Note here, in general, that the Jews paid civil adoration to their kings and to their prophets: thus Saul stooped with his face to the ground to Samuel; Nebuchadnezzer fell on his face before Daniel, and Obadiah before Elijah; from whence may be gathered, that the adorations given to Christ by them... [ Continue Reading ]
The second miracle our Saviour works in this chapter, is the healing of the centurion's servant. Where Observe, 1. The person that applies to our Saviour for help and healing: he was. Gentile, an heathen,. Roman soldier, an officer or commander; yet he believes in, and relies upon the power of Chri... [ Continue Reading ]
This was the first occasion that Christ took to speak of the calling of the Gentiles, and rejection of the Jews. Observe, here, That the unbelieving Jews are called THE CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM, because born within the pale of the visible church: they presumed that the kingdom of heaven was entailed... [ Continue Reading ]
The next miracle which our Saviour wrought, was in curing Peter's wife's mother of. fever: the miracle was not in curing an incurable distemper, but in the way and manner of curing: for, 1. It was by. touch of our Saviour;s hand. 2. It was instantaneous and sudden: IMMEDIATELY THE FEVER LEFT HER.... [ Continue Reading ]
It was very common about the time of our Saviour's coming in the flesh, for the devil bodily to possess persons, and very grievously to torment them. This is one of the sad and dismal evils which sin had made us liable an obnoxious to, to be bodily possessed by Satan; whan we give Satan the power of... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here,. person resolving to follow Christ;. good resolution, if made deliberately, and not rashly, not for sinister ends and secular advantages; which, it is to be feared, was the case here, by the answer which our Saviour gives; for, says he, FOXES HAVE HOLES, &c. that is, my condition in th... [ Continue Reading ]
We must not suppose by this prohibition that Christ disallows or disapproves of any civil office from one person to another, much less of. child to. parent, either living or dying: but he lets us know, 1. That no office of love and service to man, must be preferred before our duty to God, unto whom... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. Christ and his disciples no sooner put forth to sea, but dangers attend and difficulties do accompany them:. tempest arose, and the ship was covered with waves. Learn thence, That the presence of Christ itself doth not exempt his disciples and followers from trouble and danger: her... [ Continue Reading ]
We read of few, if any in the Old Testament, that were possessed with evil spirits; but of many in the New Testament. Our Saviour came into the workd to destroy the works of the devil; therefore he suffered Satan to enter some human bodies, to shew his divine power in casting them out. Note here, 1... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, The devils knew Christ to be the Son of God, and that he came into the world to be. Saviour, but not their Saviour; and therefore they cry out, WHAT HAVE WE TO DO WITH THEE? or thou with us? O what an uncomfortable faith is this, to believe that Christ is. Saviour, and at the same time to... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. notable evidence of Satan's limited power, that. whole legion of devils had not power to destroy one man, nor were able to hurt the meanest creatures without permission. Observe, 2. The devil's acknowledgement of their own impotency, and Christ's power; their asking leave of Christ... [ Continue Reading ]
Although Christ seldom wrought any destructive miracle, and although he certainly foresaw that the swine would perish in the waters; yet that the people might see how great the power and malice of the devil would be, if not restrained by Christ, he permitted him to ever into the swine: CHRIST SAID U... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, 1. What. contary effect this miracle which Christ wrought had upon these people: instead of believing on him for his miraculous cure of the opssessed, the loss of their swine enraged them, and makes them desire Christ to depart from them. Temporal losses are so great in worldly men's estima... [ Continue Reading ]