Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded. Therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? Let him come near to me. Behold the Lord God will help me; Who is he that shall condemn me? Lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up. Is. 1. 2-9. When he (Jesus) said these things (respecting the sabbath, &c.), all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by hin. Lu. xiii. 17. And they could not answer him again to these things. Lu. xiv. 6. When they continued asking him (respecting the woman taken in adultery) he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground; and they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. John viii. 7, 8, 9. And (the rulers of the people, &c.) beholding the (lame) man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. Ac. iv. 14.

Neither durst any man.] When Jesus saw that he (the Scribe) answered discreetly, he said "unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God; and no man after that durst ask him any question. Mar. xii. 34. Certain of the Scribes answering, said, Master, thou hast well said: and after that they durst not ask = him any question at all. Lu. xx. 40.

CHAP. XXIII.-1 To the multitude and to his disciples.] And he called the multitude, and said unto them, hear and understand. Mat. xv. 10. And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand. Mar. vii. 14. When they were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy. Yea, even of yourselves (said Jesus to the Jews) judge ye not what is right? Lu. xii. 1. 57. Then, in the audience of all the people, he said unto

his disciples, Beware of the Scribes. Lu. xx. 45.

2 The Scribes, &c.] Ezra the Scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people (for he was above all the people); and when he opened it all the people stood up. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God; and all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Also, Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelitah, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. Ne. viii. 4-8. For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. Mal. ii. 7. Beware of the Scribes (said Jesus), which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the market-places. Mar. xii. 38. Beware of the Scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts. Lu. xx. 46.

3 Whatsoever they bid you, &c.] See chap. xv. 2-9. Hearken now unto my voice (said Jethro to Moses), I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God. Ex. xviii. 19. And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, (said Jethro to Moses), and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people, able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness, and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens; and let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be that every great matter they shall bring unto thee;

but every small matter they shall judge. So shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. Ex. xviii. 20, 21, 22. Behold, I have taught you (said Moses) statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. De. iv. 5. Go thou near (said the Israelites to Moses), and hear all that the Lord our God shall say, and speak thou unto us all that the Lord our God shall speak unto thee, and we will hear it and do it. De. v. 27. And thou shalt come unto the priests, the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment: and thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the Lord shall choose shall shew thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee: according to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do. Thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, to the right hand nor to the left. And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the Lord thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel. De. xvii. 9-12. In Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart, to do the commandment of the king, and of the princes, by the word of the Lord. 2 Ch. xxx. 12. We ought to obey God rather than man (said Peter and the other apostles). Ac. v. 29. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers; for there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God. Ro. xiii. 1.

For they say, and do not.] And he (a certain man who had two sons) came to the second, and said "likewise" ("go work today in my vineyard"). And he answered and said, I go, sir, and went not. Mat. xxi. 30. Unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee. When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son. Ps. 1. 16-20. Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, and knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more

excellent, being instructed out of the law. And art confident, that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge, and of the truth in the law. Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? Thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery! Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you. Ro. ii. 17-24. Men shall be lovers of their own selves, having a form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away. 2 Ti. iii. 5. They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and unta every good work reprobate. Tit. i. 16.

4 They bind heavy burdens, &c.] See verse 23. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest: take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek, and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls; for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Mat. xi. 28, 29, 30. Woe unto you also, ye lawyers, for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. Lu. xi. 46. Now, therefore, why tempt ye God (said Peter) to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? Ac

xv. 10. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost (said the apostles and elders of the church by letter, to their Gentile brethren), and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things, that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, &c. Ac. xv. 28. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. Ga. vi. 13. Unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not "this doctrine" ("That I will give unta every one of you according to your works"), (and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak), I will put upon you to other burden: but that which ye have already, hold fast till I come. Re. ii. 24, 25.

5 All their works they do, &c.] See chap vi. 1-16. Come with me (said Jehu), and see my zeal for the Lord. 2 Ki. x. 16. Ye are they (said Jesus to the Pharisees) which justify yourselves before men :

but God

knoweth your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. Lu. xvi. 15. Beware of the Scribes, which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation. Lu. xx. 47. And he looked up and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. Lu. xxi. 1. How can ye believe which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? John v. 44. 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. John vii. 18. They (the Pharisees) loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. John xii. 43. Some indeed preach Christ, even of envy and strife, and some also of good-will. Phi. i. 15. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Phi. ii. 3. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day (of Christ) shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he, as God, sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 2 Th. ii. 3, 4.

They make broad their phylacteries.] Thou shalt bind "them" (the words which Moses commanded) for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. De. vi. 8. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart. Pr. iii. 3. Bind "them ("thy Father's commandments") continually upon thine heart; and tie them about thy neck: when thou goest it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee: for the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light, and reproofs of instruction are the way of life. Pr. vi. 21, 22, 23.

The borders of their garments.] Behold a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment. Mat. ix. 20. Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garment, throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a riband of blue; and it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them and that ye seek not after your own heart, and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring. Nu. xv. 38, 39. Thou shalt make

thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself. De. xxii. 12.

seen.

6 Love the uppermost rooms, &c.] And "He" ("Jesus") said unto "her" (the "mother" of Zebedee's children), What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. Mat. xx. 21. Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king; and stand not in the place of great men. For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom thine eyes have Pr. xxv. 6, 7. Beware of the Scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the market-places, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts. Mar. xii. 38, 39. Woe unto you, Pharisees, for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, &c. Lu. xi. 43. And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms, saying unto them, When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room, lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him, and he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go, and sit down in the lowest room, that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Lu. xiv. 7-11. Beware of the Scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts: which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation. 46, 47. Be kindly affectioned one to another, with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another. Ro. xii. 10. My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man, in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Ja. ii. 1-4. I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who

For

Lu. XX.

loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not. 3 John 9.

7 Rabbi, Rabbi.] What seek ye? (said Jesus to his two disciples). They said unto him, Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Master), Where dwellest thou? Rabbi, thou art the Son of God (said Nathanael). John i. 38. 49. Rabbi (said Nicodemus), we know that thou art a teacher come from God, for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Rabbi (said John's disciples), he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. John iii. 2. 26. And when "they" ("the people") had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? John vi. 25. Jesus saith unto "her" ("Mary Magdalene"), Mary! she turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni! which is to say, Master! John xx. 16.

8 Be not ye called Rabbi.] See verse 10. I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you, I came not as yet unto Corinth: not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. 2 Co. i. 24. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 2 Co. iv. 5. My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. Ja. iii. 1. Feed the flock of God, which is among you: neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 1 Pe. v. 2, 3.

One is your Master.] It is enough for the disciple that he be as his Master, and the servant as his Lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household ? Mat. x. 25. This is my beloved Son (said the voice from the cloud, at the transfiguration), in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him. Mat. xvii. 5. Hail, Master (said Judas), and (he) kissed him. Mat. xxvi. 49. Ye call me Master, and Lord, and ye say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet. John xiii. 13, 14. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Ro. xiv. 9, 10. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ is Christ divided?

was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 1 Co. i. 12, 13. Ye are yet carnal, for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions: are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal ? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 1 Co. iii. 3, 4, 5.

All ye are brethren.] I have prayed for thee (said Christ to Peter), that thy faith fail not, and when thou art converted strengthen thy brethren. Lu. xxii. 32. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. Ep. iii. 14, 15. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are in Colosse, grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. i. 1, 2. I, John, who also am your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Re. i. 9. I fell at his (the angel's) feet to worship him (said John), and he said unto me, See thou do it not, I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God; for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Re. xix. 10. Then saith he (the angel) unto me, See thou do it not (for John fell down to worship), for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book; worship God. Re. xxii. 9.

9 Call no man your father.] And Elisha saw it (that Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven), and he cried, My father, my father! the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. 2 Ki. ii. 12. And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw “them” ("the army sent by the king of Syria to apprehend Elisha"), My father, shall I smite them! Shall I smite them? 2 Ki. vi. 21. Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereot he died and Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father! my father! the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof! 2 KL xiii. 14. Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person; neither let me give flattering titles unto man: for I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my Maker would soon take me away. Job xxxii. 21, 22 Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my

which is in heaven.

defence, which I make now unto you. Ac. xxii. 1. Though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel. 1 Co. iv. 15. Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters; with all purity. 1 Tim. v. 1, 2. Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence; shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? He. xviii. 9.

For one is your Father.] See chap. vi. 8, 9. 32 A son honoureth his father; and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? Saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name; and ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Mal. i. 6. As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are sons of God: for ye have not received the spirit of bondage, again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Ro. viii. 14—17. And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Co. vi. 18. Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 1 John iii. 1.

doth serve.

He that is greatest, &c.] Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosover will be chief among you, let him be your servant. Mat. xx. 26, 27. Whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister; and whosoever of you will be chiefest, shall be servant of all. Mar. x. 43. He that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Lu. xxii. 26, 27. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. John xiii. 14, 15. For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 1 Co. ix. 19.

But 13

We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 2 Co. iv. 5. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool,) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 2 Co. xi. 23. Brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. Ga. v. 13. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Phi. ii. 5-8.

12 Whosoever shall exalt himself.] Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Mat. v. 3. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Mat. xviii. 4. When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up, and he shall save the humble person. Job xxii. 29. Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly; but the proud he knoweth afar off. Ps. cxxxviii. 6. The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. Pr. xv. 33. Pride goeth before destruction; and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. Pr. xvi. 18, 19. A man's pride shall bring him low; but honour shall uphold the humble spirit. Pr. xix. 23. Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Is. lvii. 15. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, and extol, and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. Da. iv. 37. He hath shewed strength with his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. Lu. i. 51, 52. Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Lu. xiv. 11. I tell you (said Jesus), this man (the Publican who smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner) went down to his house justified rather than the other (the self-righteous