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4. Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see:

John was in prison; it might be a dark hour with him; and, though the greatest of all prophets, and holy from the womb, possibly, he might now need some comfort, or satisfaction upon his own account. But whether he sent his disciples for his own sake, or only for their conviction, it is remarkable that Christ refers them to his miracles, as full evidence in the case, and the ground of our belief in him, if he himself knew what was. And the belief of them establishes us in the belief of his doctrine, without gainsaying, or disputing, and however cross it may be to our reason or inclinations.

5. The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

We may receive our spiritual sight. If we believe all this, we cannot help saying, "Great is our God, and great is his power." But this is not saving faith, this is not the belief that will help us. It can be nothing but faith in Christ for our own cure; and, if we stop short of this, we are no better for anything we hear or believe of him.

"The poor have the Gospel preached to them." The blessings of the Gospel are offered to the poor, as what they want equally with all others, and their circumstances in the world would more especially incline them to receive them ; but they are received by none who are not poor in spirit.

6. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

Christ's outward appearance was the great stumbling block then, the perfection and spirituality of his doctrine now; it is because he lays all flesh low, and comes with his fan in his hand.

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SECTION XXIV.

Chap. xi. ver. 7—19.

CHRIST'S TESTIMONY OF JOHN.

7. And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

We might be asked for what we go to church? Is it to read the Scripture, and believe in Christ?

"A reed shaken with the wind ?" A teacher, pliable, and bending to our notions, or wavering in his own judgment? No such thing.

8. But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment ? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.

Such they expected and wished Christ's forerunner to be, suitably to the notion they had entertained of his kingdom.

9. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

The reason is given in the next words.

10. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

Behold, therefore, in what the pre-eminence of John consisted; it was in being sent to prepare the way of Christ, and usher in his coming. This office advanced him to a greater dignity than all that went before him. then is Christ?

What

11. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: not

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withstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

God's spiritual kingdom of "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost," opened by Christ, and still open to all that will enter into it.

"Is greater than he." Every preacher, or hearer, truly Christian, knows and sees more of it than John did, it not being then fully manifested. What a happiness is it for us, if we knew how to value it, that we live in the full daylight of the sun of righteousness! And it is all comprehended in two particulars, what Christ has done for us, and will do in us.

12. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

The same kingdom of heaven, in which we are received to "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost." Mark the words, that you may know what honour you are called to here upon the earth. Let us be in, and of this kingdom, whatever it cost us; for we are here given to understand that there must be an earnest seeking after it. O for penitent wills, a lively faith, and the holy violence of prayer!

13. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.

And no longer the prophecies concerning John looked no farther, being then actually fulfilled. But there was a difficulty still remaining; for Elias must first come. therefore adds,

He

14. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to

come.

And therefore Christ himself must immediately follow. Alas! they did not receive it. They had fixed their own interpretation of Scripture, and would not be set right.

15. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

What it concerns every one to understand, and hear effectually. Bring your hearts and consciences to the hearing of the word.

In these verses, Christ, having observed to the people that they went to John more out of curiosity than for spiritual benefit, and looked for anything in him rather than what he was, takes occasion from hence to tell them who, and what he was; and in magnifying his office, as his own forerunner, gives them to understand what great blessings were at hand, and ready for their acceptance.

16. But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,

17. And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. 18. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.

19. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners but wisdom is justified of her children.

Whether appearing in the austere, mortified life of John, or in the more free and open conversation of Jesus, she will be discerned to be what she is, and not ill thought of, or rejected, for such differences of outward behaviour, by those who know her, and who are enamoured of her. It would be well if this observation had its just weight with the children of wisdom, the lovers of God and goodness: what we disapprove and censure in others, and they in us, may be the wisdom of God in both.

From this passage we learn, that though God used a variety of methods with the Jews to bring them to repentance, yet such was their perverseness, that, let him do what he would, they found out some pretence for cavilling at it. John was too reserved and austere, and, therefore, had a devil; Jesus suited himself more to the common way of living, and, therefore, was horribly reproached with too much indulgence. We shall know one day the wisdom and mercy of God in all his dealings with us; what calls

we have had, what various occasions of improvement, and how he has endeavoured to suit himself to us, and work upon us, whether by prosperity or adversity, riches or poverty, sickness or health.

SECTION XXV.

Chap. xi. ver. 20-30.

HE COMMENDS GOD'S WISDOM.

20. Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not.

21. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

22. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.

We do not read any of Christ's mighty works in the first of these places; though doubtless, he wrought them wherever he went. The Evangelists have recorded but few of his miracles, and those, too, selected, we may suppose, for the sake of some particular use or instruction. But what it concerns us more especially to observe is, the heavier doom of those who slight great advantages for reformation. Have you not the Scriptures in your hands? Do you not live under the light of the Gospel? Is not Christ preached to you? Is not the Holy Ghost always ready to teach your hearts?

23. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

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