22.

Take no thought for your life, &c.] See verse 31. 34. When they deliver you up (said Jesus to his disciples), take no thought how or what ye shall speak, for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. Mat. x. 19. He that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word, and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. Mat. xiii. 22. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Ps. lv. 22. The cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things, entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. Mar. iv. 19. When they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate; but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye, for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. Mar. xiii. 11. That which fell among thorns are they, which when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. Lu. viii. 14. Martha (the sister of Lazarus) was cumbered about much serving, and came to him (Jesus) and said, Lord, Dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her, therefore, that she help me. And Jesus answered, and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and troubled about many things, but one thing is needful. Lu. x. 40, 41. Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, neither for the body, what ye shall put on; the life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

Seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; neither be of doubtful mind. Lu. xii. 22, 23. 25, 26. 29. I would have you without carefulness. 1 Co. vii. 32. Be careful for nothing. Ph. iv. 6. No man that warreth (as a soldier of Christ) entangleth himself with the affairs of this life. 2 Ti. ii. 4. Be content with such things as ye have; for he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee; so that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what

man shall do unto me. He. xiii. 5, 6. Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. 1 Pe. v. 6, 7.

Is not the life more than meat.] The life is more than meat, and the body than raiment. Lu. xii. 23. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Ro. viii. 32.

26 The fowls of the air.] Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father; but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Mat. x. 29-31. And God said (to the man whom he had created), Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed, to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. And God saw every thing that he had made, and behold if was very good. Ge. i. 29-31. None saith, Where is God my maker, who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven! Job xxxv. 11. Who provideth for the raven his food? When his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat. Job xxxviii. 41. They (the springs sent by God into the valleys) give drink to every beast of the field; the wild asses quench their thirst; by them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation which sing among the branches. These wait all upon thee, that thou mayest give them their meat in due season; that thou givest them they gather; thou openest thine hand; they are filled with good. Ps. civ. 11, 12. 27, 28. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season; thou openest thine hand and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. Ps. cxlv. 15, 16. He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. Ps. exlvii. 9. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings? and not one of them is forgotten before God. But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap: which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them; how much more are ye better than the fowls? Lu. xii. 6, 7. 24.

Your heavenly Father.] See verse 32. What man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Mat. vii. 9. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Lu. xii. 32.

27 By taking thought.] See chap. v. 36, and com. Behold, thou hast made my days as an hand-breadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee. Verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Ps. xxxix. 5. Surely every man walketh in a vain shew; surely they are disquieted in vain; he heapeth up riches and knoweth not who shall gather them. Ps. xxxix. 6. I know, that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever; nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it; and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. Ec. iii. 14. Which of you, with taking thought, can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest. Lu. xii. 25, 26. Now hath God set the members (of the body) every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 1 Cor. xii. 18.

Stature.] By what means he (the man that was born blind) now seeth we know not; he is of age, ask him; he shall speak for himself. John ix. 21. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Ps. cxxxix. 5.

28 Why take ye thought for raiment?] See verse 25. 31. Provide (said Jesus to his disciples) neither scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves; for the workman is worthy of his meat. Mat. x. 10. He that hath two coats let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat let him do likewise. Lu. 3. 11. And he (Jesus) said unto "them" ("his disciples"), When I sent you without purse and scrip and shoes, lacked ye any thing? and they said, Nothing. Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip; and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. Lu. xxii. 35, 36.

The lilies of the field.] Consider the lilies how they grow they toil not; they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Lu. xii. 27. 29 Even Solomon in all his glory.] The meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and VOL. II.

their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the Lord (when the queen of Sheba saw all these things), there was no spirit in her. And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land, of thy acts, and of thy wisdom; howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it; and behold, the half was not told me; thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. 1 Ki. x. 5-7. 2 Ch. ix. 6. All the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. 2 Ch. ix. 20. 22. I will therefore (said Paul) that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness, and sobriety, not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array, but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 1 Ti. ii. 9, 10. Ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear; whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price; for after this manner in the old time the holy women also who trusted in God adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands. 1 Pe. iii. 2-5.

30 Clothe the grass, &c.] Thou carriest “them” (“mankind”) away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up; in the morning it flourisheth and groweth up, in the evening it is cut down and withereth. Ps. xc. 5, 6. When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish, it is that they shall be destroyed for ever. Ps. xcii. 7. All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Is. xl. 6-8. If then God so clothe the grass which is to-day in the field, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? Lu. xii. 28. The rich (let him I

rejoice) in that he is made low; because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away; for the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth; so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. 1 Ja. i. 10, 11. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass; the grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away. 1 Pe. i. 34.

0 ye of little faith.] Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith (said Jesus to his disciples during the tempest in the sea)? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds, and the sea, and there was a great calm. Mat. viii. 26. O thou of little faith (said Jesus to Peter when he began to sink, whilst walking on the sea), wherefore didst thou doubt? Mat. xiv. 31. O ye of little faith (said Jesus to his disciples), why reason ye among yourselves because ye have brought no bread? Mat. xvi. 8. O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? Bring him (the lunatic whom Jesus' disciples could not cure) hither to me (said Jesus). Mat. xvii. 17. And he said unto them (his disciples, during a tempest in the sea), Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? Mar. iv. 40. O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? Bring "him" ("possessed of a dumb spirit") unto me. Mar. ix. 19. O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither (said Jesus to the father of the demoniac). Lu. ix. 41. Be not faithless but believing (said Jesus to doubting Thomas). John xx. 27. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. He. iii. 12. See chap. viii. 26, and xiv. 31.

31 What shall we eat?] See chup. iv. 4, and com. And his disciples said unto "him" ("Jesus"), Whence should we have so much bread here in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude. Mat. xv. 33. And if "ye" (the "children of Israel") will say, What shall we eat the seventh year? ("the sabbath of the seventh year") Behold, we shall not sow, nor gather in our increase: then I (the Lord) will command my blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it shall bring forth for three years; and ye shall sow the eighth year, and eat yet of old fruit until the ninth year; until her fruits come in ye shall eat of the old store. Le. xxv. 20-22. And Amaziah (the good king of Judah) said to the man of God

(who had said unto him, Let not the army of Israel go with thee against the Edomites), But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel! And the man of God answered, The Lord is able to give thee much more than this. 2 Ch. XXV. 9. Trust in the Lord and do good; 49 shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Ps. xxxvii. 3. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; be shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Ps. lv. 22. "They" (the “Israelites”) tempted God in their heart, by asking meat for their lust; yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness! They believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation. Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven, and had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven. Man did eat angels' food; he sent them meat to the full; he rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowis like as the sand of the sea. So they did eat and were filled, for he gave them their own desire. They were not estranged from their lust; but while their meat was yet in their mouths, the wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel. Ps. lxxviii. 18, 19. 22-25. 27. 29. 30, 31. Seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. Lu. xii. 29. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he might exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. 1 Pe. v. 6, 7.

32 After all these things.] See chap. v. 46, 47, with com. Ye know (said Jesus) that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them; but it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister. Mat. xx. 25, 26. Deliver my soul from the wicked which is thy sword. From men which are thy hand. O Lord, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure; they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. Ps. xvii. 13, 14. All these things (earthly things) do the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. Lu. xii. 30. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind. Ep. iv. 17. Every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour, not in

the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles, which know not God. 1 The. iv. 4, 5.

For your heavenly Father knoweth.] See verse 8. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. Ps. ciii. 13. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or, if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? or, if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye, then, being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Lu. xi. 11-13. All "these things" ("earthly things") do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. Lu. xii. 30.

33 Seek ye first the kingdom of God.] And God said unto "him" ("Solomon "), Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life, neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment: Behold, I have done according to thy words; lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart, so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches and honour, so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. 1 Ki. iii. 11—13. Elijah said unto her (the widow of Zarephath), Fear not; go and do as thou hast said, but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. 1 Ki. xvii. 13. Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead; now, O Lord God, let thy promise unto David my father be established; for thou hast made me king over a people, like the dust of the earth in multitude. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this thy people, that is so great. And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king; wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee, and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like. 2 Ch. i. 7-12. Thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good, and right, and truth,

before the Lord his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered. 2 Ch. xxxi. 20, 21. My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures, &c. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous. He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. Pr. ii. 1–9. Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase. So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Pr. iii. 9, 10. Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come; the time that the Lord's house should be built. Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste? Now, therefore, thus saith the Lord of hosts, Consider your ways; ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages, earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Consider your ways; go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified saith the Lord. Ye looked for much, and lo, it came to little, and when ye brought it home I did blow upon it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts; because of mine house, that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit. And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands. Hag. i. 2-11. Since those days were, when one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten. When one came to the press-fat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty. I smote you with blasting and with mildew, and with hail, in all the labours of your hands,