MEN MUST BE PROFITED BY THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST BEFORE THEY CAN REGARD AS THEIR OWN THE GLORY THAT SHOULD FOLLOW.

LUKE XVii. 21-.5.

21 vation μerа rаратnрnσews: neither shall-they-say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you εντος ύμων εστιν. 22

And he-said unto the disciples, The-days will-come, when ye-shall-desire to-see one 23 of the days of-the Son of man, and ye-shall-not-see it. And they-shall-say to-you, See 24 here; or, see there: go-not-after them, nor follow them. For as the lightning, that lighteneth out-of the-one part under heaven, shineth unto the-other part under heaven; 25 so shall also the Son of man--be in his day. But first must he suffer many-things,

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

Lu. xvii. 21. Lo here! or, lo there!-Mt. xxiv. 23, shall see him as he is.'-The Pharisees needed to be § 86, p. 334, Then if any man shall say unto you, reminded that the kingdom of God must first be Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.' within them: for all their works they did 'to be seen of the kingdom of God is within you (marg. among you). men:' while within they were full of extortion and -Christ, who was among them, Jno. i. 26, § 10, p. 69, excess,' of 'hypocrisy and iniquity,' Mt. xxiii. 5, had, on the Holy Mount,' been already declared King 25-.8, § 85, pp. 313, ..7, ..8. -see on the Transfiguration, Mt. xvii. 1-8, &c., § 51, 22. The days will come, &c.-He had before said pp. 51-6-The three were among them who had to his disciples, Mt. ix. 15, § 36, p. 278, Can the been eyewitnesses of his majesty, 2 Pe. i. 16-so children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the also were the apostles generally, who were appointed bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, to sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and of Israel,' Mt. xix. 28, § 75, p. 229-His believing then shall they fast.-And see in his intercessory people are such as have the kingdom of God within prayer, Jno. xvii. 12, While I was with them in the them: Rom. ii. 28, .9, For he is not a Jew, which is world, I kept them in thy name:' one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which 23. See here; or, see there-Mt. xxiv. 26, § 86, p.335, is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew, which is one Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, ne inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not secret chambers; believe it not.' of men, but of God.' xiv. 17, The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and 24. For as the lightning, &c.-Mt. xxiv. 27, § ib., For peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.'-Ps. xlv. 13, The as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth king's daughter is all glorious within: '-1 Jno. iii. 2, even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the 'Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth Son of man be.' not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, 25. But first must he suffer, &c.-See on Mt. xvi. 21, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we § 50, p. 40.

NOTES.

Lu. xvii. 21. Lo here! or, lo there! Perhaps the Pharisees thought that the Messiah was kept secret, in some place known only to a few of their rulers; and that by and by he should be proclaimed, as Joash was by Jehoiada the priest.-See 2 Chr. xxiii. 1-11. Or the passage may have reference to the custom of the pretended Messiahs, who appeared in this manner. They said that in this place or in that, in this mountain or that desert, they would shew signs that should convince the people of their Messiahship. Comp. Ac. v. 36, .7.

Is within you. The kingdom of God; the blessedness of Messiah's kingdom is theirs, who have Christ formed in them the hope of glory. It is now in the midst of you: it is come, it is present in the soul of every true believer; it is a spiritual kingdom, an internal principle. Wherever it exists it exists in the heart.

22. And he said unto the disciples. Our Lord gives here a beautiful example of speaking to every man according as his case may require. To the Pharisees, who looked merely to outward things, He spoke of that kingdom of grace which cometh not with observation; and which must be established within men before they can be ripe for the kingdom of glory. Jesus having thus addressed the Pharisees, turned to his disciples; and as if to warn them against the supposition that the prophecies would not be accomplished with regard to the outward kingdom, He spoke to them of his appearing in glory, after being rejected of that generation; and after still more disconsolate days which were to follow, suddenly and certainly He would come upon

the world, visible as the light, to accomplish those great changes that are to accompany the setting up of his kingdom.

The days will come. Days of trouble were about to come, when they would have to pass through a flery trial, first as being persecuted by their own countrymen, and then of all nations, for his name's sake. One of the days of the Son of man. Days compared with which, those they had enjoyed with the Son of man, during his sojourn upon earth, would be remembered as days of comparative peace, which it would be desirable again to see.

23, .4. And they shall say, &c. Many false Christs, according to Josephus, appeared about that time, attempting to lead away the people.-See NOTES on Mt. xxiv. 23-.7, § 86, p. 334.

As the lightning, &c. His second and glorious appearing will, like that of the natural sun from the east, be sufficiently manifest to all. His people, who and be for ever with the Lord: the wicked he are looking for his appearing, shall be caught up will destroy with the breath of his mouth: and Satan shall be cast into the bottomless pit, and be bound a thousand years.-See Rev. xx. 1, 2. In his day. When he shall come in power and great glory. 25. But first must he suffer, &c. The words of this verse are, as Mr. Greswell says, parenthetic, and not connected with the prophecy before and after. With this intimation compare the more plainly expressed assurances at Mt. xvi. 21; [Mk. viii. 31; Lu. ix. 22 ;] § 50, p. 40.

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

the Pharisees needed the knowledge of a suffering Saviour.] [23, 4 ver. When Christ comes the second time, he will not require to be pointed to in order that he may be seen and known of men; and until he thus openly there: as if Christ were to be seen in some corner appears in glory, should any say, See here; or, see of the earth-they by so doing prove themselves to be either deceived or deceivers-and those who go after or follow them are guilty of disobedience to the Lord. And all are thus guilty that follow the Romish priesthood, in the sacrifice of the mass.] 25 ver. Let us be content to follow our Lord through suffering into glory. See the border. THE TIME IS AT HAND.-Rev. xxii. 10.

It is of little use to inquire about the time to which a prediction refers, unless we also inquire into the import of the prediction itself; otherwise we are likely to be disappointed in its fulfilment-as were the Pharisees, in expecting a mere human Messiah in glory, at the time our Divine Redeemer appeared to full all righteousness, and, according to the scriptures, suffer for our sins. [Lu. xvii. 22. The knowledge of the disciples, as well as that of the Pharisees, was imperfect. They had not calculated upon their Lord's absence from the earth, between his appearing in grace and his appearing in glory. They required to be prepared for the patient waiting for Christ in his coming glory, as much as VOL. II.]

[211

THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST, AND HIS REJECTION BY HIS OWN COUNTRYMEN, PRECEDED HIS EXALTATION TO THE FATHER'S RIGHT HAND.

LUKE Xvii. 26-34.

26 and be-rejected anоdоkiμаooηval of this generation. And as it-was in the days of-Noe, 27 so shall-it-be also in the days of the Son of man. They-did-eat, they-drank, theymarried-wives, they-were-given-in-marriage, until the-day that - Noe - entered into the ark, 28 and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it-was in the days of-Lot; 29 they-did-eat, they-drank, they-bought, they-sold, they-planted, they-builded; but thesame day that- Lot-went-out of Sodom it-rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and 30 destroyed them all. Even thus κаTа Tavтa shall-it-be in-the day when- the Son of man'31 is-revealed. In that day, he-which shall-be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let-him-not-come-down to-take-it-away: and he that is in the field, let-him32 likewise not-return back eis Tа oπiow. Remember uvnuoveveтe Lot's wife. 33, Whosoever shall-seek to-save his life shall-lose it; and whosoever shall-lose his-life shall-pre34 serve woyovnoe it. I-tell you, in-that night there-shall-be two men in one bed; the

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

Lu. xvii. 25. be rejected, &c.-see their rejection of him, ch. xxiii. 18-23, § 90, p. 451-and of his gospel, 1 Th. ii. 14-.6, For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judæa are in Christ Jesus for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: 15, who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: 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.'

26. as it was in the days of Noe-Ge. vi., vii.-see again, Mt. xxiv. 38, .9, § 86, p. 341. 28. Lot-Ge. xix.

29. Sodom-The destruction of the cities of the plain is referred to, De. xxix. 23; Is. xiii. 19; Je. 1. 40; Eze. xvi. 49; Ho. xi. 8; Am. iv. 11; Zep. ii. 9; 2 Pe. ii. 6; Jude, ver. 7.

30. when the Son of man is revealed-When the Jews had consummated their rejection of Jesus as the Christ, and his predictions with regard to them began to be fulfilled, then was the truth of his MesZsiahship made to appear-Thus he had said to the Jews, Jno. viii. 28, § 55, p. 103, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he,' &c. Then the beloved disciple was given the Apocalypse promised, i. 51, § 10, p. 73-see NoTE on

LET US BE WATCHFUL AGAINST ALL EXCESS, EVEN IN THINGS THAT ARE IN THEMSELVES LAWFUL.

Nathanael, p. 72, and comp. with the Apocalypse, The Revelation of Jesus Christ,' Rev. i. 1, &c. He who was then revealed in word, will in person, 2 Th. i. 7-10, be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10, when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe,' &c.

31. In that day-The day when, by the falfilment of the threatened judgment upon Jerusalem, it was made manifest that he who was rejected of that generation, was indeed the Christ-see on ver. 30, supra.

Then let them which be in Judæa flee into the upon the housetop, &c.-Mt. xxiv. 16-.8, § 86, p. 332, mountains: 17, let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18, neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.'

32. Lot's wife-Ge. xix. 26, His wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.' 33. Whosoever shall seek, &c.-So when preparing his disciples for the transfiguration, he said, Mk. viii. 35, § 50, p. 42, Whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake

NOTES.

Lu. xvii. 25. Be rejected of this generation. The chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees then living, accused him to Pilate the governor, and prevailed with the people to demand of Pilate that Jesus should be crucified, saying, His blood be on us, and on our children.'

26. As it was in the days of Noe, &c. God commanded Noah to build an ark for his family; and Noah, for 120 years, while he was building the ark, warned the people of the wrath of God that was coming on the world; but the people regarded him not, until the flood came and swept them all away.

So shall it be also, &c. So the Lord, by the sure word of prophecy, has been warning the world of the destruction that is coming on those who are not prepared for his appearing. 29. The same day that Lot went out, &c. As soon as righteous Lot departed, the wicked cities were destroyed, and all the inhabitants, and that which grew upon the ground: and the DEAD SEA now covers the site of the cities of the plain that before was well watered and fruitful. It rained fire and brimstone. Ge. xix. 24, justifies the insertion of the pronoun he, as implied in the verb as; for it is there said that Jehovah rained brimstone and fire out of heaven.'

31. In that day. When ye shall see Jerusalem encompassed with armies.

He... upon the housetop. The houses of the Jews, as well as those of the ancient Greeks and Romans, were flat-roofed, and usually formed terraces for exercise, terminating at the gates of the city. 32. Remember Lot's wife. See Ge. xix. 17, 26. She looked back-she delayed-perhaps she desired to take something with her; and God made her a monument of his displeasure. Jesus directed his disciples when they saw the calamities coming upon the Jews, to flee to the mountains, Mt. xxiv. 16. He here charges them to be in haste-not to look backnot to delay-but to escape quickly, and to remember that by delaying the wife of Lot lost her life.

See

33. Whosoever shall seek to save his life, &c. following verses is:-Yet as great as the danger will on Mt. x. 39, § 39, p. 302. The sense of this and the conscience; if you do, you will surely lose it: whereas be, do not seek to save your life by violating your if you should lose it for my sake, you shall be paid with life everlasting. But the most probable way of preserving it now is to be always ready to give it up: a peculiar providence shall then watch over you, and put a difference between you and other men.

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

Lu. xvii. (26, .7, see the border) 28, .9. The removal of the Lord's people from among the wicked, so far from being a cause of triumph to the latter, is rather to be regarded as a sign of their fast approaching destruction. So was it in the case of the old world,

and of Sodom; so also in the case of Jerusalem.

30 ver. The Apocalypse of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, was given for our use about the time the kingdom was taken from the Jews. By the fulfil212]

ment of our Lord's predictions respecting Jerusalem, let us be assured that Jesus is indeed the Christ, and that all he hath promised shall also be fulfilled.

death; of preferring earthly enjoyment to heavenly 33 ver. Let us beware of loving our lives unto the blessedness. It is well to have our lives now hid with Christ in God, so that when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, we also may appear with him in glory, Col. iii. 3, 4.

LET US LEAVE ALL AT THE COMMAND OF CHRIST.

[VOL. II.

LET NOT THE CARES OF LIFE TEMPORAL PREVENT OUR GIVING ATTENTION TO THE LIFE ETERNAL.

BY THE BLESSING OF THE UPRIGHT THE CITY IS EXALTED: BUT IT IS OVERTHROWN BY THE MOUTH OF THE WICKED.-Prov. xi. 11.

LUKE xvii. 35-.7.

35 one shall-be-taken apaλnp0ngerai, and the other shall-be-left ape@noeтai. Two women 36 shall-be grinding together; the one shall-be-taken, and the other left. Two men shall37 be in the field; the one shall-be-taken, and the other left. And they-answered and-said unto-him, Where, Lord? And he said unto-them, Wheresoever the body is, thither willthe eagles -be-gathered-together.

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

NOTES.

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

PARALLELISM OF LUKE xvii. 23-7, 30, AND MATTHEW xxiv. 26, .7, 37-.9, § 86, p. 335.

TRANSGRESSORS SHALL BE TAKEN IN... NAUGHTINESS.-Prov. xi. 6.

THE CHRISTIAN UNDER PERSECUTION HAS THE SHIELD OF FAITH, AND THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD.

SECTION 73.-(G. 48, .9.)—[Lesson 67.]-JESUS DELIVERS THE PARABLE OF THE UNJUST JUDGE, AND THE IMPORTUNATE WIDOW AND WITH REFERENCE TO CERTAIN WHO ACCOUNTED THEMSELVES RIGHTEOUS, AND DESPISED OTHERS, HE DELIVERS THE PARABLE OF THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN.-Luke xviii. 1-14.

INTRODUCTION.

La. xviii. 1. Our Lord had, in the preceding sec- to the injustice and oppression that have prevailed tion, Lu. xvii. 20-37, distinguished between the among men, as the character of the unjust judge is to coming of the kingdom of grace, which is now that of the righteous Judge, our blessed Redeemer, among men, ver. 21; and the coming of the kingdom Lu. xviii. 1-8. of glory, when a separation will be made between the In the parable of the Pharisee and publican we are righteous and the wicked, however intimately they next taught the manner of coming into the enjoy may previously have been blended, ver. 34-.6, § 72, ment of the kingdom, as it must now be within us. p. 212. He now, in two parables regarding prayer, It is as humbly confessing ourselves to be sinners, teaches the use we are to make of these two grand key- and as pleading the propitiation for sin, typified by doctrines of Divine revelation-his first and second the sacrifices offered under the law, and accomplished advents. He here takes up the last first. By believ for us by Christ in his first advent; when, by his oLe ing, persevering prayer, the church is to wrestle for offering up of himself, he put away sin, and was dethe coming of the Son of man, to establish his king-clared to be the end of the law for righteousness to dom of righteousness and peace: as much opposed every one that believeth, ver. 9-14.

case to that of God's elect.

Lu. xviii. 10. pray.

of prayer.

11.

Two men go up to the temple to

The Pharisee's manner and form

He thanks God that he is not as, &c.
With regard to his religious duties,

12.

he boasts of his fasting and giving tithes of all, &c. 13. The publican's manner of prayer:

8. Notwithstanding the Lord's faith-he supplicates the reconciling grace of God to himself a sinner. fulness in avenging his people speedily, will the Son of man, even at his second advent, really find faith on the earth?

9. The 2nd parable,towhom addressed.

14. Our Lord pronounces upon the case of the one and the other, and declares the genoral rule of judgment.

No. 73.-(G. 48.)-The parable of the unjust judge, and the importunate widow.

Luke xviii. 1-8.

1 And he-spake a-parable unto-them to this end, that-men-ought always to-pray, and not 2 to-faint; saying, There-was in a city a judge, which-feared not God, neither regarded

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

Lu. xviii. 1. Always to pray-so again, ch. xxi. 36, § 86, p. 341, Watch ye therefore, and pray always, Soon after Pentecost, the twelve proposed the election of deacons, who should take charge of the temporal affairs of the church, the apostles saying, Ac. vi. 4, We will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.'-When the kingdom of God was opened to the Gentiles, Cornelius, who was chosen to hear from Peter the words of salvation, was one that prayed to God alway,' x. 2-1 - The exhortation of Paul to believers is, that they be 'patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer,' Rom. xii. 12.-And again, Eph. vi. 18, Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints ;'-Ph. iv. 6, Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.-Col. iv. 2, Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; i Th. v. 17, 'Pray without ceasing.'

not to faint-so Jacob wrestled with the Angel of the covenant until he prevailed, saying, Ge. xxxii. 26, I will not,' &c.-Our Lord had already exhorted to importunity in prayer, as Lu. xi. 5-9, § 62, p. 152. 2. a judge, &c.-Jesus himself, when on earth, experienced in his own case what it is to suffer by unrighteous judges, Mt. xxvi. 63-8; xxvii. 24-6, §§ 89, 90, pp.428,152-But as Paul declared to the men of Athens, Ac. xvii. 31, God hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance [marg. "offered faith"] unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.' feared not God-The contrast of Christ, the righteous Judge, who could say, as Jno. xiv. 31, § 87, p. 386, As the Father gave me commandment, even so I do." neither regarded man-In this also he was the contrast of Christ, who loved the people, De. xxxiii. 3, so as, at the command of the Father, to lay down his life for them, Jno. x. 11-.8, § 55, p. 115.

NOTES.

This
Our

[Lu. xviii. 1. A parable. See Vol. I. p. 243. parable, like many others, is one of contrast. God is not an unjust Judge, but the Faithful and True. The suppliant is not a poor widow, but his own chosen bride, for whom he hath laid down his life. He does not, like the unjust judge, want to get rid of those who call upon him, but he desires to make them most blessed in his house for ever.]

PRACTICAL

[Lu. xviii. 1. Between the period when the predictions of our Lord began to be fulfilled, and his own glorious return, the time is long: so that many have almost lost sight of the object of the believer's hope, 2141

2. A judge, which feared not God, &c. A proverbial form, expressive of the most unblushing wickedness. Even among the heathen this was the character of & man totally abandoned to all evil. So Dion Cassius says of Vitellius, that he neither regarded gods nor men.' 3. Avenge me of mine adversary. #dinoon we are του αντιδικού μου, 'do me justice on my adversary. REFLECTION.

and have become weary in waiting; but we ought always to pray and not to faint. It is to a praying people, longing for his return, that our Lord will appear the second time, without sin, unto salvation.]

HE THAT IS CRUEL TROUBLETH HIS OWN FLESH.-Prov. xi. 17.

[VOL. II.

THE WICKED IS SNARED BY THE TRANSGRESSION OF HIS LIPS: BUT THE JUST SHALL COME OUT OF TROUBLE.-Prov. xii. 13.

IF IMPORTUNITY CAN PREVAIL WITH AN UNJUST JUDGE, WHAT MUST IT DO WITH A JUST ONE?

LUKE Xviii. 3-8.

3 ενтρеπоμεVOS man: and there-was a-widow in that city; and she-came unto him, saying, 4 Avenge me of mine adversary. And he-would not for a-while: but afterward he-said 5 within himself, Though I-fear not God, nor regard man; yet because this widow troubleth me, I-will-avenge her, lest by-her-continual coming she-weary wяαη mе. 6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust rns adikias judge saith. 7, And shall not God avenge TоinσE TηV EкdiKnow his-own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though 8 he-bear-long with en' them? I-tell you that he-will avenge them speedily. Neverthe

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

Lu. xviii. 3. widow-God, 'the Judge of the widows,' gives commandment to plead for the widow, Ps. lxviii. 5; Is. i. 17-To her who is exhorted to prosecute her cause before the righteous Judge, it is said, Is. liv. 4, 5, Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashanied: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called,' &c.-Her glorious rest is spoken of, ver. 11-3-Established in righteousness, she is to be triumphant over all her adversaries, ver. 14-.7, p. (89). Avenge me of mine, &c.-see 1 Pe. v. 6-10; Rev. xii. 10, .1,And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.'

5. troubleth me, &c.-The contrary is the case with the Lord, who saith, Is. xliii. 22, But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel.'-26, 'Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.And again, lix. 1-4, 'Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2, but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. 3, For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. 4, None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth,' &c.

6. And the Lord said, Hear, &c.-This is somewhat like that other saying of our Lord, Mt. vii. 11, § 19, p. 139, 'If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?'

7. which cry day and night, &c.-The Lord hath appointed, saying, Is. lxii. 6, 7, I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, and give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.'-Then will the Lord be found true to

Lu. xviii. 5. Weary. Twain μe.

his word, ver. 8, 9, The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured: but they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness.'-See the cry for the rending of the heavens and coming of the righteous Judge, 1xiv. p. (55)-see also the invitation to prayer, Joel ii. 16, .7, Gather the people, sanctify the congregation,'-and the answer, 18-20, Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people. Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach,' &c.

though he bear long with them-The Lord hath been longsuffering to his people, during their comparatively prayerless state, Is. xliii. 23, .4, p. (27), Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense. Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.-Their prayers have rather been a mockery of his majesty, than supplications for his mercy, lviii. 1-5-When the sincerity of their prayers is evidenced by their conduct being in accordance with the great law of LOVE, then will the Lord hear and answer, 6-14, p. (97). 8. speedily-Upon that very generation the Lord xxiii. 34-.6, § 85, p. 319-Afterwards the cry was avenged the blood of his servants, as predicted, Mt. heard of those who, by the Romans, were slain, for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held, Rev. vi. 10, And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell. on the earth?'-And the Lord did avenge them on Pagan Rome; and never since has he been slack to vindicate the cause of his servants, according as they were able to bear his interference in their behalf, 2 Pe. iii. 9, The Lord is not slack,' &c.

Nevertheless, &c.- Notwithstanding the Lord's speedy and frequent avenging of his people, and his longsuffering kindness towards them, they are slow in believing his word, and reposing their confidence NOTES.

[This word is peculiar, and occurs only once more in the New Testament, 1 Co. ix. 27, where St. Paul is speaking of keeping under his body. Yor, whence the verb is derived, denotes the appearance produced by a blow on the face, properly under the eye, caused by the extravasation of the small blood vessels, and what we should call a black eye.... It is manifest that romák, denoting to give or to cause irria in this proper sense, may be used to describe the effect of any disagreeable personal importunity, any reiterated application, productive of weariness, fatigue, and irksomeness, like that of the widow in the parable.'-Greswell.]

7. Shall not God avenge his own elect? Shall not God, who is a Father to all who call upon him, execute his wrath upon those who oppress his children, and grind the faces of the poor and defenceless?

His own elect. Christians chosen out of the world to be the peculiar people of God.

[Though he bear, &c. xas, which is here translated though, is commonly rendered and; it might as well have been so here. The sense is, that God will both speedily avenge his own elect, and be long-suffering toward them. He bears long with the infirmities and waywardness of his children, who cry unto him continually; but he that toucheth them, toucheth the apple of his eye.]

8. He will avenge them speedily. He did speedily avenge them upon their Jewish persecutors; and he does and will avenge speedily all those of his people who cry day and night unto him. Men have but dimly traced the operation of his hand, but still he hath, both in justice and in mercy, been working deliverances for his people.

Nevertheless, &c. Notwithstanding that God doth

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

[Lu. xviii. 4-6. If the unjust judge was prevailed upon to avenge the quarrel of the poor widow, shall the Lord refuse to hear the cry which he hath put into the mouth of his redeemed-'Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly'?]

VOL. 11.]

[7, 8 ver. Although the Lord be longsuffering toward his people, yet is he quick in avenging their cause; and when they do realize his promises, and with united hearts plead them, it will indeed be seen that he doth avenge them speedily."]

CONTINUE IN PRAYER,-Col. iv. 2.

NONE CAN HAVE EVIDENCE THAT HE IS CHOSEN OF GOD, WHO IS NOT A MAN OF PRAYER.

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