Rash judgment forbidden. a A. M. 4035. JUDGE a not, that ye be not judged. | me pull out the mote out of thine A. M. 4035 2 For with what judgment ye eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine A. judge, ye shall be judged: band with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the peam that is in thine own eye? own eye? A. D. 31. 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. 6d Give not that which is holy unto the 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let | dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, a Luke vi. 37; Rom. ii. 1; xiv. 3, 4, 10, 13; 1 Cor. iv. 3, 5; James iv. 11, 12. NOTES ON CHAPTER VII. Verses 1, 2. Judge not-Our Lord now proceeds to warn us against the chief hinderances of holiness. And how wisely does he begin with judging! Wherein all young converts are so apt to spend that zeal which is given them for better purposes. He must be understood as forbidding all rash and unfa- || vourable judgments, whether of the characters of others in general, or of their actions in particular, glancing, probably, in these as also in some other expressions in this chapter, on the character of the Pharisees, who were very culpable on this head, as b Mark iv. 24; Luke vi. 38. Luke vi. 41, 42. d Prov. ix. 7,8; xxiii. 9; Acts xiii. 45, 46. mote, according to Hesychius, may signify a little splinter of wood. This, and the beam, its opposite, were proverbially used by the Jews to denote, the one, small infirmities, the other, gross, palpable faults. And how wilt thou say, &c.-With what face can you undertake to reprove others for smaller faults, while you are guilty of much greater yourself, and are neither sensible of them, nor have the integrity to amend them? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam, &c.- It is mere hypocrisy to pretend zeal for the amendment of others, while we have none for our own. Correct, therefore, the errors of appears from divers passages in the gospels, such || thy judgment, and the enormities of thy life. And as Luke xviii. 9-14; xvi. 14, 15; John vii. 47-49, Verses 3-5. And why beholdest thou the mote, &c. then-When that which obstructed thy sight is removed, thou shalt see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye-And mayest attempt it with more decency, and a greater probability of success. We may lay it down as a fixed and certain truth that the more we advance in genuine piety and vir tue ourselves, we shall be the better able to form a correct judgment of the conduct of others, and the better qualified, both in point of skill and authority, to reprove and reform any thing that we may see amiss in their dispositions or behaviour. Our judgment of their character and actions will be the more charitable, and for that reason so much the more just: our rebukes will be the more mild, prudent, and winning; and our authority to press a reformation upon them so much the more weighty. "How happy would the world be, if all who teach the Christian religion would conscientiously observe the precept given them here by their Master." Verse 6. Give not, &c. -Even when the beam is cast out of thine own eye. Give not that which is holy unto dogs-That is, talk not of the deep things of God to those whom you know to be wallowing in sin; neither declare the great things God hath done for your soul, to the profane, furious, persecuting wretches. Talk not of high degrees of holiness, for instance, to the former; nor of your own expe rience to the latter. But our Lord does in no wise forbid us to reprove, as occasion is, both the one and the other. There is a transposition in the latter clauses of this verse, where, of the two things proposed, the latter is first treated of. The sense is, Give not-to dogs-lest, turning, they rend you. fault of your brother, while you yourself are guilty | Cast not-to swine, lest they trample them under of a much greater?--The word καρφος, here rendered || their feet. Encouragement to pray to God. CHAPTER VII. Promise of good things. A. M. 4035. lest they trample them under their || 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give A. M. 4035. A. D. 31. him a serpent? A. D. 31. feet, and turn again and rend you. 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be open- || good gifts unto your children, how much more ed unto you: 8 For f every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? 12 Therefore all things i whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even 9 & Or what man is there of you, whom if his so to them: for * this is the law and the proson ask bread, will he give him a stone? e Ch. xxi. 22; Mark xi. 24; Luke xi. 9, 10, xviii. 1; John xiv. 13; xv. 7; xvi. 23, 24; James i. 5,6; 1 John iii. 22; v. 14, 15. f Prov. viii. 17; Jer. xxix. 12, 13. Verses 7-11. Ask, &c. -The exhortation contained | in these verses may be considered as connected with || the caution given in those immediately preceding, and then the sense of it will be, If you be at a loss phets. fish, &c.-Can you imagine any father could be so unnatural as to deny necessary supplies to his hungry child; and instead thereof give him what would be useless or hurtful, would starve or poison him? to know who are and who are not proper subjects | Consider, "if the wickedest wretches among yourof reproof or admonition; or to whom you may selves, the most peevish, weak, and ill-natured of with propriety speak of the higher truths of Chris-you all, will readily give good gifts to their children tianity, even of those of experimental religion, and || when they cry for them, how much rather will the therefore want wisdom to guide you in these diffi- || great God, infinite in goodness, bestow blessings on culties, ask, and it shall be given you, &c. Or the his children who endeavour to resemble him in his passage may refer to the whole preceding discourse, || and Christ might intend thereby to prevent his disciples from being discouraged by the holiness of the doctrine, and the strictness of the precepts he had been inculcating, and therefore thus directs them to apply to God for supernatural aid; and assures them, if they did so with fervency, importunity, and per perfections, and for that end ask his grace and other spiritual and heavenly blessings?" If ye then, being evil-If you, imperfect and evil as you are, and some of you tenacious, froward, and unkind, yet know, being taught by natural affection, to give good gifts to your children-If you find your hearts disposed and ready to communicate the best of what severance, they should not apply in vain. But, in-you have for their relief and sustenance, how much more will your almighty and most beneficent Father in heaven, who has a perfect knowledge of all your wants, and can with perfect ease supply them, and who himself has wrought in your hearts these benevolent dispositions, be ready to exceed you in so expressing his kindness, as freely to give all needful good things to them that by fervent prayer ask them of him. dependent of their connection with what precedes or follows in this most admirable sermon, these verses contain a most important direction and encouraging exhortation to the people of God to seek help of him in all difficulties whatsoever, and all || those aids of his Spirit, and other blessings necessary to their salvation. Seek, and ye shall find- || Add to your asking your own diligent endeavours | in the use of al other appointed means; and knock -Persevere importunately in that diligence, and your efforts shall not be in vain. What you ask shall be given you, provided you ask what is agree-example of his equity and benevolence, that you imi Verse 12. Therefore all things, &c. - As if he had said, But it is only on this condition that he will give, and continue to give them, viz., that ye follow the tate the God of love; that, being "animated by his goodness, you study to express your gratitude for it able to God's will: the spiritual blessings which you seek, in this way, you shall find: and the door of mercy and salvation, at which you knock, shall cer- || by your integrity and kindness to your fellow-crea tainly be opened to you. For every one that thus asketh, receiveth, &c. Such is the goodness and faithfulness of God to his children. tures, treating them, in every instance, as you would think it reasonable to be treated by them, if you were in their circumstances and they in yours: for this is, in effect, a summary and abstract of all the human and social virtues recommended in the moral precepts of the law and the prophets, and it was one of Our Lord next, to give his followers greater assurance of obtaining from God the blessings which they should ask and seek aright, illustrates the divine goodness by reminding them of the imperfect good-the greatest ends of both to bring men to this equitaness and bounty of men to their offspring. What man || ble and amiable temper. I say, one of the greatest, is there of you, or, among you ; τις εςιν εξ υμων ανθρω- || that this may be reconciled with our Lord's decla πος. The words are very emphatical, and give great strength to our Lord's argument. As if he had said, I appeal to yourselves, is there a man among you, in all this numerous assembly, who, if his son ask bread of him, will give him a stone? or if he ask a || dridge. Thus far proceeds the doctrinal part of this ring the love of God to be the first and great commandment, Matt. xxii. 38. And, indeed, it is a most absurd and fatal error to imagine, that the regulation of social life is the only end of religion." -Dod A caution to take heed and ST. MATTHEW beware of false prophets. Α. Μ. 4035. A. D. 31. A. D. 31. 13¶1 Enter ye in at the strait gate; || Do men gather grapes of thorns, A. M. 4035. for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: r or figs of thistles? sermon. In the next verse begins the exhortation || here marked out. Who come to you in sheep's clothto practise it. ing-With a form of godliness and fair professions Verse 13. Enter ye in at the strait gate-The of love; but inwardly they are ravening wolvesgate of true conversion, of self-denial, mortification, || Not feeding but destroying souls; feeding themselves and universal holiness; the gate in at which few, by the destruction of the flock. "A wolf in sheep's clothing," says Doddridge, is "grown into a proverb for a wicked man that makes a great profession of religion, yet cannot dissemble so well as not to be life! In the way, nothing is to be found that flatters || discovered by attentive observation; which was just unbelief, of carnal affections and fleshly lusts. This Verses 15, 16. Beware of false prophets-Who in their preaching describe a broad way to heaven: it is their prophesying, their teaching the broad way, rather than walking in it themselves, that is here chiefly spoken of. All those are false prophets who and fully, yet do not adorn, but bring a reproach upon it by their unholy conduct; and therefore are name to declare God's word: hence, which is their grand mark, they do not turn men from the power of Satan unto God. Do men gather grapes of thorns, &c. -Can it be expected by you, in a common way, that you should reap spiritual advantage, or should obtain religious improvement, from the teaching of wicked men, or of men whom God has not called to that work? Verses 17-20. Even so-As grapes are not reaped from thorns, or figs from thistles, but the fruit will always be agreeable in its nature and kind to the tree that produces it; so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit-Scriptural doctrine, declared by holy men called of God to the work of the ministry, will certainly be more or less instrumental in turning men from the evil of their ways; and every minister of Christ, or even private Christian, who is renewed in the spirit of his mind, and made a tree of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, will bring forth the fruits of righteousness, to the praise and glory of God. For, in this respect, the fruits that men produce will certainly be answerable to the actual teach any other way than that which our Lord hath || state and disposition of their hearts. Nor can it Difference between building CHAPTER VII. on a good and bad foundation. A. M. 4035. 21 ¶ Not every one that saith unto || sayings of mine, and doeth them, I A. M. 4035 A. D. 31. me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we unot prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: y depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore, ■ whosoever heareth these A. D. 31. will liken him unto a wise man, a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods t Hos. viii. 2; Chap. xxv. 11, 12; Luke vi. 46; xiii. 25; Acts || 1 Cor. xiii. 2. Chap. xxv. 12; Luke xiii. 25, 27; 2 Tim. xix. 13; Rom. ii. 13; James i. 22. Num. xxiv. 4; John xi. 51; ii. 19.--y Psa. v. 5; vi. 8; Chap. xxv. 41.-------- Luke vi. 47. indeed be otherwise in the nature of things. For a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit-To do so would be to act contrary to its nature. Neither can Verses 22, 23. Many will say to me in that dayMany, both preachers and hearers, both ministers and people, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit-To bring || thy name?--Have we not declared the mysteries of which forth there is no aptitude or tendency in its vicious nature. Every tree that-After a fair and competent time of trial; bringeth not forth good fruit-But either produces none, or none but what is pernicious or useless; is hewn down-How fair and flourishing soever it may seem to be; and cast into the fire-To its utter destruction. Such will be the || end of hypocritical professors, and all ungodly men, especially ungodly ministers: they shall assuredly | be overtaken by the righteous judgment of God. thy kingdom; preached excellent sermons; written edifying books; explained and enforced the doctrines of thy word, even the prophecies thereof, and shown their fulfilment: nay, have we not ourselves foretold future events, and in thy name have cast out devils-From those possessed by them, and donė many wonderful works-Even miracles of mercy as well as of judgment? Then will I profess unto them, I never knew you-Though I called you to be my servants, and you professed yourselves such, I never knew you to be such, nor approved of you. So that even the working of the greatest miracles, and Verse 21. Not every one, &c. -The Lord Jesus, having declared the whole counsel of God, with regard to the way of salvation, and observed the chief || the uttering the most undoubted prophecies, is not hinderances of those who desire to walk therein, now closes the whole with these and the following weighty words; thereby, as it were, setting his seal to his prophecy, and impressing his whole authority || on what he had delivered, that it might stand firm | to all generations: that saith, Lord, Lord-That is, that makes a mere profession of my religion, that gives me the title of Lord and Master, or claims an interest in me as his Lord; that calls upon me and pretends to learn of me as a Teacher, to rely on me as a Saviour, to obey me as a Lawgiver, be subject to me as a King and Governor; shall enter into the kingdom of heaven-Shall be acknowledged as a true member of the church militant, or be admitted into the church triumphant. Some that say unto Christ, Lord, Lord, shall be saved, being his true disciples; but every one that does so shall not: None, indeed, shall, as Christ here declares, but such as endeavour to fulfil the whole will of God in faith || and holiness, viz., that will which is described in this sermon. They that make it their care to understand a sufficient proof that a man possesses saving faith, nor will any thing of that kind avail to prove that we are now accepted of God, or are in the way to meet with acceptance of him at the day of final accounts, without the faith productive of true and universal holiness. Depart from me, ye that work iniquity-For none can enter heaven but those that are saved from their sins on earth. If we die in our sins, where Jesus is we cannot come. Verses 24-27. Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, &c. In these words our Lord at tests, in the most solemn manner, the certain truth and infinite importance of all he had delivered in the foregoing sermon, and applies it to the consciences of his hearers. Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them-Whosoever he be that hears, considers, understands, believes, and obeys the doctrine which I have now taught you; I will liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock-Whatever his former conduct may have been, being now brought to repentance the doctrine here declared, to experience the graces || and amendment of life, and becoming a new crea here delineated, to perform the duties here enjoined, ture, he lays a solid foundation for present comfort and everlasting security and joy. Observe well, reader, although other foundation for confidence toward God, and a hope of eternal life, can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ, 1 Cor. iii. 11; yet we pretend in vain to build on him, if we do not obey his doctrine, and make it the rule of 81 a A leper applies to Christ, A. D. 31. A. D. 31.. A. M. 4035. came, and the winds blew, and beat || ed these sayings, a the people were A. M. 4035. upon that house; and it fell: and astonished at his doctrine. great was the fall of it. 29 For he taught them as one having au 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had end- || thority, and not as the scribes. a Chap. xiii. 54; Mark i. 22; vi. 2; Luke iv. 32. b John vii. 46. our whole conduct. Therefore there is no inconsistency between the doctrine here advanced by our Lord, and that of the apostle in the passage just sure that no wintry storm or tempest would ever assail it. And the rain descended, &c. and beat upon that house, and it fell-For the foundation being quoted; nor between the same apostle's declaring, || bad, neither the height of the structure, nor its wide dimensions, could be any security to it: and great was the fall of it-Even as great as the building had been. "A lively emblem," says Doddridge, "of the ruin which will another day overwhelm the unhappy man who trusts to an outward profession and form of godliness, when he does not sincerely and prac tically regard it." 1 Cor. vii. 19, Circumcision is nothing, &c., but the keeping of the commandments of God; and his asserting to the Galatians, chap. v. 6, That nothing availeth but faith which worketh by love. For the faith he speaks of is always followed by obedience to the commandments of God, of which it is the root and principle. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and beat upon that house-These Verses 28, 29. And the people were astonished at words of our Lord imply that every man's religion, || his doctrine-Struck with wonder, having never with the confidence and hope which he builds thereon, must, sooner or later, be severely tried; and it fell not, for it was founded on a rock-Thus the re-sweetness, or with such force and energy. Christ's ligion of the true, practical Christian, with all his present comforts and future hopes, remains firm and unshaken, how severely and violently soever it may be assaulted. And every one that heareth these sayings, and doeth them not-Who is a mere hearer of the word, and not a doer of it, how constantly soever he may attend to hear it, and whatever zeal he may profess for the doctrine he hears; shall be likened unto a foolish man, &c. -A man possessed of neither foresight nor consideration; who built his house upon the sand-Without taking any care to find or lay a firm foundation for it, as if he were heard such doctrine before, nor any doctrine on religious subjects, delivered with such solemnity and words, it appears, made a wonderful impression on their minds. For he taught them as one having authority-With a dignity and majesty peculiar to himself, as the great lawgiver, and with the demonstration and power of the Spirit; and not as the scribes-Their established teachers, "whose lectures, for the most part, were absolutely trifling; being drawn from tradition, or from the comments of other doctors, which these ignorant and corrupt teachers substituted in the place of Scripture, reason, and truth."-Macknight. CHAPTER VIII. The evangelist, having given us a general idea of our Lord's procedure after his entrance on his public work, by informing us, chap. iv. 23, that he went about preaching the gospel, and healing all manner of sickness; having shown that the doctrine he preached was both confirmed and recommended by the cures he wrought, and having, in the three last chapters, given us a specimen of his preaching, he comes now to give some instances of the miracles he wrought, which proved him to be a teacher come from God, and the great healer, or restorer, of a fallen and disordered world. Here we have, (1,) His cleansing of a leper, 1-4. (2,) His healing a centurion's servant afflicted with a palsy, 5-13. (3,) His healing Peter's mother-in-law of a fever, and many others, 14-18. (4,) His conversing with two persons who were inclined to follow him, and showing them how he ought to be followed, 19-22. (5,) He stills a terrible storm by a word's speaking, 23-27. (6,) He cures two demoniacs, permitting the demons which had possessed them to enter into a herd of swine, which, rushing violently into the sea, are drowned, 28-32. (7,) The inhabitants of the country, informed of this, desire him to go out of their coasts, 33, 34. A. M. 4035. WHEN he was come down from || 2a And, behold, there came a leper A. M. 4035. the mountain, great multitudes A. followed him.* * Second Sunday, Epiphany, gospel, verse 1 to verse 14. NOTES ON CHAPTER VIII. and worshipped him, saying, Lord, a Mark i. 40, &c.; Luke v. 12, &c. A. D. 31. tudes followed him-To the town toward which he went, desirous, probably, of receiving further instruction from him, or of witnessing the performance Verse 1. When he was come down from the mountain-Where he had delivered the divine discourse contained in the preceding chapters; great multi- || of some of his miraculous acts. And, behold, there |