LET MY MOUTH BE FILLED WITH THY PRAISE AND WITH THY HONOUR ALL THE DAY.-Psalm 1xxi. 8. Mk. iv. 19. cares of this world, &c.-both Matthew and Mark add, the deceitfulness of riches,'-Mark continues, and the lusts of other things,'- Luke says, and pleasures of this life,'-all these tend to choke the word, Mk. iv. 19; Lu. viii. 14- Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world,' &c., 1 Jno. ii. 15-.7-If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live,' Rom. viii. 13-A lust ful regard to human wisdom, wealth, and worldly station; a magnifying of the creature, attaching undue importance to what is outward and merely human, to the neglect of that holy love which is most characteristic of the Divine life, we find much warned against in the Epistles to the Corinthians. The evil influence of such thorns in reference to God's husbandry is noticed, 1 Co. iii. 3-9. 3, 'For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envy. ing, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4, For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 5, Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6, I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7, So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8, Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9, For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.' NOTES. 21. Yet hath he not root in himself. The word is not rooted in him, or he does not suffer it to take deep root in his mind. Is offended. onavdaλ:leras—i. e., stumbles and falls. Persecution and trial are placed in his path, and he falls as he would over a stumbling block. He has not strength of principle enough-not confidence enough in God to carry him through them. He falleth away, becomes an apostate. Mk. iv. 18. These are they which are sown among thorns. The nature of such an impediment is expressed in general by the following classification of moral motives: "the cares of this world, the deceit of riches, and the desires which concern the rest of things," which last St. Luke shews to be equivalent to the "pleasures of life" in general. This class of hearers may be described in one word, as the worldly minded of every sort. . . . This description will comprise all whose minds, though partially affected by the love of God, are never wholly devoted to him; ... but are divided between God and the world,... until at last the love of the world... gains the ascendant, and by the superior force of its attractions absorbs their affections, engrosses their thoughts, engages their time and attention, and immerses them totally in secular pursuits and employments.'-Greswell on the Parables, Vol. II. p. 50. [19. The cares of this world. Will apply to the case of men more particularly who are of an aspiring or ambitious turn of mind; whose ruling passion is the desire of power and influence, of rank and authority, who mix eagerly in active life; manage, or aim at managing, the affairs of societies, grasp at honours and distinctions, as the reward of civil merit; lay the foundation of families and titles.'-Ibid. p. 51. Thus those who may seem to have the least occasion for worldly care may be altogether occupied thereby whilst some who are in want of all things may yet be without carefulness, as casting all their care upon Him who careth for them.] The deceitfulness of riches. The deceit, or deceivable tendencies of wealth, will apply in an especial manner to the men of business, and of trading or commercial enterprise; to all, whose object or employment it is, in any way to amass wealth, to provide for families, to accumulate and leave behind them fortunes. Greswell on the Parables, Vol. II. p. 51. [The lusts of other things, &c. The desires which concern the rest of things, as we may collect from St. Luke's exposition of their nature, point with sufficient clearness to another comprehensive division of mankind, the votaries of pleasure; who think of nothing, and live for little or nothing, but their own gratifica tion and indulgence. Under this description will be comprehended not only the mere sensualist, or man of fashion, but even the men of science and letters; the admirers and cultivators of the elegant arts or accomplishments. For personal pleasure may be intellectual as well as bodily; and only a more refined species of the love of self and sense in general.... Whatever be the idol of a man's heart, distinct from power or wealth, it is still some favourite creature of his own choice and selection; and in worshipping and devoting himself to it, he is still studying his own pleasure and gratification... finding both its beginning and its consummation within the limits of this present life, and going no further than their personal satisfaction, amusement, reputation, or comfort-they too must be classed with the rest, in whose hearts the seed has been stifled, or is liable to be stifled, in its progress to maturity, by the pleasures of life, and by the desires that concern the rest of things.'-Ibid.] [Lu. viii. 14. And pleasures of this life. In Greece, more especially, these, at the commencement of the PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. Mk. iv. 18. Neither let us be like those among thorns, allowing the cares of this world, the deceitful ness of riches, or the lusts of other things,' to choke the word:' but, whilst we seek to understand it; whilst 2367 O GOD, BE NOT FAR FROM | we deeply meditate upon it, and grasp it with all the affections of our hearts, let us carefully exclude every imagination and desire that is not in subjection to the knowledge of Christ. ME, ETC.-Psalm lxxi. 12. CAST ME NOT OFF IN THE TIME OF OLD AGE; FORSAKE ME NOT WHEN MY STRENGTH FAILETH.-Psalm 1xxi. 9. THOU SHALT INCREASE MY GREATNESS, AND COMFORT ME ON EVERY SIDE.-Psalm 1xxi. 21. Mt. xiii. 23. the good ground-see on ver. 8, § 32, p. 244. the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5, For we preach not Lu. viii. 15. an honest and good heart-of this the ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves apostle of the Gentiles was a signal example- And your servants for Jesus' sake,' 2 Co. iv. 1-5-so the I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, people, who should more especially enjoy, and make for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the known to others the lovingkindness of the Lord, Isa. ministry; 13, who was before a blasphemer, and a lxiii. 7, 8, p. (56). persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14, And the having heard the word, keep il-Blessed is he that grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith readeth, and they that hear the words of this proand love which is in Christ Jesus,' 1 Tim. i. 12-4-phecy, and keep those things which are written there'Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have in: for the time is at hand,' Rev. i. 3- Behold, I received mercy, we faint not; 2, but have renounced come quickly blessed is he that keepeth the sayings the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in of the prophecy of this book,' xxii. 7- Blessed are craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; they that do his commandments, that they may have but by manifestation of the truth commending our right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the selves to every man's conscienee in the sight of God. gates into the city,' 14. 3, But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are with patience-But let patience have her perfect lost: 4, in whom the god of this world hath blinded work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting NOTES. Christian dispensation, were abundant. The animal | 15, by the possession of "an honest and good heart." nature of man might there find its greatest enjoy- With hearers of this description, the gospel would ment; along with all that the heathen world could require no recommendation to make them receive afford, for the improvement and expansion of his in- and embrace it, but its intrinsic excellence and lovetellectual faculties, or for giving refinement and ele- liness: no more than the seed, falling on duly prevation to the moral sentiments. In literature, in pared soil, any stimulus to vegetation, but its native science, in the arts, the greatest excellence had been tendency to take root and spring up. Nor is it, persought for, and so attained, as that Greece has given haps, without design that St. Matthew adds to his demodels to the civilized world ever since. She had scription of such hearers, that they hear the word herself the greatest exactness in copying, along with and give it admission, or understand it, before they the utmost fertility of invention. The pleasures of retain it, just as St. Luke adds, that they retain, or taste and the delights of wisdom were there to be hold it fast, before they bring forth its fruit. For found in the highest degree of perfectibility attain- comprehension of the nature of the gospel overture able by unassisted man-nay, so high had the inspi- is just as necessary, and just as much prior, to its adration of genius carried the poets and philosophers mission and retention, as its admission and retention of Greece, as that even to true believers there was are to the practical effects of its profession.'-Gres. p. 57. some danger that their productions would prove too [Such hearers as these, then, are converts upon successful rivals to the words of Divine inspiration. principle; deliberate in their choice, and steady in Certain it is, that Christianity having been trans- the maintenance of their Christian profession. planted into their schools, the thorns sprung up and Though all the grain which fell upon the good ground choked the word, so that it bore no fruit unto perfecwas productive, yet one part of it yielded more, and tion. Before Christianity could develop itself freely, another less: a difference... which must be imputed it had to pass into other ground: it had not, any more to the soil into which it happened to be received.. than natural science, room to expand itself, until the The "honest and good heart" in every recipient of the scholastic subtleties of Greece were discarded, for word, whatever might be the difference in the fruits the plain rules of common sense and scripture ana of holiness which it should produce in some, comlogy. The springing up of these thorns, whereby the pared with others, would still be single and unmixed; full development of the word was effectually pre-open to the gospel and the love of God, to take excluvented in Greece, is noticed and much warned against sive possession of it, and to flourish there unobstructed by Paul, in his Epistles to the Corinthians, as also in by any ruling, antagonist, or consociated passion, and those to the Philippians and Thessalonians. In Co- would still be sufficiently rooted in depth of principle, rinth, more especially, abounded the thorns alluded in strength of conviction, and in warmth and conto by our Lord in the parable. It is not to the Greek stancy of attachment, to sustain the rude shocks of fathers that we are to look for perfection: yet this external violence, and to perfect its fruit in patience, third field of labour is not like the second, from which that is, in endurance.'-Ibid. pp. 58, 63, .4.] has disappeared any fruits of the seed sown by the apostles. In Asia Minor, no remains of the ancient And understandeth it. Meaning, who gives it adchurches are known to exist; whereas, in Greece mission, lays it to heart, so as to understand it.' Christianity still remains in name, although, indeed, Lu. viii. 15. With patience. By patient persesochoked with thorns,' as to present only a slender verance.' stalk and sickly ear, in place of that full development of the Christian life, in the simplicity of the truth, which was to be looked for, and to which may it be our most prayerful endeavour to attain.] [Such do not allow the spirit of the world to modify their Christianity, but their endeavour is, to make all their occupations and pursuits only different developments of Christianity; the outward manifestations of a living principle within them, the fruit of the incorruptible seed of the word.] REFLECTIONS. Mt. xiii. 23. But he that received seed into the good ground, &c. This our Saviour specifies, in Luke viii. PRACTICAL [Unlike 'the thorny ground, let us receive the word the good seed sown therein. It is of the utmost imin an honest and good heart; unlike the way-side,' portance, not only that the good seed be sown, but that when we have heard the word, let us keep it; unlike the ground be prepared for the reception of the seed; the stony ground, let us bring forth fruit with neither can the ground become fruitful without a patience. Thus let us be like the good ground, having | right yielding to the influence of the Holy Spirit.] O GOD: THOU ART MY HELP AND MY DELIVERER.-Psa. lxx. 5. [257 LET THEM BE TURNED BACK FOR A REWARD OF THEIR SHAME THAT SAY, AHA, AHA!-Psalm lxx. 3. SING UNTO GOD, SING PRAISES TO HIS NAME: EXTOL HIM THAT RIDETH UPON THE HEAVENS BY HIS NAME JAH, AND REJOICE BEFORE HIM.-P9. lxviii. 4. nothing,' Ja. i. 4- Be patient, therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husband. man waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh,' v. 7, 8 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly,' Rev. iii. 10, .1- Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,' xiv. 12. Mt. xiii. 23. an hundred-fold, &c.-While residing at Gerar, in the land of Abimelech, Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundred-fold: and the LORD blessed him,' Ge. xxvi. 12-and see Notes,' infra-Peter says, And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6, and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7, and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity,' 2 Ep. i. 5-7-and so St. Paul, Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things,' Phil. iv. 8. LUKE viii. 16, .7. с No-man, when-he- 16 hath-lighted a-candle, covereth it with-a-vessel, or putteth itd under a-bed; ebut setteth it on a-candlestick, that they which-enter-in may-see the light./ For nothing is secret, 17 AMONG THE GODS THERE IS NONE LIKE UNTO THEE, O LORD; NEITHER ARE THERE ANY WORKS LIKE UNTO THY WORKS.-Psalm 1xxxvi. 8 golden candlesticks, that Christ appears in the ministration of the word, Rev. ii., ifi.; saying, at the close of the several ministrations thereof to the seven churches of Asia, as at the close of the parable of the sower, Who hath ears to hear, let him hear'-see Mt. xiii. 9, § 32, p. 244-see on Mk. iv. 23, p. 259; and on Mt. v. 15, .6, § 19, p. 123; Lu. xi. 33, § 62. 17. secret, &c. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty,' Ps. xci. 1-after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4, which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5, and over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat,' He. ix. 3-5-The law written upon tables, and deposited in the ark, under the mercyseat, represented the good seed of the word as hid in the hearts of Israel, when the Lord will again enter into corenant relationship with them as a nation, Je. xxxi. 31-.4, p. (39). When each with his great Exemplar can say, Thy law is within my heart, Ps. xl. 8, and Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might Z not sin against thee,' cxix. 11-The Lord will destroy the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations,' Is. xxv. 7-then that which has been hid is to be manifested, as Mk. iv. 22, and the disciple, with his Master, is to be able to say, I have not hid thy righteousness Lu. viii. 16. candlestick-A candlestick was made within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness after the pattern shewn to Moses in the mount, Ex. and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingXxxvii. 17-24-see also xxv. 31-40-the candlestick kindness and thy truth from the great congregation,' was placed in the sanctuary,' Heb. ix. 2-the Ps. xl. 10-For this are the repeated calls to hearken' lamps thereof, to burn every evening,' 2 Ch. xiii. 11--7, Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, 'without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the even- the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their ing unto the morning before the LORD continually,' revilings,' Is. li. 1-7, p. (60)-Arise, shine; for Le. xxiv. 3-The prophet saw in vision, 'a candlestick thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his upon thee,' 1x. 1, p. (26)-God's working with Israel seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven has been hid, but by his power, the unsearchableness lamps ... upon the top thereof: and two olive trees of his wisdom therein is to be manifested, xl. 27-31, by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the p. (97)-the prophets searched diligently to know the other upon the left side thereof,' Zec. iv. 2, 3-Our truth respecting Christ, which was hid in the words High Priest is seen in the midst of the seven candle- they uttered-Unto whom it was revealed, that not sticks,' as one like unto the Son of man,' Rev. i. 13 unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the 'the seven candlesticks... are the seven churches,' ver. things, which are now reported unto you by them 20- among whom ye shine [Marg. shine ye] as lights that have preached the gospel unto you with the in the world; holding forth the word of life,' Ph. ii. Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things 15, 6-It is as walking in the midst of the seven the angels desire to look into,' 1 Pe. i. 11, .2-after the NOTES. Mt. xiii. 23. An hundred-fold. An immense produce, but not unexampled. See § 32, p. 244, Mt. xiii. 8, NOTE, "An hundred-fold."-It may suffice to refer the reader to Warnekros' Dissertation on the fertility of Palestine, or Greswell, on Parab. vol. ii. 19, seq., who present statements from ancient writers, which Mk. iv. 20. The same measure of good may not be expected from all; but, whilst thankful for the least degree, let us seek to attain to the largest measure of fruitfulness. Let not the child of God think that he is free to WHO IS SO GREAT A GOD AS 258] | fully justify the accounts of Scripture and of Josephus; borne out as they are by the testimony of modern travellers.'-Bloomf. Mk, iv. 21. Is a candle, &c.-See Scrip. Illus.' Lu. viii. 16, .7, and on Mt. v. 15, § 19, p. 123, Notes.' PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. hide, or dispense according to his own pleasure, the light which is given to him. 22 ver. Let every man act as in the sight of Him who knows the heart, and who will bring every secret thing to light. OUR GOD ?-Psalm lxxvii. 13. LET THE RIGHTEOUS BE GLAD; LET THEM REJOICE BEFORE GOD: YEA, LET THEM EXCEEDINGLY REJOICE.-Psalm lxviii. 3. [Ch. iv. 26, xxxii. p. 247.] and his disciples came-unto him, saying, Declare 37 unto-us the parable of-the tares of-the field. He answered and-said unto-them, He that-soweth the good 38 seed is the Son of man; the field is the world Koσμos; the good seed are the children of-the kingdom; SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. prophet had eaten the little book, as he was commanded, Rev. x. 9, it was intimated to him that the word he had digested he was to minister to others: Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings,' ver. 11. neither... hid that, &c. The words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end,... but the wise shall understand,' Da. xii. 9, 10 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry,' Hab. ii. 3, p. 136- In the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets,' Rev. x. 7. Mk. iv. 23. If any man, &c.-see on Mt. xi. 15, &c., § 29, p. 225 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches,' Rev. ii. 7, &c.The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God,' 1 Co. ii. 10-He will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak and he will shew you things to come,' Jno. xvi. 13, § 87. LUKE vill. 18. that shall-not-bemade manifest; neither any thing hid, 5 that shall-not-be-known and come abroad.^ Take-heed therefore 18 how ye-hear: for whosoever hath, to-him ever hath not, from him shall- with what measure, &c.—see on Mt. vii. 2, § 19, p. 137. shall more be given-So when Daniel understood by books' what was about to come to pass, the purpose of God was farther revealed to him, Da. ix. 2, 20 -7, p. (52), &c.-So Paul, having been obedient 'unto the heavenly vision,' Ac. xxvi. 19, was subsequently given abundance of the revelations,' 2 Co. xii. 7. 25. he that hath, &c.—see on Mt. xiii. 12, § 32, - he hath, seemeth to have,' &c., Lu. viii. 18Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise,' 1 Co. iii. 18-If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain,' Ja. i. 26. Mt. xiii. 36. parable of the tares-see Mt. xiii. 2430, § 32, p. 246. 37. He that soweth, &c.-see on Mt. xiii. 3, p. 243. 38. the field is the world And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations,' &c., Mt. xxiv. 14, § 86- Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,' xxviii. 19, § 96preach the gospel to every creature,' Mk. xvi. 15, $98-among all nations,' Lu. xxiv. 47, § ib.- unto the ends of the world,' Rom. x. 18- The word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit,' &c., Col. i. 5, 6. the children, &c.- I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed,' Ge. iii. 15-There were those who called themselves the children of Abraham, and even claimed God as their Father, who were, by the Son of God, declared to be of their father the devil,' Jno. viii. 33, 41, 44, § 55— Elymas, being full of all subtilty and mischief, was known to be a child of the devil,' Ac. xiii. 10 He that committeth sin is of the devil,' 1 Jno. iii. 8. NOTES. 24. Take heed what ye hear-The necessity of attending to this precept is apparent from the parable of the tares of the field, explained Mt. xiii. 36-43, supra -in the same field in which the good seed is sown does Satan seek to sow his tares-the same lips which have made the most striking confession of the truth, does he ensnaringly make use of for uttering error against the Lord-see the case of the first apostle, Mt. xvi. 16-22, § 50-Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and,' &c., 1 Jno. iv. 1-3. [Mk. iv. 24. With what measure ye mete, &c. It shall be given to you according as ye give unto others. Those who do not freely dispense their light to others may not expect to be abundantly supplied with oil; but the great householder will pour more and more into those lamps which do give light to his household.] Unto you that hear. To you who are attentive, and who improve what you hear-who hear and obey. 25. He that hath-see Mt. xiii. 12, Note,' § 32, p. 245. Hath not. Hath not the word as a principle of life within him, and producing corresponding conduct—and see on Mt. xiii. 12. PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. 23, .4 ver. Let us be careful to ascertain, that what we hear is the word of God, and that which God makes known unto us let us freely communicate to others; and as we would have God be liberal to us, let us be liberal to them. If we would have a clearer and fuller knowledge of his will, let us first endeavour to make a right use of that which. is already given us. Mt. xiii. 37. The Son of man disposes of his people in this world according to his good pleasure; and places them in their several positions in society, not that they may please themselves, but bring forth fruit unto God. He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man.' GOD HIMSELF IS WITH US FOR OUR CAPTAIN.-2 Chron. xiii. 12. COME AND HEAR, ALL YE THAT FEAR GOD, AND I WILL DECLARE WHAT HE HATH DONE FOR MY SOUL. Psalm lxvi. 16. [259 O BLESS OUr god, ye PEOPLE, AND MAKE THE VOICE OF HIS PRAISE TO BE HEARD.-Psalm lxvi. 8. MATT. xiii. 39-43. but the tares are the children of-the wicked one; 39 the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the-end of the world auvreλecα TOU αc@vos; 40 and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are-gathered and burned in-the-fire; so shall-it-be in the 41 end of this world υντελεια αιώνος τούτου. The Son of man shall-send-forth arooTeλe his angels, and theyshall-gather out-of his kingdom all-things that-offend 42 σkavoaλa, and them which-do iniquity Tn avoμav; and shall-cast them into a furnace of-fire: there shall-be 43 wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall- the righteous-shine-forth as the sun in the kingdom of-their Father. Who hath ears to-hear, let-him-hear. SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. 39. the enemy that sowed, &c.-'false apostles, de- | body destroyed, and given to the burning flame,' Da. ceitful workers, transforming themselves into the vii. 11-see also Rev. xiv. 9-11; xix. 19, 20. apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light,' 2 Co. xi. gnashing of teeth-see on Mt. viii. 12, § 28, p. 22013, 4 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers,' Ph. The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth iii. 2 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but upon him with his teeth,' Ps. xxxvii. 12, &c. They is earthly, sensual, devilish,' Ja. iii. 15 see the enemy shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people of the woman and her seed, Rev. xii. 3, 4, and the [Margin, toward thy people]; yea, the fire of thine progeny of the dragon, xiii. 1, &c., 11, &c. enemies shall devour them,' Is. xxvi. 11. the harvest-see on ver. 30, § 32, p. 247-Both the harvest and vintage are indicated, Joel iii. 13, p. (29), 'Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great '-they are more fully described, Rev. xiv. 12-20. reapers are the angels-And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other,' Mt. xxiv. 31, § 80. 40. gathered and burned, &c.—see on ver. 30, p. 247. 41. gather out of his kingdom-'caused the dayspring to know his place; that it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it,' Job xxxviii. 12, .3 The workers of iniquity... shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb,' but the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace,' Ps. xxxvii. 1, 2, 11, &c. 42. furnace of fire-Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more,' Ps. civ. 35 I beheld... till the beast was slain, and his 43. Then shall the righteous shine forth-When the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see,' Ps. xxxvii. 34Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer,' Pr. xxv. 4The vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,' Rom. ix. 23 And they that be wise [Marg. teachers] shall shine as the brightness of the armament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever,' Da. xii. 3 And mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal,' Rev. xxi. 10, .1-For the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever," xxii. 5- It doth not yet appear what we shall be,' &c., 1 Jno. iii. 2. Who hath ears to hear, &c.-see before on ver. 9, § 32, p. 244- It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me,' Jno. vi. 45, § 43, p. 330. NOTES. [Mt. xiii. 41. All things that offend. oxavdada. The word signifies a stumbling block, either in a natural or in a figurative sense, denoting, in the latter case, whatever occasions any one to err in his principles or practice. Here, however, as it is joined with rous TOLOUνTAS Thν ȧropiav, it must denote, not things, but persons, i. e., false teachers, such as Peter was in danger of becoming, when he would have opposed Christ in teaching the foundation truth of Christianity, the doctrine of atonement for sin by his death upon the cross, Mt. xvi. 22, .3, Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23, But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men."] 42. A furnace of fire. Not a material, but a metaphorical one, denoting the wrath of God. Hell, which, in regard of the severe torments which the damned shall feel there, is often in Scripture com The pared to fire; torments proportioned to, if not exceeding, that of burning living bodies in fire. allusion is to the oriental custom of burning alive, mentioned in Da. iii. 11.-See on Mt. v. 22, § 19, p. 125, Notes,' Hell fire.' 43. Then shall the righteous shine forth, &c. Then forth as the unclouded noon-day sun, in the image of will the righteous, the children of the kingdom, shine Christ, in the kingdom of their Father,' being made unspeakably glorious and happy.-Scott. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. This form of expression, which often occurs in Scripture, is a strong call to the earnest attention, and the diligent exercise of the reason and the understanding of all men, in the impartial investigation of what is addressed to them; and it is expressive of the authority of the speaker; of the reasonableness, truth, and importance of what is spoken, and the obligations men are under to ponder its import and to follow its require ments. PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. [38 ver. Let the children of God remember that it is not any isolated spot or limited space, that the good seed is intended to occupy, but the world; and that therein the wicked are allowed to remain, merely by the sufferance of the Son of man.] 39 ver. Whatsoever the wicked may think of their own shrewdness or power, they are under the disposal of the devil, and it is an awful consideration that they are ripening for wrath. 260] 40-3 ver. There is first to be a gathering out of the kingdom those that offend, and those that do iniquity. This gathering of sinners will be unto destruction; then will there be the gathering of the righteous, and this will be unto blessing and glory: freed from the darkening and depressing influence of the wicked, then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.' THOU, O GOD, HAST PROVED US.-Psalm lxvi. 10. WHICH HOLDETH OUR SOUL IN LIFE, AND SUFFERETH NOT OUR FEET TO BE MOVED.-Psalm lxvi. 9. |