TURN US AGAIN, O GOD, AND CAUSE THY FACE TO SHINE; AND WE SHALL BE SAVED.--Psalm 1xxx. 3.

LUKE xiii. 16-21.

16 And ought not this woman, being a-daughter of-Abraham, whom Satan hath-bound, lo, 17 these eighteen years, be-loosed from this bond on-the sabbath day? And when-hehad-said these-things, all his adversaries were-ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious-things evdoors that were-done by him.

(G. 35.)-Jesus again delivers the parable of the grain of mustard seed, and also that of the leaven.-Luke xiii. 18-21. Going Southward.

18 Then said-he, Unto-what is the kingdom of God like? and where-unto shall-I19 resemble it? It-is like a-grain of-mustard-seed, which a-man took, and-cast into his garden; and it-grew, and waxed a-great tree; and the fowls of-the air lodged in the branches of-it.

20

And again he-said, Where-unto shall-I-liken the kingdom of God? 21, It-is like leaven, which a-woman took and-hid in three measures of-meal, till the-whole was-leavened. SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. Lu. xiii. 16. daughter of Abraham-Abraham is against him shall be ashamed.'-1 Pe. iii. 15, .6, But spoken of as the father of all them that believe," sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready Rom. iv. 11-Thus Jesus said of Zacchæus, Lu. xix. 9, always to give an answer to every man that asketh § 80, p. 247- This day is salvation come to this house, you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.'-Peter, and fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas writing to believing women, saith of Abraham, 1 Pe. they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be iii. 6, whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation and are not afraid with any amazement.' in Christ.'

Satan see the case of Job, ch. i. ii., and that of Paul, 2 Co. xii. 7, lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.'

17. ashamed-Is. xlv. 24, Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed

all the people rejoiced, &c. This, which took place among these Jews, is promised in the fullest sense with regard to their outcast brethren, called in scripture, All the house of Israel'-Is. xlv. 25, In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.'-Comp. Eze. xi. 15-23.

19. a grain of mustard seed-see on Mt. xiii. 31, .2, [Mk. iv. 30-.2,] § 32, p. 248. 21. like leaven-see on Mt. xiii. 33, § 32, p. 248, ..9.

NOTES.

Lu. xiii. 16. A daughter of Abraham. Comp. ch. iii. 8, 9, § 7, p. 52; Jno. viii. 39, § 55, p. 104; Ac. xiii. 26; and SCRIP. ILLUS. supra.

Whom Satan. See Devil,' Mt. iv. 1, § 9, p. 63; xiii. 39, § 33, p. 260; Lu. x. 18. .9, § 60, p. 143.-Comp. Eph. vi. 11, .2; 1 Pe. 5, 8. § 32, p. 248.

thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead,' Is. xxvi. 19. [21. Three measures of meal. The measure was about a peck and a half English, and three measures was probably the quantity usually leavened at one time for domestic use. There have been three grand dispensations, the Patriarchal, the Mosaic, and the Christian; but throughout all, the children of God have the same faith, and the same word of promise, whereby the same will of God is wrought in them all; and this in the soul, body, and spirit of each. And this blessed influence extends to the three grand families of mankind, the descendants of the three sons of Noah. The Law, the Psalms, and the Prophets, the three grand portions of the words of God, had been ministered to the Jews, during the three seasons, noticed in our Lord's genealogy, Mt. i. 17-see on these three years, ver. 7, supra, § 64, p. 174.] PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

18-21. See these parables explained, Mt. xiii. 31-.3, 19. Grain of mustard seed. Christ, the seed of the kingdom, was, in his first coming, little and despised of the people. Nevertheless, he was then planted by God in his garden; and to all that are planted together in the likeness of his death, there is promised a glorious resurrection. Then the time of singing will be come, of which the Lord hath said, Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for

༔

Lu. xiii. 16. It is the character of Satan to impose bonds upon, and otherwise afflict the children of God. Let us pray to be delivered from his power. Let us cleave humbly and hopefully to the Saviour, whose power, now that he is on the throne of his Father, is not less than when he walked upon the earth. So far as our influence extends, let the sabbath be to all a day of release, especially from the bonds of Satan. [17 ver. Let us, with the Faithful and True Witness, fearlessly vindicate the cause of truth and goodness; and let us, against all opposition, practically maintain the cause of our Master, the liberty of doing

good.]

the people shall rejoice, for all the glorious things done by our blessed Redeemer.

[18, 9 ver. Let us who see so far the fulfilment of our Lord's prediction with regard to the extension of his cause, and the shelter afforded to the nations. under its influence-let us, with rejoicing confidence. in the truth of all that he hath promised, give thanks unto his name.]

20, .1 ver. Leaven may produce its effects more speedily, but not the continuous increase of the natural growth. Let us seek to have the living principle within us that may bring forth fruit unto everlasting life, and not merely act until the whole is leavened. Let us see that none of the old leaven

Let us pray that the time may soon come, when all remain hid within us.

Lu. xiii. 18.

19

20

21

176]

ADDENDA.

COMPARISON OF LUKE xiii. 18-21, WITH MATT. xiii. 31-3, § 32, p. 248.
Then said he,

Unto what is the kingdom of God like?
and whereunto shall I resemble it?
It is like a grain of mustard seed,

which a man took, and cast into his garden;

and it grew,

and waxed a great tree;

and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.

And again he said,

Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?

It is like leaven,

which a woman took

and hid in three measures of meal,
till the whole was leavened.

Another parable put he forth unto them, Mt. xiii. 31. saying, The kingdom of heaven

is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: which indeed is the least of all seeds:

32

but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree,

so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven

is like unto leaven,
which a woman took,

and hid in three measures of meal,
till the whole was leavened.

HAVE RESPECT UNTO THE COVENANT:-Psalm lxxiv. 20.

3333

LIFT NOT UP YOUR HORN ON HIGH: SPEAK NOT WITH A STIFF NECK.-Psalm lxxv. 5.

[VOL. II.

TAKE HEED, BRETHREN, LEST THERE BE IN ANY OF YOU AN EVIL HEART OF UNBELIEF,-Heb. iii. 12.

SECTION 66.-(G. 36, .7.)-[Lesson 61, continued.]-JESUS REPLIES TO THE
QUESTION, LORD, ARE THERE FEW THAT BE SAVED? JESUS IS ADVISED BY
CERTAIN OF THE PHARISEES TO DEPART OUT OF THE TERRITORIES OF HEROD;
HIS ANSWER PREDICTS HIS DEATH IN JERUSALEM. HE LAMENTS OVER THAT
WICKED AND IMPENITENT CITY.-Luke xiii. 22-35.

INTRODUCTION AND ANALYSIS.
Lu. xiii. 22. Jesus proceeds through the cities
and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jeru-
salem.'

24. Jesus says, 'Strive to enter in at the strait gate:'-Comp. Mt. vii. 13, § 19, p. 139.

25-7. Jesus describes the case of those who will seek to enter in after the door has been shut.-Comp. Mt. vii. 21-.3, § 19, p. 140.

with the patriarchs the kingdom, whilst they them-
selves are thrust out.
Lu. xiii. 31. Certain Pharisees advise Jesus to
get away out of Herod's dominions, else Herod will
kill him.
32, .3. Jesus bids them tell that fox,' that
for two days longer he may have an opportunity of
seeing his miracles; which, after the third day, he
may vainly desire to witness.-Jesus intimates that
he is about to be put to death in Jerusalem, which
bas a monopoly of killing the prophets.
34, .5. Jesus laments over Jerusalem, and
declares the temple desolate.-See also Mt. xxiii.
37-.9, § 85, p. 320.

28-30. As in Mt. viii. 11-3, § 28, p. 220, Jesus describes the disappointment of those who presume upon their natural descent, when they will see strangers from all the ends of the earth, enjoying (G. 36.)-No. 66.-Jesus answers the question, Lord, are there few that be saved? Luke xiii. 22-30. And he-went-through the-cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. Then said one unto-him, Lord, are-there few that be-saved? And he said unto them, 24 Strive Aywviceole to-enter-in at the strait gate: for many, I-say unto-you, will-seek to25 enter-in, and shall-not-be-able toxuσovov. When- once the master-of-the-house-is

22

23

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

Lu. xiii. 22. through the cities and villages, &c.—see Mt. ix. 35, § 38, p. 293. journeying toward Jerusalem-see on his determination to go to Jerusalem, ch. ix. 51, § 59, p. 135.

23. are there few that be saved?-Jesus had before said, Mt. vii. 13, .4, § 19, p. 139,Enter ye in at the strait gate:... because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.'-But it is not to be so always; for of Christ it is said, Ps. lxxii. 17, All nations shall call

him blessed.'-See also Rev. vii. 9, After this I be-
held, and, lo, a great,' &c.-See on ver. 28, p. 178.
24. will seek, &c.-Jesus had said to the Jews, Jno.
vii. 34, § 55, p. 94, Ye shall seek me, and shall not
find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.'
25. When once, &c.-Salvation is to be sought for
now: He. iii. 15, To-day if ye will hear his voice,'
&c.-Ps. xxxii. 6, For this shall every one that is
godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be
found:'-Is. 1v. 6, Seek ye the LORD while he may
be found, call ye upon him while he is near:'

NOTES.

Lu. xiii. 22. Journeying toward Jerusalem. See ADDENDA, § 59, p. 138.

[23. Are there few that be saved? It is a received opinion among some of the Jews, that all Israel shall have a part in the world to come; others limit salvation to a few elect, see 2 Esdr. viii. 1; and this man might put the question to know Christ's view of the matter. Our Lord (agreeably to his custom of never replying to questions of mere euriosity) was pleased to return no answer; but makes his words an answer to the question which ought rather to have been asked, namely, how salvation is to be attained. He exhorts his hearers to secure their own salvation before it should be too late.

24. Strive, &c. aywriteode, 'contend,' strive, as in an agony,' 'exert your utmost strength to enter in. Doddr." 'Strive as those that run for a prize; excite and exert yourselves to the utmost. Hen. Let your salvation be the grand business of your Strait gate. See on Mt. vii. 13, § 19, p. 139. The christian course, which leadeth unto life eternal, is so

life.]

beset with trials and temptations, that only such as pursue an undeviating life of faith in the Son of God, doing unto others as they would have others do unto them, can realize it.

Many... will seek to enter in, &c. Many by their but only such as trust in the finished work of Christ, own fancied righteousness seek to gain eternal life; and are willing to be conformed to his righteousness, can be admitted to the marriage supper of the Lamb. There seems to be a contrast between striving and seeking; also between striving now, when the door is open, and seeking hereafter to have entrance, when the door has been shut. We are to be not merely passive; we are to put forth energy; and we are to do it now. We are to be careful that we begin aright; and we are to take heed to our ways, that we make progress in the right direction. 25. When once the master of the house, &c. Here our Lord speaks of himself as possessed of full power to admit, or shut out, whom he will.-Comb. He. iii. 6.

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

La. xiii. 22. If apology be necessary, itinerant | there few that be saved?' The case, however, is very preachers and teachers have the highest example different now from what it was when Jesus was to plead in their behalf. journeying with his little flock, to where he was about to suffer as a malefactor; and doubtless the difference will be abundantly greater, when the knowledge of the glory of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea; when all nations shall be blessed in him, and call him blessed.]

We should endeavour to make our journeys useful to the spread of the truth.

[23 ver. Let us thankfully accept salvation through Christ, and endeavour to make it known to others, rather than curiously inquire into the number of the saved. And yet, when we look at those portions of the globe which have remained in heathen darkness, or are sunk in superstition, as compared with those where the light of the gospel is freely diffused; and again, when we think of the vast numbers of irreligious and unconverted that swarm in gospel lands, as contrasted with the true disciples of Christ, we are almost tempted to repeat the question, Lord, are TOL. II.

24 ver. Though salvation be the free gift of God, let us not think that it is ours by a wish, without our wills being put forth in earnest persevering effort, to become acquainted with Christ in his fuiness of truth and grace.

Now we may agonize successfully; but should the opportunity be lost, we may suffer the agony of disappointment. 'Now is the accepted time,' &c.

LET US HOLD FAST OUR PROFESSION.-Heb. iv. 14.

[177

TO-DAY IF YE WILL HEAR HIS VOICE, HARDEN NOT YOUR HEARTS, AS IN THE PROVOCATION.-Heb. iii. 15.

HOW MUCH WISER ARE THEY WHO ENTER WHILE THE DOOR IS YET OPEN,

SECT. LXVI. JESUS ADVISED TO DEPART FROM HEROD'S DOMINIONS.

LUKE Xiii. 25–32.

PART IV.

risen-up, and hath-shut-to the door, and ye-begin to-stand without, and to-knock-at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto-us; and he-shall-answer and-say unto-you, I-know 26 you not whence ye-are then shall-ye-begin to-say, We-have-eaten and drunk in-thy 27 presence, and thou-hast-taught in our streets. But he-shall-say, I-tell you, I-know you 28 not whence ye-are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity adikias. 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 thrust out exẞaλNoμevous 29 ew. And they-shall-come from the-east, and from the-west, and from the-north, and 30 from the-south, and shall-sit-down in the kingdom of God. And, behold, there-are last which shall-be first, and there-are first which shall be last.

(G. 37.)—Jesus advised by certain of the Pharisees to depart out of Herod's dominions; He laments over Jerusalem.-Luke xiii. 31-.5.*

31 The same day there-came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto-him, Get-thee-out, and 32 depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. And he-said unto-them, Go-ye, and-tell that

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

Lu. xiii. 25. shut to the door Mt. xxv. 10, § 86, p. 317, They that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.'

Lord, Lord, open unto us, &c.--see on Mt. vii. 21, § 19, p. 140, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;' I know you not-see on Mt. vii. 23, § 19, p. 141. 28. There shall be weeping, &c.-see on Mt. viii. 12, § 28, p. 220.

see Abraham, &c.-see Mt. viii. 11, § ib.-It is observable that the description of the redeemed, Rev. vii. 9, 10, is correspondent to the three names, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob-Abraham meaning 'the father of a great multitude.'-' After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues,-Jacob means 'supplanter,' and Israel prince of God, or prevailer and these are described as having overcome, thus they stood before the

throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;'- Isaac means 'laughter'-and these have been made glad, and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.' 29. from the east, and... west, &c.-sce on Mt. viii. 11, § 28, p. 220.

30. last which shall be first-see Mt. xix. 30, § 75, p. 230.

31. Herod will kill thee-Herod had before killed John the Baptist, Mt. xiv. 3-11, § 40, p. 305-He had been perplexed respecting Jesus, and he desired to see him,' Lu. ix. 7-9, § ib. p. 304.

32. that fox-Zep. iii. 3, Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves;' &c. Behold, I cast out devils, &c.- Herod, who was desirous of a long season to see Jesus, because he had heard many things of him, 'hoped to have seen some miracle done by him,' ch. xxiii. 8, § 90, p. 447.

NOTES.

Lu. xiii. 25. I know you not, &c. See on Mt. vii. 21-.3, § 19, p. 140. That is, I never approved, loved, or regarded you as my friends.-See Ps. i. 6; 1 Co. viii. 3; 2 Ti. ii. 19.

[26. We have eaten and drunk, &c. Many who partake of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper, and live but for their own gratification, will find their outward profession only the more aggravates their shame when they are counted with the workers of iniquity, The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God, Ps. ix. 17. It is an awful consideration, that many a man of eminent gifts, whose talents are a source of public utility, should be only as a way-mark or finger-post in the way to eternal bliss, pointing out the road to others, and yet neglecting to walk in it himself.-A. Clarke.]

28. Weeping and gnashing of teeth. Words expressive of grief, envy, and rage, at their hopeless condition.-See next paragraph.

And you yourselves thrust out. The Jews supposed themselves the children or members of the kingdom of God,' to the exclusion of the Gentiles. PRACTICAL Let us have fellowship with Christ now, if we desire to be united with him in glory hereafter. [Lu. xiii. 26, .7. It is not our participation of Christian privileges, such as the Lord's supper, and the very teaching of Christ, which marks men out as being of the saved; but it is their being saved from their sins, and their ceasing to be workers of iniquity. If they who can plead that Christ has taught in their streets, are to be thrust out, what must become of those who refuse him even that privilege?]

28 ver. When we think of the number of the redeemed, we are not to limit our view to our own sect, or land, or nation, or time. The cause of God is one

28, .9. See on Mt. viii. 11, .2, § 28, p. 220. [30. There are last, &c. The first in profession; and, in the opinion of themselves and of their fellowcreatures, the first for purity and virtue, shall be last in God's esteem. The Jews, once the first and most distinguished people of God, will reject the gospel and be rejected; and nations who had then no name among the living, who were 'Lo-ammi,' Gentiles, will be brought to the knowledge of the truth, and become the first, the chief, and the most exalted people of God.-See Mt. xix. 30, § 75, p. 230; xx. 16, § 76, p. 233.-Comp. Je. iii. 11-.8, p. (39); Eze. xi. 15-20.]

31. Herod. This was Herod Antipas, a son of Herod the Great; he ruled over Galilee and Perea.See on Mt. xiv. 1, § 40, p. 301.

Will kill thee. θέλει σε αποκτειναι, intends, or rather, 'is determined to kill thee.'

32. Go ye, and tell that fox. The fox is an emblem of cunning, slyness, and of artful mischief. But let us carefully distinguish between those things wherein Christ is our pattern, and those which are peculiar to his office. His extraordinary office justified him in REFLECTIONS.

from the beginning, and extends to every clime. And all, from the patriarchs downward, who have feared God, and wrought righteousness, will be found one in the kingdom of God."

28, .9 ver. It is not natural descent, any more than being given religious privileges, which will save us. Many of the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, will be thrust out; and multitudes who counted not their descent from the fathers, and had as little trust in their being made sons of God by the will of man, are, from all the ends of the earth, to be gathered together into glory.]

30 ver. Let us not boast of being the first in privi

*It is probable that Jesus was at this very time in Galilee; and it is certain that he must have been somewhere in Herod's dominions. It must be evident, likewise, that the effort which he was now making, and still should make, to gather the children of Jerusalem together, was the last effort of the kind; upon the failure of which, this house would be left unto them desolate.'-Greswell, Vol. II. Diss. xxxi. p. 533.

178]

WISDOM IS TOO HIGH FOR A FOOL:-Prov. xxiv. 7.

[VOL. II.

THAN THOSE WHO DELAY TILL IT IS SHUT, WHEN ALL THEIR KNOCKING WILL BE IN VAIN.

LUKE Xiii. 33-.5.

BE WATCHFUL, AND STRENGTHEN THE THINGS WHICH REMAIN, THAT ARE READY TO DIE:-Rev. iii. 2.

fox, Behold, I-cast-out devils, and I-do cures iaσeis eπiteλ to-day and to-morrow, and 33 the third day I-shall-be-perfected Teλecovμaι. Nevertheless I must walk to-day, and to-morrow, and the day following for it-can-not-be that-a-prophet perish out of Jeru34 salem. O-Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that-aresent unto thee; how-often would-I have-gathered- thy children -together, as a-hen doth 35 gather her brood under her wings, and ye-would not! Behold, your house is-left untoSCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

Lu. xiii. 32-.5. to-day and to-morrow-Jesus intimates that if Herod was to have his desire as above, he must come now; if he stayed away beyond the third day, he would be too late, for then he would have finished his working, and have resigned himself to his sufferings. Herod did soon see Jesus, but beyond the time appointed--he was accordingly disappointed, ch. xxiii. 9, § 90, Then he questioned with him in many words; but he [Jesus] answered him nothing.' -Herod's case was thus in some measure illustrative of the parable, ver. 25, p. 178.

33. Nevertheless I must walk, &c.-The three days, during which Jesus might have been seen working miracles, as ver. 32, supra, were to be also three days spent in journeying to Jerusalem; so that if Herod would have what he desired, he must follow Jesus see on ver. 32, supra.

might have life,' Jno. v. 40, § 23-and as to their brethren, all the house of Israel wholly,' so far from desiring that for which Jesus was about to lay down his life, the inhabitants of Jerusalem had said unto them, 'Get you far from the LORD: unto us is this land given in possession,' Eze. xi. 15-The Lord's will, however, was very different from theirs; he meant to gather the outcasts unto himself, into. 'a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come,' ver. 16-When for this purpose the Lord sent forth his word, as Mt. xxviii. 19, 20, § 96,...... the Jews would, if possible, have prevented the word of reconciliation from being preached to the outcasts, 1 Th. ii. 16, 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. Nay, even those Jews who were willing to receive salvation for themselves, had, with very great difficulty, their hearts enlarged to the purpose of God, with regard to the Gentiles: Ac. xi. 19, they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.-Few indeed could enter into the spirit of the inquiry made by the Lord, in the ears of Jerusalem, Je. xiii. 20, 7, where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?... I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills. in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be?" NOTES.

34. gathered thy children, &c. As prophesied by Caiaphas, the high priest, Jno. xi. 49-52, $ 58, pp. 132, .3, Jesus laid down his life, that he might gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad; who had been lost as a people, but were to be found 'sons of the living God,' Ho. i. 10- The twelve tribes... scattered abroad,' Ja. i. 1-unto whom the seal of the living God was more especially sent, Rev. vii. 2-4-and who are at length to be seen standing with the Lamb upon the mount Sion, having his Father's name written in their foreheads, xiv. 1. ye would not 1-With regard to their own case, Jesus had testified, Ye will not come to me, that ye

using that severity of language, when speaking of wicked princes and corrupt teachers, to which we have no call. Jesus here speaks as a prophet; and indeed this is what he calls himself when speaking of what was about to befal him at Jerusalem.-Wesley. [Lu. xiii. 32. To-day and to-morrow, and the third day. A Hebrew form of expression, which both in this and in the next verse, does not denote three days, but an indefinite period of time. Instances of similar forms of expression occur in Ge. xxxi. 2; Ex. iv. 10; De. xix. 6; Jos. iii. 4; 1 Sa. xix. 7; 1 Chr. xi. 2; Ho. vi. 2.'-Lonsdale. There may be an allusion in this number of days to the three years of our Lord's personal ministry.' - Greswell.]—But see SCRIP. ILLUS., supra.

The

entered Jerusalem in triumph, xxi. 9, § 82, p. 264,
but to belong to some period much later even than
that. As now delivered, it was clearly proleptically
delivered; and if this present occasion of the jour-
neyings to Jerusalem was the last occasion of all, the
prolepsis itself is naturally accounted for.
whole journey.... from first to last, was directed to
a single purpose, that of producing by a final effort
the conversion and repentance of the Jews; at the
end of which, if it failed, . . . . might be said with
great propriety, Ye shall see me no more again, as ye
have seen me heretofore, until ye shall be prepared
to say, Blessed is he who is coming in the name of the
Lord.'-Greswell.

['After the triumphal entry into Jerusalem had taken place, we find our Lord still, as in Mt. xxiii. 39, pointing to the words of Ps. cxviii. 26, as being yet to be fulfilled, which shall be at the second and glorious appearing of our great High Priest, who is now for us passed into the heavens.'-Greswell.-See on Mt. xxiii. 37, § 85.]

33. Cannot.... perish out of Jerusalem. See on Mt. xvi. 21, § 50, p. 40. 34. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, &c. This pathetic apostrophe was produced by the prospect of approaching death. The effort which he was now making, and should still make, to gather the chil- As a hen doth gather her brood, &c. In the east, dren of Jerusalem together, was the last effort of the birds of prey are continually on the wing; hence it is kind; upon the failure of which, their house should difficult to rear chickens, because at every moment be left unto them desolate. Besides which, it is they are in danger of being pounced on and carried declared that they should not see him again until the off. Hence, the eye of the mother is continually time should come when they should say, Blessed is looking up, to watch the foes, and no sooner does she he who is coming in the name of the Lord; a de- see them skimming along, than she gives a scream, claration which a comparison with Mt. xxiii. 39, and the brood, for protection, run under her wings. proves not to have been fulfilled merely when Jesus-And see on Mt. xxiii. 37-.9, § 85, p. 320. PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. lege, but see that we be not the last on account of our gross misimprovement of the unparalleled means of grace that are given us to enjoy. [Lu. xiii. 32. It is not he who prepares external means of defence, who is the city's true defender. One Herod might build the temple, and another surround Jerusalem with walls that seemed to be impregnable, yet the entire race of Herods might well be designated foxes, in reference to the children of Jerusalem; to whom they proved as crafty beasts of prey, decoying them into destruction; occupying their minds with the empty forms of religion in place of the reality, and leading them to trust in mere creature power, in place of seeking deliverance and rest under the shadow of the God of Israel.]

32, 3 ner. The three days that remained of Jesus' VOL. II.]

journeying to Jerusalem, were like those which preceded, days in which he went about doing good, giving us, to the last, an example that we should follow his steps.

[Herod was appointed three days in which he might witness the miracles of Christ. He seems to have thought that he might, at his own convenience, procure some notable thing to be done by Jesus; but like those who stay away till the door is shut, he came too late. Herod could command the murderer's arm, but not the finger of God.]

34 ver. He who would, and who only could defend Jerusalem, wept over it, denouncing its crimes, and pronouncing its doom. No strength of walls, not even the tears of the Redeemer, could save Jerusalem as remaining unrepentant and unbelieving

I WILL COME ON THEE AS A THIEF,-Rev. iii. 3.

[179

REMEMBER

HOW THOU HAST RECEIVED AND HEARD, AND HOLD FAST, AND REPENT.-Rev. iii. 3.

THOU WILT KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE, WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON THEE: BECAUSE HE TRUSTETH IN THEE.-Isa. xxvi. 3.

SECT. LXVI. COMPARISON OF LUKE xiii. 23-35, WITH DISCOURSES IN MATTHEW. PART IV.

LUKE Xiii. 35.

you desolate and verily I-say-unto-you, Ye-shall-not-see me, until the time come when ye-shall-say, Blessed is he that-cometh in the-name of-the-Lord.

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

ADDEND A.

COMPARISON OF LUKE xiii. 23-35, WITH PORTIONS OF OUR LORD'S DISCOURSES AS

HIS MERCIFUL KINDNESS IS GREAT TOWARD Us:-Psalm cxvii. 2.