inftant,
the fame faid unto anc\ enabled me for it ; I could do no lefs than obey
. Wdald wallTA j™. after he had nought fuch a great and merci-
ful cure upon me ; and furely he, who did it, mere
ly by fpeaking a word, muft needs be fome holy and
extraordinary prophet, and would never bid me do
any thing that is finful.
Then afked 1 2 Then they, fufpefting that Jefus had done
him, What this, made no inquiry about the miracle ;' but, pafs-
ing over that, faid, with a taunting, wrathful, and
contemptuous air, to him that was healed, Pray, what
man * is he, who durft prefume to authorize your fo
notorioufly breaking God's law, by carrying your
bed on the Sabbath-day ?
13 But (§s) the healed man could not inform
them who it was, he having never before feen Jefus,
who had been thus gracious to him : For as foon as
Chrift had cured him, he withdrew into the crowd,
to conceal himfelf among them, there being a vaft
being in that place, multitude at that place, and then flipped privately
away, that he might prevent the confufion which was
like to arife from his being cried up by fome for the
miracle he had wrought, and cried down by others
for doing, and ordering this man to do, what, as
they fuperftitioufly pretended, was a breach of the
Sabbath.
14 Afterward/ 14 Afterwards the pobr man, being difmiffed,
Jefus findeth him went t0 tfo temple +, to offer thankfgivings to God
in the temple, and for h; m;racufous rec0very, and to fhew that he paid
laid unto him, Be- .. . '' • 1 n , •
hold. thou - art a religious regard to the babbath, notwithftanding
made whole : fin what had been fuggefted to the contrary : And Je-
no more, left a fus going thither, as he was wont, met with him
b™toethe1e'nS C°me tl*ere ; and fPeaking to him ag.ain> faid' Behold how,
in the riches of divine and diftinguifhing mercy, you
have been delivered from your late fore affliftion,
contrary to your own expeftations or deferts : Take
heed that you do not knowingly commit any fin here
after, left, by an abufe of this endearing inftance of
God's goodnefs, you bring upon yourfelf worfe. mi
feries than ever you yet felt, to the ruin of your im
mortal foul.
15 At this fecond interview the man found-who
it was that had fo miraculoufly healed him ; and he
imprudently, though with a good intention to do
"him honour to his great Phyfician, went to fome of the
chief of the Jews, and told them that Jefus of Naza reth
NOTES.
* They feemed to call him a man, by be done which they prefumed to fay was
way of contempt, to infinuate that he a violation of the law of God.
was no mote than a man, and therefore f This was probably on the fame day-
could have no authority to order that to as foon as he had difpofed of his bed. ' '

15 The, man de
parted, and told
the Jews that it
was Jefus which
had made
Airhole.

Chap. v.

16 And there
fore did the Jews
perfecute Jefus,
and fought to flay
him, becaufe he
had done thefe
things on the Sab
bath-day.

1 7 But Jefus an
fwered them, My
Father worketh
hitherto, and I
work.

John paraphrafed.

321

1 8 Therefore the
Jews fought the
more to kill him,
becaufe he not on
ly had broken the
Sabbath, but faid
alfo that God was his

* It is obfervable that the Jews, in
their queftion, (ver. 12.) took no no
tice of the miracle, but only afked what
man had ordered this perfon to take up
his bed and walk : But the man, in his
account of {efus took" no notice of his or
dering him to carry his bed, but only of
his making him whole ; which fhews
that the information this man gave was
not from any ill will to Chrift, as their
inquiry was ; but that he defigned it for
the honour of his great Benefactor.
\ It was Chrift's working the miracle,
rather than his ordering the man to car
ry his bed, that flung the Jews, and put
them upon taking occafion to charge
him with breaking the Sabbath-, as ap
pears from our Lord's anfwering only to
this giound of the charge, which in courfe
would confute the whole of it.

reth was the perfon who had * miraculoufly wrought
the great cure upon him.
1 6 But the Jews, inftead of admiring fo undoubt
ed and merciful a miracle, which was an evident de-
monftration of Chrift's divine power and goodnefs,
were provoked at it, and took occafion from thence
to fet themfelves with the greateft malignity againft
him, and even to thirft for his blood, becaufe he
had healed the lame man f , as well as ordered him
to carry his bed, on the Sabbath, which they called
fuch an open profanation of that facred day, as was
worthy of death.
1 7 But our Lord, to defend what he had done,
faid to them, Though God, my Father, hasinftituted
a Sabbath for man, ye muft all own that he never
thelefs has all along, from the creation hitherto, con
tinually performed his providential works of power
and goodnefs on the Sabbath, as well as on other
days ; and I, his Son, partaking of his nature and
perfections, am undivided in operation from him :
Our work and authority are the fame in the preferva-
tion and government of all things ; and therefore as
none can pretend to fay, that what my Father does
on the Sabbath, is any breach upon the holy reft
of that day ; fo there is no juft ground to objeft
againft what I have done, who am a co-worker with
him, as if it were a violation of the Sabbath J.
1 8 The Jews, at the hearing of this, were ftill
more abundantly enraged, and determined to do their
utmoft to put him to death, becaufe he had not only
done what they infifted was a profanation of the Sab
bath, but, to juftify himfelf, had added the higheft
blafphemy to impiety, by calling God his own pro per
NOTES.
% This way of our bleffed Lord's argu
ing, from his Father's working to his
own, plainly intimates that he fpeaks of
himfelf as one with his Father in nature
and operation ; otherwife the argument
lofes its force and beauty : For if a mere
creature, who only receives a commiffion
from God, as for inftance, a prophet or
an apoftle, were to fay, God does whate
ver he pleafes, and therefore I have a.
right to do whatever I pleafe likewife on
the Sabbath-day : Who 'would not fee
the reafoning to be inconclufive and ab
furd ? Eut underftanding our Lord to
fpeak of himfelf, as one in nature and o-
peration with the Father in all his
works, the argument is irrefiftible ; and
it is evident from the following verfe,
that the jews underftood him in this
peculiar and exalted fenfe.

322

The Evangelift

Chap.

v.

Son likewife.

his Father, making per Father, (irttmta. (§<»») in fo peculiar and eminent
himfelf equal with a fenfe, as amounted to no lefs than a claim of equality
God. ,'n authority, power, and operation with God him
felf*.
loThen anfwer- 19 In anfwer to this, our bleffed Lord was fo far
ed Jefus, and faid from blaming the Jews for wrefting his words, that
unto them. Verily, ^e went on to vindicate them in the moft fublime fenfe
vou^Thelon^n that conld be PUt "P°n them> faYing' J> wh° am
do nothing of him- Truth itfelf, folemnly affure you, that the union be-
felf, but what he tween the Father and Son, is fo Angular and effen-
feeth the Father t;a]j an(j thej are fo undivided in their aftings, and in
do: for what things ^ ; ¦¦ £ach other>s defigns that the Sorl can
foever he doth, , r '.-'-,. . . ° r .. 1 r .x.
thefe alfo doth the do nothing of his own head, or feparately from the
Father, without his confent and co-operation, but
only concurs with the Father in all the works, which,
by his intimate acquaintance with him, he fees him
doing : For all things that the Father himfelf effefts,
in the continual agency of his Providence, (-rawed)
the very fame does the Son alfo perform, by his co
operation with him ; and that (o^anaj) in the very
fame manner, with the fame divine power and autho
rity, with which the Father himfelf performs them :
So that the Father no more does them without the
Son, than the Son without him.
20 For they being as much united in will and af
feftion, as in nature and power, the Father has fuch
an infinite complacency in his Son, that he delights
in communicating counfels with him, and in laying
open all his defigns and operations to him ; fo that
no one thing, that is done by the Father, is ever hid
from the Son f : And, in the further courfe of his
difpenfations,
NOTES.
* The Jews themfelves often called as the Meffiah : Then thefe expreffions

20 For the Fa
ther loveth the Son,
and fheweth him
all things that he
himfelf doth : and
he will fhew him
greater works than
thefe, that ye may
marvel.

God their Father, and would never have
found fault with, much lefs charged
blafphemy upon any, that came to them
under the character of a prophet, for
ufing the fame ftile : And therefore they
muft be fuppofed to underftand our Lord,
.as fpeaking of God, as his Father, in a
fenfe fuperior to any covenant or office-
• relation, and in a fenfe fo peculiar to
himfelf as to intimate his partaking of
the fame nature and perfections with
him ; or elfe there would have been no
room for their -imagining or fuggefling,
that by this claim of relation to God as
his Father, he mide himfelf equal with
God. f If, as fome think, the Son's doing
nothing of himfelf, but •what he fees the
Father do, and the Father's loving him

are to be underftood with refpect to his
doing nothing in the execution of his of
fice, but by commiffion from his Father,
and nothing but what the Father, by
the unction of his Spirit, intimates to
him that he fhould do ; and the Father's
/hewing him thefe things, as to be done
by him, is an undeniable proof of the Fa
ther's approbation of him, and pleafure
in him, and in all that he does as Medi
ator : And were we to take it in this
light, what our bleffed Lord her* fays a-
bout his doing •what things foever the
Father does, and in the fame manner
with himv and his Yzthex' sfhewing him
all things that himfelf does, reprefents
him as receiving fuch an high office from
his Father, and fuch powers for difchar-
ging it, as he could not be capable of

pnd Jhewing him all things that himfelf exercifing, unlefs be were the Son of
does, &c. relate to his office-character God info high and proper a fenfe, as to
be

Chap. v. J ohn parapbrafed. 323
difpenfations, he will fhew him in real events of his
power and goodnefs, and will perform by him, and
together with him, much greater works than healing
a feme man, that thofe of you, who fhall believe, may
be filled with holy wonder and praife, and that others
of you, who will neverthelefs continue obftinate in
your unbelief, may" be aftonifhed, and even confound
ed at them.
21 For as the 21 For, to inftance in fome of thefe greater works,
fhethederaadfethand whkh the &°U d°eS ™ the fam£ manner with the Fa"
quickeneth' them : t'ler» an^ which he could not do in the execution of
even fo the Son his office, as the Meffiah, unlefs he were partaker of
quickeneth whom the divine nature : As it is undoubtedly the pecu-
be wl"- liar property of God to raife the dead, and reftore
them to life, and the Father has done, and whene
ver he pleafes can do this ; even fo, by the fame
power and authority, and with like fovereignty, the
Son quickens them, who were dead in trefpaffes and
fins, to a fpiritual life, and raifes them to corporal
life again, who were literally dead, whenever he
will *.
22 For the Fa- 22 For God the Father does not referve merely
ther judgeth no I0 himfelf, nor exercife immediately by himfelf, even
corn tiitted * II t^laf- Prerogative of deity, which confifts in ordering
judgment unto the a^ the concerns of providence and grace here, and
Son : in managing the final judgment hereafter; but has put
the immediate exercife of thefe divine powers into
the hands of his incarnate Son.
23 That all men 23 And this he has done to this end, that, inftead
fliould honour the of one,s b • ftumby and offended at the incar-
Son, even as they . ' , , ..? . „ , ., r „ . ,,
honour the Father. natlon an" humiliation 01 the tion ot God, all- men
He that honoureth might be induced, by his bearing and executing this
not the Son, ho- high commiffion in human nature, to pay the fame
noureth not the re]jj>';ous adoration, worfhip, and obedience to him,
Father which hath .? ... , * . iL -p, ., ,. r ,r
fent him as tney are obliged to pay to the rather himteli :
And the Father fo peremptorily infifts upon this, as
to
NOTES.
be partaker of the fame divine nature would have done had he been incarnate,
and perfections with the Father, and to * It feems to me, as if Chrifi, in this
be intimately one with him. But it and the next verfe, fpeaks of railing and
does not appear to me that it could be quickening the dead, and of all judg- .
faid of Chrift, merely as the Meffiah, ef- ment being committed to him, in an ex-
pecially in his ftate of humiliation, that tenfive view, as relating both to the ad-
•whatfoever things the Father did, the miniftration of his kingdom in this world,
-vetyfame did the Son, and that in the and to his railing the dead, and paffing
fame manner ; or that the Father (hew- the fir.al fentence upon all mankind in
ed him univerfally all things that him- the world to come ; and that, in the fol-
lelf did : And therefore I rather iodine lowing verfes, he enlarges upon each of
to the fenfe given of it in the paraphrafe, thefe articles diftinctly, as we fliall fee
as relating to the Son, confidered in his when we come to them : Otherwife it
original nature, who as fuch was capa- may be difficult 10 account for his re-
ble of performing all thofe works whii.li pi-rating expreffions ot this nature lo of-
belong to his office, in as divine and God- ten in fo fhort a difcourfe. See the note
like a manner, as the Fathtr himfelf on ven 2$.

3*4

The Evangelift

Chap. v.

He, that
my word, and be-
lieveth on him that
fent me, hath ever
lafting life, and
fhall not come into
condemnation ; but
is paffed from death
¦^unto life.

to account that, after fuch a revelation of the Mef
fiah, whoever does not in this manner honour the
Son, does not truly honour the Father himfelf, who
glorieth in having fuch a Son, and has fent him with
all authority to exert thefe peculiar prerogatives of
deity, that he might be owned and homaged as a •
Divine Perfon.
24 Verily, veri- 24 I, the faithful and true Witnefs, who have
ly, I fay unto you, told you that all judgment is committed to me, do fo-
"''- "' lemnly affure you, that the rule, by which I proceed
therein, is this, Whoever hears, attends to, and
heartily receives my doftrine, particularly with rela
tion to my being the Son of God, and the true Mef
fiah ; and whofoever believes on my Father, who
hath fent me to exercife thofe divine powers, as the
Meffiah, has a right and title to, and the beginnings,
principles, and earnefts of eternal life ; and he fhall
never fall under the condemning fentence of the law,
or be caft in the future judgment ; but is already
tranflated from a ftate of condemnation to death, in
to a ftate of juftification of life : And in order here
unto, V
25 I, who am Truth itfelf, affuredly tell you,
that the time is juft at hand, and is even already be
gun, when they that are dead in trefpaffes and fins
fhall hear the voice of the Divine Meffiah, as fpeak
ing by his * word and Spirit with powerful energy,
to quicken them to the obedience of faith; and every
one who thus hears it, fliall live for ever : And,- as an
emblem of this, his mighty power ffiall foon be feen
in railing fome perfons to life, who were corporally
dead ; and both thefe are alike eafy to him.
26 For as the Father is the fountain of life, who
has it neceffarily, and in the moft perfeft manner in
himfelf, and communicates it to all the living ; fo in
the difpenfation, whereby he has conftituted his own
effentially living Son to be the Meffiah, he has grant
ed to him.,f , that in his incarnate ftate, and in the exe
cution
NOTES.
* The gofpel is called Chrift's voice, caufe. thefe are diftinguifhed from the ge-

25 Verily, veri
ly, I fay unto you,
The hour is com
ing, and nOw is,
when the dead
fliall hear the voice
of the Son of God ;
and they that hear
fliall live.

a 6 For as. the
Father hath life in
himfelf, fo hath he
given to the Son
to have life in him
felf;

(chap. x. 16 j and of this he fays, The
•words that I fpeak, they are are fpirit,
and they afe life; (chap. vi. 67.) and he
foon gave a vifible reprefentation of his
quickening power, in his railing feveral
perfons to life that were literally dead,
before his own death, and at his own re-
furre ction • So that what he here fays a-
bout raifmg the dead, and in ver. 27. a-
bout executing judgment, feems evident
ly to refer to the power which he then
was beginning to exercife in the admini
ftration of his Mngdotil in.this world; be«

neral refurrection and judgment at the
laft day, which are fpoken of ver. 28, 29.;
(fee the note on ver. 21.) and becaufe it
was prophefied, that the Meffiah fiould
execute judgment and juftice in the earth,
and that, in his days Judah Jliould be fa
ved, Sec. and -he fhould be called, THE
LORD OUR, RIGHTEOUSNESS, Jer.
xxiii. 5, 6.
f Some judicious expofitors think, that
the Father's giving to the Son to have
life in himfelf, relates to the eternal and -
inconceivable generation of the Son, by
which

Chap. v. John paraphrafed. 325
cution of his office, he fliall have this life in himfelf,
with authority to communicate life to others, in rai-
fing thepi from the dead, by. his own fund of quick
ening power, which is inherent in himfelf.
27 And hath gi- 27 The Father has likewife committed a judicial
to "execute1 judg- Power to him, in his office-capacity, to fave his favou-
ment alfo, becaufe ntes from wrath, and execute righteous vengeance
he is the Son of on his enemies, (Jer. xxiii. 5, 6.) becaufe, being the
man- Son of God, he condefcended to take upon him hu
man nature, that he might bear and difcharge the of-'
fice of the Meffiah, for the falvation of thofe that re
ceive him, and for the deftruftion of thofe that rejeft
him ; and fo men might live or die, and be juftified
or condemned by the authority of one, who partakes
of their own nature, as he is the Son of man.
at * this^for the 2§' 29 Let ^ "0t be thoUSht ftrange bY anY of
hourtisScomi>ng,tin 7°"' that. I fPeak of the Son's doi"g the 'things be-
the which all that fore-mentioried very quickly, in the adminiftration of
are in the graves his kingdom on earth : For I will tell you of ftill
lhall hear his- voice, much greater and more furprifing things of this kind,
come forth the" which he wIU do at the end of the world- The Sreat
that have' done daY 's coming, when all the individuals of mankind,
good, unto the re- who now are, or by that time will be dead and buri-
lurrection of life ; ed, fhall hear his powerful and awful voice to raife
and they tl,at have- them Qut of thdr and b • fa b fon, hj
done evil, unto ... r n° ' 11,1 1 ,1 m
the refurrection of -juugment-feat : 1 hen aft the good and holy, that fhall
damnation.' ' be found to have proved the fincerity of their faith
by their works, fliall be quickened by his Spirit, as
the Head of the body, and ffiall be adjudged to a glo
rious and bleffed ftate of immortal life ; and all that
1 ¦'¦' - fhall have .perlifted in their fins, and lived and died
workers of iniquity, fhall be raifed by his power, as
Lord of all, and fjhall receive a dreadful fentence of
condemnation, to their utter and everlafting ruin.
30 I can of mine ^0 The fum therefore of what I infift upon, in
own e. do no- my defence agaipft your accufation, is this*, I am
U"S: that
NOTES.
which the fame perfection of life was ne- (ver. 19.) buf of what he had faid in the
ceffarily communicated tohim, as is in the immediately foregoing verfe, about the
Father himfelf: But others underftand it Son's quickening the dead, in the admi-
-of an economical communication of life niftration of his kingdom; and becaufe it
to the Son, as man and Mediator, found- feems to me that his being the Son of man
-ed upon, and anfwerable to, his original is added at the clofe of the next verfe,
participation of the fame divine life with (ver. 27.) as the reafon of both thefe do-
the Father. And I rather incline to the nations.
laft of thefe .fenfes, becaufe of the clofe * Dr. Clarke obferves, that the fame
connection there is between this and words are repeated here which began the
what is faid in the following verfe, about difcourfe ver. 19. There they ate ou Sv-
the Father's giving him authority to exe- ^a7ai 0 vior &<auv up' iavluu oufiv, the Son
. cute judgment, both of which are brought can do nothing of himfelf; and here they
in as proofs, not of what our Lord had are, eu Sv*dp.ut tyu -stoiei.- aw tpavhv
faid about his doing all things in the ovftr, I can of mine ownf elf do nothing,
fame manner that the Father d,oes them, which fhews that our 'Lord here re-
VoL, II. U U funie6>

3^6 The Evangelift Chap. v.
thing : as I hear I that Son of God, who, Is partaker of the feme divine
judge : and my nature and perfeftions, with the Father, and has ta-
Efel feeiTnot ken uP°n him th'e °$Ce of the Meffiah to do thofe
mine own will, but gr3at things which none but fuch a Son of the Fa-
the will of the Fa- ther could pqffibhy perform ; and therefore I can do
ther which hath nothing of myfelf feparately from, much lefs in con
fent me. trariety to him : But, according to what I am origi
nally and perfeftly * acquainted with as his Sou, and
according to the inftruftions which I receive from
him as the Meffiah ; fo I proceed in the adminiftra
tion of all the affairs of my kingdom, both in this^
world, and in that' which is to come: Whatfoever
therefore I do, cannot but be right and juft, becaufe
I therein neither aim at, nor purfue any private will
of my own, different from, much lefs in oppofition
to that of my Father ; but have the ffrifteft regard
in every thing to what is entirely agreeable to his mind
and will, and to the commiffion, for the difcharge
of which he has fent me into the world.
31 If I bear wit- ^1 I indeed readily acknowledge, that, if I only
fiels.ot myfeff, my ^gfem thefe thing's concerning myfelf, and Can pro-
witneis is not true. , , P. r ° ' „. ,f -
duce no credentials to lupport my teftimony, this a-
Ione is not a fufficient proof of its truth, according to
the ufual courfe of men's judging ; and therefore I
will not reft the matter here, but proceed to other
evidence.
32 There is ano- 32 There is another perfon, even j- John the Bap-
ther that beareth ifi^ y,.fo exprefsly faid concerning me, This is the
rknow^t the Son of God ; (chap. i. 34.) and I know that his
witnefs which he teftimony is certainly true, and dare appeal to it as
witneffeth of me fuch ; nor can ye yourfelves juftly objeft againft it,
is true. fince ye owned him to be a prophet, and fubmitted
to his baptifm under that charafter.
33 ¥e fent unto 33 Yea, fo high was your opinion of John, that,
John and he bare even wfon ye were met in council at Jerufalem, ye
trutk fent priefts and Levites with a folemn meffage to him,
to inquire who he was, as doubting whether he him
felf were not the Meffiah ; and he honeftly and plain
ly declared the truth, without favour or affeftion,
faying, That he was not the Chrift, but that I am
he who came after him, and am preferred before
him, becaufe, in my divine nature, / was before him.
(Chap. i. 19, — 30.)
34 But I receive 34 But I havj no need of being beholden to his,
not or
NOTE S.
fumes, and returns to the head of the dif- bore witnefs of Chrift, is meant God the
courfe. Father. But his witnefs is exprefsly men-
* Hearing is in this place put for the tioned ver. 37. ; and both the conftruc-
- molt intimate and exact knowledge of, a tion and connection of this fentence moft
thing. • . naturally lead us to underftand our Lord,.
I Seine fugpofe tJiatby-thisofJ«-, w-ho as, here lpeaking of Joh?i the Baptift.

Chap. v.
not teftimony from
man : but thefe
things- 1 fay, that
ye might be fa
ved.

35 He was a
.burning and a Ali
ning light : and
ye were willing
for » feafon to re
joice in his light.

John paraphrafed.

327

36 But I have
greater witnefs
than that of John :
for the works which
the Father hath
given me to finifh,
the fame works
that I do, bear wit
nefs of me, that the
Father hath feat

37 And the Fa
ther himfelf which
hath fent me, hath
borne witnefs of
rne. Ye have nei
ther heard his
voice at a^y time,
nor feen his fiiape.

or any man's teftimony whatfoevei-, to eftabliffi my
divine and mediatorial charafters, having ftill higher
evidence to produce : Neverthelefs, I am willing to
remind- you of what John faid Concerning me, not
for mine own fakt, but for yours, in condefcenfion
to your weakneffes and infirmities, that I might rea
fon with you upon your own principles, and that no
proper means might be omitted for your- conviftion
and falvation. <
$5 Though John the Baptifi was not (to (pas,
chap. i. 8.) that true light, which was to come into
the world, to enlighten the Gentiles, a,:d to be the glo
ry of Ifrael, (Luke ii. 32.) but was only (a An^'ws)
a lamp, or fubotdinate light ; yet he was really a
great man, full of holy zeal and wifdom in his doc
trine and life, which were admirably fuited, under
the influence of divine grace, to warm the heart, and
enlighten the mind : And ye were fo affefted with
them, atliis firft appearing among you, that, for a
little while, ye efteemed and received him as an emi
nent prophet, and were even in a tranfport of wonder
and joy at what ye few in him, and heard from him,
till he came to reprove you fharply for your fins, and
to give a plain teftimony to me ; then indeed your
language was,- he has a devil. (Luke vii. 33.)
36 But I have ftill much more clear and unexcep
tionable teftimonies to produce than that of John :
For the evident miracles, which I have begun already
to perform among you, and the ftill greater works,
which I have lold you I am commiffioned by my Fa
ther, and fhall go on to do, till I have perfefted all
that belongs to my office ; thefe wonderful works
themfelves, which I myfelf do by my own power,
are fo great, fo good, and holy, and fo undeniably
divine, as to carry plain credentials of my being, in
the higheft fenfe, the Son of the Father, and the
true Meffiah, whom he has fent into the world.
37 Yea, to advance yet further, God the Father
himfelf, whofe Son I am, and from whom I have
my office-power, has direftly bore witnefs to me, by
the heaven's opening, and the Spirit's defending
like a dove and lighting upon me, and bv an audible
voice immediately from heaven at my baptifm, faying,
This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleaf"d.
(Matth. iii. 16, 17.) That was a very extraordina
ry teftimony to me, fuch as fuits your own defire of
a fign from heaven ; and none of your nation, .how
highly foever ye have been favoured of God, have at
any time before heard the Father himfelf fpeak with
U u 2 an

328 The Evangelift Chap. vJ
an audible voice, or ever feen a vifible appearance *
of his glory. ,
38 And ye have 3g And though he has now given teftimony to
not his word abi- mein tbjs ;mme<i;ate manner, as well as formerly by
ding in you ; for .. , . , . ,. ., ci_r
whom he hath fent, hls prophets ; jet his word, in either of thefe ways
him ye believe not. of delivering it, makes no lafting imprefficrn upon
you, to engage your faith in me : For, after all, ye
will not believe in me, who am thus plainly proved
to be fent of the Father.
39 Search the 3c, Ye Jew's profefs \ to fearch the fecret writings
fcriptures: for in' of infpired men, and are indeed often converfant with
them ye think ye , r , , . . . r c -r
have eternal life,: them, as they are read in your iynagogues every bab-
and they are they bath-day, as manywof you get fome portions of them
which teftify of by heart, and as they are ftudied by your learned
me- rabbies to put their own gloffes upon them : But
, carefully examine them again, read and fearch them
to the very bottom, and impartially obferve what
they fay, that ye may underftand the mind and will
of God in them, which concerns every one of you,
whether learned or unlearned. , I appeal to thefe au
thentic records, and ye cannot juftly refufe this ap
peal ; for ye yourfelves apprehend and'profefs to be
lieve, that in them is contained the true doftrine of
eternal life ; yea, fo high is your opinion of them,
as to think, according to a prevailing corrupt notion
among you, that he, who has the words of the law,
is fafe for heaven : Now thefe very fcriptures are my
witneffes ; they, in their types, promifes, and pro-
- phecies, point to me, and fay the, very fame things, in
effeft, that 1 have faid of myfelf, and that my .Fa
ther has faid by a voice from heaven, concerning me.
43 And ye will ' 40 And, notwithftanding all this evidence, your
not come to me, pj-J^g an(j prejudices, carnality and wilful obftinacy,
that ye might have r r \ -V , . .„ ' : , '
jjf - - are fo great, that ye wiff not receive, appfy to, or
truft in me, that ye might have pardon and peace,
life and bleffednefs, and all falvation by me, in whom
alone it is to be found.
4t I receive not 41 I neither need, nor have, nor feek after the
honour from men. applaufe 0f mcn . nor do 1 aSe& that external pomp and
NOTES.
* EiJof reniei-eiijhape, fignifies an ap- and appearances of God, under the Old
pearifnce or reprefentation. And as ma- Teftament, were not of the Father, but
ny of the Jews heard the Father's voice, of the Son, as prefages o'f his incarna-
and faw the vifible reprefentation he tion : Otherwife it could not be faid that
made at Chrift's baptifm ; and, as after the Jews had never before heard the
this, they heard a voice to him from hea- Father's voice at any time, nor feen his
ven, (chap. xii. 28, 29.) what is here appearance in a vifible reprefentatioii
feid feems to relate, not to thefe parti- made by him. y
cular perfons, but to the nation of the \ Efsunait may be rendered either in-
Jews ; and ftrongly intimates that this dicatively, ye do fearch, or imperative-
was a peculiar privilege,' which none of ly, fearch ye the fcriptures, and I have
their anceftors were ever favoured with ; taken in both fenfes.
and, by confequence, that all the voices

Chap. v.

John paraphrafed.

329

42 But I know
you, that ye have
not the love of God
in you.

43

am come
Father's
name, and ye re
ceive me not : if
another fhall come
in his own name,
him ye will re
ceive.

and grandeur which ye look for your Meffiah to ap
pear in : My only aim is to advance the glory of God
in the falvation of his people.
42 But this is fo far from recommending me to
you, that, on the other hand, it i? a ftrong preju
dice in your minds againft me : For how plaufible
foever your pretences of piety may be, to the decei
ving of yourfelves and others, I can fee into your
very hearts, and I well know, that ye have no fincere
affeftion to God and godlinefs ; but that the love of
this world is predominant in you, and that therefore
ye rejeft me.
43 I am come to you with a commiffion from my
heavenly Father, to promote his glory, and a fpiritual
falvation from fin and wrath, and have produced fe
veral unexceptionable witneffes, to eftabliffi my divine
and office-charafters ; and yet becaufe I oppofe your
vices, and do not appear with worldly pomp, nor
give you expeftations of fecular riches, honour, and
power, ye will not believe in me : But if, on the
contrary, any falfe prophets, or falfe chrift's arife,
and do not remonftrate againft your fins, but fet up
with high pretences of delivering you from the Ro
man yoke, and of aggrandizing you in the world,
though they bring no credentials from God of their
afting by his authority, ye would readily entertain
and follow them *.
44 How then is it poffible that, with this carnal
ceive honour one of ^mper of mind> Ye ^mld beh'eve in me, whofe king-
another, and feek dom is not of this world, who make po magnificent
not the honour that appearances or pretences, but am defpifed of men,
and teach the moft felf-denying doftrines ? your cor
rupt hearts can never receive me, while ye are full
of worldly ambition, extremely fond of the applaufes
of men, and will pay no honour to any but thofe
from whom ye expeft to receive it again, and while
ye have no value or concern for the fpiritual, fub-
ftantial, and eternal honours, which God alone can,
and will put upon his favourites. -
45 But though, for your conviftion, I thus freely
charge thefe crimes upon your confciences in rejeft
ing me ; do not imagine that the defign of my com
ing into the world is to fpy out and aggravate your
Mofes, feults, and to lodge a plea againft you to my Fathei- fpr
T E.
fpoke of nothing but wars and triumphs
over, their enemies. Eufeb. I. 4. c. 6.
And fee Bifhop Kidder's Denionliration

44 How can ye
believe, which re

comethonly ?

from God

45 Do not think
that I will accufe
you to the Father :
(There is one that
accufeth you, even

N O
* Thus they followed Theudas, who
boafted himfelf to be fome body, and Ju
das of Galilee, who drew away much

people after him. (Acts v. 36. 37.) 'And of the Meffiah, Part I. p. 14. and Part
afterwards in the reign of Adrian the III. p. 166. and the places referred to in
Roman emperor, they -followed Barcho- Jofephus there.
c*b, who fet up for the Meffiah, and

33<>
Mofes, in whom ye
ye truft.

The Evangelift

Chap. v.

46 For had ye
believed Mofes, ye
would have belie
ved me : for he
wrote of me.

47 But.if ye be
lieve not his wri
tings, how fhall ye
believe my words ?

for tbem : Nor my direct and principal work lies in
the merciful, and not in the fevere way, in being an
advocate for, feftead of an accufer of mine enemies :
And indeed there is no occafion for my appearing a-
gainft you : For thefe is another that does this, e-
ven Mofes himfelf, in whom ye place your greateft
confidence, and by whofe law ye expeft to be faved :
This great prophet does already by his writings in
dite, and condemn you for your unbelief; and he
will be a terrible witnefs againft you, to your utter
confufion at the great day.
. ¦ 46 For notwithftanding all your boafts of Mofes,
and flickering yourfelves under his name, if ye had
really attended to, underftood, and heartily bebeved
his writings, ye could not but have received me, and
transferred your truft in him to me : For all the
types and figures in his law, and all the prophecies
which he recorded, evidently pointed to me, and arc
fulfilled in me.
47 But if ye will not give credit to, nor be con
vinced by what Mofes. himfelf has faid concerning
me, though ye have fo high an opinion of him, and
acknowledge- his writings to be of divine authority ;
how can it be fuppofed that ye fhould pay any regard
to what I fay, againft whom ye have the moft inve
terate prejudices, and whom ye treat with fovereign
contempt, and refolve to run down as an impoftor ?

RECOLLECTIONS.
Who, that waists to be healed of fpiritual difeafes, which are worfe than any that
can afflict the body, would not wait at" the pool of ordinances for fupernatural in
fluence to effeft the cure ! And how often does Chrift prevent the foul with his mer
cy, before it knows him '¦ His word is with power, and when once he fays, Thou
art made whole ; with what fatisfaftion may we yield the obedience to his com
mands, with regard to the Sabbath, and every thing elfe which he enables us to
perform, w hatfoever others may object againft it ; and how concerned fliould w£ be
to fin no more ! And O what a divine and fuitable Saviour is our bleffed Lord, who
is truly tjie Son of man, and yet with inconceivable peculiarity and dignity the Son
of God. ipoffeffed of the fame nature and effential perfections, and undivided in ope
ration v.ith the Father '. He knows, wills, and does all the very fame things, and
performs them with the fame divine power and fovereignty as the Father himfelf;
and ir, the. execution of his office, as Mediator, he acts like the abfolute Lord of
life »,nd death, whether natural, fpiritual, or eternal, quickens the dead, exercifes
an univerfal providence for the good of the Church, examines all caufes, and diftri-
but'es eternal rewards and puniflurients in foch a manner as none but God himfelf
co'uld be capable of : How evidently therefore are all divine honours, in the natilte
oV things, as well as by the Father's own demand, to be paid to his Son equally
f'vith himfelf! How faithful, as well as able, is Chrift to difcharge his high and im-
-portant commiffion, for the glory of God, and the falvation of all that come to him !
And fince his forerunner John the Baptifi, his own miraculous works, his heaven
ly Father, and Old Teftamcnt-prbphecies unite' in their atteftations to him ; what
furer ground can we have for putting our truft in him ? How] carefully lhould we
fearch the fcriptures, which contain all things neceffary to falvation, and particularly
tellify of him ! And yet, alas! how criminally blind and obftinate are finners hearts,
who, though they own the divine authority of the facred oracles, do not heartily believe

Chap,

vi. J ohn paraphraftd. 331

believe and approve of their pfaineft fenfe and meaning ; and who, though they fit
under a miniftry which is like a burnihg and fhining light.'are ftill as dark and cold
under it as ever, and only admire it for a feafon, without being changed by it! It
is unbelief that prevents the efficacy of God's word upon their fouls, fo that it does
not abide in them ; and their great rpifcarriage lies in their unwillingnefs to come
to Chrift forjife, and chufing rather to truft in the law, or any thing elfe, than in
him for falvation : And how many other fins doth unbelief include ! what- difaffec
tion to God, difregard to his word, prejudices againft the Redeemer, and readinefs
to give credit to any other rather than to him ; and what inordinate love to this
world, and preferrings of the applaufes of men, to the approbation of God, and, to
the honour that comes from him only! O dreadful accufation, that lies in the in
fpired writings now, and will be brought in the awful day of account againft un
believers, for this great and complicated fin ! But how happy is it to be enabled,
by the quickening Spirit, fo to hear and believe, as to pafs from death to life, and
never come into condemnation ! and-how wide and manifeft will the difference be
between the righteous and the wicked, when all muft come forth out of their
graves, fome to the refurreftion of life, and others to the refurrection of damnation :
O joyful day to the faint, and terribly day to the finner !

CHAP. VI.

Chrift's feeding five thoufand with jive loaves and two fmall fifhes,'
I, — 14. His walking upon the water of the fea, l c\ — d I . His
difcourfe with the people at Capernaum concerning himfelf, as the
bread of life, occafioned by tile miracle of the loaves, 22, — 59. His
difciples diffatisfaBion at this difcourfe, and his reproof of them for
it, 60, — 65. The apoftaey of many from him, and the adherence
of others to him on that occafion, 66, — 71.
Text. Paraphrase.
^FTER thefe a Great while after * the fore-mentioned miracle,
lngs Je us X A. an(j difeourfe relating to it, our bleffed Lord re-
went over the fea . . . ,-,/•/, 1 • <i-
of Galilee which Ured again into Galilee by water, making a coaiting
is the fea of Tibe- voyage on the' fea pf Galilee, which is alfo called the
rias- fea of Tiberias ; and he landed on the fame fide of
the lake, in a defert place, within the territories of
Bethfaida. (Luke ix. 10.):
2 And a great 2 And abundance of people, obferving which way
"edUlhim C became he fteered his courfe> A°cked after him, fome out of
they law his mira- curiofity to fee more of his miracles, and others in
cles which he did hope of getting a cure for themfelves, or their dif-
on them that were eafed frierjds, rather than from any deiire of inftruc-
difeafed. t;on by jjjs heavenly difeourfes ; they being geueral-
. ly influenced hereto, by what they had feen of the
wonderful cures he had wrought on fome diftem'pered
perfons. 3 And
NOTE.
* As thofe things paffed at the feaft fo our Evangelift paffes over the follow-
mentioned chap. v. <- this muft be a ing trariTactions of that year, which lad
great while afterwards, whatever that been recorded by the other Evangel, fis
feaft were ; and if; according to the note in Matth. v. — xiv. and Mark, ii — vi.
there, that was the paffover, this muft and Luke vi. — ix. chapters, fur t'ie or-
!be neat a year after it; (ver. 40.) And der cf which confult the Harmoniits.

33^
3 And:- ' Jefus
went up -into
a mountain, and
there he fat with
his difciples.

4 And the [iiafs-
over, a feaft of the
Jews, was nigh.

5 When Jefus
then lift up his
eyes, and faw
a great company
come unto him, he
faith unto Philip,
Whence foall we
buy bread, that
thefe may eat.

6 (And this he
faid to prove him :
for he himfelf
knew what he
would do.)
7 Philip anfwer
ed him, Two hun
dred pennyworth
of bread is not fuf
ficient for them,
that every one of
them may take a
little, i

.8 One of his dif
ciples, Andrew, Si
mon Peter's bro
ther, faith unto
him, 9' There is a lad
here, which hath
five barley-loaves,
and two fmall filli
es r but what are
they among fo ma
ny ? '
10 And Jefus
faid. Make trie
men fit down.
Now there was
much grafs in the
place.

The Evangelift

Chap. vi.

3 And Jefus, feeing them gather about him, went
up with his difeiples to a neighbouring mountain ;
where, as the Jewifh doftors ufed to fit when they
preached, he fet himfelf down on the rifing ground, „
to fpeak to them of the kingdom of God, and healed
them that needed healing. (Luke ix. 11.)
4 And as the paffover, one of their moft folemn
feafts, was then near at hand, the multitude was the
greater, becaufe the people on that occafion were ge
nerally travelling from all parts to Jerufalem.
5 When therefore our Lord obferved the vaft num
ber of people that came after him, and the difciples
bad defired him to difmifs them, in order to their get
ting fome refrefhment, which could not be expefted
in that defert place, he had compaffion upon them,
but told his difciples that there was no neceffity of
fending them away on that account ; (Mat. xiv 15,
16.) and then turning to Philip, who was an inha
bitant of Bethfaida, (chap. i. 44.) he allied him
how, or by what means, provifion might be made to
fuffice fo great a company.
6 Jefus put this queftion to him, not as one at a
lofs what to do ; for thus he had abeady determined
in himfelf; but only for the trial of Philip's and the
other apoftles faith, about his own miraculoufly feed
ing them.
7 But they were fo far from having any expefta
tion of this kind, that even Philip, who had been
with him, -and feen his miracfes from the beginning,
inftead of faying, Lord, thou canft eafily furnifli a
table in the wildernefs, replied,. It will be impracti
cable for them to be fed here : For it would coft more
than we can be fuppofed to have with us, to buy a
fufficient quantity of food,' fo much as to ftay the
ftpmachs of fo -great a company as this ; two hundred
pence would go but a little way toward it. (See
the note on Mark vi. 37.) -.
f>, 9 Then another of the apoftles, viz. Andrew,
the brother of Simon Peter, gave Chrift ah account,
that they had only five loaves of barley-bread, and
two fmall fifties in the cuftody of a youth, who was
with them : But alas ! faid he, what will thefe do
toward feeding fuch a vaft multitude ? It would be
only baulking their expeftations to offer a diftribu-
tion of fo fmall a pittance among them all.
10 However, our Lord defigning, to work a mira
cle for their relief, commanded his difeiples to order
the people to fit down on the ground, it being well
covered with grafs : Accordingly the difciples, with
out any further difputing, obeyed the word of com
mand, in hopes of feme good event j and the people,
following

Chap. vi.
place. So the men
fat down, in num
ber about five thou
fand. 1 1 And Jefus
took the ioaves,
and when he had
given thanks, he
diftributed to the
difciples, and the
difciples to them
that were fet
down ; and like-
wife of the fifties,
as much as ,they
would.

it When they
were filled, he faid
unto his difciples,
Gather up the
fragments that re
main, that nothing
be loft.

13 Therefore
they gathered
them, together, and
filled twelve baf
kets with the
fragments of the
five barley-loaves,
which remained o-
ver and above un
to them that had
eaten. 14 Then thofe
men, when they
had feen the mira
cle that Jefus did,
faid, This' is of a
truth that Prophet
that fhould come
into the world.

1 5 When Jefus
therefore percei
ved that they
would come and
take him by force,
to make him a
king,
Vol. II.

John paraphrafed. 333
following their directions-, placed themfelves in feve
ral ranks, by hundreds and fifties, to the amount of
five thoufand men. (See the note on Mark vi. 40.)
1 1 Then our bleffed Saviour took bread and fifh
into his hands, to intimate that he defigned to feed
the multitude with them; and, having in a folemn
manner (as he was wont to do at his meals; fetting
us an example) acknowledged God as the author of
all mercies, and begged his bleffing on the food for
the nourifliment of thofe that were to partake of it,
(fee the note on Matth. xiv. 19.) he divided the
bread and the fifh into pieces, and delivered them
into the hands of his apoftles, who, by hisi order,
diftributed them to the feveral ranks of the people, as
they fat on the grafs ; and the quantity was fo ex
ceedingly increafed by his miraculous power, that e- '
very one eat till he was fully fatisfied.
12 And to fhew that there was enough and to
fpare ; when none of the company could eat any
more, he ordered his difciples to gather together the
broken remains of the bread and fifh, that there might
be no wafte of the food, though it coft them nothing,
and that they might learn frugality in the midft of
plenty, and not fquander away the bounties of Pro
vidence, in hopes of hving upon repeated miracles
without neceffity.
1 3 Accordingly, in obedience to his word, they
chearfully fet themfelves to pick up the fcraps of
bread and fifh, (Mark vi. 43.) that remained, after
the multitude had eat to the fatisfaftion of the utmoft
cravings of their appetites ; and the overplus was fo
great, that it filled twelve bafkets, every difciple, ha
ving orie for after-ufe, and therein an abiding proof
that the increafed quantity was real bread and fifh.
(See rhe note on Matth. xiv. 20.)
14 This was fo plain and undeniable a miracle,
which the whole multitude faw, and of which they
fhared the benefit; that it carried a conviftion to their
minds and confciences of Chrift's wonderful power,
and even forced them to cry out, He who has thus'
amazingly fed us, certainly is the true Meffiah, who,
according to ancient prophecies, they expefted would
appear in the world about this time, and that, as
they thought, for the deliverance of Ijrael from all
their enemies round about them.
15 When therefore Jefus obferved that, accord
ing to their grofs and carnal notions about the Mef
fiah, as a temporal prince, they were entering into a
confederacy to fet him up, and proclaim him for
their King, and even to .attempt, in a violent man
ner, to oblige him to take that charafter upon him-
' X x felf,

334 fbt Evangelift Chap. vi.
Ring, he departed felf, he got out of their way * : For having firft or-
again into a moun- dereil his difciples to embark, and go back over the
tarn himfelf alone. fca of QalUee towaxd-B.elhfaida, (Mark vi. 45, 46.)
left- they fhould join with the multitude, and encou
rage them in thefe temporal views, he went up the
mountain again, to fpend fome time alone in prayer.
1 5 And when 16, 17 And ft was juft about the fhutting in of
even was now ^e evening, when the difeiples went to the fhore,
went' down' unto and t0°k boat to Pal"s over the lake toward Caper-
the fea. naum, which lay not far from Bethfaida : After this
17 And enter- it fooji became dark, and Jefus was_ not 4rhen come
ed into a fhip, to them ; but, defigning a trial of their faith, he-
fea towa'rdTa «! continued ftill for fome time in his retirement on the
naum : and it was mountain.
now dark, and Je- 1 8 In the mean while there was a very great fea,
fus was not come by means of a ftorm of wind, which beat againft them,
to them. and blew with fuch exceeding; fury, that there was
IS And the fea . ,, , ° J r 1 •
arofe by reafon of extreme danger, m au human appearance, ot their
a great wind that being utterly loft.
blew. ig In this condition they worked hard with their
h '/ S.° W jen bhey oars> (Mark, vi, 48.) till the fourth watch, which
five and twenty was a good while after midnight ; (fee the note on
or thirty farlongs, Matth . xiv. 25.) and in all that time they had
they fee jefus.walk- reached no further than about a league, or a little
ing on the fea, and more, it being by computation about twenty-five or
thTm?f-nandthet0 thirty furlongs : And then, in the midft of their dif-
were afraid. trefs, they few Jefus walking upon the furface of
the water, as if it had been dry land, and making up
toward their veffel, to which he was coming in his
great compaffion to fave them ; but as they could
not diftinftly difcern him, through the hurry of their
own minds, and for want of more light, they imagin
ed that it was an apparition ; which made them cry
out for fear, left fome, evil fpirit were come to finjfh
their deftruftion.
10 But he faith 20' But he foon took pity upon them, and difco-
unto them, It is I ; vered himfelf to them, faying, with his ufual voice,
be not afraid. and tendernefs toward them,, It is I, -your Lord and'
Mafter, who am here, and not any evil fpirit, as ye
fuppofe ; do not frighten yourfelves as if mifchief
would befal you ; all is fafe and well ; I am come
for your deliverance.
, 21 Then they 2I Then they, being fatisfied that it was Jefus,
hm'^to theCfoIed d'fr"^ their fears, and gladly took him into the
and '"immediately boat> "> confidence that all tlieir danger was over,
tbe and that they fhould foon. reach- the fhore, now they had
NOTE.
* Their prefent inducements to this, thought him capable of maintaining the
attempt feem to have been, that they greateft army, that fhould lift under him,
thought themfelves to be a fufficient by miracles, without any charges : But
number for him- to. begin with, and he. perceiving this withdrew.

Chap.

vi.

Jo im paraphrafed.

335

the fhip was at the had got him with them : And fo it proved ; for in
land whither they mediately the ftorm ceafed, (Matth. xiv. 3.2 .J and
they arrived fafe in the veffel to the place they were
bound for.
12 The dayfol- 22 The next morning many of the people on the
lowing, when the other fide of the lake returned; and, being ftill in-
people which ftood . r . , . r , • , • , ° ,-,¦
on the other fide oT tetlt on luting him up for their king, they dihgent-
the fea faw that ly fearched after him in all the places thereabout ;
there was none and, not finding him, wondered what was become
f thCr that ^T °f him : For they had obferved» ~that> when the dif-
whereunto his dif! clP'es t0°k water in the evening, there was then no
ciples were enter- other boat befides that in which they went, and that
ed, and that Jefus they put off alone, Jefus himfelf not going along
went not with his w;th them.
difeiples into the However, they afterwards found feveral otherr
boat, but that his , •> . . . ' ' r __., . ,
difciples were gone boats, which came that morning from I werias, and
away alone ; arrived in the neighbourhood of that place, where,
22 (Howbeit the day before, they had been miraculduily fed, the
there came other Lord jefus harf firft accord;ns t0 his relifrious
tioatstromTibenas, „ J , , 1 rr 1 r , r o-r
nigh unto the place Cuftom, craved a bfeffing upon the food to fanftify
where they did eat it for their ufe. (Ver. n.)
bread, after that 24 When the people had fought for Jefus in vain
t^k°srdhad Siven on that fide of the lake, and could find neither him
24 When the nor ^s difciples there, they fufpefted that, by fome
people therefore means or other, though they knew not how, he
faw that Jefus was might be gone to Capernaum; towards which they
not there, neither faw the difciples fleered their courfe over night, and
alfo took foippfog! which was his ufual headquarters. And .therefore,
and came to Ca- being eagerly defirous to fee him again, they refolved
pernaum feeking to go by water in thefe boats to that city, and fee
foe Jefus. whether they could not meet with him there.
z5 And when And findin? h;m as f00n EB they landed 0„.
they had found him , -" r i_ n 1 r -r j 1 ¦ t
on Ae other fide of that part ot the fhore, they were furpnfed to think
the fea, they faid how he got thither, it being unlikely that, in fo
unto him. Rabbi, fhort a time, he could take fuch a large compafs as
to walk it by land, and there being no other boat
the night before, but that in which the difciples went
without him : And therefore they faid to him, Mafter,
when, or by what poffible means, was it, that you got
hither fo foon before us * ?
26 Our Lord made no reply to their curious quef
tion ; but knowing the corrupt defign of their hearts
in following him, took occafion to divert the dif
courfe to a more fuitable and important fubjeft, fay
ing, I, the Amen, the faithful and true Witnefs,
affure you, that I am no ftranger to the true reafon
caufe ye dKl eattf of your thUs earneftly feeking after me : It is not be-
X x 2 caufe
NOTE.
* It feems by what is faid ver. 59. that they found him in the fynagogue,
whither he ufed to refort wherever he went, and where it was moft likely for
them to meet with him.

when cameft thou'

26 Jefus anfwer
ed them, and faid,
Verily, verily, I
fay unto you, Ye
feek me, not be
caufe ye faw the
miracles, but be-

33^

The Evangelift

Chap. vi.

the loaves,
were filled:

and

7.7 labour not
for the meat which
perifheth, but for
that meat which
endureth unto'e ver-
lafting life, which
the Son of man
fhall give unto
you : for him hath
God the Father
fealed.

, 28 Then faid
they unto him.
What fhall we do,
that we might
work the works of
God? - -

29 Jefus anfwer
ed, and faid unto
them. This is the
work of God, that
ye believe on him
¦whom he hath
lent.

¦ 30 They faid
therefore unto
him, What fign
ihcwefl thou then,
that we may fee
and believe thee ?
what doft ' thou
v.ork ?

Caufe ye are fo convinced by my miracles, ,and par
ticularly hy that which ye yefterday faw me perform,
as to believe in me for eternal life ; but it is only be
caufe I gave you a full meal to refrefh youj without
any coft or charge, which raifed your carnal expefta
tions of fome further temporal advantages from me.
27 Take heed therefore that your chief folicitude
and care, concern and labour, be not tbus eagerly laid
out to obtain refrefhment for. your mortal bodies, or
any worldly benefits, which are infufiicient for your
true happinefs, and in a bttle time muft perifh toge
ther with your bodies themfelves : But let your go
verning aimsr inquiries, and pains, be for the fpiritual
food of your immortal fouls, and for the bleffings that
pertain to eternal life, and will make you happy for
ever, which I, the Meffiah, will freely give to every
one of you that belieyes in me : For this is the great
end for which I am come, and for which God my Fa
ther has fo manifeftly authorized me, by his teftimo
ny from heaven, by the vifible defcent of his Spirit
upon me, and by concurring with me in the many un
queftionable miracles, which I perform to confirm my
commiffion from him.
28 Hereupon the people, fome in a way of con
tempt, and others of more ferious inquiry, faid to him,
Pray, what are we to do to obtain that fort of bread,
which you fpeak of labouring for ; or what works can
you tell us of, that are more acceptable to God, and
neceffary to eternal life, than thofe which he requires
of us in the law of Mofes, and which we think are
fufficient to fecure the divine favour, and our own e-
verlafting happinefs ?
29 Jefus in reply faid to them, The great and im
portant duty, which I am come to point out to you,
and which leads the way to all others, and is neceffa
ry to the acceptance of your perfons, and of all your
obedience, and which therefore God commands, ap
proves, and is the author of, is this, That ye cordi
ally embrace, and yield yourfelves up by faith to me,
as the true Meffiah, according to the difcoveries
which I am come to make of myfelf, and of the way
of falvation by pie.
30 Then the people, being prejudifed againft him
for not anfwering their worldly expeftations, flighted
the many wonders he had wrought at Capernaum,
as well as the miracle of the loaves, which they ad
mired on the preceding day ; and expoftulated with
him, faying, Since you pretend to teach a better
doftrine than Mofes, and to fet up for the Meffiah ;
what divine token do you produce of your authority,
equal to that which he gave of his, that we, being eve-

Chap. vi.

31 Our fathers
did eat manna in
the defart ; as it
is written, He
gave them bread
from heaven to
eat.

32 Then Jefus
feid unto them,
Verily, verily, I
fay unto you, Mo
fes gave you not
that bread from
heaven ; but my
Father giveth you
the true breadfrom
heaven.

33 For the bread
of God is he which
cometh down from
heaven, and giveth
life unto the world.

John paraphrafed. 337
eye-witneffes of it, may be thereby induced to believe
you ? What extraordinary miracles do you perform
to fupport thefe high pretences ?
3 1 As for what you did yefterday in feeding five
thoufand of us, that was a very fmall matter compar
ed with Mofes's feeding a much greater number, e-
ven all our fathers in the wildernefs, with more ex
cellent food, according to what >is written; (Pfal.
lxxviii. 24, 2$.) He gave them, not foch mean fare
as barley-ioaves and fifties, but manna, the corn of
heaven, and they did eat angels food to the full ;
and that not for a day only, but for forty years to
gether : Give us therefore fome miraculous fign e-
q-ual to this, if you would have us forfake Mojes for
you. '
32 Jefus' replied, Since you mention that bread,
I, who am Truth itfelf, affure you, that the manna,.
which was given under the miniftration of Mofes, and
wliich indeed not he, but God * himfelf gave unto
your fathers, fell not from the higheft heavens, but
only from the clouds, or the region of the air, to
fupport their mortal lives for a feafon : But my Fa
ther, in fending me, freely give's thofe of you, who
by faith receive me, the moft excellent and impor
tant bread from the higheft heavens, from whence I
am come, for the fpiritual nourifliment of your fouls
unto everlafting life and bleffednefs.
33 For this, which was typified by the manna,
is, by ' way of eminence, that excellent and divine
provifion, which God himfelf has made for his fami
ly, and which he has fent down f from the heaven
of heavens, for the fpiritual life of an innumerable
jnultitude of perifhing finners, not merely of the
Jews, to whofe ufe the manna was confined, but of
the Gentiles alfo, (fee the note on chap. iii. 16.) .
and for nourifhing them up to eternal life, which is
infinitely preferable to this mortal life.
34 The Jews not underftanding Chrift's meaning,
but either grofsly apprehending that he fpoke literally
of fome extraordinary bread, or at beft having only
fome general and confufed notions that he intended
fomething which would fupply their worldly wants,
and make them exceeding happy, faid to him with
great
NOTES.
of himfelf ; yet he did not explain his
meaning by applying the metaphor of
bread particularly to himfelf, till the
people, in the next verfe, difcovered
their miftaken conceit, as if he fpoke of
fome material bread in a literal fenfe, or
at leaft their ignorance of what he real
ly meant.

34 Then faid
they unto him,
Lord, evermore
give us this bread.

* We do not find that Mofes had a-
ny concern in procuring the manna, or
that he fo much as prayed for it.

f O y.dla.Qaniiuv, he which comes down,
might in this place be better rendered,
that which comes down from heaven :
For though our Lord certainly meant it

VI.

33* The Etmngelift Chap.
great earneftnefs * and refpefts Lord, feed us conti
nually with this biread, which^has fuch wonderful
properties; and we fhall then readily own that you
excel even Mofes himfelf.
35 And Jefus faid 35 Jefus replied, Ye are much miftaken, If ye
unto them, I am think that I fpake of any extraordinary bread in a
the bread of life : j^j fenfe or of tmporil happinefs whatfoever :
he that cometh to - , ,' ¦.- r - r 11 • _ f  *l.»
me fliall never I onty took occalion from your following me tor the
hunger; and he loaves, and talking fo highly of the manna in the
that believeth on wildernefs, to reprefent myfelf, and the benefits I
me, fliall never befl-OWj under the figure of the moft excellent bread ;
and my plain meaning is, that I am of divine origi
nal; and am come down from heaven, in my incar
nation, to give fpiritual life to dead fouls, and to
nourifh them up in knowledge and grace, comfort
and holinefs, to eternal life f : So that whoever ap
plies by faith to me, and receives me into his heart,
fhall never perifh for want of neceffary and feafen
able refrefhment to his foul, as a needy man pines
and dies with corporal hunger or thirft.
36 But I faid 36 But alas ! I have already told you, (ver: 26.)
unto you, That ye that though ye have feen me, and the miracles which
alfo have feen me, j perform, and been forced to own them to be won- -
and believe not. derfm . ^ thr(Jugh the carnai;ty 0f your hearts,
ye are fo fond of worldly advantages, that you. will
not embrace or believe in me, when I fpeak of my
felf, as come to beftow all fpiritual bleffings unto
everiafting Hfe.
37 All that the 37 However, there are fome who will believe and
Father giveth me, be faved, even all whom the Father % by eternal a-
fhallcome to me; greement has given to me, as my charge, my pro-
and him that com- o » , c -x. r ru.il
eth to me, I will in P«ty, and my reward ; every one of thefe (haft cer-
no wife caft out. tainly be inclined and enabled to come by faith unto
me : And whoever he be, that, under a fenfe of his
guilt and unworthinefs, neceffity and danger, fhall be
take himfelf to me, and truft in me for all falvation,
how many and how aggravated foever his fins have
been, and how great foever bis difeouragements in
himfelf may be, I will on no account whatfoever re
jeft or refufe him ; but will readily embrace him, and
fhew
NOTES.
* Some have imagined that they faid 37th verfe, is the fame as believing in
this in a wayof derifion, as fuppofing that him : For the people were already come
what our bleffed Lord fpoke of was a ri- in a corporal manner to him ; and it
diculous conceit of fomething which was cannot be faid that the bleffings here
impoflible to be done. But by the re- promifed fhall be given to all that fo
fpectful way of their addreffing him, it come to him.
feems to me, with others, that they were 1 Here it is, all that the Father giveth
ferious, though very ignorant in this re- me ; and ver. 39. it is, all that he bath
quell, and that therefore in the follow- given me : The fenfe is the fame, and
ing verfes he fo Clearly explained his may intimate that the Father gave them
meaning in its reference to himfelf. to Chrift by an eternal act, which abides
t Coming to Chrift in this, and the and never ff\all be tevers'd.

Chap. vi.

38 For I came
down from heaven,
not to do mine own
will, but the will
of him that fent
me. 39 And this is
the Father's will
which hath fent
me, that of all
which he hath gi
ven me, I fhould
lofe nothing, but
fliould raife it up
again at the laft
day. 40 And this is
the will of him
that fent me, that
every one which
feeth the Son, and
believeth on him,
may have everlaft
ing life : and I will
raife him up at the
laft day.

41 The Jews
then murmured at
him, becaufe he
faid, I am the
bread which came
down from hea
ven.

42 And they
faid, Is not this Je
fus the fon of Jo
feph, whofe father
and mother we
know ? how is it
then that he faith,
1^ came down from
heaven ?

43 Jefus there
fore anfaered and
i.ud unto them,
Mujrmur

John paraphrafed.

339

fhew him all the mercy he needs for pardon and peace,
fauftification and final falvajion.
38 For I did not come from heaven into this low
er world at uncertainties, or to carry on any private
defign of my own, feparately from my Father : But
the very bufinefs, on which I am come, is punftually
to execute his will, who hath fent me to aft the part
of a Saviour.
39 And it is the refolution and good pleafure' of
my Father who fent me, that of all the numberlefs
perfons, whom he has entrufted to my care, I fhsuld
neither negleft, nor be deprived of any one of them,
nor lofs any part of them ; but fhould recover them
from all the ruins of their apoftaey, and - raife them
to a glorious immortality, at the confumtnation of
all things, that they may be completely happy in foul
and body for ever.
40 And as this is the fecret purpofe and delight
of my Father who fent me ; fo it is his revealed will,
which I am come to publifh, that all who, being con
vinced of their need of me, and of my fufficieiicy for
their help, look by faith to me, and depend upon
me, as the true Meffiah, for a whole falvation, fhall
be made partakers of eternal life : And I will cer
tainly accomplifh his will and word, by the work
ing of my mighty power, in railing up their mortal
bodies from the grave, and in putting their whole
perfons in full poffeffion of endlefs glory and bleffed
nefs at the fell day.
41 The Jews now plainly perceiving from this
explication, that by the bread, which came down
from heaven, Chrift meant himfelf, and his fpiritual
benefits, found themfelves utterly difappointed in their
worldly expeftations from him ; and, having no re-
lifh for fpiritual bleffings, they were difgufted and
cavilled at him, under pretence that he affumed an
extravagant honour to himfelf,! by afferting that he
came down from the higheft heavens, which could
be faid of no mere man whatfoever.
42 And to fupport their prejudices, they, taking
for granted that he was begotten and conceived like
other men, faid one to another by way of fcorn and
contempt, Is not this Jefus the fon of Jofeph, a poor
carpenter ? and are not we ourfelves acquainted with
both his father and mother, who have nothing extra
ordinary in them ? How then can he have t!»e face to
pretend to us, who fo well know his original on earth,.
that he defcended from heaven ?
43 Jefus therefore, knowing their peiverfe mifre-
prefentations and arguings among themfelves, anfwer
ed faying, All this is groundlefs cav.il, whi;h ye un-
v righteoufly

34° ,
Murmur not ' a-
mong yourfelves.

44 No man can
come to me, ex
cept the Father
which hath fent
me draw hira: and
I will raife him up
at the laft day.

The Evangelift

Chap. vi.

45 It is written
in the prophets,
And they fliall be
all taught of God.
Every man, there-
' fore, that hath
heard, and hath
learned of the Fa
ther, cometh unt6

46 Not that a-
ny man hath feen
the Father, fave
he which is of God,
he hath feen the
Father.

47 Verily, veri
ly, I fay unto you,
' He that believeth

righteoufly ftir up in one anothers minds, and turn in-
tq a prejudice againft me, as if, becaufe my reputed
father, and my real mother, according to the flefh,
are known to be mean perfons on earth, it> were im
poffible that I fhould have an higher original from
heaven. 44 The true reafon of your unbelief and murmur-
ings on this head} lies in the corruption of your own
hearts, which defpifes and oppofes fpiritual things,
and which nothing but a divine power can fubdue ;
and, as I faid before, that all whom the Father gi
veth me fhall come to me : (ver. 37.) So I now fur
ther tell you plainly, that no man whatfoever, in his
prefent ftate of degeneracy, is able to diveft himfelf of
the natural blindnefs, enmity, and carnality of his
heart, and favingly to believe in me, unlefs my hea
venly Father, who has fent me, perfuade and enable
him by his Spirit, to depend upon me for falvation,
in that way which I am come to reveal : And I will
take effeftual care of every one that is thus brought
to believe in me ; and, at the end of time, will cer
tainly raife up his mortal body to immortal life and
bleffednefs. 45 And what I am faying is, in effeft, the fame
that was foretold in the writings of the prophets, re
lating to the gofpel-church, where it is faid, (Ifa. liv.
13.) All thy children fhall be taught of the Lord,
and (Jer. xxxi. 33, 34.^ I will put my law in their
inward parts, and write it in their hearts ; for
they fhall all know me, from the leaft of them unto
the greateft, faith the Lord. This makes it evident,
that, all Sion's children, or thofe who are given to me
of the Father, muft be drawn by his efficacious illu
mination and influences, in order to their coming to
me ; and that every one, who not only hears and is
taught his will concerning me, by the miniftry of the
word, but is likewife under thefe internal drawings,
will certainly believe in me.
46 But do not miftake me, as if I would intimate
that any man hath feen, or can fee the Father him
felf, or is to expeft an immediate teaching from his
own perfon : This can be faid of none but the only
begotten Son, who is partaker of the divine nature :
(fee the note on chap. i. 18.) He indeed has a moft
intimate and perfeft acquaintance with the Father
himfelf, and, as lying in his bofom, knows his mind
and will immediately from himfelf ; and it is by the
Son and Spirit that the Father teaches others.
47 And, as he now fpeaks by me, I, who am
Truth itfelf, folemnly affure you, that whoever, as
a loft and perifhing finner, believes in pie, as the on-

Chap.

vi.

on me hath ever.
lading life.

48 I am that
bread of life..

49 Your fathers
did eat manna in
the wildernefs, and
arc-dead.

50 This is the
bread which Com
eth down from hea
ven, that a man
may eat thereof,
and not die.

51 I am the li
ving bread which
came down from
heaven : if any
man eat of this
bread, he fhall live
for ever : and the
bread that I will
give, is my flefli,
which I will give
for the life of the
world.

Vol. II.

John paraphrafed. 341
ly Saviour, is partaker of a life, which in its nature
is everlafting ; he has already the principle, begin
nings, and earnefts of eternal life, and has fuch a fore
title to it, that he fhall, in due time, as certainly en
joy it in all its perfection, as if he were already in full
poffeffion of it.
48 I therefore plainly tell you again, that I my
felf, in my office-charafter and benefits, am that true,
living, and life-giving bread, which I have been
fpeaking of; all the fprings of fpiritual life are in me,
and it is by virtue derived from me, that believers are
made alive to God in this world, and continue fo, till
they obtain everlafting life in the world to come.
49 As for the manna in the wildernefs, which, ye
fo highly magnified, what is that, when compared
with this living bread ? yodr anceftors were indeed
miraculoufly fed by it in a barren wildernefs ; but
what is become of them all ? they are long fince dead
like other men : It could not keep them always alive
upon earth ; nor was there any virtue in it to give
them life in another world : Nay, notwithftanding
their eating of it, many of them died, for their mur-
murings and unbelief, by an immediate ftroke of
God's wrath ; and few of them lived to enjoy the
promifed land.
50 But, on the contrary, the living bread, which
I declare myfelf to be, and which I have told you
came down from the higheft heaven itfelf, is of fuch
a divine and excellent nature, that whoever does what,
in the language of metaphor, may be called feeding
upon it, fhall efcape the wrath of God, and never die
the fecond death.
51 I am come down from heaven to be all that,
which I have been difcourfing of under the notion of
living bread : And as the body is nourifhed by the
food that is eaten ; fo whoever, with a fpiritual appe
tite, receives me into his heart by faith, his foul fhall
live in the beft fenfe, and never die ; and kis body,
though it die, fhall be raifed again to eternal life :
And ftill more particularly to inform you of what it
is in me and my performances,, that has this immor
tal virtue to a believer, I tell you it is my own body,
or human nature, which I, in a way of fpecial o-
peration, have affumed into perfonal union with my
divine nature, and which I will freely give up unto
the worft of deaths, for the redemption of thofe, who
have deferved, and expofed themfelves to it, that I
may bring fpiritual and eternal life to finners of this
loft world, including Gentiles as well as Jew!. (See
the note on chap. iii. 16.)
Y y 52 Though

342
52 ' The Jews
therefore flrove a-
mongft themfelveS(
faying, How can
this man give us
his fltfh to eat ?

The Evangelift

Chap. vi.

53 Then Jefus
faid unto them,
Verily, verily, I
fay unto you, Ex
cept ye eat the
flefli of the Son of
man, and drink his
blood, ye hare no
life in you.

54 Whsfo eat
eth my flefli, and
drinketh my blood,
hath eternal life,
and I will raife him
up at the laft day.

55 For my flefli
is meat indeed, and
my blood is drink
indeed.

56 He that eat-
rth my flefh, and
drinketh my blood,
dwelleth in me,
and I in him.

52 Though this way 'of Chrift's expreffing the be
nefits of his incarnation and death was evidently fi
gurative, according to the ufual and well-known ftile
of the eaftern nations ; and though what the Jews
had fuggefted about the manna naturally gave a fit
occafion for this manner of reprefenting them ; yet
they perverfely difputed, with great heat among
themfelves, againft it, ftill taking his words in a li
teral fenfe, and faying, by way of cavil and fcorn,
How is it poffible that this man's flefh fhould be eat--
eh like bread ; or that he fhould give it for us to
feed upon it ? This is monftrouily ridiculous and ab
furd ; and would be unnatural and favage to the laft
degree. 53 Then our bleffed Lord, knowing what a ftu-
pid and carnal turn they wilfully gave to his' words,
replied, What I have faid is fo far from being ridi
culous and abfurd, according to my declared mean
ing in it, that I, the faithful and true Witnefs, fo
lemnly affure you, unlefs in a moral and fpiritual fenfe
ye do that, which may be figuratively called eating
the flefli, and drinking the blood of the incarnate and
dying Redeemer, and unlefs ye be united to him by
faith, and made partakers of the virtue of his aton
ing death for the remiflion of fins, and the refrefh-
ment of your fouls, ye have no principle of fpiritual
life in you, nor any right or claim to eternal life, nor
ffiall ye ever enjoy it.
54 But, on the contrary, whoever by faith re
ceives me, who am come to redeem loft finners by
my fufferings in the flefh, and by fhedding my blood,
has already the principle and earnefts of, and a fure
title to eternal life ; and I will certainly bring him,
foul and body, to the foil poffeffion of it, at the con-
fummation of all things.
55 For my body, which fhall be broken, and my
blood, which fhall be fhed for the remiflion of fins,
have fuch virtue to procure reconciliation and accept
ance with God, together with fanftification and com-.
fort here, and eternal falvation hereafter, that who
ever by faith applies them to himfelf, and has com
munion with me therein, fliall find them to be the
beft of food and drink for the refrefhment of his foul,
in a much more fublime, effeftual, and eminent fenfe,
than his eating and drinking any corporal repafts can
be for the refrefhment of his mortal body.
56 This may be illuftrated in the following mau-
ner : As by eating and drinking material provifions,
they are digefted, incorporated, and become one with
the body, for the fupport and comfort of its prefent
frail life : So" he who by faith receives mc, together with

Chap. vi. John paraphrafed. 343
with the benefits of my death, into his heart, is there
by united with me, as a member of my myftical body;
I dwell in him by my Spirit, and he dwells in me by
faith, for all the purpofes of maintaining and nourifh-
ing his fpiritual life, till it fliall reach its utmoft per-
feftion in heaven.
57 As the fiving 57 So that as the Father, who has life in himfelf,
me^and^flvifb' kas given me commiffion, and I thereupon, in my
the' Father: fo he mediatorial charafter, have life* from him for the
that eateth me, e- execution of my office : In like manner I, who have
ven he (hall live alfo life in myfelf, will communicate fpiritual life to
^ me- thofe who by faith receive me, that they may live
with me for ever.
5S This is that 58 This therefore, upon the whole, is my mean-
bread which came feg ; J myfelf, in thefe •confiderations of me, am that
down from hea- tru£ d j^ bread wh;ch had j or;<,;nal in hea.
ven : not as your » ' - f> ....
fathers did eat ven> an0- defcended from thence, and with which the
manna, and are manna in the wildernefs is no more worthy to be
dead : he that eat- compared, in point of excellence, than a type and
eth of this bread, fhadow ;s w;th jts antitype and fubjlance : For when
fliall live tor ever. n 1-11 1 1 • 11-
your anceitors eat or that bread, their mortal lives on
ly were fuftained by it for a while, they being all long
fince dead; but every one who receives me by faith,
fhall have an immortal life, which being begun in
grace, fhall be maintained and cherifhed, till it be
perfefted in eternal glory f .
59 Thefe things 59 Thefe things, were- delivered, not to a feleft
faid he in the fy- eompany in private, but, according to Chrift's ufual
nagogue, as he cufl-om publicly in the fynasrogue, before all forts of
taught in Caper- , r ,, ' r, ji-i r
naiml. hearers at Capernaum., sites: he returned thither from
Y y 2 the
NOTES.
* Chrift's living by the Father feems to ternally of the Lord's fupper, are. certain-
relate to his life as man and mediator; ly faved. Befides, the Popifh docTrrine,
becaufe'it is here fpoken of as the confe- founded on this difcourfe, is very barba-
quence of his Father's fending him; and rous to the laity, whilft it denies them
a believer's living by him is reprefented the cup, which it calls the real blood of
as bearing an analogy to his living by the Chrifi ; for drinking his blood is here re-
Father, prefented to be as necefTary to eternal life,
} It appears from the whole of this as eating his fiefl). But to underftand
difcourfe, that the eating, here fpoken this in a proper and literal fenfe, is to
of, cannot relate to a facramental, much put as grofs a conflruciion upon Chrift's
lefs to a corporal and carnal eating and words, as the carnal Jews themfelves
drinking the real body and blood of Chrift, did, when they, faid, (ver. 52.) How can
according to the abfurd doctrine of tran- this man give us his fieflj to eat? And
fubftantiation: For thefe things were faid our bleffed Lord himfelf all along fhews,
a confiderable time (a year at leaft) be- that his difcourfe is to be taken in a fpi-
fore the Lord's fupper was inftituted, and ritual fenfe, and that eating and drinking,
were then fpoken of in the prefent tenfe, in this cafe, are of the fame import with
as neceffary to eternal life. But as it is coming to him, or believing irt him, (ver.
fliocking to fuppofe that all, who died 35.) Accordingly he tells us, (ver. 63.)
between this time and the inftitution of that to underftand his words literally,
that ordinance, were loft for ever ; fo it profiteth nothing; but that all their advan-
is an unreafocable and pernicious ftretch tage proceeds from the fpirit and life that
of charity to fuppofe that all, in every attend them, and are fignitied by them, or
fucceeding age, who eat and drank cx-i aie communicated! by their means.

344

The Evangelift

Chap. vi.

60 Many there
fore of his difci-
when ;they
heard tliis.
This is an
faying, who

,p!es, hadfaid,
hard

can hear it ?

61 When Jefus
knew in himfelf,
that his difciples
murmured at it, he
faid unto them,
Doth this offend
you ?
62 What and if
ye fhall fee the Son
of man afcend up
where he was be
fore ?

63 It is the fpi
rit that qnicken-
cth, the flefh pro-
fiteth nothing: the
words that I fpeak
unto you, they are
fpirit, and they are
life.

the wildernefs, where he had miraculoufly fed the mul
titude, that followed him to this city, becaufe they had
eat of the loaves , and were filled. (Ver. 26. )
.60 Now as he had a great number of difciples at
large, who often attended his miniftry, and made a
profeffion of his name '; fo many of them, whofe
hearts were not right with him, were highly offend
ed at what he had faid about his being the bread that
came down from heaven, and about the neceffity of
eating him, in order to their living by him : They
that ftill took thefe things in a literal fenfe, thought
it a monftrous and fevage doftrine ; they that took
them in a figurative fenfe, as Chrift explained them,
thought that he blafphemoufly affumed to himfelf a
divine original and operation ; and they that knew
not what conftruftion to put upon his words, thought
there was fomething fo myfterious in them, that no
man in his wits could receive them ; and fo they hea
vily complained, one to another, that he preached
fuch doftrine, as was not fit for any man to believe,
or even to hear.
61, 62 When Jefus, by his own divine omnifci-
ence, knew what fecret whifpering and difturbance his
words had occafioned among them ; he faid, Does
this ftumble you, and -hinder-your embracing me ?
there is no juft caufe of your being offended at it :
For, as to your prejudice againft what 1 faid about
my, coming down from heaven, fuppofe fome of you
fhould fee me, the Meffiah in human nature, afcend
locally into that holy place, where I had an exiftence
before my incarnation ; would not this be as ftrange
and unlikely a thing as my coming down from thence ?
And yet this, in a little time, fome here prefent fhall
be eye-witneffes of: Why then fhould ye be fo in-
cenfed againft me, for faying what is full as proba
ble, and eafy to be done as this, which will alfo be
a confirmation of that ?
63 And as to your other prejudice againft what I
faid about eating my flefh, and living by me, that is
to be underftood only in a fpiritual and not in a carnal
fenfe : For as in nature, only the foul and animal fpi
rits quickenjthe body ; fo in grace, it is only the opera
tion of the Spirit of God, that quickens fouls to a
fpiritual and eternal life ; and eating my flefli, in the
grofs and literal fenfe, were it practicable and proper,
would be of no manner of advantage for the life of
fouls : The words therefore, that I have been fpeak
ing, relate 'to fpiritual things, and are the means of
conveying the Holy Spirit, whofe influence, as the
fruit of my death and afcenfion to heaven, is effeftual
unto fpiritual and eternal life. 64 But

Chap. vi.
64 But there
are fome of you
that believe not.
For jefus- knew
from the begin
ning, who they
were that belie
ved not, and who
fliould betray him.

65 And he faid.
Therefore faid I
uhto you, that no
man can come un
to me, except it
were given unto
him of my Father.

66 From that
time many of his
difciples went
back, and walked
no more with him.

. 67 Then faid Je
fus unto the twelve,
Will ye alfo go a-
way ?

68 Then Simon
Peter anfwered
him, Lord, to
whom fliall we

John paraphrafed.

345

go

? thou haft the

wordslife.

of eternal

64 But I know that fome pf you, who profefs to
be my difciples, do not heartily believe in me, and
therefore are ready to cavil at my doftrine, and put
the moft abfurd and perverfe confirmation on my words.
And Jefus might well fay this ; for* he perfeftly
knew all along, from the very firft of their pretences
to own and follow him, whofe hearts were not right
with him, and which of the twelve apoftles themfelves
would not only prove to be infincere, but would like-
wife bafely betray him.
65 And, faid he, becaufe I knew that there were
falfe-hearted pretenders __ among you, therefore, for
your conviftion and caution, and fot diftinguifhing
real from nominal believers, I told you before, (ver.
44.) that no man can favingly believe in me, unlefs
my Father efficacioufly 'draw him by his Spirit, and
thereby give him ftrength and grace to enable him
to come to me, in a fpiritual manner, for everlafting
life. 66 Upon Chrift's repeating what he had feid be
fore about the abfolute neceffity of divine grace, and
that w'tfefuch a clofe application to them, who had
profeffed difeipfefhip to him, many of them were fo
flung and offended at it, that they immediately re
volted from him to the world, to their pharifaical
teachers, and to their own finful and felf-deceiving
ways ; and never more returned to attend on his mi
niftry, nor ever made any further profeffion of him.
67 On occafion of this great apoftaey among them,
our Lord, for the trial of the twelve apoftles faith,
and to give them a proper opportunity of profeffing
it, faid, in an affeftionate and moving manner to
them. See how many have forfaken me ! will ye al
fo follow their example? Tell me what are the
thoughts and purpofes of your hearts about this mat
ter ?
68 Then Simon Peter replied, in the name of the
reft, as in charity believing that they were ?of' the
fame mind with himfelf, Lord, whatfoever others do,
we dare not think of leaving thee : For to whom
fhould, or can we go, with fafety and advantage,
but, to thee ? Shall we go to the world ? that can ne
ver be a fatisfying portion to us : Shall we go to the
fervice of fin f that will certainly ruin us : Shall we
go to the fcribes and Pharifees ? they will miffead and
deceive us : Shall we go to any fchemes of our own,
or others framing for happinefs ? they will furely dif-
appoint us : Shall we go to Mofes, and truft in the
righteoufnefs of the law ? he could not help us, but
would fend us back to thee : Or fhall we go to John
the Baptifi ? he turned us over to thee : 'Tis thou, and

346 The Evangelift Chap. vi.
and thou only, that teacheft the true doftrine of e-
temal life, and art able and willing to give us Ufe, as
thou thyfelf haft told us in this difcourfe ; we there
fore are determined to cleave to thee.
69 And we be- 69 And from what we have already feen of thee,
Sieve; and are fure zn& heard, and learnt, and felt from thee, we firmly
*l>at thOu art ,hat believe, and are fully fatisfied, that thou art the true
fheU-ringGod? bread of life, even that promifed Meffiah, whom we
expefted, and that eternal Son of the only living and*
true God, who, as a divine perfon, cameft down from
heaven.
70 Jefus anfwer- 70 Hereupon our bleffed, Lord, to caution thefe
ed *hem. Have againft felf-confidence on account of this noble con-
twelve ^and one feffion of him> and againft being ftumbled, when af-
oFyou'is ^devil"? terwards one of their own number fhould prove a trai
tor to him, replied, Do not ye know that I, the Son
of God, have feparated and called you, my twelve a-
poftles, to bear witnefs to the truth of what ye have
now confeffed concerning me ? And yet even one of
you is ftill under the power of Satan, and will aft his
part in treacheroufly delivering me into the hand? of
mine enemies.
71 He fpake of 71 He hereby particularly meant Judas Ifcarioi,
Judas Ifcariot, the wfo was the fon of one Simon, though he did not
fon of Simon : for then think-proper to mention him by name : For he
he it was that . , 1 r , , • , , ¦ r 1
flioutd betray him, certainly knew that this wretch, being one 01 the
being one of the twelve apoftles, would, through the inftigation of the
twelve. devil, abufe his familiar acquaintance with his Lord,
by turning it into a means of betraying him.
RECOLLECTIONS.
What a wonderful and divine Saviour is our bleffed Lord, whom God the Father
has fealed 1 He is the eternal Son of the living God, who came originally from hea
ven, and having died in human nature upon earth, is gone back to heaven, and
lives there for ever. He fearches the fecrets of our hearts, and knows the moft pri
vate murmurings and tranfaftions of our fouls : His almighty power can multiply
«ur ftore for the body here, and raife it up to an immortal life hereafter ; and he,
who, like the great God of the univerfe, trode upon the waves of the fea, and turn
ed the ftorm into a calm, can eafily quiet a troubled foul, faying, It is I, be not a-
fraid. — Of how much greater importance is it, that we be partakers of fpiritual
bleffings to eternal life, which Chrift, as mediator, has all authority to beftow, and
will give to them that come by faith to him, than that we enjoy the beft of pe
rifhing things, pertaining to thefe mortal bodies '. And yet, alas! how much more
pains will men take for the meat that periflies, than for that which endures to e-
verlafting life ! And how backward are they to feek this better food, by that faith,
which, God requires, and gracioufiy works in all that obtain it: What excellent
and living bread is a crucified Jefus to miferable fouls : He, by his flefh and blood,
has purchafed the beft of life for them, and by his word and Spirit fpeaks it to them,
and feeds, comforts, and nourifhes them to eternal life. Who, that knows- any thing of
NOTE.
* God is here ftiled the living God, culiar eminence a-nd propriety, the Son
not to diftinguifh the nature of the Fa- of this living God, to intimate that he,
ther from that of the Son, but the nature as the Son, partakes of the fame diviife
of the true God from that of all falfe life and perfe&ions with his Father.
gods; and Chrift is called, by way of pe.

Chap. vii. John paraphrafed. 347
of his own wants, and of Chrift's worth, would not fay, Lord, evermore give us of
this bread ? How fhould we hunger and thirft after him, as perifhing creatures, that
need his falvation , and with what readinefs foould we receive him by faith, with
application to ourfelves, that we may live by him ! And O what rich encourage
ment have the worft of finners to believe in him, who is the Amen, the faithful
and true Witnefs, and has given the ftrongeft afiurances, that he will in no wife
caft out any that come to him ; but will give them the beginnings, earnefts, fore-
taftes, and fecurities of eternal life, will take care of them, and all their concerns,
and raife up their mortal bodies to a glorious immortality, equal to that of their
fouls, according to the will of his,heavenlyFather '. How unreafonable and perverfe
then are the prejudices and murmurings that finners harbour in their hearts againft
him ! 'Tis becaufe they entertain wrong and unworthy thoughts of his perfon and
offices, wifdom, power, and grace, and of the way of falvation by him, and prefer
earthly and carnal, to fpiritual and heavenly things : O how neceffary are God's
fpecial drawings, by the internal light and influence of his Spirit, as well as by his
word, to enable us to believe in Jefus to the faving of our fouls ! We fhall under
ftand fpiritual things in a carnal manner, and never get over the natural enmity of
our minds and hearts againft them, unlefs we hear and learn of the Father to come
to Chrift. But how many foever reject him througrMyilful unbelief, fome fliall be
brought to faving faith in him : His Father's gift of them to him foall never be re
voked ; his precious blood fhed for them fhall not be fpilt in vain ; his own and his
Father's heart are unitedly engaged to fecure their happinefs; they fhall be taught
of God, and come to his Son ; and none of them fliall be loft, but he will raife them
up at the laft day. Wherever elfe we feek for falvation, we fhall certainly fall .
fhort of it; and who knows what degrees of treachery and wickednefs they may be
fuffered to go into, who once begin to fbrfake him ? But the apoftaey of others
fliould be fo far from ftumbling us, that it fliould make us cleave the fafter unto-
him ; and when he fays to us, Will ye go away alfo ? we fhould fay to him, Lord,
f to whom fhall we go? thou haft the words of eternal life.

CHAP. VII.

Chrifi refufes to go with his kindred to Jierufalemj 1, — 9. Goes pri
vately afterwards, io, — 13. Preaches in the temple, and difcour-
fes with the Jews, in the midft of the f eafi of tabernacles, about his
doBrine, 14, — 18. About their charge of his breaking the Sab
bath, and going about to kill him on that account, 19, — 24. And
about himfelf, 25, — 36. His gracious invitation to finners, on the
laft day of the feaft, 37, — ^g. The different reception he met with,.
40, — 44. And the angry debates of the Pharifees about the officers
not apprehending him, 45, — 53.
Text. PARAPHRASE.
^FTER thefe A FTER the things mentioned in the foregoing
things Jefos /l difcourfe, our Lord flayed a confiderable time
lee : for he would *n Galilee, and travelled about from place to place,
not walk in Jew- preaching the gofpel, and doing good : For, the
ty, becaufe the feafon appointed of the Father for his death not be-
l-rTV fou^ht t0 ing yet come, he thought it imprudent to appear, as
he was wont, in Judea, becaufe the Jews there were
grown fo inveterate againft him, that they refolved
to take him off, as foon as poffible, either by popular
fury, or £y form of law.
a Now the Jews 2, 3 But, after a while, the Jewifh feaft of taber-
fcafl nacles drew near, which was inftituted, and continu ed

348

The Evangelift

Chap. vii.

feaft of ttberna- ed to be obferved, as a memorial of IJraelrs dwelling
cles was at hand. in tents in the wildernefs, and was one of the tbree
therefore feid un- Sreat feafts' at which aU the maleS *CTe obKSed> bY
to him, Depart God's command, to appear before him at Jerufalem:
hen re, and go in- .(Deut. xvi. 1 6.) Chrift's near kinfmen therefore,
to Judea, that thy (fee the note on Matth. xii. 46. ) obferving that he
fee'the works that delayed going to that folemnity, put him upon'it,
thou doft. faying, Now is your opportunity to make a figure in
the world ; ftay no longer in this poor, obfeure coun
try, but go to the more populous towns and cities of
Judea, and hafteri away to the great metropolis, that
by your preaching and wonderful works, you may
make converts of men of reputation and learning there,
and may encourage all your difciples, who at this
time are repairing from every part of the nation thi
ther, and will be ready at hand to favour any defigns
that you may fet on foot.
4. For there is 4 For no man, who underftands his own interefts,
no man that doth fs fe imprudent, as to do things in a private corner
any "JS in, - e" of the country, while, like you, he aims at gaining
felf feeketh to be a public reputation by them. If therefore you are
known openly : if able to do any extraordinary works, to eftablifh your
thou do thefe authority, as you profefs to do here in Galilee, your
ch1itngs' u"ieW ^y" w'feftr way is to perform them in the moft famous pla-
felt to the world. , ' , a 1 1 • r 1 r
ces, and on the molt public occalions, that men 01
note and fenfe, as well as the populace, may fee and
examine them, and be convinced by them.
5 But how plaufible and innocent foever this ad
vice of his relations might appear, it proceeded from
mean and unworthy thoughts of him : For they did
not believe him to be the true Meffiah, but fufpefted
that he only aimed at the applaufe of men, and at
fetting up for the head and ringleader of a party ;
and therefore they urged him in this manner to go to
Jerufalem, that he might be detefted by men of
greater penetration than themfelves.
6 Jefus (wv) therefore anfwered them, Ye are
much miftaken in your thoughts about me and my de
figns : As I know that many in Jerufalem are con
triving to take away my life, before the time is come
for me to refign it *. 'Tis not proper that I fhould
appear openly there at the beginning of the feaft, and
thereby needlefsly give them an opportunitity of con
certing meafures for my deftruftion : But it is other-
wife with you : Ye have nothing to fear from their
perfecutions,
NOTE.
* Some have thought that this might verfe about the world's hating him. as
likewife be meant of its not being his the reafon of his not going to Jerufalem
time yet for ieavihg. Galilee, becaufe of juft then, feems to favour the other in-
fome further work, which he had firft to terpretation rather than this.
do there ; But what is added in the next

5 For neither
did his- brethren
believe in him.

6 Then Jefus
faid unto -them,
My time is not
yet come : but
your time is alway
ready.

Chap. vii.

7 The world
cannot hate you ;
but me it hateth,
becaufe I teftify of
it, that the works
thereof are evil.

8 Go ye up un
to this feaft ; I go
not up yet unto this
feaft, for my time is
not yet full come.
y When he had
faid thefe words
unto them, he a-
bode JHll in Gali
lee.

io But when
his brethren were
gone up, then went
he alfo up unto the
feaft", not openly,
but ^as it were in
fecret. ' '

1 1 Then the Jews-
fought himr at the
feaft, and . faid,
Where is Lc ?

John paraphrafed.

349

- 1 2 And there
was much mur
muring among the
people concerning
him : for fome faid,
He is a good man :
others faid, Nay ;
but he deceiveth
the people.

Vox.. II.

perfecutions, and therefore may go without any dan
ger to yourfelves, whenever ye pleafe.
7 The men of this world have no reafon to be ene
mies to you, who are like themfelves in their princi
ples, temper, and defigns, and never care to fay any
thing to offend them : But they have the greateft a-
verfion to me, and feek my ruin, becaufe I freely and
faithfully tell them their own, and oppofe and con
demn their beloved lufls and finful ways, for their re
formation. 8 Repair ye therefore to Jerufalem as foon as ye
will, that ye may be there at the beginning of the
feaft : I fhall not keep you company, nor indeed go
yet a while ; for I muft wait a little longer before it-
will be prudent for me to be feen there.
9 By this anfwer he fent them to attend divine or
dinances, though they were perfons of a carnal unbej
lieving heart ; but, as they did not like his prefence
among them, ' he would not honour them with it :
And, having thus difmiffed them, he, keeping to his
refolution, ftill continued fome days in Galilee.
io But foon after thofe relations, according to the
flefh, had fet out on their journey, he likewife went
after them, to celebrate the feaft of tabernacles, that
he might honour the inftitutions of God, and fulfil
all rightepufncfs. But he went very privately, to pre
vent noife and tumult, and all appearance of vain-glo
ry, as alfo to avoid giving umbrage to the govern
ment, and to efcape the hands of fuch wicked men
as might lie in wait to- murder him.
ii In the mean while, the Jews expecting him
at the feaft, and finding that he did not come with
his kindred, there was great inquiry after him, they
all wondering what was become of him, or where he
had hid himfelf ; fome being defirous to hear his
excellent difeourfes, and fee his wonderful works,
whilft others were watching for an opportunity to
get him into their power, that they might put him
to death. 12 And this occafioned an univerfal talk, and
warm debates about him ; fome infifted that he
certainly was at leaft an honeftj worthy, and ufeful
man, whofe doftrine was heavenly, whofe life was
holy, and whofe miracles were all merciful and ert-
gaging ; and they murmured at the chief priefts,
fcribes, and Pharifees, for reviling and oppofing him :
And others, on the contrary, cried out againft him,
as an impoftor, who deluded the people, afferted
himfelf to be equal with God, and profaned the Sab
bath by working his cures on that day; (chap. v. 18.)
Z z and

350 The Evangelift Chap. viL
and they murmured at his friends, for taking his part,
and fhe wing him any countenance.
'13 Howbeit no 13 However, as the run of the chief- men was
man fpake openly cruelly againft him, none, that had a good opinion
of him, for fear of Qp ^\m, durft venture to fpeak their minds freely and'
the Jews. publicly in his favour, left they fhould provoke the
rulers of the Jews, to take them up, and perfecute
them for his fake.
14 Now about 14 Now though, for wife reafons, (ver. 6, 7.)
the midft of the Chrift did not think fit to appear dpenly at the be-
feaft, Jefos^ went g;nnil]g 0f the feaft ; yet about the third or fourth
and taiiffht.161"1' C' day of that folemnity, which lafted feven days, (Lev.
xxiii. 34.) he, to fhew that he was not afraid of his
enemies, went boldly to the temple, when he was
little expefted, and preached to the people in full
affembly, they being then more at leifure to -hear
him, having, according to cuftom, ¦ fpent fome days
in their booths.
15 And the Jews 15 And his difcourfe was with fuch feriptural evi-
marvelled, faying, dence, with fuch profound judgment, and with fuch
Howknoweth this • d authority, that his hearers ftood amazed
man letters, having ° . - ' r - '' r . , . r i_ • 1.
never learned r at :t j and fome ot them laid, in a way 01 nigh ap
probation and applaufe, and others in a way of de-
traftion and contempt, as if he got his knowledge
by fome evil art, How is this man able to talk at fuch
an uncommon rate about the things of God, and the
holy fcriptures *, fince he never went abroad for learn
ing, nor was educated by any of our famous rabbies
in the fchools of the prophets at home ?
1 6 Jefus anfwer- ' 1 (5 Jefus perceiving their aftonifhment, and what
ed them, and faid, an invidious turn fome of them gave to his manner
y c ol 1 ine is n q£ preaching, replied, for the eftablifhment of his
lent me. friends, and confutation of his enemies, I did not
learn the doftrine, which I teach, by any human
affiftances, nor is it a private invention of my own
headf ; but it is originally from God my Father, who
communicated it to me, as the Meffiah, by his Spirit,
with which he anointed me above meafure, and who
fent me to publifh it to the world, not for gaining
applaufe to myfelf, but for the advancement of his
honour and glory. 17 Whether
NOTES.
* Tca/iftxlu the word here tranflated that fent him : And it became him, in
letters, feems to fignify the fcriptures, in his ftate of humiliation, and under the
which Mofes (lygcc^n) wrote of Chrift. character pf a prophet, to fpeak of it in
Chap. v. 46. - this light, according to what God had
f Though, confidering Chrift as God, faid unto itrZo/rj- concerning him, (Deuf.
his doclrrine was his own as well as his Xviii. iS.) I will raife them up a pro-
Father's ; yet, he here evidently fpeak- phet from among their brethren, like un-
ing of himfelf as' man and the Mefliah, to thee, and will put my words in his
his doctrine, under that, confideration of mouth, and he fhall fpeak unto them all
liiru, was not his own, but his Father's that I command him.

Chap. vii. J~

John paraphrafed.

35*

iS He that
fpeaketh of him
felf, feeketh his

true, and no un-
righteoufnefs is in
him.

17 If any man 17 Whether ye will believe this or not, yet who-
lTlUnd u t'S Wil'f- ever 1S heart% defirous to lay afide his prejudices, and
the dodlrine,°whe- ** g0 in£.° humble> feri°us, and impartial inquiries in-
therit be of God, totbe will of God, by meditation, reading, hearing,
or whether I fpeak and prayer, that he may learn and praftife it, he
•f myfelf. fhall find enough in the nature and tendency of my
doftrine to recommend it ; he fhall experience fuch
powerful, fweet, and holy effefts of it, and fuch fur
ther affiftances of the Spirit, as will enable him to
judge, with entire fatisfaftion to himfelf, whether it
really be a divine revelation, as I aver ; or whether it
be the private fentiment and contrivance of an unpof-
tor, as my enemies fuggeft.
1 8 Such an one will readily think thus with him
felf : An impoftor, who forms his own fchemes, and
m slory • but he vents his own imaginations to deceive the people, will,
that feeketh his contrary to the method that I have taken, calculate
glory that fent his doftrines, and purfue meafures to raife his own
im, the fame is reputation and intereft in the world, and to fuit the
corrupt principles and tafte of men, that they may
fall in with him, and fet him up for their head and
leader : But, on the other hand, he who, like me,
is wholly intent upon the glory of God, from whom
he profeffes to be fent, and preaches fuch doftrine,
and lives at fuch a rate, as evidently tend to humble
and reform mankind, to oppofe their felfifh, worldly
fpirit, to correft their errors, to root out their cor
ruptions, and to turn them from all iniquity to God,
that they may ferve and glorify him ; this perfoji can
not poffibly be a cheat ; he is faithful to God, and
to the fouls of men ; and it is plain that he is truly
what he profeffes to be, and that there is no falfe-
hood in his doftrine, or fraud in his management :
Thus ye would judge concerning me, were ye really
willing to know and do the will of God.
1 9 But ye are fo far from this, and fuch is the
contrariety of your hearts to God, that though ye pro
of "youTeepeth the fefs a miShtv zeal for the law of -};°des> a3 dfv^
law? Why go ye a- to you by divine authority ;, yet all ranks and orders
bout to kill me ? v among you are fhameful tranfgreffors even of this law :
Otherwife, why, in direft contradiction to one of
its exprefs and unalterable precepts, do ye feek to
murder me ?
jo The people 20 The common people*, efpecially thofe that
anfwered and faid, came from the country to the feaft, knowing nothing
Thou Z z z of
NOTE.
* The people here feem to be differ- were otherwife, their wickednefs is fer
ent from thofe, that are afterwards faid ther aggravatid by joining known falfe-
to be of Jerufalem, (ver. 25.) and knew hood to their blafphemous reflection os
fomething of the defigns of the fcribes him.
and Pharifees againft Cfoirt. But if it

19 Did not Mo
fes give you the

The Evangelift

Chap. vii.

to kill thee ?

mi Jefus anfwer
ed and faid unto

352Thou, haft a devil : of the plot againft him, and being under the influ-
^h,°.]S°e,h., about ence of their rulers, cried' out in a great rage, You
talk like a mad-man, or one poffefled -of the devil :
Who intends or attempts to murder you ? -we cannot
think that any have formed fuch defperate defigns
againft your life. '
2 1 Our Lord, thereupon, referred them to the
tranfaftions of the laft paffover, (chap. v. 8, — 16.)
them, I have done feyfeg- I fometime ago wrought a miraculous work
one work, and ye ' °' . . ° ? . . , . r ,
all marvel. °* mercy, in curing a poor cripple, with only lpeak-
ing a word, which ye could not but admire ; and yet
ye were all amazed at my doing it on the Sabbath-
day, and fome of you fought to kill me on that ac
count, as if I had thereby broken the law of Mofes.
But how unreafonable your charge on this head was,
ye may eafily judge from what is commonly prafti-
fed, without any fcrupje, among yourfelves.
2% Mofes there- 22 Tp * this purpofe obferve, Mofes delivered to
fore gave unto you y0U the ordinance of circumcifion, or rather, by the
beca>iireCifii5tn'is('nof command °f God, continued to enjoin it upon you ;
Mofes but of the f°r ^ was not firft inftituted under Mofes, but was
fathers,) and ye on originally a privilege which God appointed to be the
the Sabbath-day token of his gracious covenant with Abraham, and
circumcife a man. hk f£fid long before . (£fff_ ^ IO> „,) and ac_
cording to" this inftitution, if the eighth day from the
birth of a male, prove to be the Sabbath, ye count
it lawful to dq eveiy thing'that is neceffary for cir-
cumcifing him .then,
23 Now, if in obedience to a ceremonial appoint
ment, which was grafted into the law of Mofes, ye
lion, that the law circumcife a child, and ufe the means that are proper
of Moles lhould npt for healing the wound thereby made upon him, and
be broken ; are ye aU agree> that the law of the Sabbath is not thereby
caufe niave^made br0^en» bow unreafonable and perverfe is it, that
a man every whit Ye ffiould be enraged with bitternefs againft me,
whole on the Sab- (sftai £o/««) for only fpeaking a word, and thereby
bath-day ? not barely curing a flight woUnd, but reftoring a
poor miferable creature, who was all over difeafed,
to perfeft health on the Sabbath-day ?
24 Take heed therefore of partiality in judging
(y-ar' sij/iv) with refpeft of perfons; do not indulge
iiidge righteous your Pr£judices againft me, on account of my low and
judgment. mean appearance, nor in favour of your chief priefts
and rulers, on account of their fpecious pretences,
and of the authority wliich they have gained over you ;
and
NOTE.
*- An tuvIo, the words here rendered i. c. for doing this work on the Sabbath-
therefore, fignify for this caufe, which, day : But taking ir as the beginning of
as fome have conjectured, might be join- this verfe, it may be rendered to this
ed to t,he laft verfe thus, uuvli; &xvfta{i1e purpofe, as in the paraphrafe. ''
fix Tovh, ye all wonder .at me for this,

21 If a man on
the Sabbath-day
receive circumci

24 Judge' not
according to the
appearance, bur

Chap. vii. John pdraphrafed. 353
and do not raffily cenfure what I have done, by gi
ving an invidious turn, to a bare outward refemblance
of breaking in upon fabbatical reft : But carefully
examine, and compare things together, that ye may
judge according to truth and equity ; and if ye will
but attend to the real merits of the caufe, ye never
can condemn me as a Sabbath-breaker, in any con
fiftency with your own praftice.
25 Then faid 25, 26 Then fome of the inhabitants of Jerufalem, '
fome of them of wJjo were nQt entire Arrangers to the malicious con-
thUhe Thorn they frltations of the fcribes and Pharifees againft Chrift,
feek to kill ? hearing him talk with fuch undaunted courage, faid
26 But lo, he one to another, Is not this the man, whom they have
fpeaketh boldly, been inquiring after, that they might put him to
thin ^unto him - deattl ' Strange> tnat tney do not immediately feize
do the rulers know him .' But, inftead of that, fee how publicly he ap-
indeed that this is pears, and what liberty he takes in his difcourfe !
the very Chrift ? and yet nobody molefts bim, or offers either to anfwer
him, or to put the leaft check upon him. What, are
our rulers at laft convinced, that he is indeed the true
Meffiah, and therefore let him alone, and fo tamely
fuffer him to run them down ?

27 Howbeit, we
know this man
whence he is : but
when Chrift com
eth, no man know-
eth whence he is.

. 27 However, we can never be of that mind ; for
we know the parentage and relations of this man, the
place where he was born, and what his education has
been, which are all mean and contemptible : But we
are affured from fcripture concerning the Meffiah,
that when he appears, it will be as one, who, like
Melchizedek, is without defcent, whofe goings forth,
have been from everlafting, and whofe generation no
man can declare *.
28 Then our bleffed Lord, knowing what they
perverfcly objefted againft him, raifed his voice in the
temple ; and fpeaking with great earneftnefs and zeal
for his Father's glory, faid, Ye indeed know my
earthly parentage, and that I am fprung up from a-
well as origi-
; I have not
e taken this honour to myfelf ; but my Father, who is
faithful and true to all his promifes of and to the
Meffiah, has fent me ; of him ye are grofsly igno
rant, and therefore will not receive me.
29 But I know 29 *3ut I am intimately acquainted with him, and
him, for I am from have a perfeft knowledge of his mind and will ; nor
him, and he hath can ;t be otherwife : For I am from him by a pecu-
liar and eternal generation, and am come, as the Mef fiah,
NOTE.
* All this was true with refpeift to told his tribe and family, and the place
Chrift's divine nature, and office-autho- of his birth; and therefore thefe Jews
rity; but not with refpecT: to his human reafoned fallacioufly upon this head. See
nature, the fcripture having plainly fore!- the note on chap . ix, 29.

28 Then cried
Jefus in the tem
ple, as he taught,
faying, Ye both
know me, and ye
know whence I
am : and I am not mong yourfelves ; and yet my office, as
he'thaffent'me1'^ na!' is mUch hiSher than Ye apprehend
true, whom
know not.

354

The Evangelift

Chap. vii.

with

30 Then they
fought to take him :
but no man laid
hands on him, be
caufe his hour was
not yet come.

31 ,And many
of the people be
lieved on him, and
faid, When Chrift

fiah, immediately from him, who has fent
•i authority to reveal the way of falvation.
%o Then they 30 Upon Chrift's fo plainly afferting his divine au
thority, fome of the company, and- efpecially the ru
lers, were incenfed to fuch a degree againft him, that
they were exceeding defirous to feize and make away
with him : But their fpirits were furprifingly over
ruled, to prevent their meddling with him, or doing
him any harm for the prefent, becaufe the time ap
pointed for his fufferings and death was not yet come.
3 1 And one great means of reftraining them was,
that many of the common people bebeved on him,
and faid, for the confirming' of each other's faith,
cometh will he do and condemning thofe that oppofed him, Surely this
more miracles than muft needs be the Meffiah; for it could riot be ex-
thefe which this pefted, , whenever he fhould come, that he would per-
wan hath done > form more wonderful works than this perfon has, to
bear witnefs to him.
3z The Pbari- 32 When this fort of difcourfe among the people
fees heard that the fe his favour, and in difpleafure againft his enemies,
foc0hle hfo's"111'^ Came t0 the ears of the Pharifces> {t prodigioufly
ceming him • and nettled them, they fearing left his credit and autho-
the Pharifees and rity fhould rife in the efteem of the populace, to the
the chief priefts utter finking of their own : And therefore they and
font officers to take the chief priefts confulting together, and refolving to
take as fpeedy a courfe as poffible to put a flop to
him, difpatched fome of their public officers, with a
ftrift charge to take the firft opportunity they could
get with fafety, for apprehending and bringing him
¦ before them, when affembled together in council. •
33 Then faid Je- 33 In the mean time, Jefus, knowing what orders
fus unto them, Yet bad been giving to the officers, faid to the multitude,
« ht-flia -"'hilc arn 1 i i * • i t n c fi
, and to them at their arrivaf, 1 muft yet tor a bttle
while continue preaching and working miracles among
you ; and all the maUcious defigns and attempts of
mine enemies, which I am fully apprized of, cannot
prevent it : But the time that my Father has further
-appointed for me on earth is very fhort, and as foon
as that is expired, I fhall readily return to him, who
fent me hither.
34 After this, ye will earneftly wiffi, but, alas !
too late, that the Meffiah would appear among you,
which is, in effeft, wifhing for me, who am he ; ye
will feek my favour in vain, when, at the laft extre
mity, your calamities in this world and the next are
coming upon you : For ye fhall not find me to your
comfort ; nor can. ye ever follow me to that bleffed
place, where I am *, either to epjoy me, or to per
fecute me again. 35 The
NOTE.
* Chrift's fo frequently faying, whilft on earth, where I am, when he fpoke of

a little
I with you,
then I go unto him
that fent me.

34 Ye foali feek
me, and final] not
find mi?: and where
I am, thither ye
pannot come.

Chap.

VII.

John paraphrafed.

355

35 The carnal Jews not underftanding our Lord's
meaning, who herein fpake of his death, refurreftion',
and afcenfion to heaven, feemed to be in great fur
prife, faying one to another, Whither does this man
pretend to retire, that we fhall not be able to find him,
or get at him ? What, will he ftroll among the Jews

36 What manner
of faying is this
that he faid, Ye
foall feek me, and
foall not find me :
and where I am,
thither ye cannot
come ?
37 .In the laft
day, that great day
of the feaft, Jefus
ftood and cried,
faying, If any man
thirft, let him come
unto me, and drink.

35 Then faid
the Jews among
themfelves, Whi
ther will he go, that
we foajl not find
him ? will he go
unto the difperfed
^ifes^nd^achthe" that are difperfed through heathen countries, to fee
Gentiles ? what he cas do with them, now he is difappointed
here, ? or will he turn preacher to the poor forty Gen
tiles themfelves, that are fpread all over the world,
upon finding himfelf rejeft ed among the Jews ?
36 What can he mean by faying, That we fhall
feek him, and want to find him, but fhall not be able 5
and that he will get fomewhere or other out of our
reach, fo that we cannot poffibly follow him thither ?
furely we can go any where, as well as he.
37 The officers not having executed their commif
fion from the chief priefts and Pharifees, (ver. 32.)
our Lord went on unmolefted ; and on the eighth day,
which was the laft day of the feaft of tabernacles, and
a high day *, he ftood up and preached to many,
that had difregarded all his former difcourfes, and
might never hear him again : And in allufion to their
cuftom of drawing water, and praying for rain on that
day, he faid to them with great fervour of fpirit, and
elevation of voice, If there be any among you that
is deftitute, and really defirous of true happinefs, like
one, who, feeling the pain of thirft, longs for drink,
let him come by faith unto me as the only Saviour,
that he may be refrefhed and fatisfied.
38 Whoever, under a fenfe of his own indigence,
and incapacity to get relief any where elfe, fhall believe
in me as the Chrift of God, for all falvation, let hi&
diftrefs and unwo'rthinefs be ever fo great, he fhall
have fuch an abundant, increafing, and continued fup
ply of bleffings from me, as fhall be hke a fountain of
water, ever fpringing up in his heart, and flowing out
in plentiful ftreams of righteoufnefs, v for his own com
fort and others good, according to what the fcripture
has faid about rivers in the defart, and, dry land be-
coming Jprings of water, and about God's people be
ing like a fpr ing, whofe voaters fail not. (Ifa. xii. 18.
andxliii. 19. and lviii. 11.) 39 And
NOTES.
of his being in heaven, intimates his per- Siloam, part of which they ufed for
petual prefence there in his divine na- drink-offerings, and the reft they drank
ture, though his going thither was a fu- themfelves with joyful acclamations, in
ture thing, with refpeft to his human remembrance of God's miraculoufly gi-
nature. ving water out of the rock to their fa-
* On this day there was the greateft thers, when they dwelt in booths in. the
concourfe of people, and they were then wildernefs; and on this day they offered
wont to fetc-li water from the pool of up folemn prayers for feafonable rains.

38 He that be-
lieveth on me, as
the fcripture hath
faid, out of his bel
ly fhall flow rivers
of living water.

356

The Evangelift

Chap, vii.

39 (But this
fpake he of the
Spirit, which they
that believe on
him fhould receive:
for the Holy Ghoft
was not yet given,
becaufe that Jefus
was riot yet glori
fied.)

40 Many of the
_ people therefore
when they heard
this faying, faid,
Of a truth this is
the prophet.

41 Others faid,
This- is the Chrifi.
But feme faid, Shall
Chrifi come out of
Galilee ?

42 Hath not
the fcripture faid,
That Cluifl com
eth of the feed of
David, and out of
the town of Beth
lehem, where Da
vid was ?
4} So there was
a divifion among
the people becaufe
of him.

44 And fome of
them

39 And (it) the meaning of Chrift in all this, was, '
that they who fhould cordially embrace him by faith,
in his whole cbarafter, for all falvation, fhould, after
his refurreftion, and afcenfion to heaven, receive a
rich communication of the gifts, graces, and con-
folations of the Holy Spirit, who would be like a
fountain of refrefhing, cooling, cleanfing, and fruc
tifying water in them ; and would make them abun
dantly ufeful to others : For a plentiful effufion or
the bleffed Spirit was not yet granted in fo remark
able and extenfive a manner as it was to be afterwards,
becaufe he was to come as the fruit and evidence of
Chrift's exaltation to his mediatorial throne, when
he fhould have the glory of fending his Spirit, and
the Spirit fhould have the honour of his own peculiar
work in glorifying Chrifi, by extraordinary attefta-
tions to his gofpel, by numerous converfions of Jews
and Gentiles to him, and by a rich abundance of
light, grace, and joy in them that believe.
40 Upon hearing this authoritative, gracious, and
endearing difcourfe, many of the common people
were greatly affefted with wonder and efteem : Some
of them faid, This is unqueftionabiy a true prophet
of the Lord, and indeed that very prophet, whom-
we expeft to be the immediate forerunner of the Mef
fiah. 41 Others of them went further, and faid, This
is the very Chrift himfelf ; what he fays and does in
fo majeftic, compaffionate, and divine a manner, could
never proceed from any other than him. But in op
pofition to thefe there Were others, who taking it for
granted, that our Lord was born at Nazareth in Ga
lilee, becaufe he was brought up there, were preju-
difed againft him, and faid, No, no, he cannot be
the promifed Meffiah ; for who ever heard that he,
like this man, fhould have his birth in any part of
Galilee '? (See' the note on ver. 52.)
42 Are we not affured from exprefs teftimonie? of
fcripture, (Ifaiah xi. 1. and Micah v. 2.) that the
Meffiah is to fpring from David, the fon of Jeffe,
and to be born at the very town of Bethlehem, where
David's own parents dwelt ? (1 Sam. xvi. 1.)
43 In this manner, as our Lord himfelf predicted,
(Luke xii. j 1.) there were various opinions, and warm
debates about him, fome being for, and others againft
him : Some efteeming b'm as a prophet, others as
the true Meffiah, whilft others ftuck to their old
prejudices, and being miffed by a vulgar error, as if
Jefus had really been born at Nazareth, rej.efted and
oppofed him.
44 And among thefe tkere were fome who would
willingly

Chap. vii.
them would have
taken him ; but no
man laid hands on
him.

John paraphrafed.

357

45 Then came
the officers to the
chief priefts and
Pharifees; and they
faid unto them,
Why have ye not
brought him ?
46 The officers
anfwered, Never
man fpake like this
nian.

47 Then anfwer
ed them the Pha
rifees, Are ye alfo
deceived ?

48 Have any of
the rulers, or of
the Pharifees, be-,
lieved on him ?

49 Bnt this peo
ple who knoweth
not the law are
curfed.

Vot. II.

wilh'ngly have taken him into cuftody, and canied
him before the council ; but none of them, no, not
the officers themfelves, who were fent to feize him,
(ver. 32.) were fuffered to offer any violence to him,
he laying a reftraint upon their fpirits.
45 At length the officers returned to the chief
priefts and Pharifees, and not bringing him along
with them, they feverely reprimanded them, faying,
What is the reafon that ye have difobeyed our ex
prefs orders, in not bringing Jefus as a prifoner be
fore us, who have fat in council waiting for him ?
46 The officers anfwered, We went with as much\
deijre and refoiution to feize him, as ye yourfelves
could wifh for ; but as foon as we came to hear him
preach to the people, our hearts failed us at once ;
and the longer we heard him, the more we were
ftruck with wonder and awe, and the more afraid were
we of offering any violence to him : For never did
we hear any man talk like him ; it was with fuch fur
prifing evidence and power, majefty and fweetnefs,
as were enough to make every one in love with him :
Surely none of the ancient prophets, no, not Mofes
himfelf, ever fpoke in fuch a convincing and enga
ging manner as he did ; and the people were gene
rally of the fame mind concerning it with ourfelves.
47 Then the Pharifees, full of indignation and
wrath, replied, What, are ye fo weak and foolifh, as
to fail in with the filly thoughts of a giddy mob a-
bout him ? Could ye fuffer yourfelves after all that
ye heard us fay, and even while ye went with autho
rity frorh us to take him, to be impofed upon by
fuch a notorious cheat as this ? We thought that ye
might be' depended upon as men of more fenfe and
fpirit, than to be thus deluded by him.
48 Pray think' a little, Do not ye know, that not
one of your fuperiors for wifdom, learning, and re
putation, authority and piety, whofe judgment ye
ought to be determined by, hath ever given the leaft
credit to him ? Have any of the members of the fan
hedrim, who are the only judges of a true and falfe
prophet, or any of the Pharifees, who are men of
the greateft eminence for fanftity and knowledge in
the law, ever believed in him, or fhewn him the
leaft countenance ? And are ye wifer and better than
thefe ?
49 But this poor, mean, vulgar, fenfelefs rabble
that ye talk of, who are ftupidly ignorant of the
fcriptures, and abandoned of God, and who lie un
der his wrath and curfe, are the only people that e-
ver thought well of him, or ever owned him ; they
are an execrable mob, eafily made fools of ; and will
A a a ye

35§

The Evangelift

Chap. vii.

50 Nicodemus
faith unto them,
(he that came to
Jefus by night, be
ing one of them,)
51 Doth our law
judge any man be
fore it hear him,
and know what he
doth ?

5 2 They anfiyer-
ed and faid unto
him, Art thou
alfo of Galilee ?
Search, and look :
for out of Galilee
arifeth no prophet.

53 And every
man went, unto Lis
own houfe.

ye be as great fools as they ? In this manner, the
council endeavoured to enflave the confciences of the
officers, to take off the good impreffions that had
been made/ upon them, and to prejudife them againft
Chrift and his gofpel.
50, 51 Hereupon that Nicodemus, who had gone
in a private manner to Jefus by night, (chap. iii. 2.) ¦
being prefent as a member of the council, and being
very uneafy at this diffionourable, unjuft, and furious
method of procedure, took a little more courage than
formerly, and expoftulated with them, faying, Bre
thren, what are we doing ? Is it not an unreafonable
and illegal way of afting, contrary to the righteouf
nefs of our law, and to all rules of equity, for' us to
pafs judgment upon any man whatfoever, and efpeci
ally upon one who makes fuch plaufible pretenfions to
a divine commiffion as Jefus does, before we have
heard what he has to fay for himfelf, his doftrine;
and behaviour ? Surely we ought to be very cautious
how we cenfure, or proceed againft him, till he has
had an opportunity of fpeaking in his own defence.
52 The council not being able to confute Nico-
demus's reafoning, refolved to run him down with heat
and paffion, and falfe fuggeftions, inftead of argu
ments, faying, in reply, What ! are you, like the ig
norant multitude, one of the Galilean party, and an
advocate for a man who fets up for a prophet, and yet
was born in Galilee ? Pray fearch the fcriptures, and-
fee what they fay ; and then you can never believe
that he has the commiffion from Gpd which he pre
tends to : For, according; to them, no prophet ever
was, much lefs can the Meffiah be a native of that
country *.
53 Upon this, the council finding themfelves em-
barraffed, and hoping for a fairer opportunity, when
Nicodemus might be abfent, adjourned to another
time, and every man returned home.

RECOLLECTIONS.

Doth the world hate any of us ; or are
pofing their corruptions, and adhering to
N O
* Here they took the vnlgar error for
granted, about Chrift's being born in
Nav&retb of Galilee, and would not
give themfelves the trouble of an ;mpar-
tial inquiry, to let themfelves to rights
about it, though they might have been
eafily fatisfied that he was born at Beth
lehem, from the public regifter there,
and from the genealogies of the family
of David, as well as from himfelf and
his difciples : And it was not true that

our neareft kindred our enemies, for op-
the truths of the gofpel ; and are we ex
pofed
T E.
no prophet arofe in that country; for
Joiiah was of Gath-Hepher in the tribe
of Zebulun. (2 Kings xiv. 25. and Jojh.
xix. 13, 16.) And Nahtim was an El-
tojhite, (Nah. i. 1.) of the town called
Elfes, which Jerom on the place fays,
was in. Galilee, there being a' village of
that name there to his days. And Re-
land maintains, in his facred geography,
that Thifbe, the town of Elijah the
Tifhbite, was in Galilee.

Chap. viii. John paraphraftd. 359
pofed to difgrace and danger for it ? Our bleffed Lord went through the fame be
fore us, for our encour&gement and example. But as none cc-uld deftroy him, till
his time was come ; fo we are immortal men, till God has done his work by us ; and
yet as he avoided needlefsly expofing himfelf to mifchiefs, and fought proper oppor
tunities of carrying on his great defign in the world ; fo foould we, till God foews
us that our time is come, wherein we ought to refign our lives to him. How cer
tainly divine are all the doftrines of Chrifi in their original ! It is only for want of
kndwing him and them, and impartially judging concerning them, that any make
exceptions againft them : But he will maintain the credit of his own charafter,
truths, and ways, to his own and his Father's glory, and to the confufion of his e-
nemies ; fo that, even they themfelves being judges, never man fpake like this man.
What if, generally fpeaking, men of high rank and figure do not believe in Rim ?
That is no objeftion againft him, whofe kingdom is not of this world ; and the peo
ple that know and receive him, how vulgar foever they may be, are fo far from be
ing curled, that they, of all others, are truly bleffed : And how eafily can Jefus
over-awe the ftouteft hearts, even of rough and boifterous officers, to take off their
edge againft him, and gain a teftimony from them to himfelf '. How can he fpirit
perfons of the moft timorous tempers, even a Nicodemus, to fpeak bravely for him,
and to plead with fuch force of argument, as to flop the mouths of gainfayers ! And
how easily can he difappoint the devices of the crafty, that their hands foall not
perform their enterprize ! It is a dreadful cafe to feek occafions againft the Lord,
or even to be willing to get rid of his prefence, and to be left to go alone to facred
ordinances without him. O how glad would they one day be to find Chrift, and to
be made partakers of his falvation, who now defpife and rejeft him! They fliall
die, as he did; but ahl he is gone, where no unbelievers can ever follow him, and
be with him, to behold his glory. But how amazing is his grace to them now,
that have often flighted and fet themfelves againft him ! He ftill lifts up his voice
to a difobedient and gainfaying people, and invites their coming to him for the
richeft fupplies of all that they ftand in need of : And whoever is at laft made fen
fible pf his own wants and miferies, and comes by faith to the great and only Savi
our for relief, foall find a hearty welcome. And 0 how precious and abiding, how
abounding and ever-fatisfying are the bleffings of his Spirit and grace, which may
be looked for from an exalted Redeemer '. They fhall never be taken away or fail,
but lhall continue and increafe till they be perfefted in eternal life and glory.

C H A P. VIII.
Chrift's treatment of the woman taken in adultery, , i, — 12. His
preaching himfelf as the light of the world, and vindicating his
doEirine, 13, — 30. His afferting the freedom of his difciples, and
anfwering the cavils of the Jews againft it, and their glorying
in Abraham as their father, and his efcaping out of their hands,
Text. Paraphrase.
JESUS went unto /~\UR Lord, as was cuftomary with him, retired
Olive! • m°un ° ^"^ from Jerufalem in the evening to the mount of
Olives, that he might refrefh himfelf, and fpend fome
time in, private devotion, and might avoid popular
tumults and furprifes in the night.
z And early in 2 And, taking the day before him, he returned
the morning he ear]y ^o the temple, where great multitudes of peo-
th7teem^randnal°l Ple flocking t0 him> as ufua1' he fat doWn like Gne
the people came having authority, and preached to them.
unto A a a 2 3, 4 Whilft

360 The Evangelift Chap. -viii.
unto him; -and g, 4 Whilft he was thus engaged in his work,
he fat down and folne 0f tfo fcrlbes and Pharifees interrupted him
taught them. , bringing a woman before him; ithat he might fit
3 And tne . ./ ^ o , 0 ' .- ^ , .
fcribes and Phari- in judgment upon her, who had been guilty ot adul-
fees brought unto tery* : And when they had placed her, as a criminal,
him a woman ta- m tfo prefence of all the people, they addreffed him
ker, in adultery ; Rh fe;s„ed air 0f tefyt£t feyjng Matter, this
and when they had ? , . * , , r6 • i_
fet her in the mids woman, whom we have brought before you, is char-
4 They fay unto ged with adultery, by witneffes that furprifed her in
him,- Mafter, this tfo very a£t. ' _
in0adukeTaS i^the 5 Now this bein£ fo vile an domination, Mofes
very acl. ' 'n t^ie 'aw exPreisty commanded, that if perfons, at
5, Now Mofes the time of their committing it, were aftually mar-
in the law com- ried, they fhould die for it, and that if they were
manded us, that 1 efpoufed to an hufband, they ffiould be ftoned
»arh fhould be fto- i f ; „ .. \ 11 . . .1 -L
ned: but what fay- t0 death- (Deut- XX!1" 22'23' 24-) .But fs you cla™
eft: thou ? authority from God to make alterations in our law,
or at leaft to interpret it in a different manner from
us, we defire to have your judgment upon this cafe.
6 This they faid, <5 They applied in this manner to him for no other
temptinghim, that rearon> t]-,an to feek an advantage againft him, as an
accufe'him ^But enemy t0 *be authority, either of Ccefar, or of their
Tefusftoopeddown, own law j-. But Jefus, knowing their artful and ma-
and with his tin- licious defign, ftooped, and looking downward \,
get wrote on the wrote wJth his finger on the floor, as if his thoughts
he°headr'd themnot! were fo deeP!y engaged another way, as not to hear
what they faid to him.
7 So when they 7 The fcribes and Pharifees fuppofing that they
cou- had
NOTES.
* Perhaps it was very lately that foe him, as an enemy to their law, and as a
had been guilty of this crime in one of favourer of fin, and of the worft of fin-
their booths, during the feaft of taberna- ners : And if he fliould turn them over
cles, at which time the hearts of tfome to the judgment of the Roman govera-
might be made too merry by plentifully ment ; they might think to expofe him
eating and drinking. to the rage of the people, as an enemy
f If he fhould declare for the law of to their liberty.
Mofes, and encourage the people to rf Many have been the Uncertain con-
ftone this woman ; they might hope it jeftures of learned men about what
would give them a plaufible handle to Chrift wrote ; and if he really wrote a-
reproach him for cruelty, and therein ny fentence on the duft of the floor, it
afting contrary to his pretences of being was moft probably that which he after-
the Meffiah, who was to be meek and wards pronounced. He that is without
lowly, and bring falvation ; and for par- fn aiming you, let him jirft caft a Jlone
tjality in ordering fo fevere a punifhment at her. But perhaps he only made a
to an adulterefs, thpugh he had freely ad- fhew of writing on the ground, as was
mitted perfons of that charafter tp con- ufual with fome wife men to do, in thofe
verfe with him ; or they might think it days, when a queftion was propofed
would give them a fair opportunity of which they thought not proper to an-
accufing him to the Roman government, fwer. Or, as others have fuppofed,
as an abettor of tumults, and of judicial Chrift by that aftion defigned to inti-
power, independent of its authority. : And mate to the qnerifts, that they muft at-
if, on the contrary, he fliould declare tend to what is written. Vid. Lamp, in
againft the people's Honing her, accord- loc. W Marckii exercitat. 13 °. ad feleft.
ing to the rigour of Mofes's law, they text. N. Teft. ,t

njight hope to incenfe the people againft

Chap. viii.

John paraphrafed.

361

and wrote on
ground.

the

continued afking had now brought him into a labyrinth, out of which
v"y if^ ^ "S *"e C0U^ not te^ ^0W t0 ext"cate bimfelf, repeated
„lT„^u!._/Iii, J"* their queftion with vehemence, and preffed him clofe -
unto them, He that r ^ r .„ , ' *.. , , . r ,r
is without fin a- ty *or an anfwer, till at length he railed himfelf up,
mong you, let him and replied, I am far from refledf ing on the law, and
firft caft a ftone at from vindicating, or leffening the abominable crime
of this woman : But as, by another inftitution under
Mofes, the witneffes hands fhould be firft upon the
criminals, that are to be put to death ; (Deut xvii.
7.) and as it is exceedingly out of character, for
any to be zealous in punifhing the fins of others,
while they themfelves are guihy of as bad, or worfe ;
ye would do well to confider, which of you fhall be
gin the execution of the law Upon; her : If any one
of you that are come hither to accufe, and witnefs
againft her, can in his own confeience clear himfelf
of guilt before God, let him be the man who fhall
caft the firft ftone at hen*.
8 And again 8 Our Lord having in this manner wifely efcaped
he ftooped down, tfo fnare whfeh they had laid for him, and, at the
lame time, reproved them tor their hypocritical pre
tences to an extraordinary zeal againft fin, while fo
much guilt lay upon themfelves, and they were pur-
fuing meafures to murder him, he left them to paufe
and think on what he had faid ; and, without wait
ing for an anfwer, ftooped down again, and wrote
with his finger on the ground, as before, that he
might feem to take no further notice of the matter,
and give them an opportunity of fneaking away, and
fancying that he would not obferve it.
9 And they g And as all their confciences were ftruck with
which te.3"1- «*> horror, by a fecret power that fet thefe words home
theif own' confef' uPon them, and they thereupon could not but ac-
ence, went out one cufe themfelves of one'heinous crime or other, if not
by one, beginning of the very fame that this woman had been guilty of,
at the eldeft, even they were afhamed to plead innocence, or to proceed
TeVus was left a- i" a demand. of juftice againft her, and were afraid
lone, and the wo- left, if Jefus fpoke again, he Vould fay fome feverer
man Handing in thing to them : And therefore inftead of applying to
the midft. him, as they ought, for cleanfing from their own fins,
they filently flipped away from him, one after another ;
the eldeft, who might be confeious of moft guilt, go
ing out firft, and the younger following them, till they
were all gone, and there was no body left with himf ,
but
NOTES.
* He faid this, not to difcountenance law and juftice admit of it, and to put
a legal pfocefs, or bearing witnefs a- the correftors of others vices, upon im-
gainft, and executing juftice upon of- partially cenfuring, and correfting their
fenders, by fuch as are confeious of guilt own.
in themfelves ; but to move compaffion
to the perfons of criminals, as far as the f Chrift's being left alone fignifies his
be-

36?

The Evangelift

'Chap, viifi

Neither do I con
demn thee: go, and
fin no more.

.13
Jefos

Then fpake
again unto

but the woman and the people, who, with his difci
ples, were there before attending on his miniftry.
io When Jefus io The woman ftill ftanding before Cbrift to hear
had lift up himfelf, wjjat fentence he would pafs upon her, he raifed him-
and faw none but fejf ¦ and f ¦ o{for accufer3 there,
the woman, he r 6 ' 6
faid unto her, Wo- faid to her, Woman, what is become ot all tne men
man, where are who brought you hither to me ? Have none bf them
thofe thine accu- pronounced, that you ought to be ftoned to death
condemned thee?" *<" V™ **i
.t i She faid No r 1 She, treating him with refpeft, anfwered, No,
man, Lord. And Lord, not one of them has taken upon him to declare
Jefos faid unto her, any fuch thing : Then Jefus, who came not to con
demn the world, nor to exercife a judicial power in
punifhing criminals, but to fave them that believe in
him,; replied,' Nor do I take that office upon myfelf;
go about, your bufinefs, and let your prefent efcape
from deferved punifhment put you upon taking heed
that you do not return to the like, or any other ini
quity again, left in the great day of account you
come under a more dreadful fentence and execution
than that of ftoning to death *.
12 Our bleffed Lord having in this manner quitted
himfelf of the woman and her accufers, re-affumed
tielight'ofthe his difcourfe to the people, in which he fpoke of one
orld : he that fol- great defign of his coming into the world, faying, I
loweth me foall not am the Sun of righteoufnefs, alight to lighten the
darknefs, QentlleS) as well as the glory of i/rfli?/, who, having
all the treafures of wifdom and knowledge in myfelf,
am come to. direct finners into the way of life and fal
vation, by my word and Spirit : And whoever be
lieves in me, and follows my guidance, fhall not go
on in ignorance and error, to miflead him from the
way of duty and happinefs, or in the darknefs of fin
and fpiritual death ; but ffiall have the faving light
of a renewed life here, and of eternal life hereafter.
13 Some of the Pharifee s, that were mingled with
the people, and were enraged to fee how their bre
thren had been baffled by him, anfwered, You indeed,
prompted by ambition, fpeak great things concerning
yourfelf ; but your own bare affirmation fignifies no
thing : No body is obliged to believe it, nor would
it be admitted, as valid, in any court of judicature
whatfoever. 14 Jefus
,N O T E S.
being rid of all the company of the immediately afterwards went on preach-
fcribes a"d Pharifees that had brought ing to them. (ver. 12.)
the wopian before him, fo that none of * It does not appear to me that this
them remained in the temple to give woman was a penitent, or that Chrift
him any further trouble : For the wo- forgave her fin ; but only that he dif-
man was ftanding in the midft of the miffed her, as not thinking it proper to
people, in whofe prefence foe had been take upon himfelf the office of the civil
placed before Chrift, (ver, 3.) and he magiftrate in condemning her.

walk
but foall have the
light of life.

13 The Pharifees
therefore faid, unto
him, Thou beared
record of thyfelf;
thy record is not
true.

Chap. viii. John pardphrafed. 363
14 Jefus anfwer- 14 Jefus replied, Though this be true in ordinary
ed and faid unto cafeS) and according to the ufual courfe of proceed-
bea^reJrd^fmv1 inSs fn law ' yet k is otherwife in the cafe of divine
felf, yet lay record meffengers, as ye yourtefves owned when ye fent
is true -.for I know to John the Baptift, faying, Who art thou ? What
Whence I , came, fayeft thou of thyfelf ? (Chap. i. 22.) And as light is
and whither I go j felf-Cvideiit, fo my teftimony, about my being the
but ye cannot tell ,. ,, . , ' ij • <- xc • . ¦ i- • 1
whence I come "S"1 °* tne world, is fufficient to gam credit with e-
and whither I go. very one that duly confiders and underflands the na
ture and tendency of my doctrine, and the circumftan
ces in which I appear to confirm it : It is true in itfelf,
and worthy to' be believed, and I have authority to af
fert it ; for 1 am infallibly fure, and have demonftra-
ted to you, that. I came from, and am going to the
Father : But ye wilfully difregard the evidences I
have given of it, and fo do not underftand that my o-
riginal and commiffion are from heaven, or that I am
to return thither ; and therefore ye receive not my
teftimony.
15 Ye judge af- 15 Ye judge and condemn me only from carnal.
ter the flefli, I confiderations, according to your feculat views, and
judge no man. according to the meannefs of my external appearance
in the flefh, as that is unlikely to anfwer your ends :
But as I do not fo much as meddle with civil judg
ment, relating to any, perfon whatfoever, as ye have
but now feen in the cafe of the woman taken in adul
tery ; fo I neither pafs fentence of condemnation,
nor execute vengeance upon any one now, as I fhall
hereafter : No, my prefent work is all of the merci
ful ftrain, as I am come to call finners to repentance,
and to feek and fave that which is loft.
i« And yet if j6 And yet, were I to undertake the office of a
ju ge, my judg- fedge at prefent in condemning criminals, and pro-
jnent is true: for J °. .'.,.. , ° . n rt r,
I am not alone ceeding in a judicial manner againit you tor not De
but I and the Fa- lieving in me, my fentence would be juft and valid :
ther that fent me. For my Father and I have fuch a mutual in-being *,
as to be infeparable one from the other, fo that I ara
never alone ; and what I fay is not from any private
judgment
NOTE.
* His Father is in him| and he is in tions of himfelf ; yet Chrift did not leave
the Father ; (chap. xiv. 10, 1 1.) and fo the Father, or the Father leave him, any
the Father is no more alone without the more than God leaves heaven, when he
Son, than the Son is without the Father, is faid to come down to this earth : And
(Prov. viii. 22, 33, 30. and John i. 1, 3.) that our Lord here fpeaks of himfelf, as
His Father and he were not one and a- not being alone with regard to his divine
nother God, but one in Gpdhead, though nature, feems evident, becaufe in the
diftinft perfons, and therefore infepara- next foregoing verfe but one, he had
ble from each other : And though the fpoke of himfelf in that high confidera-
Son came Irom the Father in a certain tion of him, faying, J know whence I
difpenfation, for the affomption of hu- came, but ye cannot tell whence I came ;
man nature, and afting in office upon whereas, with refpeft to his human na-
earth, as God is fometimes faid to come ture, he had before allowed that they
from heaven, for particular manifefta- knew whence he was. (Chap. vii. 28,)

364 The Evangelift Chap. viii.
, judgment of my own, apart from that of my Father;
I therein only concur with him, who, by various'
means teftifies that he has fent me, and demands your
faith in me : There is therefore no room to except a-
gainft any declaration of mine.
17 It is alfo 17 Befides, it is a fettled point by your own law,
written in your which is indeed God's law, that the evidence of two
law, that the tef- d;bj perfens is fufficfent for eftabliffiing affairs of
timony of two men r .. ,°.
;s tn;ie_ the greateft confequence. (Deut. xvn. 6.)
1 8 I am one 1 8 Now here are two witneffes to the truth of my
that bear witnefs gffertions : I am one, who, as a divine perfon, de-
ratbeyrfcITh«dfem clare the comim'ffion wh'ch I have received as the
me beareth wit- Meffiah : And my Father is another, who fent me
»efs of me. into the world to execute it, and whofe teftimony ye
yourfelves muft own is beyond all contradiction true ;
be has declared the fame concerning me by the voice
of his prophets, and by a voice from heaven, as well
as by other means ; and therefore your own rule of
judgment, as contained in the law, demands your af
fent to the truth of what I fey concerning myfelf,
and all things elfe*.
ip Then faid 1 g Then the Pharifees, not being able to return
they unto him, a fair anfwer, replied, in a way of ridicule and infult,
Where is thy Fa- D x. ^ c .x. ¦ Ix.- ^x. I * j * y.
ther ? Tefus an- "raY> what father is this, that you pretend to nave,
fwered, Ye nei- befides Jofeph, a poor carpenter ? Where is he ? Call
ther know mc, nor your witnefs, which you lay fo much ftrefs upon. Je-
my Fatner: if ye fus anfwered again, Though I, who have been fo
ftouldTTv" known lonS amonS you' have frequently explained whom I
my Father alfo. mean by my Father ; yet fuch is your wilful blind-
nefs, obftinacy, and perverfenefs, that ye are ftill ig
norant of my perfon and office, and of my heavenly
Father, from whom I am come unto you: If ye had
but known me, who am the brightnefs of his glory,
and the exprefs image of his perfon, and one in na
ture, counfel, and operation with him, ye would have
feen the perfections of my Father fhining forth in me,
and would have known the relation, in which he
ftands to me as his Son, as well as the high commif
fion, which I bear as the Meffiah from himf.
10 Thefe words 2Q Chrift freely and openly fpoke thefe convincing
fpake Jefus in the an(j cutting things, whilft he was difcouifing in that
taught mthe tern- part of the temple where the boxes were kept to
pie: and no man receive the money, which from time to time was of-
laid hands on him ; fered for religious ufes : And though at this place
for the priefts and rulers had chief authority, yet their
fpirits,
NOTES.
* I take both thefe into the para- his Father and he were diftinft perfons,
phrafe, becaufe Chrift is fpeaking of the as they were two witneffes : and yet
truth of his judgment, as well as of his were one in effence and divine perfec-
own charafter. tions, as the knowledge of him includes
t Here our Lord plainly intimates that the knowledge of the Father.

Chap. viii. John paraphrafed. 36$
for his hour was fpirits, and thofe of all his enemies, were fo reflraiii-
not yet come. e(i an(J over-awed, that, how defirous foever they
were of it, none of them durft venture to offer any
violence to him, the time appointed of God not be
ing yet come for his laft fufferings and death.
31 The,n faid , 21 Then Jefus, knowing the rancour of their
Jefus again unto hearts againft him, went on with another difcourfe
them, I go my to th f • ag he had h , b f >b
way, aqd ye foall .. I T° ¦ i ' ' t. 1 ' r
feek me, and (hall v»- 33' 34-) l am g01ng ere long to my Father, from
die in your fins : whom I came ; and hereafter, ye would be glad to have
whither I go ye me, as the Meffiah, among you, to fave you from
cannot come. ajj y0ur miferies, and will earneftly feek after that
privilege : But all will be then in vain ; for, as ye ob
ftinately reject me by unbelief, ye fliall die under the
power and guilt of that your fin (s» th aputoTix vftat)
which will bind all your other iniquities upon you, to.
your utter deftruction, by the righteous judgment of
God in this world, and to your everlafting condem
nation in the next : And the gates of the bleffed
kingdom, to which I am going, will be fhut againft
you ; fo that ye will not be able to follow me thi
ther, either to fetch me back from thence, or to par
take of my glory there.
23 Then faid the 22 The unbelieving Jewr feemed to be amazed
Jews, Will he kill at tjjjs> an(j yet to jnake a jeft of it, faying one to
he faith Whither anotber, What a ftrange odd way of talking is this !
I go ye cannot What, does he think of laying violent hands upon
come. himfelf to get out of the reach of his enemies, and
fo prevent their murdering him ? or what elfe can be
, the meaning of this whimfical expreffion, I am going
to a place, whither ye cannot follow me ?
13 And he faid 23 Our Lord perfectly knowing their thoughts,
unto them, Ye are as wevj as their perverfe difcourfe, further explained
am^to^above ¦ I himfelf t0 them' faying. The reafon why ye cannot
are of this world follow me, is this : Ye are not only men of earthly
I am hot of this extraction, but, like your mean original, are perfons
world. of a worldly, carnal fpirit and temper, whofe hearts
are fet upon things below ; whereas I not only am
of divine original, and came from heaven, but my
temper and views are directly contrary to, and fubver-
five of yours ; I am dead to this world, and my affec
tions are fet on things above, whither I am going ;
34,1 faid there- 24 And therefore I told you, (ver. 21.) that ye
fore unto you, that fl^ utterly and dreadfully perifh for and in your ini-
finsfl-afofTfineVbe- 1uities' and particularly Y°™ unbelief, which leaves
lieve not that I am you under the power of all other fins : For if,
he, ye fliall die in through the carnality, hardnefs,- and impenitence of
your fins. ' y0ur hearts, ye will not believe that * I am he, who
fhould
NOTE.
* That lam he, is in the Greek pli iyw «/u, that I am, which fome fuppofe
refers to that name of God, (Exod. iii. 14.) where he calls himfelf / am. But.
Vol. II. B b b »"

366 The Evangelift Chap. viir.
fliould come a light into the world, (ver. 12.) as the
only Saviour, there is no help or hope, but that ye
muft be cut off in your fins, by the righteous venge
ance of 'God upon your city and nation in this world,
and by a ftiD more terrible deftruction in the world
to come.
¦25 Then faid -25 Hereupon, as they before had faid with a taunt,
they unto him, (VCr. 19.) Where is your Father? So now, with
Who a," th(oa! the like temper of mind, they cried out, Who are •
unto them' Even you that fPeak fo great things of yourfelf ? What do
the fame that I you pretend to be, that we upon our peril muft be-
faid unto you from lieve in you ? To this he repked, I infift upon it,
the beginning. tbat * I am what I have all along faid of myfelf from
the very beginning of my miniftry, even the Son of
God, and the true Meffiah ; (chap. iv. 26, and
, v. 17, — 27.) how much foever ye defpife me.
26 I have many 26 I could eafily charge you with many more
-things to fay, and crJmeg than I have, to aggravate your infidelity, and
to judge ot you: jay y0U un(fer , con jemnation ; and ye hereafter will
me is true • and I hear of them, and be judged by me for them : But
fpeak to the world not to mention, things now, which are unfuitable to
thofe things which the prefent defign of my office, and would be loft up-
I have heard of on r^^ forr\ener\ creatures as ye are, I fhall only
tell you that he, by whom I am fent to make known
his mind and will, is inconteftably true to his pro
mife concerning my coming, and to me and them
that believe in me, as he alfo is to his threatenings a-
gainft thofe that reject me : And whatfoever I fay
openly in, and to the world, is with all faithfulnefs,
exactly according to the commiffion that I have recei
ved from him whofe authority is uncontroulable, and
cannot be trampled upon with impunity.
27 They under- 27 Now, though in all this Chrift fo manifeftly
ftood not that he afferted his divine original and miffion ; yet fo great
th'1 F the- em,° were their blindnefs and prejudices againft him, that
ftill they did not underftand him to fpeak of God's
being his Father, and of his receiving his commiffion
from him ; but, as he had told them before, (ver.
19.) They neither knew him, nor his Fatjber.
2S Then feid 28 Jefus therefore faid unto them, How ignorant
Jefus unto them, foever ye now are of me, and though in a little time
When ve
NOTES.
in this place it rather feems to be an el- matical conftruftion of the Greek run
Iiptical form of fprech, with refpeft to rgx" °, rl "=" *a*a "M'v, which fome
his being the Meffiah, as this very ex- render, I am the beginning ; others ad-
preflion is undoubtedly to be underftood, , verbially, From the beginning, which-I
(Mark xiii. 6.) Many fhall come in my alfo fay, i. er- continue to" fay unto you ;
name\ faying, 0I1 lyu hi*i, tbat I am, i.e. and fo it may be taken as Chrift's af-
thc Chrift ; and (Ails xiii. 25.) John ferting his own eternal exiftence as
faid an H,ui ly'u, I am not, i. e. he, or the God, antecedent to any human origin-
Mefftah. _ al, according to Jolin i. 1, 3. and Rev.
* It is not eafy to give an exaft gram- i. S.

Chap. viii.

John paraphrafed.

3^7

taught me, I fpeak
thefe things.

When ye have lift ye will procure my crucifixion, who appear among
"h thft,Si°n of man' y°u as the Meffiah> and wil1 think that Ye nave
»>,,. t a_ yte n0lj thereby effectually ruined me and my caufe ; yet, as
that I am he, and , . !,, „ , , ,- „ „ ' ,'•'.'
that I do nothing this will really be the direct ftep to my exaltation, fo
of myfelf; but as ye fliall be 'afterwards convinced *, either by happy
my Father hath or dreadful experience, that I am he who was to
come, and that, according to what I now fey of
myfelf, I do nothing as a private perfon of my own
head, and nothing feparately from my Father ; but
that I faithfully declare every thing exactly accord
ing to the inftruftions, which I, as man and Me
diator, have received from him, and that all "my pro
mifes and threatenings fhall be punctually fulfilled.
29 In the mean-while, my Father, who fent me in
to the world, is ever prefent with me by an effential
union, and by an unmeafurable unction of his Spirit,
to affift, accept, and own me in his work-: He has
not deferted me, or withdrawn the demonftratlons of
his favour from me : For the whole of what I do is
at all times, and without the leaft variation, entirely
agreeable to his will, and delightful to him.
30 When Jefus fpake thefe words, it was with
fuch evidence and power, as brought many of the
Jews to believe that he bore a divine commiffion, or
at leaft to profefs f their faith in him.
31 But our bleffed Lord knowing that fome of
fos to thofe Jews them were weak in faith, and that others were only
which believed on hypocrites, who, under all their pretences of difciple-
him, if ye continue '* ,.'„.,' . , „ ,- / \
in my word, .then ftup to him, ftill fought to deftroy him, (ver. 37.)
are ye my difciples faid to the whole multitude of them that profeffed to
believe in him,- If ye really embrace, and adhere t;o
my holy doctrine in your judgment and choice, and
perfift in a cordial belief of it, and fubject your whole
fouls to it, then foall ye be proved and owned to be
my difciples in truth, a6 well as in name.
32 And ye fhall ftill further be enlightened, con
firmed, and fatisfied about the certainty,' excellence,
and importance of my gofpel ; and by its means fhall
ye obtain the moft glorious freedom from every thing
tjiat is enthralling, mean, and miferable.
33 Then feme of them, who had profeffed to be
lieve in him, taking it as an high affront, that he
fhould fpeak as if he thought them to be flaves, faid
to him, in a vaunting manner, We are the defeend-
ents of the famous patriarch Abraham, who being
B b b 2 a
NOTES.
* The means of this conviftion were the deftruftion of Jerufalem afterwards.
the figns and wonders that fliould attend \ It appears from the whole of the
the death and refurreftion of Chrift, the following difcourfe betwixt Chrift and
effufion of his Spirit, and fpreading of them, that fome of them were very far
the gofpel, and the judgments of God in from being fincere believers.

29 And he that
fent me is with
me : the Father
hath not left me
alone : for I do al
ways thofe things
that pleafe him.

30 As he fpake
thefe words, many
believed on him.

31 Then faid Je-

indeed ;

32 And ye foall
know the truth,
and the truth foall
make you free.

33 They anfwer
ed him, We be A-
braham's feed, and
were never in bon
dage to any man :
how fayeft thou. Ye

368 The Evangelift Chap. viii.
Ye foall be made a fovereign prince, and a man in covenant with God,
flee •' entailed all civil and religious freedom upon us, as our
birth-right ; and. we never loft it by being * enflaved
to any foreign power, or governed by any laiys but
our own. What therefore can you mean by pretend
ing to make us free, who are in right and fact fo free
already.
34 Jefus anfwered 34 Our Lord replied, How great foever your
them, Veiily, ve- boallsof liberty are, I, who fpeak the truth, folemnly
nly, I fay unto you, affnre. yOU> that whoever, like you, is a worker Of
Wholoever com. • • -. / \ ¦ ,L n r n
mitteth fin is the Imqulty. (° f""" "i» «ft*?n*v) 1S the worft ot flaves
fervant of fin. under the guilt and power of fin ; he, notwithftanding
all his pretended claims under Abraham, is a fervant
of corruption, to his own^perdition.
35 And the fer- 35 And the fervant of fin, though he be the natu-
,vant abideth not ral feed of Abraham y, \i\.elfhmacl, the fon of Hagar
in the houfe for tfo bond-woman, ffiall be caft out of God's houfe
abideth ever anc' fam>ly> a"d from all its privileges, as Ifhmael
was, and as all the carnal unbelieving Jews fhall be :
But the Son of God, who is likewife, by way of
eminence, the feed of Abraham, and the fon of the
promife, in whom all nations ffiall be bleffed, conti
nues as the firft-born, lord and heir in his own houfe
for ever ; and. ever}- one that claims under him, as A-
braham's feed through faith in him, according tb
the promife, ffiall abide in the family as a fon, and
inherit the nobleft freedom with him.
:,6 If the Son 36 If therefore I, who am the Son of God, and
makef°re ou fref L°rd °f mi"e °W" h°ufe' ^^ beft°W the n°bk free"
ve foall be free ^orn uPon you' which I fpake of, ye fhall be (ovto?)
indeed. fubftantially and eminently free in your own fpirits, and
NOTES.
* It is furprifing that they foould have idea of the fervant of Jin and of the Son,
the confidence to affert fo downright as mentioned in the preceding and fol-
and known a falfehood, as that they lie- - lowing verfes ; and, at the fame time,
ver were in bondage to any man : For foews the difference between the fer-
they had been notorioufly in bondage for vants of fin and the true children of God,
many years to foreign powers in Egypt and (who are Abraham's feed through faith
Babylon ; and were at this very time tri- in Chrift) with refpeft to the bondage
butaries to the Romans, and under great of the one, and the freedom of the other ;
reftraints of their liberties from them. it likewife keeps up the view of Chrift's
anfwer to the vain plea of the carnal
f The fenfe of this verfe, confidered Jews, that they were Abraham's feed :
as a general maxim, is plain and obvious Anditagiees with the apoftle's repre-
enough with refpeft to the privilege of a fentation of I/bmael's being caft out, as
fon above a fervant ; and yet it is very the fon of the bond-woman, who foould
difficult to fix its determinate meaning, not be heir with the fon of the free-wo-
as it Hands here in connection with the- man, and with his reprefentation of Ifaac,
contexts, and particularly with the fer- as the fon of the promife, who was there-
¦zant of fin, mentioned in the foregoing in a type of Chrift, and of all true belie-
verfe, and with the Son, fpoken of in the vers in him. (Gal. iv. 28,  -i.") And
verfe following. Btit that, which I have this fenfe of the words lies m'a plain
given, feems to be its mod eafy and con- and natural connection with the'follow-
iiflent fenfe : For it keeps up the fame ing verfe.

Chap. viii.

37 I know that
ye are Abraham's
feed : but ye feek
to kill me, becaufe
my word hath no
place in you.

38 I fpeak that
which I have feen
with my Father :
arid ye do that
which you have
feen with your fa
ther.

2,0 They anfwer
ed and faid unto
him, Abraham is
our father. Jefus
faith unto them, If
ye were Abraham's
children, ye would
do the works of A-
braham.

40 But row ye
feek to kill me,
a man that hath
told you the truth,
which I have heard
of God : this did
rrot Abraham.

John paraphrafed. 369
and in all your religious concerns ; free from the
guilt and dominion of fin ; free from the law as a
covenant of works from all its burdenfome ceremo
nies, that yoke of bondage, and from its dreadful
curfe ; free from the prevailing blindnefs and prejudi
ces of your own minds and hearts, and from the ty
ranny of Satan ; free in your accefs to God, com
munion with him, and actings for him ; free from
the fling of death, and the victory of the grave ; and
at length free from every kind of evil, and in full
poffeffion of all the glory of your adoption : So that
all other freedom is as nothing compared with this,
and is mere flavery without it.
37 And, as to the other part of your plea, that
ye are Abraham's feed, I very well know, and rea
dily own, that ye are his natural defcendents ; but I
likewife know, that notwithftanding this, ye are far
from giving into his faith, difpofition, and obedience,
and are full of unworthy inclinations and defigns to
deftroy me, only becaufe your proud and carnal hearts
cannot relifh and fall in with, no, nor fo much as
bear the holy, fpiritual, and felf-humbling doctrine
which I preach unto you.
38 So great is the contrariety between me and
you, that I deliver the things whieh I am intimately
acquainted with as one prefent in council and com
munion with my heavenly Father, and which I know
to be according to his mind and will : And ye, on
the other hand, do thofe things which ye have learnt
by immediate fuggeftion from your own father, who
is oppofite to mine, and which ye praftife under his
influence, and in imitation of him, like perfons in
communion and council with him.
39 At thefe words they took fire, and anfwered
him with fome fmartnefs, What father of ours is this
whom you fpeak of with fuch contempt ? We tell
you again, and you yourfelf have owned it, (ver.
•37.) that Abraham is our father : What then do ye
mean by reflefting upon him, as if we had learnt any
evil from him ? Jefus replied, If ye were indeed A-
braham's children in temper and fpirit, as well as by
natural defcent, ye would do fuch works of faith and
holinefs as he did.
40 But inftead of copying after, ye go into the
very reverfe of his believing and holy difpofition and
behaviour, in that ye feek my life, becaufe" I have
afferted an important and neceffary truth, about my
being the Son of God, and the promifed Meffiah,
(chap. v. 18.) a truth which, as a prophet, I recei
ved commiffion from God himfelf to declare to you ;
Whereas Abraham readily received and obeyed every
divine

37°

41 Ye do the
deeds of your fa
ther. Then faid
they to him, We
be not born of for
nication ; we have
one Father, even
God.

42 Jefus faid un
to them, If God
were your Father,
ye would love me :
for I proceeded
forth, and came
from God: neither
came I of myfelf,
)iut he fent me.

43 Why do ye
not underftand my
fpeech ? even be
caufe ye cannot
hear my word.

44 Ye

are of
your

N O
* Obferve the difference between
what Chrift here fays of himfelf, and
what is ever faid of any other : Believers
are faid to be of God, (ver. 47. and
1 John iv. 4.) and to be born and begot-?
ten of God; (1 John v. 1.) and the pro
phets were faid to be fent of God, as
John the Baptifi alfo was. (John i. 6.)
But it is peculiar to Chrjft, that he pro
ceeded forth, and came from God, which
intimates his divine original, as well as
nniffion, that he is of the Father as a Son
of his own effence, proceeding from him,
{is well as that he came from the Fa-

The Evangelift Chap. viii.
divine revelation, and was fo eminent for humanity and
piety, that he never would have gone about to kill
any innocent perfon, -much lefs any meffenger from
God to him.
41 It is plain therefore, notwithftanding all your
boafts of being Abraham's children, that ye have an
other Father, whom ye refemble, and whofe will and
work ye do. The Jews perceiving by this, that he
fpoke of their pedigree, not in a literal, but fpiritual
fenfe, repbed with indignation, Whatfoever you may
fuggeft to the contrary, we are not the children of
idolaters, who have broke God's covenant, and gone
a-whoring from him to idols ; nor do we own or ferve
the gods of the heathen, but are worfhippers of the
only living and true God ; and therefore he, in a fpi
ritual fenfe, is the Father of us all.
42 In anfwer to this, Jefus faid, If, as ye pre
tend, God were indeed your fpiritual Father, who
has really begotten you after his own likenefs, ye, in
ftead of oppofing and rejecting, would affectionately
efteem and embrace me and my doftrine : For I ori
ginally proceeded from God the Father * as his on
ly begotten Son, partaker of the fame nature with
him, and am come into the world immediately from
him ; I did not come of my own head, like a falfe
prophet, but by commiffion from him, who fent me,
as the Meffiah, to make known the way of falvation,
and to do his will upon earth.
43 Whence is it then, that ye do not take in what
I fay, and have evidently proved concerning myfelf,
and the defign of my coming into the world ? truly
the reafon is, becaufe your hearts are fo carnal and
fenfual, that ye cannot approve of my fpiritual, felf-
denying, and heavenly doftrine, and are fo prejudifed
againft it, that ye cannot endure to hear of my being
the Son of God, who preach it. How then can ye
pretend that God is your heavenly Father ?
44 No, on the contrary, I muft tell you plainly, that
your
T E.
ther, as a divine meffenger : For the
form of expreffion, ix t« ©sb £i;»x8ov, here
rendered I proceeded forth from. God, is of
ten ufed by the Seventy, to fignify a proper
birth, when applied to man, as in Gen.
xv. 4. it is faid, he that fhall come forth
out of thine own bowels, fliall be thine
heir; (chap, xxxv.'n.) Kings fhall come
out of thy loins. And it is laid of Chrifi:
with refpeft to his human birth, (Ifa.
xi. 1.) there fliall come forth a rod Out of
the flem of Jeffe. The phrafeology is
the fame in all thefe places, with that
which is here rendered proceeding forth.

Chap.

VIII.

John paraphrafed.

371

your father the de
vil, and the lufts of
your father ye will
do : he was a mur
derer from the be
ginning, and;abode
not in the truth,
becaufe there is no
truth in him. When
he fpeaketh a lie,
he fpeaketh of his
own : for he is a
liar, and the father
of it.

45 And becaufe
I tell you the truth,
ye believe me not.

46 Which of you
convinceth me of
fin > And if I fay
the truth, why do
ye not believe me >

47 He that is of
God, heareth God"s
words : ye there
fore hear them not,
becaufe ye are not
of God.

your proper father, in a moral fenfe, is the devil him
felf ; him ye imitate and obey, and iii; malicious and
envious inclinations and defigns ye relolutely fet your
felves to fulfil : Ye are the feed of that old ferpent,
who murdered the whole human race, drawing their
firft parents into fin, at the beginning of the world ;
who has ever fince prompted his children to all the
murders that have been committed, efpecially upon
righteous men and holy prophets, from Abel down
to this day ; and who ftill continues to murder the
fouls of men by his fallacious temptations. And as
he degenerated from his own original integrity ; fo
he afterwards denied the truth of what God had faid
about the forbidden fruit, that he might ruiri the fons
of men ; and he has ever fince fet himfelf againft the
truth of divine revelation, to prevent their recovery,
becaufe he is a lying fpirit, deftitute of, and an utter
enemy to all truth and goodnefs. Whenever there
fore he fuggefts falfehoods, he therein afts fuitable
to his own temper as an apoftate fpirit: For he is a
notorious liar, and the promoter of bes and deceits,
in all his methods of procedure, and among all thofe
that go into them after his example. Ye are therefore
his children, afting his part, and fulfilling his will,
in all your falfe fuggeftions and murderous defigns a-
gainft me.
45 And though I have given the cleareft proofs
,of the truth of my charafter, as the Son of God and
Saviour of finners, and have told you the only true
way to eternal life and bleffednefs ; yet ye will not
give any credit to me : Nay, becaufe I tell you fuch
truths, as are fpiritual and holy, and difagreeable to
your corrupt inclinations and interefts, therefore ye
rejeft both me and them.
46 If there is any immorality or mifbehaviour in
my life, or any abfurdity or ill tendency in my doc
trine, or inconfiftency with itfelf, with the fcripture,
or with any plain principles of reafon, why do not
fome of you prove it upon me, and thereby confute
me ? which of you is able to do this 1 And if ye can
not find any one real fault in my doftrine, any more
than in my life, but all is right and true, how perverfe
and unreafonable is it, that ye neverthelefs will peffift
in your unbelief? „
47 He that is a child of God, enlightened, renew
ed, and fanftified by his Spirit, is defirous to know,
and ready to receive and obferve whatever God fpeaks :
The reafon therefore why ye pay no regard to what
I declare, and have proved to be from him, is becaufe,
whatfoever ye pretend to, ye really are not the chil dren

372

The Evangelift

Chap. viii.

tan, and haft a de-
vii?

dren of God, partakers of his Spirjl, and well affect
ed towards him.
48 Then anfwer- 48 Some of the Jews then prefent, being exafpe-
ed the Jews, and ^^j at this cutting difcourfe, which they could not
wenTwen'that confute> feU into a violent fury againft him, crying
thou art a Samar out, How can you pretend, that none of us have con
vinced you of fin I (ver. 46.) We have faid, and
we ftand to it as rightly faid, your own difcourfe now
confirming it, that you are as bad as a Samaritan,
whom we look upon as the worft of enemies to our
religion and nation, and worthy to be had in the ut
moft abhorrence ; nay, we infift upon it, that you
talk like a madman, and one poffeffed of the devil
himfelf, while you charge the children of Abraham
with being not the children of God, but the children
of that evil one, and while you perform pretended
miracles by his power, and in confederacy with him,
to make people believe that what you fay is true.
49 To this monftroufly vile and blafphemous re
proach, Jefus anfwered, with wonderful meeknefs
and calmnefs of Spirit, This is fuch a groundlefs im
putation, as never can be made good againft me : The
nature and tendency of all my doftrines and miracles,
for promoting goodnefs and holinefs among men,
and for deftroying the works of the devil, are a de-
monftration that I am not influenced by him, nor aft
in confederacy with him : But all, that I do and fay,
is to advance the glory of my heavenly Father's wif
dom, power, holinefs, and grace, in the falvation of
his people : This Satan would never do ; and yet ye
revile and fpeak evil againft me for it, as if I were
actuated by him *.
50 But (2s) I neither trouble myfelf about your
reproaches, nor court your applaufe, having no aim
at advancing my own, in diftinftion from my Father's
glory : Nor need I be folicitous about thefe things ;
for there is one, even my heavenly Father himfelf,
who will fecure an intereft for me in the hearts of his
people, and will effeftually vindicate my charafter,
and avenge all the indignities offered to it.
5 1 Leaving therefore my reputation in his hands,

49 Jefus anfwer
ed, 1 have not a
devil ; but I ho
nour my Father,
and ye do diflio-
nour me.

50 1 And I feek
not mine own glo-

there feeketh
judgeth.

ry ;
that

one
and

51 Verily, ven-

ly, I fay unto yon, X who am Tmth kfelf Qn tQ ^^ . fa
If a man keep my ., t „ r , . ° , , , r ' . ,
faying, he fliallme- tne greateft folemnity, as 1 have done before, (chap.
ver fee death. v. 24. and vi. 40, 50, 51.) that whoever heartily em
braces,
NOTE.
* He took no notice of what they had tuated by an evil fpirit : And perhaps he
faid about his being a Samaritan, be- made no reply to that part of the charge,
caufe thaf did not fo much afteft his becaufe fome Samaritans had already be-
commiflion, and every thing that was lieved in him, (chap. iv. 39.) and he him-
invidious in that calumny would fall of felf had reprefented a good Samaritan in
itfelf, by his proving that he was not ac- an honourable light. (Luke x. 33, bV.)

Chap.

viii.

John pafaphrafed.

373

$2 Then faid the
Jews unto him.
Now we know
that thou haft a
devil. Abraham is
dead, and the pro
phets ; and thou
fayeft, If a man
keep my faying, he
foall never tafte of
death.

53 Art thou
greater than our
father Abraham,
which is dead? and
the prophets are
dead : whom ma
keft thou thyfelf?

braces, and holds faft my fpiritual and holy doftrine,
in his faith and obedience, fhall not * die (s;; toi>
tuam) for ever ; he fhall not be utterly deftroyed by
death, but ffiall live in all felicity, world without
end. 52 Then the Jews, inftead of embracing this blefs-
ed promife of a glorious immortality, wrefted Chrift's
words to their own deftruftion, pretending that he
meant an exemption from temporal death, and cry
ing out with ftill greater rage and revilings than be
fore, We are now thoroughly confirmed in the truth
of our charge, that you are really poffeffed of ihe de
vil, and are ftark mad : For our father Abraham,
who was the friend of God, and all the holy prophets,
from Mofes to this day, are dead, though they were
ftrift obfervers of the divine will ; and yet you bold
ly affirm, that whoever receives and praftifes your
doftrine ffiall never die.
53 What ! faid they, forgetting that the Meffiah
muft needs be fuperior to all that went before him,
do you pretend to be more highly in favour with God,
and to have greater power than our father Abraham
himfelf, and than the moft excellent of the prophets,
who died, like the reft of mankind ? how wild and
prefumptuous is your talk of making others immor
tal, when thofe eminent favourites ' of heaven could
not obtain that privilege for themfelves ? Pray, who
are you that pretend to beftow a greater bleffing on
your difciples, than God faw fit to vouchfafe to any
of them ?
54 Jefos replied, if I affume undue honour to my
felf, or make a fhew of power without good argu
ments to fupport it, foch glorying would indeed be
empty and- vain, and would turn to my difgrace :
But it is my Father (» Jol^C*"1 ftt) that honours and
glorifies me, by bearing witnefs to the utmoft digni
ty of my charafter, and ffiewing his approbation of
me according to it, even that God, whom ye claim
as your covenant-God, and whom ye ought to be
lieve, in what lie teftifies concerning ine.
55 But, notwithftanding your pretences of pecu
liar relation to him, ye are really Arrangers to him,
and utterly ignorant of him as my Father, and will
not underftand what he has witneffed concerning me ;
no wonder therefore that ye do not receive me : But
I am thoroughly acquainted with him, and fully af
fured, that he doth and will own and ftand by me,
who
NOTE.
* To fee death, and to tafte of death, as it is gjtprefied in the next verfe, are
Hebraifms which fignify dying.
Vol. II. C c c

54 Jefus anfwer
ed,- If I honour my
felf, my honour is
nothing : it is my
Father that ho-
noureth me, of
whom ye fay, that
he is your God.

55 Yet ye have
not known him ;
but I know him :
and if I foould fay,
I know him not.
I fliall be a liar
like unto you ; but I

374

The Evangelift

Chap. viii.

I know him, and who own and honour bim : And Were I to fay other-
keep his faying. wjfe> to avoid your wrath, I ffiould give the lie to
him, to my own confeience and charafter, and to the
truth itfelf, juft like you : But I infift upon it, as I
oiight, that I have a perfect knowledge of him, and
of his regard to me, and that I always do the things
that pleafe him, according to the commiffion which
I have received from him.
56 Youf father 56 And as to your cavil at my fpeaking greater
Abraham rejoiced things of myfelf than could be faid of Abraham, he,
lie few™*, aEnd was in whom Ye fo muctl gloT> as your Fath£r and as
glad. , ' the friend of God, made fo high account of me, that
he earneftly defired * to fee the time of my appearing
in flefh for the falvation of Ifrael ; and he had fuch
a fight of it, as filled him with exceeding great joy :
How much more would he have been delighted to
have feen what ye now fee, and defpife ?
57 Then faid the 57 The Jews, perverting his Words, as if he fpoke
Jews unto him, 0f Abraham's really feeing him in the flefh, faid to
Ihou art not yet ^j you are but a young- man, who, , a3 any one
fifty years old, and ' . , . '. ° ,11 1 j ¦ .l
haft thou feen A- ma-Y tee by. your looks, have hardly reached f thp
middle age of life ; and what> do you pretend to
have feen Abraham, as a cortemporary with him,
who died many ages ago \ How abfurd and prepofte-
rous is this !
58 Our bleffed Lord replied, I, who am Truth
itfelf, affuredly tell you, that, how young foever I
be, with relation to my human birth ; yet before
Abraham was born, and before all worlds, I had a
real exiftence, as the unchangeable % I AM, who
ordered
N O T .E S.
* -S.ya.X-Kiuira.1ottx.iSii, He rejoiced to timate, that fince he could not be fo
fee my day, feems naturally, from the much as deemed an old man, it was the
form of expreffion in the Greek, to fig- more abfurd in him to talk of Abraham's
uify, he vehemently defired to fee it; and having feen him.
this prevents the tautology, that other- rf This remarkable change of the
wife appears' in the words, tye rejoiced phrafe, from / was, to I am, points us to
and was glad. See Blaciw. Sacr. Claf. the eternal exiftence of Chrift in his di-
vol. I. p. 46. And though Abraham did vine nature, according to the moft lite-
not fee Chrift's day, in the fame fenfe as ral and natural conftruftion of the words,
the Jews faw it, by his appearing aftu- which feem to refer to what I take to
ally in the flefh ; yet he faw it, by faith have been Chrift's own words to Mofes,
in types, figures, and promifes, as par- becaufe the Father's voice was never
ticularly in Melchizedek, (Gen. xiv. heard, nor his appearance feen, under the
1 8.) in the appearance of Jehovah to Old Teftament-difpenfation. (See the
him in the plains of Manure, (chap, xviii. note on chap. v. 37.) And this makes
1.) in his offering up of the ram in them a direft anfwer to the Jews' ob-
Ifaac's (lead ; and in the prpmife.' that jeftion taken from Chrifi's human age,
in his feed all the nations of the earth fliews his excellence above Abraham,
fhould be bleffed. (Chap. xxii. 1, — 18.) and is the proper foundation of all the
f Perhaps the Jews (aid this, becaufe great things that he had afferted con-
the gravity of our Lord's countenance, cerning himfelf : And it is plain that the
together with his afflictions g||d labours, Jews underftood him ill this fenfe by
gave him the afpeft of a man nejir fifty, their taking up ftones to ftone -him, as
However, they mentioned this age, to in- appears from the next verfe.

hbraham ?

58 Jefus faid un
to them, Verily,
verily, I fay unto
you, Eefore Abra
ham was, I am.

Chap. viii. John paraphrafed. 375
ordered Mofes to fpeak of me to your fathers under
that name. ( Exod. iii. 1 4. )
59 Then took 59 Upon this, they apprehending thaf he had not
caft atPhi^"eSbut °nly made himfelf g^ter than Abraham, but had
Jefos^idWelf' likewi.fe been guilty of the higheft blafphemy, in
and went out of fpeaking of himfelf as the eternally exittent God,
the temple, going were1 furioufly enraged againft him, and immediately,
through the midft au ;„ a hurry, catched up ftones to ftone him to death :
paffed tw a" ° -^ut» n'8 time being not yet come, he prudently a-
voided their rage by* concealing himfelf from them ;
and, flipping out of the temple through the crowd,
he made his efcape.
RECOLLECTIONS.
Did Mofes command that perfons guilty of adultery fliould be ftoncd to death?
How abominable then is that fin I But, alas! how unfit are enemies to Chrift, and
allowers of themfelves in any iniquity, to fhew a zeal againft others, and condemn
them for theirs ! Were they ferioufly to examine themfelves, their confciences muft
foon convince them of fin, and make them afraid of cafting the firft ftone: And
though judgment is not fpeedily executed againft tranfgreflors, a time is, coming
when it foall ; and when worfe miferies will come upon them than can be inflifted
here : He who afts the Saviour's part now, will be their Judge then, and they that
rejeft him in the day of his mercy hele, fliall be rejefted by him in the day of his
wrath hereafter : O how will they then feek him in vain, and find that they can
not get to heaven to enjoy him there ! But bleffed be God that lightis come into
our world by Jefus Chrifi, who has given us a clear revelation of the Father, and
of the way of falvation by the gofpel, and enlightens dark fouls by his Spirit : In
an eftrangement from him, whatfoever knowledge we pretend to have of God, we
fliall certainly wander in the dark to our own eternal perdition; but they that walk
in his light, and follow his guidance, fhall be preferved from the dominion of fin,
and every dangerous error, and fliall fafely atrive at eternal life : He has faid it,
and foall he not perform it, who is a Divine l'erfon, infeparable from the Father,
and is the eternal / am, whofe witnefs concerning himfelf is true, and of equal au
thority with the Father's ; and who, in his mediatorial capacity, came from him,
and is faithful to him, honours him^ and is honoured by him ? How fafely may we
abide by his teftimony, and appeal to it, whenever any queftion may be moved con
cerning him, who is the fame that he faid of himfelf from the beginning! But how
infofficient is all external evidence to bring an unregenerate carnal heart over to-
Chrift ! And O what blafphemous contradiftion and reproach did he undergo from
finners ! They (hamefully difhonoured him, becaufe he honoured his Father and re
proved them ; and they infulted him, as if he were a madman, and poffefled with
the devil, while they themfelves were guilty of the greateft madnefs, and were actu
ated by the power of Satan : But his innocence was his protection ; and with what
meeknefs did he vindicate himfelf, and confute them ! What fignifies having Abra
ham, or any other godly perfons for our fathers, if we are ftrangers to their fpirit,
faith, and holinefs? And how monftrous is the hypocrify, wickednefs, and falfehood
of fome, that are defcendents of religious parents, and pretend to claim under them,
yea, that boaft of their privileges, and even profefs to believe in Chrifi himfelf.
They are worldly while hi is heavenly, and they naturally give a carnal turn to
fpiritual things; they cannot underftand or receive his doftrine, becaufe it is direft
ly contrary to the corrupt difpofitions of their own hearts ; they are of their fa
ther the devil, and bear his likenefs, as the father of lies and of all evil ; they are
under the worft of flavcry to fin and Satan ; they harden themfelves again con
victions
* N O T E.
* This he probably did, either by hi- ftinguifo him from others, and fo de-
ding himfelf in the crowd of his friends, parted from the temple, through the
or miraculoufly catling a mift before his midft of the company, and got away un-
enemies eyes, that tbey could not di- hurt.
C c c 2

375

The Evangelift

Chap, ix.

viftions of tlieir guilt and danger ; and if they believe not in Chrift, they fhall die
in their/fins," and (hall be turned out of God's family, who will difown them to be
his children ! But O the happinefs of true believers ! His word abides with power
ful influence in their hearts; they know the truth as it is in Jefus; they are of God,
and bear the likenefs of their heavenly Father ; they hear Chrift's words, and ob
tain the moft excellent freedom fiom him ; tlieir earneft dcfires are after him, and
they rejoice in the views that their faith gives them of him ; they love him, and
foall be delivered by him from all the miferies of eternal death ; and they are the
fpiritual feed of Abraham, and the children of God-, who foall dwell with the only
begotten Son in his Father's houfe for ever.

CHAP. IX.
Chrift gives fight to a man who was born blind, I, — 7. Several dif-
courfes on that occafion among the neighbours themfelves, and be
tween them and this poor man, 8, — 12. Between the Pharifees
and him, 13, — 34. Between Chrifi and him, ?$, — 38. And be
tween Chrifi and fome of the Pharifees, 39, — .41.

Text.
AND as Jefus
•" paffed by, he
faw, a man which
' was blind from
bis birth.
2 And his dif
ciples afked him,
faying, Mafter,
who did fin, this
man, or his pa-

Paraphrase.
f A FTER the forementioned things, Jefus, paffing
-*¦ ¦*- along with his difeiples, obferved a poor beg
gar, (ve>. 8.) whowas quite dark, and was known
to have been born blind.
2 And the difciples, fuppofing that this affli&ion
had befallen him -as an extraordinary judgment, put
a nice fort of queftion to their Lord about him lay
ing, Mafter for whofe fault was blindnefs from the
rents, that he was birth, infliifted on this man ? Was it for any uncom-
born blind ? mon fin of his own f ? or for fome remarkable crime
of his parents, before he was born ?
3 Jefus anfwered. 3 Jefus, to put a check upon a curipus and cen-r
Neither hath this forious temper^ replied J, Though all men are finners,
raan and
NOTES.
* The difcourfes, in the two preced- here mentioned, was not at the temple,
ing chapters, were at the feaft of taber-' as the former was, but in fome other,
nacles; (chap. vii. 2.) and it feems from place, where his difciples were with
chap. x. 22. (fee the note there) that him, and where this man fat begging ;

what follows in this, and the next chap
ter, was at the feaft of dedication, which
was about three months after the other,
that being in September, and this in De
cember .- And yet the laft chapter's end
ing, and this beginning with the fame
word, carries the face of a connection of
events,, one of which immediately fuc
ceeded the other. There it is faid, -cra-
f»3--v, he paffed by, here xai 'cra.guyuv,
and paffing by, which we render, and as
he paffed by, he faw a man, idc. How
ever, thefe parts of our Evangelift's hif
tory are clofely connefted, though the
facts were not fo in time; and it appears

and that it was on the Sabbath-day.
•f- Their queftion feems to have related
to fome perfonal fin, which God fore
faw this man would be guilty of, or
which he might be fuppofed to have
committed, either in the womb, or, ac
cording to the Pythagorean notion, in
fome (late of pre-exiftence, or in fome
former body.
| The plain defign of Chrift here is,
not to deny original fin, or fay any thing
about it ; but only to reply to their fug
geftion, as if this man or his parents,
were guilty of fome greater fin than o-
thers : For it could no more be faid, ab-

from ver- 2, S, 14. that the paffing by, folutely, that his parents had riot aft-n- ally

Chap. ix.

John paraphrafed.

377

man finned, nor his
parents : but that
the works of God
fliould be made
manifeft in him.

4 I muft work
the works of him
that fent me, while
it is day r the night
cometh, when no
jnan can work.

and all affliction is the fruit of fifl ; yet the blindnefs
with which this man was born, was not for any par
ticular fault, that either he or his parents had been
guilty of, more than others ; But it was ordered,
by the fovereign, wife, and holy providence of God,
for the manifeftation of his own glory, (chap. xi.
4. ) in my exerting the divine power to work a mira
culous cure on this miferable object, and thereby pro
ving myfelf to be the Meffiah, who am come to open
the eyes of them that were born both corporally and
fpiritually blind.
4 I muft therefore improve the prefent opportuni
ty for giving this man his fight, as an emblem of my
greater work of eplightening the minds of them tliat
fit in darknefs, for which my Father fent me : For
as the day of man's life is the proper time for bufinefs,
and he can do nothing for God, or the good ot o-
thers, in the grave, to which he is haftening ; fo all
the work I have to do, in my own perfon on earth,
for the glory of my Father, and the benefit of mens
fouls and bodies, muft be done out of hand, the time
of my death coming on apace.
5 Accordingly, during my fhort abode in this lower
world, I not only cure tbem that are corporally blind,
but am rifen upon it, as the Sun of righteoufnels, to
communicate the light of truth, grace, and comfort
to the fouls of its inhabitants, in healing beams for
fpiritual fight.
6 Then the bleffed Saviour proceeded to prevent
this poor man with the bleffings of his goodnefs :
And as be could work by contrary means, as well a$
without any, and could exert the fame Almighty
pointed the eyes of power which at firft farmed the body of man out of
the blind man with the duft of the ground, (Gen. ii. 7.) he fpat on the
earth, and making a kind of foft clay, by a mixture
of duft and f'pittle, fpread it on the eyes of the
blind man.
7 And, haying done this, he ordered him to go
and wafh (m rw xniAvfi^nO^av) at the pool of Siloam,
(fee the note on Luke xiii. 4.) which was a figure of
the kingdom of Judah, and of Chrift their King, ( fa.
viii. 6.) and which in the Hebrew language figniiies
way therefore, and fent, and fo pointed to the Meffiah, whpm God
Zlff' aDd CamC would y^W: Accordingly the blind man, in depend-
elI>s" ence upon Chrift's power, and in obedience to his
command, went and wafted his eyes * with thofe wa
ters,
NOTE.
ally finned, than it could, that neither not go into the pool, but oniy waflied his
he, nor they were under the guilt and eyes with its water, his dilieniper being
power of original fin. only in them ; and fo the prepofition tic.
* It is highly probable, that he did here fignifies at.

5 As long as I
am in the world, I
am the light of the
world.

6 When he had
thus fpoken, he fpat
on the ground, and
made clay of the
fpittle, anii he

the clay,

7 Apd faid unto
him, Go, wafh in
the pool of Siloam,
(which is by inter
pretation, Sent.)
He went his

37«

The Evangelift

Chap, ixi

begged >

9 Some faid, This
is he : others faid.
He is like him :
tut he faid, I am
he.

ters, and immediately came away feeing, like otheV
men.
8 The neigh- 8 In the mean time Jefus withdrew ; and at the
bours therefore, man's returning with his eye-fight, his neighbours,
beforethhyadWfeen that had lonS been acquainted with hinj, and others
him that he was that had before feen and obferved him to be ftone-
blind, faid, Is not blind, were amazed at the fudden alteration made up-
this lie that fat and on h;m ; an j talked one to another in a different man
ner about him : Some, not knowing what to think,
faid, by way of inquiry, Is not this the blind beggar,
who ufed to fit here ?
9 Others faid positively, This is the very fame
man : Others, unwilling to believe the miracle, faid,
He is indeed exceedingly like him ; but one perfon
may be like. another, and furely it is impoffible that
this can be he, fince there is no fuch thing as a man's
being brought to his fight, all on a fudden, who wa6
born bbnd : But the man himfelf, hearing their de
bates about him, declared to them all, for the honour
of his great Benefa&or, I really am the perfon, who
was born blind, and ufed to beg for my livelihood.
io Upon this they began to examine him clofely,
h'm, faying, If you are the man we mean, how comes it
1 e t;o pafs that you, who was always blind from your
birth to this day, fhould now fee fo perfeftly, all at
once ? By what means was this done ?
1 1 He replied, a certain perfon, named Jefus,
came up to me, as I fat begging, and, taking pity
on me, made a fort of foft clay, which he applied
to mine eyes, and then ordered me to go and wafh
it off at the pool of Siloam : Accordingly I obeyed
his command, hoping that it might have fome good

io Therefore faid
they unto
How were
eyss opened !

1 1 He anfwered
and faid, A man
that is called Jefus,
made clay, and a-
nointed mine eyes,
and laid unto me,
Go to the pool of

Siloam, and wafo : effe(cj:) an(j immediately found, to my joyful furprife,
and I went and h j M fa
wafhed, and I re- r - .
ceived fight. I2 I hen fome ot the company afked *, Where is

I figh
12' Then faid
they unto him,
"Where is he : He
faid, I know not.

the man who did this ? Let us know,
go and take the account from him.

that we may
To which he
anfwered, I really cannot tell ; for I never faw him,
he being gone before I returned with my eye-fight,
and I have not heard of him fince.
1 3 Some of them being enraged, inftead of rejoi
cing at the mercy fhewn to him, who had been blind,
brought him before the council, in which were ma
ny Pharifees, that, if poffible, the miracle might be
difproved, which had been wrought upon him.
14 And they were the rather induced to do this,
becaufe
NOTE.
* The afked this either out of curio- for doing it on the Sabbath-day ; (ver.
fity, to fee the wonderful perfon who 14.) or out of earneft defire to be them-
had wrought fuch a matchlefs miracle ; felves acquainted with him.
or out of envy and ill-will againft him,

1 3 They brought
to the Pharifees
him that aforetime
was blind.

14 And it

was the

Chap. ix.

John paraphrafed.

379

the Sabbath-day becaufe it was on the Sabbath that Jefus made the
when Jefus made ciaV) and cured the beggar of his blindnefs, which
edhis e';eas!d0pen" they fuPerftitioufly thought was a fervile work, and
a profanation of that holy day, and which they knew
1 . would incenfe the Pharifees againft him.
15 Then again 15 As foon as the man came before the council,
afoedPh.VehoSwahe the Pharifee> ^° h°ping> that by their fuperior wif-
had received his dom, they might catch fomething from him to ren-
fight. He faid un- der the whole affair fufpicious, or to put fome flur up-
them, He put on it, afked him, How, or by what means, he came
to his> fight ? The man honeftly replied, as before,
Jefus came up to me, and, taking pity on me, fpread
a certain clay upon mine eyes, and then ordered me
to go and wafh them with the water of Siloam, which
I accordingly did ; and immediately thereupon, to
my great furprife and joy, I could fee every thing a-
bout me, as I now do.
16 The Pharifees being ftunned at this anfwer,
fome of them, that were moft inveterate in their en
mity to Jefus, -faid, Whether this account of the mat
ter be true or not, it is certain that he, who is fpo
ken of as working the cure, cannot be a holy man,
approved and fent of God, becaufe he makes no coh
fcience of obferving the Sabbath, as appears by his db-
foch miracles? And ing thefe unlawful works on that day: But others
there was a divi- of them who were not fo rafh in their temper, faid,
If we allow that Jefus wrought this wonderful cure,
though it were on the Sabbath-day, we fhall never
overthrow his authority among the people : For it
will be faid, with a great deal of reafon, How is if
poffible that any wicked man, who is difapproved of
God, fhould perform any miracles, fo great and mer
ciful as this ? Let us therefore more thoroughly ex
amine the faft itfelf, and ¦ fee whether there be no
fraud in it : And fo they were divided in their own
judgment and debates about this affair.
1 7 Hereupon fome of the council faid to the man
that had been blind, What is your opinion of this
again, What fayeft f f as you tell us, he has given you the,
thou of him, that r » J ' o j
he hath opened ule °* your eYes • ^«d "e really do it f It he did,
thine eyes ? He what are your thoughts about him * ? The man re-
He is a pro- plied, From what experience I have had, and from
the beft judgment I am able to form upon it, I can
not but conclude that he is, at leaft, a holy prophet
fent from God. 18 But
NOTE.
* Thefe words may be taken either the faft for granted : Or they may be
as a fingle queftion thus. What fayeft confidered as two queftions thus. What
thou of him, feeing that he has opened fayed thou of liim ? Do^ thou fay that
thine eyes ? and fi) they may be confi- he has opened thine eyes ? and therefore
dered- as the queftion of fome that had I have taken both femes into the para.
favourable thoughts of Chrift, arid took phrafe.'

to them, He
clay upon mine
eyes, and I wafhed,
and do fee.

16 Therefore faid
fome of the Phari
fees, This man is
not of God, be
caufe he keepeth
not the Sabbath-
day. Others faid,
How can a man
that is a finner do

fion among them.

1 7 They fay un
to the blmd man

faid,
phet.

38o

The Evangelift

Chap. ix.

. 1 8 But the Jews
did not believe con
cerning him, that
he had been blind,
ind received his
fight, until they
called the parents
of him that had re
ceived his fight.
19 And they afk
ed them, faying, Is
this your fon, who
ye fay was bom
blind ? how then
doth he now fee ?
20 His parents
anfwered them,
.and faid, We know
that this is our fon,
and that he was
tiorn blind :
21 But by what
means he nowfeeth,
we know not ; or
wh6 hath opened
his eyes, we know
not: he is of age,
afk him; he foali
fpeak for himfelf
2» Thefe words
fpake his parents,
- becaufe they fear
ed the Jews : for
, the Jews had a-
greed already, that
if any man did con
fefs that he was
Chi. ft, he foould be
put oat of the fy
nagogue.

23 Therefore faid
his parents, He is
of age, afk him.

14 Then ag'ain
called they the man
that was blind, and
faid unto him, Give
God the praire: we
know that this man
is a finner.

18 But fome of thefe rulers of the Jews, finding
that the man fpoke fo much like a friend of Chrift,
would not believe that be was bom blind, or had really
received any cure from him, till they fent for his fa
ther and mother, that they might try what they could
learn from them about him.
19 And when his parents appeared before them,
they ftriftly examined them, faying, Let us hear what
ye can tell us about this poor man ? Do ye aver that
this is your' fon, who, it feems, ye pretend was born
blind ? If ye are fure that this is he, we afk you,
How came he to have his fight now ? or by what
means did he obtain it ?
zo His parents, being poor and timorous, repli
ed with great caution, We cannot but be fure that
this is 'our own fon, and have known to our forrow,
that he was ftone-blind from hir* birth till this time.
2 1 But how, or by whofe operation, he now is
brought to his fight is as ftrange to Tis as it can be to
you ; we being abfent when it was done : He is beft
able to give an account of thefe things himfelf, and
is of competent years and underftanding to do it- : Be
pleafed therefore to inquire of him ; no doubt but he
will give you full fatisfaftion.
22 His parents, inftead of having the gratitude
and courage to own what they knew of the cure,
fliifted it off in this manner, becaufe they were finfuf-
ly afraid of incurring the difpleafure of the court :
For they, had heard that the Jewifh fanhedrim had
already fliewn fuch a malicious fpirit againft Jefus, as
to pafs a law, that whoever fhould own him to be
the Meffiah, fhould be forbid entrance into the fyna
gogue, and be excluded, as an apoftate, from all the
liberties and privileges of the church and common
wealth of Ifrael. (See the note on ver. 34.)
23 The man's parents therefore fearing, that, if
they declared their own thoughts about Chrift's- ha
ving healed him, it might be confirmed as an intima
tion, that they believed him to be the Meffiah, turn
ed off the anfwer from themfelves to their fon, fay
ing, He is old enough to fpeak for himfelf ; pleafe
to take the account from his own mouth.
24 Then the council, finding that they could get
nothing out of his father and mother, to difprove the
miracle,applied again to the man who had been blind,
faying, If you really was perfeftly dark from your
birth, and have been brought to your fight in the
manner you fpeak of, it is a wonderful work of God,
and you ought to give him the entire glory of it, and
not think that Jefus contributed any thing toward it :
For we are fure that he is a wicked man, for having done;,

Chap. ix.

John paraphraftd.

381

done, and ordered you to do fuch things on the
Sabbath-day, as are a downright profanation of it.
(ver. 16.)
25 The man replied, I do not take upon me to
determine about his being a wicked man, or not, on
account of his having, as ye fay, broke the law of the
Sabbath ; if he be a tranfgreffor, 1 do not know it * -
But this one thing I am very fure of, that whereas
I was quite blind all along from my birth before, I
now clearly fee.
26 Then the council being at a lofs what to fay
againft the miracle, and yet refolved not to own it, re
examined the man, in hopes that, through furprife
and fear, he might fome way or other faulter in his
evidence : Therefore they faid to him, Let us hear
you rehearfe over again what Jefus did to. you, and
in what manner you received your light.
27 The man perceiving their obftinate and unrea
fonable prejudices, and that they only wanted to baffle
him, anfwered them, I have abeady told you the
whole of the cafe, as punftually as I was able, and
ye would not be convinced or fatisfied : To what
purpofe fhould I repeat the feme things over again I
What, Sirs, have ye at length a mind to become his
difeiples ? If fo, I would gladly tell you the delight
ful flory as often as ye pleafe ; . but if not, Why
fhould ye defire to hear any more of it ?
2% Then the council, being highly provoked at
thefe laft words.' broke out into a paffion, and began
to fall foul upon him, faying, in a contemptuous and
taunting manner, We his difciples ! No, we fcorn
your words : You indeed, as we fufpefted all along
from your man?rj;ement, are one of this man's difciples ;
and none but fuch forry wretches, as ysarfelf, would
ever own him ; but we, whom you ought to receive
as your guides in religion, and to treat with more re
verence and refpeft, than to give Us fuch a faucy an
fwer, are the faithful difciples of Mofes, ftedfaftly
adhering to the doftrines of that great man of God,
and famous lawgiver of Ifrael.
29 We are well affured, by undoubted teftimonies,
that God himfelf fpake to Mofes face to face, and by
him delivered the law to us : But as for this obfcure,
worthlefs fellow, (as they impioufly called our blefs-
ed Lord) whom you are fo fond of, and by whofe
deceits you are fo eafily impofed upon, none knows f
who
NOTES.
* Thus the words may be rendered, f The people had a little before ob.
'(a afiaplvK®- ii-irat eita.) Ifhe is a fin- jefted againft Jefos's being the Mcfliah,
ner I do not know it; thereby intimating becaufe, faid they, We know this man
that he had other thoughts of him. -whence he is; but whin Chrift cpmei,kAo ;
Voi. II, Odd *"»

15 He anfwered
and faid, Whether
he be a finner or
mo, I know not :
one thing I know,
that, whereas I was
blind, now I fee.
26 Then faid
they to him again,
What did he to
thee ? how opened
he thine eyes ?

27 He anfwered
them, I have told
you already, and
ye did not hear :
-wherefore would
ye hear it again ?
will ye alfo be his
difeiples?

2$ Then they
reviled him, and
faid, Thou art his
difciple ; but we
are Mofes' difci
ples.

la We- know
that God fpake un
to Mofes : as for
this fellow, we
know not from
whence he is.

332

The Evangelift

Chap, ix.

30 The man an
fwered and faid
unto them, Why,
herein is a marvel
lous thing, that ye

fliipper of God
and doth his will
him he heareth.

who or what he is, or from whom he received his ,
pretended authority.
30 The man- replied, Why, Sirs, it is a furpri
fing thing, that perfons of your learning and fagacity-
fhould know nothing of his original and authority,
and yet that he fhould fo miraculoufly give me fight,
know not from who was born blind : 'Tis really amazing to me, that
whence he is, and „e feoufe count him a contemptible ill man, or fhould
•^1^ " fuPPofe that he has no authority from God.
31 Now, we 31 For we all,- and efpecially ye our rulers and
know that God teachers, are well affured, that God fhews no peculiar
heareth not fin- feVOur to wicked men, and will not hear their pray-
ners . bin. it any -vvhile they carry on bafe defignsi againft him ;
man be 3. wor- ^ ..
much lefs will he own impoftors by giving them a
power of working any miracles in confirmation of
their doftrine : But if any man be a faithful fervant
of God, doing the things which are pleafing in his 1
fight, we juftly conclude that he will hear and hon
our him ; and God's enabling a perfon to perform,
the greateft of miracles, as the profeffed credentials
of his commiffion, has always been accounted an at-
teflation from heaven, that he is a holy man, and a
prophet of the Lord.
32 Now it is a wonderful miracle which Jefos has
wrought upon me ; and after all the -inquiries I have
been able to make, I could never hear, that any
phyfician, by human art, or that Mofes himfelf, or
any other of the prophets, by fopernatural operation,
from the beginning of the world -to this day, ever
gave fight to one who was born blind, and continued
perfeftly dark till he arrived to man's eftate.
33 If therefore Jefus were not a holy man, and a

3J
world

Since the
began was
it not heard that
any man opened
fhe eyes bf one
that was born
blind.

33

If this man

he could
thing.

do

were not of God prophet fent from God, and owned by him, he could
never have done iny miraculous work, much lefs
one fo extraordinary, matchlefs, and merciful as this,
in confirmation of his doctrine and authority : And,
as far as I fee, we muft deny the divine commiffion
of all the prophets that went before him, if we difown
his. -•
34 The proud Pharifees, not being able to re
fute the man's clofe and pointed reafoning, nor to
bear that fuch an one as he fhould prefume in this
manner
T E.
pofe him. But the truth is, they all did,
or eafily might know his human origi-

¦54 They anfwer
ed and laid unto
him, Thou waft al
together

," N O
man knows whence he is. (Chap. vii. 47
fee the note there.) -And here the Pha

rifees objeft againft^ him, be aul'e, fay nal: And the unfearchablenefs of his

they, we know not from whence he is
So that, right or wronr>', his enemies re
folved to runTiim down, and, without a-
ny fcruple, would talk contradiftions to
ferve a turn, and affirm Or deny the fame-
thing, or any thing, rather than not op.

generation as a Divine Perfon, whofe go
ings forth were of old from everlafting,
was fo far from being an argument a-
gainft, that it was an argument for his
being the true Mefliah,

Chap. ix. John paraphrafed. 383
together born in -manner to argue againft them, loft all patience, and
fins, and doft thou anfwered him with bitter reproaches, and in a huff,
clfthim'ou't 7 fay'n?' You are a alY> rude> a,ld bafe fdlow> «h°
have indeed had an uncommonly blind and vicious
foul from your birth ; and, if what you fay of your
felf be true, your coming into the world corporally
blind, and ever fince ftrolling about with loofe and
wicked beggars, has been a plain fign and punifh
ment of it." And what ! do you go about to difpute
with and inftruft us who are the guides and rulers of
the church, and the chief men of the day for wifdom,
fanftity, and authority ? And having thus infulted
and reviled him, they went even beyond the fevere
law which they had lately made againft owning. Jefus
to be the Chrifi, (ver. 22.) and * excommunicated
this man only for pleading- that he was a prophet.
35 Jefus heard 35 Our Lord hearing that they had caft the poor
that they bad caft man out of the fynagogue for his fake, took the firft
he^aTfound^im" °PPortunity of feeking after him, (thereby fliewing
vhe laid unto him' ^ow for"'31^ he is to own and encourage them that
Doft thou believe ftand up for him) and meeting with him, faid, Do
on the Son of you believe in the promifed Meffiah, who is the Sou
G°<l? of God?
36 He anfwered 36 The man, glad to hear of the Meffiah, repli-
and faid, Who is ed, with great earneftnefs, Sir, I do verily believe
he-' LL°udr that * that he 'will foon appear ; and if he be already come,
might beljeve on . „ 1 • 1 • i_ j i_ -r ,- 1 1 •
y^ j ' pray tell me which is he, and where l may find him,
that I may fix my faith on him, and may be one of
his difciples.
37 And Jefus 37 Then Jefus manifefted himfelf to hirn as he did
faid unto him, not to ^fo World, fayfejr He is nearer to you than
Thou haft both ex. 1 j • j v
f en him and it Y aware or ; you have already experienced his
is he that talketh great power a'nd goodnefs, in opening the eyes of your
with thee. body, and of your mind too ; it is he, whom you
now have feen, and who is converting with you.
38 And he faid, 38 Hereupon the poor man cried, in a rapture of
Lord, I believe. j0y, Lord, I do heartily believe, that thou art in-
Ad.dWm WOdhii'" deed the Son of God, and the only Saviour of Ifrael,
who art come to open the eyes of the blind, and to
give bght to them that fit in darknefs : And imme
diately, in teftimony of his faith, he fell -down before
him, and paid divine adoration to him, as his Lon}
and Saviour, P d d 3 39 And
NOTE.
* Cafting out of the fynagogue, figni- any entrance into the fynagogue, and
fied excommunication, which was prin- from all religious and civil privileges in
cipally of two forts among the Jews.' the church and commonwealth of If-
One the lefs, called Niddui, which fe- rael. Vid. Selfl. de Synedr. Lib. I. cap.
parated the party from the congregation vii. And when it is faid of this man,
and fociety of Ifrael four cubits, for i%i€a>.ov ao\oi i%o, they caft him out, it
thirty days. The other, called Cherem, feems as if it were by the greater ex.
was the greater, whjch excluded from communication.

384 The Evangelift Chap, ix."
39 A'nd Jefus 39 And Jefus, according to his euftopi of impro-
faid, For judg- y- prefent occurrences, faid, I am come into the
r^/hTS world to'eftablifh a rule of judgment, tc .alter -the
that they' which "ate of the church, to try men's fpirits, and by diltm-
fee not, might fee ; guifhing grace to feparate the precious from the vile ;
and that they \ am come, in the adminiftration of my kingdom,
b^'mad^' indght to open not only men's bodily eyes, but likewife the
eyes of their underftanding, who are really ignorant
of the way of falvation, and defirous to be taught
iV: And I am come, on the other hand, to prove
them to be fpiritually blind, and to feal them up un
der their own ftupidity and perverfenefs, who pre
tend to be wife enough abeady, and therefore obfti
nately fhut their eyes againft the light of my word :
Meaning, ttiat thus it would be with refpeft to par
ticular perfons, Pharifees and others, and with re*
fpeft to the nations of Gentiles and Jews.
43 And fome 40 Then fome of the Pharifees, that were prefent
of the Pharifees, an(j fo&rc\ this, taking it as defigned particularly a?
him^heTrd thefe Sainft themfelves, and as a grofs affront and refleftion-
words, and faid un- upon them, faid to him, in a way ofdjfdain, What,
to him. Are we dare you fuggeft that we, who are guides to the blind,
blind alfo ? an(j whofe lips preferve knowledge, are as ftupidly ig?
norant as the common people that know not the law ?
41 Jefos faid un- 41 Our Lord replied> If ye really were as ignorant,
to them, If ye were an(j as fenffefe 0f it, as many of them are, ye would,
have'noVmr'but cpmparatively fpeaking, have no fin, or at leaft none
now ye fay, We fo„ heinous, as ye now have in defpifing me;, and ye
fee; therefore your would be in a hopeful way of deliverance from all
fin remaineth. • y0ur fms> through faith in me : But while ye are fo
felf-conceited, as to imagine that ye know enough
already, and need no further inftruftion, and fo rejeft
me, notwithftanding all that I have faid and done a-
mong you, your fin is attended with the higheft ag*
gravations, and ye remain under its guilt and power,
without any likelihood of its ever being removed.
RECOLLECTIONS.
How cautious fhould we be of indulging curiofity abqut God's difpenfations, and
of uncharitably cenfuring others, becaufe of the afHiftions that befal them ! Though
they are finners in common with all mankind, they may be under no peculiarly ag
gravated guilt, more than others : But God is righteous in his moft awful proceed
ings, and will turn them one way or other to his own glory. And O how wonder
ful is the power and grace of Chrift toward the unworthy and the diftreffed ! He
prevents them with the riches of his goodnefs, and can eafily work falvation for
them in whatfoever way he pleafes ; but they are to obferve his own appointments
for it, in obedience to his authority, and in faith and hope of his making them ef
feftual, whether they can fee the reafons of his orders, and their likelihood to an
fwer their end, or not. What bleffed experience will he give fuch fouls of his pow
er and mercy ! He will enable them to think and fpeak honourably of him, till at
length he will plainly difcover himfelf to them, and they foall be brought to adore
and worfliip him ; and if they are caft out of the favour of men for his fake, he wilj
take them into his fpecial care, and deal the more kindly with them. Happy fouls.
^vho were once blind, but now fee '. How ready foould they be to own their former
deplorable

Chap. x. John paraphrafed. 385
deplorable circumffenceSi antf the wonderfuj change which Chril}; has made upon
them ! How fhould they rejoice in it, and abide by their teftimony to him, what
foever oppofition and contempt others may foew in difputing againft it '. He will
own and honour their words to the confufion ef his enemies ; and they themfelves
may hope to be ftill further acquainted with him. Jut they who, like the parents
of the blind man, are afraid and'fhy of owning what they believe concerning Chrift,
have no room to think, that he will own them. And O how itaexcufable and dread
ful is their condition, whofe hearts are filled with enmity againft him, notwithftand
ing the plaineft teftimonies that are given to him, and who, under pretence pf fa
cred zeal for fuperftitious rites, and of giving all glory to God, upbraid the bleffed
Saviour himfelf ! Though they may be filenced, they are never fatisfied : And the
higher evidence they receive, the more they are enraged : What can be expefted,
but that they foould~be delivered up by the righteous God to judicial blindnefs ?
And the higher opinion they have of their own understandings, the greater is their
gruilr, and their danger of never being enlightened in the things that belong to
their everlafting peace. But what encouraging ground of hope is there for thofe
that are truly fenfible of their own ignorance, and need of inftruftion ! Jefus, ac
cording to ancient prophecies of the Meffiah, is come to open their blind eyes, and
to give them the knowledge of himfelf: And they, being enlightened by him.
fhould, after his example, be working fox God, while their capacities, opportuni
ties, and lives are continued, doing all that in them lies for his glory, and the good
of others, before the night of death comes, which will put an end to all their fer-,
vices, as well as fufferings, in this world; and then flic places that know them now,
fliall know them no more.

CHAP. X.
Qbrlfi the door and the fhepherd of the fheep, jt, — 18. Different opi
nions of the people concerning him, 19, — 21. His difputes with
the Jews about his being the Chrifi, and equal with God, 22, —
38. His efcaping their fury, and returning back beyond Jordan,
39,-42. Text. Paraphrase.
¦yERILY, verily, i"\UR bleffed Saviour having reproved the Phari-
I fay unto you, \J jees as yind guides, while they boafted of their
™t by theXorfo^ knowledge and Ml in the law, (chap. ix. 39,-41.)
to the foeepTold, warned the people, in a parabolical way, againft
but climbeth up thefe and all fuch conceited falfe teachers, and di-
foroe other way, re£tecl them to himfelf, who had been traduced as an
-Wd » robber tlUCf imP°ftor- h faid *>e' the iWn> the *aithful and
true Witnefs, folemnly affure you, that as a man,
who does not go in at the door of a fheepfold, but
climbs over the fence, is juftly deemed a thief, that
comes to Ileal away, and deftroy the fheep : So all
that pretend to be paftors of the flock of God,
which he gathers into his church, as his fold, and,
do not come into that office according to his appoint
ment, but by methods of their own devifmg; all thefe
are intruders and fedueers, who, inftead of feeding
and taking care of the fheep, come to rob God of his
authority over them, and property in them, and to
pervert and deftrpy their fouls. ?. But

386-

The Evangelift

Chap.

x.

% But he that
entereth in by the
door, is the foep-
iierd of the foeep.

3 To him the
porter openeth ;
and the' fheep hear
Siis voice : and he
calleth his own
foeep by name,
and feadeth them
out.

4 And when he
putteth forth his
awn foeep, he go-
eth befoi'e them,
and the foeep fol
low him : for they
Jmow his voice.

5 And a ftran
ger will they not
follow, but will
flee from him : for
they know not the
sroice of ftrangers.

* As fome refer
pjiniftring fcryants.

2 But as a man, who regularly goes in at the door
of the fheepfold, to manage the fheep, is to be e-
fteemed as their real ftiepherd : So he, who with right
principles and ends^ and in the method of God's ap
pointment, enters upon the work of feeding and guid
ing the church, and leading them into the only tj-ue
way of falvation, -is qualified, and has a right to be
their paftor ; and he will take care of them, wKri
may fitly be compared to fheep, as they are 'a pecu
liar property, a dear charge and living treafure ; and
as they are cleanly and traftable, meek and patient,
harmlefs and cautious, timorous and expofed, and yet
focial and ufeful creatures.
3 As the door keeper gives ready admiffion to the
fhepherd, and his fheep are acquainted with his voice,
who calls them by their feveral names, and leads them
out to the pafture : So God gives all authority to the
true Shepherd, and by his Spirit, and .the miniftry
of his fervants, opens the hearts of his people to re
ceive him * ; and they are taught to underftand and
diftinguifh his voice in the gofpel : And, being his
peculiar charge and property, he calls tbem by grace,
one after another, as particularly as if it were by
name ; and then leads them into the good pafture,
which he has provided for them in his word and ordi
nances. 4 And as when the fhepherd brings forth his fheep,
he, according to the cuftom of thefe eaftern nations,
walks before them, and they go after him, and are
governed by him, becaufe they are acquainted with
his voice : So when the great Shepherd leads his own
fheep in paths of righteoufnefs, for their fpiritual
food and refrefhment, he fhews them the way they
fhould go, by his own inftruftion and example, and
they -willingly yield themfelves up to his authority,
and tread in his fteps, becaufe they underftand and
approve of his teachings, and can diftinguifh them
from all others.
5 But (h) as the fheep will not go out after a
ftrange man, but, on the contrary, will run away
from him, becaufe they are unacquainted with his
vpice, he befeg a ftranger to them : So the people of
God, who are chofen and called to be the fheep of
his pafture, will by no means be prevailed upon to
hearken and adhere to the unfcriptural doftrines, and
bad example of uncommilfioned falfe teachers, that
would pervert them ; but will be upon their guard,
and keep at the utmoft diftance from them, becaufe they
NOTE.
this to God the Father, others to his Spirit, and others to his
I have taken them all into the paraphrafe.

Chap. x. John paraphrafed. 387
they perceive that their corrupt principles and prac
tices do not lead them into the right way of falvation.
6 This parable 6 The bleffed Jefus delivered himfelf in this para-
them ¦ JDfUS "h *° k°lical ft^n to the Pharifees, defigirfng thereby to
underftood"1 not ^et ^ort'1 *"s own authority, and to overthrow theirs,
what things they together with that of all other corrupt teachers : But
were which he as he had not given a particular explication of his
fpake unto them, meaning, and thfey wei/e extrianely opinionated of
themfelves, and prejudifed againft him, they did not
take in the drift of his difcourfe.
7 Then faid Je- 7 Then our Lord further added, I, who am faith-
^afo'vCTi^verT M a"d trUe' affure yOU' that l am the door of falva-
fy,"l fay^unto'you" tion'. and of God's fheepfold ; the only way to eter-
I am the door of nal life, and the only one, by whom minifters and
the foeep. people can have admiffion into the gofpel-churcb,
that the one may have authority to exercife office-
power in it, and the other may be partakers of its
fpiritual privileges and faving benefits.
8 All that ever 8 All that have arifen before me, with pretences
came before me tQ h Meffiah's charafter; and all that, like the
are thieves and - .. ,_,... ' .' ... .
robbers : but the Jeribes and rharijees, endeavour to prejudile their
flieep did not hear own, and other people's minds againft me, and to
them. • teach other methods of falvation than by me *, are
no better than invaders of an office which they have
no right to, and robbers of my Father and me of our
honour and our due, and deftroyers of men's fouls :
But the eleft and called of God were not deceived
by them, fo as to be drawn into perdition by the er
ror of thofe wicked ones ; nor could they find any
fatisfaftion in following them.
9 I am the door : g J feftft Upon it, as a matter of the greateft im-
by me if any man tan that j am tfo onl true door of the church
enter m, he fhall be r , r , ... ,T7., ' ,. . '
faved, and fliall go and ol eternal hie : Whoever enters upon religion, by
in and out, and find faith in me, as the only Saviour, fhall certainly be de
parture, fended againft the deftroying- power of all his fpiri-
/ tual enemies, fhall be delivered from the wrath to
come, and fhall obtain eternal bleffednefs ; and, while
he is in this world, he, under the conduft of my
word and Spirit, fhall go to and from divine ordi- '
nances, and poffefs a holy liberty in them, and fhall
find fpiritual fupport, nourifnment, and refrefhment
to his foul by their means.
10 The thief 10 On the other hand, the falfe teacher, who
cometh not but for ventg pernfeious errors, and has no commiffion from
to deal, and to kill, «-,,*- , r j n_ j a 1
and to deftroy : I God, comes only to feduce my fheep, and fteal away
am come that they their hearts from me, that he may make a prey of
might have life, them, to the murdering and ruining of their fouls,
and or
NOTE.
* This cannot be meant of the holy prophets, and John the Bapti/l, who pre
ceded Chrift in their miniftry ; for they were fent of God to their work, were
faithful in it, and fpoke of Chrift as the only Saviour.

388 The Evangelift Chap. tf.
and that they or that., if he cannot carry them oft from me, he may
might have it more plunder and perfecute them even to the death. But
abundantly. I am come into- the world to fhew them the way. of
obtaining a fpiritual and immortal life, to purchafe
it for them, and to give it to them, that they ittay
have it with more abundant evidence than it ever was
revealed before, with more abundant coft to myfelf,
and glory to my Father, and with more abundant
excellence* eminence, and fecurity to themfelves, than
can be faid of the long life of profperity that was pro
mifed to Ifrael in the land of Canaan, or even of the
happy life that man enjoyed in Paradife ; and I am
come that they may have it more abundantly than
they deferved, or could have expefted, or wpre able
to afk ot think, (kxi 'rri^o-tt-oi lyjitnd) even with an o-
verplus Of the higheft honour, advantage, and delight
for ever, which is much more than barely living.
ulamthegood ii Yea, I am not only the door of entrance, but
lhepfierd : the grfod am likfcwife, by way of eminence*, the good Shep-
foepherd giveth his fo^ who am abfolutely fo, and the beft of all others,
life for the foeep. ^^ ^^ t g^^^ of the n^^ who was
•fpoken of in the prophets; (Ifa. xl. io, il. and
E£ek, xxxiv. 23.) and who lead and guide, • defend
and fave my flock ; I am not only ready to undergo
hardfhips, and expofe myfelf to dangers for their fake,
as Jacob, didy<?r the love he had to Rachel, (Gen.
xxix. 2o. ) and as David did to refcue his lambs from
the lion and the bear ; ( 1 Sam. xvii. 34. ) but I am
freely willing to -f lay down my own life for theirs,
by dying in their room and ftead, and fo give my
foul for theirs, by making it an offering for fin, that
they may live for ever.
-j i But lie that 1 2 But, on the contrary, whoever takes upoh
is him
NOTES.
* Though Our Lord rebuked one for which it was peculiar to God, he fays
calling him good Mafter, while he took emphatically, / am the good Shepherd,
him to be no more than a man, faying, in a way of Angularity, and of preference
Why call'ejl thou me good ? There is norii to all others whatfoever.
good but one, that is God. Matt. xisc.
16, t7. Yet here he aflivmes this title .... „ .
Of goodnefs to himfelf, to intimate that - .+ *"*»>» "j"™ ¦""? Tc" *jf»e«K
it is really, his due, and that he is the God S>*>" h" life fir the fheep anfwers to
who alone is abfolutely good : For the *nat was ptoffoefied of the Meffiah,
good Shepherd is as high and divine a (Ifa- lui- 10.) W33 tilMt G*VJt) tiN
title, as good Mafter can be fuppofed to When bis foul fhall make an offering for
be; and as Chrift claims the firft, he un- fin: And Chrift's fpeaking here of laying
doubtedly has an equal right to the lajl: down his own human foul, as a facrifice.
And as God in the Old Teftament is for fin, intimates that, he, as Lord ofhim-
fpoken of by Way of eminence, as the felf, refigned it unto fufferings, accord-
Ihepherd of Ifrael ; fo Chrift here fpeaks ing to his Father's will, in a way of fub,
of himfelf under that relation to his peo- ftitution, in the room and ftead of his
pie, with the additional epithet of ^oorf : foeep, when he gave his life, or foul, %
And to foew that he did this in the, ranfom for many, (4u^i» avh hvlgov atii
moft eminent fenfe of the expreffion, in wsAAHf) Matth. Xx. j5.

Ghap. x. John paraphrafed. 389
is an hireling;- and him the paftoral office, with felfifh worldly views*,
wiiqfehe ownPhethe' 3nd haS "0t E r€al affea!onate concern, like that which
foeep are°not, feeth the, owner has for his fheep; when at any time he
\he wolf co'mih^, finds an enemy approaching, wjth the craft,- tit the
and leaveth the fury and cruelty of wolves, to break in upon the flock,
foeep and fleeth; by pernicious errors, or violent perfecutions, he, in-
and the wolf catch- a.' j r u j- ,. it • ' - , ,
eth them, and feat- lteadr0t hazarding his own life; reputation, or feculav
tereth the foeep. interefts, for their defence, will quit his poll; fly
from the danger, and leave them to fhift for them
felves ; and fo the enemy worries and tears, perverts
and oppreffes them, and makes an eafy prey of
them.
- 13 The hireling 1 3 And the true reafon why fuch a mercenary
rse"ihhirbeUnUfeand ^lm Pretender to this facred office thus deferts them,
careth not for the '" a time °f the greateft need'and danger, is, becaufe
foeep. he entered upon it merely for fecular advantage, and
does not care what becomes of the fpiritual and eter
nal interefts of thofe that were under his charge.
14 I am the 14 I fay then, that I am, by way of eminence,
good ftiepherd, and the good Shepherd, in oppofition to fuch an intru-
and am know of ^er' Yea> and *n preference to the beft of under fhep-
mine. herds ; and (jyt\atrx.u ix, tfia,) I have a particular exaft
knowledge of all that are my peculiar property by
my Father's gift, and my own purchafe, and by their
own free confent, who have abeady given themfelves
up to me ; they are all under mine /fye, and I obferve
them with -j- a tender regard and fpecial care, that
no enemy may deftroy them : And, in confequence
of this, I am the object of .their notice and obferva
tion ; they have a diftinguifhing knowledge of me
and my doftrine, arid they fiducially and affeftionately
embrace me, and hearken to it.
'15 As the Fa- 15 In this manner I know them, and am known,
ther knoweth me, by them \ ; even as God the Father has a perfeft
knowledge
NOTES.
* The hireling cannot mean foch faith- know a wicked perfon ; and Matth. vii.
ful minifters as the Lord has ordained to 23. I never knew you : At other times
live of the gofpel, (1 Cor. ix. 14.) but it it is put for a fiducial knowledge, as in
relates to fuch foolifli and idol fhepherds Ija. liii. n. By his knowledge, or the-
as are prophefied of, Zech. xi. 15,-17. knowledge of him, jhall ney righteous
And though.what Chrift here fays about fervant juftify many ; and John xvii. 3.
them is juftly applicable to all worldly- This is life eternal, that they might
minded preachers, that regard the fleece know thee, &c. The firft of thefe fen-
more than the flock ; yet he feems parti- fes is to be taken into Chrift's know-
cularly to point at the fcribes and Phari- ledge of his fheep ; and both fenl'es are
fees .- Accordingly the wolf will fignify included in their knowledge of him ;
any enemy, who by fraud, or force, at- and there is a mutual confidence, as well
tacks the Chriftian's faith, liberty, or as affection, to be confidered in the
life. knowledge, that the Father and Son
t Knowledge is often put in fcripture have of each other : Accordingly I have
for an approving knowledge ; as in Pfal. taken in all thefe meanings in this and
i. 6. Jhe Lord knoweth the way of the the following verfe.
risrhteous ; and Pfal. ci. 4. I will not rf The conftrucilion of thefe words,
Vot. II. E e e *".e«

39--J The Evangelift Chap. x.
even fo knoiv I the knowledge of 'me, and an entire affeftion to, and con-
Father ; and I lay n(fence in me, as one that will faithfully difcharge
*™^™y life for the office of a good feepherd toward them, and as I
ieep. myfelf am fully acquainted with him and his coun-
fels, heartily love him, and delight to do his wfi%
and am confident of his owning me in my work :
And fuch is my love to my Father and my fheep,
that 1 am freely willing and ready to lay down my
life in their ftead, that they may not die eternally.
16 And other 16 And as I have already taken poffeffion of fome
ffieep I have, which 0c \hzm, and there are ftill more to be effeftually call-
ZTl^^ft «4 f-m among the Jews ; fo there are many others
bring, and they that the Father has given me among the Gentiles, who
fos'lfhearrnyvoice; at prefent are firangers from the commonwealth of
aod there fliall be Ifrael, and from the covenants of promife ; (Eph.
foTherd Uad ^ "'• IZ-) thefe alf° l muft fearch a"d find °Ut' and
e^ ero bring back to God, in faithfulnefs to my engage
ments for them, and in juftice to my purchafe of them ;
and they fhall certainly, in due time, hear my voice
in the miniftry of the word, and be prevailed upon
by my Spirit to attend to it: And, being grafted
in by faith with the believing Jews, they fhall make
one church with them, as perfons united together in
the fame faith and love, worfhip and obedience, in
the fame holy fellowfliip and profeffion, and in a par
ticipation of the fame fpirit, and of the fame blefs-
ings and privileges of the gofpel, under my care and
guidance, influence and government, as the one Shep
herd fpoken of in ancient prophecy. (Ezek. xxxiv.
17 Therefore 17 This work i= fo agreeable to my Father's will,
<!oth my 1- ather that, befides his infinite love to me as his only begot-
loye me, ecau e Son, he has likewife a peculiar affeftion to, and
lay down my lite, : f . '
?hat I mi^ht take delight 111 me, becaule fuch is my love to the fheep,
it again. whom he loves, and fuch my zeal for the manifeftation
of his glory in their falvation, that I cheerfully lay
down my life for the expiation of tlieir offences, *
to this end that (<v«) I might rife again for their juf
tification.
is No man ta- 18 No man is able, by ftratagem or force, to de-
keth it from me, pr;ve me 0f nly j;fe^ vrithout my eWn confent ; but
¦n" myfelf:1 I have ^ voluntarily iay it down, as mine own free aft and
power deed : I have an original power and right in myfelf,
NOTES.
xatot yriiiev.il int 0 Tsah.f %ayu ywvaxo which his Father has of bim, and he has
to» -pa7nfa. is, as the Fatlicr knowetb of the Father, with regard to his office
me, and I know the Father ; and fo they of a ftiepherd to them.
refer to the foregoing verfe, and are an il- * I think the connection of this verfe,
fu-ftration of the knowledge that is be- and the ufe of thefe phrafes in other
tween -Chrift and his flieep, and an inri- parts of fcripture,' fufficiently juftify this
mation that it is owing to that knowledge fen fe.

Chap. x.
power to lay it
down, and I have
power to take it a-
gain. This com
mandment have I
received of my Fa
ther. ip There was a
diviiion therefore
again among the

John paraphrafed.

39*

felf, both to depofit it as a ranfom, (s|fl?<a>> t^m 0uvcu
«utu») and to re-aifume it after fatisfaftion is made by
it : And as my Father has * ordered me, in the qua
lity of a fhepherd, to die for the redemption of the
feeep, I .readily yield obedience to his will therein.
I 9 Upon our Lord's faying thefe things, the Jews
were mightily divided in their opinions among them
felves, and went into warm debates about him, as
Jews for thefe fay-- they had once and again before, (chap. vii. 4.3. and ix.
ings. 20 And many
of them faid, He
hath a devil, and
is mad ; why hear
ye him ?

ii Others faid,
Thefe are not the
words of him that
hath a devil :, can
a devil open the
eyes of the, blind i

22 And it was
at Jerufalem the
feaft of the dedica
tion, and it was
winter. 23 And

* Chrift's receiving this commandment
from his Father, is not to be confidered
as the ground of his having power to lay
down his life, and to take it again' »- for
this he had in himfelf, as Lord of his
own life, who had an original right to
difpofe of it as he pleafed, antecedent to
the Father's command : But this com
mandment was the reafon why he thus
ufed his power in laying down his life :
He did it in obedience to his Father; for

16.) and a6 he foretold they would. ( Luke xii. 51.)
20 Many of the company cried out with rage a-
aginft him, faying, in a prophane and blafphemous
manner, The devil is in this man, and he is certain
ly out of his wits : Why are ye fo filly as to mine}
him ? or how can ye have patience to hear what he
fays ?
2 1 On the contrary, others that were well affefted
toward him, believing him at leaft to be a fober and
holy man, feid, The nature of his doftrine, and the
manner of his talking, as well as the wonderful things
he does, plainly fhew that he is no demoniac. Who
can imagine that it is the work of a devil to give
fight to fuch as were born blind? (Chap. ix. 32.)
No, no, A devil neither would, nor could do this c ¦
It muft be owing to the almighty power of God.
22, 23 Now (?s) thefe things paffed at Jerufalem
at the time of a yearly folemnity, which was obfer
ved for eight days together by the Jews, in remem
brance of Judas Maceabeus's j dedicating a new al-
E e e 2 tar
NOTES.
other was in the month Adar, (Ezra vi.
15, £?V.) which was at the beginning of
the fpring ; whereas this was in winter,
and fo evidently related to the dedica
tion of the altar and temple by Judas
Maccabeus, who appointed an annual
feftival, m commemoration of it, to be
gin on the twenty-fifth day of the month
Cifleu, which was about our December:
an account of which we have at large,
1 Maccab. iv. 1 S, — 59, and 2 Maccab.

he willingly accepted this command- -x. 1, — 8. This was not an ordinance of

ment, t»» t»7ox>iv ix«Cm as he delighted
to do his Father's will herein, (Pfal. xl.
S.) and therefore his Father loved him,
as he hath faid, (ver. 17.)
t This feaft diij not relate to the de
dication of the temple hy Solomon, nor
to that which was made upon its being
rebuilt by Zerubbabel :' For there was
no anniverfary-feftival appointed for ei
ther of thefe ; and the firft of them was
in the month Ethanim, the feventh
month, (1 Kings viii. 2.) which was in
autumn, about our September ; and the

divine inftitution, nor was the obferva
tion of it confined to Jerufalem ; but it
was a civil appointment, in remem
brance of this dedication, as the feaft of
Purim was in remembrance of the Jews
deliverance from Hainan's confpiracy,
(Fjlh. ix. 28.) -And therefore Chrifi:
chofe to he at Jerufalem then, not in
honour of the days themfelves, or to give
a fancTrion to them, as Tacr-rir time ; for
had he bei-n 10 minded, he might have
obferved them any where elfe, a^ well
as at Jenj'uleiii : But hi '.aiife thither a 1

392 The Evangelift Chap, 'ar?'
23 And Jefus tar to the Lord, andoleanfing the temple, after they
walked in the tem- had been profaned by Antiochus. And this being
porch" m°n'S in the winter-feafon, which was incommodious for
- walking abroad, Jefus took a_turn among the peo
ple, who were got .together; under covert, in a porch
which was built, where one that was very fump-
tuous formerly -ftood in the firft temple, and there-:
fore was called Solomon's porch .*.
24 Then came 2+ Whilft our Lord was walking there, fome of
Jlie Jews round a- hfe j forrounding.. him, and defigning to infult
bout him, and laid J . . - o ¦ , " . °. . ,
iinto him How and enfnare him, rather than to be' wished about
long doft thou him, faid, How long will you continue to keep us
make us fro doubt ? Jn fofpenfe, by talking ambiguoufly and figuratively
cfhrift0tUellb? hin! of yourfelf, as the door pf the flieep, and the good
n , e r Ufp m- faepfor<rl, and the like ? If you be indeed anointed of
God to the Meffiah's office, as you feem to intimate,
do not be afraid to fpeak out ; but tell us in fo many
words freely and boldly. (¦Ka.^trud)
25 Jefus anfwer- 25 Jefus, knowing their crafty and malicious de
ed them, t fold you f,gn> replied, I have faid in plain terms what amounts
Tot ytheb woTks t0 the "rongeft declarations of my being the Chrift 5
that I 'do in my (chap. v. 2q,— -29.) and yet -fuch is your perverfe-
Father's:name,they nefs and infidelity, that ye will give no manner of
tear witnefs of me. credit to me: Arid I have not only faid this, but
h?ve clearly demonttrated it by the divine and miracu
lous works, which I have wrought according to, and
, in confirmation of my commiffion from the Father.
26 But ye be- 26 But, after all, ye ftill continue to rejeft me by
lieve not; becaufe unbelief ; and ye would do fo, whatfoever plain de-
fhee^asl fifol un- clarations and demonftrations I were further to give
to you. you : For, as I know, and the event proves, ye are
none of my j- fheep, whom the Father has given me,
and who, being drawn by the .power of his effeftual
grace, jhall come to me, as I told you. ( Chap. vi.
36, 37.) 27 According
NOTES.
at this time, that he might take the op- ate of this excellent temper, he would
portutiity of preaching tc- the people, rather have faid of thefe perfons, that
who were then affembled in great num- they had not this good difpofition, be-
bers at Je rufdlem ; as the apoftles after- caufe they did not believe, than that
wards did for the like purpofe, when they did not believe, becaufe the tem-
they went to the Jews iynagogues on per of, (beep was. not found in them.
iheir Sabbath, after the obligation of And therefore I take the foeep to mean
keeping a holy Sabbath to the' Lord, God's eleclr, who were from all eternity
was transferred from the feventh to the given to Chrift, and, in confequence of
firft day of the week. that, are in due' time drawn to him;
* Some have thought that the Jewifh and our blefied Lord, who was privy to
fanhedrim held their court, and were his Father's counfel, knowing that thefe
then fitting in this porch. perfons were iione of that number, men-
f As every good and holy, humble tioned it as a reafon to (hew, that, be-
and teachable difpofition is the fruit of ing left to themfelves, they would never
faith : So if by foeep, as fome would un- believe in bim, rather than as the rank
derftand it, our Lord hers meant fuch as of their not believing.

Chap. x.
27 My foeep
hear my voice, and
I know them, and
they follow me :

John paraphrafed.

28 And I give
unto tbem .eternal
life, and they foall
never perifo, nei
ther foall any
pluck them out of
my hand.

29 My Father,
which gave them
me, is greater than
all : and none is
able to pluck them
out of my Father's
hand.

30 I and my Fa
ther are one.

31 Then the
Jews took up ftones
again to ftone him.

32 Jefus anfwer
ed them, Many
good works have
I fhewed you from
my Father ; for
which of thofe
works do ye ftone
we?

393
27 According to what I then faid, all that were
by the Father's gift made my peculiar property, truft,
and treafure, do, in the day ofimy bringing them
back to God, (ver. i<5.) attend to, diftinguifh,
prize, and willingly obey the voice of my word and
Spirit ; and I diflinftly know, obferve, and love every
one of them, and they readily follow my inftruftion
and example as their great Shepherd, who go before
them to lead them in paths of righteoufnefs.
28 And I freely give unto them a fure right and
title to an everlafting ftate of all poffible happinefs
and glory, with real beginnings, earnefts, and fore--
taftes of it hejce, till I bring them to the complete
enjoyment. of ft hereafter; and none of them fhall
ever, through their own weaknefs, unworthinefs, or
remaining corruptions, fell fhort of heaven, and fink
into hell, there to periih for ever ; (s ft* ais-oXunai sis
t«v oH&ma;) nor fhall any artifice, power, or combina
tion of men or devils, ever prevail to wreft them out
of my proteftion, care,, and keeping, v/ho have faft
hold of them.
29 Nay, my heavenly Father, who Joves tbem,
and has a peculiar intereft and propriety in them, and
has committed them to me, as a dear charge, that I
may bring them fafe to glory, is (as every one muft
own) infinitely fuperior in wifdom and power to all
their enernies that can poffibly be againft thepj : And
ye may be fare that, whatever attempts are made
upon them, (nhis) none can be too hard for him, fo
as to defeat his defigns of grace toward them, or en
tice or force them out of his almighty hands, who
keeps them by his power through faith unto falva
tion. 30 Now my Father's power and mine are the
fame, we being one in nature and- perfeftions, as well
as in will and defign ; and therefore he, as well as I,
muft be overcome, before any adverfary can deftroy
them, whom we have agreed and determined to fecure
unto eternal life.
3 1 Then the Jetus were incenfed againft him, as
if he had talked blafphemy ; and, after the manner
of zealots, attempted to ftone him to death, as they
had before. (Chap. viii. 59.)
32 But our bleffed Lord, feeing how furious they
were, ferioufly expoftulated with them, in a -meek,
calm, and touching manner, faying, Pray, why is
all this heat and tumult ? What have I done to pro
voke it ? I have indeed wrought many great and
merciful miracles among you, iii confirmation of my
charafter ; I have fed multitudes bf your own cour,.
trymen, when they were in' danger of fainting for
hunger ;

394 The Evangelift Chap. x.
hunger ; have healed your fick and lame, have clean
fed your1 lepers, have given fight to your blind, have
caft out devils from poor, creatures that were mifer-
ably tormented by them i yea, I have raifed fome of
your dead to life again, and have always gone about
doing good: Now for which "of thefe compaffionate
afts of kindnefs, that exceeded the power of any
other man to perform, do ye want to ftone me to
death ? Is this the return I am to have for all my fa
vours to you ?
33 The Jews an- 33 The Jews replied, contrary to the fenfe of
fwered him, fay- their own confciences, which could not but tell them
ing, For a good tjlat tfoy reaUy were provoked at his performing fo
work we ltone thee • 1 at iit j y x. ^ ..
not but for blaf- manT miracles, No, no, We do not go about to
jfoemy ; and be- ftone you for any good work, that you talk of : But,
caufe that tbou, as by our law, (Lev. xxiv. 16.) a blafphemer of the
iTft^ff Mfr 7&~ name ofthe Lord is to be filoned to death ; fo we
y e ° ' think you deferve it, for affuming to yourfelf the
unalienable rights of deity, in that, being a mere
man, you arrogantly and blafphemoufly pretend that
God is your Father, in fuch a high and peculiar fenfe,
as imports your being partaker of his divine nature
and perfeftions, and being yourfelf God *.
34 Jefus anfwer- 34 Our bleffed Lord, far from blaming them, as
ed them, Is it not Jf they mifconftrued his words, anfwered their cavil a-
tvntten in your • ft h ¦ fa - ft f f m whfeh they had la. ,
law, I faid, Ye ? . ' . iT _,,.'-.
are gods ? ' *en them, laying,. How unrealonabfe is your being
thus furious againft me, for fpeaking of myfelf in
thefe high terms, as that Son of God, who is God,
one in nature with the Father ? If ye look -j- into
the fcriptures, which ye profefs to he guided by,
do not ye find that God there fays of your judges
and rulers, who in their office were types of the
Meffiah r£, I have faid ye are gods, and all of you are
children of the Mofi High ? (Pfal. lxxxii. 6.)
35' 36 If
NOTES. ,
* This their conftrucTrion of the mean- for all the Old Teftament-fcriptures, as
ing of Chrift's words was right ;, other- it alfo is in chap. xii. 31. and xv. 25.
wife, he undoubtedly would have cor- \ The fenfe in which interpreters
Jetted it ; and had be been no more have ufually confidered the term gods in
jthan a man, their reafoning againft this this place, as fignifying magiftrates in
fenfe of his expreffion was certainly juft : general, has, I think, mifled them in their
But their great error lay in perverfely account of this and the following verfes,
difoelieving what he afferted concern- and very much funk and embarrafied
jng his own divine charafter, npt'with- Chrift's argument in them; andishard-
ftanding the demonstrations he had gi- ly reconcileable to ^ny tolerable fenfe of
Ven of it by the plaineft miracles, which his reafoning from thence, that the
lie wrought in a Godlike way, and by fcripture cannot be broken, (ver. 35.)
frequent appeals to fcripture-prophecies It feems therefore to me, that the per-
about it : And fo they, in a blafphemous- fons here fpoken of, under the title of
planner, faffely charged blafphemy on gods, are hot, as has been -commonly
nun. thought, magiftrates barely confidered
f The law is here ufed, in a la^; fenfe, as fucb, on account of their refembling God's

Chap. x. John paraphrafed. 395
35 If he called 35, 36 If then he ftiled thofe magiftrates gods,
whc-^i EthdS ""'d becaufe by his own immediate word he had commit-
of God came.Tnd teci the leSa* adminiftration of the church and nation
the fcripture' can- °f Ifrael to them, as types and fhadows of the Mef-
not be broken ; fiab ; and if the infpired writings, which thus fpeak
36 Say ye of concerning them, cannot be falfified, but muft needs
th™' to.* fanffifil b? f°lfilled ia the Meffiah's really poffeffing the divine
ed, and fent into dignity, that anfwers to the high title under which
the world, Thou they prefigured him ; how perverfe and daring is it
blafphemeft ; be- in you to charge 'blafphemy upon me, for applying
the Son of Goo l™ term? ProP" t0 deitY to myfelf, as fignifying my one-
nefs in nature and perfeftions with the Father ? Since
I am the great antitype and fubftance of thofe types
and fhadows, and am in truth what they were only in
name ; and fince I was fet apart *, and conftituted
/ by my Father in his eternal counfels, and at length
was fent into the world, to exercife all authority, as
the true Meffiah, which can be affirmed of none but
the eternal Son of God. 37 I
NOTES.
God's dominion in the exercife of their where the Pfalmift fays, Arife, 0 God,
power, or afting therein by authority judge the earth ; for thou fhalt inherit
and commiffion from him. I much quef- all nations, which plainly points to the
tion whether the title of gods is ever gi- Meffiah, who was to have the heathen
ven in fcripture to magiftrates in com- for his inheritance, and the uttermoft
mon ; but, as I apprehend, it relates parts of the earth for his poffeffion,
only to Jewifh mp.giftrates, that were (Pfal. ii. S.) and who is governor a-
typical of Chrift, whofe authority was mong the nations. (Pfal. xxii. 2S.) And
foadowed out by that which they exer- perhaps it was with a prophetic afpeft
cifed in the commonwealth and church upon the debates between Chrift and the
of Ifrael, and to whom it was to be Jewijh rulers, that it was faid (ver. 1.
transferred, when he foould appear to fet of that Ixxxiid pfalm) God flands in.
up his kingdom in the world ; and fo the congregation of the mighty, hejud-
this denomination is not merely metapho- ges among the gods. However, that our
rical, but is alfo typical. Thus God faid Lord, in the place before us, referred to-
to Mofes, who was a typical mediator be- Jewifh magiftrates, appears from his
tween himfelf and Ifrael, and fpoke im- faying, (ver. 35.) that the word of
mediately from God, Thou fhalt be to God came to them, which intimates,
Aaron inftead of God, and I have made that it was by the commiffion and ap-
thee a 'god to Pharaoh, Exod. iv. 16. pointment of God, as made known t»
and vii. 1.) And afterward the Jewifh feme of them in an immediate and ex-
rulers, that fat in Mofes's feat, were traordinary manner, that the magiftra-
called gods, (Exod. xxii. 28.) Thou tic authority was committed to tbem,
fhalt not revile the gods, nor curfe the till the great Shiloh foould come to ex-
ruler of thy people. So if Pfal. cxxxviii. ercife his office- power, which was prefi-
1. is to be underftood, not of angels, but gured by theirs. And fo Chrift's way of
men, David there feems to refer to the arguing ftands, I think, in a natural,
ecclefiaftical rulers, faying, Before the clear, and beautiful light, according to
gods will I fing praife unto thee. (Vid. to the fenfe given of it in the paraphrafe
Glofif. Rhet. pars prima, cap. X. p. 216. on this and the following verfe. Vid.
and Cocc. in loc.) And Pfal. lxxxii. 6. Lamp, in lac.
the place quoted by our Lord, / have
faid ye are gods, and all of you are chil- * I take the Father's fanftifying
dren of the Moft High, feems to be fpo- Chrift, in this place, to relate particularly
ken direftly with a typical view to to his fetting him up as Mediator from
Chrift; for' immediately afteirwards our everlafting, (Prov. viii. 23.) becaufe it
thoughts are carried onward to him, as is mentioned as preceding his fending
¦ the great God and rukr of all, ver. S. hira into the world.

396

The Evangelift

Chap- x.

38 But if I do,
though ye believe
not me, believe the
works ; that ye
may know and be
lieve that the Fa
ther is in me, and
I in him.

39 Therefore
they fought again
to take him : but

37 If I do not 37 I furthermore appeal to the miracles I have
the works of my wrought to juftify my divine charafter i If I do not
not'. Cr' 6 leve,ne perform as great and glorious works, and that in as
Godlike a way. as could be expefted from my Father
himfelf; if they.are not fo fuperior, and contrary to
the courfe and laws of nature, that I could not pof
fibly perform them by any other power than that
which is in the Father himfelf ; I do not defire you
to receive me as the Son of God, and the Saviour of
Ifrael, or to give any credit to what I fay about my
being one with the Father.
38 But if ye cannot deny that I do fuch- works
as are peculiar to God, and that in fuch a manner as
none but God himfelf could do them ; then, though
ye, have no regard to my perfon or doftrine, and will
give no credit to my teftimony for its own fake ; yet
fubmit to the plain and unexceptionable evidence of
my miracles, that ye may be convinced and fatisfied,
that my Father and I, tbough diftinft perfons, have
communion in Godhead, as being effentially one in
the other, which is the fame thing with what I faid
about my Father's and my being one.
39 Our Lord having thus plainly and unanfwerably
maintained his affertion, the Jews, inftead of recei-
tu irtins nun : uut • -ci' (. , ^ 1 ¦ V 1 ..i . 1
he efcaned out of vmS conviction, fired at him to much the more ; and
their hand, therefore renewed their attempt to feize him by open
violence, that they might either ftone him to death
tumultuoufly, or might profecute him in their eccle
fiaftical court, as a blafphemer, who ftood to his
claim of deity ; or in their civil court, as an enemy
to the Roman government : But, his time not being
yet come, he eafily, by the management of his own
wifdom and power, got clear of them.
40 And went a- 40 And he immediately left Jerufalem, and, crofs-
way again beyond ;ng over JorJa„ retired t0 Bethabara, which was a
Jordan, into the r P. .. ci . ~ 1 1 i_ ¦ •
place where Tohn fohtary part ot the country, where John began his mi
st firft baptized ; niftry and baplifm, and had given a public and honour-
and there he a- able teftimony to him ; (chap. i. 28, 29.) and there he
b°&e- continued preaching, and doing good for fome time.
efo4tedA'lf T"^ 4I A"d wWlft he ab°de 3t this plaCC'. the PeoPle
andfekl^fonn'did nearmg °^ him> multitudes flocked to him ; and re-
no miracle: but all collecting what John had done and faid among them,
things that John about three years before, they reafoned upon it in
their own minds, and one with another in this man
ner, faying, Though John the Baptifi was fuch an
extraordinary great and holy prophet, that, had not
he himfelf denied it, we fhould have believed him to
be the Meffiah * ; yet he never wrought any one
miracle
NOTE.
* The miracle of John's conception, and of his father Zachary's being ftruck
dumb.

fpake of this man
"were true.

Chap. x. John paraphrafed. 397
miracle amongft us : But, faid they, we now fee that
many, and no doubt but all the great things are to a.
tittle true, which we well remember he faid concern
ing this perfon, who rifes in his glory, and preaches
fuch excellent doctrine, and does iuch wonderful
works amongft us.
42 And many 42 And though he was fo generally rejected by
there!ed °° ^ the Sreat and learned> rich and noble in Jerufalem
'j and Judea ; yet amOng thefe poor country-people,
graat numbers of tbem, that fpoke thus honourably
of him, heartily embraced him, and became his dif
ciples. RECOLLECTIONS.
With what fhining evidence does Jefus appear in his divine and office-characters '.
Ait the foadowsxf divinity in Jtwiftt typical magiftrates are fulfilled in him, as the
true God ; his wonderful works, which he performed with fovereign majefty, and
by his own power, ate convincing proofs of it ; and all that the fcriptures pre
dicted, or prefigured about it, center in Kim ; for they cannot be broken. O how
Blocking is it for any to charge the true fenfe of his affertions with blafphemy, as
they afcribe proper deity to him '. And how indifpenfibly neceffary is this divine Sa
viour to us, who is our only way to God and glory, and is that good Shepherd ,of
the foeep, through whom they obtain holy liberty and delight, fpiritual refrefo-
ments, and rich fupplies of all their wants, in paths of righteoufnefs here, and whi>
gives them eternal life, to be fully enjoyed hereafter, with fuch abundance of glory
and bleffednefs, as is matchlefs and unfpeakable, and never could have been pof-
feffed in any other way whatfoever I He is abfolutely good in himfelf, and relative
ly good to them ; has taken the charge of them, and has a peculiar propriety in
them ; and, in the greatnefs of his love, has laid down his own life for them, as one
who had power in himfelf to refign and refume it ; and did both, as the Meffiah, in
obedience to his Father's will, that he might redeem them : And with what faith
fulnefs, wifdom, and grace, does he fearch and find them out, and bring them into
his fold ; and what an exaft and particular notice does he take of every one of them ".
How does he guide and govern them, defend them from all their fpiritual enemies,
deliver them out of every danger, and" go before them, that he may lead them,
through fufferings and death, fafe to glory '. Who can ever deftroy them that are
in his Almighty hands, fince he is one in nature and perfections with the Father,
who has given them to him, and concurs with him in fecuring them > And as he
thoroughly knows the Father, and delights to do his will ; fo the Father loves and
owns'him, as his trufty fervant, and has an entire confidence in him, that nothing
foall mifcarry under his hand. How foort do the beft of under-fhepherds fall it
him ? And how injurious to his flock are all that teach any other way of falvation
than by him! They, having no commiffion from him, fet themfelves up againft his
authority, feek their own fecular interefts, eafe, and honour, and degenerate into
ravening wolves, that fright and fcatter, wound and endeavour to deftroy his foeqn,
inftead of ftanding by them '. But how much foever fome may oppofe and revile
him, and prove themfelves to be none of his llleep, by finally rejefting him ; he has
a chofen people, that foall hear, underftand, and difliriguifo his voice, and follow
him, that foall fly from corrupt teachers, as for the life of their fouls, and foall re-
lifh
Note.
dumb, and not fpeaking again till after cies concerning the Meffiah, and pointing
his birth, and the miraculous appearance ,them to him, whofe miracles were an a-
,and voice from heaven at Jordan, when buudant confirmation, both of his own
he baptized Jefus, were, together with and of John's doftrine concerning him.
his holy life, fufficient to gain credit to And it was fit that this honour fhould be
his doftrine; for it contained nothing referved for the Meffiah himfelf, as, one
new, or extraordinary, more than his re- diftinguifhing mark of his fupetiority to
minding the people of ancient prophe- his forerunner.
Vol. II. F f f

398 The Evangelift Chap. xi.
lifo the pure doftrines of Chrift : He will have a people to believe in him, and ho
nour him, if not among the great and learned, and mighty ones of the earth, yet
among people of lower rank, and among Gentiles as well as Jews, who fliall be to
the Lord for a name, and a praife through all generations.

CHAP. XI.

The tidings Zithich Chrifi received of Lzzavus'sficinefs, 1, — 16. The
vifit he made to his fifters, when he heard of his death, 17, — 32.
His raifing him from the dead, 33, — 44. And the effeB of this on
different forts of perfons, 45, — 37.
Text. Paraphrase.
]^OW a certain "^[OW, whilft our Lord continued preaching be-
man was fick IN , jorJ rchap_ x> -0 1 a m whofe
Bethany, the town, name was Lazarus, lay dangeroufly fick at a little
of Mary arid- her village, near Jerufalem, called Bethany; and two
fifter Martha. ef his fifters dwelt there with him, one of which was
named Mary, and the other Martha.
2 (It was that 2 This Mary, whofe brother Lazarus was fo ex-
Mary which a- tremely weak, was a woman of extraordinary piety
nointed the Lord d ff ftj t Chrift b • th f fo who
with ointment, and , , .: ? , ir
wiped his feet with afterwards, (chap. xn. 3. lee the note on Matth.
her hair, whofe xxvi. 6.) at a public entertainment, anointed his
brother Lazarus feet with coftly ointment ; and, inftead of a towel,
was fick.) wiped them with her own hair.
3 Therefore his 3 Thefe fifters therefore, being much acquainted
fifters fent unto w;tjj Jefus #} ancl having great faith in his power
fbe^ld7heS'wh°om' and goodnefs, fent to him, faying, Lord, we hear-
thou loveft is fick. ing where thou wert, and knowing that thou haft a
great love for our dear brother Lazarus, could not
but in duty to thee, and tender concern for him,
difpatch a meffenger on purpofe to tell thee,1 that he
labours under a very threatening illnefs, and, with
humble fubmiffion, to refer his affefting cafe to thy
wifdom and compaffion, without prefuming to pre-
feribe to thee.
4 When Jefus 4 When our bleffed Saviour had received this ac-
ThY/fifcknefseisf not ?°Unt' he faid t' This diftemPer $*&¦ not finally iffue
unto death but for 'n death ; but is defigned to afford a fpecial occafion
the glory 'of God, for the manifeftation of God's perfeftions by me,
that the Son of that I, his eternal Son, may exert the divine power
God might be glo- and goodnefs, and theieby confirm my commiffion
nhed thereby. 1." iiij •¦ 1
J in a more remarkabfe and convincing manner, than
by immediately curing this mortal difeafe. 5, 6 Now
N O T E S.
* It feems that he ufed to be enter- ger, or at lead in his hearing, that he
tained at their houfe, when he came up might report it to the affiifted family
to the feafts at Jerufalem. for their comfort, and for the trial of
their faith, whilft he neverthelefs de-,
J- He probably faid this to the mefien- layed going to them.

5 Now Jefus lo
ved Martha, and
her fifter, and La
zarus. 6 When he

was. 7 Then after
that faith he to
his difciples, Let
us go into Judea
. again. S His difciples
fay unto him, Ma
fter, the Jews of
late fought to ftone
thee ; and goeft
thou thither a-
gain.

Chap. xi. John paraphrqfed. 399
5, .6 Now Martha and her fifter, as well as their
brother, were exceeding dear to their Lord ; he there
fore, waiting for the "fittefl opportunity to be graci
ous, continued two days where he then was, after he
had heard therefore heard of Lazarus' s iicknefs, without taking any fur-
that he was fick, ther notice of it, that he might try and improve their
lie abode two days r„,\i, j , • f • , ¦ r .- „
ftill in the fame . patience, and might in due time mamfoft
place where he b's l°ve to them in fuch a way as would beft recom
mend it, and give them the fweeteft relifh of it.
7 Then, after the expiration of thofe two days,
he, in purfuit of the kind defigns of his heart to the
affiifted family at Bethany, faid to his difciples that
were with him, Come, let us now take a turn again
into Judea.
8 The difeiples not underftanding what he intend
ed to do there, nor confidering how eafily he could
fave himfelf from the power of his enemies, faid to
him, Mafter ; what means this furprizing motion ?
We remember with great concern, as if it were (mv)
but now, that the Jews in thofe parts were, not
long fince, fo malicious and outrageous againft thee,
that they fain would have ftoned thee to death. ( Chap,
x. 31.) And what, fhall fuch bafe unworthy wretches
have the honour and the privilege of thy prefence a-
gain ? and wilt thou fo foon expofe thyfelf and us to
the utmoft danger among them ?
9 Jefus repbed, Alas !. where is 'your faith, who
lately faw how eafily I efcaped out of their hands ?
Is not your day divided into twelve hours, * which%
are alloted for labour and fervice ? Now whilft a tra
veller purfues his journey and bufinefs in its proper
feafon, having the light of the fun to direft him,
there is no great danger of his ftumbling, and by that
means falling fhort of his defign : So the appointed
time of my life is my opportunity for finifhing the
work my Father gave me to do ; and the knowledge
I have of his will is the light that guides me in it ;
and as long as this time lafts, there is no danger of
my being overpowered by mine enemies.
10 But if a man would travel out of feafon, in the
night, no wonder that for want of the light of .the
fun, he ftumbles and falls, and cannot get forward
in his way : So when my work is done, and the time
determined of the Father for my death is come, 1
fhall no longer deliver myfelf from mine enemies, but
fliall fall by their hands. F f f 2 11 Our

9 Jefus anfwer
ed, Are there not
twelve hours in the
day? If any man
walk in the day,
he ftnmbleth not,
becaufe he feeth
the light of this
world.

10 But ifa man
walk in the night,
he ftnmbleth, be
caufe there is no
light in him.

N O
* Judea being about twenty degrees
rearer the equator than Great Britain
is, their days were more nearly equal
than ours ; and fo they generally reck-

T E.
oned them to confift of twelve hours, as
we alfo do, when we 1'pe.ak of a day's
work.

40o The Evangelift Chap, xi*
n Thefe things n Our Lord having faid thefe things to filence
faid he : and after their obieftions, and take off their fears, proceeded,
JLVo- frfend° to "F" his defign in going back to Judea faying
Lazarus (leepeth : L who know all things at a diftance, as well as nigh
but I go that I at hand, affure you that our dear friend Lazarus is
may awake him now felfen into a <feep fleep ; but I am going to roufe
qutoffleep. an(j awake him : By which he meant that " Lazarus
was really dead, and that he would raife him again
to life, which was as eafy for him to do, as to awake
a man out of his fleep.
12 Then faid his 12 The difciples replied, Lord, we are glad to
fltlciples Lord, if hear of fuch a favourable fymptom in his cafe ; for if
xvelieeP' C ° he is got to fleep, there is good reafon to hope that
he may recover, without thy taking the trouble, and
expofing thyfelf to the danger of going to heal him.
« 13 Howbeit Je- I3 £ut they miftook the true fenfe of Chrift's
ie'atli^bi^the18 words> wh° obvioufly enough fpoke of his being
irhoueht that he really dead, under the notion of a fleep, as death was
had fpoken of ta- often called in fcripture ; and yet they unthinkingly
king of reft in fuppofed him only to mean, that he was taking his
P- natural reft in fleep, which was hke to do him more
good than harm.,
14 Then faid 14. Then the meek and humble Jefus, inftead of
Jefus unto them upbraiding them for their ftupid mifconftruftion of
dead y' azarus 1S fueh an eafy and well-known metaphor, bore with
their infirmity, and told them exprefsly that Laza
rus was really dead,
15 And I am 15 And ft is very pleafing to me, faid he, that

tent ye may' be- barelyvCuring his difteipper
lieve) neverthelefs, then have healed him, and even now at this diftance
fet us go unto him. could eafily raife him from the dead ; however, that
tbe divine work may appear before you, and many o-
ther eye-witneffes, tp be of my own doing, let us go
to his grave.
16 Then faid , 16 Then Tho mas, one of the twelve apoftles, who
Thomas, which is was alfe calfed JJidymus *, faid to the reft of his fel-
iintf hisDlfelfowl W-difciples then prefent, Since pur great Mafter is
difciples, Let us refolved to run this rifque, conie, let us all go along
" alfo go, that we with him, that if he fhould be fefeed and ftoned, or
may die with him. feme other way killed, we may take our lot with
him for life, and death, and eternity : For what
fignify our lives on earth, if once we lofe him ?
17 By
note;.
* Thomas in the Hebrew, and Didy- interpretation of his name in the Greek,
inns, in the Greek, fignify a twin ; and as here and chap. xx. 24. and xxi. a.
probably this name was given him, be- might he to intimate that he bore twins
caufe he was a twin-brother : And per- of different qualities, like Jacob and
haps, as feme think, his being three Efau, in his heart, he being fometimes
times fpoken of in this Gofpel wit]? this believing, and at others full of unbelief.

concerning brother. 20 Then Mar-

"was coming, went 1 -j 1* -. #.
and met him : but bld h,m welcome *

Chap. xi. John paraphrafed. 401
17 Then when 17 By the time that Jefus, coming with his dif-
Jefus came, he ciples from beyond Jordan, (chap. x. 40.") arrived
Ifen ^^the^ rtve at " PlaCe "ear Be' Vl'» (ver- 3°-) Lazarus had
fou" days already! been dead, (ver. 39.) and laid in his fepulchre, no
lefs than four days, the Jews being wont to bury
perfons as foon as poffible after their death. (ABs
v. 5, 10.)
iS(NowBetha- 18, 19 Now Bethany was a little lefs than two
ny was nigh unto miles diftant from Jerufalem ; and, it being fo near
fifteen'fwion^off t^at cit^' a Sreat mwY friends were making their
10 And many of v'^t at lhe houfe of mourning, to condole with the
the Jews came to two difconfolate fifters, Martha and Mary, and to
Martha and Ma- feften their grief, as well as they could, under the
ry, to comfort them affefting lofs of fo dear and valuable a brother.
20 While they were thus together, -tidings were
privately brought to Martha, that jefus was juft at
tha, as foon as fhe hand ; upon which, fhe immediately left the compa-
heard that Jefus ^ an^ went out, to teftify her refpeft to him, and
But, Mary, who as yet knew
nothing of the matter, (ver. 28.) continued with her
friends in the houfe.
21 As foon as Martha came to Jefus, fhe, in the
Martha unto Jefus, midft of overwhelming grief and diftrefs, faid to him,
Lord, if thou hadft ^j,, Lord, how happy would it have been for us,
?if« i,fje„i!lj-.ri0" if thou hadft been fo kind as to come hither, when
ther had not died. " , r , , , ' *
we fent word ot our brother s fickneis ! i am perfuad
ed that his miferable cafe would have moved thy
compaffion, and that thou couldft eafily have prevent
ed bis death, and all the difmal forrows occafioned
by it.
22 However, let me not indulge my paffions too
far : I am well fatisfied thou haft fuch an entire in
tereft with God, that whatfoever thou fhalt ftill de-
w.lt afk of God f h; d f making up this great lofs, he will
God will give it ', 6T 1 ii c 1- ir ..
jhee. grant it f ; and therefore 1 wholly refer myleli Jro
thy wifdom and favour.
23 Tefus faith 23 Our bleffed Lord obferving that there were
unto her, Thy bro- fome low workings of faith in her, and pitying her
ther foall rile a- on account of its weaknefs, and of her prefent diftrefs,
Saln" faid, fpr her -fupport and comfort, though without
explaining particularly what he meant, Come, chear
up ; your brother fhall certainly rife again from the
dead. 34 Martha
NOTES.
* And fome fuppofe that foe went to and in not going fo far, as to reft up-

Mary fat JIM in
the houfe. Then faid

22 But I know,
that even now,
whatfoever thou

tell him what a company of Jews were on his own power for making up this
in the houfe, that he might ufe his pru
dence in coming among them, or not.

lot's ; nor does it feem to me that foe as
yet had much, if any hope, of her bro
ther's being raifed from the dead, though
f Martha's faith was very defective, foe miyht believe that God was able,
in thinking that Chrift could not prevent and that, if Chrift faw fit to afk it, he
her brother's dying, when at a diftance, would do it.

402
»4 Martha faith
unto him, I, know
that he foall rife
again in the refur-
rection at the laft
day.

The Evangelift

Chap. xi.

25 Jefus faid un
to her, I am the
refurrection, and
the life : he that
believeth in me,
though he were
dead, yet foall he
live ;

26 And whofo
ever liveth, and
¦believeth in me,
foallneverdie. Be
lieved thou this ?

27 She faith un-
tohim, Yea, Lord ;
I believe t^iat thou
art the Chrift, the
Son of God, which
foould come into
the world.

28 And, when
foe had fo faid, fhe
went her way, and
called Mary her
fifter fecretly, fay
ing, The Mafler is
come, and calleth
for thee.

29 As foon as
foe heard that, (he
arofe quickly, and
came unto him.

24 Martha anfwered, Truth, Lord, I firmly, be
lieve that there fhall be a refurreftion of the dead,
both of the juft and unjuft ; ( ABs xxiv. 15.) and that
my good brother fhall bear a glorious part among the
rifing faints at the epd of time. This is indeed a
great comfort to us ; but alas ! it exceedingly trou-
bleth us to think, that we have loft the pleafure and
the benefit of his agreeable company, that he who
was the ftrength and glory of our family, and might
have kept up its name in Ifrael, is gone, and that
we fhall never fee him in this world any more.
25 Chrift replied, Whereas you only fpeak of
God's giving me whatfoever I afk of him, Be affured
that I have life in myfelf, and, as the efficient caufe
of the refurreftion, and of every kind of life, quicken
whom I will. (Chap. v. 21, 26.) And though the
believer in me muft die, as well a6 other men, yea, e-
ven fuppofing him to be already bterally dead, as
your brother now is ; yet his body, as well as foul,
fhall live again in. a better world, -and, if I pleafe, in
this world too.
26 And whoever is now living upon earth, and,
being quickened to a fpiritual life, believes in me,
(s ,kd oLvo6a.\n us tov euaiat) fhall not die for ever, by un
dergoing the fecond death ; nor fhall his body always
continue in the ftate of the dead, but I will raife
him up at the laft day. (Chap. vi. 40.) Doft thou
heartily affent and confent to this important truth
concerning me, and them that believe in me ?
27 Martha anfwered him, Yea, Lord, I am ful
ly perfuaded that thou art the true Meffiah, even the
Son of the bving God, who was fpoken of by way
of eminence, as (0 tg%tftaas) he that cometh, and who,
according to ancient prophecies, is now generally ex
pefted to appear in the world ; and I believe that
all the powers belonging to this divine Saviour are in
thee. 28 And immediately, upon having thus exprefs-
ed her faith in him, file haftned back to her fifter
Mary ; and whifpering in her ear, that the reft of
the company, who were enemies to Chrift, might
not hear her, faid, I have joyful tidfngs to tell you,
The Lord Jefus, whom we own for our great Mafter,
is at the town's end, and afks very kindly and parti
cularly for you.
29 Mary no fooner heard this, but, in the Hrvour
pf her affeftion to Chrift, fhe fprung up from her
feat; and, leaving her friends, ran with all fpeed to
meet him, from whom fhe, like a truly gracious foul,
expefted and found greater comfort, than they all
together could minifter to her.
30 Now

Chap. xi.
30 Now Jefus
was not yet come
into the town, but
was in, that place
where Martha met
him.

31 The ¦ Jews
then which were
with her in the
houfe, and com
forted her, when
they faw Mary,
that flie rofe up
haflily, and went
out, followed her,
faying, She goeth
unto the grave, to
weep there.
32 Then when
Mary was come
where Jefus was,
and faw him, foe
fell down at his
feet, faying unto
him, Lord,' if thou
hadft been here,
my brother had
not died.
33 When Jefus
therefore faw her
weeping, and the
Jews alfo weeping
which came with
her, he groaned in
the fpirit, and was
troubled,

John paraphrafed. 403
30 Now Jefus, to avoid all appearance of oftenta-
tion by gathering a company about him, and to fhew
how ready he was to do the great and good work
for which he came thither, had not entered into the
village, but continued at the fame plage where Mar
tha rat firft met with him.
3 1 As foon as Mary got up, and went out with
fuch eagernefs and hafte, her condoling friends imagin
ed, that, in the excefs of her grief, fhe was gone to
indulge, aggravate, and vent her paffions, at the grave
of the deceafed ; and therefore («») they immediately
followed her, defigning, if poffible, to reftrain and
pacify her : But, inftead of her going thither, they
found fhe went another way till fhe came to Jefus ;
and fo they were infenfibly led to him, and made eye-
witneffes of the miracle that he was about to perform.
32 When Mary came up to Jefus, and faw him,
fhe, in floods of tears, threw herfelf down at his feet,
in teftimony of her humble fubmiffion to him, and
profound reverence of him, faying, as Martha had
before, (ver. 21.} Ah, Lord, how much have we
fuffered for want of thy prefence ! If thou hadft but
been here when our deal- brother lay fick, I am well
fatisfied thou wouldft have commiferated him and us,
and couldft eafily have prevented his death.
33 When therefore the holy Jefus faw how bitter
ly fhe, and the attending Jews, lamented and wept
on this occafion, he was exceedingly touched and
moved in his own fpirit, partly with compaffionate
grief and difpleafure at the inordinate excefs of Mary's
forrowing even in his prefence, and at the weaknefs
of her faith. ; and partly with holy indignation at the
unbelief and hardnefs of the hearts of her friends *,
and with a human pity, in profpeft of the miferies
that would come upon them, who he knew were
cruel enemies to him, while they fhewed fo much
humanity and tendernefs toward her : And, as he had
an abfolute command of his paffions, (ira^afyi ictvrtm)
due commotion in his own mind on

he awakened a
thefe accounts.

N O
* As the words iviffi^wralo ru ¦aviv-
ft-ali, here rendered, he groaned hi fpirit,
properly fignffy to lament or groan with
anger and indignation : So it feems to ar
gue too much weaknefs in our Lord's
paffions, to fuppofe that he was thus ex-

34 And,.
T E.
from the dead : But as it was no unufual
thing for Chrifi to be afieclred with grier'
and anger at the fin and folly, unbelief
and hardnefs of perfons hearts, and with
forrow in the profpecT; of appioaching mi
feries, (Mark iii- 5. and xvi. is,. John

ceedingly grieved and troubled, merely xiii. 2t. and Luke xix. 41, 42.) So the
in a way of fympathy with Mary and her confiderations that I have taken into the
friends, on account of their lamentations Paraphrafe, feem to be natural, and were
at their lofs, fince he defigned immedi- every way worthy of his compafl'onate
ately to repair it, and to turn their and difpleafed refentments, and beft fuit
mourning into joy,' by raifing Lazarus the following context.

4°4 The Evangelift Chap. xi.
34 And faid, 34 And, that there might not be the leaft ap-
ryfw j'-ri!6 /e Pearance of collufion between him and the mourning
unto 'him LorY relations, he allied them in what tomb they had
come and fee. ' placed Lazarus' s corpfe ? They replied, Lord, If
you pleafe to come along with us, we will fhew you
where he lies.'
35 Jefus wept. 3 j Jefos accordingly went with them ; and, as he
was going, a confideration of all the moving circum
ftances, then before him, fo affefted his heart, that,
being a man of like natural, though finlefs, paffions
with ourfelves, his eyes ran down with tears of grief.
36 Then faid the 36 Then the Jews obferving it, fome of them
^To'v dhi0ld h°W fai^ t0 °therS '" a f°rt °f ful'Prife' See how affe&ion-
ately Jefus loved Lazarus ! He feems to weep hear
tily for him.
,37 And fome of 37 But (Je) others of them faid, in a way of re-
them faid, Could ffeftion upon him, If this man. as is reported, (chap.
o0ened7hene^ICohf k" 6'~ 2O0 reft°red one t0 %ht who was born blind»
the blind, have could he not as eafily have prevented the death of his
caufed that even friend, for the lofs of whom he now difcovers fo great
this man fliould concern? He certainly would, if he could : We may
not have died ? therefore conclude that ftory to be all fham, and that
there was really nothing in it.
38 Jefus there- 38 Jefus therefore knowing what perverfe and un-
fore again groan- believing prejudices were vented among themfelves,
c S eth' to the' was mucb affefted again in his own fpirit, fetching
grave. It was a a deep figh, with compaffionate grief and holy indig-
eave, and, a ftone, nation^ as before, (ver. 33.) And this was juft as he
lay upon it. arrived at the fepulchre, where Lazarus lay, which
was a cave * ; > and a great ftone, as ufual, was laid at
its mouth to inclofe it.
39 Jefus faid, 39 Then our Lord ordered fome of the flanders by
Take ye away the to ron tfo great ftQne away from tfo mcmth. 0f the
filler of hin/'that cave> tnat be might not work a needlefs miracle, and
was dead faith un- that the dead carcafe might be feen and fmelt by
to him, Lord, by the fpeftators : Hereupon Martha, the fifter of the
this time he (link- deceafed, little thinking what he intended to do,
been !dealf four faid t0 him' Lord' WhY would your affeftion carry
days. you fo far, as once to defire to fee the dead corpfe
now ? It doubtlefs by this time begins to putrify,
and will be very offenfive by its noifome flench : 'For
my brother has been dead, and buried, (ver. 17.)
thefe
NOTE.
* Perhaps this cuftom of burying in thefe there were natural caverns fit for
caves might be in imitation of the burial this purpofe, and others were cut out by
of Abraham, Ifaac, and Jacob, and their art, as Jofeph of Arimathea's was where
wives, in the cave of Machpe/ah. (Gen. the body of our Lord was laid. (Matth.
xlix, 29, 30, 31.) Thefe caves for perfons xxvii. 60.) And the entrance of thefe
of diftinclion, as La-z-arw feems to have caves was fliut up with a great ftone
been, were commonly in rocks, which which fometimes had a njonunjental in-
abounded in that country : In fome of fcriptjon upon it.

Chap. xi. John paraphrafed. 405
thefe four days ; and it is now too late to hope for
a revival, or for any pleafure in feeing him. '
40 Jefus faith 40 But Jefus, in reply, gave her a gentle reproof
• T!° b.eTX Salt } for her unbelief, and yet encouraged the little faith
not unto thee, that, n 1 j r • -r-.-» T -r 1
if thou would- "le had» laying, -Did 1 not promife you, that, m
eft believe, thou cafe of your relying on my power and goodnefs, who
foouldeft, fee the am the refurreftion and the life to them that believe
glory of God ? ;n me> you mould fee a glorfeus difplay of the divine
perfections in what I would do on this occafion * 2
41 Then they 41 Then, Martha defifting from any further oppo
rtune */>»,» ^ fitio11' forae of the PeoPle removed the ftone from the
place where the mouth °f tne cave» where the dead corpfe lay : And
dead was laid. Jefus, looking up toward heaven in a folemn manner.
And jefus lift. up faid, in their hearing, Q my Father f, I blefs thy
his eyes, and faid, name, that, by the difpofals of thy providence, thou.
Father, I thank in. .. j j r r 1 • 111
thee that thou haft granted my defire ot this remarkable opportuni-
heard me. ty f°r exerting my power, and fhewing forth thy
praife.
41 And I knew 43 \ indeed (01) ever was, and ftill am, abfolute-
that thou hearefl 1 fure of th anfwering evely requeft that I can
me always: but J , .,< , . , 6 J , ^ , , r -
becaufe of the peo- maJse> my will being always regulated by my perfect
pie which ftand by, knowledge of thine : But my addreffing thee, in this
I faid it, that they public manner, is merely for the fake of the people
rV7 ^eldVe that here prefent, that my difeiples may be fully affured.
thou haft lent me. , A .. d {_ i { l r i_ .. t
and that. others may be encouraged to believe that i
am the true Meffiah, whom thou haft fent.
43 And when he 43 And having faid thefe words, he, ftanding
had thus fpoken, without the fepulchre, did not thereupon peep and
nc cried with a. - ... .
loud mul:ter an unintelligible jargon, like a necromancer,
NOTES. '
* It feems by this, that Chrift had faid Father for afliftance, or taking any -no-
more to Martha than is before recorded, tice of him : But he managed it with an
when flie firft met him, and when he put air of abfolute fovereignty, like the Lord
it to her, (ver. 25, 26.) whether file be- of life and death, faying, with the au-
lieved what he had declared about his thority and majefty of a God, La%a%us,
being the refurreftion and the life, and ,come forth, as we foall fee, ver. 43. And
aboat a believer's living, though he were therefore I take it, that this thankfgiving
dead. to his Father was for the dpportunity
t For underftanding this and the two that Chrift had prayed might be given
following verfes, it may be of ufe to ob- him to work this miracle, in fuch re
ferve, that here is no appearance of markably advantageous circumftances
Chrift's having prayed to his Father for by his Father's ordering that Lazarus
power to perform the miracle which lie fliould die, and that fo many perfons of
was going to work ; nor was there any note foould be brought together on that
occafion for it, he having before faid of occafion, who, with his own difciples,
himfelf, I am the refurreftion and the were to be eye-witneffes of his -railing
life, (ver. 25.) and declared, (chap. v. Lazarus from the dead, for the eftablifl.-
ai, 26.) that he had life in himfelf, and ment of his own charafter, and the ad-
quickened whom he would. His divine vancement of his Father's glory: -With
nature was undoubtedly fufficient for regard lo which he had faid to his difci—
this; accordingly when he told his difci- pies, (ver. 4, 15.) This jicknefs is — -for
pies of Lauirus's death, he faid, (ver. the glory of God, that the S6n of God
II.) I go that I may awake him ; and' might be glorified thereby : And I am
in working the miracle itfelf, there- is glad for your fakes, that I was not there,
not the lead fhew of his applying to the to the intent that re may believe.
Vol. II. • G g g

ji.oiy-

The Evangelift

Chap, xi.'

loud voice, Laza
,rus, come forth.

44 A.nd he that
was dead came
forth, bound hand
and foot with

about with
kin.

nap-
Jefus faith
unto them, Loofe
him, and let him

or dealer with familiar fpirits ; (Ifa. viii. 19.) but
fpoke nut with a diftinft and elevated voice, to inti
mate the awakening power that attended it, faying,
without any mention of his Father's name, but with
the majefty of God himfelf, Lazarus, I command!
thee to come hither.
44 And fo powerful was this word of command,
that the dead man, being inftantly made alive, came
out of the fepulchre, in his burial drefs, (ABs v.
¦--.ive-dothes-.Tnd 6-> his h.ands and ^et beInS wrapped up, and rolled
his face was bound about with fwaddling bands, and his eyes blinded
with a linen cloth, which was bound about his head * :
And when Lazarus came forth in this confined pof-
tiire, Jefus ordered fome of Ibe company to fet his
hands and feet at liberty, no miraefe being needful
for this, that he might walk home.
45 Then many 4c This was fuch an inconteftable and uncommon
of the Jews which miraefe, that many of thofe Jews, who had come to
£Trt0l^7i'-ar,d comfort Mary, together with Martha, (ver. 19.)
which Jefus did, under her lois, were thereby induced to believe in
believed on him. him.
46 But fome of 46 But others cf them, though they could not
them went their deny the truth of the miracle, were fo obftinately
ways to the Phari- and mal;c;oufl„ fet aRa;nft chrift, that, inftead of be-
lees, and told them ,...,.', ° r , , , ,
what things Tefus heving m him, they were fo much the more provoked
had done. , to think, how this would raife his reputation and au
thority among the people ; and therefore they went
immediately to the Pharifees, his moft inveterate e-
nemies, to tell them what had paffed, that they might
enter into effeftual meafures for putting a flop to
him.
47 Then gather- 47 Then the Pharifees, being alarmed at this fe
ed the chief priefts -formation, agreed with fome of the chief priefts to
and the Fhar-ifeesa fummon a COUncil, in which they gathered together
council, and taui, r -,, . n , T , 1 1 ¦ a ¦ 1
What do wc > for t0 conluft agamit the JLord, and his Anointed, as
this man doth ma- was prophefied, (Pfal. ii. 2.) faying, What figni-
fies all that we have hitherto attempted againft this
man ? fome more prudent, and yet vigorous ftep
muft be taken without delay : For from what we
ourfelves have feen,- and our own friends noW tell
us, it is plajn beyond denial, that he does many fur
prifing miracles.
48 If we fuffer hfm to go on at this rate, with
out fome effeftual oppofition to him, he will foon
grow fo faipous, that all the people will be perfuad
ed to believe him to be the expefted Meffiah : And
what
NOTE.
P His Tiands and feet being bound, culous power of Chrifi in bringing hira
and his eyes covered with the cloth, as out of the fepulchre in this form, as welji
was ufual, to prevent the ghaflly appear- as in reftoring him to fife.
ance of a deafl corpfe, fliewcd the raira-

nv miracles.

48 If we let him
thus alone, all men
will believe on
him ; and the Ro
mans

Chap. xi. John par aphrafed. , 407
mans foall come what will be the confequence of that ? Why, the Ro-
and take away mans will certainly take umbrage, as if we were go-
i.ati'on."1'1^ and ing to fet up a king of our own, and to throw off
their yoke ; and they will be fo exafperated at this,
as to deprive us of all the remains of our civil and re
ligious rights and liberties, and even to deftroy our
city and temple, and put an end to our being a di
ftinft nation any longer.
49 And one of 49 And, while the council were at a lofs what
thhT "befotCath~ C°urfe t0 Uke formencing Jefus> one of them, name-
high prieft" that ^ Ca>aphas, a bold Sadducee, (ABs v. 17.) who
fame year, faid un- had no fear of a judgment to come, and who, by the
to them, Ye know favour of the Roman government, was liigii-prieft that
nothing at all. yeia; (fee the note on Luke iii. 2.) faid "to them with
great fubtilty and malice, as well as haughtinefs and
warmth, All your cautious deliberations are to no
manner of purpofe : I find ye have no notion of what
is neceffary to be done in fo defperate a cafe, which
muft have a defperate remedy.
50 Nor confider 50 Nor do ye confider, (dit ^ice.'hoyd^urk) in all
that it is cxpedi- your reafoning on this head, that the danger of the
ent for us that one prefent circumftances obliges us to have recourfe to
man mould die for \ . . ... . rb r • .
the people and t"e oic* P°"tic maxim, ot preferring a public to a pn-
that the whole na- vate good : We have no need to trouble ourfelves
tion perifo not. with nice inquiries, whether this man be an impoft*-.-,
or a prophet ; v.-e do not know what he is ; but it is
certainly better that he fhould be put to death, than
that we fhould lofe our all, and the whole nation
fhould be utterly ruined by fuffering him to live.
51 And this j 1 And he faid this, not merely from his own
fpake he not of crafty and wicked defign of exciting the council 'to
dmd. ¦ -"n.^,0" go into refolute meafures againft lefus : But as he
mg high prieft that & . . T 1 -i r- 1 <v -n
year, he prophefi- was the high-prieit, and head of the Jewifo church
ed that Jefus fhould for that year, in wliich Chrift was to redeem his fpi-
die for that nation: ritual Ifrael, and to put an end to the Levitical prieft-
hood and oblations, by the facrifice of himfelf; and
as Caiaphas's words, on account of his exalted cha-
rafte. , would be looked upon as oracles : So, by an
over-ruling Providence, he expreffed his malicious de
fign in terms, which, contrary to his own intention,
contained a truth, that, in another view of their fig-
nification, was prophetic of what God had defigned
fhould come to pafs, viz. That Jefus being the Mef
fiah *, he fhould be cut off, not for himfelf, but as
G g g 2 a
NOTE.
* By the i Evangelifl's conftruftion of be called the children of God: And fop-
this prophetic fenfe of Caiaphas's words, pofing that he carried his thought ftill
The children of God, that were fcatter- further to the Gentiles, it feems as if the
ed abroad, (ver. 52.) may relate to the nation, or church of Ifrael, were there-
Jews difperfed among the Gentiles, in confidered, as typical of the whole
who, on account of their ancient adop- New Teftament-church, confifting of
tion, as God's covenant-people, might Gentiles as well as Jews: Oiherwife the is

408 The Evangelift Chap. %i.
a propitiatory facrifice for God's ancient people, the
Jews :
52 And not for 52 And not merely for a remnant, according to
that nation only, tfo e\eQ{on 0f grace, (Rom. xi. 5.) of thofe Jews
foould gather to^e- that dwelt together as a nation in the land of Ifrael,
ther in one the but likewife of fuch, to whom pertained the adop-
children of God tion, as were difperfed among the Gentiles : And,
that were fcatter- ,10t oniy for thefe ; but alfo for others among the
Gentiles themfelves, who were predeftinated to the
adoption of children by Jefus Chrift, (E/>b. i. 5.)
that, according to the merit of his death, they alfo,
by the preaching of the gofpel, attended with the
power of his Spirit, might be effeftually gathered
into one church, and fellowfhip of believers with the
Jews, under Chrift their head; (Eph. i. 9, 10.)
wherever they were feattered abroad among all nations
of the earth, like fheep ftraying from the fold of their
great Shepherd. (Chap. x. 16.)
53 Then from 53 This fubtile fpeech of Caiaphas fo fully deter-
that day forth, mined the council to aft in concert for putting Jefus
they took counlel tQ d j that fram th;s time forwardj they frequent-
together for to put , r , ' , , . n-
him to death. ty confulted together about the properelt opportuni
ty, and the fafeft method for compaffing it.
54 Jefus there- 54 Our bleffed Lord therefore well knowing their
fi-re walked no fecret and refolute combination againft his . life, and
more openly a- , , ¦ . , r -_° f. , . '
inone the Tews- t"at tne tltne appointed 01 the rather for his death
but went thence was not yet fully come, prudently decbned walking
unto a country about openly, as he was wont, to preach and work
near to the wildei- mu-acles among the lews, at Jerufalem, and the
pels, into a city ,. ° _ / ... J J ' .
called Ephraim Parts adjacent : cut he withdrew to a certain town
and there conti- called * Ephraim, which lay in a remote, and more
nued with his dif- retired part of the country, bordering upon the wil- *
CIlJfes- dernefs of Judea; and tfiere (S<sTgi/3e) he fpent his
time in private converfation with his difciples, till
within fix days of the paffover. (Chap. xii. 1.)
55Andthe Jews' 55 At length the Jewifh paffover drew near,
yatibver was nigh which was the laft that Jefus eat with his difciples,
;;t hand : and ma- QJ, that was £ver ccjebrated by divine authority, he
ny went out ot the .r rin , . ¦¦
country up to Je- having foon after legally put an end to that typical
malem folemnity, by the facrifice of himfelf: And great
multitudes,
NOTES.
there was nothing in Caiaphas's words, from perifliing, and foould be effeftual
about the whole nation's perifliing, that to gather together the children of God
i-oukl be confirmed as prophetic of Chrift's into one fpiritual body under Chrift, an-
gathering together the children of God, fwerable to the like language that is u-
that were Gentiles: But whichever way fed in Rev. v. 9.
\ye take the Evangelift's meaning, I do * This Ephraim was fo obfeure a
not fee how it can extend to the whole place, that it is uncertain where it
nation of the Jews, and all individuals ftood, or whether it were Ephratah, in
among the nations of the Gentiles, or can the tribe of Judah, ox Ephraim, in the
fignify any more than the true Ifrael of tribe of Benjamin : But which ever it
Cod in both : For he fpeaks of fuch a was, it probably bordered on the wp-
trctit of Chrift's death, as foould fave them dernefs of Judea.

Chap. xi.
rufalem before the
paffover, to purify
themfelves.

John ' paraphrafed.

409

56" Then fought
Trhey for Jefus, and
fpake among them-
fefves, as they flood
in the temple,
What think ye,
that he will not
come to the feaft ?
57 Now both the
chief priefts and
the Pharifees had
given a command
ment, that if any
man knew where
he were, he foould
fhew it, that they
might take hjm.

multitudes from all parts of the country repaired to
Jerufalem, as ufual, fome bttle time before-hand,
that they who had contrafted any ceremonial unclean-
nefs, might perform the rites of purification appoint
ed in the law, in order to their partaking of that re
ligious feaft.
j 6 The city therefore filling apace, and our Lord
not appearing there, the people fought after him ;
and, at their meeting together in the temple, laid
one to another, What are your thoughts about Je-
fus's not being here ? Will he, according to cuftom,
come up to this paffover, or will he ftay away for
fear of his enemies i
57 Now, though fome might afk thefe queftions
out of good-will toward him, being defirous to fee
and hear him, and get good by him ; and others, out
of mere curiofity ; yet there were others, that only
wanted an opportunity to deliver him up to the chief
priefts and Pharifees : For they, as a council, had
iffued out orders, ftriftly requiring, upon pain of their
utmoft difpleafure, that if any one knew where he
wa*, he fhould not conceal him, but fhould forthwith
difcover him to them, that they might apprehend
him, and profecute him even unto death.
RECOLLECTIONS.
How common is it for fuch as Chrift loves, and as fincerely love him, to be, like
Lazarus, fick unto death,- and, like Mary and Martha, mourning the lofs of the
deareft friends and comforts of life ! But what encouragements may they take from
his love, to apply in all their diftrelfes to him ! Though he may fometimes delay
an anfwer, and we may be apt to misjudge his conduft, and give way to unbelief,
while we look at the difcouraging circumftances that furround us, inftead of look
ing to the promifes and power of Chrift ; and though we may expeft a reproof for
it ; yet how does he bear with us, and wait to be gracious, that he may glorify his
own and his Father's name, improve our faith, and do us good, in a better way
than we ourfelves defired !— With what chearfulnefs and diligence foould we fol
low his example, in working for God whilft it is day, fince death will foon put an
end to all opportunities for it ' How willingly fliould we take our lot with our
Lord, for this world and the next ! And why fliould believers be afraid of dying, to
fleep in Jefus, who will awaken them again in the morning of a bleffed refurrec-
tion 1 Behold the God in him, who fpoke of himfelf as the objeft of faith, as the
refurreftion and the life, and, by his abfolute word of command, quickened Laza
rus from the dead, and called him forth out of his grave '. And behold in him the
man of like natural paffions with ourfelves, when on moving occafions he groaned
in fpirit, and fhed tears of grief ! And how admirably did Providence over-rule va
rious circumftances, that in thefe ways he might aft both the God and the Man,
before many credible witneffes ! Whatfoever we believe concerning him, our faith-
is vaftly defeftive, unlefs it refts upon him as that Saviour, who is the Son of God,
in fuch a peculiar and exalted fenfe, as to be himfelf God, and whofe own power
can perform all things for us : We may therefore think we hear him faying to us,
Believed thou this? And we foould not be fatisfied till we can anfwer, Yea, Lord,
we believe it. — How kind and compaffionate is he to his airlifted friends; how ten
derly does he fympathize with them ; what rich confolations may they find in bim
¦under all their troubles ; how eafily can he make up their greateft lofles, and re
ftore former mercies beyond all their own hopes, whenever he pleafes ; and how rea
dily fliould we go to meet with Jefus ! And, when once he appears, how great is
the joy, whatfoever our forrows were before : The Jews themfelves, may indeed teach

4io The Evangelift Chap. xii.
teach us fympathy with our mourning friends ; but none pities like Chrift, and
none can relieve like him. And O what might we not hope for, had we but faith
to depend upon him according to his word '. And what glorious things will he work
for them that believe in him : Though they muft die out of this world, like other
men, they foall not die for ever ; but he will raife them up to a bleffed immorta
lity in a better. But, alas! how great are the prejudices that are found againft him
in men of carnal minds? Though they themfelves were to fee him open the eyes of
them that were born blind, and raife them to life that hadbeeri dead long enough to
(link in their graves ; yet unlefs the fame divine power be exerted to open the eyes
cf their own underftandings, and quicken them to a fpiritual life, they will not be
lieve in him to eternal life : While fome, through grace, are brought over to him;
others, from worldly views, endeavour to expofe, anil take counfel againft him :
~£mt all their devices foall be over-ruled to fubferve the falvation of the children of
God of all nations, wherever they are feattered abroad ; and whatfoever may be
the defigns' of men againft Chrifi, and the various thoughts of their hearts concern
ing him, he will carry on, and finifo hi; work, in his own time and way.

CHAP. XII.

Mary anoints Chrifi's feet at Bethany, i, — 8. The people fiock to
fee him and Lazarus, 9. The chief priefts confult to kill Cbrift,
10, 11. He rides in triumph lo Jerufalem, 12, — 19. The Greeks
defire to fee him, 20, — 22. He foretels his death and its effeBs,
33, — 33. His folemn warning to the Jews, 34, — 36. The con
tinued infidelity of the generality of them, though fome of the rulers
believed him to be the Meffiah, but did not own him, 37, — 43. He
ejferts his divine miffion, 44, — jo.
Text. Paraphrase.
THEN Jefus, fix XJOW the time appointed of God for the death of
affove- ^amVto Chlift beinS juft at hand» he> t0 ftew his great
Sethany where readinefs for yielding obedience to his Father's will
Lazarus was.which therein, went the day before the Sabbath, fix corn-
had been dead, pfete days before the paffover, to the village called
from^e dead"^ Bethany-> where Lazarus dwelt, whom he had mira
culoufly reftored to life. (Chap. xi. 43, 44. fee the
note on Matth. xxvi. 6.)
2 There they 2 Upon his arrival thither, his friends provided a
made him a fop- handfome entertainment and invited him, and (ver.
ferved8" but Lala! 4-) his difciples with him to fupper, that being the
ruswasone of them principal meal among the Jews f and Martha, to
that fat at the ta- teftify her gratitude, veneration, and efteem, waited
ble with him. Upon him like a fervant, * though file was a perfon
of confiderable rank: But Lazarus himfelf fat at
table with him, that all the company might be wit-
1 neffes
NOTE.
* It appears that Martha was a per- (ver. 3.) and from theirs being an houfe
/on of fome figure, from the great re- of entertainment to our Lord and his
fpeft that wa? paid to her and her fifter, in difciples, he probably lodging there,
vifits and condolances, at Lazarus's death, when he returned from Jerufalem to
as well as from the coftly ointment that Bethany every evening of the laft week
her fifter ufed in anointing Chrift's feet, of his life, wijich he now enterod upon,

Chap. xii.

3 Then took Ma
ry a pound of oint
ment, of fpikenard,
very coftly, and
anointed the feet
of Jefus, and wi
ped his feet with
her hair : and the
houfe was filled
with the odour of
the ointment.

4 Then faith one
of his difeiples, Ju
das Ilcariot, Si-
mon'srfon, which
foould betray him,
5 Why was not
this ointment fold
for three hundred
pence, and given
to the poor.
6" This he fai^,
not that he cared
- for the poor ; but
becaufe he was a
thief, and had the
bag, and barewhat
was put therein.

7 Then faid Je
fus, Let her alone :
againft the day of
my burying hath
flie kept thij.

John paraphrafed. 411
neffes of his being alive and in health, and of his eat
ing, drinking, and converfing again like other men.
3 Then Mary, the other fifter of Lazarus, that
fhe might likewife pay her grateful acknowledgment
of Chrift's favour, and her honourable regard to him,
brought a pound of odoriferous ointment, made of
the moft genuine (tctmoan) and coftly fpinkenard ;
and coming behind him, as he fat at table with his
feet thruft out backwards, fhe fuppled his feet with
the ointment, and wiped them with her own hair, as
thinking that fhe could not humble herfelf too much,
in expreffing her veneration of fuch a great Lord and
friend : And that fhe might further teftify her faith'
in him as Meffiah, the King, and might add another
token of the higheft honour that was anciently put up
on the greateft perfonages, (Pfal. xxiii. 5.) fhe pour
ed the reft of the ointment upon his head, ( Matth.
xxvi. 7. fee the note there) the perfume of which
diffufed a grateful feent through the whole room, and
was a fit emblem of the fweet odour of Chrift's ap
proaching death and facrifice, and of the graces of
his Spirit, which fhould be fhed abroad in confe
quence thereof.
4, 5 Hereupon Judas Ifcariot, who was the fon
of one Simon, and an apoftle of Chrift, difcovered a
malignant difcontent at the honour done to his Lord,
faying, What an extravagant wafte is this, without
any manner of occafion for it ? Why fhould our Maf
ter or we fuffer fuch profufenefs ? Would it not have
been much better to have fold this rich ointment for
the great price it would have fetched, (fee the note on
Mark xiv. j.) and to have relieved the poor with it?
6 The reafon of Judas's fpeaking in this manner
was, not that he had any real concern, as he pretend
ed, for the poor ; but becaufe he was a man of a co
vetous temper and difhoneft principle ; and what
little money Chrift and his difciples had for neceffary
fupplies, was committed to his keeping, who, had
the price of this ointment been put into his hands,
might have purloined fome of it, or run away with
it all, in cafe the fuffering days, which his Mafter talk
ed of, fhould come.
7 Our Lord therefore, (sv) knowing his wick
ed defign, but taking no public notice of it, repli
ed, («<ps?) Do not be fevere upon this good woman,
let her go on peaceably with thefe teftimonies of her
refpeft to me : She herein, by a fpecial direftion of
Providence, afts more fuitably than you are aware of,
to my circumftances, who am juft ready to be put to
death, and, in effeft, is only expending that upon
me a little before my burial, which you cannot deny to

412

The Evangelift

Chap, xii,

8 For the poor
always ye have
with you ; but me
ye have not al
ways.

but that they might
fee Lazarus alfo
whom he had rai
fed from the dead.
io But the chief

to have been a fit referve for an enibalment, which
fhe will have no opportunity for, after, it.
8 And as he knew that others of the difciples had
likewife been influenced, by Judas's plaufible pretence
of charity, to find fault with what Mary had done,
(Matth. xxvi. 8, 9.) he told them there was no oc
cafion for their uneafinefs on that account : For, faid
he, in the difpofals of Providence,, in fuch a world of
fin and mifery as this, there will be always poor peo
ple enough living among you, to furnifh opportuni-
ties for liberality and compaffion toward them, ac
cording to your ability, whenever ye may be inclin
ed to it ; but in a very little time I fhall be no long
er corporally prefent with you, and all opportuni
ties will foon be over of fhewing any- kindnefs, or re-
•» fpeft to' me in perfon again.
9 Much people 9 Now as Chrift was at Bethany, within lefs than
of the Jews there- two m;fes 0f Jerufalem, abundance of the Jews foon
fore knew that he R d f j { fc . there and as the fame of h;s ^
was there: and .5 ' '
they came, not for furprifing miracle was fpread among them, they 1m-
Jefus-' fake only, mediately flocked * thither, not merely for the fake
of feeing and hearing him, but that they might like- ,
wife fee and converfe with Lazarus himfelf, whom he
had brought to life again from the dead.
10 But the chief priefts, inftead of being foftened,
priefts confulted, or fuitably affefted with fuch a wonderful inftance of
that they might chrift's power and goodnefs, were filled with rage
put Lazaijis alio to , r . j 1- • j • 11 ^x. it f T
JJeath and envy at it ; and confpired againft tne fife ot La
zarus, wliich had been thus miraculoufly reftored, re
folving to put him, as well as Jefus, to death ;
1 1 Becaufe that 1 1 Becaufe, by means of this undeniable, living
by reafon of him Qc 0f Chrift's divine charafter, many of the Jews
ZTJ °.»„ J3 were induced to think meanly of their rulers, and de-
went awrty, -11111 _. 111 ¦ 1 <v /* *l
believed on Jefus. fert their party, and to believe that Jejus was the
Meffiah, notwithftanding all that his enemies could
fay to the contrary.
1-2 On the next 12,13 And fo great an intereft did he hereby pb-
«lay, much people ta;n jn tfo affeai0ns of the people, that the nextday,
the feaft when *-'le fecond ^ay OI" tne week, vaft multitudes of them,
A that that were come from all parts to Jerufalem againft
coming the paffover, when they beard that he was repairing
thither too, gathered boughs of palm-trees, and went
out of the city to meet him ; and flrewing fome of
id° went forth to' their branches in the way, (Matth. xxi. 8.) and car-
meet him, and cri- rying others in their hands, they attended him in fo
ed, Holanna : Blefs- femn pr0ceffion, and fhouted aloud with all the joy
ed is the King^of that ufed t0 be expreffed> together with thefe cere
monies,
N O.T E.
* If, as we have fuppofed, Chrift was ly probable that this company came to
at this entertainment on the evening, as Bethany on the next day, wliich was
fogn as the Sabbatll was over, it is high- the firft day of the week.

they hea
Jefusto Jenifalem, 1 ^ Took bran
ches of palm-trees,

Chap. xii. John paraphrafed. 413
Ifrael that cometh monies, at the feaft of tabernacles, (Lev. xxiii. '40.
Lord6 namC °f ^ and P'"L CXV"'- 25' z6'> {aYinS' Hofanna, May all
profperity, viftory, and fuccefs, crown the long ex
pefted, and now prefent King of Ifrael ! May he
reign and triumph for ever ! Bleffed be his glorious
name ; we rejoice in him, and bid him welcome, who
is come from God himfelf, and is cloathed with his
authority, as our Meffiah, to fave us from all our ene
mies, and to load us with his benefits. ( See the notes
^>n Matth. xxi. 9.)
14 And Jefus 14, ij And as the people thus furrounded him
when he had found w;ti1 acclamations ancl praifes, Jefus himfelf, having
a young afs, fat , /- j v • c
thereon • as it is Procured a young afs, rode upon it in a way of un
written, common triumph, with circumftances of abafement,
15 Fear not, fuitable to his ftate of humiliation, and with a fhew
!!^ij;er °f S'°" = °^ granCieur> that prefigured his approaching exalta-
^e„°.u a?.- '"^ tion to the kingdom : And this was ordered in pro-
cometh, fitting on . , ,. <? . - , . . , ¦ ,r
an afs's colt. vidence, though undeligned by the people, to be a
literal accomplifh'ment of an infpired prophecy con
cerning the Meffiah, (Zech. ix. 9.) where it is faid,
Rejoice greatly, 0 daughter of Zion; fhout, 0 daugh
ter of Jerufalem ; let your joy expel all your for
mer fears, O every fon and daughter of the new Jeru
falem, and heavenly Zion ; Behold, thy King cometh
unto thee ; he isjufi, and having falvation, lowly,
m and riding upon an afs, and upon a colt, the foal'
of an afs, (See the notes on Matth. xxi. 5, 7.)
16 Thefe things 16 While thefe things were tranfafting, the dif-
underftood not his c,pfes 0f OUr Lord Were fo far from ufing any under-
1 cip es a e jlantj methods to promote them, that they had no
firft: but when Je- . . r , n r rr 1 , 1 r.
fos was glorified, notion ot their reference to the Meffiah s character :
then remembered But when he was afterwards exalted to his heavenly
they that thefe throne, and fhed down his Spirit upon them from on
things were writ- j- fa h ; underftandingswere enlightened, and, to
ten of him, and , b ' . . _ , . 6r . . . ° r „ , ,
that they had done the confirmation of their faith, they perfectly recol-
thefe things unto fefted that thefe very circumftances were foretold in
him. prophecy, and had been punftually fulfilled in him.
17 The people 17 The immediate occafion of which was this, thofe
therefore that was perfons, who were prefent, when Jefus raifed Laza-
with him when he from :he dead declared that they faw h;m come
called Lazarus out /-,i .,i, .. -. .- 1 -
of his grave, and °ut of the grave, at Chrift s authoritative .word 01
railed him from command.
the dead, bare re- jg This was the principal reafon, why fo great a
cord- ,. f multitude, at that time, went out of the city to meet
the'8 people15 "Ife and applaud him, in that public manner, as the Mel-
met him, for that fiah; for they were well fatisfied by the report of thefe
they heard that he credible eye-witneffes, that hg bad really wrought this
had done this mi- very extraordinary and furprifing miracle.
racle- tj,. pw IQ The Pharifees hereupon were filled with the
10 The Jrnan- y J . r. , A 1 *
fees therefore faid utmoft rage and vexation, faying one to another, Alas !
among to what little purpofe are all our authority and zeal,
Vol. II, H h h threatenings

4^4 The Evangelift Chap. xii.
among themfelves, threatenings and perfuafions, contrivances and op-
Perceive ye how pofkion to fupprefs this man ? Inftead of the peoples
¦beehPoTdV,athenworidSis being reftrained by our, attempts againft him, they
gone after him. grow more fond of him than ever. Look what a
world of them run after him, and are all at once be
come his difciples ! What will this come to at length,
unlefs fome more fpeedy and effeftual cqurfe,be taken,
than we have yet gone into, to put a flop to it ?
io And there were 2o And at the fame time, fome religious perfons
ceitam Greeks a- among ^fo Gentiles were ftirred up to earneft inquiries -
Came up to wor- after Jefus : There were, for instance, feveral devout
foip at the feaft : Greeks \, who being profelytes of the gate, came up
to Jerufalem, to worfhip in the court of the Gentiles,
at the great feftival which was then at hand.
21 The - fame 21 Thefe having heard fo much of him, and ha-
came therefore to vfeg fome knowledge of Philip, who was one of his
of Bethfaida of Ga difciples, and had been an inhabitant of Bethfaida,
-Wee, and defired which, lay in Galilee of the Gentiles, went to him, £
.him, faying, Sir, two or three days after the public entry, and begged
we would fee Je- the favour of him to introduce them into Chrift's
company, faying, Sir, we would fain fee Jefus, and
have a little converfation with him, that we ourfelves
may be acquainted with his doftrine, and may know
what judgment to form concerning him.
22 Philip com- 22 But as Chrift had difeouraged converfes with
eth and telle* An- the Gentiles, (Matth. x. c.) and might be ftill more
drew : and again, c , . ., v r r i- • ?
Andrew and Philip exP°fed t0 tjie fory of his enemies, by appearing in
told Jefus. company with thefe, Philip confulted Andrew, a
fenior
NOTES.
¦' * The world is here, as in many other dwelt about Tyre and Sidon, and, by '
places, evidently to be underftood with means of their commerce, were acquaint.
reftriction, and Can only fignify great ed with the Galileans, and particularly
numbers of all forts of people, efpecially with Philip, who was a man of BethfaU
of the lower rank. da in Galilee of the Gentiles, (ver. at.)
f EXMwr the Greeks, and Enxnwrsi And they are mofi generally thought to
the Grecians, are very different in the be profelytes of the gate, who ufed at
ftile of the New Teftament. The Gre- pubfic folemnities to repair to Jerufalem,
cians or Hellenijls are mentioned, as to worfliip ; though, not being circum-
I think, orrfy in Ails vi. i. and ix. 29. cifed, they were not fuffered to eat the
and xi. 20. and fignify fuch Jews as were paffover : Accordingly it is here only
fcattpred abroad in Gentile nations, and faid of thefe Greeks, that they came to
nfed the Greek language. But the Greeks Jerufalem to worfliip.
arc mentioned, a dozen times in the New rf As Chrift made his entry into Jeru-
Teftament, and properly fignify Greeks falem on the fecond day of that week in
by nation or birth : Thefe, being a re- which he was crucified, and it is faid
Bim-ncd peuple for learning among the (Luke xi-c. 47.) that he taught daily ill
Gentiles, are fometimes put for the Gen- tire temple, which intimates, that he did
tile nations in general, in oppofition to .fo fome days at leaft in that week- fb as
the Jews, as in Rom. i. iS. and ii. 9, 10. foon as he had finifoed' the difcourfe oc-
irompared with ver. 14.; and at other cafioned by this requeft of the Greeks it
times for the more polite Gentiles,, in op- is faid, (ver. 36.) that he departed and
pofition to tlie more rude and barbarous hid himfelf : And therefore it feems to
nations among them, as in Horn. i. 14. have been two or three days after his
It is probable, as Grotius thinks, that public entry into Jerufalem, that they as
thefe Greeks were Syroppaiicians, who plied to «*> to introduce them toJefuT

Chap. xii. John paraphrafed. 415
fenior difciple, and one of his own townfmen, (chap.
i. 44. ) about the expediency of mentioning this re
queft to Jefus ; and they, agreeing together, went
and acquainted him with it.
23 And Jefos an- 23 To which Jefus replied, The fet time appoint-
fivered_rtem,Jay- ed of the Father is juft at hand, when I, the Mef-
come that the^on 'la^' mall be highly honoured in the falvation, not of
of man fliould be Jews Only, but of Gentiles alfo, that fhall be brought
glorified. to know and believe in me ; an earneft and fpecimen.
of which appears in the importunate defire of thefe
Greeks, to fee and converfe with me.
24 Verify, veri- 24 I, who am Truth itfelf, aflurcdl y tell you, that
ly, I fay unto you, as a grain of wheat, which is fown in the earth, yields
?Cel! c m co™ i°' fio increafe, unlefs its prefent form die or periih * ;
wheat fall into the , .- . ',. . , y ,. '. . £ , '
ground, and die it "llt> " xt c"£s> ]t becomes exceeding rruitiul : 00,
abideth alone : but were I to continue in my prefent ftate in this world,
if it die, it bring- and never to die a facrifice for fin, and be buried in
eth forth much tfo grav6j tfo grcat defign of my office would be de
feated, and I fhould not have the honour of railing up
a fpiritual feed to bear mine image, and fhew forth
my praife : But if I am made an offering for fin, and
pour out my foul unto death, I Jhall fee my feed,
and the pleafure of the Lord will profper in my hand,
(Ifa. liii. 10, 12.) that I may be glorified in convert
ing, and faving multitudes of all nations, and in their
adoring fongs, as the reward of my fufferings and
death.
25 He that fo- 25 Then, to fhew his difciples, that the benefits
veth his life, foall fo fyQfo of, as the fruit of his death, were not of a
x,«dd J-,, iv ' * temporal, but of a fpiritual and eternal nature, he
nateth his life in r , , „ , r , , „ 1 - 1
this world, fliall proceeded to tell them that they mutt be conformed
keep it unto life to him in fufferings, as ever they would be partakers
eternal, of glory with him, faying, Whoever is fo fond of
this prefent life and its enjoyments, as to deny, dii-
own, or rejeft me, that he may avoid fuch perfec
tions and dangers as would expofe him to death for
my fake, fhall certainly fall fhort of that eternal glo
ry and bleffednefs which beft deferves the name of
life. And, on the contrary, whoever, fhall be fo in
different to the prefent life and all its comforts, as e-
ven to hate every unworthy means of prefervin'g it,
fuch as difowning or denying me, fhall forely in-
H h h 2 herit
N O T E.
* Nieuwentyt obferves that thefe modated to that purpofe for which he in-
words ought to have a particular empha- tended to ufe it. See Relig. Pkilof. Con-
fis, in which our Lord, agreeable to his tempi. 23. Seel. xi. Where, for proof, he
infinite knowledge, is pleafed to fingle refers to Dr. Grcw's anatomy of plants :
out from among fo many thoufands of and Malphig. defem. vr°et._ whole ob-
feeds, in which the contrary obtains, the fervations are, that the like is not found
only one almoft wliich dies in the earth ; in any other grain, betides the gr;at bean,
and which therefore was an exceeding asAmillet-milliiin.
proper fimilitude, and'peculiarly accom-

4"i6

The Evangelift

Chap, xii.'

. 26 If any man
ferve me, fet him
follow me ; and
where 1 am, there
fliall alfo my fer
vant be : if, any
man ferve roe, him
will my Father ho-
-nour.

2-j Now is my
foul troubled ; and
what fhall I fay ?
Father, fave me
from this hour :
but for this caufe
came I unto this
hour.

28 /Father glo
rify thy ' name.
Then came there
a voice from hea-
>-c-n, faying, I have
both glorified it,
and will glorify it
again.

29 The people
therefore that
ftood by, and heard
it, laid, That it
thundered : others
faid, An angel
fpake to him.
~o jefus anfwer ed

herit eternal life, which is the higheft happinefs he
can be capable of.
26 So that if any one would be a true difciple and
fervant to me, let him follow my example, and the
intimations of my word, providence, and Spirit,
wherever they may lead him ; and, for his encou
ragement, I affure him, that in the bleffed world,
where in a juft fenfe I now am, arid wbere in a little
time I fhall be, and abide in my human nature for e-
ver, (fee the note ou chap, viii 34.) there fhall fuch
a fervant of mine be alfo with me, to behold my glo
ry : If any man in this manner unfeignedly devotes
himfelf to me^. how much foever he may be defpifed
and ill-ufed for it by men, my heavenly Father him
felf will put immortal honours upon him, that as he
fuffers for me here, he may be likewife glorified with
me for ever. '
27 Whilft our dear Lord was thus difcourfing a-
bout fufferings,, the terror of his own laft conflifts
began to feize him ; upon which, to fhew that he
had all the innocent paffions of human nature, he
faid, At this vetj time my foul is exceedingly diftrefs-
ed in a near view of the bittereft tribulations that
from every quarter are coming upon me : How fhall
I exprefs myfelf in the moft becoming manner, under
the touching fenfe I have of them ? Then, turning his
addrefs from the people to God, he faid, O my hea
venly Father, the language of oppreffed nature is,
Let me, if poffible, be excufed the extreme fufferings
that are now juft ready to rufh upon me : But I in
fift not upon this, as knowing that the great defign
of my coming into the world is to undergo them, ac
cording to thy eternal purpofe, and my covenant-en
gagements to thee.
2 8 Father, I freely and entirely refign to thy ho
ly will, and deVote myfelf to the honour of thy name,
whatfoever it may coft me ; glorify thine own per
fections by me, in fuch a way as is moft pleafing in
thy fight, and I am fatisfied : In anfwer to which, an
awful majeftic voice was immediately direfted to him
from heaven, faying, I have abeady glorified myfelf,' -
meaning by Chrift's obedience, minifiry, and mira
cles hitherto ; and will be ftill further glorified, mean
ing by his fufferings and death.
29 This voice was heard by the whole affembly then
prefent, though by fome more plainly than others;
feme of them therefore faid it was a c&p, of thutider,
whilft others, who heard it more articulately, faid,
It is certainly the voice of an angel fpeaking to him
from heaven.
30 But Jefos knowing that they obferved it, andyet

Chap. xii. John paraphrased. 417
ed and faid, This yet were ready to turn it off, as if it were not a tef-
voice came not be- timony to him from God himfelf, faid, This extra-
catile of me. but »• • j r 1
for your fakes. ordinary voice was pronounced from heaven, not ou
my account, as if I needed to be fatisfied that my
father would own me, and glorify himfelf by me ;
but it came, in your hearing, as an immediate wit
nefs from him, of his approving of me in my work,
and of his crowning it with glorious confequences to
me and mine, that ye might believe in me, or be
left for ever inexcufable for rejefting me.
31 Jtfow is the j ! The time is now juft at hand, and the thing
judgment of this £±jfeif ;s as certain as if it were already done, when
World : now fhall ', c ', . , , . ' ,, ,, , ', ,
the prince of this tfLe ?len ot tllIS iower world fhall be brought to a
world be caft out. critical trial, with regard to their thoughts about
me ; when a reformation fhall be fet on foot, and a
diftinftion made between the precious and the vile ;
and when judgment fhall pafs upon both, by the
word and providence of God, as a prefage of the
future judgment, to acquit or condemn them, anfwer
able to their believing or not believing in me : Judg
ment fhall alfo be fpeedily obtained againft Satan,
who has ufurped a tyrannical dominion over worldly-
minded men, and works in their hearts by means of
the things of this world, and who reigns in the ig
norance, idolatry, and wickednefs of the heathen
world : His power fhall be vanquifhed, his claim de
feated, his oracles filenced, his temples laid wafte ;
and he himfelf fhall be caft out of the hearts of finners,
by the merit, and viftory of my death and refurrec-
tion, and by the triumphs of my Spirit and gofpel,
till at length his kingdom fhall be utterly deftroyed.
32 And I, if I be j2 And, as for me, I will ereft my throne upon
Wed »f[r™ tb= the ruins of his ; immediately after * I fhall be lifted
earth, will draw all r , , c -c c -s- x.- x w
men unto me UP "'om tne earth as a lacnfice tor im, which will
be very foon, I will then effeftually prevail upon per
fons of all nations, Gentiles as well as Jews, by the
endearments of my love, and the operations of my
Spirit, to come by faith unto me, that my people
may be willing in the day of my power. (Pfal. ex.
¦3.)
33 (This he faid, . 33 Our Lord fpoke of his being lifted up, to inti-
fignifying what mate, that he fhould be put tp the death of the crofs,
death on
NOTE.
* It is the common obfervation of cri- Saviour; and many of them that have,
tics, that the particle tm, here fignifies, were never prevailed upon to believe in
and'foould be rendered, not if, but when : him, or to be his difciples : But, the oc-
For our Lord was fpeaking of his death cafion of this difcourfe,- which was the
as a certain event, that was near at hand. Greeks defire to fee Jefus, (ver. 21.) na-
— His drawing all men to him, inconfe- turally leads us to underftand it ot all
quenceof his being lifted up, cannot be forts of people. Gentile s as well as Jews.
meant of every individual of mankind; See the note on chap. 1. 7.
becaufe many n«vei heard of a crucified

4i8
deathdie,)

The Evangelift

Chap. xii.

lie fhould

34 The people
anfwered him, Vfe
have heard out of
¦the law, tHat Chrift
abideth for ever:
and how fayeft
thou, The Son of
man muft be lifted
up ? Who is this
Son of man?

35 Then Jefos
faid unto them,
yet a little while
is the light with
you : walk while
ye have the light,
left darknefs come
upon you : for he
that walketh in
darknefs, knoweth
not whither he go-
eth.

36 While ye have
light, believe in
the light, that ye
may be the chil
dren of light.
Thefe things fpake
Jefus, and depart
ed, and did hide
himfelf from them.

on which, like dne that died under the curfe, he'
fhould hang between earth and heaven ; and that, in
confequence, of this, he fhould rife from the dead, and,
be glorified in heaven, and his name would be exalt
ed in the preaching of the gofpel, and in its glorious
effefts, to the falvation of all that fhould look by faith
to him, as Ifrael looked to the brazen ferpent, and
were healed.
34 The common people heariiig him fpeak of him-
felf in fuch a manner, as imported that he fhould die,
and leave this world, replied, We have learnt by the
infpired writings, (fee the note on chap. x. 34.) that,
When the Meffiah is fpoken of under the charafter of
the Son of man, it is faid, His dominion is an ever
lafting dominion, which fhall not pafs away, and -
his kingdom that which fhall not be deftroyed. (Dan.
vii. 13, 14.) If then you pretend to be this Son of
man, how inconfiftently do you talk of being lifted
up from the earth, and dying out of this world ?
What do you mean by calling yourfelf the Son of
man, while you thus fpeak i Or how muft we under
ftand you ?
35 Then Jefus^ knowing with what perverfenefs
they cavilled at his words, did not think proper to
anfwer direftly to their ,queftion, by reminding them
of his refurreftion and afcenfion to heaven, where he
would ereft his throne, and exercife a fpiritual and
everlafting dominion, according to the true intent of
ancient prophecies concerning him : But he faid to
them, I have already fufficiently told you who I am,
and how all this may be reconciled, though you con
tinue obftinately to rejeft me ; and the light of my
miniftry will continue but a very little time longer
among you : See to it that ye make good ufe of this
light, while ye have it to direft you in the way to
eternal happinefs, left not only I, but the gofpel it
felf be taken from you, or ye be left under judicial
blindnefs of mind, to your utter confufion and mifery :
For he that walks in the darknefs of ignorance and
unbelief, walks he knows not how, and goes he knows
not whither ; he cannot tell what courfe to take for
fafety, but is in perpetual danger of wandering into
mifchief and ruin.
36 While therefore, for a little time longer, ye
have me a'mong you, who am come, as a light from
heaven, to fhew you the way of falvation, believe in
me, according to what I fay concerning myfelf, that
ye may receive the truth in the love of it, before it
be too late, and may be under fure guidance here,
till ye be admitted to the regions of everlafting light
hereafter. Our Lord having given them thefe fo
lemn

Chap.

Xll.

John paraphrafed.

41^

lemn warnings, which enraged them, and made them
worfe inftead of better*, he withdrew, and conceal
ed himfelf from them, that they might not tumultu-
oufly rife, and immediately apprehend him.
37 Now (os) though he had talked fo plainly
and clofely to, them concerning himfelf as the true
many miracles be- tit it- 1 j . , ° , ,. . "
fore them, yet they fviemau> and concerning the extreme danger of rejeft-
believed not on lng bim ; and though he had confirmed his doftrine
with (rocravrci) fo many great and merciful miracles,
which they themfelves were eye-witneffes of; yet the
generabty of them were fuffered, through the hard
nefs of their hearts, to perfift obftinately in their un
belief :
38 That the prophecy of Ifaiah might be evident
ly accomplifhed, as a proof of its being divinely in
fpired, and of Jefus's being the Chrift, faying, (Ifa.
liii. 1.) Ah Lord ! how few are there of the Jews,
that have heartily embraced, and received by faith,
the plain declarations of the gofpel concerning the/
Meffiah, as made by himfelf f and his fervants to
them ? and alas ! how few of them have been fa
voured with the viftorious power of thy Spirit and
grace to overcome their obftinacy, and bring them
into a willing reception of him,' and fubjeftion to him,
as their Lord and Saviour ?
39, 40 They therefore remained incurably unbe
lieving, becaufe they were the very perfons whom
the prophet Ifaiah fpoke of in another place, (Ifa.
vi. 9, 10.) faying to this purpofe, Their eyes were
firft wilfully, and thereupon judicially, fliut and blind
ed, and their hearts were in the fame manner harden
ed, that they might not fee the light of the glorious
gofpel of Chrift in its truth and excellence, nor un
derftand it in a fpiritual and affefting manner, with
application to their own cafe ; and that, being left
to themfelves, they might not be turned, in heart
and life, from fin and Satan, the world and felf, to-
God
NOTES.
* It is generally thought that he reti- ciples, or by himfelf. It is in this light

37 But though
lie had done fo

him,

38 That the fay
ing of Efaias the
prophet might be
fulfilled, which he
fpake, Lord, who
hath believed our
report ? and to
whom h ath the arm
of the Lord been
revealed ?

39 Therefore
they could not be
lieve, becaufe that
Efaias faid again,
40 He hath blind
ed their eyes, and
hardened 'their
heart ; that they
foould not fee with
their eyes, nor un
derftand with their
heart, and be con
verted, and I foould
heal them.

red, as ufual, to Bethany, or to the mount
of Olives. But, as fome fuppofe, the
preceding difcourfe, and that which fol
lows at ver. 44. and fo on to the end of
the chapter, are to be connected and
confidered as delivered at the fame time,
all the intermediate verfes being the E-
vangelift's own remarks: And fo they
underftand Chrift's departing, and bid
ding himfelf from them, to relate to his
taking his final leave of them, afterwhich
he never preached publicly to them any
more, but fpent the little remains of his
time in a more private way with the dif-

that I have confidered it : and fo this dif
courfe may be taken as delivered at the
fame time with his folemn parting warm
ing in Matt, xxiii. 39.
f This began to be fulfilled by the ob
ftinate unbelief of the Jews, under
Chrifi's perfonal miniftry; and was after
ward more fully accomplifhed by their
perfifting in it, under the minifiry of the
apoftles. (Rom. x. 16.) And I take 'the
arm of the Lord to fignify his Spirit, whe
at other times is reprefented as the finger
of God, and the hand of the Lord, (Luke
xi. 2C. and Ac-Its xi. 21.)

42Gl Tie Evangelift Chap. xii.
God in Cbrift, nor be healed, by my pardoning
and fanftifying grace, of their finful and dangerous
difeafes, which they had contracted and taken plea-

41 Thefe things 41 Thefe awful things Ifaiah faid, under1 divine
faid Efaias, when fefpiration, concerning Chrift, at the fame time that
and folke of himf' he had a vifio1! °f.his Slol7' a« tlre Sreat Jehovah> w"°
appeared to him in human foftrn, fitting upon a high
throne, and filling the temple with his train. (Ifa.
vi. 1,-9.)
42 Neverthelefs, ^2 Neverthelefs, there were many, even of the
among the chief yewi/h ^^ themfelves, who were convinced in
rulers alfo, many -', .' .. r, . . ,-»«¦«• 1 1 1 •
believed on him their conlciences ot his being the Meffiah ; but their
but becaufe of the finful fhame, and fear of expofing themfelves to the
Pharifees they did contempt and fury of the fanhedrim, and particular-
feft' thenffoould be Iy °f the Pharifeer> hIs mtjft inveterate enemies, had
put out of the fy- ^ue^ a powerful influence upon them, that they durft
nagogue : not own what they believed concerning him, left they
fliould be excommunicated, as apoftates, and be there
by deprived at once of their reputation, and of their
civil and religious rights and liberties. (See the note
on chap. ix. 34.)
43 For they lo- ^ ~Eor, their hearts not being changed, they ra
ve . e prai e o tngr cjj0fe an(j were more folicitous about their own
men more than the , . ' r
praife of God. having the efteem and applaufe or men, and fhewmg
refpeft and honour to them, than about the appro
bation of God himfelf, and fhewing forth his praife.
44 Jefus crie<f. 44 This being the carnal, worldly temper of fome,
and faid He that wh;lft a mal;„nant fpirit reigned in others, Jefus laid
believeth on me, . . . r , ° r . r° , . , . , £ c ,
believeth not on "°*" °* ^^ opportunity tor taking his laft farewel
me, but on him of them; (fee the note on ver. 36.) and, lifting
that fent me. up his voice with great earneftnefs, he faid, The
fum of all my difcourfes iffues in this, He who has
true faith in me, as the promifed Meffiah, believes
not in me only, nor in me ultimately as fuch, but
together with me, and through me, believes in my
heavenly Father, who fent me into the world to feek
and fave loft finners. 45 And
NO T E.
* I cannot fee how God's fuffering ving them up to the corruptions of their
imen to act according to their own tree, own hearts, and to the power of Satan,
though corrupt inclinations, and over-ru- which they chofe to be governed by, is
ling it by his providence into an accom- fufficient to account for all judicial blind-
plifhment of what he forefaw, and fore- nefs and hardnefs, without fuppofing any
told would be, can impeach his righte- pofitive aft of God upon a man's foul to
oufnefs, who is under no obligation to produce them : And I think the courfe,
turn and heal them, that obftinately re- in which they come upon the finner, as
fufe to be turned and healed : For what- reprefented in the Paraphrafe, fully a-
foever judicial acft of God may be fuppo- grees with the account we have of this
fed herein, it is in confequence, and as a awful cafe in Ifa. vi. 9, 10. which is the
juft punifhment of their own wilful refu- place here referred to, and recited in
fals of Chriil and his gofpel, and his on- fenfe, though not exaflrly ia the fame.
ly withholding forfeited grace, and gi- words.

Chap. xii.
--¦ 4-5 And he that
feeth me, feeth him
that fent me.

4<> I am come
a, light into the
world, that who
foever believeth.on
me, foould not a-
bide in darknefs.

47 And if any
man hear my
words, and believe
not, I judge him
hot : for I came
hot to judge- the
world, but to fave
the world.

48 He that re-
jeiletb me, and reT
ceiveth not my
words, hath one
thatjudgeth him :
the word that I
have fpoken, -..the
fame foall judge
l.im in the laft
day.

49 For I have
hot fpoken of my
felf;' but the Fa
ther which fent me,
he gave me a com
mandment what I
foould fay, and
what I fiiould
fpeak.

Vol. II.

John paraphrafed. 421
-45 And he that by an eye of faith beholds who
and what I am, is thereby led into the knowledge
of who and what my Father is, from whom I derive
my mediatorial commiffion, and whofe perfeftions
and authority difplay themfelves in and by me.
46 I, who had a pre-exiftence with him, am come
into this world, to feat-ter the mills of ignorance and
error, fuperftition and idolatry; which have over- fpread
it, and to bring life and immortality to light by the
gofpel, that whoever receives and trufts in me, and
yields himfelf up by- faith to my guidance, fhould
not continue under the power of fpiritual blindnefs,
and wander in the ways of fin to an eternal ftate of
mifery and darknefs, but fhould find the way to eter
nal life.
1 47 And if, after all, any one, who has had op
portunities of hearing and knowing my gofpel, wil
fully refufes to embrace it, and to depend upon me
according to it, I do not as yet accufe him to' the
Father, nor pafs a definitive fentence of condemnation
to an immediate execution of wrath upon him : For
the direft defign of my coming into the world is not
to accufe, or condemn, or take vengeance upon man
kind ; but to make the gracious overtures of falva
tion to them,, and effeftually to fave thofe of them,
whether Jews or Gentiles, that fhall believe in me,
before I proceed 4ro the final judgment. (See the
note on chap. iii. 16.)
48 But he that, continuing in unbelief, (o xSirav
ifti) makes light of, del'pifes, and rejefts me, pre
ferring other things to me, and do not cordially em
brace my doftrine, fhall find that there is au impar
tial Judge to pafs fentence of condemnation, and
execute wrath upon him.; and that very doftrine,
which I have preached, how much foever it may
now be treated with contempt, fhall appear in evidence
againft him, and'fhall be the rule of judgment, accord
ing to which he fhall. be condemned, with dreadful
aggravations of his guilt, at the great and final day
of account.
. 49 For, as is evident from the holy, excellent,
fupematural, and gracious nature of the truths that
I have taught, and from my divine manner of con
firming them, I have not delivered them like a pri
vate perfon, as from myfelf, much lefs as the inven
tions of a mere man ; but my Father, from whom I
received my commiffion, gave me authority and in
ftruftions, in covenant-agreements between him and
me, to publifh all thofe things which I have infilled
on among you. Iii 50 And

422 The Evangelift Chap. xii.
50 And I kaow • jo And, whatfoever ye may think of it, I know
that his command- that the doftrine I preach by his authority, from
™ft"n ^ whatfoe" w}lom * am comeI"as the meffenger of the covenant,
ver I fpeak there- is tbe only way ai>d means of bringing loft finners to
fore, evert as the eternal life and bleffednefs : Whatfoever therefore I
Father faid unto have revealed* it is neither more nor lefs than the Fa
me, fo I fpeak. ther himfelf put into my commiffion to be made known
to the world ; and it is at your utmoft peril to rejeft
it. RECOLLECTIONS.
How wide is the difference between a true believer and a hypocrite ! One, like
Martha and Mary, thinks he can never do too much to ferve and teftify his affec
tion to Chrift ; while the other, like Judas,- grudges every expence for him, under
a fpecious pretext of applying it to fome better life ; but Jefus himfelf will take
their part that honour him. And how ^reat is the difference, even among thofe '
that have rio faving acquaintance with him ! Some, like the Greeks, and common
people of the Jews, are pleafed with the notions they have of him, and of his word
and works; whilft others, like the Pharifees and their partizans, are filled with
horrid rancour againft them, and confult to fopprefs and deftroy them. — For once,
the Lord of glory, whilft on earth, gave a faint emblem of his future triumph : But
with what humble ftate, even then, did he ride on a young afs, amid (I the hofan-
nas of admiring throngs '. How defirous fliould we be to fee Jefos, not to gfatify
curiofity, but to be fatisfied concerning, and led into an acquaintance and com
munion with-him! And how little reafon have any to be afhamed of him ! Though
he was hung upon a crofs, and fuffered foch a terrible death, as it could not but
be defirable to human nature, if poffible, to efcape ; yet how readily did he refigm
himfelf up to it, as an acft of obedience to his Father's will, and as knowing that it
would turn to his own exaltation, and the railing np of a numerous feed to be glo-
fied with him J And what a remarkable honour did God the Father put upon the
fuffering Saviour, by over-ruling the fentence of the nigh-prieft againft him into a
prophecy of the happy fruits of his death, and by publicly bearing witnefs to him
from heaven, for our fakes, that we might believe in him, as the Jehovah of Ifrael,
of whom Ifaiah fpake, when he faw his glory! How groundlefs then, and perverfe,
are all the prejudices and objections of his enemies againft him, though pretended
to have their fuppOrt from fcripture itfelf! They really fhut their eyes againft the
moft glorious light, and walk in darknefs, and know not whither they are going s
But how dreadful is it to be under fuch bllndnefs of mind, and hardnefs of heart, as
govern them, by. their own confent, till they are delivered np to their own choice,
by the righteous judgment of God'! And, alas! what a fnare is the' fear of man,
together with a fondnefs for fecular honours, to hinder a due profeffion of Chrifi,
who came, as the light ofthis world, to enlighten them that believe in him, and
who faithfully executes his Father's will, and bears long with obftinate finners, be
fore he removes the means of grace from them, and before he proceeds to the final
judgment! Then, his word itfelf being the rule of his awards, they that receive
him by faith, and walk in the ways of truth and holinefs, fliall be admitted to e-
verlafling light and life; and they that rejeft him by unbelief, and go on- in the
ways of ignorance, felf-deceit, and fin, foall be caft into everlafting darknefs and
mifery. O what vaft importance is it heartily to embrace him ; and how def
perate is their cafe, that fet themfelves againft him ! Whatfoever we may think of
thefe things, he tlut is faithful has declared them, and knows them to be trueA

CHAP,

Chap. xiii.

John paraphrafed.

4^3

CHAP.

XIII.

Chrifi's lafi time of eating the pafehal fupper, 1, — 3. He wafhes his
difciples feet, to fet them an example of humility and love, q, — 17,
Gives notice before-hand who fhould betray him, 18, — 30. En
joins brotherly love upon his difciples, 31, — 3J. And foretels Pe
ter's denying him, 36, — 38.
Text. Paraphrase.
^ felftoTthe6 a^ 0UR hleRci Lord' havinS now done wIth Preacli-
over^wheV* jefus' }D& t0 tlle PeoP^» devoted the fmall remains cf
knew that his hour J"s t'11^ t0 a more private inftruftion of his difeiples,
was come, that he and preparation for his own death : Accordingly, on
foould depart out the evening, (fee the note on Matth. xxvi. 20.) which
the^Fathe?' "ha- introduced the' feven days> that altogether were called
ving loved his own l^e feaft*, he, who was the true pafehal Lamb,
which were in the knowing that the appointed time was then fully come
world, he loved for his being facrificed, and for his departing from
them onto the end. th;s world by death> and retmT1ing to !,{<. pather in
heaven, took occafion from thence to intimate, that,
as he had always loved f his own children and mem-
I i i r2 bers,.
NOTES.
* The feaft was, called by the Jews parts of the hiftory ; for foon after he
the Chagigah, i. e.-the feafl-offering, fpoke thefe words, he went on with his
in which they made peace-offerings of difcourfe, (chap. xv. and xvi.) which he
fheep and oxen all the feven days of the concluded with' a player, (chap, xvii.)
feaft, which are called the paffover, Deut. and then went forth with his difciples
jtvi. 2. Luke xxii. 1. aiyd John xviii. jS. over the brook Cedron, where was a
And in Jofiah's time, many thoufandsof garden, into which he entered with his
lambs, kids, and bullocks were given difciples; and Judas, who betrayed him,
for the pqffover-offerings, as they are knew the place. (Chap, xviii. 1,2.) Be-
called, 2 Chron- Xxxv. 7, S, 0. (See fides, Chrift's notifying- the traitor to his
Ainfworth, on Deut. xvi. 2.) Bnt expo- difciples, at this fupper, (ver. 21, — 30.)
fitors are much divided in their thoughts feems to be the difcovery that he made
about the fupper, which our Evangelift of him to them at the patfover-fuppcr, as
here fpeaks of: Some underftand it to it is recorded Matth. xxvi. 21, 25.- and
mean a fupper at Bethany, adayortwo Luke xxii- zi, — 13. And what our E-
before the paffover ; and others take it vangelift fays, (ver. 30.) ofjudas's go
to be the pafehal fupper itfelf. Many ing out at night from this fupper, well
reafons of confiderable weight are offered agrees to that night in which he betray-
for each of thefe opinions, which do not ed his Lord, and feems to be different
come within the compafs of my defign from his firft going to the fanhedrim, to
particularly to difcufs. But after mature make the offer of betraying him, which
deliberation, I am inclined to think, up- is fpoken of as having been before the
on the whole, that it was the pafehal paffover-fopper, and was probably in
fupper, as I have fuppofed in the Para- the day-time. (Matth. xxvi. 14, 15.)
phrafe: For it was that fupper, at which This account of the matter feems natu-
Chii&'s hour was come, and at which he ral and eafy, and keeps the hiftory free
faid, Now is the Son of man glorified, from many perplexities which it is^ 0-
(ver. 1. and 31.) which' moft naturally therwife thrown into ; and I do not find
intimates the nearcft approach of his any tranfacTrions that paffed after this
death: And in the clofe of his difcourfe fupper, which might not ealilybebrought
at this fupper, he faid, (chap, xiv 31-) into the time between the pafehal inp-
Arife, let us go hence ; and that he then per, and his being betrayed.
nrofe to go to the garden, where he was f ftir. Henry obferves, that when his
apprehended, appears from the following own are fpoken of, that received him

424

The Evangelift

Chap.

xiu.

¦i - And fupper
being ended, (the
devil having now
put into the heart
of Judas Ifcariot,
Simon's fon, to be
tray him,)

bers, which were in this world of fin and forrow, -he
refted in his love, (Zeph. iii. 17.) and would conti
nue it, to the end of his own life, and of their days
and troubles on earth, and for ever afterwards in the
other world, to which he was going, yea, that, he
loved them to perfeftion *, even to the completing
of their ftate of happinefs with him there.
2 And (luTrvfs yivoftiva) during the fupper-time f,
as foon as one part of it was over, he gave his
difeiples a moft affefting inftance of his extraordi
nary humility and friendfhip, to fet them an example
of the like towards one another, and to fhew his en
gaging care and concern for them, as alfo to fortify
them agafeft the great trial, which was juft then com
ing upon them : For Satan had abeady (vioy) fo far
prevailed upon the corrupt and covetous heart of Ju
das Ifcariot, who was the fon of Simon, and one of
the twelve apoftles, (fee the note on Matth. x. 4.) as
to bring him to a refolution of betraying his Lord %.
3 At this tjme, though Jefus knew that the Fa
ther had given all power in heaven and earth to him
; hands and as Mediator, and though he was thinking of his own
that he was come divine original, and approaching exaltation, as one who
came from God his Father into this world, and fhould
foon return to be glorified with him in heaven :
4 Yet, even || while thefe grand thoughts filled his
mind, fo amazing were his felf-abafement and grace,
that on a fudden he got up from table, and, pulling
offbis upper-clothes, took a napkin or towel, and
tied it about his wafte li^.e a fervant in waitings 5 After.
N O T E S.
not, (chap. i. 11.) it is ra iJia, bis own Lord rofe from fupper to wafo his difci-
things, as a man's cattle are his own, pies feet, as is faid, ver. il, 5.
which yet he may, when he pleafes, al- { I take this to relate to Satan's firft
ter the property of : But here it is rur inftigation of Judas to betray his Lord,
/Jimr, his own perfons, as a man's wife which put, him upon going to the chief
and children are his own, to whom he priefts, with an' offer of delivering him
flands in a conftapt relation. up to them, and was before the paffover-
* The. words, a; tik®- fignify toper- fupper; (Mat. xxvi. 14, 15, i6v and
fcction, as well as to the end. According- Luke xxii. 3,-6.) and fo it is different
ly I have taken both fenfes into the Pa, from what is faid, ver. 27, 30. of this
taphrafe; becaufe the following difcour- chapter, about Satan's entering into him,
fes and prayer, to the end of chap. xvii. after he received the fop, upon which he
are full of expreffions of Chrift's love and went out immediately to execute his vil-
care after, as well as before he fliould lainous defign, the devil having then got
go to heaven, and that not only for the an entire atcendencyover him, and gain-
comfort of his difciples, as long as, they ed his point upon him; and perhaps the
fliould live in this world, but likewife for time of Judas's firft going into this de-
the fafe arrival of all his to glory. fign was when he was vexed becaufe be
t Ainfwortb, on Exod. xii. S. fays, could not get the price of Mary's oint-
that the Jews ufed firft to eat fome of ment into his hands. (Chap. xii. 4. q.)
the bitter herbs and unleavened bread, || It is probable that he was likewife
then the table was taken away, and af- difcourfing on this fobjecT; to his difciples,
terwards was brought again ; and this which made his condefcenfion in wafhing
((.cms to me to be the time when our their feet the more furprifing to them.

3 Jefus knowing
that the Father had
given all things in-

iromGod, andwent
to God;
4 He rifeth from
fupper, and laid a-
fide his garments,
and took a towel
and girded himfelf.

Chap. xiii.
S After that he
poureth water into
a bal'on, and began
to wafo the difei
ples feet, and to
wipe them with the
towel wherewith
he was girded.
6 Then cometh
he Jo Simon Pe
ter : and Peter
faith unto him,
Lord, doft thou
wafo my feet :

John paraphrafed.

425

7 Jefos anfwer
ed and faid unto
him, What I do
thou knoweft not
now ; but thou
foalt know here
after.

8 Peter faith un
to him, Thou fhalt
never wafo my
feet. Jefus an
fwered him, If I
wafn thee not,
thou haft no part
wilh me.

' 9 Simon Peter
faith unto him,
Lord, not my feet
only,

5 After which, this Lord of glory poured water
into a -bafon, and fet himfelf to wafh the feet of his
poor difciples and dependents, with his own hands,
as if he had been the meaneft of fervants to them ;
(j Sam. xxv. 41.) and, having fo done, he wiped
them with the cloth which he had tied about him for
that purpofe.
6 Then, among others, he came to Simon, whom
he had firnamed Peter, to do the like to him ; and
Peter, being ftartled, amazed, and fhocked at fuch
a matchlefs inftance of condefcenfion, faid, Lord,
what art thou going to do ? fhall I, a poor finful
wretch ever fuffer that thou, whom I believe, and have
owned to be the Chrift, the Son of the living God,
(chap. vi. 69.) fhouldft debafe thyfelf at fuch a rate,
as to undergo the irkfome drudgery of the meaneft of
fervants in wafhing my feet ? I cannot endure the
thought cf thy doing it.
7 Our Lord anfwered, It is not for you to oppofe
my proceedings, of which you are no competent judge :
You do not know the reafons of what- 1 am now do
ing, and little think what is my meaning in it ; but
I will explain fomething of it by and by ; (ver. 12,
: — 17.) and when my Spirit fhall be hereafter poured
out from on high, you fhall be ftill further acquaint
ed with it, and fhall experience the benefit I intend by
it. 8 Peter replied, with great vehemence, It figni
fies nothing to talk of it ; though all the reft of my
brethren fliould admit of thy doing it to them, I know
well enough, that this is too great a difparagement to
thee, and too high au honour for me : I cannot bear,
and never will confent, that thou fhouldft degrade thy
felf fo far as to wafh fuch fordid feet as mine. Jefos
anfwered again, in a way of fevere rebuke for his be
ing fo hafty and pofitive, under a millaken notion of
extraordinary modefty and humility; Nay, if you fo
far fet yourfelf againft my authority, wifdom, and
love, as not to fubmit to my wafhing your feet, jou
cannot be my difciple ; and if you are not really
cleanfed by me * in foch a fpiritual manner, as is fig-
nified by wafhing with water, you can have no com
munion with me, or intereft in the bleffings of my
kingdom. 9 Peter, thereupon, feeing that fo much depend
ed upon it, and dreading the thoughts of being fe-
parated from Chrift, was foon convinced of his folly s

NOTE.
* To have no part with another, fignifies having no inheritance or communion
with him, no intereft in him, or benefit by him, Deut. xiv. 27. 2 Sam. xx. 1. and
2 Cor. vi. 15.

426

The Evangelift

Chap. xiii.

10 Jefos faith to
him, He that is
waflied needeth
not, fave to wafo
his feet, but is
clean every whit :

only, but alfo my and rctrafting- his former refolution, cried out, I^ord,
hands and my head, if this be the qafe, I readily fubmit, and beg that
thou wouldft pleafe to wafh not only my feet, but my
hands and head, and every part of me, that I may be
cleanfed throughout, and may fhare in all thy bleflings.
10 Jefus, further to explain himfelf, and correft
Peter's miftake, who ran from one extreme to ano
ther, replied, He who is once juftified and fanftified,
as being wafhed by my blood and Spirit, only needs
to be further cleanfed, in the daily exercife of faith
and ye are clean, an(j repentance, from the guilt and defilement, which,
through remaining infirmity, he perpetually contrafts
by his converfation in the world, he being already
forgiven all trej'paffes, (Col. ii. 13.) and freed from
the dominion of fin: (Rom. vi. 14.) And moft of you,
my difciples, are in this' fenfe cleanfed ; but though,
as a fymbol of purity, I wafh all your^eet ; yet eve
ry one of you is not really clean.
1 1 The reafon of his faying, all of them were not
clean, was, becaufe he knew that Judas, though a
profeffed difciple, was ftill in his fins, and that he
would treacheroully betray him into the hands of his
enemies. 12 Then our bleffed Lord, having gone through
the fervile work of wafhing all his difciples feet, put
ItVn'hfs" garment^ on his. upper-clothes again ; and, fitting down at ta-
and was fet down ble with them, he, to convince them of their igno-
again, he faid un- ranee, and to raife their attention, and their defire of
whatTh^TOdone h'S inftruftions» faid» Do ye underftand the meaning
t0 you > of what I have done to you : And what leffons ye are
to learn from it I I'll tell you :
13 Ye call'me 13 Ye often falute me under the title of your Lord
^f"' f"vd w°rn ' and Mafter> and Profefs t0 own me as fuch» a"d Ye
therein do right ; for I really am the only Lord of
your faith and obedience, and your only teacher, on
whofe authority ye may depend.
14 If therefore (»») I, who am indeed your Lord
and Mafter, and whom, as fuch, ye own to be infi-

1 1 For he knew
who fliould be
tray him : there
fore faid he, Ye
are not all clean.
12 So after he
had wafhed their
feet, and had ta

and ye fay
for fo I am.

14 If I then your
Lord and Mafter,
have waflied your

feet, ye alfo oughr Jiitely your fuperior, have neverthelefs condefcended
to wafo one ano- to fo defpicable and troublefome an office, as that of
flier's feet. wafhing your feet, to teftify my affeftion to you ;
how much more ought ye to be ready, on all occa
fions *, to ftoop to the meaneft and moft laborious
fervices, for teftifying your mutual love, and affording
reciprocal affiftance to one another, who are all on a
level,
NOTE.
* We never read that the apoftfes e- other, as mean as this ; but oives no
ver wafhed the feet of one another, or of colour for obferving this ceremony of
any other difciples : And therefore what feigned humility, by wafhing people's
our Lord here fays, is only to be under- feet even year on the Thurfday of Faf-
jftpod of their performing offices to each fiou-week.

Chap. xiii. John paraphrafed. 427
level, as fellow-fervants and brethren, in my kingdom
and family ?
T5 For I have '15 For I have herein defigned to fet vou an exam-
fmpfe,y°thatn Cye" ple' wl"ch is hiSh]Y worthy of y°ur imitation, that ye
foould'do as I have fll°uId cheerfully attend to every duty of humility,
done to you. kindnefs, and love, to the refrefhment and comfort,
purity and welfare of your fellow-chriftians and fellow-
fervantr, and not be afhamed, or think much of do
ing any offices to them, as mean and fervile as this
which I have now done to you.
16 Verily, veri- 1Q- To reconcile you to thefe felf-denying duties,
¦}he fervant'isZ' J' who am Truth itfelf> ^'^Y tcU you, that no
greater than his tenant is, or fhould think himfelf to be above his
ford , neither he lord, nor fliould he, who is fent to execute any
that is fent, great- commiffion, think himfelf above his principal who
fent^him he tHat fcnt h™ : And therefore> as Ye are mY fervants and
apoftles, ye ought not to be afhamed, or think it be
neath you to condefeend as far to others as I have to
you, but fhould learn of me, who am meek and low
ly in heart. (Matth. xi. 29.)
1, V ll- ye JJnow 1 7 Ye may hence receive ufeful inftruftion relat-
are ye if 'ye^do inS to your own duty ' and if Ye realIy underftand
them. what I mean by all this, it will be your great hap
pinefs and comfort, honour and advantage, to prac-
tife according to it.
18 I fpeak not 18 I do not indeed expeft that this will be done
whyomlh;vekcho! ^ every one of you. No I always was and ftill
fen : but, that the am> *u^y acquainted with the temper and difpofition
fcripture may be of all your hearts : Though I have chofen you all to
fulfilled. He that the apoftlefhip j (chap. vi. 70.) yet, as I but now
LThatrfifru11 faid' (Ver' IO-) ye "re HOt al1 clean> l know*
his' heel again!? wn'cn °^ you I ^ave chofen to faith, holinefs, and
me. falvation, as well as to the apoftolic office : But- there
is one among youf, whom I have not chofen to
grace and glory, but have taken into the apoftlefhip,
and left to the free choice of his own perverfe will,
that what the fcripture fays of David, my type,
(Pfal. xii. 9.) may be eminently fulfilled in me, viz.
He who, like a friend, fat at table, and familiarly
eat with me, (fee the note on Mark xiv. 20.) has
turned his back upon me, and with an ingratitude, enmity,
NOTES.
* It is manifeft to me, that Chrift perfons themfelves, he did not fay, I
here means a more peculiar and benefi- know, ¦ssoti;, what their qualities are,
cial elecTrion than to the office of apo- but uc the perfons whom I have cho-
ftles ; for he had chofen them all to this: fen.
But he here fpeaks of a difcriminating f Expofitors generally confider this
choice of fome of them, which did not paflage as- elliptical ; accordingly I have
extend to them all, and particularly to fupplied what may be wanting to fill up
Judas: And' to foew that his knowing the, fentence, with what I take to be
whom he had chofen, related not to moft naturally fuggefted by the forego-
theiv temper and difpofition, but to the ing words. 1

428

The Evangelift

Chap. xiii.

19 Now I tell
you before it come,
that when it is
come to pafs, ye
may believe that
I am he.

20 Verily, veri
fy, I fay unto you,
He that receiveth
whomfoeverl fend,
receiveth me ; and
he that receiveth
me, receiveth him
that fent me.

/
21 When Jefus
had thus- faid he
was troubled in
fpirit, and teftifi-
ed, and faid, Ve
rily, verily, I fa>
unto you. That one
of you lhall betray

5 1- Then the dif
ciples looked one
tin another, doubt
ing, of Whom he
fpake.

Now there was

enmity, and contempt, worfe than that of brutes to
their mafters that feed them, has fpurned and kicked
at me to kill me.
19 Now I tell you of this beforehand^ that, when
the reft of you come to fee the fhocking event, ye
may not be difcouraged or ftumbled at it ; but, on
the contrary, may be the more eftablifhed in your be
lief, that I am the true Meffiah, who forefaw the
end from the beginning, and willingly yielded myfelf
up to the worft of ufage, according to the appoint
ment of my Father, and this divine prediftion, which
was herein to be accornplifhed in me. ^
zo And further, to take off their difcouragement,
as if their ftooping fo low as he had ordered them^
and as if one of their own number's fo openly afting
againft him, would bring them under conteillpt, he
faid to them, I, who am faithful and true, affure
you, that he who loves and honours any ambaffador
of mine, and receives his' teftimony concerning me,
fhall be looked upon and efteemed, as (hewing the
fame regard to my own perfon ; and he that embra
ces me, by faith and love, as the only true Mef
fiah, does, in effeft, receive- my Father himfelf who
fent me.
2 1 When Jefus had faid thefe things to his dif
ciples, to prepare them for the further difeoveries he
was going to. make of the traitor, and to caution
the traitor himfelf, that he might ftill have room for
repentance, and be left inexcufable for want of it ;
he fhewed a more than ordinary trouble and concern
of mind, not merely at his own fufferings, but at the
horrid wickednefs and ingratitude of Judas, who
was thereby bringing the moft dreadful deftruftion
upon himfelf: And, fpeaking with great earneftnefs,
he faid, I, who am Truth itfelf, affure you that one
of your number, who has been all along a witnefs of
my life and miracles, and whom I have chofen to be
one of my apoftles, and laid under the higheft o-
bligations, will neverthelefs bafely deliver me into
the hands of mine enemies, who will put me to
death. 22 Then every difciple, except tbe hardened Ju
das, being ftruck with horror and amazement at fo
folemn a declaration, looked round about one upon
another, to obferve what figns of guilt might appear
among them ; they being att a lofs, and anxioufly
concerned (aw-o^sfisyei) to know which of then? he
meant, none of them being confeious of any' fuch
wicked defign in himfelf, and yet each fufpefting
his own, rather than his brother's heart.
23 Now while they were in this folicitous fuf-
pence,

Chap. xiii. John paraphrafed. 429
was leaning on Je- pence, one of them *, who was a peculiar favourite
"fos dtfdpTes °wnLm ?f J/"3'3 ff. "eXt t0 him' Ieani«S backward with hi3
Jefus loved. "ead uPon hls Lord's breaft, according to the ufual
. pollute at the paffover.
24 Simon I>eter - 24 Simon Peter therefore, -being defirous to know,
therefore beckon- and yet afrai(1 t aJ]c ChHft publicl vvhom he meant
ed to him, that he _ , . r _r .' , . '
foould afk who it P13*16 a P«vate fign, as perfons ufe to do, by wmk-
foould be of whom if|g» nodding, or pointing with the hand, to put that
he fpake. difciple upon afking him, which of them it was that
he had faid would be guilty of this abominable crime ?
25 He then ly- 2J Accordingly that difciple, having a fair oppor-
mg on Jefus' bread, t •/ r . -. , ? . r r T r °r , *r
faith unto himi *umty for * °Y being fo near to Jefos, fpoke to him
Lord, who is it ?' foftly, faying, in an humble manlier, Lord, may I
have the favour of knowing which of us is the per
fon that will betray thee ?
26 Jefus arfwer- 26 Jefus replied, in a whifper, fo as not to be
whom I ffiaUSgive ^d ^he reft of the company, (ver. 28.) It is
a fop, when I have "e to whom I fhall give the .next piece of fopped
dipped it. ' And bread, as foon as I have dipped it in the fauce j- :
when he had dip- And prefently after this, dipping a piece of bread,
ped the fop he he gave ;t dire&ly to Judas mariot the fen 0f Si-
gave it to ludas ° ¦ j • • , <v j 1 1 • 1
Ifcariot, the fon of m0"' as an md'cation to John, that this was the
Simon. ' man.
27 And after the 27 And as foon as Judas had taken and eat the
fop, Satan entered fep + tfo <fevil got fuch a prevalence over his carnal
into him. Then 1 T i_ • ¦ , 1 i_ r 1 '•
faidjefusuntohim, heart' aS t0 enSage hlm '" a. thorough refolution to
That thou doft, do ^"et about executing his perfidious defigii out of hand :
Quickly. And Jefus, knowing this, faid to him, Whatfofever
" you are refolved to do, take your own courfe as foon
as you will, I am ready, and will no longer keep
you under reftraint.
2S Now no man 28 Now as the difciple to whom Chrift had inti-
at mated
NOTES.
* This was the apoftle John himfelf, lifted up his heel againft me, but this
who wrote this Gofpel, but in modefty - was determinate, and direclly pointing
concealed his own name, when he fpoke out Judas himfelf as the very perfon
of the difciple whom Jefus loved. whom he meant. '
f This dipping of the fop is, I think, t Perhaps Judas might have fome fuf-
to be diftinguifhed from, and feems to picion, as if Chrift's giving him the fop
have been after the dipping of the hand was defigned to mark him oat as the per-
in the difli, which is mentioned in Mat. fon he fpoke of, and fo was the more fo-
xxvi. 23. and Mark xiv. 20. when Chrift rioufly enraged againft him : However
faid, He that dippeth his hand with me Satan, feeing this to be a lit opporluml>
in the difh, the fame fhall betray me ; to execute the villainous defign, worked
and it is one of the twelve that dippeth more powerfully in this fon of perdition
with me in the di/h : For that was fpo- now, than ever before ; (fte the note on
ken openly to them all, but this private- ver. 2.) and, leading him captive ai his
ly to John; that related to Judas's dip- will, prevailed upon him to fet about it
ping in the difh with our Lord, but this without delay. And his going immedi-
to Chrifi's dipping the fop, 'and giving it ately upon this, (ver. 30.) feems tu in
to Judas; that Was a more indeterminate timate, that Judas went out before the
fignal, anfwering to, and probably at celebration of the Lord's fupper. See the
the fame time with what he faid, (ver. note on Luke xxii. 21.
iS.) Tie that eateth bread with me, hath
Vol. II. K k k

43° The Evangelift Chap. xiii.
at the table knew mated by which of them he fhould be betrayed, did
for what intent he not apprehend that it would be fo foon ; and as the
ipake this ot him. reft at tabk d;d nQt knQw ^ judaj was ^ man;
fo i)one of them underftood what Jefus meant by thefe
words, and fome miftook his defign in them.
29 For, as their little flock was committed to Ju-
das's cuftody, they apprehended, either that Jefus
gently reproved him for neglefting the duty of his
office, and ordered him to provide the things that

25 For fome of
them thought, be
caufe Judas had
the bag, that Je
fus had faid unto
him, Buy thofe were neceffary for the following days of the feaft :
things that we (fee the note on ver. 1.) Or elfe that he * ordered
hainft tlTf ft- *~ to diftribute fomething, without delay, in a way
fhat he fhould give of charity to the poor.
fomething to the 30 Then Judas, having eat the fop^ forthwith
poor- left the company, and, being under the power of Sa-
30 He then ha- tan an<j his own corruptions, went away to the fan-
fopfwent'immedit hedr!m t0 get affiftance for apprehending Jefus, who
ately out : and it he fuppofed would foon be moving to his ufual place
was night. of retirement : And by this time night came on, fo
that it was dark.
31 Therefore 31 When therefore Judas was gone out of the
when he was gone houfe, Tefus, knowing the bufinefs he went about, faid

' -/the'solTof t0 the reft °f the difciPles' Now the hour is Juft at

Now is t

glorified, and hand, wbcn I, the Meffiah, fhall f be glorious in the
God is glorified in work of redemption, and in the conqueft that I fhall
*llm- obtain over fin, Satan, and all the powers of darknefs,
by my death ; and fhall be glorious in performing my
' engagements to the Father ; in my zeal for his glory,
and love to his people ; and in the exercife of every
grace, and of all divine power to fupport me under,
and carry me honourably through the awful feene that
lies before me : And God the Father will be glorifi
ed in and by me, as all his perfections will be exalt
ed with united harmony, in the humble felf-abafe
ment, obedience, fufferings, and death, which I, in
the form of a fervant, fo freely fubmit to.
32 And fince God the Father will be thus highly
glorified in and by me, he will honour me in my fuf
ferings with amazing figns and wonders, and with
teftimonies to me, which fhall be extorted from mine-
enemies themfelves, and will glorioufly reward me af
terwards in my refurreftion, afcenfion, and exaltation
at his right hand ; he will glorify me in my own per
fon, and (do^ata-it ctwrov £y ix^ra) will glorify me with
himfelf,
NOTES.
* It is probable that at the paffover- that belonged to his dying in fuch a ho-
feafl our Lord had ufed to order a diftri- ly and victorious manner, as he did, and
bution of alms to the poor, as far as not to the honour his Father put 'upon
their feauty circumftances would admit him, which is diftinguifhed from it, and
of it. fpoken of as moftly confequent to it, io
| This evidently relates to the glory the next verfe.

32 If God be
^lorided in him,
God fliall alfo glo
rify him in himfelf,
and fliall flraight-
way glorify him.

33 Little chil
dren, yet a little
while I am with
you. Ye foall
feek me : and, as
I faid unto the
Jews, Whither I
go, ye cannot come;
fo now I fay to
you. 34 A new com
mandment I give
unto you, That ye
love one another ;
as I have loved you,
that ye alfo love
one another.

Chap. xiii. • John paraphrafed. 431
himfelf, by admitting me, even in my human nature,
to full communion with him in his majefty and glory ;
and this he will do fpeedily, and in a right way,
(tviv;) as is moft becoming himfelf and me.
33 My dear children, whofe faith is weak, but
whom I affeftionately love, it is but a very little time
that I fhall continue in the body with you : When I
am gone, ye will be earneftly defirous of being with
me ; but as I, once and again, have told the unbeliev
ing Jews abfolutely, (chap. vii. 34. and win. 21.) fo
I tell you for the prefent, (ver. 36.) that ye can
not as yet come to the bleffed ftate whither I am go
ing: 34 In the mean while, I, your dying Lord and
Mafter, authoritatively leave, and bind upon you,
one great commandment, in a particular manner,
which indeed is not in itfelf a new one *, but is fadly
corrupted, and almoft forgot and loft ; I therefore
enjoin it upon you by a new example,, and with new
explications, motives, and inforcements, that it may
be obferved with a new fpirit and temper, and in a
new manner, as a fundamental law of iny kingdom,
and may be ever frefh in your minds and hearts, ar.d
written there by the Spirit of the New Teftament,
as a moft excellent command, which fhall be eternally
as much in force, as if it were always new : And this
commandment is, that ye mutually love one another,
not in a common way merely as men, but in an af-
feftionate, fympathizing, felf-denying, and benefi
cent manner, as my difciples, in imitation, and un
der a fenfe of my love to you, in the greatnefs of
which I have freely fuffered many things already, and
am going even to die for you.
35 This is the honourable badge of your holy pro
feffion of my name ; and all that fee and obferve you,
whether they be friends or enemies, fhall know that
ye are indeed my difciples, partakers of my Spirit,
and bearing mine image, if ye thus cordially love one
another, and fhew it on all occafions, after my exam
ple, for my fake, and in obedience to my command.
36 Simon Peter being more impreffed with what
% k k 2 Jefus
NOTE.
with 2 John v. 5.) not only from the
beginning of Chrifi's miniftry, but even
from the beginning of the world,, ever
fince mankind had a being; and fiom *
as ourfelves, is one of the two gieat the beginning of the law, ever fince it

35 Ey this foall
all men know that
ye are my difciples,
if ye have love one
to another.

36 Simon Peter faid

* This cannot be underftood as a
commandment abfolutely new, fince our
Lord himfelf had faid before, (Matth.
xxii. 39, 40.) that to love our neighbour

lommandments, on which hang all the
law and the prophets ; and our Evange
lift fpeaks of loving one another, as an
old commandment, which we had from
fhe beginning, (1 John ii. 7. compared

was delivered to Ifrael, it being a fun
damental law of nature, which runs
through all difpenfations, according to
the various relations in which we ftand
one to another.

432
faid unto him,
Lord, -whither ^o-
efl thou? Jefus an
fwered him, Whi
ther I go thou canft
not follow me now;
' but thou foalt fol
low me afterwards.

37 Peter faid un
to him, Lord. w7hy
cannot I follow
thee now ? I will
lay down my life
for thy fake.

38 Jefus anfwer
ed him, Wilt thou
lay down thy life
for my lake ? Ve-'
rily, verily, I fay
unto thee, The
cock fliall not crow
till thou haft de-
iriied me thrice.

The Evangelift

Chap, xiii

Jefus had faid, (ver. 33.) about bis going whithe-
the difciples could not come, than about their loving
one another, faid to him in an abrupt manner, Lord,
I befeech thee to let us know * where it is that thou
talkeft of goiijg from us to fet up thy kingdom ? Je
fus anfwered, I tell you again that I am going, where
you are not at prefent able to accompany or follow
me ; but you fhall follow me in proper time hereafter,
when I have done my work by you, and ftrengthen-
ed your faith for treading in my fuffering fteps.
37 Peter, not well knowing what Chrift meant,
replied with a fincere, but felf-confident and rafh zeal,
Lord, what is the reafon that I cannot follow thee-
now-, as well as at any time hereafter ? I am fully
refolved to embark in all difficulties with thee, even
to the laying down of my very life, rather than de
fert thee : What then fhould binder my going along
with thee, wherever it be ?
38 To this Jefos, who knew him better than he
knew himfelf, anfwered again, to humble and warn
him, Will you rifque, and even facrifice your life for
me ? Alas ! Peter, you are too felf-confident ; I,
who fpeak the truth, affuredly tell you before-hand,
that, notwithftanding this vain boaft, you will this
very night, before the time of cock-crowing is over,
fhamefully deny a firft, a fecond, and third time, that
you are any difciple of mine, or that you ever fo
much as knew me f. (Luke xxii. 34.)

RECOLLECTIONS.
How affecTripnate and abiding is Chrift's love to his own people; and how amazing
ly does he condefcend to them, for their inftruclioo and advantage '. T3ut we cannot
¦juftly pretend to be his difciples, unlefs he waflies us by his blood and Spirit, and
we be ready to follow his example of condefcenfion, and to obey his commands, and
particularly that great law, which he has fo ftrOngly enforced, of loving one ano
ther for his fake. How melancholy is the thought that any under a profeffion of
Clirifl, and under the highe-fl obligations, and the neareft vifible relation to him,
lhould lift up the heel againft him '. And what fad work does Satan make with
them,
NOTE.
* It fet ms as if Peter thought that feems as if this were a converfation that
Chrifi, being rejected by the Jews, paffed a little before that related by
¦would go to fome other parts of the Matthew and Mark, unlefs we fuppofe
faith to erect his throne, where he might them to have a little neglected the or-
reign without diflurbance, and with der of time there, as in fome other pla-
great. power, according to the carnal ces, that they might throw things of a
notions he had of Chrift's kingdom. like nature together. But thofe learned
f The fubftance of thefe paffages is men that think the fupper, which our
related in Luke xxii. 33, 34, 39. as well Evangelift fpeaks of in this chapter, was
as in our Evangelift, before Chrift's go- a night or two before the pafehal fupper,
ing out of the houfe to the mount of 0- mult fuppofe that hissaccount of what
iiver: But a difcourfe to the fame pur- paffed between Chrift and Peter, about
pole is mentioned after it in Mat. xxvi. that apoftle's denying him, is entirely
,<o. 33, 34, 35. (fee the note there) and different in time from that of all the 0-
Mark xiv. 26, 23, — 31. It therefore ther Evangelic. >

Chap. xiv. John paraphrafed, 433,
them, when, being left to their own corruptions, he leads them captive at his will!
But the I^ord knows who are his ; and yet how many are the miflakes and detects,
how great the ignorance, felf-confidence, and rafonefs, and how dreadful the falls
of fome that Chrift loves, and that fmcerely love him ! What need have the beft a-
mongft us for daily cleanfing from daily fins 1 And how becoming is it for us to
be always humble and modeft, to have a godly jealoufy over ourfelves, and to fub
mit to the wifdom and authority of Cbrift in whatfoever he fays, does, or orders
concerning us ' And if any thing feems ftrange and unaccountable at prefent, let
it be our comfort, that what we know not now, we foall know hereafter. In the
mean while, we can never have too high thoughts of Chrift, whole prefence is our
greateft joy, and whofe abfence our greateft grief ; whofe authority is incontelli-
ble ; who is intimately acquainted with the moll fecret difpofitions of our hearts ;
and not only knows what we now are, but what we (hall be and do; who is glorious
even in his fufferings and death, by^which his Father was highly glorified ; and who
js now exalted to all the grandeur of his throne and kingdom ! He will honour his
fervants that honour him, and will regard thofe that receive his meffengers, as if
they received himfelf and his Father ; and though they, like him, may meet with
treacherous ufage from their neareft intimates, and with other fufferings for his
fake, it will not be long before they will follow him to glory, and be ever with the
Lord,

CHAP XIV,

The beginning of Chrifi's farewel fermon, in which he comforts his
difciples under their troubles with promifes oj heftven, l, — 5.
Speaks of himfelf as the way to the Father, and of his own being
one with him, 6, — 12. Affures his difciples that he will anfwer
the prayers which they offer up in his name, 13,14. Promifes
another Comforter, and gracious manifefiations of himfelf , and of
the Father, 15, — 24 Repeats the promife of the Comforter, be
queaths a legacy of peace to them, and concludes the firft part of
his difcourfe, 25, — 31,
Tlxt. Paraphrase.
T ET not your A FTER Judas was gone away, (chap. xiii. 31.)
bledhearte Relieve 0Ur L°]d faid t0 the deVen aPolUeS> Take heed
in^od/belicveTh tnat your hearts be not. difcompofed and terrified at
fo in rp'e. my approaching ignominy and death ; or at what I
faid about the traitor, (chap. xiii. 21.) as if I meant
any of you ; nor be ye difheartened at what I told
you about your foon lofing my corporal prefence ;
(chap. xiii. 33.] or at the difappointment ye will
thereupon' meet with in your fecular expeftations from
me, and the dangers ye will be expofed to for my
fake : Ye have already * faith in God, according to
• the
NOTE.
* The verb ¦ainvtlt in both parts of dicatively or imperatively in both, i« I
the fentence is the fame, and equally be- have put it in the Paraphrafe, that the
longs to the indicative and imperative reader may take his choice : Or. it he
mood, and fo admits of various conftruc- likes it better, he may follow our ver.
tions. But it feems moft natural not to fion, according to which our bleffed
render it in one part of the fentence in- Lord owns with commendation, that the
dicatively and in the other imperative- difeiples did believe in God, as mamferU
{y as ip our tranftation ; but either in. ed fe the Old Teftament, and enjoins

434

The Evangelift

Chap. Xiv.

the revelations that are made of hinwn the Old Tef
tament ; and ye have faith it me, as his own Son and
the Meffiah, according to the difcoveries that, in my
miniftry, and by my Spirit, have been made of me ;
this ought to quiet your fears : Labour now, in a
fpecial manner, to live in the daily exercife of faith
in God the Father, and of the fame divine faith in
me ; and this will be an effeftual means of your fup
port and comfort, under all the troubles, that now
fill your hearts, or are coming upon you.
2 In my Father's 2 For in heaven, where my Father dwells in the
houfe are many higheft manifeftations of himfelf, there are many de-
manfions; if z* lightful abodes, as many as there are fons to be
would "have told brought to glory ; and there are fome particularly
you. I go to pre- for you, that ye may have eternal reft and fatisfac-
pare a place for tion, after all the toils and troubles of time ; if it were
¥0U- otherwife, fuch is my faithfulnefs and affeftion to
you, that I would certainly have undeceived you as
I often have, when ye vainly expefted temporal dig
nities and poffeffions from me : But the very bufi
nefs and defign of my departure* by death to heaven,
is to procure a right of admiffion to it, by the merit
of my atoning blood, for you, to take poffeffion of
it as a forerunner in your names, and to difpofe of
things in the beft manner, and get them ready againft
your arrival thither.
3 And if I go 3 And (un) when, or as furely, as I ,go in this
and prepare a place manner, to provide a bleffed refidence there for you,
forfoU and' receive (v»^» HX'r»") I will quickly return by my Spirit,
vou unto myfelf ¦ to take care °^ you> an<^ t0 ^ you ^or tnat beavenly
that where I am, habitation ; and I will reeeive your fouls at death,
there ye may be and your whole perfons at my fecond appearing, in.
"'°- to my immediate prefence, fc* intimate fellowfhip
and communion with me, that where I already am in
my divine nature, and veiy foon fhall be in my hu
man nature, there ye may likewife be in a ftate of
perfeft freedom, honour, and delight.
4 And whither 4 And, by what I have now, and formerly faid to
I go ye know, and yOUj ye fo\e been told, and may know, both the
the way ye know. pkce tQ wh;ch T am g0;„g> and the way> in whkh
ye hereafter are to follow me thither.
5 Thomas faith 5 Thomas, who was apt to be of a doubtful and
unto him, Lord, unbelieving heart, (chap. xx. 25, 27.) and could not
we know not win- g£t rJd of nj? not;ons about temporal dominion, re
plied,
NOTE.
them to believe in himfelf, as manifeft- though he is to be confidered as a di
ed, And to be ftill further manifefted, in ftinft perfon from the Father, and un-
all his divine and faving charafters un- der a diftinft notion as the Meffiah, who
der the New. But which ever way we was fent by the Father; yet he is not.
take it, Chrift here fpeaks of himfelf as diftinguifhed from him as God, or as
the object of the fame divine faith e- excluded from foaring in Godhead with
qually with the Father ; and therefore him.

Chap. xiv. John paraphrafed. 435
-ther thou goeft, plied, Lord, notwithftanding all that thou haft faid,
and how can we' we are ftill at a lofs about the. place, to which thou
know the way? ^ g0;ng . how {% k poffibk ^ thA wg ^^
know the way of following thee thither ?
6 Jefos faith un- 6 Jefus anfwered him, I, myfelf, am the * only
to him, I am the tme anlj living medium of intercourfe between heaven
way, and the truth, , ., °, r r ,. ¦ , ,~, ,
and the life : no and eartn> and of your finding acceptance with God,
man cometh unto and receiving grace to advance you to eternal blefs-
the Father but by ednefs ; I am the Way, as by my own blood I am
me- entering into the holy place, and fhall thereby open
a way for you te follow me ; I am the Truth, as all
the legal types and fhadows are fulfilled in me, and
as I, the Amen, the faithful and true Witnefs, teach
you the fure way to heaven and glory : And I am the
Life , as I have life in myfelf, and am the author of
fpiritual and eternal life, to all that believe in me : So
that no man, in his fallen ftate, can make any accept
able approach in worfliip to the Father, or have any
comfortable communion with him, by faith and love
here, or have a perfonal entrance into his immediate
and bleffed prefence hereafter, in any other way than
by me.
7lfyehadknown 7 And as for the Father, to whom I tell you I
me, ye foould have am going, had ye clearly underftood what I am in
nown y divine, as well as human nature, ye muft have
alfo: and irom 3 ' . ' '
henceforth ye know known who and what my .bather is, he and 1 be-
him, and have feen ing in nature and effential properties one: (chap.
him. x. 30.) And from this time forward ye begin, and
fhall go on to know more of him, and indeed, ye
have already feen more of him in me, and in the ma-
nifeftations that I have made of the divine power and
goodnefs, than ye are aware of.
8 Phifip faith 8 Hereupon Philip, another of the apoftles, whofe
unto him, Lo~rd, faith brrr-1 a great mixture of unbelief, (chap.ii. 7.)
foew us the Father, fa;d to njmj Lord, if thou wilt but pleafe to give us
and it fofficeth us. fome ^m<t reprefentat;on 0f the Father, as God u-
fed fometimes to give of himfelf, in extraordinary
vifions, to the ancient prophets, this will entirely fa
tisfy all our doubts, and filence all our fears.
9 Jefus faith un- 9 Jefus replied, in a way of gentle rebuke, Have
toh'im.Havelbeen I been upwards of three years daily and familiarly
fo long time with convernng wjth you aU ? And what, Philip, art
Zi^noVknow* thou, who waft one of my firft difeiples, (chap. i.
me, Philip? he 43, 44.) ftill ignorant of my original nature? I tell
that hath feen me, thee, that whoever is duly acquainted with me, has
hath feen
NOTE.
* Some fuppofe that Chrift here ufeth the blood of Jefus, by a new and living
the figure Hendiadis, to denote tlrat he way, which, he has confecrated for us.
is the true and living way, according to through the vail, that is to fay, his flefh.
what the apoftle fpeaks of believers, ha- (Heb. x. 19, 20.) I have accordingly
ving boldnefs to enter into tie holiejl, by given this fenfe a place in the Paraphrafe.

436 The Evangelift Ghap. xiv.
hath feen the. Fa- feen fuch divine perfections manifefting themfelves
ther; and how fay- fe- my perfon, miniftry, and miracles, that he cannot
eftrt,onJf*f"-s.hew be ignorant of the Father; but has feen foch lively
us the Father? ... ? ... . ,'.,.. . '
dilplays ot his nature and excellencies in me, who ant
the exprefs image of his perfon, as exceed all former
vifible reprefentatious, which, in their rriain defign,
were only fo many types and fhadows of what now
appears in me : How ftrange is it then, that, after
fo long acquaintance with me, thou fhouldft defire
me to fhew you- the Father, in Order to your fatis
faftion and comfort ?
10 Believed thou 10 What ! Doft thou not yet believe, that I and
not that I am in my Father ate fo effentially united, as to be infepar-
the Father, and the M though diftinft perfons from each other, and
Father in me ? the ' & . . r . ./-,-,,,
words that I fpeak that we have fuch lhtnttate communion m Lrodhead,
unto you, I fpeak as imports a real and mutual, though incomprehenfi-
not of myfelf: but ble inbeing ? Then, turning his difcourfe from Phi-
the Father that j; tQ &u the difcitoles, he, to help the infirmity of
dwelleth in me, he f .. ... . . , £,. . „ r . ',
doth the works. their faith, laid, ltns, as well as every other doc
trine that I deliver to you, I fpeak not merely of my
felf, as if it were a private fentiment of my own, a-
part from the Father ; but he whp* I fay, infeparably
abides in me, exerts the fame divine power with me
in performing the miraculous, works which I have
wrought to confirm it.
ir Believe- me u Believe me then, upon mine own divine autho-
that I am in the r;t who am the Truth, (ver. 6.) that my Father
Father, and the Fa- ', '-, , /r ..¦ 1 j ¦ r ui 1. •
ther in me ¦ or elfe an<* * ave an erflential and mleparable being one m
believe me for the the other, as I have faid : But (ti % (id) if ye do not
very works fake. believe me merely upon the credit of my own Word,
let the very works *, which I perform in a divine
Godlike manner, fatisfy you, that I exert no lefs
power, than that of God the Father himfelf, in
bringing them to pafs.
12 Verily, veri- 12 Then returning to his defign of comforting
ly, I fay unto you, them, (ver. 1.) he faid, with great folemnity, I
He that believeth fa;thfuily affure ou that he ^ho trul believes in
on me, the works ' ' » , '
tliat me, according to the declaration 1 have made of my felf,
NOTE.
* It feems to me, that Chrift's refer- could it be faid, that he who had feen
ring to his works here, as Often elfe- him, had alfo feert the Father, unlefs
where, refpefts not merely his miracles he had been partaker of the fame na-
themfelyes, but his fovereign Godlike ture with the Father, and had, in his
way of performing them by his- own di- afting like a divine perfon, exerted the
vine power, which was the fame in him very fame power as refides in the Father
as in the Father: Otherwife thofe works himfelf, and that in fuch an abfolute
themfelves were no proof of bis being in way as the Father himfelf would have
the Father, and the Father in him, or done it, had he appeared perfonally and
of the Father's dwelling in him, in any vifibly among men : For nothing like
higher fenfe than the fame might be af- this was ever faid of the apoftles, or any
firmed of the apoftles, who, he fays in other mere man, becaufe they afted not
the next verfe, foould do the fame, and by their own, but by Chrift's .power.
greater works than thefe : Much lefs

Chap. xiv. John paraphrafed. 437
that I do foall he felf, fhall be highly favoured in this world, as well as
er worij thtn Tf~ f°r eVCr bleffed wIth me in the next : For he nia11 be
foali" he*' do" be- ena'3letl to do, not only the fame fort of works, in
caufe I go unto my healing the fick, calling out devils, reftoring fight
Father. to the blind, and railing the dead, as 1 now perform*.
during my abode on earth ; but he fhall be an inftru
ment in my hand, of doing ftill greater works than
thefe, with longer continuance, and wider extent,
among Gentiles as well as Jews, and with more re
markably happy effefts, to the converfion of vaft mul
titudes of both, through all nations of the world ;
becaufe I go to be enthroned in glory, and to exercife
all power at the Father's right hand.
13 Andwhatfe- 13 And whatfoever ye fliall afk, upon the foot
ever ye fhall afk in Df my warrant and promife, with humble dependence
my name, that will ¦<-. j r ., r , r . ,
I do that the Fa- on mY wliQOm and power, laithtufnefs afid grace,
ther may be glori- and on mY merit and advocacy, that ye may honour
fied in the Son. me ; I will certainly perform it in anfwer to your
prayers, that the Father himfelf may thereby mani-
feft his glorious perfeftions, in my gracious and al
mighty operations, and through my obedience and
fufferings, who am his own Son.
1 4. If ye foall afk 14 Whatfoever ye, I fay, making mention of my
any thing in my na fl^ji ;„ th;g manner pray far that may be for
name, I will do it. .y . c ,-, , , . , • 1 1
the glory ot (jod and your good, and particularly
for your affiftance' and acceptance, fupport, encou
ragement, and fuccefs in your work ; I will not only
take care that it be done, but I myfelf will certainly
do it, as working together with my Father therein.
15 If ye love me, 1 5 Since therefore thefe will be fome of the- prin-
imeenPtsnyCOmmand" C''Pal fruitS of my deParture> If Ye !ndeed love ™>
give proof of it, not by being troubled at the thoughts
of lofing my company, and your fecular expeftations
' from me, which felf-love will prompt you to, but in ha
ving a confcientious refpeft to all my commandments.
16 And I will 16 And, for yoiy encouragement herein, I, as your
pray the Father, High-prieft and Advocate, will intercede effeftually
and he foall give j h j. h f -and hfi jjj j0;n w;th me
you another Com- / . J ' J ...
forter (chap. XV..26. ) in fending you -f another couniellor, advocate,
N O T E S.
* Here our Lord accurately fpeaks of fpeaking all fort! of languages, for the
the works which he then wrought, fay- propagation of the gofpel among all til
ing, in the prefent tenfe, (a tyu raoiu) tions, and the wonderful power of the
¦which I do : For he was likewife the Holy Ghoft, that attended, their mini-
author of thofe greater works, that the ftrations, for the converfion of three
apoftles were afterwards to do, becaufe thoufand at once, and afterwards of in-
he went to the Father to exercife all numerable multitudes of Jews and Gen-
power at his right hand : And thefe tiles, for many focceeding years toge-
greater works might partly relpeft one ther, beyond all that was ever done by
apoftle's working miracles, merely by Chrift's perfonal miniftry.
his fihadow, and another by handker- f The Spirit is here evidently fpoken
chiefs carried from his body ; (Afts v. of as a diftinft perfon from Chrift : He
j 5. and xix. u.) but principally their was one Paraclete , and the Spirit, who
Vol. II. L 1 1 after

43 S The Evangelift Chap. xiv.
farter, that he may advocate, and Comforter, to fupply the want of my
abide with you for1 COrporal prefence, in inftrufting, affifting, and exci-
tvcr ' ting you to every duty, in pleading your caufe againft
your adverfaries, and,in comforting you under all your
tribulations, that he may continue with you, not, as
I have done, for a little while only, but through e-
verv period, and in every turn and difficulty of life,
till be fhall conduft you fafe, through death itfelf, to
an eternal abode with me in glory.
i7£iratheSpl- 17 The Divine agent I mean is the Holy Spirit,
rit of truth, whom wb0j being of the fame nature with the Father and
receive" becaufe *it n)e> *s ''kewife Truth itfelf, may be depended upon
feeth him not, nei- for his faithfulnefs, and is the author and teacher of
ther knoweth bim: all truth : The carnal men of this world, remaining
but ye know him ; {ncfo cannot indeed entertain or embrace him, be-
,?Jti, f ^xndri caufe they have no true knowledge of him, nor are
with you, and fhall ' ° , ,. tl
be in you. well-aiiected toward him : But ye, who are enlight
ened, and renevyed by his operation upon your 'hearts,
are already in fome meafure experimentally acquaint
ed with him : For he at prefent dwells, and works,
and manifefts himfelf in you, as his living temples,
by his gracious, as well as miraculous influence, and
in a little time he will work and manifeft himfelf in
you, with increafing light, and power, and confola-
tion.
1 S I will not 1 8 Thus, though I am going from you by death,
leave you comfort- j w;n not ieave you deftitute and expofed, friendlefs,
t0 ' and forlorn, as if ye were fatherlefs children ; (ogftia-
vtss) I will foon take opportunities of vifiting you
again in perfon, and, after I am gone to the Fatber,
will return by my Spirit, to your great relief and ex
ceeding joy.
19 Yet a little 19 It is but a very little while before the men of
while, and the tnis world, who reiefted, defpifed, and abufed me,
world feeth me n n r .x. d x c
no more • but ve n0 more iee me on earth, as they have tor years
fee me : becaufe I Paft : But I will appear in perfon again to you, my
live', ye fliall live beloved difciples, that ye may fee me alive after my
alI°-' paffion : And becaufe I am the, living one in my divine
nature, and fhall rife to a glorious and immortal life in
my
NOTE.
after his departure fliould come from the caufe': But as all that the Spirit does of
Father, was another, (*\\(&) another this kind, is in a comfortable manner, for
perfon, though not (axxo) another be- the affiftance and relief of his fervants
ing, nor (t1i?®-') a different fort of Com- and people, he may be properly enough
fcrtcr ; the Son and Spirit being one in ftiled the Comforter, with regafd to his
effence with the Father ; and the Spirit work therein, as well as with regard to
being the fame fort of divine Comforter the divine confolations that he affords be-
as Chrift himfelf had been to his difci- lievers, under all their troubles, by fhed-
ples. The verb raafttxaMu fignifies to ex- ding abroad God's love in their hearts,
hort, comfort, intreat, a'nd plead ; and and witnefling with their fpirits, that
the v word -o-afajtMil®-, derived from they are the children of God, and heirs
thence, is moft commonly ufed to figni- of glory.
fy an advocate that pleads another's

Chap. xiv. John paraphraftd. 439
my human nature, and fhall always live in heaven, as
the head of the body ; ye, my members, fhall likewife
live fpiritually, in conformity to me, and by virtue de
rived from me here, and eternally with me hereafter ;
in a ftate of juftification, fanftification, and confolation
in this world, and of glorification in the next.
2° A* tnat day 20 Then, * when I am rifen as your head and re-
iei»i in my Fa- Prefentative> a"d as a triumphant conqueror over fin
ther, and you in an<^ Satan, death and hell, and over all your and mine
me, and I in you. enemies, ye fhall begin more clearly to apprehend ;
and, by the fubfequent effufion of my Spirit, fliall un
derftand with ftill plainer evidence ; and, at your com
ing to live with me in glory, fliall know beft of all,
that I have the effential union with my Father which
I have been fpeaking of, (ver. 9, 10, 11.) and that
ye have a myftical and vital union with me by my
Spirit, which, as I faid, (ver. 17.) dwells in you, and
fhall be in you, to fecure your living by and with me.
21 He that hath 21 Every true believer, who, by virtue of this
my command- union with me, not only hears, but heartily receives
Tl' ani kee?~ mY commandments, and faithfully obferves them, is
eth them, he it is ', ^ r , , , „ / , . ,
that loveth me : one that imcerely loves, and fhews his love to me :
and he that loveth And he, who in this manner loves me, fhall be ac
me, foall be loved cepted, approved of, and delighted in, by my Father,
of my Father and fer my fake ; and I, whofe heart is the- fame with my
1 will love him, -,-. ., , ... ... .. ... , , ,. ,J
and will manifeft * atners, WIll likewife approve of him, and delight
myfelf to him, in bim, and will make rich difcoveries of myfelf, and
of my fpecial love and favour to him.
22 Judas faith 22 Hereupon Judas, not he who was called Ifca-
unto him, (not If-, riot, and was gone out of the company before this,
^it^hL^houtT ^chap' xiii' 3I') bllt another aPoftle of that name'
manifeftthyfelfun! who ™as the broth« of James, (Luke vi. 16.) cried
to us, and not un- °ut with amazement, faying f , Lord, how ailoniih-
to the wotld ? ing, condefcending, and endearing is this, and how
contrary to our deferts, that thou fhouldft thus gra
cioufiy make thyfelf known, and fhew thy peculiar
favour to us, and not to the generality of the world !
(ti ytymid) , What wonderful kindnefs is this to us,
rather than to them !
23 Jefus anfwer- 23 Jefos, in reply, faid to him, If any one fin
ed and faid unto cerely loyes me> thjs, as I told you, (ver. 21.) will
L 1 1 3 engage
NOTES..
* That day may relate to the day perfonally appearing only to the apoftles,
when he foould appear to them after under the power of ignorance, prejudice,
his refurreftion, by which he would be and concern at the difappointraent they
declared to be the Son of God with were thereby like to meet with in their
power ; or to the day when he would expeftations of fecular honour and ad-
fend his Spirit to them ; or to the day vantages from him : But as nothing like
when they foould live with him in heaven, this appears in his words, or in Chrift's
f Some think that Judas, according anfwer, I take them to be the language
to his notions of the temporal dominion of holy admiration, according to the
and glory of the Meffiah, fpoke of Chrift's fenfe given in the Paraphrafe.

44° The Evangelift "Chap. xiv.
him, Ifanianlove engage" him to receive my doftrine, and keep my
me, he will -keep commands : And fuch an one is a proper fubjeft for,
Faytirerrdxvirin<1lo™e and ^^ be favoured wkh peculiar * manifeftations,-
him, and we will not onh of mine, but likewife of my Father's love;
come unto him, and we will multiply tokens of our fpecial prefence
and make our a- with him, by our word, ordinances, and Spirit, and
bode with him. continue to hold free and intimate communion with
him, as in the fpiritual houfe and temple, which we
take pleafure to dwell in.
24 He that loveth 24 On the other hand, he, who does not heartily
me not, keepeth jove me, has no confcientious regard to my doftrines
not my fay.ngs : Qr command and fo fs unfe f and ft^ himfelf
and the word ¦ • . . ' ., ,
which ye heir is out from thefe fpeciaf privileges: And as the doc-
not mine, but the trine which I preach is not merely mine, but is like-
Father's which fent wife the word and command of my Father himfelf,
"^ who fent me to difcharge the Meffiah's office, neither
he nor I will dwell and commune with, or manifeft
, ourfelves to him that difrelifhes and rejefts it.
25 Thefe things 25 Thefe things have I delivered for your prefent
have I fpoken un- comfort and encouragement, according to your capa-
to you, being yet c;tjes Q£ receiv;ncr them, and as the little time would
prefent with you. .... ... ° . . , . en r
admit, which remains tor my being perlonafiy prefent
with you.
26 But the Com- 26 But after my departure, when the Holy Spirit
rforter, which is the ma]i Come, who is that other guide, advocate, and
4hey Father WWiU Comforter, whom I mentioned, (ver. 16. fee the
•fond in my name, note there) and whom the Father will certainly fend,
lie foall teach you according to my merit and interceffion, in my room,
all things, and and as my agent to promote my honour, and carry
bourSrememb"f bce° °" my WOrk ' He ^ kad y°U int° a m°re ckar a"d
whatfoever I have' extenfive knowledge of all truths, that are needful for
laid unto you. yourfelves to know, or for you to preach to others ;
and he fhall revive the remembrance of all the particu
lars which ye have heard from me, that ye may fully
apprehend and underftand them, and know how to
make a proper and feafonable ufe of them.
27 Peace I leave 27 'In the mean timef, I, like an affeftionate and
r^e^un™""" dyi"S friend' take my farewd °f y0U ! and ProfPei>
iiot as the world ty of the nobleft kind, even peace with ©od, with
giveth, give I unto one another, and in your own fouls, is the bleffing
you. Let not your that I leave to you ; my peace, which is fuch as I
=.heart " ' myfelf
N O T. E S.
* Judas's . queftion was not, Lord, as characTreriflic of the objedls of his and
how is it that thou wilt love us; but the Father's love, and riot as ,the caufe of
that thou wilt manifefl thyfelf to us, and their loving them.
not to the world ? Accordingly Chrift's
anfwer is to be underftood, rather of the f Chrift's taking this leave of his dif-
tokens and difcoveries of his own and his ciples may either refer to the cuftom of
Father's love, than of the love itfelf. But friends at parting, or of a father or friend
which ever way we take it, what he at leaving this world ; and therefore I
fays here, and in the following chapter, have kept up both thefe views in the fa-
en the like fubject, is to be confidered raphrafe.

Chap. xiv. John parapkrafed. 441
heart be troubled, myfelf enjoy, and which I am the purchafer and au-
iaid1" kt " bC a" thorof> Ifre?ly give to you: I fey this, not in a
way of formal compliment, like the men of this
world, who, at parting, only wife their friends happi
nefs and peace ; but I heartily and effeftually leave
the bleffing itfelf behind me : Nor is what I bequeath
and bellow of fuch little value, and uncertain tenure,
as the beft legacies are that they can leave ; but it is
fuch a fort of peace, aspaffes all underftanding, and
as nothing in this world can either give, or take a-
way from you. Therefore, as I faid before, (ver.
I.) let not your hearts be difeompofed with grief
and terror, at the thoughts of my departure from
you ; nor be ye afraid of any difficulty or diftrefs
that may befal you after I am gone to the Father.
lSYehayeheard 28 I have already faid- that I am juft ready to
how I faid unto leave you, but that it is with a defign of returning,
you, I go away, to rective tQ father's houfe and king-
ana come ago.n , , ' ' . , , . „ °,.
unto you. If ye dom, that ye may oe with me there, (ver. 3.) II
loved me, ye would then your love to me were truly fpiritual, regular,
rejoice, becaufe I and coniiderate, , ye would be fo far from being dif-
faid I go unto the turbed and srrieved at tny departure, that ye would
Father : for my Fa- ¦ ¦ -r r 1 n • 1 r t 11
ther is greater than rejwce ior mY iaJce and Your 0TO1 > becaufe I told
J. yon that I am going to my Father, where I, as man
and Mediator, fhall be poffeffed of the utmoft blefs-
ednefs, and of all power in heaven and earth, to ex
ercife it for your advantage : For in the economy of
falvation, in which I -aft the part of the Meffiah as
my Father's fervant, he is * greater than t, and will
reward my obedience gnd fufferings, by exalting my
incarnate perfon to reign with him in glory?
29 And now I 29 And I haye told you of thefe things before-
Jiave told you be- hand, that when . ye fee them accomplifhed by my
foreit come to pafs, death and afcenfion to-heaven, and by an effefion of
that when it is ..... . r , .r ' - ,
come to pafs ye the ispint, in conlequence thereof, ye may be the more
might believe. confirmed in your belief, that I am the true Meffiah,
both able and willing to pel form all my promifes to
you.
m 30 Thc
N O T E.
* It is evident that our Lord does not of his difcourfe he fays, (chap. xvi. 15.)
here fpeak of his Father as greater- than All things that the Father hath are
Wmfelf, with refpect to his divine na- mine: But he is to be underftood, as
ture and perfon, fimply confideied : For fpeaking of himfelf here only in that
in the Deity there is neither greater nor fenfe in which 'he "was going to the Fa-
lefs ¦ and hehad faid that his Father and ther ; and that was in his human nature
he were one, and had called himfelf the and mediatorial character, or as the in-
SonofGodin fuch a fenfe, as to make camate Meffiah: And whilft he was
himfelf, properly God ; (chap. x. 30, — -fpeaking of'himfelf in this charaifler, it
36.) he had likewife in this difcotrrfe was becoming both his Father and him-
Cver. 9, 10.) afferted, that his Father felf, and -was fuitable to his then prefent
and he were one in another, in fuch a ftate of humiliation, and his care to ho-
inanner, that he who faw the Son, faw nour his Father, that he fhould fay, My
the Father alfo ; and in a following part Father is greater than I.

44^
30 , Hereafter I
will not talk much
with you : for the
prince of this world
cometh, and hath
nothing in me.

The Evangelift

31 But that the
world may know
that I love the Fa
ther; and as the
Father gave me
commandment, e-
ven fo I do. Arife,
Jet us go hence.

Chap. xiv.
30 The time wears off fo faft, that I fhall have
little opportunity of faying much nfore to you before
my death : For Satan, who in his former tempta
tions pretended to offer me the kingdoms of this
world, as if he .had the difpofal of them, (Luke iv.
5, — 7.) and who works powerfully in the hearts of
its princes and rulers, as well as in every child of dif-
obedience, is juft now making his laft effort, by ftir-.
ring up his evil inftruments to unite ftratagem and
force for murdering me. And after all, he can find
no corruption in me to work upon by his temptations,
or to give him power over me ; nor can he anfwer
his own ends by all that he is able to do againft me,
who, by dying, fhall deftroy his kingdom, glorify
my Father, and redeem my people ; nor can he pre
vail againft me, to bring about my death itfelf, with
out my own free confent.
31 But, to make it evident to the whole world,
and particularly to my difeiples in it, that I love,
my Father, and that as I, in the quahty of his fer
vant, have received a command from him to lay down
my life for the flieep ; (chap. x. 15, 18.) fo I am
heartily willing to teftify my love by my obedience.
Come, let us rife up from table, and go away from
hence to the garden, where mine enemies are coming
to apprehend me. (Chap, xviii. 1, &c.)

RECOLLECTIONS.
What a fafe and fuitable object of faith, is Chrift, who neither will, nor can de*
,ceive us '. All divine perfections foine in him, as the Son of his Father's own likenefs ;
£nd there is no knowing God, or believing in him to faving advantage, nor any com
ing with acceptance and comfort to him, or getting to heaven, but by this great
Mediator. How equally is he poffefled of deity with the Father ; and yet how V
m^zingly did he condefcend to take upon him the faving office in our nature, with
regard to which his Father is greater than he ! And how freely in the difcharge of
this office, and in the greajnefs of his lpve, did he obey his Father's willj in yield
ing himfelf up to fufferings' and death, while no powers of hell and earth could have
brought hfm'to them without his own confent; And as Satan found nothing in him
to work upon ; fo how fignally were his defigns defeated by the death of Chrift,
who- rofe again to au immortal life, and went to be glorified with the Father! And
what a confirmation is it to our faith to fee thefe things, which our^felfed Lord
foretold, fo exactly accomplifhed aecording to his word '. He has now opened a new
and living way to God and glory ; and there is no room for his difciples to be trou
bled or afraid, but the greateft reafon for them to rejoice, fince he, who was dead,
is alive again, and is gone in their nature to heaven, to provide delightful manfions
for them, apd fecure their intereft there : And. becaufe he lives, they foall live al
fo ; he doth not leave them comfortlefs while they are in this world, but gives tbem
the nobleft and f'weetcft peace^ to over-balance aU their forroWs ; he and his Father
will dwell in, and commune with them that love him, will fend his Spirit to guide,
ailiftj-and comfort them all the days of their lives, apd will anfwer the prayers that
they prefent with faith in his, name; and he will come again, and receive them in
to his own glorious prefence at death and judgment, that where he is, there they
may be with him for ever : He will give them an experimental knowledge of their
vital union with himfelf, jn gradual difcoveries of it by his Spirit here, till at length
Jhey foall clearly underftand, and be fully fatisfied about it in heaven, where they
ftiall likewife know more of his effeiitial union with the Father, than they can now

Chap. xv. John paraphraftd. 443
conceive. O what matter of admiration is it, that he foould thus manifeft himfelf
to any of us, and not unto the world ! But as ever we defire further difcoveries and
indulgences of his grace, we fliould affectionately love him, and fhew our love, by
faithfully keeping his commands, and cheerfully following him wherever he calls
us, faying, Arife, let us go hence.

CHAP. XV.

A continuation of Chrift's farewel fermon, in which, he fpeaks of him
felf and his difciples under the fimilitude of a vine and its branches',
I-> — 7* Commands them to abound in fruits of holinefs, and parti
cularly in love one to another, by virtue of their union with him,
8> — £7- *dnd comforts them againfi the hatred and perfections
of the world, 18, — 27.
Text- Paraphrase.
I vfof 'and "m 0UR -L°rd ^ h'S difciPIeS havinS rofe from ta"
Father'is the hut- ^le *n t^le gueft-chamber, where he had celebra-
bandman. ted his laft paffover, and the New Teftament-fupper ;
(Matth. xxvi. 26, — 30.) he immediately * after this,
(chap, xviii. 1.) went on with his difcourfe, ex
plaining more at large what he had hinted,- (chap.
xiv. 20.) about their vital union with himfelf, fay
ing, In my peculiar relation to the church, I, as the
fountain of fpiritual influence, and the great medium
of conveying it to its members, am, by way of emi
nence and excellence, hke the root and ftock of a ge
nerous vine, which forms and communicates fap for
the produftion and bfe, nourifliment and fruitfulnefs
of its branches : And my heavenly Father, who fent
me for this purpofe into the world, and takes care of
me and my true members, is like an hufbandman,
who plants, and has a peculiar propriety in, and
watchful concern about his vine and its branches.
2 Every branch 2 As in the nobleft vine fome of its branches are
in me that beareth barrenj and others fruitful, and a wife manager cuts
• not away
NOTE.
* By comparing this with the places (Matth. xxvi. 29.) gave a proper occa-
referred to in the Paraphrafe, it appears fion for his fpeaking of himfelf under the
that the difcourfe and prayer, which fol- emblem of a vine. Or if he delivered
low in this and the two next chapters, this difcourfe fomewhere in the way to
paffed between the time of Chrift's fay- the garden, it probably was in one of
ing in the gueft-chamber, Let us go the vineyards which that country a-'
hence, and the time of his coming to the bounded with, or at leaft in fight of
brook Cedron. It is indeed uncertain a vine: And fo he might take a further
whether this difcourfe were in the gueft- occafion from thence to fpeak of himfelf
chamber, after he got up from fupper, under the metaphor of a vine, and of the
or in the way tp the garden, where he true vine, in diftinction from the Old
was betrayed : But, be that as it will, Teftament-church, which was often re-
his having juft before drank of the fruit prefented under that figure. Pfal. lxax.
of the vine with the difciples in the S, — 114. Ifa. v. I, — 7., and Jer. ii. 21.
New Teftament ordinance of his fupper,

The Evangelift

Chap. xv.

444
not fruit he taketh- away all thofe -that are. fuperfluous, as doing more
. away ; and every harm than good, and, by pruning off the fuckers, af-
' '" '' ;,lt be:lr- ffllstbe growth and improvement of the fruitful bran
ches, in order to their bearing ftill more fruit : So in

eth fruit he pur
geth it, that it
may bring forth the vifible church there are fome members, which
more fruit. are externally united.to me, only in profeffion and
appearance, without bringing forth any good fruit ;
and there are others, whioh are internally and vitally
united, by my' Spirit and by faith, to me, and by vir
tue thereof, bear fpiritual and holy fruit ; and my
heavenly Father, in his righteous judgment, Cuts 6ff
all the hypocritical profeffors of my name, .as unpro
fitable and injurious ; and he in< his infinite wifdom
-.JH ufes various methods, to purge- away the fuperfluity
ts , of naughtinefs, which ftill remains in true believers
themfelves, that they may abound yet more and more
in fruits of holinefs, and that their end may be' ever
lafting life. (Rom. vi. 22.)
. 3 Now ye are 3 Now, * Judas being gone, all of you, my
cleaiv through the difeiples, are of this fort of fruitful branches, and li-
jpoken^unto you!^ v™% m.e»bers in mer Ye, being already partakers of
my Spirit, and your hearts being purified by. faith,
and by. means of my word, which works effeftually
in you.
4 Abide iii me, 4 Go on then to adhere by' faith and love to me,
and I in you. As, lver, n) and I will be as aroot and fource of perpe-
the branch cannot > 1 /¦ 1 ¦ 1 c ¦ ¦<. .. t> .. i_ i_
bear fruit of iffelf, tual luPPty by: nay Spirit to you. But as no branch,
except it abide in haw lively foever it be, can continue to bear fruit, or>
the vise ; no more bring it to perfeftion by any vigour in itfelf, unlefs it
cati ye, except ye }jave an abidfeg union with, and communication from
the vine : So neither can ye, (stos ao*i v/zitf) not
withftanding your prefent attainments in grace, con
tinue to bring forth fruit to God, any otherwife than
' by a continuance of your union and communion with
me. 5 To fmprefs a fenfe of this important truth the
more deeply upon you; I repeat what I faid, (ver. 1.)
lT that I am in a fpiritual and peculiar fenfe the vine,
bideth in me, and r , . , r r '
t in him, the fame ot which ye, as my members, are the branches, that^
bringeth forth derive all fpiritual life, recruits, and nourifhment fro,m
for me : According to my meaning by this metaphor,
cfo tiotlifo yC ^e' an<^ k£ onty> who cleaves by faith and love to me,
and has my Spirit dwelling in him, (ckgp. xiv. 17.)
produces and abounds in fpiritual fruitfto the glory
of God, and to his own and others advantage : For
(x*>i<s S|«s') feparate or apart from me, and without
my continual influence, even ye, my difciples, can do
nothing
NOTE.
* While Judas was with them, Chrift company, Chrift told them abfolutely,
faid, Te are clean, but not all ; (chap.- without exception, Teare clean throng!)
xiii. 10.) but now they were rid of his tht word, 6cc.

abide in me.

5 I am the vine,
ye are the bran
ches : he that a-

much fruit :
without
can

7 If ye abide in
me, and my words

Chap. xv. John paraphrafed. 445
nothing truly good, and acceptable to God, any more
than a branch can bud, and bloffom, and bring forth
fruit, without union with, and communication of lap
from the vine.
6 If a man abide 6 If any one, who makes an external profeffion,
caft 'forifo' as6 a a"d aPPearance of being my difciple, do not in this
branch, and is wi- manner adhere to me, he is no better than a hypo-
thered ; and men crite, who fhall be caft out of all relation to me and
gather them, and my church, and whofe gifts, profeffion, and fpeci-
fire tnd'thet0tbe °US ?PPearances ^^ wither and die 5 and a11 fuch
burned! Sy *K nominal profeffors fhall be gathered together at the
laft day, as fit fuel for divine wrath, and caft into e-
verlafting burnings, even as the withered branches o£
a vine are cut off from it, and men * ufe to gather
them into a bundle, and throw them into the fire to
be utterly confumed.
7 If, o.n the contrary, ye ftedfaftly cleave to me,
and I dwell in your hearts by faith, and bv means.
abide in you, ye „r _ , ' ...,-' . ' '
foall afk what ye ot ™Y word> as a principle that guides and governs,
will, and it foall quickens and eftablifhes you ; whatfoever ye, as thus
be done unto you. abiding in me, and depending on me, fliall afk ac
cording to my will, for the glory of God, and your-
own edification and fruitfulnefs, ye fhall receive it,
even to the utmoft of your defires and wants.
S Herein is my 8 f By your thus abiding in me, and my abiding
tha'f ye be! r°much in Y™' and hY Your petitions being thus granted",
fruit ; fo (hall ye tne gl°ry OI" my heavenly Father's wifdom, faithful-
be my difciples. nefs, and grace, is exalted, (;v«) to the end that ye
may abound in fruits of righteoufnefs, whereby he
may be ftill further glorified ; and fo fhall ye appeac
with evidence to others, and.to your own confciences,
and I will efteem and own you to be my true difeiples,
that have vitttl union with me, and are an honour to
me. (tfut)
9 As the Father g For as I myfelf, confidered as the root and
hath loved me, (o medium 0f avj gracious communications to you, am
continue0ye inmy beioved °f mY Father ; fo I have a peculiar love for
love. - you, as branches united to me, and deriving virtue unto
NOTES.
* According to fome expoGtors, Mens cient to anfwer the defign of this part of
gathering withered branches, fignifies the parable.
hypocritical formal profeffors being fei-
zed by Satan and his agents in" this f Herein (ti tv1o~) feems to refer back
world, that they may bring them to de- to what Chrift had been faying con-
ftruc"lion in the next. And according cerning himfelf, as the vine, and bc--
to other's, it fignifies their being gather- lievers as branches in him : And (<»a)
ed out of God's kingdom, and eafi into that, being a final particle, naturally
hell, by the" holy angels, as minifters' of leads one's thoughts to'the fenfe given in
juftice at the laft day : But, as every the Paraphrafe : But, as all our fruits of
expreffion in a parable is not to be righteoufnefs are, by Jefos Chrifi, to the
ftrained, hypocrites and unbelievers be- praife and glory of God, I have likewife
ing caft into everlafting fire to be per- preferved the thought of God's being
petually tormented there, may be fofli- glorified bv them.
Vol. II. M m m

The- Evangelift

Chap. xv.

io If ye k^epmy
commandments, ye
fhall abide in my
love : even as I
have kept my Fa
ther's command
ments, and abide
in his love.

1 1 Thefe things
have I fpoken }ti*it-o
you, 'that my- toy
might remain"in
you, and that your
jny might be full.

i jThis is my com
mandment, ' That
ye love one ano
ther,' as I have lo
ved you.

13 Greater love
hath no man than
this, that a man
lay down his life
for his friends.

14 Ye are my
friends, if ye do
whatfoever I com
mand your

15 Henceforth I
call you not fer
vants ; for the fer
vant. knoweth not
what his lord
doth : but I have
called you friends;
Jor all things that

Unto all fruitfulnefs from me : Let it therefore be
your great concern to cleave affeftionately, and fted-
faftly to me, and to be ftill further approved of, and
delighted in by me.
10 And if from a principle of love, ye cheerfully
attend to, and' obey my commandments, as your Lord
and Saviour, ye fhall continue to be approved of me,
and to know, for your abundant fatisfaftion, that I
love you ; even as I, in my human nature and office-
capacity, have cheerfully obeyed my Father's com
mandments in fulfilling all righteoufnefs, and am con
tinually approved of him, and know that he loves me.
1 1 Thefe things have I thus freely and plainly de
clared to you, that I may rejoice in you as fruitful
branches in me, and ye may rejoice in your union
with me, and in my abiding love to you ; and that,
through a fupply of my Spirit, ye may have fuch a
^fulnefs of joy to fupport you under all your troubles,
as fhall abundantly make up your lofs of my corpo
ral prefence, and as fhall iffue in your complete and
everlafting joy with me.
1 2 Now the great command, which includes many
others, arid which I infift on your obferving, as a proof
of your fincere affeftion and difciplefhip to me, is, as
I have faid, (chap. xiii. 34.) that ye be affeftionate,
and ready to perform all offices of love one to ano
ther for my fake, in confideration, and in imitation
of my fervent love to you, which I am going to de-
monftrate in the higheft manner poffible.
13- No man can be capable of having a more fin-
.eere and hearty love, or of expreffing it by an higher
inftance than this, that, where there is occafion for it,
he freely put his own life in the ftead of the life of his
deareft friends and benefaftors, and yield himfelf up
to death for their redemption ; and this I am about to
do for you, as if ye were my moft important and
worthy friends, though I am neither indebted to you,
nor can be profited by you, whom of enemies I have
made friends.
14 And ye will approve yourfelves to be my
friends, whom I efteem as fuch, if, from a fenfe of
my love to you, ye make confeience of paying a
ready and impartial obedience to all my command
ments. 15 I might indeed well fpeak of you, and accord
ingly treat you, only in the quality of fervants : How
ever, I will not keep you at fuch a diftance ; for a
mere fervant does not ufe to be let into the fecrets
of his lord and mafter : But I have converfed, and
will deal with you as intimate friends ; for as God
would not hide from Abraham, his friend, what he

Chap. xv. John paraphrafed. 447
I have heard of my was about to do ; (Gen. xviii. 17.) fo all my Father's
Father I have hidden counfels, .which I, as Mediator, and head of
made known unto the church, have received * in commiffion from him,
to communicate for his glory and their falvation, I
have begun to impart, and will proceed by my Spi
rit to difcover ftill further, with all freedom and plain-
nefs to you, that ye may know them for yourfelves,
and for the good of others, and that hone of them may
be concealed from you.
16 Ye have not 16 All this I do, not as if ye were firft in your
chofen me, but I choice of me, or had laid any obligation upon me ;
have chofen you, fo^ from my own mere love and grace, I have freely
and ordained you, , r y c \ ¦ 1 11 1 ' m
that you foould <*o ch°len you t0 lalvation -f , as well as to the apoitle-
and bring forth m'P> and have conftituted you to be my friends and
fruit, and that fervants for this purpofe, that ye niajrgo out in my
your fruit foould name and ftrength ; that by virtue derived from ir.e,
j-emain, that what- . ¦ ' r ti r ¦. - r -_.i . r
j- a. 11 a as your root, ye mav brine; forth fruits ot ngnteoul-
foever ye fhall arflt ' . ,•-¦<¦•§ 11 °
of the Father in ne" m your "ves and miniftry ; and that ye may per-
my name, he may fevere therein, till ye and the converts, made by means
give it you. of your laboUrs, fhall propagate my caufe for its con
tinuance on earth, and fhall arrive iafe to heaven ; as
alfo that my Father may grant your petitions, in
whatfoever ye fhall afk to thefe holy purpofes, with
faith in my name, as your prevailing advocate and
friend.
17 Thefe thing's 17 Now thefe things I recommend, and enjoin
I conimand' you, upon you, that ye, after my ejxample, may heartily
ntthe^ l0VC "^ *" love one another> as members of the fame body, and
partakers of the fame bleffings, and as difciples and
friends, as well as fervants of the feme Lord.
t8 If the world 1 8 If, according to the original enmity between
hate you, ye know the feed of the ferpent, and the feed of the woman,
that it hated me IQcn. iii. 15.) ye meet with great oppofition from
before ithatedyou. ^ of & ^^ ^.^ that ar£ who]ly devoted to dlis
world, and under the government of Satan, its god ;
do not wonder, or be difcouraged at it : For ye well
know that they began with me, and have been as full
of fpite and rage againft me, your head and chief,
(irgunv vftm) as they poffibly can be againft you.
19 If ye were of 19 Were ye of the fame carnal temper and difpofi-
the world, the tion with the men of this world, foothing and encou-
world would ' love rag;ng them fe their finful courfes, they would efleevn
hls M m m 2 and
NOTES.
* This cannot poffibly mean that t Judas being now gone, Chrift here
Chrift's difciples knew, or foould know, fpeaks of his choofing the reft of the dif-
as much of God's counfels as he himfelf ciples, not merely to the apoflleflnp, to
did- but-it evidently relates to what which he had chofen Judas as well as
-belonged to his commiflion to declare them, but likewife of Ins having chofen
tlhtothem, in the difcharge of which he them to faving and eternal bleffings,
was faithful to him that appointed him, through faith and hohnels, as his friends;
and with-held nothing from them. accordingly I have given both thele con
fiderations a place in the Priraphrafe,

448- The Evangelift Chap. xv.
his own : but be- and.carefs you, as perfons of their own party and
».airie ye are not Jikenefe ;• but becaufe ye are not conformed to their
ut the world, but 0 u t .princ;pieg manners, and cuftoms, but I have,
I have chofen you , ' * r ' .„.' ._ , r , „
fiut of the world, °J a peculiar choice, diftinguifhed you from the reft
therefore theworld of the world, and fet you apart for myfelf, that ye
hateth you. may exemplify and preach my fpiritual and holy gof
pel ; hence it is, that the men of this world have an
' irreconcileable antipathy to you.
20 Remember 20 Therefore, to compofe your fpirits, and filence
the word that I ajj murmurina-s under the utmoft malignity of your
laid unto you, The ¦ . °n a ii r • n jr..
fervant isnot great- enemies againft- you, reffeft ferioufly and often upoa
er than his lord, what I have told you, once and again, (chap. xiii.
If they have pej-fe- 1 6. and Matth. x. 24.) that the fervant is neither
cured me, theyjttjll WOrthy of, nor is to expeft more regard, or better
^heyhavHrpt treatment, than his lord and mafter : If then thef.
my faying, they carnal,- worldly-minded men have vent«d their enmity
will keep yours iii all manner of revilings and perfecutions of me ; no
%d°- wonder that they will fhew the like rancour and fe-
verity againft you : Juft as they have treated my dif-
courfes, they will treat yours : If they have * carped
. and cavilled at my doftrine as delivered by me, be
caufe it is fo contrary to their depraved fentiments,
( temper, and views ; it is to be expefted, that for the
fame reafon, - they will fet themfelves againft it when
' delivered by you ; whereas, had they received the
truth in the love of it from me, no doubt but they
would dp the fajne from you.
3,1 But all thefe 21 But their utmoft hatred, perfecutions, and op-
) lungs will they do poflt;on w;u turn ap;a;nft you Qn account of your re -
wnto you for my f . r °, > , . n ,
name's fake be- iatl0n to me> as ye bear my name and image, ltand
caufe they know Up for my honour, profefs and'publifh my gofpel;
not him that fent and- the reafon of their enmity -to you on this account
,ne- is, becaufe they have not a true, knowledge of God,
nor of his haying fent me into the world, to redeem
Ifrael from all their iniquities.
22 If I bad not 22 If I ipdeed had not come and acquainted them
come and fpoken ^\^ my true characfer> t;)cl.e WOuld have been no fin
had" not^had fin^ 'n t'le'r reje&u1g nie > or if I natl done this only in
but now they have obfepre hints, there- would have been, comparatively,
j)o cloak for tlieir but little guilt in their refufing to believe in me : But
fin- now, fince I have appeared among them with the
>• cleareft dcmonilrations of my being the promifed Meffiah,
NOTE,
* Several critics have fuppofed that por would they thofe of the apoftles :
7«f(i» is here ufed for na-^H^ai, which And as in all the context our Lord ij
fisnifies to obferve with a malicious, ca- fpeaking of the oppofition, that was
villinr* intent, Mark iii. 2. Luke vi. 7. made to him and would be made to his
rviv. 1. and xx. 20. But others, not find- difeiples after him, it feems as if this
ing that the word is ever thus ufed, e. claufe were to be underftood, of rejeeV
i'pecially in this Evangelift, take it in an ing his doclrrine. But that the reader
ironical fenfe, as flrongly intimating . may have his option, I have pift it both
Uut the Jews had not kept his words, ways in tlje Paraphrafe.

Chap. xv. John paraphrafed. 449
Meffiah, and have long preached to them with fuch
evident authority and affeftion, as prove my doftrine
to be of God, their fin in difbelieving, oppofing, and
defpifing me and my words, is highly aggravated,
and they have nothing to plead in excufe for it.
23 He that ha- - 23 And whoever he be, that, notwithftanding all
F"th™realfo.tethmy this> hates and oppofes me, he is really, at heart, no
better than an enemy to my heavenly Father, who
fent me, and has given public teftimony to me, as his
beloved Son, in whom he is well pleafed.
24 If I had not 24 Furthermore, had I not, together with my di-
£Tw£faB which V'ne d°arines> Performed fuch merciful and miracu-
none other man *ous works among this people, to confirm them, as
did, they had not neither Mofes, nor the prophets, nor any other man
had fin: but now ever wrought, efpecially in fuch a fovereign, God-
have they *oth i;ke manner as j perf0i-med them, they might ftill
feen and hated , i_ j r r 1- 1 • • r -, ,•
both me and my e had iome Pretence OI excufmg their infidelity,
Father. or at leaft of leffening its guilt : But they now con
tinuing obftinately to perfiit in it, after they them
felves- have been eye-witneffes of thofe my numerous
and undoubted credentials, and of my Father'6 afting
with and by me, it is plain, that their rejefting me,
proceeds from a rooted averfion in their wicked hearts,
to the holinefs and authority both of my Father and
me ; fo that their fin is exceedingly aggraVatcd, and
they are altogether without excufe.
-5 But this com- 25 But ye need not be Humbled at this: For
nth to pafs, that tfo{ ¦ vvilful obftinacy and prejudices have been fuffer-'
the word might be , ' i • 1 • 1 ^ -l 1 n r
fulfilled that is ed t0 work- ln tnis manner, that another charafter of
written in their the Meffiah might be fulfilled in me, according to
law, They hatud what is feid in the facred writings, (fee the note on
me without a cf]ap_ x. 34:) where David, my type, complained
-with a prophetic view to the fufferings of the Meffiah,
(Pfal. xxxv. 19. and lxix. 4.) They hated me with
out a caufe, or any juft provocation to it.
26 But when the 26 But, notwithftanding all this furious, though
Comforter is come caufe]efs enmity to my nerfon, truths, and interefts,
whom I wilt lend . „ ,. ' , ' * ,, r . _.-. ,
unto you fiomthe theY ^ triumph over all oppofition. When that
Father, divine perfon *, whom I told you of, (chap. xiv.
16.)
NOTE.
* The Spirit's coming, and being fent of Chrift, are fpoken of as future ; unlefs
fcy our Lord, from the Father,- to teftify jt be to intimate his neceffary, unbegin-
of him, are perfonal characters, and ning and never ending proceffion, as a
plainly diftinguifo him from the Father divine perfon, from the Father in fuch
and Son : And his title, as the Spirit of a fublime manner, as lies beyond the
truth, together with his proceeding from reach of all our ideas, but is forne way
the Father, can agree to none but a di- anfwerable to what is called eternal gc-
¦vine perfon : For this title is too high neration, with regaid to Chrift, in cor-
for a creature ; and I cannot fee any fuf- refpondence to his character as the Son :
ficient reafon, why his proceeding from And yet that the Holy Ghoft proceeds
the Father is mentioned in the prefent from the Son, as well as' from the Fa-
tenfe, in the midft of a fentence, where ther, may be fairly argued from his be-
£feiit's fending him, and his tcltifying ing calfed the Spirit of Chrift, and the
S-birii

450 The Evangelift Chap. xv*.
Father, even the 16.) fhall come to fhed abroad his gifts and graces,
Spirit of truth, an(j wnomj ;n confequence of my death and exalta-
fi\rSJ T>1> ^ the concurrence and approbation oTmy
he fliall teftify of Father, will fhortty fend unto you, even the Holy
me. Spirit, who is faitbfulnefs and truth itfelf, and who,
in a divine and incomprehenfible manner, proceeds
from the Father : He, as an advocate to maintain
my caufe, and as a counfellor and Comforter, to di-
reft, encourage, and fupport you under all your diffi
culties and dangers, fhall bear a convincing witnefs
to me, by the revelations he will further make of my
charafter, and the miraculous operations he will en
able you to perform ; and by his affifting, owning,
-' and fucceeding you, unto the confutation of all your
enemies, and bringing vaft multitudes of all nations
to the obedience of faith ; as well as by thofe inward
joys that he will raife in your own fouls.
27 And ye alfo 27 And ye yourfelves, under the Spirit's conduft
foall bear witnefs, and influence, fhall give a noble, plain, and courage-
becaufe ye have ous teftimony to me and my caufe, in your doftrines,
ihTbe^nin "" mincles> lives> and deaths i and your witnefs wil1 be
unexceptionable, becaufe ye have been my conftant
attendants, and all along familiarly acquainted with
my difcourfes, miracles, fufferings, and behaviour,
in public and private, for between three and four
years, from the very beginning of my miniftry, and
fhall continue fo till I be crucified, raifed again from
the dead, and taken up from you to heaven.
RECOLLECTIONS.
What blefied' provifiori has God made in Chrift for the fpiritual life and growth,
fruitfulnefs and harppinefs of believeis, and for his own glory in and bythem ! And
how intimate, .beneficial, and endearing is their union with Chrift : How effectual is
his influence upon them ! And how vigorous fhould their faith and love be toward
him, who has freely chofen and fet them apart for himfelf, counted them his friends,
and loved them, even to the laying down of his life to redeem them ! There is no
doing any thing fpiritually,- and acceptably in religion, without him ; but the rich-
eft abundance of precious fruits are brought forth in union with him, by a commu
nication of grace from him, and by means of his word, ordinances, and providence,
to lubferve his work in true believers. Was faith more in exercife, their fruits of
righteoulnefs would increafe ; and whatfoever they afk' for the glory of God and
their own good, they Would receive, and their fruit would evidently remain to e-
ternal life. But ah, how fad is the cafe of hypocritical, carnal profeffors, who
take up with external forms and appearances, inftead of vital union to Chrift, and
who produce only dead works 1 They are fit for nothing but the burning, and muft
be caft into everlafting flames. What evidence can we have of our union with
Chrift,
N O T E.
spirit of the Son, as well as of the Fa- fending the Holy Spirit to bear the pe
ttier, (1 Pet. i. n. and Gal. iv. 6.) and culiar part, and to have the glory that
from his being hele faid- to be fent by by agreement belongs to him in the work
Chrift from the Father, as we'll as fent of falvation : So that the facred Three
by the Father in his name. (Chap. xiv. are here reprefented both in their perfonal
26.) And this, at the fame time, fhews charafters, and iu tlieir divine and eco.
the equal divinity of the Father and Son, nomical glories.
in as much as they haye equal power of

Chap. xvi. John paraphrafed. ' 451
Chrift, or what comfort in our thoughts about it, if 'we do not, heartily cleave to
him ? Or what manifeftation and enjoyment can we expeft of his love, unlefs we
love him, and keep his commandments without referve ? But O the delight and
pleafure of knowing that he loves us 1 And how foould his love to us, and ours to
him, excite us to obey and imitate him in a fincere, affectionate, and active love
to one another 1 All this, and every thing elfe'neceffary to falvation, has our deal-
Lord made known to his difciples by his word and Spirit, therein dealing with
them as friends ; and this Divine Spirit, who comes from the Father and Son, is a-
ble to filence all objeftions againft every important truth of the gofpel : If we have
him for our advocate, guide, and Comforter, he will infpire us with a noble cou
rage in our holy profeffion of Chrift's name, and will be our fupport under all the
tribulations we endure, becaufe we are not of the world, but belong to him who
hath chofen us out of the world. And why fliould any of the difciples and fervants
of the bleffed Jefus wonder, or be difeouraged at hatred, reproaches, and contempt
from the men of this world, or at fufferings for his fake, when he, their great Lord
and Mafler, has gone through them all, and worfe, for theirs ? But O how great
is their guilt, who, in the midft of the cleareft light of divine revelation, periift in
their enmity and oppofition to Chrifi and his gofpel, his fervants and followers ! It
is all without any juft caufe ; and, whatfoever they pretend, they really do not
know God, but are ftrangers, and averfe to him and holinefs,' and therefore fout
their eyes againft the light, which is a high aggravation of their fin, and leaves
them without excufe. ' -

CHAP. XVI.
The conclufion of Chrifi's farewel fermon, int which he forewarns
his difciples of perfecution s, and lakes notice of their prefent grief ,
I, — 6. And promifes to fend the Holy Ghofi, 7, — 15. To vifit
them again in perfon, as well as by his Spirit, after his refurrec-
tion, 16, — 22. To fecure a gracious anfwer to their prayers in
his name, 23, — 32. And to give them peace amidfi all their tri
bulations in the world, 33.
Text. Paraphrase.
"pHESE things T HAVE now told you, my difciples, before-hand,
have I fpoken 1 of tfo tr;ais an(j COmforts which lie before you,
fooulcfnot be' If- that ye may not be difeouraged in the way of your
fended, duty ; nor Humbled at my dying and leaving you,
nor at the troubles that ye will meet 'with from mine
enemies and yours for my fake.
2 They foall put 2 Their rage will rife to fuch an height, that they
you out of the fy- w|]j proceed to all manner of violence and cruelties a-
nagogues:yea,the . ft . the men of ecclefiaftical power, fuch as
whofoeT/kiUet" the chief priefts and rulers, will excommunicate ydu,
you will think that as apoflates from theft religion, (fee the note on chap.
he doth God fer- jx> *^\ loading you with reproaches, and expofing
TlVe- you to all religious and civil hardfhips, as if ye were
- the' moft abandoned of wretches : Nay, the time is
juft at hand, when there will be, fuch a general run
of mad and furious zeal againft you, that every one,
who can but have a hand in putting you to death,
will take a barbarous pleafure in it, from a fuperfti
tious blind conceit, as if he were thereby honouring
God, and ferving his caufe and inter»ft in the world.
3 And

452
- 3 And thefe
things will they
do unto you, be
caufe they have
not known the Fa
ther, nor me.
4 But thefe
things have I told
you, that when the
time foall come,
ye may remember
that I told you of
them. And thefe
things I faid not
unto you at the
beginning, becaufe
I was with you.

The Evangelift

Chap. xvi.

S But now I go
my way to Ijira
that fent me, and
none of you afketh
me, Whither goeft
thou ?

6 But becaufe I
have laid thefe
things unto you,
forrow hath filled
your heart.
7 Neverthelefs, I
tell you the truth ;
It is expedient for
you that I go »-
way : for if I go
not away the Com
forter will not
come unto you :
but if I depart, I
will fend him un
to you.

3 And thefe immoral and pernicious principles ahd
practices will they go into againft you, as my difci
ples, becaufe, through the wilful blindnefs and hard
nefs of their hearts, they neither know, fo as to be
lieve and love, my Father, nor me.
4 But I have given you plain notices of thefe things
before hand, that when the time of your hotteft trials
come, ye may recolleft, to the filencing of all your
objeftions and prejudices on their account, and to the
confirmation of your faith in me and my gofpel, that
I, your Lord and friend, have, by adivine foreknow.
ledge, and with all faithfulnefs, affured you, that
thus it would be : And the reafon of my not telling
you, fo plainly and particularly, of all thefe troubles
and comforts, when I firft called you to be my dif
ciples was, becaufe I myfelf was with you, to bear
the chief brunt in my own perfon, and to fkreen you
from it, as alfo to fupport and comfort you under
fuch trials as have hitherto befallen you for my name's
fake. 5 But now, as I am juft going to leave you, and
return to my Father, who fent me into the world, I .
thought proper to acquaint you with thefe things :
And though, when I firft mentioned my departure,
fome of you, out of . curiofity, and with temporal
views, afked me whither I was going ? (chap. dai.
36.) yet, upon telling you, that it is to my Father's
houfe, to prepare bleffed manfions for you there,' ye
neither rejoice in.it, nor readily underftand my mean
ing, (chap. xiv. 5.) nor make any further inquiries
about it.
6 But becaufe I have fpoke of leaving you, and
of the troubles that will thereupon befal you, your
fpirits are fwallowed up with over-much forrow ; fo
much quicker are your apprehenfions of grievous, than
of joyous tidings.
7 However, the truth of the cafe, as I have hint
ed, and will now further explain to you, is fhjs : Not
withftanding all your dejefted thoughts, and formi
dable expeftations of the confequence of my departure,
with regard to your temporal concerns, it is really
convenient and neceffary for yourfelves, as well as me,
that I fhould go from this world to my Father : For
fuch is the fettlement of things in eternal counfels
between.him and me, and fuch is their juft connec
tion and order, that unfefs I depart, the Holy Spirit,
that bleffed guide, advocate, and Comforter, whom I
mentioned, (fee the note on chap. xiv. 16.) as more
than fufficient to fupply the want of my bodily pre
fence, will not vifit you with his richeft gifts and
graces, counfels and affiftances, fupports and joys :
Bat

Chap. xvi. John paraphrafed. '453
But (tav) when I go to be mthroned in my heaven
ly kingdom, I will fend him to anfwer all the great
and1 glorious purpofes for which ye and my church
. r - ¦ fliall need him.
S And when he -, § And he coming from on high, by virtue of my
provTthe^woJldlf death'' and '" confe1ueh4e of m7 refurreftion and ex-
fin, and' of righte- a^tati°tlJ "ball carry on my caufe in this lower world
oufoefs and of by demonftfatively coa-rincing both Jews and Gen-
¦Jidgme.it : ides, wherever my gofpel comes, of their guilt, de
pravity, and obnoxioufnefs to the wrath of Godg of
the righteoufnefs which I bring in by my obedi
ence and fufferings, for the juftification of fuch a? are
• helped to fee that they have no righteoufnefs of thei'-
own to recommend them to the divine favour and ac
ceptance ; and of my holy and judicial power, in fet
ting to rights the diforders of human nature, by fanc-
tifying grace, in overthrowing- Satan's dominion, and
in paffing judgment agaifift tin: finally unbelieving and
unrighteous at the great day of account.
9 Of fin, becaufe o To explain my meaning a little farther, This
.theybelieve-noton Holy Spirit, by his miraculous gifts- and operr.ricnc
. fort GOfifiritting the gofpel, and by bis internal illumina
tion and gracious influence, fhall convince many, a-
mong Jews and Gentiles, of all the wickednefs of
their hearts and lives, and efpecially of their great
fin of Unbelief ; "becaufe they wilfully rejected me,
and chofe rather to go on in their iniquities, than be
lieve in me for everlafting life.
10 Of righteouf- io He fhall likewife convince tbem of the righte-
Heis, becaufe I go jonfeefs of my perfon and caufe, and of the neceffity,
ye fee meno more- iuitablenefs, and perfection of that everlafting righte
oufnefs which I am come to work out by my obedi
ence unto death ; becaufe I am going to be exalted
at my Father's right hand, in teftimony of his ha
ving entirely approved of, and accepted me, as one
that has anfwered' all his demands; and ye fhall no
more fee me again in this humble ftate of fufferings
and abafement*, as if I had not fully fatisfied his
juftice, and finifhed the work he gave me to do on
earth.
m Of judgment, ii And this Spirit fhall convince them of my
becaufe the prince power and will, to renew and fanctify finners, ti>
Vted5 ^^ "'S deftr°y the kingdom of darknefs, and to execute
r - ' judgment upon- all the finally wicked, impenitent,
and unbelieving ; becaufe Satan, who, as the god of
this world, has filled in the earts of the children of
difobedience3
NOTE.
* This appears to be Chrift's meaning, region, and he prayed, that all whom
becaufe he laid this to comfort, and not the Father had given him, might be wiln
difco-irage his difciples, and they did him in heaven io l'e'.r:'.Ahis gl'jry. CL.17,
fee l.'.n a-ai-n on earth after his rtfor- Xvii.- 21.
Vm. II. N a- 1\

454

The Evangelift

Chap. xvi.

12 I have yet
many things to fay
unto you, but ye
cannot bear them

13 Howbeit,
when he, the Spirit
ef truth, is come,
he will guide you
into .all truth : for
he (hall not fpeak
of himfelf; but
whatfoever he foall
hear, that fhall he
¦fpeak : and he will
fhew you things to
come.

14 He foall glo
rify me : for he
fliall receive of
mine, and foall
foew it unto you.

15 All things
that the Father
hath are mine :
therefore /aid I,
that he foall take
of mine, and foall
Ihcw it unto you.

difobedience, is tried, and caft, and judicially defeat
ed in all his power and claims, by my death, refur
reftion, and afcenfion to heaven, from whence I will
fend the Spirit, as my1 grand agent, for demolifhing
the powers of darknefs, and fetting up my kingdom
of light, and grace, and holinefs, on its ruins, till
I fhall come to judge the world at- the laft day.
1 2 I have ftill many other things to communicate
to you, relating to the great alterations that fhall be
made in the ftate and worfhip of the church, under
the guidance and operations of the Spirit, as the fruit
of my going through fufferings and death to glory:
But, at prefent, by reafon of the weaknefs of your
faith, andthe ftrength of your prejudices and carnal
expeftations, ye cannot eafily take them in, or be
reconciled to them.
13 But when the Divine Spirit, who is faithful
nefs and truth itfelf, fhall come to do his work upon
you, and by you, he fhall be; an unerring and effica
cious guide, to give you an underftanding and appro
bation of the whole fcheme of the gofpel-kingdom,
which is infallibly true in every part of it : For as I
have always afted in concert with my Father ; fo the
Spirit will aft in entire concert with us, by reveahng
thefe things, not like a private perfon, as from him
felf only, but in exaft agreement with the counfels
of peace between the Father and me, as one that is
privy to them all, and fearches the deep things of
God : And, according to ancient predictions con
cerning him, (Joel ii. 28.)" he will be a fpirit of
prophecy in you, and will acquaint you with all that
may be needful for you to know, or make known
to the church, for ages to come on earth, and for a
bleffed eternity afterwards in heaven.
14 His very coming in my name, to do my work,
will redound to my honour ; and his great bufinefs
and defign will be, to manifeft my glory : For he
will take into his province the things' that relate to
my perfon and office, caufe and kingdom, and will
difcover them to you, that ye may have clear, exalt
ed, and endearing thoughts of me, and my love and
grace, of what I am, and have undertaken for, and
of what I . have purchafed by my death, and have
authority to bellow in my re-affumed and glorious
life. 15 This will be a rich difcovery, and include what
relates to the Father together with me ; For as I
and my Father are one ; (chap. x. 30.) fo his na
ture and perfections, bleffednefs and glory are mine ;
(Col. ii. 9.) his Spirit is mine; and whatfoevei- he
makes known and communicates by the Spirit, is
from

Chap. xvi. John paraphrafed. 455
• from me in common with him : In a word, all things
whatfoevei- (irana turn.) the Father has, (only except
ing what the very notion of his being a Father im
ports) a .--i already mine by original right and claim ;
and, in my office-capacity, the adminiftration of all
that he does, is in a peculiar manner commited to
me, as one every way equal to the important trull :
Therefore I faid, with great propriety, That, in the
whole of the gofpel-difpenfation, the Spirit will take
into his province what relates to me and my glory,
and will make it known to you.
I6 * ^"^ J 6 It is now * but a very little while, that ye
mot* fee^me^ and fi13" ^ me i" my prefent mortal ftate, before I be
again, a little taken from you for a few days by death ; and foon
while, and ye fhall after that, ye fhall fee me again but for a little time
fee me ; becaufe I longer, as rifen to an immortal life, becaufe I am go-
go, to the Father. -ng tQ fo exaite(j fe my human nature, at the Father's
right hand, and to tranfaft the affairs of my church
with him there.
17 Then faid 17 The difeiples, through ignorance, grief, and
fome of his difci- carnal notions of a temporal kingdom, being at a lofs
felves What is this about the unexplained meaning of thefe laft words,
that he faith unto fome of them were exceedingly amazed and troubled
us, A little while at them, faying privately one to anotherj What cas
and ye foall not our Lorci intend, by telling us, that in, or for a little
A'littfe whikfand ™h,e> ,wf ^f n0t fee him 5 a"d ^t in> .or, f°r a
ye foall fee me : httle while afterwards, we fhall fee him again r And
and, Becaufe I what doth he mean by the reafon he gives for it,
go to the Father ? v;%. becaufe he is going to the Father ?
- 1 8 They faid 1 8 They therefore being in a great perplexity and
therefore, What is concern about it, the queftion went round among
A^tfeUile?we" them> {aY™g> m a-whifper to foch brethren as were
cannot tell what neareft, What means this little while that our Lord
he faith. . talks of ? we cannot imagine what he hints at.
¦9 Now Jefus j £ Now- as the heart-fearching Jefus faw the con-
knew that they fufion th werg ;n n th;s account, and that they
were deiirous to , , ' • , , , , r -j j
afk him and faid had a great mind, though they were afraid and a-
unto fhamed, to afk bim to explain himfelf, f he faid to
N n n 2 them,
NOTES.
* I have referred the little while, in thefe words, and his afcenfion to hea-
the firft claufe, to the time before which ven ; and that in the laft claufe, it re-
Ch'rift would be taken from his difciples lates to the time between his afcenfion,
by death, and appear to them again af- and their own death, or his fecond ap-
ter his refurre<Stion ; and in the fecond, pearing to judgment : But one or other
to the time during which he would be of the fenfes given in the Paraphrale, ap-
ahfent from them, and appear again pears to be moft natural.
to them ; bedaufe from the grammatical ' f That this relates to his knowing
coaftruction, it feems uncertain which the fecret thoughts and defires of their
of thefe are referred to, and neither of hearts, as well as their privates whifper-
thefe fenfes is abfolutely difagreeable tb ings one to another, appears from the
the context. Some indeed fuppofe, that conclufion they drew from hence, (ver.
the little while in the firft claufe, relates 30.) that he knew all things, and need-
to the time between Chrift's fpeaking ed not that any man fhould afk him.

456

The Evangelift

Chap, xvi*

unto them, Do
ye enquire' among
yoniielves of that
I fa,d, A little
while, and ye fliall
not fee me : and a
sjaii.Alirtlc while,
and ye foall fee
me ?
io Verily, veri
ly, I fay unto you,
That ye fliall weep
and lament; but
the world foall re
joice ¦ and ye fliall
be Ibrrowful, but
your lorrow foall
"ne turned into joy.

2x A woman
when foe is in tra
vail, hath forrow,
becaufe her hbur is
come : but as foon
ks fhe is delivered
of the child, foe
remembereth no
more the anguilb
for joy that a man
is born into ' the
world. 2 2 And ye now
therefore have for-
Tow : but I will
fee you again, and
your heart foall re
joice, and your joy
no man taketh from
you.

13 And in that
day ye fliall'afkmc
liothing. Verily,
"> verily,

them, Are ye at a lofs, and troubled in your own
thoughts* and folicitoufly inquifitive one of another,
and defirous to afk me about my meaning, when I
fpoke of a little while, with relation to your not fee
ing me, ahd again of a little while, with refpeft to
your feeing- m* afterwards ?
20 I, the faithful and true Witnefs, folemnly af
fure you, that ye fhall quickly be full of tears and bit
ter lamentation, for a, fhort feafon, on account of
my fufferings and death ; (Mark xvi. 10. and Luke
xxiii. 27, 28.) and at the fame time the men of this
world, rulers and people, will triumph and rejoice,
as thinking that they have gained their point againft
me and my caufe : Yea, for a while, ye will be ex
ceedingly dejefted in my abfence, as if all your faith
and hope in me were a delufion ; (Luke xxiv. 17, 21.)
but very foon, when I fhall vifit you again in perfon
after my refurreftion, and fliall feed down my Spi
rit upon you after my afcenfion to heaven, all your
diftreffing forrows fhall be turned into the greateft
joy. (Chap. xx. 20. Luke xxiv. 52, 53. and ABs
ii. 46.)21 Your cafe will be like that of a woman in la
bour, as fhe for a fhort time -has (harp pains, and
great anxiety of mind about the event, becaufe, ac
cording to God's ordination on account of the firft
fin, (Gen. iii. 16.) the unavoidable and expefted
hour of diftrefs is come upon her : But as foon as
fhe is fafely delivered of a man-child, the joy of her
ha!ving brought forth the defired offspring is fo great,
that fhe no longer groans or complains, or reflefts
with any uneafinefs on the pangs fhe endured!
22 So ye now fpr a little while, under your pre
fent difmal apprehenfions of my leaving you, and by
means of the fore trials that are juft coming upon
*you, are, and will be, full of diftrefs and anguifh of
foul : But I will foon return to you in perfon, and
afterwards by my Spirit, with clear manifeftations of
iny triumphs and my love, as an earneft of your be
ing with me for^ever ; and then ye fliall forget all
your forrows, and fhall have unlpeakable joy and
gladnefs of heart, in confideration of the great and
glorious things, which by my fufferings and death I
fhall have obtained for you ; and whatfoever men or
devils may defign. or attempt againft you, (At)
none of them fliall ever be able to fhake the founda.-
tion, or rob you of your fpiritual and eternal joy.-
23 And in this time of great confolation, under
the light and influence of my Spirit, ye ftiall neither
need my corporal prefence with you, nor hive oppor
tunities

Chap, xvi
verily

John paraphrafed.

457

i d

ay unto
you, Whatfoever
ye (hall afk the Fa
ther in my name,
he will give it yon.

rr-lHithertohave
ye afked nothing
in my name : afk,
and ye foall re
ceive, that your
joy may be full.

tunities of afking me * queftions, for relieving your
doubts and difficulties, and(informing you about the
things of my kingdom, as ye have been wont, and
are now defirous to do. (ver. 19.) As I told you
(ver. 16.) that I am going to the Father ; fo I,
who am Truth itfelf, folemnly affure you, that what
foever ye, by the affiftance of the Spirit, fliall after
wards afk my Father and your Father, with faith in
my name, as your only Mediator, High-Prieft, and
Advocate, he will readily grant it to you on my ac
count. 24 Hitherto, whilft I have been with you, ye,
under your great darknefs and difficulties, doubts and
fears, have on all occafions had recourfe to me ; and,
in your addreffes to God the Father, ye have not
applied to him with any exprefs mention of my name ;
nor have ye well underftood the 'ground's of worfhip-
ping bim in that manner, fo as to plead and depend up
on my merit and righteoufnefs, and my intereft with
him for you : But henceforth, in all your wants, pre
fent your petitions and pleas with faith in my atone
ment and advocacy, which fhall be hereafter fully re
vealed ; and he will certainly return an anfwer of
peace, that your holy joy may be daily increafing,
till at length it fhall be as abundant and complete,
as ye yourfelves can wifh for, or be capable of.
25 Thefe important things have I delivered to you
in fliort, pithy fentences, which, by reafon of your
prefent ignorance; forrows, and prejudices, are as ob-
feure to you, as parables are to thofe that do not un-
derflrapd them : But the time is now coming on apace,
when my Spirit fhall fo clearly enlighten the eyes of
your underftanding, and lead you into the whole
feheme of the gofpel, that what I have faid, and fhall
further communicate to you by him, will no longer
appear dark and myfterious like a- parable ; but I
will then make a free, 'Open, and full difcovery of
my
1 ' *
T E.
feems to be, becaufe -he was then going
particularly to recommend the Father's
love to them, (ver. 26, 27.) and to give
them a hint of the gofpel-fcheme of wor-,
foip, with, regard to his mediation,
through -whom we have accefs by one
Spirit to the Father. (Eph. ii. iS.) And
as the difciples did afk him queftions af
ter his refurreftion, (chap. xxi. 21. and
Alls i. 6.) I think the day mentioned
is made the diftinguifhing character of here, and in ver. 26. refers rather to the
Chriftians, that they call upon him, or, time of his pouring out the Spirit, than"
zipon his name, (Ails ix. i+.Hom.x. 12, of his perfonal appearing to them after
13, 14. and 1 Cor. i. 2.) The reafon of his refurreeTrion.
our Lord's not mentioning this here,

15 Thefe things
feave I fpoken unto
you in proverbs :
the time cometh
when I foall no
more fpenk unto
you in proverbs,
but I fhall foew
you plainly of the
Father;

N O
* Here is a plain reference to their
wanting to afk him what he meant by a
little while, &rc. (ver. 19.) There it is
faid, w0£Xov auTov ifHTo*, they were, de
firous to afk him : And here Chrift fays,
f^te yx ipoTKtffTt vXtv.yejhallafkme no
thing. But he is far from defigning by
this, to forbid their praying to him : For
, not only Stephen and the apoftles did
this after he was gone to heaven ; but it

45*

The Evangelift

Chap, xvi;

s6 At that day
<-\e fliall aflc in my
nawe . and I Fay
not unto you. that
I will pray the Fa
ther for you :

vj For the Fa
ther himfelf loveth
you, becaufe ye
have loved me,
and have believed
irhat I came out
from God,

tt I came forth
from the Father,
3nd am come into
the world : again,
I leave the world,
and go to the Fa
ther.

20 His difciples
faid unto him, Lo,
now fpeakeft thou
plainly, and fpeak
eft no proverb.

30 Now are we
" fore

my Father; ef his gracious counfels and will concern
ing you and the whole church ; of the nature and de
fign of my fufferings and death ; of the reafons of
my going to Mm ; of the bufinefs which I go to 'trans
act with him ; of the confidence which on thefe ac
counts ye may have towards him ; and of the way,
in which ye arc to addrefs him, through me, for ob
taining all the bleffings ye need.
z6 At that time, when I 'fhall be with my Fa-,
ther, and the Spirit fhall come down upon you, ye,
by his affiftance, fhall offer up all your petitions, with
an explicit mention of my name, and, with an entire
truft and confidence in me, as having made atone
ment on earth, and as interceding in heaven : And
I need not tell you, nor do I infift upon it now, as I
have before, (chap. xiv. 16.) that while ye thus
addrefs a throne of grace in my name, I will be your
great Advocate to recommend your perfons and pray
ers to the Father's acceptance.
27 For the heart of my Father himfelf is toward
you, as a God of peace through my blood ; and he, in
the greatnefs of his love to you, will readily hear your
prayers, that fhall be in this manner prefented to him,
becaufe ye are indeed my difciples, that have a fin
cere affeftion for me, fpringing from that faith where
by ye believe in me as his only begotten Son, who
came from him to be the Saviour of Ifrael : He has
the greateft delight in thofe, who thus by faith and
love embrace me, in whom he is well pleafed,
28 To fum up all that I have been faying, in a
few words, it is plainly this ; I, who was with the
Father from everlafting, voluntarily came forth from
him into this world, in a way of peculiar manifefta
tion and operation ; and having gone through my
great work, in a ftate of humble obedience and fuf-
^ferings on earth, I now am taking leave of this low
er world, and returning home again to my Father,
that I may be glorified with him, may manage and
fecure the concerns of the redeemed in heaven, and
by my Spirit may apply my purchafe to them on
earth for their falvation. Why then, upon the whole,
fhould your hearts be troubled, or afraid? (Chap.
xiv. I-, 27.)
29 Our bleffed Lord having fpoke in this plain
and comfortable manner to his difciples ; they at
length underftood him to mean, that he was going
to be glorified with his Father in heaven, and cried
out with ecftacy and affurance, Now we clearly take
in the true fenfe of thy difcourfe, and it is no longer
a dark faying to us.
30 We are now likewife fully fatisfied, that thou ha*

Chap. xvi.
fore that thmi
knoweft all things,
and needeft not
that any man
foould afk thee: by
thiswe believe that
thou cameft forth
from God.

John paraphrafed.

459

31 Jefus anfwer
ed them, Do ye
now believe .'

32 Behold, the
hour cometh, yea,
is now come, that
ye foall be fcatter-
ed, every man to
his own, and foall
leave me alone :
and yet I am not
alone, becaufe the
Father is with me.

-53 Thefe things I
have fpoken unto
you, that in me ye
might have peace. In

haft a perfeft knowledge of all things, even to the
very fecrets of our hearts : And though we were
afraid to tell thee the perplexity of our minds, and
how defirous we were, (ver. 19.) to afk thee about
the very thing which thou haft now explained to u&j
we now find that thou didft not need to be informed
of our thoughts, but haft, of thine own accord, as
exaftly and direftly anfwered the queftion, that was
in our hearts, as if we had expreffed it in words :
By this evident proof, which thou haft given of tby
divine omnifcience, we are thoroughly confirmed in
our faith, that thou art indeed the Son of God, who
cameft from him, and art returning again to him.
3 1 Jefus however knowing that their faith was not
fo ftrong and ftedfaft, as they -imagined, and that, not
withftanding their prefent confidence, it would foon
be fhaken again, replied, Are ye now 'at laft? as ye
ought to have been before, fo clearly apprehenfive,
and fo well affured of what I have faid ? And is your
faith fo fully confirmed in me, that ye think your
felves eftablifhed in it to fuch a degree, as never to
be flaggered^ more ? Alas ! ye are mnch miftakeo.
3 2 Obferve what I fey to you, for your humbling,
watchfulnefs, and caution, and for further proof of
my divine omnifcience with regard to what will be, "
as well as is in your hearts : The time is juft at hand,
yea, is fo very near, that in a manner it may be faid
to be already come, when ye will all be difperfed,
and fkulk about in a fright among your friends to
provide for your own fafety, according to former pro
phecy ; (Zech. xiii. 7.) and not one of you will dare
to accompany, own, or bear witnefs to me : And
yet, deftitute as I fhall be left by yon, I never am,
nor then fhall be alone, becaufe my Father and I,
being intimately and mfeparably united, are ever pre
fent one with the other ; and though he, as -a. Judge,
will with-hold the comforts of his prefence from mc,
who am come to bear the fins of many ; yet he will
continue to be with me, * as a Father, to affift and
own me, and cany me through all the conftifts which
I have contented to undergo, as his fervant, that he
may be glorified. (Ifa. 1- 7»)
33 Now all thefe things have I delivered unto
you in my farewel fennon: that' by virtue of your
union with me, and by faith in tr.e, y^ may find the
nobleft peace with God, and poffefs ycur own fouls

NOTE.
* This interpretation eafily reconciles deatti. with his fayinjr on the c.ro'"s, ''Ay
what our Lord here fays about his not God, m,< God, iebj hafi '¦ tbeu jorftlen
being alone, and the Father's being ms ? (Matth. navir, 16.)
with him, in his laft fufferings and

460 The Evangelift Chap. =xvi.
In the world ye 'm quietnefc and patience : Ye may fee, by what I
^n'^but'tr'a haVC faid' that Wh'le yC ^ '" tHiS WOf-d' great
good cheer ¦ I troubles and perfecutions for my fake, will attend
have overcome the you $ but do not be difheartened at them, (0«g«(i-s)
world. confide in me, and be courageous in hope of an hap
py event : For as I have weathered all oppofitfen
from men and devils, and come off with viftoty hi-
,. therto ; fo, by my death and refurreftion, afcenfion
to heaven, exaltation to my throne, and effufion of
my Spirit, I am juft now going to obtain an entire
conqueft over the world, and every thing elfe, which
flands in the way of your falvation, that I and you
may dwell togetber in my Father's houfe, where, ^s
I told you at the beginning of this difcourfe, I am
goilfg to prepare a place for you. (Chap. xiv. 2.}
RECOLLECTIONS.
How often are we forrowful at thofe things at which we ought to rejoice '. How
much better is it for us, that Chrift is now exalted on his throne, than that he
foould have always continued to be perfonally prefent on earth '. And O how di
vinely great and xlorious is he, who came from the Father, and whofe human na
ture is now removed from our world, and gone to heaven. He is pofTeffed of all
the fame perfections, and is Lord proprietor, and difpofer of all the fame things
with the Father himfelf; and he fends his Spirit to carry on his work in the world,
and knows all things, even the fecrets of our hearts. With what fafety then may
we believe in him 1 — How equally divine is the Spirit of truth, who is .perfectly ac
quainted with the Father and Son, and with their whole defign, and who freely
comes from them, to acquaint us with all needful truth, and to glorify Chrift by
acting in his name, and taking of his things, which are alfo the Father's, and
fliewfog them to us ! And how efficacioufly doth he convince apoftate men of fin,
righteoufnefs, and judgment 1 O bleffed work 1 May it favingly prevail in our
hearts, and fpread far and wide through our world '. But how ignorant and dull
of underftanding are we; and how indolent in our enquiries after the moft impor
tant things, which, how plainly foever they be delivered to us, appear as ob/cure
as parables, till Chrift opens the eyes of our minds ! And what an excellent teach
er is our Lord, who fuits his inftrudtions to our circumftances, capacities, and oc
cafions, and to what he knows to be the diftreffes and defires'of our hearts ! How
foon can he fcatter all our darknefs,. and turn our forrow into joy, into fuch joy as
no man can take from us, and as foall grow up to full perfection ! But alas ! when
We think our faith is ftrongeft, the greateft temptations are often neareft; and
therefore we foould not be felf-confident, but give ourfelves unto prayer : And
what rich encouragement have we for this, fince the Father himfelf loves them
that believe in his Son, and is well pleafed with their love to him 1 But as it is on
ly on his account, that God is our Father and friend, how carefully foould we al
ways addrefs the throne of grace, with a direct eye to Jefus, and with explicit
pleadings of his name, as our great Mediator, accoiding to the fettlement of sof-
ptl-worfoip ; and with what humble confidence may we depend upon an anfweV
of foch believing pitas through him ! — This world is a feene of forrow ; and what1
if we meet with great tribulations in it for Chrift's fake ? It is only from men that
know not God, and it is no more than our Lord himfelf foretold would be : We
foould therefore be fo far from being difheartened and ftumbled at tljis, that our
faith foould be the more connrmed in the truth of the gofpel by it : And w hat can
be a greater comfoii under it, than the peace that he has promifed to give and
the victory that he has obtained over fin, Satan, and the world for us, that we
may alio overcome them by faith in him ! And if we are deferted, even by our
friends, in the days of our greateft tribulation, we may encoura- e ourfelves in
this, that we fliall not be alone, but Chrift and his Fadher will be with r ' v the
Spirit, to fupport and own \K', aftd carry us fefe to glory.
CHAP,

Chap. xvii. John paraphraftd. 445

CHAP. XVII.
Our Lord's prayer before his death, for himfelf, I , — 5. For all that
were already called, 6, — 10. ' Mofi immediately for the apoftles,
that they might be preferved and fanBified, 11,-19. For the
whole church, as well as the apoftles, that they might be united
and glorified, 2C, — 24. And particularly again for the apofiles,
25, 26.
THESlT'w rd ' Paraphrase.
fpake TefuT'imd (~)^^ ^en?e^ Lord having given his difciples a fare-
lift up his eyes ^^^ we^ fermon, clofed it with a parting prayer, in
to heaven, and which he, like an affeftionate dying parent, commit-
faid. Father, the ted his family, and, like a merciful and faithful high-
r°fU7i!'Te; fi!°; Prieft> recommended the apoftles, and the whole
nfy thy Son, that , , , . _, K. . ' r .
thy Son alfo may cnurcn, to his rather, and therein gave a fpecimen
glorify thee .- of the continual interceflion which he was going to
make for them in heaven. He therefore lifted up his
eyes, with great folemnity, to the habitation of God's
glory, " and poured out the defires of his heart in the
following manner, faying, " O my Father, the fet
time agreed upon in eternal counfels, for finifhing my
courfe of obedience and fufferings on earth, is now
come ; own me, I befeech thee, as thy Son ; fup
port me under my laft agonies ; and give me fuch a
triumphant viftory over death and the grave, and all
the powers of darknefs, as fhall iffue in thy receiving
me up to glory ; that If thine own eternal Son, may
honour all thy perfections by my death, and then,
being exalted at thy right hand, may fpread thy glo
ry, by my word and Spirit, through the, world ;
2 As thou haft 2 " According to the defign, for which thou, in
given him power confideration of my fulfilling my engagements to thee,
over all flefh, that foil. g;ven ^g an univerfal, abfolute dominion over all
Sterna"l tfle Perf°ns and concerns of the * fallen race of man
kind,
NOTE. 1
* All fiejh is commonly ufed in fcrip- meaning them only, by the many that
ture to defcribe the human race, as frail, were given to him : Our Lord therefore
mortal, and degenerate by the fall; and exprefsly tells us, that he prayed not for
though the phrafe, As many as thou haft the apoftles alone, but for tbem alfo that
given me, may have a particulai*refpect fibould believe on him through their
to the apoftles as included in that num- word, that they all might be one, and
ber : yet it is not to be confined to them, might be with him, where he is, to be-
much lefs is it to be referred merely to hold his glory: (ver. 20, 21, 24.) Sothr"
their office : For power over all flefli was Chrift regarded all God's chofen people
given to Chrift, that he might give eter- in this prayer, that were committed iS
nal life to thefe many ; but furely eter- his charge, as the great Shepherd of the
nal life is given by him to more than the foeep ; in fome parts of which he had a
apoftles; and he had not this office- refpect to all that were then already call-
power over all things to give eternal life ed, whether apoftles or other believers;
merely to them, whofe number was fo in others, particularly to the apoftles and
fmall, as hardly to admit of propriety in their office; and in others, to the whole
VOX. II. 0 0 O nupfoer

46is The Evangelift Chap. xvii.
ternal life to as kind, that I might authoritatively, freely, and effec-
"iven hi th°U haft tUally beft°W the ?reat bleffinS of eternal Hfe' with
given im. ^ ^ means tending to it, upon every one, whom,
in the greatnefs of thy love, {rhou haft committed, as
a peculiar property, truft, and treafure to me.
3 And this is 3 " And the way to this eternal life, the begin-
life eternal, that n;ngS an(J earnefts of it, the evidences of right and
thee, fofolly true title t0 k> and. *« ""P^ enjoyment of it lie,
Cod| and Tefus not oniy 'n their approving and fiducial knowledge
Chrift whom thou of thee, under the charafter of the only true and
haft fent. faithful God, in * oppofition to all other gods ; but
alfo in the like knowledge of me, the anointed Sa
viour, whom thou haft fent into the world, under the
charafter of the only true Mediator, in oppofition to
all other mediators, or other ways of approaching
thee, and finding acceptance with thee.
4 1 have glorified 4. " I have all along invariably intended and dif-
thee on the earth ; p]ayelJ thy glory, in the whole of my doftrine, mira-
Jl ii3VE nnnJiGcl tne -i i vi* 1 ¦ i i n.i
•work which thou eIes; and llfe> and am ready to honour aI1 thy p«-
gaveft me to do. feftions, on earth, by my death, which I am fo fully
refolved upon, and which will be fo certainly, and fo
foon accomplifhed, that I may fpeak of it, as if it
were already over ; and (stsMuk-ci) I have thereby
perfefted the great work of redemption, anfwerable
to the utmoft demands of thy juftice, and to the truft,
which thou didft repofe in me, as the head and fure-
ty of the church.
SAndiriow.OFa- 5 " And now, O my heavenly Father, I plead,
ther, glorify thou that, according to thy engagements to me, thou
Jetf 'w'th V'e6 l""1 wou''dn: advance my incarnate perfon to the higheft
which I had with S^0TY at ^Y ™ght hand, where I may appear in hu-
thee before the man nature, and in the mediatorial office, like myfelf,
world was. and may fhinc in all that divine majefty, which has
been obfeured in my ftate of humiliation on earth,
and which I Was poffefled of, together with thyfelf,
from all eternity.
6 I have mani- 6 « As to aU my fincere | difeiples, whom thou haft
NOTES.
fmmber of fhe elect, including thofe that ly fays of Chrift, This is the true God,
were to be called, as well as thofe that and eternal life, in oppofition to idols.
were already called, that they might be I John v. jo, 21.
eternally faved. f T'joirrgh this part of Chrift's prayer,
* That our bleffed Lord here fpeaks of to the end of ver. io. may have a princi-
the only true God, in diftinction from i- pal reference to the apoftles; yet I take
(Jols, and not to the exclufion of himfelf, it to extend likewife to the feventy, and
appears from his fpeaking of himfelf, as to all that had been already effectually
the object of the fame fiducial know- called under his miniftry: For there
Icdgewith the Father, and from his dif- feems to be nothing peculiar to the apof-
tinguifoing himfelf from the Father, ties, till we come to ver, 11. where our
not by any effential title, but merely by Lord begins to fpeak more immediately
his office -character, viz. Jefus Chrift, of them, as agpears to me by his there
whom, thou haft fent. And the fame a- altering the pronoun, from (««7oi) they,
rjiofUe, who recorded this prayer, exprefs. to (oujoi) thefe, and then going on to
mention

Chap. xvii. John paraphrafed. 463
fefted thy name haft made -my peculiar charge, by way of diftinftion
which thou ga've'ft fr°m ? ankind .'" Sf1^' } have already begun to
me out of the gIve them a fpuitual underftanding of thine excellen-
world : thine they cies, of my relation to thee, and commiflion from thee,
were; and thou ga- and of thy mind and will about their falvation : They
thfytTekeVtthv Wer° oriSinally thine hY peculiar and eternal choice,
TOorcl. as well as by creation-right ; and thou gaveft them
to me, that I might take effeftual care of them ;
and they, under my powerful influence upon their
hearts, have embraced, and adhered to the teftimo
ny which thou haft given to me, and to the doftrine
which I have delivered from thee.
7 Now they have 7 " They now have been brought to underftand,
thinT whhatf a" a"d believe that a11 things> wl)ich I, as Mediator,
tho^hafTgfven m" have .unde-rtaken> taught, and performed, are by thine
are of thee: ' appointment and commiffion, and are the fruits of
thy infinite wifdom, and fovereign grace.
8 For I have gi- 8 " For I have effeftually revealed to them thofe
woTwhicrtho": -y/eriesofthe kingdom relating to my perfon, office
gaveft me ; and !ma- benefits, which thou haft authorized me to make
they have received known for their inftruftion and edification ; and they,
them, and have by the internal light and energy, that attended my
known furely that wor(jg fove COrdially entertained them with faith
i came out from ,, , j-iu i_ 11 /r j ¦
thee, and they have and iove> and accordingly have been well affured in
believed that thou their own minds and confciences, that I, as a divine
didft fend me. perfon, came into this world from thee ; (chap. xvi.
30.) and they have favingly believed in me, as the
true Meffiah, whom thou haft fent.
9 I pray for 9 " I therefore affeftionately recommend them to
them : I pray not (-jjy fatherly care for perfecting every thing that con
fer the world, but 7 ,, ' . • ? r j ? • r '
for them which cerns th€m' my Prayer Delng deligned, not univerfai-
thou haft given ly f°r all mankind, but only for thofe whom thou,
roe ; for they are in thy peculiar love to me and them, haft committed
thine, to my charge ; for they are by denial choice1 and
deiignation thine.
10 And all mine iq " And our joint intereft in them, anfwerable
arethme, and thine to the or;„.jnai communion that we have one with
are mine ; and I. , °. ,, . . . r ., t-r
am the other * in all things, is fo entirely ano mlepara-
0 o o 3 bly
NOTES-,
mention things more peculiar to the apof- may be moft properly rendered, all things
ties : And his fpeaking of what he had that are mine are thine, pud that are
done, in the faving illumination of all thine are mine' : And thefe are very high
thefe converts, may very well be confi- and ftrong expreffions, too grand for any
dered as a fpecimen of his faithfulnefs, in mere creature to ufe, as intimating that
what he would likewife do, in proper all things whatfoever, inclufive of the di-
feafon, for all the reft, that the Father vine nature, perfections, and operations,
had given him, efpecially fince he clofes and of all creatures, are the common
this part of his prayer with faying, (ver. property of the Father and Son; and
10.) All mine are thine, and thine are that this is the original ground of that
mine, and I urn glorified in them. See peculiar property, which they both have
the note on ver. 20. in the perfons who were given to Chrift
* The words (to t/tci ¦axvla ex is-i. k«i as Mediator, according to what is faid
.*« <r« f««.) being in the neuter gender, in the clofe of the verfe, about his being
glorified;

464 The Evangelift Chap. xvii.
am glorified* in bly the fame ; that all whom thou haft given me are
them- ftill as much as ever thine, and all that thou haft cho
fen for thyfelf are equally mine ; our property in them
is not divided, nor transferred from one of us to the
other, but is common to us both : It is therefore
for them, who are both thine and mine, that I pray ;
and I, together with thee, am, and for ever fhall be,
glorified in their redemption, and effeftual calling,
in their faith, love, worfhip, and obedience, and in
their eternal glorification with thee and me.
ii And now I n " And now the time is come, when I muft
am no more in the die a facrifice for their fins, and fhall afterwards be
world, but thefe fot a foi\p. fenger with any of them corporally in
4™di^m£to*£«: th!s world, to inftruft, defend, and comfort them 5
Holy Father, keep but (<wa<) thefe * my apoftles, here prefent with
through thine own me, as well as the reft of my difciples, are ftill to be
name thofe whom left> for a whife, in a world of fin and forrow, at-
me,Uthatatheygmay tended with many infirmities, temptations, and dan-
be one as we are. gers : And as I am coming to appear in thy prefence
for them, therefore, O my Father, who art of purer
eyes than to behold iniquity, 1 befeech thee, that,
after my departure, thou wouldft by thy mighty
power, and for thine own name's fake, preferve them
ftedfaft in their faith and holy profeffion, whom thou
haft appointed, and given to me for fpecial fervice,
as my witneffes and chief minifters in my kingdom,
that they may be entirely united in heart and affec
tion, teftimony, interefts, and defigns, as we are in
ours.
in While I was I2 « Whilft I have been perfonally converfant
with them m the wkh them jn tfo woM j fa acc0rding to thy
world I kept them .„. . . I ' , b , '
in thy name; thofe commmfen, kept them from apoftaey, by my doc-
that thou gaveft trine and example, and by my powerful influence up-
me I have kept, 0n their minds and hearts : I have fo faithfully watch-
M fTbut^hefe™ edover' eftablifhed and preferved them, whom thou
of perdition • that gave^ me f°r the apoftlefhip, that not one of them
the has mifcarriedf except the perfidious Judas, who has
forfaken
NOTES.
glorified (t» oruJw, in the mafculine Jon of perdition, the particle (11 ,u») but,
gender) in them: For none but a divine is to be underftood here, not in the ex-
perfon was equal to the honour, or' dif- ceptive, but adverfative fenfe, as it is of-
liculty of fo important a truft, as was ten ufed, particularly in Gal. i. 7. and ii.
therein committed to him. 16. and Jtev. ix. 4. and xxi. 47. For
* Here, as I apprehend, our bleffed of all, whom the Father in this refpeft
Saviour enters on his prayer moft imme- had given him, he fays, It Was his Fa-
diately for the apoftles, and fo on to ver. ther's will, that he fliould lofe nothing,
19. See the notes on ver. 6. and 20. and that he would raife everyone of thera
•j- If, as fome fuppofe, our Lord in thefe at the laft day. (Chap. vi. 39, 40.) And
verfes, as well as in the former part of fo the fenfe of this paflage will be, None
his prayer, intended the elect and called of them whom thou haft given me, that
whom the Father gave him, that he I might give them eternal life, is loft ;
might give eternal life to them ; when but the fon of perdition is loft, he beinp-
Iik (ays that none of them is loft, but the none of that number\ But, taking this
part

Chap. xvii. John paraphrafed. 465
the fcripture might forfaken me, and is gone to betray me to death ; and
be fulfilled. wfo fos deferved, and brought deftruftion upon him
felf, under divine permiffion, in accomplifhment of
ancient prediftions of his treachery and ruin. (Pfal.
xii. 9. and cix. 8, &c.)
13 And now 13 " But (ii) now I am coming to be glorified
come I to thee : w;tjj tfo£ jft heaven ; and as my apoilles will no long-
and thefe things I • 1 , /¦ r • 1 -
fpeak in the world, er enJ°y the benefit of my company, to guide, pro-
that they might teft, and comfort them, I make this addrefs to thee
have my joy fulfil- in their favour, and in their hearing, whilft I am
led in themfelves. wjth them in this lower world, that they may rejoice
in hope, according to my promife, of thy preler-
ving, teaching, and comforting them by thy Spirit
in my abfence, and that their joy may be more abun
dant, than they ever found in my perfonal prefence
with them.
14 I have given 14 " I have given them an underftanding of, and
them thy word ; a commiffion to preach thy gofpel ; and the men of
and the world hath iL . ,, , f , 1 j x. r •
hated them be- 1S wor'd, whole hearts are carnal and unbelieving,
caufe they are not are full of enmity, rage, and violence againft them,
of the world, even becaufe their principles, tempers, and views are utter-
as I am not of the jy difagreeable to the fentiments, lufts, and interefts
of natural and worldly-minded men, even as I my
felf, and the doftrines I have preached, are contra
ry to their corrupt judgment and tafte.
15 I pray not Tj " However, my defire is not that thou wouldft
that thou fhouldft immediately rid my difciples of all their troubles, by
take them out of . . . ' e J S ._ , ., '1 '
the world, but that taking them from earth to heaven, or that thou
thou fhouldft keep wouldft deprive this lower world of fo great a blefs-
them from the e- ing, as thtir holy lives and mmiftrations ; but that
viI- thou wouldft fupport them under, fanftify to them,
and carry them through the cruel perfecutions they '
may meet with, till they have finifhed their teftimony ;
as alfo from the iniquity and error in which the world
lies, and from that evil one, the devil, (ac itv xtimtpv)
that none of his temptations may ever prevail againft
them.
16 They are not 16 " They are already of fuch a religious fpirit
of the world, even and difpofition, and engaged in foch an excellent
as I am not of the wQrk an(J caufe> as k fae&\y contrafy to the liking of
the generality of this world, even as I myfelf, to whom
they are herein conformed, have bten before them.
17 " Let
NOTE.
part of Chrift's prayer, from the 1 ith to ning, that he would betray him; (chap.
the 19th verfe, to have an immediate re. vi. 64.) and what Chrift here lays, a~
ference to the apoftles as fuch, (fee the bout none of the other apoftles being loft,
liotes on ver. 6. and 20.) the particle is mentioned with a direct reference to
hut is to be confidered in tlie exceptive them in the next chapter, (ver. 8, 9.)
fenfe, according to the Paraphrafe, Ju- when he defired his enemies to let them
das having been one of their number, go their way, that the faying might be
who were chofen to the apoftlefhip, fulfilled, which he fpake. Of tbem which
though our lord knew from the begin- thou gaveft me I have lofi none.

46S
1 7 Sanctify them
through thy truth:
thy word is truth.

The Evangelift

18 As thou haft
fent me into the
world, even fohave
I alfo fent them in
to tlie world.

19 And for their
fakes I fanctify my
felf, that they alfo
might be franctified
through the truth.

20 Neither pray
J. for thefe alone,
but for them alfo
which fliall believe
on me through
their word : ..
21 That they all
may

* As (ayia^tit') to fanctify, frequent
ly fignifies to confecrate, or fet apart
to office ; and the priefts were fet apart
for the fervice of God, by facrifices offer
ed for fin, and by an holy anointing ;
(Exod. xxix. 1, [4, 21. and xxx 30.)
find as our Lord, fpeaking of his own con-
fecration to office, by the facrifice of
himfelf, (ver. 19.) fays, for their fakes I
fanftify myfelf; it is natural to take in,
at leaft, the notion of confecration to of
fice, by the anointing of the Spirit, when
he fpeaks of fanctifying the apoftles in
both thefe verfes : I have likewife given
it the turn that relates to real holinefs,
that the reader may take it in the fenfe
which pleafes him beft.
+ Here our Lord paffes from that part
pf his prayer, which more immediately
and directly relkted to the apoftles, by
ufing. the fame diliinctive pronoun (tov-
tuv the genitive cafe of ou7»i) thefe, as
he began with, (ver. 1 1 - "fee, the note on
<fier. 6.) which to me is a plain key for

Chap. xvii.
17 " Let this holy temper be -maintained, cultiva
ted, and increafed in them, by means of thy word ;
and (uyiaimv) * confecrate them by the anointing of
thy Spirit to their office, and for thy fervice, (sv T*
uhyteix <rov) in propagating the truth of the gofpel,
which they are, and fhall be further inftrufted in :
For thy word, in the faith, profeffion, and preaching
of which I defire they may be preferved, is infallible
and important truth.
18 " Accordingly, as thou haft fent me into the
world, with a commiffion .to preach the everlafting
gofpel to mankind : So I have fent them with autho
rity, as my ambaffadors, to go on with the fame
work, wherever Providence may caft their lot upon
earth, after my departure from it.
19 " And one great reafon for which I have de
voted myfelf to the mediatorial office, and am going
to be further confecrated to it, by offering up my
felf (viri£ «.vtui) in their ftead, is, that they by the
merit of my death, and in confequence of it, may
have .a fupply of the Spirit to fanftify them through
out, by means of the gofpel of truth, and to confe
crate and qualify them for, and affift and fucceed them
in preaching it.
20 " Not that I pray only (irt^i rovrfm) for thefe f
my apoftles ; but likewife for all thofe, who I know
fhall henceforth, in this and fucceeding generations,
be brought to faving faith in me, by means of their
publication of the gofpel.
21 " My great petitkin is %, that the whole num ber
NOTES.
¦ underftanding ali the intermediate ver
fes, as having a peculiar reference to
them, who are evidently fpoken of in
this verfe as the perfons through whofe
word others foould believe in him.
1 As this part of the prayer, till we
come to ver. 25. relates to all that foould
believe, as well as to the apoftles, and
thofe who had already believed ; I ap
prehend that what is faid (ver. 22.) is
not to be referred to the glory which
was given to the apoftles in their work
ing miracles, nor to any thing that was
peculiar to them ; but is to be extend
ed to the benefits which all believers are
partakers of in common with them. But
the union, the glory, ami the love, fpo
ken of in thr^and the two following ver
fes, are to be confidered in a way of fi
militude, and not of faipenefs, or equali
ty with the union of the Father and Son,
and with the glory that is given to Chrift,
and the love that the Father has to him :
For thefe things cannot be faid of them in

Chap. xvii.
may be one : as
thou, Father, art
»n me, and I in
thee, that they al
fo may be one in
us : that the world
may believe that
thou haft fent me.

John paraphrafed.

467

22 And the glo
ry which thou ga
veft me I have gi
ven them : that
they may be one,
even as we are
one :

23 I in
and thou

ber of believers now, and in after-ages, may be join
ed together as one body, in faith and love, worfhip
and obedience, by one fpirit, in as near a refemblance
as poffible of that infeparable union, which thou, O
Father, and I have together by our mutual in-being ;
that they alfo, in their meafure and proportion, may
be united to us ; to the end that others, of all na
tions, feeing its powerful effefts on them, may be in
duced to believe in me, as the true Meffiah.
22 " And, in purfuit of this great defign, I have
given them an intereft, and fort of partnerfhip in the
glory which thou haft given me, as their head, re
prefentative and truftee, that it may refleft a luftre
upon them, and make them heirs of thee, and joint-
heirs with myfelf, as thy children, and as members
of my myftical body, who are made partakers of my
Spirit, and fhall at length be glorified with me ; ( Rom.
viii. 17.) that fo they may be united, in the moft
beneficial and honourable manner, to me and one an
other, in refemblance of that infinitely higher union,
which is between thee and me.
23 " In order to their being thus united to me,
and to thee through me, and fo to one another, I
will dwell in them by my Spirit, according to the mea
fure of my gift to them, (Eph. iv. 7.) as thou dwell-
eft in me by the fame Spirit, which thou hafi given,
not by meafure, to me, (John iii. 34.) that they, be-
ing joined to me, may be one Spin-, (1 Cor. vi. 17.)
and may attain to the moft perfeft union they are
capable of, in one body, under me as their Head ; and
that, by means hereof, Gentiles as well as Jews,
may be fully fatisfied, that I am the Chrift, whom
thou haft fent into the world for the redemption of
my body the church, and that thou haft a peculiar,
affeftionate, and complacential love to them for my
fake, and in refemblance of the fupreme love, which
thou beareft to me, .as their head and mediator, and
as thine eternal Son, partaker of the fame nature and
perfections, with thyfelf.
1 24 " The upfhot, O my Father, of my will and
pleafure, which I infift on as matter of right, accord
ing to my purchafe and thy agreement, is, that all
whom thou haft given me, that I might give eternal
life to them, (ver. 2.) may not only ftand in the
neareft relation to thee, and be the objefts of thy
peculiar love and care in this world ; but that, in
due time, they may be alfo admitted into my imme- fiiate
NOTE.
in the fame fenfe as they are of Chrift, unlefs they were to be deified, and bear
she office of mediators.

them, me,
that they may be
made perfect in
one ; and that the
world may know
that thou haft fent
me, and haft loved
them, as thou haft
loved me.

•24 Father, I
will that they alfo
whom thou haft
given me, be with
me where I am :
that they may be
hold my glory,
which thou haft
given me : for thou
lovedft

4^8 The Evangelift Chap. xvii.
lovedft me before diat? prefence in heaven, where I already am in my
the world"1011 °f dIvine nature' and for ever fha!1 be in mY intir.e Per-
fon ; and that there they may have an appropriating,
beatiic, and transforming vifion of the glory which
thou haft conferred, on me, as their head and repre
fentative, becaufe (on) from all eternity thou hadft
a infinite delight in me, not only as thy Son, but
as their furety, who engaged to glorify thee in their
falvation.
*S O righteous 2^ « To thee therefore I apply for all thefe things,
Father, the world as r;ghteous Father, who not only loveft me, and
hath not known . p. ' ,' >
thee but I have them in me ; but wilt likewife be juft and faithful to
known thee, and me, and to them on my account, who have purcha-
thefe have known fed what I afk for them, and have promifed to re-
that thou haft fent cdve them tQ mj{^ ^^ xjy_ 2> ^.) Ag for tfo
unregenerate world, which lies in wickednefs, they
are ignorant of, and have rejefted thee and thy coun
fels ; but I am thoroughly acquainted with thy na
ture, perfeftions and will, and (ovm) thefe, * my
apoftles, have known and received me, as the true
Meffiah, whom thou haft fent to bring falvation to
Ifrael.
2& And I have zg « And as I have fulfilled my commiffion, in
thynamet'and'wiU delivering thofe parts of thy mind and will to them
declare it, that the which I was to reveal on earth, and in favingly en-
love wherewith lightening them in the knowledge of thyfelf ; I will,
thouhaft loved me, after my refurreftion, ftill more clearly and fully
maJ-r -e.i.n X ' -'nake known thy glorious name to them, by perfon-
andlmthem. . r • ,r T i i r r ,
al converfation betore 1 go to heaven, and afterwards
by the effufion of my Spirit from thence, that the
infinite love, which thou haft eternally bore to me,
may extend itfelf to them, and manifeft itfelf in them,
to their exceeding joy ; and that I may dwell in their
hearts by faith, till they, as well as all that thou haft
given me,, arrive at an endlefs enjoyment of that per
fection of bleffednefs, which, in thy diftinguifhing
love, thou defigneft for them."
RECOLLECTIONS.
- With what folemnity is God addrefTed', when eyes and hearts are lifted up to
ward heaven ' But how different is the mediatorial interceffion of our Lord from
the humble fopplications and prayers that he offered merely as man upon earth '.
He not only avouched his office-character, and his faithfulnefs in difcharging it,
but applied to his own Father, with fuch freedom and confidence in his claims and
appeals, as would have been the higheft prefumption in any but a divine perfon.
In what exalted ftrains did he fpeak of the Father's glorifying him, and of his glo
rifying the Father ; of the power he has over all flefo to give eternal life ; and of
the knowledge of himfelf, together with the Father, as neceffary to the enjoyment
of it '• And with what majefty does he remind his Father of his own eternal exift ence
NOTE.
* Here, as appears by the particle (m/Im) thefe, and the fubject matter, our
Lord returns again to fpeak particularly of the apoftles. See the notes on ver. 6.
and 20.

Chap, xviii. John paraphrafed. 469
ence and gloryv and of his communion in property with him, in every thing that
belongs to him ! How did he infift on his having come from him into our nature
and world, and on his returning in that nature to heaven, to be glorified with
him 1 And with what afiurance does he plead the Father's infinite love to him, and
to his- people in him, and the merit of his obedience and facrifice, whereby he glo
rified him on earth, and finifoed the work which he gave him to do ! And what a
claim of right did he thereupon make, not only that he himfelf might be glorified,
but that all, whom his righteous Father had given him, might likewife be with.
him, and' made completely happy in the vifion and enjoyment of him in all his glo
ry '. And O what an affectionate love and care have he and his Father to the elect:
and called ! How nearly are thefe united in one body, by. his Spirit, and by faith
and love to one another, to himfelf as their Head, and to the Father through him '.
And what dignity and glory has he put upon them,, as heirs of God, and jqint-
heirs with Ijimfelf ! None of them foall ever mifcarry, apoftatize and be loft; they
foall be kept from the power of fin and Satan, and of this prefent evil world; they
fliall be enlightened, fanctified, and faved, while the reft of mankind, and even
thofe who were appointed to, and employed in his fervice, but were no otherwife
given to Chrift, are juftly left to perifo for, and in their own iniquity, as fons of
perdition. — Faith comes by hearing, and the gofpel, through which many fliall be
lieve and be fanctified, is infallible and important truth ; it is the revelation which
the great Mediator has made of the mind and will of God, and committed to the
apoftles, whom he fent with full authority and inftructions to publifh it, by preach
ing and writing, for the good of the church in all ages. How fecurely then may we.
depend upon this word of truth '. And what bleffed effects may we hope for from it,
through the intercefiion of Chrift, and his gracious influence ! And when the fie-
figjis of God's love, and of the Saviour's death, fhall be fully accomplifhed, accord
ing to his word, what a tranlporting, and transforming view will believers have
of their Head in all his glory, as Gea-man-Mediator ; and how glorious will they
be in his prefence for ever 1

CHAP. XVIII.

Cbrift is betrayed by Judas, and apprehended in the garden, I, — 12.
Is examined, and abufed in the court of the high-priefi, and denied
by' Peter, 13,-27. And is profecuted before Pilate, wbd exami
ned him, 28, — 40.
Text. Paraphrase.
-^7 HEN Jefus XT-THEN Jefus had finifhed his difcourfe and pray-
thefe hawo«irkhe er> he went with the ekven aPoftles» over tlle
wen! forth 'with brook Ccdron *, to a garden in Gethfemane ; (Matth.
his difciples over xxvi. 36.) into which he entered with them, that
the brook Cedron, jie might manifeft his own willingnefs to fuffer and
where was * gar- dje ^ the ,.- and for tfo gferious purpofes which
Sr^St he knew were appointed of the Father: By this
difciples. means, as the firft Adam's im was committed, and
the firlt promife of a Redeemer was given, fo the
principal part of the fecond Adam's atoning fuffer
ings began in a garden. 2 And
NOTE.
* Cedron ran on the eaft fide of Jem- to be a reference to our Lord's paffing 0-
Calem between that city, and the mount ver it, in a prophecy of the Meffiah slut-
if Olives, and -was the brook, which Da- ferings, (Pfal. ex. 7.) where it is feu!,
vid. a type of Chrift, went over with the that he foould drink of the brook vi lue
people weeping, in his flight from Alfa- way.
lorn. 2 Sam. xv. 23, 30 ; and there feems
Vox.. II. PPP

47®
2 And Judas al
fo, which betray
ed him, knew the
place : for Jefus
oft-times reforted
thither with his
difeiples. 3 Judas then,
having received a
band of men, and
oflireirs from the
chief prieft's and
Pharifees, cometh
thither with lan
terns, and torches,
and weapons.

4 Jefus therefore
knowing all things
that fliould come
upon him, went
¦ forth, and faid un
to them, Whom
feek ye ?

The Evangelift

Chap, xviii.

5 They anfwer--
ed him, Jefus of
Nazareth. Jefus
faith unto them, I
am he. And Ju
das alfo which be
trayed him, ftood
wilh them.

6 As foon then
as he had faid un
to them, I am he,
they wept back
ward, and fell to
the ground.

z And this was a place, which Judas, who* was
gone to betray him, (chap. xiii. 30.) was well ac
quainted with, and thought to be the moft likely for
finding Kim : For.it had been cuftomary with our Lord,
during the time of the feaft at Jerufalem, to retire thi-
jher with his difciples at night for private devotion.
3 Judas therefore (wi) taking with him a body
of Roman foldiers, together with officers and fervants
belonging to the fanhedrim, condufted them to the
garden ; fome of them carrying lanthorns and torch
es, to fearch for Jefus, and others of them being
armed with fwords and flaves, to apprehend and fe-
eure him ; fome of the chief priefts, captains of the
temple, and elders likewife went with them ; (fee the
notes on Luke xxii. 52.) and fo Jews and Gentiles
united againft him, who came to reconcile both to
God in one body by his crofs. (Eph. ii. 16.}
4 Then (ovv) Jefus knowing in himfelf the defign
of their marching thither,' and that the fet time for
his laft fufferings was fully come, took no care to
abfeond, or get away from them, as be did from the
people at one time, when they would have made him
a king, (chap: vi. 15.) and at another, when they
would have laid violent hands upon him before his
work was done: (chap. viii. 59.) But he, of his
own accord, advanced toward them, and with an en
tire calmnefs of fpirit faid to fome of them, What is
the meaning of all this company's appearing here,
in fuch a manner, at this time of night I Whom are
ye come to look for ?
5 They boldly anfwered, We are come to fearch
for Jefus of Nazareth. Our Lord replied,. Ye need
not go far to feek him ; for I am he : But what oc
cafion is there to come out in this hoftile manner a-
gainfl me, as if I were a thief, or fome defperate vil
lain, who would oppofe force to force ; fince I have
often appeared publicly and peaceably in the temple,
and ye might eafily have found me there, if ye were
minded to apprehend me : (Luke xxii. 52, 53.) And
Judas, who betrayed him into their hands, was at the
fame tirne ftanding among them.
6 No fooner had Jefos uttered thefe words, I am
he, but fuch divine power and majefty attended them,
that they, who came to apprehend him, were ftruck
with the utmoft conflemation and terror ; and imme
diately, retiring backwards,- fell down to the ground,
like men that had no fpirit left in them : He thereby
fliewing, that he could as eafily have ftruck them
dead, as 'ftruck them down to the ground ; and that,
had he not been free to fuffer, they could have done
nothing againft him. 7 .Then

Chap, xviii.
7 Then afked he
them again, Whom
feek ye? And they
faid, Jefus of Na
zareth.

S Jefus anfwer
ed, I have told you
that I am he. If
therefore ye feek
me, let thefe go
their way.
p That the fay
ing might be ful
filled which he
fpake, Of them
which thou gaveft
me, have I loft
pone :
io Then Simon
Peter having a
fword, drew it,
and fmote the high
piieft's fervant,
and. cut off his
right ear. The
fervant's name was
^falchus,

1 1 Then faid Je
fos unto Peter, Put
up thy fword into
the (heath : the
cup which my Fa
ther hath given
me, foall I not
drink it .'

12 Then the
band, and the cap
tain, and officers
of the Jews, took
Jefus, and bound
liiro,

John paraphrafed. 471
7 Then Jefos, inftead of taking that opportunity
, to make his efcape, faid to them a fecond time, they
being in fome meafure recovered from tlieir fright,
Who is it, that ye fay ye arc come to feek after ?
Thereby putting it to them, whether, after fuch an
awful repulfe, they durft ftill perfift in their defign a-
gainft him. But (h) fo hardened were they in their
wickednefs, that, inftead of being afraid of meddling
any farther, they with a daring refolution anfwered,
as before, It is jefus of Nazareth, that we are come
for. 8 Jefos replied, with the fame mildnefs and com-
pofure as at firft, I have already told you. that I am
he : If therefore ye are coming to take me, I am
ready to refign myfelf into your hands ; only I infift
upon it, that ye offer no violence to thefe my friend;;
and followers, that are with me, but let them go free.
9 And he put in this kind word, backing it with
power, for their prefervation,, that his own declara
tion might be made good to the laft, wherein, with
a peculiar reference tp them, he had juft before faid,
Thofe that thou gavefi me, for the apoftlefhip, / have
kept, and none of them is lofi,- but the fon of perdi
tion. (See the note on chap. xvii. 12.)
10 Upon this the foldiers took him into cuftody;
(Mat. xxvi. 50.) and Simon, who was fimamed Pe
ter, feeing him in their hands, and- having one of the
fwords, which the difciples carried into the garden,
(fee the note on Luke xxii. 38.) rafhlydrew it ; and
in the heat of his inconfiderate, though honeft zeal
for refeuing. his Lord and Mafter, he, inftead of
waiting for orders, immediately ftruck at the head of
one Malchus, a domeftic fervant (%ov>.t>d) of the high-
prieft, and cut off his right ear,
1 1 Then Jefus being difpleafed at Peter's intempe
rate and unfeafonable zeal, becaufe that was no time
for fighting, nor was his caufe and kingdom to be
maintained, or propagated by force of arms, faid to
him, in a way of rebuke, Sheath your fword again ;
What I am going to fuffer is not for want of pow
er to refcue myfelf, but in obedience to my Father's
will : And fhall I not freely fubmit to all the tribu
lation and wrath that he has appointed me to under-
gq for his glory, and the redemption of loft finners ?
This bitter cup muft be drank ; I am ready for it,
and will admit of no oppofition to it.
\ 2 He therefore fo willingly refigning, the. fol
diers with their captain, and the officers of the Jenti-
ifh fanhedrim, joined in feizing him, (bwsA«0m) and
having fo done, they cruelly bound him, as if he had
been the worft of malefaftors and flaves ; he fubmit-
P p p 2 ting

472 The Evangetift Chap, xviii.
ting to all this -for his people, that he might loofe
their bonds of iniquity, and lay them under the high
eft obligations to himfelf, who was willingly bound
to fet -them free.
13 And led him 13 And then the rude company hurried him away,
firit? ff-'r 'hAwas firft of a11 *° ^ner, that he might fee how they
father -in- law Wfro ^ad &curtd him, and, being an experienced old man,
Caiaphas, which might give his advice how to manage their procefs,
was the high prieft againft him ; For this Annas was father-in-law of
that fame year.) Caiaphas the high-prieft of that year. ( See the note
on Luke iii. 2.)
14 Now Caia- j^ After this, they carried hinr, ftill bound, to
phas was he which Caiaphas himfelf, (ver. 24.) at whofe houfe, though
gave counfel to the . r r ' v ~ ' ., <?
Jews that it was Jt was io very late, the great council were met, wait-
expedient that one ing for him \o be brought before them, that they
man foould die for might fit in judgment upon him ; (Matth. xxvi. 57.)
the people. anJ ^^ t^& Caiaphas was the man, who, in a for
mer debate, fhewed fuch an inveteracy ag-ainft Chrift,
as to adwfe the putting him to death at all adventures,
that their nation might not be expofed to the jealoufy
and rage of the Romans. (Chap. xi. 49, 50.)
15 And Simon I5 Now ^ whiie jefus was thus haraffed^ and
fes Cr and*""/? did ^ed ab°ut from place to place, like a malefaftor in
another difciple. bonds ; Simon Peter recovering a little from his firft
That difciple w-as fright, in which he ran away with the reft of the a-
inown unto the -poftfes, - followed him at a diftance with an heart full
high prieft and of fcar gnd concern about the t and fo d;d *
went in with Je- ,., .... . . , . ' . , . .
fus into the palace another 01 his dilcsples, who being acquainted with
efthe high prieft. the high-prieft, and not known to be a difciple, ven
tured to accompany Jefus into the ball, wheie the
council were affembled.
16 But Peter 16 But Peter being a noted follower of Jefus,
flood at the door an(j Jjayfeg no intereft at court, was more cautious,
without. Then jr.rt.jr ¦ ¦ 1 1 1 - • •
went out that 0- a ltood tome time without the door, waiting
ther difciple, which for an opportunity to get in, which being known to
was known unto that other difciple^' who had an acquaintance with
the high prieft, tfo high-prieft, he went, and, fpeaking to the young
that St the'dS W°ma" that kept tlie d°pr' Procured enhance for Pe-
and brought in Pe- ,er*
ter. 1 7 Soon after her admitting Peter, fhe fufpefting
17 Then faith by his looks, behaviour, or fpeech, or by fome other
kept thTdoorm" n,Fan<? that. he belonSed to Jefus> challenged him
t0 with it, faying, Are not you one of the followers- and
: NOTE. ,
* Who this other difeiple was, is un- of figure, who lived in Jerufalem, and
rcrtaiti. It does not feem to have been was one of them that believed in Jefus,
John; for he was a Galilean, as well as but had not made an open profeffion of
Peter, and was an unlikely perfoti to be him'; and fome have conjectured that it
acquainted with the high-prieft, confi- was either Nicodemus, or Jofeph of Ari-
ricrinK that he had been only a fiflierman, mathea, or the perfon at whofe houfe
and- had carried on his trade in Galilee 1 Chrift had lately eat the paffover with
Jrfot tin's difciple was probably a perfon his difeiples.

Chap, xviii. John paraphrafed. 473
to Peter, Art not and difciples of this man, who is now under examina-
He faith, I am not t0 *hldl ht' a11 m a flutter> replied, No, not I fhe
is a perfeft ftranger to me. (Luke xxii. 57.)
va^tnd'offict anibffiAnd aMh£re We" frral d0m£lliC, ftrVantS'
ftood there, who d otncers oi the 'court (m-SwAm x«i oj tumger**) ga-
liad made a fire of thered together about a fire, which they had made to
coals, -{for 'it was warm themfelves, the weather being cold; Peter,
warned *"d the*7 "^^ °f aPPca"n? as a witnefs *"or his Lor°, ™n-
fofe«" and -Peter gkd among thefe f«vamjts and officers, in a diftant'
ftood with them, Part OI" tne hall, to warm himfelf with them, that
and warmed him- he might feem to be of the fame kidney with them-
leU- felves, rather than one of Chrift's difciples. (See the
note on Luke xxii. 55.)
19 The high 19 In the mean while, the high-prieft at the head
prieft then afked 0f the council, being defirous to fix a charge of fedi-
Jefus ot his difci- . ¦ T °, ,, .„, , fi. J
pies, and of his . . P.on ollr ^ord' ft«ftly examined him about
doctrine. ' ms difciples, and followers, who, -and what they were,
how great their number, totwhat purpofe he conftant
iy had fo many attending him, and had lately gather
ed fuch multitudes about him at his public entry in
to Jerufalem, and what were become of all that pre
tended to own him, fince none appeared in court to
fpeak for him'? And then, to fix blafphemy upon
him, the high-prieft examined him about the doftrine
he preached, what was its nature and tendency, and
whether it were not contrary to the law of Mofes ?
and the like.
to Jefus anfwer- 20 Jefus, knowing the malicious and unfair defign
ed him, I fpake 0- 0f tfofe captious queftions, took no notice of what
-Fever" taughT in was k""* ab°ut ms difciples ; fince it appeared from
the fynagogue, and the very circumftances of things, that there was no
in thetemple, whi- likelihood of his carrying on feditious views by them :
ther the Jews al But, as to his doftrine, he replied, Whatfoever I
Wecre^havri W taUSht' k ha3 been ("»«*"*) with all opennefs,
laid nothing freedom, and plainnefs to all forts of people ; it ha
ving been my conftant cuftom to preach it in the fy-
nagogues on Sabbath-days, and in the temple at the
folemn feftivals, when there has been the greateft
concourfe of Jeics to hear me : And as I have never
fought to conceal my fentiments * ; fo I have never
taught any doftrine in private, that is different from
what I have preached openly, or that I am afraid or
afhamed fhould be known to all the world.
21 Why afkeft 21 Why then fhould you thus interrogate me a-
thou me? afk them bout my doftrine, as if I were bound to accufe my-
which felf}
NOTE.
* Though our bleffed Lord taught his preached to others. (Mark iv. 10, EjY.)
difciples privately, when they were a- And he exprefsly ordered them to publifh
lone ; yet it was not any different doc- to the world what he told them in fecret,
trine, but an explanation of what he had Matth. \. 27.

474 The Evangelift Chap, xviii.
which heard me, -felf, Or as if you would pay any regard to my own
what I, have faid teftimony, who am brought before you, and treated
unto them ibehoia, j^ cnm;nal ? Afk whom you pleafe of my hear-
rhey know what „ r ¦ 1 i n .-i
I Ca;<j_ ers ; afk your own friends, and party ; afk the
fcribes and Pharifees, the chief priefts and rulers
themfelves ; afk the worft qf all mine enemies that
ever beard me. preach: Behold, there are witneffes
enow; and even fome of thefe, (ouroi) here prefent,
know what I have preached ; Let them be exami
ned ; and, if they can, let them witnefs againft me.
22 And, when 22 Upon his faying this, with all the juftnefs, de-
he had thus fpo- cenCyt anc< calmnefs imaginable, one of the infolent
ficers "which ftood public officers,- (sij t»» iwmgsrov) to fhew his zeal for
by,, ftruck Jefus the honour of the high-prieft, and his malignity a-
with the palm of gainft Chrift, rudely gave him a flap on the face,
his hand, faying, feyfeg^ How dare you anfwer the high-prieft in fo
anfwereft thou the free and afrefpcafol a man >
histi prieft fo ? r .rn , r n ., . . . , , . „.-,
2? Tefus anfwer- 23 Jefus, inftead ot ftriking him dead, or inflict
ed him, If I have ing any ether judgment upon him, or even threaten-
fpoken evii, bear feg him, or fhewing any emotion of fpirit, replied,
witnefs of the evil : with wonderftli meeknefs and patience, If I have faid
but if well, why , . . . r.r r ,
fmiteft thou me ? an7 thing unbecoming, or amils, accufe me to the
court, that I may be punifhed for it ¦: But, if what
I faid was unblameable and juft *, why fhould you
ftrike me in the prefence of the council, at whofe
bar I ftand in circumftances that call for pity, and
not infults.
24 (Now Annas 2^ Now Jefus having been before Annas, (ver.
ul'tSa'rthe '30. nf had fent him bound like a crimfeal, to his
high prieft.) lon-in-faw Caiaphas the high-prieft.
35 And Simon 25 And Peter, as has been obferved, (ver. 16,
Peter ftood and j8.) having followed him, and got into the high-
the^^aid'Thfre- Prieft'S houfe' ftood warminS himfelf among the fer
tile unto him Art vants and officers : And as the maid-fervant, who
not thou alfo one let him in, had queflioned him about his being one
of his difciples? He of Chrift's difciples ; (ver. 17.) fo fome others of the
denied it, and faid, corr,pany a ljttfe afterwards attacked him again, fay-
I am not. r ,-, „ n , .• . - t ° '
mg, Can you really ltand in it, that you are not one
of this man's difeiples ? (Seethe note on Luke xxii.
58.) Peter, full of confufion and dread, perempto
rily, and ftill more rafhly than before, denied that he
was ; faying, and fwearing to it, I do not fo much
as know him. (Matth. xxvi. 72.)
26 One of the 26 About an hour after this, there was, among o-
feivants^ of the tjlei;s> (£„/,„, xx;;# rg> and Mark x;v_ ?0>j Qne of tfo
>g pfie , emg Jjigh.prfeft'g domeftic fervants, (sx rm levXm) a rela-
' tion
NOT £.
* This is no way contradictory to what and malicious refentments, litigious pro-
Chrift fays, about turning the other cheek fecutions, and private revenge; but do
to him that fmites us : (Mqtth. v. '39.) not forbid a legal defence of our own inT
Jror that folates to rcfttaining paflionate nocence againft thofe that abufe us.

Chap, xviii. John parapbrafsd. 475
his kinfman whofe tion of Malchus, whofe ear Peter had cut off, and
™.rf"er cut off> he, feeing him, faid to him, You certainly are a dif-
thee'in thTgarden ciPle of Jefus of Na%areth-. How can you fay to the:
with him? contrary ? Did not I myfelf fee you in the garden
with him \ ,
27 Peter then 2y peter was fo nettled at this clofe and home
immediately ' the Cl}*rge' tnat he loft all patience and government of
cock crew. himfelf, and thinking to bear this man down, by lan
guage, more like a profane fervant of the high-
prieft's, than an holy difciple of Jefus ; he, under
the power of violent temptation, denied with horrid
imprecations that he knew any thing about him ;
( Matth. xxvi. 74. ) immediately upon which, he heard
a cock crow about three o'clock in the morning,
which was ufually called, by way of diftinftion, the
cock-crowing. (See the note on Matth. xxvi. 34.)
2S Then fed they 28 After this, the council having fpent a great part
Jefus from Caia- 0f tfo n{gfo ;n examining Jefus, and fuffering various
phas "ntQ ^e hal.1 indignities and abufes to be offered him, and having at
ot judgment: and , *> 1 n • 1
it was early and length got a contellion irom his own mouth, 01 his be-
they themfelves ing the Meffiah, and Son of God, (Mark xiv. 61, —
went not into the 64.) which they thought might be a fufficient ground
judgment hall, left for an accufat;on 0f blafphemy and fedition before the
they foould be de- „ , r ' , . .,
filed ;>ut that they Roman governor, they very early m the morning car-
might eat the pafs- ried him away, bound as he was, from Caiaphas's
over. houfe to the judgment-hall of Pilate, who was then
governor of Judea. (Mat. xxvii. 1, 2. fee the note
there.) And, though they were going to fhed in
nocent blood, they were fo hypocritically ferupulous
about external rites, that they would not enter into
the hall themfelves, which was full of Roman foldi
ers, whom they accounted unclean, left, by touching
Gentiles in the crowd, they fhould contraft a cere
monial defilement ; (Numb^ xix. 22.) but they flood
without doors, to avoid pollution, that they might
be fit to eat the pafehal feaft upon the facrifices,
which were to be offered that day *, and were called
the paffover.
29 Pilate then 29 Pilate therefore (•»») was fo complaifant and
went out unto corl(fefcending, as to come out to them, and afk
Wh« "cufaS them what was the reafon of their bringing Jefus to
bring you againft him, or what crime they had to lay to his charge I
this man ? 30 The Jews-, anfwering haughtily, faid to him,
30 They anfwer- you may fo fure that he is a notorious evil-doer,
ed and laid unto {yMM7tWi} otherwife we fhould not have given our-
'n'oT'a malefaa™, felves or You the trouble of bringing him before you,
we would not have efpecially fo early in the morning, and on fuch a fo-
delivered him up femn day as this.
unto thee. gi Then
NOTE.
* See the note about the paffover-feaft on chap. xiii. 1.; and fee IVhitby on this
place; and his appendix to Mm!, xiv.

476 The Evangelift Chap, xviii.
3 1 Then faid Pi- -31 Then Pilate, being difpleafed at their infolent
late unto them, anci unreafonable procedure, upon the foot of gene-
Take ye him, and raj ^fe^tfe- without any formal proof againft him,
judge him accord- _ ., , „, t 1 ¦ 1 1 • ..
ing to your law. faid to them, E'en take hira back again to your owa
The Jews there- court, and do what ye will with him, according to
fore faid unto him, the direftions of your own law : For my part I do
It is not lawful for not care to m^dfe w[th him, the Roman law allow-
to death- "^ W " 'nS °^ n0 ^UG^ Prepofterous methods-of profecution.
They then, being a bttle more humble, replied, We
cannot legally put any one to death *, which is the
punifhment this man deferves, as a traitor to Ccefar,
he having fet up himfelf for a king.
32 That the fay- 32 And this was over-ruled by Providence, to
ing of Jefus might accomplifh what Jefus had foretold, about the man-
he t laked'fiW£f h "" °f h'S death' that he fll°uU "De lifted Up fr°m
ing what 'death he the earth, (chap. iii. 14. and xii. 32.)^ and fhould
foould die. be delivered to the Gentiles to be crucified. {Matth.
xx. 19.)
33 Then Pilate 33 Pilate having found that .Chrift's accufers alle-
entered into the ged againft him treafonable defigns, in fetting up him-
•'"atr^n^calfed" feIf for a kJnS.' returned back into the judgment-hall,,
fefos and faid un- and, fommomng Jefus. to anfwer for himfelf, faid,
to him, Art thou Is it true that you pretend to be the king of the
the king of the Jews, in oppofition to Ccefar ? Have you ever pre-
Jews - fumed to offer at this, or faid any thing to raife the
peoples expeftations of it ?
34 Jefus anfwer- 34. Jefos, to put Pilate upon ferious confidera-
edhim,Sayeftthou t; anfwered him, Do you afk me this queftion
this thing of thy- c - r . . ' . ' . , , ^
felf or did others *rom inY futpicion in your own mind, about my
tell it thee of me ? fetting up for a temporal prince, according to the no
tion that the Jews have of their Meffiah ? or is this
what mine enemies have fuggefted againft me, and
you are pleafed to mention only from them ?
35 Pilate an- 35 Pilate replied, Am I a Jew, that I fhould be
fwered, Am I a abfe t0 judgc of their expeftations from their Mef-
Jew? J S fiah?
NOTE.
*. It is hard tp fay how far the power place.) And whether the Jews meant
of life and death was at this time taken abfolutely, or only under fome reftiic-
f'rom the Jews, confidering the proceed- tions, that it was not lawful for them to
ings of the higli-piieflr and council in fto- put any man to death ;,or whether they
runjr Stephen to death, (Acts vi: n, — faid this only becaufe it was the time uf
iv and vii. 1, £aV.) and what power the paifover, or that the odium of con-
Saul received from them, for perfecuting demning and executing Chrift, and the
the Chriftians unto death, (Afts xxii. 4, people's rage on that account, might be
5.) and how they wosld have judged turned off flora themfelves to the Ro-
Paul, according to their law, had not mans ; it was over-ruled by Providence,
Lyfias prevented them. (.,-1(7.! xxiv. 6.) that the judgment fhould fall into the
But as the fceptre was departed from ju- Romans hands, for accomplifhiog an-
dah, and the law-giver from Ifrael, by cient prophecies, as well as Chrift's own
their being made a Roman province, and predicrttons, about the manner of his
lnhjecTred to Ccefar as their king, it is e- death : For crucifixion was not appoint-
vident thrit- this power wa: under fome ed by the Jewifh law for any crime
limitations and reftraints from the Ro- whatfoever.
man government. (See Ughtfoot on the »

Chap, xviii.
Jew ? Thine own
nation, and the
chief priefts, have
delivered thee un
to me. What haft
thou done ?

36 Jefos anfwer
ed, My kingdom is
not of this world.
If my kingdom
were of this world,
then would ray fer
vants fight, that I
foould not be
delivered to the
Jews : but now is
my kingdom not
from hence.

37 Pilate there
fore faid unto hiiu,
Art thou a king
then ? Jefos an
fwered, Thou fay
eft that I am a
king. To this end
was I born, and for
this caufe came I
intothe world, that
I foould bear wit
nefs unto the truth.
Every one that is
of the truth hear
eth my voice.

38 Pilate faith
unto him. What is
truth ? And, when
he had faid this, lie
Vol. II.

John paraplrdfed. 477
fiah i L do not trouble myfelf about thefe matters :
But your own countrymen, and the chief priefts and
rulers among them, have brought and accufed you to
me, as a pretender to the crown. What have you
done to occafion this charge upon you ? or what pro
vocation have you given them, that they are fo furi
ous againft you ?
36 Jefus anfwered again, To tell you the truth of
the cafe, I am indeed the Meffiah, the King of Ifra
el; but my kingdom is altogether fpiritual and hea
venly, confifting in a dominion over mens fouls and
confciences, and not over their fecular affairs ; nor
doth it in the leaft interfere with, or tend to the dif-
turbance of civil government : If it did, my follow
ers, like the fervants of other earthly princes, would
have fhewn it, by fighting for rue ; and would never
have fo tamely fuffered my caufe to fink, and me to
be delivered into the hands of the Jews : But no
thing of this kind was ever attempted, or intended,
which is a plain evidence, that my kingdom does not
take its rife from man, nor is built upon human laws,
force, or policy, nor is defigned for fecular honour
or advantage to my fubjefts, or myfelf.
37 Upon this, Pilate feid to him, What then !
Deftitute, mean and wretched, as you now appear a';
my bar in bonds, do you profefs that, an the fenfe
you fpeak of, you really are a king r" Jefos replied,
\<s, , I ftand to what your queftion fuppofes me to
have affirmed; (fee the note on Luke xxii. 70.) I
freely own myfelf to be, in that refpeft, a king: And
flill further to fatisfy you, that my kingdom is not o:
a worldly conftitution and defign, the end for which
I was born of a woman, and the purpofe for which I
came, as fent of God into this world, is, that by
my preaching and miracles I might reveal, and con
firm the truth, and nothing but the truth, concern
ing God and myfelf, and concerning the way in
which finners may foe Reftored to his image and favour,
and made for ever happy through me. This is the
means and inftrument of all -my conquefts and go
vernment, and every one, that is acquainted with
and begotten by the word of truth, heartily believes
and embraces my teftimony, and becomes a willing
fubjeft to mc, while they that love falfehood rejeft
me. 38 Pilate replied, What is the truth, that you
fpeak of ? or wherein does it confift ? many philo
fophers among -U6, and many of your rabbins make
high pretences to truth, but give us very different
accounts of it ; pray, let me hear your notion of
Q_q q it,

47^ The Evangelift Chap, xviii
Jie went out again it *, or what you mean by it : And having feid this,
unto the Jews, and jle> not ftavfeg for arl anfwer, immediately went out
SnTimno^lt ofthe judgment-hall again to the multitude, of the
at all. Jews, that ftood before it, (ver. 28.) and faid to
them, I have examined this nian upon the great arti
cle of your charge againft him, as fetting up himfelf
for a king ; and, upon the whole, I cannot find but
that he is an innocent, honeft, and undefigning crea
ture, and has been guilty of no capital crime, for
which, by the iRoman law, he ought to die.
39 But ye have 39 However, ye having brought him bound as. a
n Qy\A°m\ t-"at l -maie,fa&or to me» an(l it being cuftomary, in honour
to°you one* at the °fyour paffover-feaft, that I fhould pafs an aft of
paffover : will ye grace for difcharging fome one prifoner at your re-
therefore that I queft ; will ye agree that your king fhould be the ob-
releafe unto you :e(c^ of'this mercy, fince nothing appears to be proved
the king of the J • n , ¦ , ¦" o rsr r
Tews? againft him?
40 Then cried 4° Pilate faid this in hopes of putting an end to
they all again, fay- their malicious profecution, and of procuring his li-
ing, Not this man, berty : But, inftead of falling in with his propofal,
NowBarfbtewa; the7 ^ . »*>th the rulers, and the people through
a robber. their inftigation, cried out in a rage, as with one
voice, No, no ; we will not have this man releafed,
but beg that favour for Barabbas. Now this Barab-
, has, whom they fo fhamefully preferred to the holy
Jefus, and that in defiance of Pilate's honourable tef
timony to his innocence, was an infamous criminal,
who lay in prifon for fedition, robbery, and murder.
(Luke xxiii. 19.)
RECOLLECTIONS.
Our garden-retirements may lead our thoughts to the ruining apoftaey of the
Brft Adam, and from thence to God's gracious promife, and the redeeming parTion
ofthe fecond. Was ever any creature fo willing to fuffer and die, at the divine
appointment, as our dearefo Lord, who went, as ufual, to the place where he
knew his enemies would come to apprehend him, and went forth of his own ac
cord to meet them, who otherwife, with all their lanthorns and torches, might
never have found him I And as he readily refigned himfelf into their hands, whom
he could eafily have ftruck dead, notwithftanding all their numbers, and their
weapons ; fo he would allow of no oppofition to the greateft diftrefles he was call
ed to endure in obedience to his Father's will. But was ever any one treated fo
unworthily, as he, who, though he was the. King of Ifrael, and had juft given a
demonftration of his divine power and mercy, was feized with force of arms, as if
he had been a defperate ruffian, was led' about like a malefactor in bonds, and
rudely boxed by a petty officer in the prefence of the' whole council, as if he had
been the meaneft fervant or flave ? And how did Jews and Gentiles, priefts and
people,
NOTE.
* This is a very important queftion, formation in a judicial way, that he
which many put; but,' like Pilate, give might the better know how to proceed'
up, again before they get any fatisfaftion in the cafe before him ; or whether it
about it ; and it is uncertain whether his were in a way of contempt and fcorn, as
anting it were merely from curiofity, or one that made a jeft of truth, and de-
trom fome good opinion that he had of rided Chrift for his folemn profeffion of
Chrift's ability to give him an account of coming to bear witnefs to it.
truth ; or whether it were only for in-

Chap. xix. John paraphrafed. 479
people, all ranks and degrees of men, and among them a treacherous difciple, join
in affronting, and perfecuting him even to the death 1 But while, contrary to all
juftice and truth, decency and humanity, he was charged with the higheft crimes,
and arraigned for his life, he undauntedly owned his charafter as Meffiah, the
king, whofe kingdom is not worldly and carnal, but fpiritual and heavenly, and is
to be propagated and maintained, not by the power ofthe fword,' but by the word
of truth ; and Pilate himfelf, whilft he was fitting in judgment upon our Lord,
was forced to honour him with fuch a teftimony of his being faultlefs, as foews that
his fufferings were indeed, not for his own fins, but for the fins ofthe people : And
how was all over-ruled by Providence, to accomplifh divine prophecies concerning
the manner of his death,- and his coming, as the Meffiah, juft upon the feeptre's
departing from JudTih .' — His doftrine, as well as his perfon and caufe, will bear
the teft ofthe ftrifteft examination; it is the truth, which he came into the world
to reveal and confirm, and he will ftand by it, how much foever others may be of
fended at it, or. deride it. And O, how much better is it to feek Jefos as a Savi
our, than to feek occafions againft him ! And how much better to hear him fay
ing, I am be, to our fupport and confolation, than to our terror and confufion 1 He
ean as eafily fpeak a word for the -prcfervation of his difciples, as for the defeat of
his enemies. But how dangerous is it to go into the way of temptation ! And how
dreadfully may they fall, that venture into bad company without a warrant from
God ! — Let Peter's denying his Lord, the Jews thirfting after his blood, and pre
ferring Barabbas to him, while, they were hypocritically fcrupulous about external
rites and ceremonies ; and let Pilate's cowardice, carnal policy and complaifance
in complying with them, fill us with facred horror and caution : And O, may
the; wifdom, meeknefs, and patience of the holy Jefus, under all indignities and
hardfhips, be reflected upon as our example, that we may tread in his fteps '.

CHAP. XIX.

The remainder of Chrifi's trial before Pilate," I, — 15. His con
demnation and execution, 16, — 18. His title placed on the crofs
over his head, 19, — 22. Several circumftances that attended his
hanging on the crofs, 23, — 29. His death, and the piercing of
his fide, 30, — 37. And his burial by Jofeph of Arimathea and
Nicodemus, 38,. — 42. „
Text. Paraphrase.
¦^HEN Pilate piLATE being unwilling to put Jefus to death,
therefore took whom he bebeved to be innocent, _ and finding
geA%mf CCU1" that his attempt for releafing him by a 'mere aft of
grace failed, and that the people were the more en
raged by his barely propoling it, (chap, xviii. 39,
40. ) he thought of another expedient to appeafe their
clamour, and move their compaffion toward the royal
prifoner : And therefore he took and delivered him
to the proper officer, to be ftripped naked, and whip
ped publicly in an opprobrious and fevere manner, ho
ping that, after this punifhment, they might confent
to his being releafed. (Luke xxiii. 1 6. See the note
on Matth. xxvii. 26.)
2 And the foldi- 2 And Pilate turned him over to his foldiers, that
ers platted a crown they, as Herod's men of war had before, (Luke xxiii.
of thorns, 'and put IX \ m{„fo fefelt him, and make themfelves merry
if on his bead, and. ^ ^ ^^ ^ chara(fter of a ft„g ... according-
Qjl q 2 1y

480 The Evangelift Chap, xixv
they pift on him a ly they, in a way of barbarous derifion, wreathing a
purple robe, crown of thorns, clapt it on his head* and threw a
purple garment upon his wounded bodyi in mimickry
of royal robes, (fee the note on Mark xv. 17.) and
1 , ; put a reed or cane into his right hand for a fham
feeptre. (Matth. xxvii. 29.)
3 And faid, Hail, 3 And having thus dreffed him up, they feoffing-
king of the Jews! Jy ;mitating the cuftom of, kneeling before princes,
liitti wi$i their and °^ Whiting tbem with honour and joy, bent the
iiatttls. knee before him, and cried out, in a ludicrous man-,
ner, Profperity to the king of the Jews ! They like-
' wife buffeted, him with their hands, and offered many
other abufes and indignities to him, ( Matth. xxvii,
30.)
4 Pilate there- 4 Then (om) Pilate ordering Jefus to be brought
fore went forth a- forth tQ th j who fto(jd ^j,^ we„t hImfelf
gam, and laith un- c . -J y- r . _. , . .
to them Behold I - before him, to difpofe them to compaffion, faying,
bring bim forth to See now I am prefenting to you this poor man again,
you,, that ye may jn circumftances of as much mifery and contempt, as
iiofeulfin him ye COl,ld Wi(h him t0 be in» that ye ™ay aPPrehen3
no danger from him, and may be fatisfied that I find
nothing worthy of death, nor indeed any caufe for an
accufation, (wiipufii ctmav) in him, who is to be pi
tied and defpifed, rafrher than feared or envied.
5 Then camp Je- ^ Upon his fpeaking in this manner, the meek,
thtcraWthOTns^ ^mbfe, and holy Jefus, appeared before them with
and 1 the purple ms mangled body, crown of thorns, and purple robe,
robe, And Pilate and with his face all over fmeared with fpittfe and
f'lhldUnhP thC™' ^lood; And Pilate, pointing to him, faid to the
man . Jew^ Behold the poor wretched man, look at him,
fee what a figure he makes ! Let what has been done
to him fuftice ; and now fet me difcharge him.
6 When the g But when the chief priefts and Jewifh officers
foie^and^officers faw him under all this mifery and contempt, inftead
law bim, they cri- P^ being ipoyed with pity, they hardened their hearts
ed out, faying, againft him ; p.nd, inftead of attempting to prove him
Crucify^ him, cru- guilty of any fault, were enraged at Pilate's repeated
cify }¥w Pilate tion for his rdeafe . TJje therefore cried out in a
faith unto them, - j ¦ 1 . ,
Take ye him, and tumultuous manner, and with great vehemence and
crucify him : 'for I outrage, No, np, this fhall not fatitfy us ; we infift
find' no fault in upon it, that lie be crucified. Hereupon, Pilate
Juin- feeing that there was no appealing them, and being
very loth to comply with their demands, faid in a
paffion, and with a fort of fneer, If he muft be cru
cified} even take him, and do it yourfelves : I cannot
in juftice condemn him to death ; for I can fee nq
manner of caufe for it, (See the note on Luke xxiii.
22.)
7 The Jews an- 7 The Jews finding that Pilate was ftill againft
v-yerr-d him, We crucifying him, and talked ironically of their own do-
>ca aw, an ^> , feg it, fled to another charge, faying, We have an
exprefa

__Chap. xix.

John paraphtafed.

481

our jaw he ought exprefs law for putting- blafphemers to death, (Lev.
to die, becaufe he xxiv. ,6.) and by this, law he ought to die; for,
SnorcS!^ tU<e' feia the^' he ha8 been ^atY of the hiSheft blafphe
my, by calling himfelf the Son of God, in fuch a pe
culiar and exalted- fenfe, as to claim equality with,
and make himfelf God. (Chap. v. 18. and x. 33.)
8 Pilate" hearing that Chrift affumed the grand
and awful charafter of an incarnate Deity, was ftruck
with great furprife, as not knowing what to think of
it, and was more than ever afraid of proceeding any
further againft him, left he fhould bring divine ven-

8 When
therefore that faying.

was the
fraid;

Pilate heard he
more a-

9 And went again
into the judgment-
hall, and faith un
to Jefos, Whence
art thou ' But Je-

geance on. his own head.

9 And therefore returning into the judgment-hall,
to which he remanded Jefus, he faid to him, What
is your original J Are you only a man, or are you an
iiicarnate God ? Tell fee your parentage, arid from
fos gave him po whence you came. But our bleffed Lord, knowing
that Pilate was no competent judge of this matter,
and had forfeited his right to information about it, by
fo cruelly ufing him, whilft he believed him to be in
nocent, thought proper to make no reply to this un
feafonable queftion.
1 o Then Pi/ate, full of wonder and refentment at
this feeming contempt of his authority, faid to him,
with an haughty air, What is the reafon that you
ftand mute, and make no anfwer ? Do you neither
know, nor confider that you are here, as a criminal
cify thee, and have £t my j,ar, and that your life is in my hand, who have
power to releafe p0wer either to condemn you to be crucified, or to
difcharge you* juft as I pleafe ?
1 1 Jefus, to correft his miftake and arrogance,
replied, Notwithftanding all this imperious boaft, you
have no legal authority but from God ; nor could
you exercife any power to my hurt, had not my hea
venly Father appointed and permitted it, for glorious
therefore he that entjs amj purp0fes, which you are ignorant of, and
thee^LtT "the far from defigning to accomplifh : Though * there-
greater fin. fore your fin is great in hearkening to the clamours
of the people, and in abufing your truft, as a magi
ftrate, by ufing me fo ill, and that in defiance of your
own conviftions of my being faultlefs ; yet the fin of
Judas and Caiaphas, and of all the people of the
Jews, who have brought me before you as a crimi
nal, is ftill more abundantly aggravated, as being com
mitted againflf known inftances of my extraordinary power
NOTE.
* Therefore (Six tovW) may proba- was prevailed on by their importunity tr.
bly refer to Pilate's having judicial pow- abufe his power, his fin was lefs than
er from above, which the Jews at that theirs, whofe malice and envy preffed-
time hail not ; and therefore, though he fern to it.

10 Then faith
Pilate unto hira,
Speakeft thou not
unto me ? knoweft
thou not that I
have power to cru

1 1 Jefus anfwer
ed, Thou couldft
have no power ai
all againft me, ex
cept it were given
thee from above :

482 The Evangelift Chap. xix.
power and goodnefs, and with the greateft ingratitude
and malice.
12 And from J 2 From this time forward, Pilate, being ftill fur-
thenceforth Pilate ther perfuaded of Chrift's innocence, and ofthe Jews
h™ ^buttWews mal'ce> was more than ever defirous in himfelf, and
cried out faying, induftrious in dealing with them', to get him difchar-
If thou let this ged : But the Jews finding that their laft accufation
man go, thou art rather obftrufted, , than promoted their blood-thirfly
not Cefar's friend : ,fefign> returned to their former charge ; and enfor-
himfelf a kin? ced A ^h an argument, which touched Pilate in
fpeaketh againft the tendereft part, crying out with ftill greater noife
Cefar. and vehemence, If you will not crucify him to oblige
us ; yet how will you anfwer it to the emperor ? It
will be proved againft you that you betray your truft,
and have not a due regard to his authority and govern
ment, in cafe you let. his competitor go free ; fince
whofoever fets himfelf up for a king, in one of Ccefar's
provinces, is guilty of high treafon againft him, and
fays, in effeft, that he is not its rightful fovereign.
. 13 When Pilate 13 Whentherefore Pilate heard them talk, as if
iherefore heard they would accufe him of unfaithfulnefs to Ccefar,
that faying, he j,js fears 0f Tiber ius's wrath, who was a jealous
f'Th' d f't Pr,nce> bore down his concern for Jefus; and being
down in the judg- °f a- timorous temper, and chufing rather to fin than
ment-feat, in a fuffer, he ordered Jefus, with his thorny crown and
place that is call- pUrpfe robe upon him, to be condufted out of the
ed the Pavement, hall (,a 8„ 6|a) and he himfelf went, and fat down
but in the Hebrew, , r. '¦> ¦ r r ,•¦
Gabbatha. on a throne 01 judgment, to pals fentence upon him,
in another place, which was called the ftone-pave-
ment *, (hiDns-guTon) but- in the Jews language, Gab
batha, wbich fignifies a raifed or elevated place.
14 And it was 14 And, as to the time when things were brought
the preparation of to t|,jg crjf,Sj ;t was the day before, and fo the prepa-
about the'' fixrth rati°n t day for the paffover-Sabbath, and about fix
hour : and he faith o'clock in the morning, a folemn day and time, when
unto the Jews, Be- the Jews, and efpecially the priefts, ought to have
Jiold your king : fogn employed in facred work : And Pilate, having
' placed bimfelf on the judgment-feat, called to the
Jews, faying, Look at your king ; fee what a mifer
able and defpicable appearance he makes : Is this the
man, from whom any danger to the government is to
be expefted ? Is it worth while to condemn fuch ap
one to death for pretending to the crown ?
ij But they cri- 15 But they, inftead of being in the leaft mollified
ed out, Away with or afhamed, cried aloud, and eagerly repeated it, A-
' way
NOTES.
* Dr. Lightfoot feemed to think that Hebrew and Talmudical exercitations on
this was the room Gaiiith, where the the place.
fanhedrim ufed to fit ; and fo, when the f This was on what is called Good-
Jews would not go into Pilate's judg- Friday; and for the time of day, fee the
aient-hall, he went into theirs. See his notes on chap. i. 19. and Mark *v, 2:.

Chap, xix.
Him, away with
him, crucify him.
Pilate faith unto
them, Shall I cru
cify your king i The
chief .priefts an
fwered, We have
no king but Cefar.

John paraphrafed.

4§3

1 5 Then deliver
ed he him there
fore unto them to
be crucified. And
they took Jefus,
and led him away.

17 And he bear
ing his crofs, went
forth into a place
called the place of
a fcull, which is
called in the He
brew Golgotha ;

iS Where they
crucified him, and
two otheT with
him, on either fide
one, and Jefus in
the midft.
19 And Pilate
wrote a title, and
put it on the crofs.
And the writing
was, JES-US OF
NAZARETH, THE KING OF
THE JEWS.

way with him out of our fight, we hate to fee him ;
hang him up on a crofs, as one that deferves to die
under a curfe. Pilate, feeing their implacable enmity
and fury againft him, repbed, What then, have ye no
companion for him nor concern for your own honour ?
Muft I pafs fo ignominious a fentence, as that of cru
cifixion, upon your king ? The chief priefts, though
at other times they were great fticklers for Jewifh
freedom, and boafted that they were never in bon
dage to any man ; (chap. viii. 33.) yet now to pleafe
Pilate, and ferve their malicious turn, virtually re
nounced God's dominion over them, and publicly
owned that the feeptre was departed from them, in
an exprefs declaration, that Ccefar was their only
king. .
1 6 Then Pilate, having no longer courage to Arrive
againft the ftream, paffed fentence upon our Lord,
delivering him up, according to their demand. ( See
the notes on Matth. xxvii. 26.) And no fooner was
this done, than they hurried him away by the affift
ance of the foldiers, who then took off his purple
robe, '• and put on his own cloaths again ; ( Matth.
xxvii. 31.) and they led him to the place of execu
tion, like a lamb to the flaughter, without delay, left
the governor fhould change his mind, or the friends
of Jefus fhould rife, to refcue Kim.
17 And he, carrying his crofs upon his fhoulders,
(fee the note on Matth. xxvii. 32.) went out of the
city to a place called Golgotha, in the dialeft then u-
fed by the Jews, which fignifies the place of a fkull,
and which was ceremonially unclean, it being the
common place where criminals were executed, and
many of their fkiills and bones were left ; (fee the note
on Matth. xxvii. 33.) and fo- was a fit emblem of
Chrift's being made fin for us. ,
1 8 There they crucified him in company with two
thieves, (Matth. xxvii. 38.) one of which hung on
his right hand, and the. other on his left, as if he
had been the greateft finner of them all, whilft in that
manner he was numbered with, tranfgrejfors. (Ifa.
liii. 12.)
19 And a§ it was ufual for the caufe of condemna
tion to be fignified in writing, and placed over the
heads of thofe that were crucifkd ; fo Pilate wrote
this infcription, Jesus of Nazareth, the King of
the Jews, and ordered.it to be fixed on the top of
Chrift's crofs, above his head ; which, whatever Pilate
defigned, was over-ruled by Providence, to be, in ef
feft, a condemnation . of his own unrighteous judg
ment, and an honour to the holy Jefus, as having
been put to that, fhameful death, -only for afftTiing

The Evangelift

Chap. xix.

io This title then
read many of the
Jews .-' for the place
where Jefos was
crucified was nigh
to the city : and
it was written
in Hebrew, and
Greek, and La
tin. a I Then faid
the chief priefts
of the Jews to Pi
late, Write' not.
The King of the
Jenvs; but that he
laid, I am lving of
the Jews.

22 Rlate .an
fwered, Wliat I
have written, I
have written.

23 Then the fol
diers, when they
had crucified Je
fus, took his gar
ments, {and made
'foul-- parts, to eve
ry foidier a part,)
and alfo Air coat :
now the coat was
without fenm, Wo
ven from the top
throughout. 24 They faid
- therefore among
themfelves, Let ns
not rend it, but
caft lots for it,
whofe it (hall be :
that the fcripture
might -be fulfilled,
which faith, TQhey
parted my raiment
aririon^ them, and
for my vefture they
did caft lots' Thefe
things therefore
the foldiers did.

a title, which he had a juft claim to, and could
not be divefted of.
20 This title was read by great numbers of Jews,
that were come from all countries to celebrate the pafe-
over at Jerufalem : For the place -of crucifixion was
near the city ; and the infcription was made iif large
letters of the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin tongues,
the moft known langjfcages of that day ; and fo, as
the benefit of the Meffiah's death was to extend to
perfons of all nations, many of them had an opportu
nity of reading the caufe for which he fuffered it-
21 This was indeed fuch an honourable and public
tefttaionial to the dying Saviour, as might eafily be
conftrued to his advantage ; and therefore the chief
priefts among the Jews were highly difpleafed at it,
and went to Pilate with a requeft, that, inftead of
thefe words, The King of the Jews, it might be
wrote, He said, I am the ICi-ng of the Jews ;
»i*d fo the infamy of a pretender might be fixed on
bis memory, and the difgrace of their king's being
¦crucified might not lie upon them.
2 1 But Pilate was fo much out of temper, for "
their having, in a manner, forced him to condemn
Jefus, »and was fo offended at their boldnefs, in pre
tending, after all, to correft the form of his infcrip
tion, and' God fo influenced his mind to abide by this
conftruftive teftimony to Chrift's real charafter, that
he refolutely replied, What I have written fhall ftand
without any alteration.
23 Now the foldiers having ftripped Jefus of his
cloaths again, when they came to fatten him to the
crofs, took them as their own perqnifite, and, while
tbey were watching him, diverted themfelves with di
viding the fpoil ; the bulk of his cloaths they laid
in four parcels, of which every foidier had one, there
being only four of them that were immediately em
ployed in crucifying him : But as his upper-garment
was without any feam, being woven or knit all in one
piece from the top to the bottom ;
24 They therefore faid one to another, Do not fet
us divide thiscoat into four parts, which would utter
ly fpoil it ; but let us caft lots, to determine which of
us fhall have the whole. This they accordingly did,
God fo ordering it in his providence, that, contrary
to thjfr defign or knowledge, a remarkable prophecy
of the Meffiah might be fulfilled in this very circum
ftance, where it is faid, {Pfal. xxii. 18.) They part
ed -my garments among them, and eafi lots upon my
vefinre : Hence it was that the foldiers were fecretly
influenced to do thefe things, relating to Chrift's
¦cloaths. 25 And

Chap. xix.

John paraphrafed.

4H

ther, and his mo
ther's fifter, Mary
the wife of Cleo
phas,

26 When Jefus
therefore faw his
mother, and the
difciple ftanding
by, whom he lo
ved, he faith unto
his mother, Wo-

25 Now there 2e And, (li) while Jefus hung upon 'the crofs, fe-
of [eful 'his m^ VCral P'°US women ft<5od near il> particularly his own
mother,, after the flefh ; and her fifter Mary, who was
the wife of Cleophas * ; and Mary Magdalene, out
of whom he had caft feven devils. Thefe having a
Ma'dafe"? **"* touchinS and affeftionate concern for him, ventured to
get as near as they could, to behold with weeping
eyes, and lament with aching hearts, the dlfmal tra
gedy, which was like a fword piercing through his
mother's foul. (Luke ii. 35.)
26 Jefus therefore cafting his eye upon his dear mo
ther, Mary, as fhe was ftanding by the crofs, together
with that difciple whom he had all along diftin
guifhed by the moft familiar tokens of his love, - ten
derly recommended her to his fpecial regards : And
 this he did in fuch a prudent manner, as might foften
for,;'- -y her grief, and not expofe, her to the obfervation and
fury of his enemies, as" one fo nearly a-kin to himfelf ;
and as might intimate, that her relation to him, ac
cording to the flefh, was then expiring, and that he
died under a higher charafter, than that of her fon,
faying to her, and at the fame time turning his head,
and looking toward that difciple, Woman, obferve
the man, who will take care of you, and pay the du
ty, honour, and affeftion of a fon to you.
27 Then he fpoke to that difciple, faying to him,
and turning his head again toward her, Behold your
mother^ whom I commit to yout; filial reverence,
care, and kindnefs, as if fhe had bore you in her own
body + : And that difciple was fo, affefted with thefe
words, tbat, in love and obedience to his Lord, he,
from that time forward, took her into his own houfe
arid family, and treated her with all the refpeft due to
a parent. 28 After this, Jefos knowing that, according to
eternal agreements between the Father and hira, and
according to ancient prophecies concerning him, every
thing («Sd ¦cvny.iuta.d) was juft upon the point of being
perfeftly accomplifhed, to the full fatisfaftion of

27 Then faith he
to the difciple, Be
hold thy mother !
And from that hour
that -difciple took
her unto his own
home.

. 28 After this, Je
fos knowing that
all things were
now accomplifhed,
that the fcripture might

c.r-
vine

NOTES.
* John, the waiter of this Gofpel, of this world's goods to leave her, gave
an example of filial love and duty, in put-

was alfo ftanding with them, as appears
from the next verfe ; but out bf modefty
did not fay it was himfelf: And Mary,
who was of Cleophas, (Maqta n rov Kau-
TTOy) is thought by fome to have been,
not the wife, but the daughter of Cleo
phas. f Her hufband Jofeph was probably
by this time dead : And Jefus, who had
taken care of her hitherto, having none
Vol. II,, R r

ting her under the care of the apoftle
John to provide for her ; v?fao, though
he, like the reft of the apoftles, had quir
ted all his bufinefs and affairs in life to
follow Chrift, might neverthelefs retain
his property in what he had before he
left off trade, or in what his father Ze-
bedee had afterwards given him. But it
is uncertain where he dwelt, and how
long Marv lived with him.

4§6 The Evangelift Chap. xix.
might be fulfilled, vine juftice ; he faid, as well be might, confidering
iaith, I thirft. wjjat a rever fo was ;n> through fatigue, pain, and
anguifh, * I am grievoufly a-thirft.
29 Now there 29 Now there was, near at hand f, a veffel full of
tvas fet 'a veffel v;negar ; and the foldiers, filling a fpunge with that
ana theyTllTa 1{Wm'> ftuck :t.uPon. the t0P .°f a reed> or Ion« ?alk
fpun?e with vine- of hyffop, and lifted it up to his mouthy that he might
£ar, and put it up- fuck it.
on hyffop, and put g0 When therefore Jefus had tailed the vinegar,
'"'* ^WheT Terns in accomplifhment of a prophecy relating to his laft
therefore had re- moments, (Pjalm lxix. 21.) he faid, to the honour
ceived the vinegar, of his Father, the confufion of devils, the joy of
he faid, It is finifh- faints, and his own triumph, Now all is over, and
ed: and he bowed, done to perfeftion : (n-riM^-ai) The great council of
his head, and gave .-, , ^ . v ' . ?• A
up the ghoft. God my Father, my engagements to him, the types
and prophecies of the Old Teftament, relating to the
work of redemption, and the full meafure of my fuf
ferings according to all thefe, are now accomplifhed to
the utmoft; the ceremonial law is fulfilled and abobfh-
ed ; the moral law is fatisfied and magnified ; an end
is made of fin ; an everlafting righteoufnefs is brought
in ; the covenant of grace is fully confirmed ; the foun-
¦* dation of the church is completed ; God is glorified j
all the powers of darknefs are vanquifhed ; and the
whole work, which my Father gave me to do upon
earth, is finifhed : And having fpoke in this manner,
he, to fhew his willingnefs to die, immediately bow
ed down his head, and breathed out his holy foul, fay
ing, with faith and fervour, and with a loud voice,
Father, into thy hands I commend my Spirit. (Luke
xxiii. 46. fee the note on Matth. xxvii. 50.)
ji The Jews 31 Then (otm) the Jews went, and intreated Pi-
snerefore becaufe jate t0 gjve or(fers for the legs of the three crucified
iatioT ^hafThe men t0 be broken> that theY might be t3ie more ef-,
bodies' fliould not feftually difpatched, and that thereupon their bodies
remain upon the might be taken down from the crofs before the Sab-
crols on the Sab- bath ; becaufe the day on which they were crucified
bath-day (for that wag the 1 of preparat;on for an extraordinary Sab-
Sabbath-dary was , . r ' ,. r y, . ... . , J «.
an bath ot peculiar folemnity, it being in the paffover week :
NOTES.
* The reafon of our Lord's faying might be fet for their ufe, as they foould
this, was not from any, murmuring com- have occafion for it, while they were at-
plaint of his fufferings ; but to evidence tending the crucifixion: This four, li-
that the-, moft minute circumftances, quid' they gave to Chrift, inftead of a
which the fcripture had foretold ofthe cordial, or a cooling draught : And their
Meffiah, were fulfilled in him, as parti- hyflbp, like their muftard-tree, being of
cularly in Pfal. xxii. 15. and lxix. it. much larger growth than ours, might af-
My tongue cleavcth to my jaws ; and in ford a (talk long enough to reach up to
my thirft they gave me vinegar to drink, his mouth, as he hung upon the crofs ;
' or a fpunge full of vinegur might be
f Vinegar, mixed with watet, is faid ftuck on the-top of fome other reed, in
To have been the drink of the Roman the midft of a bunch of hyflbp. (utitwxm •
foldiers ; and fo this veffel of vinegar wfjilMsf.)

Chap. xix. John paraphrafed. 487
an high day,) be- week : And thefe hypocrites pretended to have fo
theirhLPs1miehthht h'gh * veneration for this Sabbatb, as not to be able to
broken, .anil that bear the tb°ughts of its being defiled and difgraced,
they might be ta- bY tbe crucified bodies continuing to hang upon the
ken away. crofs, and being expofed to public view on that day;
though, inftead of making due preparation for it,
they had been in the vileft manner imbruing their
hands in the moft innocent and noble blood that ever
was fhed.
?1, 3\ i?en canuj 32 Accordingly, Pilate ftill gratifying them fo far
the foldiers, and „„ r _ 1 •?, ' ', ¦ „ °r '. P , r,,.
brake the legs of' comply with this re«ueft, fome of the foldiers
the firft, and of the came, and broke the legs of both the malefaftors that
other which was were crucified with our Lord, there being fymptoms
ciucified with him. , of remaining life in them.
the33camet t^f" 33 BUt When ^l Came "P t0 JefuS' W'th * defiS"
fos? ancTfaw0that of doing the ?ike to him, as (*-•?) they plainly few that
he was dead al- bf was certainly dead already, they forbore breaking
ready, they brake his legs, there being no occafion for it.
not his legs. 34. gut) to put tfo matter pau: aU difpute with o-
,.A4,;Tut °n-!>°f t^ers, as well as themfelves, and to fhew their fpite
the foldiers with a . , . ,, . r r , . , , . *,
fpear pierced his at hlm> as we** as to make fure ot his death in the
fide, and forth- moil effeftual manner, one of the foldiers thruft a fpear
with came there- into his fide ; a'nd immediately there ran out of the
out blood and wa- w6und * both blood and water> fo d;ft;naiy> as to
be eafily difcerned by their different colours.
3S And he that 35 And the writer of this Gofpel, who was an
an'd "his"* '"^d "^ eye-witnefs' toolc vei7 particular notice of it, as a
true: andheknow- remarkable circumftance, which not only proved that
eth that he faith Jefus was really dead, but likewife (as he afterwards
tru#, that ye might knew) carried an intimation of the juftifying and
believe. fanftifying virtue of his death ; and this hiftorian's
record is faithful and true ; Yea, he being not only an
eye- witnefs of it, but being likewife under fhe conduft _
of the Spirit of truth, is fully affured that his fenfes
did not deceive him ; but that what he here commits
to writing is infallibly true, which he declares, (11c)
to the end that ye, to whom this teftimony fhall come,
in every age, may believe in Jefus as the true Mef
fiah, who died and rofe again for cleanfing from the
R r r 2 guilt
NOTE. 1
* How far the fpear entered Chrift's this circumftance of his death, fince the
iiody, and whither it ftruck into the ca- Evangelift here takes foch particular no-
vity ofthe breaft, or into the pericardi- tice of it, and lays foch weight upon the
um, and let out the liquid, in which truth'of his record about it, (ver. 35.)
the heart fwims there ; or whether it and refers to it, (r John v. 6. 8.) as a
pierced the heart itfelf, has been vari- matter of great importance, faying,
oufly conjectured : And poffibly it may This is he that came by water and
be difficult to account for this diftinci blood, even Jefus Chrifi, not by water
flow of blood and water, upon the prin- only, but by water and blood. And there
ciples of anatomy. But it was an evi- aye three that bear witnefs on earth, the
dent proof that Jefus was really dead ; fpirit, and the water, and the Hood, and
and there was fomething extraordinary thefe three agree in one,
aad myfterious, if not mlrafulous. in

4^S The Evangelift Chap. xix.
guilt and defilement of fin, by his blood and &>irit,
through faith in him. '
36 (For thefe 36 For how trivial foever the circumftances of
that^h^/ri^e not breaking his legs> and of piercing him with a
foould'be fulfilled! fPear> may feem t0 be 5 theY w«re ordered by Pro-
Abone of him fhall vidence, that two different predictions of the Meffiah
not be broken. might be literally fulfilled in him ; One is, what God
commanded about the' pafehal larnb, which was an
eminent type of Chrift, (1 Cor. v. 7.) faying, * Not a
bone of it fthall be broken. (Exod xii. 46.)
3? Anf i.aSam 37 And the other is, what the fcripture fays,
faith ^heV'^fliaH w*tb a ph'"1 reference to him, (Zech. xii. 10.) Hhey
look on him whom fhall look on him whom they have pierced.
they pierced. 38 And after it appeared that Jefus was really
38 And after this, dead) Jofeph of Arimathea,, that honourable coun-
thea? (bein^a dif- fe?lor» 0ee. ^e note on Luke xxiii. Jo, 51.) who was
pie of JefiTs but 'n heart well affefted toward him, and a believer in
fecretly for fear of him, though hitherto he had not ventured to ipake an
the Jews) befought open profeffion of it, for fear of fuffering reproaches
migtt takeaway a»d "J™ *?? ** J™ '• Jhis Jofeph, I fay,
the body of Jefus : being a man of figure and intereft, now took courage,
and Pilate gave and going to Pilate, begged a. warrrant for empowerr
him leave. Ke ing hjm to take down the body of Jefus, and to have
came therefore and the difpofal of jt d pU ( granted hJs rtc,Viei\,
took the body of , f ,. , ' . 1 , , , ,
reuis. who accordingly went, and took the body down
from the crofs, that he might give it an honourable
burial.
3? U-"^-1^^ There came likewife Nicodemus, who was alfo a
mus ( which at ruler °f the Jews, and a member of their great coun
t-he firft came to dl, and who had formerly gone tp Jefus in private
Jefus by night,) by night, for fatisfaftion about his doftrine and cha-
an.d brougnt » rafter ;dchap. iii. 1, 2. and vii. cq.) and he being
mixture of myrrh „ • 1 __ . , • , J ' i. a
vmd aloes, about a nch man' alld havin£ Sot more courage now than
Sin hundred pound before, brought a great quantity, about an hundred
weight. pound weight, of a fine embalming mixture, com
pofed chiefly of myrrh and aloes, for his funeral.
h 4° "h^bY00'! ^d' Tbefe two Perf0ns therefore, (ow) who were
TefuVand wound fo remarkable for their high rank and ftation, and
it in 'linen clothes J°r their former cowardice and weaknefs of faith,
with the fpices, as joined together in teftifying their affeftion and re-
tle fpeft to Chrift, by taking down his body from the
crofs,
N O. T E.
, * Though God is fovereign in his in- pafehal lamb foould not be broken, as
ftitutions, and his bare command is a well as their eating unleavened bread,
fufficient obligation to obferve them; might likewife be defigned to keep up a
yet as he appointed Ifrael to eat the memorial of the hafte with which God
paffover, with their loins girded, their delivered them, and, as -fome have
ftioes on-'thcir feet, arid their Jiaff in thought, -might poffibly prefigure the
their hand; and they were, in that ftrength, fignified by unbroken bones,
manner, to eat it in hafte, becaufe it with which Chrift our paffover wrought
was the Lord's paffover. (Exod. xii. falvation, by his being crucified for us.
it.) So his command that a bone ofthe Vid. Lamp, in Loc.

Chap. xix. John paraphraftd.
the manner of the crofs, and wrapping it up with linen cloaths, and
Jews is to bury. w;tlj prefervative, as well as fragrant fpices, accord
ing to the Jewifh cuftom in burying perfons of re
putation and eminence ; whofe bodies did not ufe to
be embowelled, but perfumed and embalmed.
41 Now in the ^x ,Now there was a garden near that fpot of
?™?VWWfcheW" g'"ound where 'Jefus was crucified; and as, among
crucified, there was 3. „, J . , ., r ' '. , p
a garden ; and in tt>e JeWj> great men often, built lepufchres in their
the garden a new gardens, which might remind them of their own mor-
fepulchre, wherein tality, amMft the delights of life, and might affift
was never man yet tlleir mediations and hopes of- their dead bodies ri--
fing again, bke the fpringing of plants and flowers
out of the earth : So in this garden Jofeph had anew
tomb hewn out of a rock, (Mat. xxvii. 6c.) in which
no one had ever been buried before. (See the note
on chap. xi. 38.)
42 There laid 42 In this fepulchre therefore, becaufe it was fo
they Jefus tn„et,e- very near, they interred the body of jefus for the
tore, becaufe of the ¦ 1 j-r . 1 -. 1 • /- 1 j c
Jews' preparation- qmcker difpatch, it being a folemn day of prepara-
4ay, for the fe- *i°n f°r the paffover- Sabbath among the Jews-: And
pulchre was nigh Providence fo over-ruled thefe circumftances, that
at hand. though he died fo poor, as to have no burying place
of his own ; yet he made his grave -with the rich in
his death *, in accompli jhment .of a prophecy con
cerning him. (Ifa. liii. 9.)
RECOLLECTIONS.
What ffruggles are there in carnal hearts, between convictions of confeience and
fecular interefts, the fear pf God and the fear of man ; and how dreadfully preva
lent is the corruption of nature, which bears down all religion, truth, and juftice,
as it did in Pilate '. But how foocking muft their fin be, which is committed with
ftill higher aggravations, as the cafe was with the Jews.' With what outrage, in
dignity, and barbarity, was the great king of Ifrael ufed, when they cried out,
¦Crucify him, crucify him, and their unrighteous demand was fulfilled in-every cir-
cumftapeje of contempt and horror, even to the ignominious and painful death of
the crofs ! Behold the man, who endured the crofs and defpifed the Shame ; look
and love, wonder and mourn. There was no fault in him : For whofe fake then
did he freely undergo all this, but for his people's, in the greatnefs of his love to
them ? He was falfely accufed, that they might be honourably acquitted ; he was
wounded and feourged, that they might be healed by his ftripes ; he was clothed
with a robe of derifion, that they m'ight be adorned with a robe of righteoufnefs ;
he was crowned with thorns, that they might wear a diadem of glory ; his kingly
office wa* infulted and ridiculed, that they might obtain royal dignity, as kings
to God; he was condemned,- that they might he juftified; he carried his own crofs,
and was crucified upon it, that he might bear their fins and forrows, and the curfe
due tp them, and that they might take up their crofs and follow him ; he was
numbered with tranfgreffors, that they might be numbered with the righteous ;
he had vinegar to drink, that they might pledge him in a cup of falvation, joy, and
praife ; he bowed the head, and gave up the ghoft, that they might be exalted,
and live for ever : he was buried in the.grave, that he might fanctify it for them .;
he
NOTE.
* As fin and death commenced in a might be an emblem of his fancTrifying
garden, the conqueror of both rofe and thejjrave, as the firft fruits of them that
triumphed over them in a like place ; fleep in Jefus,
and Chrift's iiiiri§ from a new tomb

49° • The Evangelift Chap, xx;
he finifoed the whole work of their tedemption, that no demands of fatisfacTrion to
juftice might be made uppn them j and the benefit of all this extends to finners of
the Gentiles, Romans and Greeks, as well as Jews. His enemies could have had
no power againftfhim, without his Father's appointment, and his own free confent ;
but many prophecies were hereby fulfilled in him, and the title, which Pilate or
dered, as if it were a difgrace, owned him to be Meffiah, the King. With what
holy . confidence and joy may believers now behold their King! And how
worthy is he of their imitation, in his meeknefs, patience, ,and holy fortitude un
der all his fufferings, in his filial care of his mother after the flefo, and in his refig-
nation and faith, whereby he committed Ms departing foul into his heavenly 'Fa
ther's hand 1 And how can he embolden the moft timorous of his difeiples to own
him in the worft of times ! His crucifixion is recorded by a faithful eye-witnefs,
that we might believe, and be partakers of the virtue of his death, as fignified by
the water and blood, which proceeded from his wounds, for the remiflion of our
fins, a'nd cleanfing us from all unrighteoufoefs.

C- H A P. XX.
The refurreBion of Chrifi is proved by his body's not being found in
the fepulchre, aud the grave-clothes lying in good order there,
I, — io. By two angels appearing to Mary Magdalene at the fe
pulchre, ii, — 13. By Chrifi's own appearing to her, 14, — 18.
By his appearing that evening to all the apoftles, except Thomas,
19, — 25. And by his appearing to them again that day feven-
night,' Thomas being then with them, 26, — 31.
Text. Paraphrase.
•p HE firft day of r\N the firft day of the week, after the Sabbath
h*M we6MCT" was over, (fee the note on Matth. xxviii. f.)
lene eariy when dHary Magdalene, with fome other women, in the
it was yet dark, fervour of their zeal, and that they might the better
unto the fepulchre, pafs along undifcovered, fet out early in the morning,
and feeth the ftone before it was quite day, and got to Chrift's fepulchre
the^pukhre. r°m bY fun-rifing, (Mark xvi. 2.) in order to a further
embalment of his body ; and, at their arrival, they
found the great ftone was removed, which, while
they were looking on, Jofeph of Arimathea had laid
at the mouth of the tomb the day before the Sabbath.
(Matth. xxvii. 60, 61.)
2 Then (lie run- 2 Hereupon fhe, with the reft of the women,
seth, and cometh looking into the fepulchre, miffed the body of Jefus,
and St'o "the ^ther but faw two anSels> wbo told them that he was not
difciple whom Je- there, but was rifen : (Luke xxiv. 3, — 6. fee the
ius loved, and faith note there.) Then they, full of wonder, fear, and
unto them, They j0y, haftened away to the apoftles ; and Mary, fpeak-
thelordtuoahe in.S particularly to Peter, and John the beloved dit
fepulchre, and we clPle» ^ald to them, We have been at the fepulchre,
know not where and, inftead of finding the body of the Lord Jefus,
they have laid were furprifed with fomething like an appearance of
""n- angels, who told us he was rifen : (Luke xxiv. 4, 9.)
But, alas ! we fofpeft the vifion, and are ready to
believe that, either fome of his enemies in fpite to
him,

Chap. xx.

John paraphrafed.

491

3 Peter there-

fop

the fepulchre.

4 So

they ran
both

him, or fome of his friends, with a kind defign of
taking his body into their cuftody, have removed it
to fome other place, we know not where *.
3 Peter and John, being ftartled at this unexpeft-
went forth, e<j an(j amazing account, immediately ran to the fe-
cTpfe, anrfcame to Pulchre, that they might fee how things ftood there,
anft that, in an affair of fuch vaft importance, they.
might judge for themfelves.
4 So they both fet out in all hafte together, like
men
NOTE.
* Ouit oiSctfjttv ir&v, we know net tells us, they departed with fear and
where, in the plural number, intimates great joy, which mixture of paliions ve-
that the other women were with Mary at ry well tints the temper they might be
the fepulchre at leaft, and faw that the bo- fuppofed to be in at the aagels appearing
dy of Jefus was removed, before fhe went again, and repeating their former decla-
to the apoftles ; it was likewife upon ration. But that which feems to deter-
their telling what they had feen, and mine the point is, that Mat. xxviii. 9.
what the angels had faid, that Peter fays, As the women went to deliver the-
got up and ran to the fepulchre : (Luke angel's meffage to the difciples, Jefus
xxiv. 9, — 12, 23, 24.) And-wa need not met them; and yet it appears from all-
much wonder that, notwithftanding all the other Evangelifts, that none of, them
this, the women, under their ftrong pre- had feen him, when they went with this
judices, fears, and unbelief, fufpefted the firft meffage to the^ apoftles : But it is e-
body of Jefus to have been removed by vident from our Evangelift, in this chap-
the hands of men; fince we are afliired ter, ver. 12, — iS. that Mary faw hurt
that Mary, after fhe had feen the angels, immediately after the vifion of angels
expreffed herfelf in the fame manner to there mentioned, and' then went to the
them, ver. 12, 13. of this chapter. It is apoftles again to make her report of it ;
indeed very difficult to fettle the ac- and, as appears from Matth. xxviii. 5,
count of this part ofthe hiftory, in its — 1 1. the other women, immediately af-
proper connection with what is faid by ter the vifion there recorded, faw Jefus,
the other Evangelifts. But, upon care- which was either in company with Ma-
fully comparing them together, it feems ry, or foon afterwards by themfelves ;
to me, that there were two appearances and then they went forward with the
cf the angels to the women ; and that like tidings to the apoftles. This appears
Mark and Luke fpeak only of the fiifi, to me to be the moft natural account of
whilft Matthew and John, after men- thefe things, and takes off the difficulty

tioning the womens coming to the fepul-
ckre, and finding it open, with ferae o-
ther circumftances, pafs on to the fe
cond : For Mark xvi. 51 and Luke xxiv.
3. fpeak of the womens entering into the

of reconciling all the Evangelifts toge
ther, beyond any thing I have met with,
either in the harmonift's, or other expo-
fitors, that have come within my notice.
But as I had not fallen upon this thought.

fepulchre; but Matth. xxviii. 6. and our till after the Paraphrafe pn Matthew
Evangelift, ver. 11. reprefent Mary as was printed, I hope what little difagree-
Jlanding without: Matthew fays no- ment with this fcheme may be. found
thing about Jie angels meffage particu- there, will be excufed by the reader. —
larly to Peter ; whereas Mark xvi. 7. Some fuppofe that the narrative from
exprefsly mentions it; and Luke xxiv. the beginning of this chapter to ver. iS.
9, 1 2. fays, that, upon delivering their 'is of facts entirely new ; but others take
meffaie, Peter ran to the fepulchre ; them to be moftly different circumftan

and our Evangelift fpeaks of this as ha
ving been before Mary faw the angels
here mentioned, ver. 2, 12. Again,
Mark xvi. 8. fays the women fied from
the fepulchre, trembling and ama%ed,
lilre perfops terrified at the figJ-t, as one
might reafonably expect them to be
at "the angel's firft appearing and
fpeakii-j.- to them ; but Mat. xxviii, 8.

ces of the feme tacts, and that Mary
Magdalene only is mentioned, be raufe
foe was the moft remarkable, zealous, and
active woman, and the principal fpeaker
in the whole of this .r.~-ir; and I have
chofen to reprefent it in a confiftency
with the laft of thefe views, at leaft till
we come to ver. 11.

492

The Evangelift

Chap. xx.

both together: and - men eager to run a race ; and John being the young-
the other difciple tf of the two> and not fo depreffed with fear and
guilt, $s Peter was, on account of his having de
nied bis Lord, ran fafter than he, and reached the
tomb before him.,
5 And he, flopping at the mouth of the fepul
chre, ftooped down to look into it, and plainly faw
that the body of Jefus was really gone, and that the
linen cloaths, in which it was wrapped, were left be
hind it ; but being timorous, and full of confternation,
he did not venture in, to make a more exaft ferutiny.
6. 7 Then Peter haftening after him, as faft as
he could,- foon came up to the place, and, being na
turally a man of a more adventurous temper, went
direftly into the fepulchre itfelf, that he- might get
the fulleft fatisfaftion poffible, about the true ftate of-.
things there : And when he came to furvey it in the
ftrifteft manner, he not only found that the body of
Jefus was removed, but faw both the linen cloaths
that had been wrapped about it, and the napkin
which had been bound about his head ; and obfer
ved that that they were not thrown in a beap toge
ther, but were folded up, and laid apart in different
places from each other, which was a certain indica
tion that no perfon, whether friend or foe, had ta
ken away the body in a hurry.
8 Thereupon the other difciple, who firft arrived
at the fepulchre, took courage, frcwn Veter's exam
ple, to enter into it likewife ; and he feeing all thefe
circumftances, and comparing them with what the
women had faid about the vifion and admonition of
the angels, (Luke xrrdv. 9.) was in fome meafore
perfuaded *, merely upon thefe confiderations, that
Jefus was really come to life again, and bad no oc
cafion for burial-cloaths ; as he indeed had not, be
ing to die no more.
9 For hitherto, though Chrift had fo often refer
red to Old Teftament-prediftions; and declared that
they muft be accomplifhed in himfelf; yet fuch was
the ftupidity and backwardnefs of all the difciples,
to entertain any notions of a. dying Meffiah, that nei
ther Peter nor John underftood the meaning of thofe
feripture-prophecies, which fpoke of his refurreftion
from the dead, or had any hope about it on that ac
count j-. 10 Then'
NOTE S.
* Peter wondered at thefe things ; of thefe difciples faw them at the fepul-
(Luke xxiv. 12.) but it does not appear chre, to help their faith, which was in a
that he, as yet, beheved that Chrift was little time to be fatisfied, and confirmed
rifen from the dead And as angels can by Chrift's own appearing; to them.
appear or difappear at pleafure, neither f So wonderful was the wifdom of
God,

did outrun Peter,
and came firft fo
the fepulchre.
5 And he ftoop-
ingdown, andlook-
- ing in, faw the li
nen clothes lying ;
yet went he not in.

6 Then cometh
Simon Peter fol
lowing him, and
went into the fe
pulchre, and feeth
the linen clothes
tie; 7 And the nap
kin that was about
his head, not lyinr;
with the linen
clothes, but wrap
ped together in a
place by itfelf.

8 Then went in
alfo that other dif
ciple which -came
firft to the fepul
chre, and he faw,
and believed.

9 For as yet they
knew not the ferip.
ture, that he muft
rife again from the
dead.

Chap, xx.
roThen the dif
eiples went away
again unto their
own home.

1 1 But Mary
flrpod without at the
fepulchre, weeping:
and, as foe wept,
foe ftooped down,
and looked into the
fepulchre,

1 2 And feeth two
angels in white,
fitting, the one at
the head, and the
other at the feet,
where the body
of Jefus had lain.

13 And they fay
unto her. Woman,
why weppeft thou ?
She faith unto
them, Becaufe they
have taken away
my Lord, and I
know not where
they have laid him.

14 And when
foe had thus faid,
fhe turned herfelf
back, and faw Je
fos ftanding, and
knew not that it
was Jefus.

John paraphrafed. 493
10 Then thefe two difeiples, having learnt as much
as they could for the prefent, and being afraid left,
were they to ftay long at the fepulchre, fome fufpi-
cion might be raifed about their tampering with the
body of Jefus, returned home (trgoj tttvrovs) to their
own companions, to tell them what they had feen,
and confer with them about it, and to wait for fur
ther, difcoveries of this important event.
11 But, foon after thefe things, Mary Magda
lene being returned to the tomb, with an heart full
of perplexity, doubts, and fears, and defirous of hear
ing fome good tidings of her beloved Jefus, ftood la
menting her lofs with-out-fide of the entrance into
the fepulchre ; and as fhe was venting her grief in
tears, fhe ftooped down, and looked wifhfully into
the tomb, like one that could not tell how to depart
till fhe found him.
12 And there fhe again few two angels in bright
and glorious apparel, and in human form, (fee the
note on Matth. rxxviii. 6.) one placing himfelf where
the head, and the other where the feet, of the body
of Jefus had lain ; and fo they refembled the appear
ance of the cherubims at both ends of the mercy-
feat, and paid a vifible honour to their Lord, as if
he had rofe up between them, who had been fo late
ly crucified between two thieves.
13 And one of them fpoke to her, faying, in a
kind and tender manner, Woman, why fhould you
thus grieve and cry, who have more reafon to re
joice ? She replied, Alas ! I have caufe enougn for
my forrow and tears : For I have loft my deareft
Lord ; fome unknown perfons have removed his body
from this fepulchre, where it was laid, and I cannot
learn, by any means, where they have put it, or
what is become of it.
14 And, having fpoke thefe words, fhe flung her
felf round *, like one in an agony, and one defirous
to look every way, to fee if fhe could get any tid
ings of her Lord, nothing fhort of which could fa
tisfy her ; and inftantly fhe few Jefus himfelf ftanding
near her : But little expefting him there, and her
eyes being dim with tears, and in modefty turned off
from ftedfaflly looking at him, fhe knew not that it"
was he. 15 Then
NOTES.
of it ; though afterward, being folly con
vinced, they bore a brave and noble tef
timony to it. v
* Perhaps fhe heard the noife of
Chrift's feet behind her, and looking to
fee who it was, might not obferve his
face

God, in giving unqueftionable evidence
of Chrift's refurrectioij, that his enemies,
who were afraid of it, and did all they
could to prevent it, were jealous about
it ; and his owri.difciples, who could not
but heartily with for it, thought nothing
Vol. II. ¦ S f f

The Evangelift Chap. xx.
1 5 Then Jefus faid to her, Woman ! what is the
reafon of your weeping at this rate ? Who is it that
you want, and are inquiring after ? She fuppofing
him to be the, man f who had the care of the garden
in which the fepulchre was, replied, Sir, no wonder
I am in fo much trouble ; the body of a dear friend
of mine was lately buried here ; If you, or any by
your order, have taken it from hence, I earneftly beg
the favour of you to tell me where it is lodged, and
I'll take care to give it a fafe and honourable inter
ment. , ¦ . '. ¦
1 6 Hereupon Jefus, defigning now to difcover
himfelf to her, fpoke with his ufual voice, and in the
fame affeftionate manner as formerly; and calling her
by her name, faid, What ! is it you, Mary, that are
lamenting after your beloved ? at which, fhe turned
her face and eyes toward him, and immediately know
ing- him, faid, with faith, affeftion, and reverence,
in the Jewifh language, -f- Rabboni, which was the
higheft title of honour that was ever given to any of
their teachers, and fignifies my Mafier.
17 Then flie, in a perfeft rapture of love and joy,
running to embrace him, and to catch hold of his feet
and adore him, as all the women did likewife, when
they faw him j (Matth. xxviii. 9.) Jefus, to reftrain
her, faid, Do not ftay now to exprefs your affeftion
in this manner to me, whom you will have opportu
nities hereafter of feeing again : For as I have not
yet \ afcended, fo I am hot juft now going up to my
heavenly
NOTES.
face at the firft glance ; or if foe did, he \ The verb a»txGi€nx.a and avxSctitu,
could eafily fo affect her organs of fight, 'ufed here and in the latter part ofthe
as to prevent her knowing him, till the verfe is active, as it likewife is in chap.

494
1 5 , Jefos faith
unto her. Woman,
why weepeft thou ?
whom feekeft thou?
She, fuppofing him
to be the gardener,
faith unto him, Sir,
if thou have borne
him hence, tell me
where thou haft
laid him, and I
will take him a-
way. ifi Jefus faith
unto her, Mary.
She turned herfelf,
and faith unto him,
•Rabboni ; which is
to fay, Mafter.

17 Jefus faith
unto her, Touch
me not ; for I am
not yet afcended
to my Father: but
go to my brethren,
and fay unto them,
I afcend unto my
Father and your
Father,

time was come for manifeftin^- himfelf
to her, as he dealt with the difciples in
the way to Emmaus. , (Luke xxiv. 16.)
See the Paraphrafe and note there.
* It was natural for her to think that
it might be the gardener, his bufinefs
lying there, and that he might be ready
to give her what information he could,
fince he belonged to Jofeph, who had
fhewn fuch friendfhip to Jefus : How
ever, the diltrels of her fpirit infpired her
with courage to beg this favour of him.
f Several critics have obferved that,
as Rabbi is more emphatical than Rabb,
fo Rabban, or Rabbon is more emphati
cal than Rabbi, and fignifies fuch a maf
ter as1 is of chief eminence and authority;
and fo- Mary calling Chrift Rabboni,
with an appropriating pronoun, fainted
the rifen Saviour as her great Mafter,
whom (lie affectionately loved, and re
verenced, and claimed an intereft in.

iii. 13. and vi. 62. and Eph. iv. 8, 9, 10. to
fignify that our Lord's afcenfion was by his
own power, as his own act, or that he
was not paffive in it, as beiievers will be,
who, I think, are never faid in a literal
fenfe to afcend to heaven, but -will be
caught up in the clquds to meet the Lord
in the air, ( I Thef. iv. 17.) And though
his difciples had fo lately forfaken him
in the time of his reproach and fufferings,
and he was now rifen to, and goiug to
take poffeffion of his glory ; yet he was
not afhamed to call them brethren ; and
this being the firft time of his ever direct
ly calling them fo, may intimate that
lie had then fecured, and eftablifhed this
happy relation between himfelf and
them, and that his exaltation would be
no abatement of his condefcenfion and
grace to them. Dr. Goodwyn's fenfe of
the former part of this verfe is, (n* artrfv')
I)o not at prefent in fo familiar a man ner

Chap. xx.
Father, and to my
Cod, and your God.

John paraphrafed.

495

1 8 Mary Mag
dalene came and
told the difeiples^
that foe had feen
the Lord, and that
hehad fpoken thefe
things unto her.

1 9 Then the fame
day at evening, be
ing the ftrft day of
the week, when the
doors were fout,
where the difciples
were affembled for
fear of the Jews,
came Jefus, and
ftood in the midft,
and faith unto
them, Peace be
unto you.

¦zo And when
he had fo faid, he
fliewed unto them his

ner hang aboutme,
fcended.as I foall be
you and I fhall be

heavenly Father : But haften thou away, wjth a,ll
fpeed, to my poor, difconfolate, ' and diftreffed difci
ples, whom I ftill love as much as ever, and whom I
efteem and own as my brethren, having taken them
into my Father's family, and made- them heirs with
myfelf of the glory to which I am going : And tell
them, as from me, that I am rifen to immortal life,
and not to fet' up a temporal throne among them on
earth ; and that, according to what 1 lately faid to
them, (chap. xiv. z, 3.) 1 am about to afcend to my
own Father, who is fo by nature, 'and to their Fa
ther, who is fo by adoption and grace ; and to my
God, who is in covenant with me, as their head,
and to -their God, who is in covenant with them,
through me,, and under me, and in whom they 'may
have the greateft confidence on my account.'
18 Accordingly Mary Magdalene, preferring pre
fent duty to prelent enjoyments, went immediately in
obedience to his command, and, with an air of plea
fure and fatisfaftioh in her countenance, told the dif
ciples that the Lord Jefus had appeared to her, and
had fent ber with the' wonderful, condefcending, and
gracious tidings, which fhe rehearfed as from himfelf,
to affure them of his great love, care, and concern
for them.
19 After this, in the evening ofthe very fame day
on which he arofe, and appeared to Mary Magdalene,
viz. the firft day ofthe week j when the difeiples were
gathered together in a private room, and were com
paring notes about his, refurreftion, (Luke xxiv. 34,
— 36.) after the doors were faftened (6vj>uv x.ix,xii<r[*i-
ym) for fear of being difcovered and broke in upon
by the Jews, Jefus himfelf, whofe divine power could
eafily make his way, (fee the note on Luke xxiv. 37.)
came in his ufual form, before they were aware, to
confirm his love to them, and their faith in him ; and,
ftanding in the midft of tbem, he, inftead of upbraid
ing them for, 'or taking any notice of their having fo
rfhamefully deferted him in his late diftrefs, faluted
them in a friendly, affeftionate, and authoritative man
ner, faying, All fafety, comfort, . and quietnefs, . and
the beft of profperity, be to you, as confifting of
peace with God, with one another, and in your own
fouls ; / have bleffed you, ' and ye fliall be bleffed.
20 And as, af this fudden appearance and faluta
tion, they were in a great fright, imagining that they
faw a ghoft, (Luke xxiv. 37.) he, t6 reftify their
S f f 2 miftake,
NOTE.
for I am not yet a- with all my faints and children, you fliall
ere long: And when have familiarity enough with me. Vol.
in heaven together IV. Part II. pag. 112, 113.

496.

The Evangelift

Chap. xx.

his hands and his
fide, Then were
the difciples glad
when they faw the
Lord. '

21 Then faid Je
fus to them again,
Peace be unto you :
as my Father hath
fent met even fo
fend I you.

22 And when
lie had faid ^his,
he breathed on
them, and faith "un
to them, Receive
je the Ho}y Ghoft.

23 Whofe foever
fins ye remit, they
are remitted unto
them ; and whofe
foever fins ye re
tain, ttiey are re
tained.

miftake, immediately prefented to their view his hands
and feety (Luke xxiv. 39.), and his fide, that they
might fee the fears of the wounds, which had been
made on all thofe parts at his crucifixion ; and fo
might be the better fatisfied that it was really himfelf
who then appeared among them. And they being
thereby convinced that it was the fame body which
had been, crucified, were filled with exceeding great
joy, he therein making good his promife of feeing
them again, that their hearts might rejoice after their
forrow. (Chap, xvi. 22.)
2 1 Then, they being recovered from their furprife,
Jefus repeated his blefiing upon them, with further
enlargement, fayingf The excellent peace, which I
promifed you, (chap. xiv. 27.) I am now come to
confer in the moft effeftual manner upon you : And
as my heavenly Father fent me into the world, to, dif
charge the office of the Meffiah ; even fo I, by my
plenary authority, and in proof of my mediatorial com
miffion, fend you to difcharge the office of apoftles.
and minifters, in preaching the gofpel to every crea
ture, and to confirm it with miraculous figns wherever
ye may go. (Mark xvi., 15, 17, 18.)
22 And, having fpoke thefe words, he breathed
upon them, in an emblematical way, to intimate that
the Spirit proceeded from his divine perfon, as.' truly
as the breath did from his human, body ; and that as^
in the. creation of this world, God breathed into
man the breath of life, and he became a living foul ;
(Gen. ii. 7.) fo in the new creation, he could as ea
fily convey bis quickening fpirit to them, as breathe
upon them ; and at -the fame time he faid to the dif
ciples^ with all the authority of a God, Receive ye
now the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghoft, to en
lighten your minds, and ftrengthen your faith in me
the rifen- Saviour, as an earneft of, what ye -fhall re
ceive more abundantly a little while hence, for your
fpiritual illumination, fanftification, and confolation,
and for your affiftance and fuccefs in the minifterial
work, which I commit to" you.
23 And this fliall be attended with fuch divine au
thority, that whoever fincerely believes in me, accord
ing .to the gofpel which 1 fend you to preach, and ye
thereupon declare him to be-; forgiven all trefpaffes ;
he is. certainly forgiven, by. the riches of divine grace,
on my account, and may take the comfort of it;
And whoever perfifts in unbelief, fin ally rejefting me,
and my gofpel of falvation, which I fend yau to pub
lifh, and ye thereupon declare him to be in a ftate of
condemnation ; his fins are not blotted. out, or forgi-
Y en,. but lie in judgment againft him, \s he will find tp

Chap, xx,

24 But Thomas,
one of the twelve,
called Didymus,
was not with them
when Jefus came.

25 The other
difciples therefore
faid unto him, We
have feen the Lord.
But he faid unto
them, Except I
foall fee in his
hands the print of
the nails, and put
my finger into the
print of the hails,
and thruft my hand
into his fide, I will
not believe.

%6 And, after
eight days, 2rjain
his difciples were
within, and Tho mas

* What is here faid is applicable, ac
cording to the Paraphrafe, to every faith
ful miiiifter of Chrift, as well as the apof
tles, to encourage them in the difcharge
of their Office : But if our Lord meant
any thing farther, which was peculiar
1o the apoftles, it might refer to the pow
er be gave them of difcerning fpirits, and
thereupon of'CeMng the corporal difea.
fes of fuch as they perceived had faith to

John paraphrafed. 497
to his forrow ; fo that the fentence of abfolution or
condemnation fhall be valid, which ye fhall regularly
pronounce in my name and authority, according to
my word; (Mark xvi. 1 6.) * God himfelf will con
firm it, and proceed according to it in the great day.
24 But when the bleffed Jefus made this gracious
vifit to the reft of the apoftles, Thomas, who was
bkewife called Didymus, (fee the note on chap. xi.
16.) and was chofen and fet apart to be one of them
that were originally twelve in number, was not pre
fent with them ; -and as this negleft was his own great
lofs, fo providence over-ruled it to make way for fuch
further evidence of Chrift's refurreftion from the deadi
as might put it paft all reafonable difpute, in that,
and fucceeding generations.
25 The reft of the difeiples therefore, -meeting
with him a little afterwards,, laid to him with a tranf-
port of joy, We ourfelves have feen the Lord Jefus
alive again, who fpoke in the moft endearing manner
to us. But Thomai , though he had often feen Chrift's
mighty works, and heard him fpeak of his refurrec-
tion-, and -was prefent at the report that the women
made of it, as aftually come to pafs; (Luke xxiv. 9.)
and though he knew his brethren to be fober and
faithful men, whom Jefus had chofen to be his witnefs-
es ; yet fo defperate was his unbelief, that he replied
Alas !, ye have been fome way or other impofed upon,
as we all know the women were, when they told us
juft fuch another unlikely ftory : (Luke xxiv. 11.) For
my part, I do not believe a word of what you fay,
the thing itfelf is impoffible ; and unlefs 1 were to fee
him and his fears with mine own eyes, and feel him
with mine own hands, fo as to put my finger into the
dents made in his hands by the naik- that faftened him
to the crofs, and my hand into the hofe that the fol-
dier's fpear made in his fide, I will never believe that
he is really rifen from the dead.
26 And in this unbelieving condition he continued,
diftreffed and comfortle.'s, as a ftranger to his bre-
threns joys, till the next return of the firft day ofthe
week *, when the difeiples affembled privately again} and
NOTES.
be healed, as in the cafe of the cripple
at Lyftlra, (Acts xiv. S, 9, 10.) and of
inflicting corporal puniffiments on others,
whom they knew to be hypocrites and
enemies to the gofpel : Inftances of which
we have in Am-nias and Sapphira, and
Elymas the forcerer. (ABs v. 3, Wc.
and xiii. 10, it.) fee the note on Matth.
xvi. 19.
' * After eight days in the Jewifh idi om

498 The Evangelift Chap. xx.
mas with them, and Thomas having fuffered fo much by his late ab-
Then came Jefos, fence, took care to be with them, they ftill admitting
the doors being h;m tQ farf foci as a fincere djfe,-ple though t
lhut, and ftood in r , , J r.i-rri-ii
the midft and faid prefent under the power of unbefiet, from which they
Peace be unto you. hoped that Chrift would fome way or other foon reco
ver him : Then Jefus came into the room, after . the
doors, had been faftened, in the fame manner, and for
the fame reafon as before, (ver. 19.) and ftanding
vifibly among them, repeated his former friendly falu
tation, faying, I command that all the bleffings of fpi
ritual peace and profperity may reft upon you.
27 Then faith he 27 Hereupon Jefus, knowing the incredulity of
to t homas, Reach Thomas's heart, and yet his real concern not to be
and behold "^mv deceived in a point of the laft importance, fo far con-
fcands ; and reach defcended to bis weaknefs, as to fpeak particularly
Either thy hand, to him by name ; and inftead of upbraiding him for
and thruft it into fos obftinacy and perverfenefs, in refufing the reafon-
m^ l -tui ?" u t able and fufficient evidence, that had been given be-
not faithlefs, but . ' o
fjelie-ving. tore, he, with amazing endearments ot grace, laid
to- him, Come Thomas, take the very proof that you
yourfelf infift on, of my being rifen indeed ; reach
hither your finger, and examine the wounds that
were made in my hands, by your own feeling, as well
as eye-fight ; and then put your hand to the hole
that, was made in my fide ; fatisfy yourfelf by all
means poffible, that this is a real body, the very
fame which was crucified ; and be no longer incredu
lous ; (ctmdlts) but believe that I am rifen from the
dead, depending on me for all its glorious confe
quences * • And this word of command was attended
with fuch power, as worked effeftual faith in his heart.
28 Then
N O T E S.
pm fignifies a week, or that day feven- * It is uncertain whether Thomas
night, which, including the day reckoned made the experiment, that was offered
from, and the day reckoned to, is eight him ; it rather feems as if he did not, by
<iays; (fee the note on Matth. xxvii. 63.) Chrift's only faying in the next verfe, be-
probably Chrift, in his former meeting caufe thou haft feen me thou haft belie-
of the difeiples on the firft day of the ved : But, be this as it will, his bare fee-
week, gave them an intimation, of his ing and handling the rifen body of our
appointing it for the New Teftament- Lord would have been no more effectual
Sabbath, if not of his vifiting them per- of themfelves to cure his unbelief, than
tonally again at its next return ; and the other evidences were, that had been
fome think that he appeared to them e- given him before ; for a carnal heart
very firft day of the week, between his might have raifed fome perverfe and un-
refurrection and afcenfion to heaven : reafonable objections againft thefe proofs,
However, he fo fanctified and bleffed it, as well as them : And therefore, though
by thefe vouchfafements of his prefence thefe were extraordinary means of this
now and before, and by the wonderful divine and appropriating faith, and ftrong
effufion of his Spirit at the following pen- inducements or motives to it ; yet it was
tecoft, that from thenceforward it was the word of Chrift fet home upon his
ronftantly obferved by the apoftles, and heart with power, which begat it in
the primitive church, and was commonly him ; for it was immediately upon Chrift's
called, by way of eminence and diftiuc- faying, Be not faithlefA-bnt believing,
fion, the Lord's day. (Rev. i. io.) that Thomas cried out, Oily JLord, aiiq\
my God.

29 Jefus faith
unto him, Thomas,
becaufe thou haft
feen me, thou haft
believed : bleffed
are they that have
not feen, arid yet
have believed.

Chap. xx. John paraphrafed. 499
28 And Thomas '28 Then Thomas, full of admiration at the con-
anfwered and faid defeenfion and grace of Chrift, and at his own ftupi-
ariTmSt dkY and backwardnefs to believe, and full of holy
fhame and joyful ecftacy, cried out, I now declare,
before all the company, that I am fully fatisfied, and
do believe thee to be the rifen Redeemer, and the
God of all falvation ; as fuch I adore thee, and I
take thee for my Lord, and my God.
29 Jefus replied, in a way of gentle rebuke,
Thomas, you have indeed now believed, being indu
ced thereunto-by the teftimony of your fenfes ; it is
well for you, that any means have been at length
made effeftual to overcome your unbelief: But their
faith is ftill more noble, fpiritual, and ingenuous, and
brings more honour to God, who believe in me, bare
ly upon a divine teftimony fufficiently notified, as the
Old Teftament-feints did, whofe faith refted on a
mere word of promife ; and as they will do, who
fhall hereafter believe through the word of my infpi
red witneffes, though it be not confirmed to tbem by
fenfible evidence, as it hath been to you.
30 And as Jefus gave thefe undeniable atteftations
to his refurreftion, by doing and faying wonderful
things, to fatisfy the doubts of his difciples about it ;
fo he added many other infallible proofs, being feen
of them forty days after his paffion, (Afts i. 3.)
which are not recorded in this facred hiftory.
31 But thefe particulars are recited, under divine
fuggeftion and conduft, as fufficient fpecimens of
the reft, that ye, to whom thefe prefents fhall come,
may be induced to believe, that Jefus is indeed the
Saviour of finners, whom the Father has anointed
to, and has owned and accepted in his office, and that
he is the eternal Son of God, poffeffed of the divine
nature and perfections, and demonfirated to be fo,
by his refurreBion from the dead ; (Rom. i. 4.) and
that, through faith in him as fuch, ye may be-par-
takers of fpiritual and eternal life, by the merit of his
blood, and the power of his refurreftion, who is a-
livc for evermore, and has the keys of hell and of
death. (Rev. i. 18.)
RECOLLECTIONS.
Bleffed be God for the ftrong and numerous evidences he has given of Chrift's re-
furrection from the. dead. How clearly does this appear from the open fepulchre,
from the orderly pofition of his burial-cloaths there, from the teftimony of angels,
and from his own frequently foewing himfelf after his crucifixion to many faithful
witneffes, who faw and converfed with him '. And how were the jealoufies, and
diftrufts of his difciples about it, over-ruled by Providence into occafions of transmit
ting to us the more abundant .-md unqueftionable confirmation of this fundamental
article of our faith, which we are affured was likewife attended with many other
infallible proof^ that are not recorded in this book! And O, the aftonifhing con
defcenfion and love of the rifen Saviour to them, that had fo lately forfook him in
his

30 And many
other figns truly
did Jefus in the
prefence of his dif
ciples, which are
not written in this
book. 31 But thefe are
written, that ye
might believe that
Jefus is the Chrift,
the Son of God,
and- that believing
ye might have life
through his name.

500 The Evangelift Chap. xxi.
his laft extremities; to Peter, who had fo foamefully denied- him; and to Thomas,
whofe unbelief was fo obftinate and perverfe 1 ^e appeared and pronounced peace
unto them, and owned them, as he does all that believe in -film, for brethren, and
is gone to heaven to manage and fecure their interefts with his Father, and their
Father, his covenant-God, and their God. Happy fouls'.' that are brought to be
lieve in the rifen and exalted. Jefus, and to claim and adore him, as their Lord and
their God. Though we have not the fenfible evidence which he vouchfafed to thofe
witneffes of his refurrection ; yet we riave faithful and unexceptionable records from
one, whom he infpired with the Holy Ghoft, to be fhe ground of faith in him, -
as the Son of God, and our Saviour : And though darknefs and' fears may fome
times overfprea'd our minds in aa hour of temptation, Chrift can eafily fpeak us in
to faith and jiiy by his word and Spirit ; and bleffed are they that have not feen,
and yet have believed ; they foall obtain eternal life through his name. But with
what care foould we take all opportunities of attending religious affemblies, and
obferving the Lord's day, in hopes of meeting with Jefus, and of hearing him fpeak
peace to our fouls '.

CHAP. XXI.
Chrifi difcovers himfelf again to feveral difciples at the fea of Tibe
rius, and eats with them, i, — 14. Orders Peter to feed his fheep
and lambs, 15, — 17. Foretels the manner of Peteds death, 18,
19. And checks his curiofity about 'John, 20, — 23. The conclu
fion of this gofpel, 24, 25.
Text. Paraphrase.
^FTER. thefe A FTER the appearances of Jefus, that have been
foewedTfoifelf a^ abeady recorded, the difciples, as he had or-
gain to the difci- dered them, (Matth. xxviii. 10.) retired from Jeru-
ples at the fea of falem to Galilee ; and as he had promifed to meet
Tiberias ; and on them there, fo before his interview with them all to-
he bi?Mf. *e gether on a mountain, according to his appointment,
(Matth. xxviii. 16.) he took an opportunity to dif
cover himfelf again to feveral of them, at the fea of
Tiberias, which is alfo called the fea of Galilee ; and
it was in the following manner :
2 There were 2 Simon Peter and Thomas, who Was likewife call-
tef^an^Tho^s ed Did5'mus> and had now got over his unbelief,
called"" Didymus* an(* Nathanael, an inhabitant of Gana in Galilee, as
:.nd Nathanael of alfo James and John, the two fons of Zebedee, and
Cana in Galilee, two other difeiples * of the Lord, were got together
e.nd the fons of Ze- waiting for the appointed meeting, according- to his
bedee, and two o- -P j ¦ if j- . 1 • , &
ther of his difciples. Promile> and ln obedience to his command.
3 Simon Peter 3 I" tne mean while, that they might not be idle,
faith unto them, but employ themfelves in fome ufeful way for a liveli-
I go a-fiihing. hood, Peter faid to the reft of his brethren, I'll go
F Ky "y him° a"fi/*"nS » ant* tney> being defirous to keep together, told
NOTE.
* It is uncertain who thefe were; but is plain, from ver. 7. and 20. that John
Andrew and Philip being Galileans, was one of this company, though r.e is
(chap. i. 44.) fome have thought that not here mentioned.
they were thefe other two : And yet ft

Chap. xxi. John paraphrafed. 501
h™h Y6 aIfo. go toM h'm they would g° ^ong w^h him : Accord-
went forth and in& they a11 Went' and forthwith took a boat for
entered into' a foip their purpofe, and fpent that night in fruftlefs la-
immediately ; and bour, catching nothings God fo ordering it in his
that night they providence, to make the following miracle, and the
caught nothing. fefeuftion defigned by it, the more remarkable.
4 But, when the 4. And Qi) the next morning Jefus came, and
morning was now ftood m tfo q^ wkhJn fi fe and ^j Nev£rthe.
come, Felus ltood , r r \ .1 ,-r • 1
on the fhore: but le!s> (p"™) -the difciples, not expeftmg to meet
the difciples knew with him there, were fo far from knowing him, that
not that it was Je- they took him for a perfeft ftranger.
fUS Th ^ ^en our bleffed Lord, as if he had wanted ei-
faith unto them' th5,r ,t0 S^tifY his curiofity, or to buy provifions,
Children, have ye called to them, faying, in a familiar manner, Have
any meat? They ye catched any fifh, (vctilia.) my lads? They repli-
anfwered him, No. ed, No, none at all.
6 And he faid 6 Whereupon Jefos defigning to difcover himfelf
the" net^n ^he t0 them by further miraculous figns, and to give
right "fide °of the tl,em a hint of the great fuccefs they fhould have in
foip, and ye ' foall their minifterial work, according to his appointment
find. They caft and command, and by his affiftance, though without
therefore, and now him they could do nothing to good purpofe ; he
Me Vdrawlt'for fP°ke to them again, faying, Throw your net on the
the multitude of right fide of the boat, and ye will certainly find a
fifties. great fhoal there. Then the difciples being willing
to try what might be done, rather thqn return with
out catching any thing,- caft their net according to
bis direftion ; and it inclofed fuch a furprifing num
ber of fifhes, that they could not draw it up into the
boat.
7 Therefore that 7 This was fuch a den-fonftration of Chrift's do- g.
difciple whom Je- m;nfen over the fifhes of the fea, (Pfal. viii. 6, 8.
Ius loved, faith un- . . . tT , .. , „ . , r vi 1
to Peter It is the compared with Heb. 11. 6, 8.) and was io like the
Lord. Now, when miracle he had wrought in the fame lake before,
Simon Peter heard (Luke v. y, — 10.) that his favourite difciple John,
that it was the reflefting upon it, and being under divine illumina-
Lord he girt his ; f ^ p Undoubtedly this is no other
fiflier s coat unto ' ' ' . ..
him, (for he was than the Lord Jefus, who now again appears to us :
naked,) and did Upon which Peter, being convinced that, it really
caft himfelf into was f0j immediately girded about him his fifher' ;
coat *, -and in the warmth of his love and zeal, jump
ed, at all adventures, into the water, to get to Chrilt
with the utmoft fpeed. 8 And' '
NOTE.
* The critics varioufly difpute about ftripped off fome of their upper-cloaths ;
this coat, (etiiJuVhv) fome taking it to be (1 Sam. xix. 24. 2 Sam. vi. 20. and
an inner, and others art outward gar- Matth. xxv. 30.) and fometimes when
ment ; but which ever it was, there is their garments only hang fo loofe about
no occafion to fuppofe that Peter was them, that their flefh may be feen; (Ifa.
quite naked before : For perfons are faid xx. 2, 3.) and perhaps Peter only girt
to be naked, when they have only their the garment about hinj which was loofe
fliirt on, or even when they have only before.
Vol. II. T 1 1

502 The Evangelift Chap. xxi.
S And the other 8 And the reft of the difciples made the beft of
a hide5 fhW for the'r ^ t0 h™' aS faft aS the^ C°uld' m ^ *"*?'
they were"n'ot far ^ragg'ng the nety that was fo full of fiffi, along with
from land, but :rs them in the water ; for they were but about an bun-
it were two hun- dred yards off from the land.
dred cubits,) drag- ^ Now, as foon as they came a-fhore, they faw a
fifhes 6 "et Wlt g00<l fire ready made, to warm. and dry them, and
9 As foon' then drefs their food ; and faw fifh already broiling on the
as they were come coals, and bread at hand to be eaten with it *.
to land, they faw a TO And that they might take the more particular
anaffofet Z?e- f !« of the preceding miracle, in the great draught
on, and bread. they had made, as alfo that they might eat the truit
10 Jefos faith of their labour, he ordered them to bring fome of
unto them, .Bring the fifh, which they had catched, and' to drefs it on
°e '''"hale "not the coals to make UP thdr meaL
caught. * ll Then Peter went, and, with the affiftance of
1 1 Simon Peter his brethren, drew the net, till they landed it ; and
*ent up, and drew it was found, upon a careful reckoning, to be full of
the net tofend full jarge fi{hes> t0 the number of one hundred fifty and
hundred ancT'fifty three : And though they were (to<™™) fo great,
and three : and for ftrong, and many ; yet, by another miraculous ope-
all there were fo ration of Chrift's power, the net was preferved -J- from
arhTne C Ten" *"* bci"g rCnt and t0nK
^"e Tefos "faith I2 Je^us feeing with what awe the difeiples were
unto them, Come ftruck at his prefence, and at his performing thefe
and dine. And miracles, faid to them, in a kind and affable manner,
none of the difci- Come, fit down, and eat with me ; (fee the note on
WhodUart thou™? Lute xxiv' 43") whIch he d!d as a further Proof of •
knowing that it the reality of his reforreftion, and as an emblem of
was the Lord. that fpiritual, free, and friendly communion he would
have with them, while they fhould remain upon earth,
though he was rifen to be glorified, and of the ftill
more intimate communion he would admit them to
in heaven. And they were fo fully fatisfied of its be
ing the Lord himfelf, that none of them thought
there was any room to afk him, whether he were or
not ; nor durft they venture to put fuch a queftion
to him, becaufe it would have carried an appearance
of remaining unbelief.
13 Jefus then 13 Then, they fitting down, he went and placed
cometh and taketh himfelf among them, having, as the mafter of the
bread, and g.vefli fcaft> afl<ed a bkffing on tfo foodf wh{ch he contj_
¦' nued
NOTES.
* 'Tis highly probable that Chrift, as the fifh were fecured ; but in this the
the Lord of the earth, as well as of the net was kept whole, notwithftanding
lea, had miraculoufly provided all this the flouncing of the great fifoes. Per-
for their fpeedy refrefhment, and for a haps, as fome have thought, that net was
further mauifefUtion of his power and their own, and this was borrowed, the
mercy on their behalf. difciples having left off their filhing
trade ; and fo Chrift preferved it from
f In a former miracle of- this kind, damage, to teach us to take care of hor-
(Luke v. 6, 7.) the net broke, and yet rowed goods.

e

Chap. xxi. John paraphrafed. 503
than, and fifh like- nued to do after, as well as before his ,death, to fet
us an example; (Luke xxiv. 30.) and he diftributed
both the bread and fifh among them.
?wi •TJhis " "L°w J+ Now this was the third time, (chap. xx. 10,
JeWfl^eTht" 26-) ^hat Jefus difcovered himfelf, as Veally alive, to
felf to his difciples, mY confiderable number of hw difeiples 'together, af-
after that he was ter his refurreftion, though he more privately appear-
nfen from the dead, ed, on various occafions, to feveral particular per
fons *.
ha^d^fe , '* Afto ^ had d°ne eati"g> and Chrift had
faith to Simon Perr thereby given them tokens of his friendfhip, he
ter, Simon, fon of thought it a proper feafon tacitly to reprove Peter
Jonas, loveft thou for his late.fhameful denials of bim, and to intimate
thefe '""He faith the greatnefs °f h.is own love in forgrv"ng him, as
unto himf Yea ^° t0 admoinm him of his duty for time to come,
Lord ; thou know- and to fatisfy him, and the reft of the difciples, that
eft that I love thee, he had reftored him to his commiffion, as well as-ta-
He faith unto him, ken him into favour, notwithftanding all that had
Feed my iambs. paf]-ed . ^d therefore he fpoke t0 him partfeularly)
by his original name, and not by that which he him
felf had given him with a view to his ftronp faith,
(Matth. xvi, 17, 18.) faying, Simo:i, fon of Jonas,
you not long ago faid, Though all men be offended
becaufe of thee, yet will not I : (Matth. xxvi. 33.)
Have you indeed a greater affeftion to me than f any
of thefe my difciples have ? Peter anfwered, Lord,
though, were I to be judged of by my late behaviour,
there is too much reafon to fufpeft me, and though
I dare not pretend to exceed my brethren in their
love, having too much already experienced the vani
ty of fuch prefumptuous thoughts ; yet I dare hum
bly appeal to thee, that thou knoweft I fincerely love
thee. Jefus replied, Shew then your love to me, in
Ttt 2 exercifing
NOTES.
. * This may likewife be underftood of more than thefe nets and boats, and the
the third day of his fhewing himfelf to pleafure and profit of fifhing? But Pe-
any of his difciples: For his appearance ter's dropping this part of the queftion
to Mary Magdalene, and other women, in his anfwer, feems to intimate;- that
to Peter, and the two difciples at Em- he underftood it to relate to his loving
maus, and to all the apoftles together, Chrift more than his fellow-difciples lov-
except Thomas, was pn the day of his ed him : For no doubt but he could
refurrecTrion ; Mat. xxviii. §. and Luke have faid, that he loyed him more than
xxiv. 13,31, — 36.) and his foewing him- thofe other earthly things, or elfe he could
felf to them all, when Thomas was with not have appealed to him for his fince*
them, was on that day feven-night ; rity therein ; fince if he did not love his
(chap. xx. 26.) and after this we have Lord in preference to all things here, he
no account of his appearing again to any could not be truly faid to love him at
of them till now. all ; (Matth. x. 37.) but a remembrance
f More than thefe,- (¦at.ttot roufov) ofhis former felf-confidence, and itsdread-
may, by the conftruction, refer to the fol effeclrs, might well make him afraid
objects of Peter's love, which would of fpeaking of his love, as excelling that
make the meaning of the queftion to be, of the reft of his brethren ; accordingly
Do you love me more than you do thefe, Jefus condefcended to renew the queitioii
your earthly friends and companions, or without the comparifon.

504 The Evangelift Chap. xxi.
exercifing a tender care toward the weakeft of my
flock, by adminiftring fuch doftrines, as may be re-
frefning and ftrengthening to them whom I now com
mit to your charge.
1 6 He faith to 1 6 Again he faid to him a fecond time, Simon,
him a?ain tfie fe- fon of jonas have you then a hearty and affeftion-
cond time, Simon, , r , t> r , - r " tr
frm of Jonas, loveft ate love for me ? Peter anfwered as before, Yea,
' riou me > He faith Lord, I truft I can abide by this appeal, that thou
unto him, Yea, knoweft I have a fincere defire toward thee, efteem
Lord; thou know. 0f thee and delight in thee. Jefus replied again,
eft that I love thee. T . • ., b, j-r lT • fu sxl\ c
He faith unto him, Let. ll then aPPear hY Y°™ difcharging the office of
Feed my foeep. ' a faithful fhepherd toward all my fheep that may come
under your care.
17 He faith tin- 1 7 After this Chrift put it clofe to him a Third
to him the third time, faying, Simon, fan 'of Jonas, will you then
time, Simon /ok of ift d tQ ; thaf. thus unfeignedly love me J Then
:onas, loveft thou „ ,.': ' . , . , ° r ' . . . .
"me > Peter was Peter being to pfainty reminded ot his having three
grieved, becaufe he times over denied his Lord a few days ago, notwith-
faid unto hira the ftanding his high profeffions to the contrary, was ex-
tmrd tine, loveft ceedingly troubled in fpirit at this further repetition
feid unto him'Lord °^ the fame queftion, and faid, with ftill more earneft-
thou knoweft all nefs than before, Lord, I know there is no deceiving
/ things; thouknow- thee, who art fully acquainted with all things, even
eft that I love thee. t0 the moft fecret difpofitions of the heart ; but my
i i n Feed mv great comfort is, that, how juftly foever I may fuf-
n,t,c'p. s peft myfelf, and deferve to be fufpefted by thee and
others, thy omnifcient eye fees the principle of love
which is in my foul toward thee, and the upright-
nefs of my appeal to thee about it. Jefus anfwered,
as before, Prove then the fincerity of your love*, by
feeding my peopfe with knowledge and underftanding,
like a paftor after mine own heart, whatfoever dan
gers and fufferings you may be expofed to for it.
1 S Verily, veri- 18 And 1, who am Truth itfelf, affuredly tell you,
ly. I fey unto thee, that though, in the days of your youth and vigour,
When thou waff y0u ufed to gird your cloaths about your loins, and
cdftDgthyieTft E'and" g° wherever you pleafed, as but now you girded your
walked* whither filter's coat about you, and came to me ; (ver. 7.)
thou wouldft : but yet, in the declining age of life, to which you fhall
when thou foalt he be preferved to feed my flock, you will be forced to
old, thou ^ firalt ftretch ^ out yQur hands {n fuch a difagrceabk man. ner,
NOTES.
* I do not fee that any great depend- f Stretching forth the hands, has a
ence is to be had on the obfervations of plain reference to the pofture' of a cruci-
fhe critics, about the different fenfes of tixion, as the following verfe explains it:
the verbs ayuara* and fimv, to love, and And as it is here mentioned before Pe-
fiotnLii* and vrot/j.aiHtv, to feed, in this and tpr's being girded, and carried whither
the two preceding verfes: The two for- he would not, it may relate to the cuf-
mer of thefe feem to be, here at leaft, torn of laying the crofs on the fhouldcrs
ufed prornifciioufiy one for the other, as of him that was to be crucified, who it
terms of the fame import, as alfo do the feems carried it with his arms extended,
two Utter. and bound on the tranfverfe piece of
wood

Chap. xxi.

John paraphrafed.

5°5

Follow me.

firetch forth thy ner, and others will bind and carry you to foch tor-
hands, and another tures ^d death for my feke, as human nature cannot
foall gird thee, and , , -n. -x- itli i -i
carry thee whither but m(h> l( P°ffi*>k> to avoid.
thou wouldft not. 1 9 Our bleffed Lord fpoke thefe laft words to in-
19 This fpake timate that particular fort of, martyrdom, even .the
wh figafyihB hX death °f ^ Cr°fs *' by whicl1 Peter ^°uld at lenSth
foould glorify God6 fe^ his teftimony to him Snd the gofpel, fhould give
And when he had evident proof of the power of divine grace, in its ena-
fpoken this, he bling him to fubmit to that cruel and fhameful death,
him, with a becoming exercife of faith and love, and of
cheerful resignation and patience, and fhould thereby
encourage and eftablifh the faith of others, for the
glory of God. And Chrift having faid this, he fur
ther confirmed Peter's commiffion, and ordered him
to yield himfelf up to his fervice, faying, Keep clofe
to my inftruftions and commands, in all your preach
ing and labours, under the guidance and influence of
my Spirit ; and follow my example, in the exercife of
every grace, through fufferings and death to glory ;
and for the prefent come along with me.
20 Theh Peter zo Then Peter getting up, and going after his
feeth^he MeTle' Lord' looked behind him, and faw that difciple alfo
whom 'jefus 'loved following, for whom Jefus had a peculiar kindnefs,
following ; which as appeared on various occafions, and who particular-
alfo leaned on his ly at the laft pafehal fupper, leaning like a bofom-
breaft at fupper, fr;end on h;s br£aft; fa;d to him, at Peter's giving
v 1. ' \» *w the beck, Lord, Who is it of all this company that
which is he that ' .',,„, •-. \
betrayeth thee? will betray thee i (Chap. xm. 23, — 25.)
11 Peter feeing 2 1 Peter, I fay, obferving this difciple, and be-
him, faith to Je- ;ng part]y concerned as a friend for him, and partly
curious to, know what would become of him, faid to
Jefos, Lord, What is the lot that will befal this thy
peculiar favourite ?
22 Jefus faith 22 Jefus, not thinking proper to gratify his curio-
unto hira, If I will fltyj repljed, with fome obfcurity, If it be my plea-
that he tarry till f that he fhould continue in "life, till I come to ap-
I come, .what is
that to thee ? fol
low thou me. '

fos, Lord,
what fhall
man do ?

andthis

pear in great glory ; What have you to do with that ?
your duty is to nind your own bufinefs and concerns,
and not trouble yourfelf about his : Whatfoever be
comes of him yield you yourfelf up to me, and follow
my fteps, as I have already ordered you. (ver. re..)
23 The determinate fenfe of this anfwer not being
this faying abroad eagjy. UIlcferftood, a report was immediately fpread a-
arnong the _ bre,- broad am thg difc;pies who were aij brethren in
tlnen, -o f » chHft]
NOTES.
wood to which his hands were after- nefs and pleafure in fwimming from the
wards to be nailed. (Vid. Lamp, in Loc.) boat, ver. 7.
And poffibly the occafion of our Lord's * AU antiquity agrees that Peter was
exprefling Peter's crucifixion in this man- crucified ztRome, though there is a great
neu-, was taken from his having juft be- diverGty in its account of the circum?
fore ftretched out his hands with eager- fiances of it.

23 Tfien went

506

The Evangelift'

Chap.

XXI.

thren, that that
difciple fhould not
die : yet Jefus faid
not unto him, He
foall not die ; but,
If I will that he
tarry till I come,
what is that to
thee!

14 This is the
difciple which tef-
tifieth of thefe
things, and wrote
thefe things ; and
we know that his
teftimony is true.

Chrift, and children ofthe fame heavenly Father with
himfelf, that this beloved apoftle fhould never die,
like other men, but fhould remain alive on earth, till
their Lord fhould' appear at the final judgment: But
this notion, as is ufual in oral traditions, was ground- .
ed on mifeonftruftions of Chrift's words,;and additions
of men to them ; he having faid no fuch thing to Pe
ter, but only, If I am minded that he fhould prolong
his days upon earth till I come *, meaning till I come
to deftroy Jerufalem, and after that to take him to
heaven, not by a violent death, but in the ordinary
courfe of nature, at a good old age, what fignifies
that to you ? It is no bufinefs of yours to inquire af
ter it ; nor is it for you to be made acquainted before
hand with it.
24 This difciple, concerning whom thefe things
were faid to Peter, is he who here records them, and
wrote the prefent hiftory of Chrift ; and as he is an
infpired writer of what he has feen and heard, his
teftimony is undoubtedly true : So that it is to be
affuredly believed f , according to the beft rules that
men can have to judge of fuch things ; what he hath
faid is already received with the fulleft fatisfaftion by
the churches as divine truth ; and I, who have com
mitted it to writing, am infaUibly certain of its being
fo. 25 And now, to conclude the whole, fo indefati
gable was the Lord Jefos in his labours, who went
about doing good, (ABs x. 38.) that a vaft abun
dance of other things, well worthy of remembrance,
were done by him, befides thofe which are recorded ;
and were a particular account to be written at large
of all his excellent prayers, difcourfes, and perfor
mances
NOTES.
Jefus loved. Therefore, according to
the various fenfes given in the Para
phrafe, which are fubmitted to the read
er's choice, we know, may relate either
to the common fenfe of mankind, as to
what we all know in like cafes, or to
what, in fafl, is the fenfe of true belie
vers with regard to the things contained
in this particular hiftory; or to the a-
poftle's own affurance, upon infallible
evidence, of the truth of what he wrote;
and fo it agrees with what he had faid
before in a cafe, of which he was an
eye-witnefs, chap. xix. 35.: For though
he here fpeaks in the plural, he in the
next verfe refumes the Angular number,
faying / fuppofe ; and this very apoftle
ufed the plural number, juft in the fame
manner, when fpeakingof himfelf. ijohsi
i- I.— S<

25 And there
are alfo many o-
ther -things which
Jefus did, the
which, ¦ if they
foould be written
every one, I fup
pofe that even the
world

* Both the fenfes given in the Para
phrafe were fulfilled in John, who was
the only apoftle that furvived the de
ftruclion of Jerufalem, and that died a
natural death.

f The words, ive know, have been
drawn by fome into an argume-rrt for this
laft chapter's being written by other
hands than the apoftle. John's. But the
beginning of this verfe is a plain confuta
tion of that opinion, where, referring to
what Chrift hail mentioned concerning
John, xijd faid, This is the difciple
which teftifies af thefe things, and wrote
thefe things; and in this chapter he ap
parently ufes the fame ftile as he had in
ihe foregoing parts of the hiftory, con
tinuing to conceal his own wame, and
fpeak of himfelf as the difciple whom

Chap. xxi. John paraphrafed. 507
world itfelf could mances of a religious, moral, and miraculous nature,
books ^hlt'fl 'u I am Perfuaded (wr*«') they would fill fuch an in-
be° written. '"- credible number of volumes, as would over-load the
men. mind and memory ; and, after all, the unbelieving
world, through their carnality and prejndices againft
, Chrift and the gofpel, could not (^oi^wou) receive*
the things contained therein ; and fo they would be
of no more advantage, than this compendium may be
to them. In ratification of all the foregoing record,
I hereunto fet my Amen ; and may every one that
reads it fay, by way of affent and confent, So it is,
and fo let it be !

RECOLLECTIONS.
How repeated, miraculous, and plain are the proofs of Chrift's refurreftion, who
has given us fuch abundant fatisfaflion concerning it, as foould make us afraid of
entertaining a fufpicion to the contrary 1 He is often near his people while they
know it not, is better to them than their own expectation, and vifits them in the
greatnefs of his mercy, even before they look for him : And O, with what wonders
of divine power, condefcenfion and kindnefs, does he manifeft himfelf to thsm, fince
his refurreftion from the deadl But when they have mifbehaved, he puts them to
the trial, and to the proof of the fincerity of their love to him : And how happy is
it, upon clofe and ferious refleftion, to be able to appeal to him, as the omnifcient,
heart-fearching.God, that he knows we love him ! We may then be aflured that
he firft loved us ; and whatfoever trials he may further call us to, he will en
able us to follow him, even unto death, that God may be glorified thereby : But
let us take heed of indulging curiofity, by prying into his fecrets, or meddling with
things that do not concern us. — V/hilft his miniftring fervants lifo for fouls, unlefs
it be under his direction and blefiing, how much foever they toil, they will catch
nothing : But when, at his conimand, they caft the gofpel-net, and he, 'by a fecret,
efficacious influence, brings a fooal under its power ; how furprifing is the fuccefs '.
And when, by their miniftry, he has gathered a church for himfelf, with what ten
dernefs does he take care of the weakeft, as well as the ftrongeft among them 1
With what folemn injunction has he laid it upon his fervants to feed them with
good doftrine 1 and how can they fhew their love to Chrift, without attending to
the charge he has given them of his lambs and foeep '. — Bleffed be God for the fuf
ficieiicy ofthe fcripture, free from all the uncertainties of oral tradition, and with
out any need of fupplements of that kind, which are no way to be depended upon,
unlefs they agree with tfhe word of God : But we- are well affured, that whatever
is left upon record there is infallibly true; as foch may we believe it, approve of it,
and rejoice in it, faying, as with one heart and voice, Amen !
NOTE.
* The word (^ajnirai) rendered to viii. 37. and Matth. xix. 11, 12. And
tontain, is fometimes taken in a meta- fo there is no neceffity for an Hyperbole
phorical fenfe, and fignifies'-fo receive, to account for this phrafe.
or to have place in the mind, as in^chap.

THE END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.

YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

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