additional recompence to the person who had been most assiduous'. The nobleman in the parable represents Christ, the Son of God, who, leaving heaven, travels "to a far country"-this world-in order to receive a spiritual kingdom from His Father,—and then, after His resurrection, to return to heaven. The "ten servants," among whom He distributed the sum of money, to be put out to interest against His return, represent the Apostles and preachers of the Gospel. His citizens, who hated Him, and rejected Him for their King, are the Jewish and other apostate nations. On His second appearance in glory, He will reward or punish His servants according to their deserts, and will destroy their enemies. This awful prophecy, which was necessarily vailed in a parable, not then to be understood, began to be fulfilled at the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, and will be concluded in the days of vengeance, destined to precede His next approaching appearance. In this parable, we see, on the one hand, all possible encouragement given to diligence and industry, and a lively improving piety, in an abundant increase of grace, with all the blessed attendants of it in this world, and a full enjoyment of God in heaven. On the other side, we are presented with considerations which, if duly weighed, will make 2 Dr. Robinson. Dr. Hales. any one afraid of spiritual sloth and idleness, and not dare to neglect the improvement of his talent; for, by so doing, he will be deprived of God's grace here, and doomed to eternal misery at the day of judgment. From hence we learn what reception those persons are likely to meet with from their supreme Judge, who can plead nothing beyond a negative merit,— the merit of doing neither good nor harm. It is not enough merely that we abstain from great crimes, or that we enjoy ourselves in an indolent, harmless tranquillity, and divide matters so nicely, as to avoid equally the inconveniences of vice, and the fatigues of virtue; praising religion in words, loving it perhaps in speculation, but leaving the trouble of practising it to others. It is the moral of this parable, that Jesus Christ will punish or reward Christians according to their behaviour in practice; and that what will be required from every one will be in proportion to the means of grace afforded to each ". "For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance; but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath." This pro verbial saying, often repeated by our Lord, means here, that those who improve the gifts of God committed to them, will continually receive more and more grace, and the Divine assistance; but those who do not improve the natural advantages they possess to the honour of God's kingdom, the Lord will withdraw "grace given," and finally condemn to eternal punishment'. SECT. CXVI.-Christ raiseth Lazarus.-John xi. 17-46. Ar length Christ reaches Bethany, which lay in the road from Jericho to Jerusalem. He had probably purposely retarded His journey, in order that Lazarus might die, and even be buried in the tomb, before He reached the place, so that God might be more glorified by the greatness of the miracle He purposed: “He found that he had lain in the grave five days already." The Jews imagined that the soul hovered about the body for three days after death, as if thinking to return to it; but that, after the visage of the countenance was seen to change, it would leave it, and get it away. "After he had been dead four days," well might Martha exclaim against the re-opening of the tomb; for the putrefaction of dead bodies is extremely rapid in hot countries'. When Jesus approached, as soon as she heard that He was coming, Martha went and met Him." She presumed not to ask Him to raise her brother; it was a thing too great to be abruptly asked: she indirectly and modestly suggests, that were Christ to make it His request to God that 66 7 ' Dr. S. Clarke.. • Dr. Lightfoot. 9 Abp. Newcome. с с Lazarus might revive, His request would be surely granted'. Her words betray at once her strength and her infirmity ;-strength of faith in ascribing so much power to Christ, that His presence could have could have preserved from death; infirmity in supposing the necessity of His presence for that purpose 2. "Jesus said unto her, Thy brother shall rise again." Martha's reply expresses her confident assurance that her brother should rise again, derived probably from the teaching of Jesus Himself. Such was the belief of all among the Jewish people who rightly interpreted the Scriptures; though it was left for Christ Himself to declare in plain terms, that "all that are in the grave shall hear His voice, and shall come forth." It was left for Him to bring life and immortality to clear light, which could not be concealed. Still the obedience of Abraham, the self-denial of Moses, the courage of Daniel, the faithfulness of Isaiah, of Jeremiah, and of the many prophets whose blood cried out against Jerusalem, prove sufficiently, that all felt confident that they should "attain a better resurrection "." Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth on Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." The sublimity and majesty of this language is not less remarkable than the great 2 Bishop Hall. 1 Bishop Horsley. 66 3 Archbishop Sumner. truth which the words of our Saviour convey *. I am the Author of life, both present and future. As I have power to raise up all men at last, at the general judgment, so I have also power to raise up at present whomsoever I will. He, therefore, that believeth on Me, as he shall not finally continue under the power of death, and perish for ever, so he is at present holden by death, by My permission only, and during My pleasure. Mary, who seemed to have been the most overwhelmed with grief, had all this time remained in the house, where also were assembled a great concourse of persons, who had come "to comfort the sisters concerning their brother." The mourning of the Jews lasted seven days, during which time the friends and relations came to condole with the mourners, which was done with many particular ceremonies. When acquainted by her sister that "the Master is come, and calleth for her, she arose quickly, and came unto Him," and "the Jews that were with her in the house followed her;" by which means all became witnesses of the miracle that Jesus now wrought'. The meeting was deeply affecting, so that the Jews "which came with her," wept with her; and Jesus Himself, in the general infection, so far indulged the justice of the mourners' sorrow, Dr. Jortin. 5 Dr. S. Clarke. 7 Dr. S. Clarke. |