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an housholder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished 53 these parables, he departed thence. And when he was come into 54 his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch

the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1 T. iii. 6. 15, 16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Ti. iii. 16, 17. A bishop must be blameless; holding fast the faithful word, as he hath been taught; that he may be able by sound doctrine, both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. Tit. i. 9. Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded; in all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity. Tit. ii. 6, 7. Which bringeth forth out of his treasure, &c.] See chap. xii. 35. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that winneth souls is wise. Pr. xi. 30. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. Pr. xv. 7. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord happy is he. Pr. xvi. 20. The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters; and the well-spring of wisdom as a flowing brook. Pr. xviii. 4. Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep "them" ("the words of the wise") within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. Pr. xxii. 17, 18. Because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. The preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails, fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. Ec. xii. 9, 10, 11. We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake; for God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ; but we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 2 Co. iv. 5, 6, 7. We beseech you that ye receive not the grace of God in vain; in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God; as sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing all things. 2 Co. vi. 1. 10. He (Jesus) made

known unto me the mystery, as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given; that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. Ep. iii. 4. 8.

Things new and old.] The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, my "beloved" (saith the church to "Christ"). Can. vii. 13. A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John xiii. 34. Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment, which ye had from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you; because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. ] John ii. 7, 8.

53 He departed thence.] With many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it; but without a parable spake he not unto them; but when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples. And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. Mar. iv. 33, 34, 35.

54 When he was come into his own country.] See chap. ii. 23. And he (Jesus) went out from thence, and came into his own country, and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath-day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? And what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Mar. vi. 1, 2. And he (Jesus) came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath-day, and stood up for to read (the people wonder at his gracious words, but, being offended, go about to kill him). But he, passing through the midst of them, went his way. Lu. iv. 16. 30. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. John i. 11.

He taught them in their synagogue.] I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. Ps. xxii. 22. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation; lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation; I have not concealed thy loving-kindness and thy truth from the great

that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this 55 wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, 56 and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not

were

congregation. Ps. xl. 9, 10. Then (when the Jews spake against those things which were spoken by Paul) Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you; but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. Ac. xiii. 46. It came to pass that, after three days, Paul called the chief of the Jews together, and when they come together, he said unto them, Though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. (He continued to preach, and some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not, he concluded with,) Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. And when he had said these words the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves. Ac. xxviii. 17. 28, 29.

They were astonished.] The Jews marvelled (that Jesus went up into the temple and taught), saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? Jesus answered them and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. John vii. 15, 16. When they (the Jews) saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled, and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. Ac. iv. 13.

55 The carpenter's son.] I am a worm and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. Ps. xxii. 6. Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth; to him whom the nation abhorreth; to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise; princes also shall worship, because of the Lord that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee. Is. xlix. 7. He (Christ) hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and we hid, as it were, our faces from him; he was despised and we esteemed him not. Is. liii. 2, 3. Is not this the carpenter (said his own countrymen)? the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. Mar. vi. 3. Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli. Lu. iii. 23. And all bare him

witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; and they said, Is not this Joseph's son? Lu. iv. 22. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write; Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing John i. 45, 46. Is

come out of Nazareth? not this Jesus (said the Jews, murmuring among themselves) the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it, then, that he saith, I came down from hea ven? John vi. 42. Others said (when there was a division among the people), This is the Christ! But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Hath not the Scriptures said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? John vii. 41, 42. We know (said the Jews to the man that was born blind, whom Jesus healed,) that God spake unto Moses; a for this fellow, we know not from whence he is. John ix. 29.

Is not his mother called Mary?] See chap. i. 18-20. The angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. Lu. i. 26, 27. Joseph went up from Galilee to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered; and she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Lu. ii. 5, 6, 7.

And his brethren, James, and Joses, &c.] See chap. xii. 46. 48. Many women were there (at the crucifixion of Jesus) beholding: among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the mother of James, and Joses; and the mother of Zebedee's children. Mat. xxvii. 55, 56. There were women looking on afar off; among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the mother of James the less, and of Joses, and Salome. And Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the mother of Joses, beheld where he was laid. Mar. xv. 40. 47. And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. Mar. xvi. 1. It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things (of Christ's resurrection) unto the apostles. Lu. xxiv. 10.

all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, 57. A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. And he did not many mighty works there because 58 of their unbelief.

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. John xix. 25. Other of the apostles (said Paul) I saw none, save James the Lord's brother. Ga. i. 19.

57 They were offended in him.] See chap. xi. 6. and com. also verse 55, and com. Blessed is he (said Jesus) whosoever shall not be offended in me. Lu. vii. 23. We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; and unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; for ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called; but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are. 1 Co. i. 23-28.

unto you.

A prophet is not without honour, &c.] King Herod heard of him (Jesus, for his name was spread abroad), and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. Mar. vi. 14. Verily I say unto you (said Jesus), No prophet is accepted in his own country. Lu. iv. 24. Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country. John iv. 44. Moses truly said unto the fathers (said Peter), A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me, him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say And it shall come to pass, that every soul which will not hear that prophet shall be destroyed from among the people. Ac. iii. 22, 23. This is that Moses (said Stephen) which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me, him shall ye hear; this is he that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the Mount Sina, and with our fathers, who received the lively oracles to give unto us, to whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt. Ye stiff-necked, and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost; as your fathers did, so do ye: which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted?

And they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One, of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers. Ac. vii. 37-39. 51, 52.

58 He did not many mighty works there.] He could there (in Nazareth) do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. Mar. vi. 5, 6. I tell you of a truth (said Jesus) many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land. But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed saving Naaman the Syrian. And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. Lu. iv. 25-29. Because of unbelief "they" ("the branches of the wild olive") were broken off; and thou (the Gentile) standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear. Ro. xi. 20. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called to-day, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin; for we are made partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end. While it is said, To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts as in the provocation; for some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit, not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was he grieved forty years? Was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. He. iii. 12-19. Seeing, therefore, it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief. (Again he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To-day, after so long a time, as it is said, To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts: for, if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day; there remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is

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CHAPTER XIV.

1 AT that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, 2 And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth them3 selves in him. For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's 4 wife. For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have

entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.) Let us labour, therefore, to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. He. iv. 6-11.

CHAP. XIV.-1 Herod.] King Herod heard of him (Jesus); (for his name was spread abroad :) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John whom I beheaded; he is risen from the dead. Mar. vi. 14, 15, 16. Take heed (said Jesus), beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. Mar. viii. 15. Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, That John was risen from the dead; and of some, That Elias had appeared; and of others, That one of the old prophets was risen again. And Herod said, John have I beheaded; but who is this of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him. Lu. ix. 7, 8, 9. The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils; and I do cures to-day, and to-morrow; and the third day I shall be perfected. Lu. xiii. 31, 32. When Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad for he was desirous to see him of a long season; because he had heard many things of him, and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and Scribes stood and vehemently accused him. And Herod, with his men of war, set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together; for before they were at enmity between themselves. And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, and the rulers, and the people, said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me as one that perverteth the people; and, behold, I, having

examined him before you, have found no fault in this man, touching those things whereof ye accuse him. No nor yet Herod: for 1 sent you to him: and lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. Lu. xxiii. 8-15. Of a truth, against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. Ac. iv. 27, 28.

Tetrarch.] Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea, and of the region of Tra chonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, the word of God came to John. Lu. iii. 1.

2 This is John the Baptist.] See chap. xi. 11. and com. Some say (answered his dis ciples to Jesus) that thou art John the Baptist, some Elias, and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. Mat. xvi. 14. Whom do men say that I am? (said Jesus to his disciples). And they answered, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others, one of the prophets. Mar. viii. 28. Many resorted unto him (Jesus), and said, John did no miracle; but all things that John spake of this man were true. John x. 41.

3 Herod had laid hold on John.] See chap. iv. 12. Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by "him" ("John") for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison. Lu. iii. 19, 20. John was baptizing in Ænon near to Salem, because there was much water there; and they came and were baptized, for John was not yet cast into prison. John iii. 23, 24. His brother Philip's wife.] See verse 1. 4 It is not lawful, &c.] Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it is thy brother's nakedness. Le. xviii. 16. If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger; her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an hus band's brother unto her. And it shall be that the first-born which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is

her. And when he would have put him to death, he feared the 5 multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. But when 6 Herod's birth-day was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced

dead, that his name be not put out of Israel. De. xxv. 5, 6. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man; thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife. 2 Sa. xii. 7. 9. Hast thou killed (said Elijah to Ahab), and also taken possession (of Naboth's vineyard)? Thus saith the Lord, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine. 1 Ki. xxi. 19. And "they" ("fourscore priests of the Lord, that were valiant men") withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not to thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests, the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense; go out of the sanctuary, for thou hast trespassed, neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord thy God. Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense; and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead, before the priests in the house of the Lord from beside the incense altar. 2 Ch. xxvi. 18, 19. The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are bold as a lion. Pr. xxviii. 1. Should not a people seek to the law and to the testimonies? if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Is. viii. 20. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. Mar. vi. 18. After certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time, when I have a convenient season I will call for thee. Ac. xxiv. 24, 25.

5 When he would have put him to death, &c.] Herodias had a quarrel against him (John), and would have killed him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man, and an holy, and observed him, and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. Mar. vi. 19, 20. The chief priests and the Scribes sought how they might take (Jesus) and put him to death. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people. Mar. xiv. 1, 2. When they (the rulers of the Jews) had further threatened them (Peter and John), they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people, for all men glorified God for "that which was done" ("the healing of the lame man"). Ac. iv. 21. Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them (the apostles) without violence: (for they feared

the people, lest they should have been stoned.) Ac. v. 26.

Because they counted him as a prophet.] We fear the people (said the chief priests and elders, if we say the baptism of John is of men), for all hold John as a prophet. John came unto you (said Jesus) in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not; but the publicans and the harlots believed him, and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward that ye might believe him. Mat. xxi. 26. 32. The baptism of John (said Jesus), was it from heaven, or of men? answer me. And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven, he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? But if we shall say, Of men, they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. Mar. xi. 30, 31, 32. The baptism of John, was it from heaven or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say from heaven, he will say, Why then believed ye him not? But and if we say, Of men, all the people will stone us; for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. Lu. xx. 4, 5, 6.

6 Birth-day was kept.] It came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birth-day, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. Ge. xl. 20. In those days, when king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, in the third year of his reign he made a feast unto all his princes, and his servants, many days, even an hundred and fourscore days (he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom). And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days. made a feast for the women. Es. i. 2, 3. 5. 9, The king (Ahasuerus) made a great feast unto all his princes and servants, even Esther's feast, and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts according to the state of the king. Es. ii. 18. Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. Da. v. 1. 4. In the day of our king, the princes (of Israel) have made him sick with bottles of wine. He stretched out his hand with scorners, for they have made ready their heart like an oven, whiles they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire. Ho. vii. 5, 6. When a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birth-day made a

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