let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! But now they are hid from thine eyes; for the days shall come upon thee that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side; and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. Lu. xix. 41-44. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days; for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. Lu. xxi. 21-24. Wrath is come upon them (the Jews) to the uttermost. 1 The. ii. 16. How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation, which at first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him. He. ii. 3. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh: for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven. He. xii. 25. And will let out his vineyard.] See verse 43. and chap. viii. 11. And now, saith the Lord that formed "me" ("the Christ") from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength. And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth; to him whom the nation abhorreth; to a servant of rulers; Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee. Is. xlix. 5, 6, 7. And ye shall leave your name (Israel) for a curse unto my chosen; for the Lord God shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name. Is. lxv. 15. And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations to Tarshish, Pul and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles. the fruits in their seasons. Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never 42 read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and thrust out. And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord, out of all nations, upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord. And I will also take of them for priests, and for Levites, saith the Lord. Is. lxvi. 19. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves (the Jews) Lu. xiii. 28. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. Lu. xxi. 24. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you; but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles; for so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. Ac. xiii. 46–48. When there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles, by my mouth, should hear the word of the Gospel, and believe. Ac. xv. 7. When they opposed themselves and blasphemed, he (Paul) shook his raiment, and said unto them (the Jews), Your blood be upon your own heads! I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. Ac. xviii. 6. It came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever, and of a bloody flux; to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. Ac. xxviii. 8. See Ro. ix. 10. and xi. throughout. Brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the Gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ, in those things which pertain to God. Ro. xv. 15-17. I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient by word and deed. Ro. xv. 17, 18. 42 The stone which the builders rejected.] The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner; this is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. Ps. cxviii. 22, 23. Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. Is. xxviii. 16. Hear now, O Joshua, the high priest (a type of Christ), thou and thy fellows, that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at, for behold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch; for behold, the stone that I have laid before Joshua. Upon one stone shall be seven eyes, behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the Lord of hosts; and I will remove the iniquity of the land in one day. Zec. iii. 8, 9. And have ye not read this Scripture, The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. Mar. xii. 10. 11. What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. Lu. xx. 17, 18. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Ac. iv. 11. As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling-stone and rock of offence. And whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Ro. ix. 33. Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone. Ep. ii. 19, 20. To "whom" ("Jesus") coming as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also, it is contained in the Scriptures, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner-stone, elect, precious, and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you, therefore, who believe, he is precious; but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient; whereunto also they were appointed. 1 Pe. ii. 4-8. And it is marvellous in our eyes.] Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously; for I will work a work 43 it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation 44 bringing forth the fruits thereof. stone shall be broken: but on in your days which ye will not believe, though it be told you. Hab. i. 5. Beware therefore (said Paul to the Jews), lest that come upon you which is spoken of the prophets. Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish; for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe though a man declare it unto you. Ac. xiii. 40, 41. (If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God (said Paul) which is given me to you-ward: how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ, which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto the holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the Gospel: whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ. Ep. iii. 2-9. 43 The kingdom of God shall be taken, &c.] See verse 41; chap. viii. 11, 12. and xii. 28. Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand. Is. xxviii. 2. When he (Jesus) was demanded of the Pharisees when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation, neither shall they say, Lo, here; or lo, there! for behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Lu. xvii. 20, 21. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John iii. 3, 4, 5. Anation bringing forth the fruits thereof.] Ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation (said God to Israel). Ex. xix. 6. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. Is. xxvi. 2. Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; And whosoever shall fall on this whomsoever it shall fall, it will and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 1 Co. xiii. 2. But ye (true Christians) are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. 1 Pe. ii. 9. 44 Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken.] Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. Ps. ii. 12. And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of offence, to both the houses of Israel, for a gin, and for a snare, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken. Is. viii. 14, 15. The nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. Is. . 12. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people; all that burden themselves with it shall be cut to pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. Zec. xii. 3. Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. Lu. xx. 18. As it is written, Behold, I lay up in Sion a stumblingstone, and rock of offence; and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Ro. ix. 33. If our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost, in whom the god of this world hath blinded 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. 2 Co. iv. 3, 4. Unto them which be disobedient (he, Christ, is), a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient, whereunto also they were appointed. 1 Pe. ii. & But on whomsoever it shall fall, &c.] The Son of man goeth as it is written of him; but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed: it had been good for that man if he had not been born. Mat. xxvi. 24. His blood be on us, and on our children (said all the people). Mat. xxvii. 25. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Ps. ii. 9. The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath; he shall judge among the heathen: he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries. Ps. cx. 5, 6. Thou (Nebuchadnezzar, said Daniel) sawest till that a stone was cut out without grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees 45 had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the mul- 46 Etitude, because they took him for a prophet. : hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. Da. ii. 34, 35. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold, the great God hath made known to the king (said Daniel) what shall come to pass hereafter and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure. Da. ii. 44, 45. Jesus answered (unto Pilate), Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore, he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. John xix. 11. "They" ("the Jews") please not God, and are contrary to all men; forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles, that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway, for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. 1 The. ii. 15, 16. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward, how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him. He. ii. 2, 3. 45 They perceived that he spake of them.] They sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people; for they knew that he had spoken the parable (of the vineyard let out to wicked husbandmen) against them; and they left him and went their way. Mar. xii. 12. Then answered one of the lawyers (when Jesus had threatened woe to the Scribes and Pharisees), and said unto him, Master, thus saying, thou reproachest us also. Lu. xi. 45. And the chief priests and the Scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them. Lu. XX. 19. Sought to lay hands on him.] And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man (that took the poor man's lamb). Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; and I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 2 Sa. xii. 7-13. He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame; and he that rebuketh a wicked man, getteth to himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee; rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. Pr. ix. 7, 8, 9. A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him, neither will he go unto the wise. Pr. xv. 12. Woe to Ariel, to Ariel (0 Ariel, that is the lion of God), the city where David dwelt! Add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices. Isa. xxix. 1. The world cannot hate you, but me it hateth, because testify of it that the works thereof are evil. John vii. 7. Because they took him for a prophet.] See verse 11. And there came a fear on all (that witnessed the widow's son raised to life), and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and that God hath visited his people. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him (and with whom he sat down to meat) saw it (that a woman washed and anointed his feet who was a sinner), he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him; for she is a sinner. Lu. vii. 16-39. Many of the people, therefore, when they heard this saying (If any man thirst, let him come unto him), said, Of a truth, this is the prophet. Others said, This is the CHAPTER XXII. 1 AND Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and 2 said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which 3 made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call Christ; but some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? John vii. 40, 41. Ye men of Israel (said Peter on the day of Pentecost), hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you, by miracles, and wonders, and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: him ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain. Ac. ii. 22, 23. CHAP. XXII.-1 And spake unto them again, &c.] See chap. ix. 15, 16, 17; xii. 43, 44, 45; xiii. 3-11; xx. 1-16; xxi. 28-46. And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them; and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples. Mar. iv. 33, 34. Unto you (his disciples) it is given to know the mysteries of God; but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Lu. viii. 10. A certain man made a great supper, and bade many. Lu. xiv. 16. 2 Kingdom of heaven is like, &c.] See chap. xiii. 24. 31-33. 44-47. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom. The kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants and delivered unto them his goods. Mat. xxv. 1. 14. Which made a marriage for his Son.] See Mat. xxv. 1-14. (The parable of the ten virgins). Hearken, O daughter (Christ's kingdom), and consider; and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; so shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord, and worship thou him. And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall entreat thy favour. The king's daughter is all glorious within; her clothing is of wrought gold. She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins, her companions, that follow her shall be brought unto thee. With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought; they shall enter into the king's palace. Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth. Ps. xlv. 10-16. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled, &c. John iii. 29. I am jealous over you with godly jealousy; for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 2 Co. xi. 2. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies: he that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man yet ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Ep. v. 24-32. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage-supper of the Lamb. Re. xix. 7, 8, 9. 3 Sent forth his servants to call, &c.] See chap. iii. 2; x. 6, 7. The Lord gave the word; great was the company of those that published it. Ps. lxviii. 11. Wisdom hath builded her house; she hath hewn out her seven pillars; she hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city. Pr. ix. 1, 2, 3. Ho! every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money. Yea, come, buy wine and milk, without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread! and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Is. lv. 1, 2. And the Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them: but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear. Je. xxv. 4. And he (Jesus) called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over un |