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illustration of it, is uncertain; but we may understand, from our SAVIOUR's answer, that he meant to recommend, by his own example, a spirit of candour and mo. deration; and that it is best, in all doubtful cases, to treat those as friends who are not avowed and declared enemies; as such forbearance may be a means of perfecting what is wanting to complete the faith and obedience of the person. These words of our LORD re-i lated principally to the times of the Apostles; but all Christians may assure themselves, that the least of their services will be kindly remembered and abundantly rewarded by divine bounty and grace.

SECTION LXVII.

OUR LORD SENDS OUT THE SEVENTY DISCIPLES.

From Lake, Chap. x.

AFTER these things, the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city, and place, whither he himself would

come.

Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the LORD of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers. into his harvest.

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Go your ways; behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes and salute no man by the way.

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And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.

And in the same house remain, eating and drinking.

such

such things as they give for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.

And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of GOD is nigh unto you.

But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same,

and say,

Even the very dust of your city which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding, be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

Woe unte thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.

And thou Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.

He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that de spiseth you, despiseth me; and he. that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me.

ANNOTATIONS AND REFLECTIONS.

As, in the choice of twelve Apostles, our LORD ap. pears to have had an eye to the twelve Patriarchs, and the twelve Princes of the tribes of Israel, so the appoint. ment of seventy teachers seems to have had a reference to the seventy elders appointed to assist Moses; the Jewish Sanhedrim also consisted of that number. These

seventy

seventy were chosen from among those disciples who did not devote themselves entirely to our LORD's service like the Apostles, but were the frequent hearers of his doctrine, and witnesses of his miracles. Though the Scribes and Pharisees opposed our LORD's ministry, and many persons were influenced by them, great numbers had been converted, who lived at very distant places; some of these could not follow him continually, on account of their occupations and connexions: he therefore kindly resolved to send them his instructions, for their further improvement in Christian knowledge, by these seventy; and afterwards to visit them himself, in order to confirm their faith before he left the world.

It is unnecessary to enlarge on our SAVIOUR'S commission to the seventy: it is sufficient to say, that he gave them the same instructions and encouragement as he did to the twelve, to receive and return the kindness of those who welcomed them, and denounce the judgments of GoD against those who rejected their message. Our LORD again denounced vows against Bethsaida, &c. But having already considered this denunciation in a former section, it is needless to comment upon it here.

How frequently did our LORD repeat his invitation to sinners; He was constantly employed in promoting the glory of GoD and the good of mankind; thus instructing men, and particularly his ministers, to have a tender regard for the souls of others; and also teaching his followers to treat those with respect, whose office it is to explain to them the doctrines of his religion.

Every minister who faithfully discharges his duty, by teaching true doctrine, and setting a good example to his flock, may be considered as a representative of his LORD and MASTER, and should be honoured accordingly.

SECTION

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Now the Jews feast of tabernacles was at hand. His Brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.

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For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. For neither did his brethren believe in him.

Then JESUS said unto them, My time is not yet come; but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you: but it hateth me, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

3 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast, for my time is not yet fully come.

When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee. But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.

Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man; otirers said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.

Howbeit no man spake openly of him, for fear of the Jews. Now about the midst of the feast, JESUS went up into the temple, and taught.

And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned ?

JESUS answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

VOL. V.

If

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of GOD, or whether I speak of myself.

He that speaketh of himself, seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?

The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil; who goeth about to kill thee?

JESUS answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.

Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision, (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers) and ye on the sabbath-day circumcise a man.

If a man on the sabbath-day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath-day?

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he whom they seek to kill? But lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him: do the rulers know in. deed that this is the very CHRIST?

Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when CHRIST cometh, no man knoweth whence he is..

Then cried JESUs in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am *; and L am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

But I know him, for I am from him, and he hath

sent me.

* Commentators agree that this, in the original, is an interroga❤ tion, viz. Do ye both know me, and robence I am ?

Then

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