The country of the Jews was divided into three provinces; namely, Galilee, Samaria, and Judea. In Galilee, were the cities of Nazareth, Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum; here Christ dwelt and spent. considerable part of his time, preaching to them, and working miracles among them. But now comes t... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. That wheresoever our blessed Saviour went, the Pharisees followed him; not out of. sincere intention, but with. design to ensnare him: and accordingly, they propound. question to him concerning divorce, Whether. man might put away his wife on any occasion, as the manner of the Jews... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, Christ gives no direct answer to the Pharisees insnaring question, but refers them to the first institution of marriage, when God made them one, to the intent that matrimonial love might be both incommunicable and indissoluble. Whence learn, 1. The sacred institution of marriage: it i... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, The Pharisees' demand, and our Saviour's reply. They demand, WHY MOSES COMMANDED TO PUT AWAY THE WIFE BY. BILL OF DIVORCE? Where note, The wicked abuse which the Pharisees put upon Moses, as if he had commanded them, whereas he only permitted to put them away. MOSES SUFFERED IT FOR TH... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, if. man be so strictly tied by marriage, it is best for him not to marry.. very rash saying of the disciples, discovering both their great carnality, and also the tyranny of. sinful practice, grown up into custom. Learn, 1. That the best of men have their weakness and infirmities: and the... [ Continue Reading ]
As if our Lord had said, "You my disciples do not consider what you say. All men without sinning against God cannot abstain from marriage, but those only to whom God had given the gift of continency, and grace of chastity. Some indeed by nature, or natural impotency are unfit for marriage. Others wi... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here,. solemn action performed. Children are brought to Christ to be blest by him. Where note, 1. The persons brought, children, young children, sucking children, as the word imports: THEY BROUGHT THEM IN THEIR ARMS, Luke 18:15 not led them by the hand. 2. The persons they are brought unto... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here,. person addressing himself to Christ, and propounding an important question to him; namely, What he should do to gain eternal life? Where, Note, 1. He believes the certainty of. future state. 2. He professes his desire of an eternal happiness in that state. And, 3. He declares his r... [ Continue Reading ]
The person thus addressing himself unto Christ, was either. Pharisee or. disciple of the Pharisees, who did not own Christ to be God, or to come from God; but taught, that eternal life was attainable, by fulfilling of the law in that imperfect sense which the Pharisees gave of it. And accordingly,... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, That the duties which our Saviour instances in, are the duties of the second table, which hypocrites are most failing in; but the sincere practice of our duty to our neighbour, is. singular evidence of our love to God. These duties of the second table the young man says he had kept fro... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, "Thou hast been all thy days. Pharisee; if now thou wilt be. Christian, thou must maintain. readiness and disposition of mind to part with all that thou hast in this world, at my call and at my command, and follow after me." Learn, That such as enter themselves disciples of Christ, must be... [ Continue Reading ]
The parting with all for Christ seemed so hard. condition to the young man, that he went away sorrowful from Christ. Whence, Learn, 1. That. man wedded to the world will renounce Christ rather than the world, when both stand in competition. 2. That unregenerate and carnal men are exceeding sorrowf... [ Continue Reading ]
Our blessed Saviour takes occasion, from what had passed, to discourse with his disciples concerning the danger of riches, and the difficulties that attend rich men in their way to salvation. A RICH MAN SHALL HARDLY ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. Whence note, 1. That rich men do certainly meet w... [ Continue Reading ]
These words were. proverbial speech among the Jews, to signify. thing of great difficulty, next to an impossibility; and they import thus much: "That it is not only. very great difficulty, but an impossibility, for such as abound in worldy wealth to be saved, without an extraordinary grace and assis... [ Continue Reading ]
The disciples understanding how naturally and strongly men love the world, and how idolatrously and inordinately their hearts run out upon it, they say unto Christ, LORD, WHO THEN CAN BE SAVED? Learn, 1. That when the general difficulties which lie in the way of salvation, are laid forth, and suffi... [ Continue Reading ]
As if Christ had said, "Were all men left to themselves, no man, either rich or poor would be saved; but God can bring men to heaven by the mighty power of his grace: he can make the rich in estate, poor in spirit; and them that are poor in this world, rich in grace." Learn, 1. That it is impossibl... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostles having heard our Saviour's command to the young man to sell all and give to the poor, St. Peter in the name of the rest, tells Christ, that they had left all, and followed him; BEHOLD, WE HAVE LEFT ALL. Where, Note, How Peter magnifies that little which he had left for Christ, and ushe... [ Continue Reading ]
The foregoing promises, Matthew 19:28, respected the apostles; this, all Christians, who forsake their dearest enjoyment for Christ: he assures them, they shall be recompenced in this life an hundred-fold: how? NON FORMALITER, SED ENDNENTER: Not in SPECIE, but in VALOUR; not in KIND, but in EQUIVALE... [ Continue Reading ]
A twofold sense and interpretation is given of these words: the first respects the Jews and Gentiles in general the second, all professors of Christianity in particular, "The Jews (as if Christ had said) look upon themselves as first and nearest to the kingdom of heaven, but for their infidelity the... [ Continue Reading ]