which is evil for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

This verse is not found in the sermon on the Mount, as recorded by Matthew, but is recorded by him in ch. xii. 35.

46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like: 48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock; and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it; for it was founded upon a rock. 49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

See Matt. vii. 21-27.

CHAPTER VII.

1 NOW when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. 3 And when he

heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: 5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. 6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself. for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: 7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. 8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him

about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

See Matt. viii. 5-13. In the audience of the people.' In the hearing of the people. 'Who was dear unto him.' That is, he was valuable, was trusty. Besought him instantly.' Urgently, or earnestly. He was worthy.' The centurion. He had showed favour to the Jews, and they thought it was not improper to show him a kindness.

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11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. 12 Now when be came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow and much people of the city was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14 And he

16 And

came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. there came a fear on all and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. 17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judea, and throughout all the region round about.

'A city called Nain.' This city was in Galilee, in the tribe of Issachar, about two miles south of Mount Tabor. It is now a small village. A dead man carried out.' A funeral procession. Anciently no Jews were buried within the walls of the city, except kings and distinguished persons, 1 Sam. xxviii. 3. 2 Kings xxi. 18. The custom of burying within cities, and especially within churches, or in their vicinity, had its origin among christians very early. A burial place should be in a retired spot; far from the tread of the gay and busy world, where all the feelings may be still and calm, and where there can be no injury to health, from the mouldering bodies of the dead. Came a fear on all.' An awe, or solemnity, at the presence of one who had power to raise the dead, and at the miracle which had been performed. 'Glorified God.' Praised, or honoured God, that he had sent such a prophet. And that God hath visited his people.' Some said one thing and some another, but all expressing their belief

that God had showed peculiar favour to the people. 'Hath visited.' See Luke i. 68. The raising of this young man was one of the most decisive and instructive of our Lord's miracles. There was no doubt that he was dead. There could be no delusion-no agreement to impose on the people. He came near to the city with no reference to this young man; he met the funeral procession, and by a word restored him to life. All those who had the best opportunity of judging, the mother, and friends, believed him to be dead, and were about to bury him. The evidence that he came to life was decisive. Many witnesses were present, and none doubted that Jesus, by a word, had restored him to his weeping mother. The whole scene was affecting. Here was a widowed mother, who was following her only son, her stay and hope, to the grave. Here was borne along one in the prime of life, and the only comfort of his parent-impressive proof that the young, the useful, the vigorous, and the lovely, may die. Jesus met them. He was full of compassion for the weeping parent; and, by a word, restored the youth to life. Jesus therefore had power over the dead. He also has power to raise sinners, dead in trespasses and sins, to life.

18 And the disciples of John showed him of all these things. 19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? 20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? 21 And in the same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. 22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. 23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. 24 T And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 25 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment ? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts. 26 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a

prophet. 27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. 29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. 31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like? 32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept. 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread, nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. 34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! 35 But wisdom is justified of all her children.

See this passage explained in Matthew xi. 2-19. The people.' The common people. 'That heard him. That heard John. The publicans.' The tax-gatherers, the worst kind of people, some of whom had, however, been converted. 'Justified God.' Considered God as just, or right, in the counsel which he gave by John--to wit, in calling men to repentance, and denouncing future wrath on the impenitent. Compare Matt. xi. 19. Being baptized,' &c. They showed that they approved of the message of God, by submitting to the ordinance which he commanded, the ordinance of baptism. This verse and the following are not to be considered as the words of Luke, but the continuation of the discourse of our Lord. He is saying what took place in regard to John. Among the common people he was approved and obeyed-among the rich and learned he was despised. But the pharisees and lawyers rejected,' &c. It appears from Matt. iii. that some of the pharisees came to John to be baptized; but still this entirely consistent with the supposition that the great mass of pharisees and lawyers rejected him. 'The counsel of God.' The counsel of God towards them was the solemn admonition by John, to repent and be baptized, and be prepared to receive the Messiah. This was the

command, or revealed will of God, in relation to them. When it is said that they rejected the counsel of God, it does not mean that they could frustrate his purposes, but merely that they broke his commands. Men cannot frustrate the real purposes of God; but they can contemn his messages; break his commands; and thus reject the counsel which he gives us; and despise the desire which he manifests for our welfare. Against themselves.' To their own hurt, or detriment. The rejection of the counsel of God, will deeply injure them. God is wise and good. He knows what is best for us. He, therefore, that rejects what God commands, rejects it to his own injury. It cannot be well for any mortal to despise what God commands him to do.

36 And one of the pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.

'One of the pharisees.' His name was Simon, ver. 40. Nothing more is known of him. Sat down to meat.' Placed him'Meat.' Supper. Food of any

self, or reclined, at the table. kind. Sat down to eat.

37 And behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the pharisee's house, brought an alabaster-box of ointment,

'In the city.' What city is meant is unknown. 'Which was a sinner.' Who was depraved, or wicked. This woman, it seems, was known to have been a sinner-perhaps an abandoned wo'An alabaster box,' &c. See note, Mark xiv. 3.

man.

38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

'Stood at his feet.' The Jews reclined, at their meals, on their left side, and their feet, therefore, were extended from the table, so that persons could easily approach them. See note, Matt. xxiii. 6. Began to wash his feet.' The Jews wore sandals. These were taken off when they entered a house. It was an act of hospitality and kindness to wash the feet of a guest. 'Kissed his feet. There could be few expressions of penitence more deep and tender than were these. A sense of all her sins rushed over her mind; her heart burst at the remembrance of them, and at the presence of the pure Redeemer; with deep sorrow she Bumbled herself, and sought forgiveness. She showed her love for him by a kiss of affection; her humility, by bathing his feet; her veneration, by breaking a costly box and anointing his feet.