Page images
PDF
EPUB

CHRIST exhorts his Difciples to Watchfulness.

Ver. 33.

119 Let the Heathens abandon themselves to these low Anxieties; but as Sect. 113. for us, let us thank GOD and take Courage, opening our Hearts wide to every Sentiment of Faith in GoD, and Charity to Men; and while we have this inexhaustible Bank to draw upon, let us be rich in good Works, ready to diftribute, willing to communicate, fo laying up in Store for ourfelves a good Foundation against the Time to come, that we may lay hold on Eternal Life; (1 Tim. vi. 18, 19.) the very Hope and Expectation of which, if our Heart be fet upon it, will give us incomparably fweeter Ver. 34. Delight, than the fecureft Poffeffions of this empty World. and the most ample Magazines of its richeft Stores.

SECT. CXIV.

CHRIST exhorts his Difciples to Watchfulness and Fidelity, in Expectation of his Coming, and of the final Account to be given up for all their Advantages. Luke XII. 35,---48.

[blocks in formation]

LUKE XII. 35.

Luke XII.

35.

UR Lord having thus exhorted his Difciples Sect. 114. to a due Moderation as to their Worldly Poffeffions, proceeded to prefs upon them a serious Preparation for their final Remove from Earth, and for the awful Solemnities of Death, Judgment, and Eternity (a). He therefore went on to fay, Confider yourfelves always as Servants, who have a Master in Heaven; and that you may approve your Diligence and Fidelity to him, let your Loins be ftill girded up in a Pofture for active Service, and your Lamps continually burning (b):

And

(a) A ferious Preparation for Death, Judgment, and Eternity.] I fhall give the Reafon of my interpreting this Paffage thus, a little below, in Note (f); tho' I am fenfible, the Generality of Readers would rather have expected an Apology, if I had gone about to interpret it otherwise.

(b) Let your Loins be girded up, and your Lamps burning.] As the Eafterns wore long Garments, it was neceffary, that when they had any thing to do, which required them to exert their Strength or Agility, they should tuck them up, and gird them clofe; a Practice, to which there are frequent References, both in the Old Teftament and the New. (See 1 Kings xviii. 46. 2 Kings iv. 29. Fel xxxviii. 3. Jer. i. 17. Eph. vi. 14. and 1 Pet. i. 13.). That the Lamps fhould be found extinguifhed, might be an inconvenient Circumftance to the Mafter, and would be a Demonftration of the Servant's Idlenefs. The Expreffions taken together may intimate, the Care we fhould take to inform ourfelves in our Duty, and the Refolution with which we fhould apply to the Performance of it.

(c) From

[ocr errors]

I 20

· Sect. 114.

Luke XII.

36.

37

They should wait like Servants for their Mafter's Return.

And be you on the whole,
in every other Respect,
like Men, who being Servants left with a proper
Charge, wait for their Master's Return from a
Marriage-Feaft (c), or any other late Entertain-
ment; that when ever he comes and knocks at the
Door, they may immediately open it to him, and not
be furprized in any Disorder. Happy are those
Servants, whom when the Mafter comes, he shall
find watching: And you will be happy, if it be
your Cafe; for verily I fay unto you, fo condefcend-
ing is your Master, that if you answer this Charac-
ter, he will reward you as graciously, as if fome
great Man, absent on fuch an Occafion as I have
fuppofed, finding his Servants diligently waiting for
him at his Return, fhould gather up his Clothes
and gird himself, and cause them to fit down to Sup-
per, and fhould come forth himself and wait upon
38 them (d). And at whatever Hour the Time of

39

his Arrival be, whether he comes early in the fecond,
or late in the third Watch of the Night (e), and finds
[them] thus employed, thofe Servants are happy.

But do not think it is enough, if you would
then be happy, to make fome fudden Preparation
upon Notice of his Coming; for the Day of the
Lord fo comes as a Thief in the Night; and you
know this, that there is none fo negligent and fu-
pid, where a Houfe is plundered, but if the Mafter
of the Family had been aware at what Hour the
Thief would have come, he would undoubtedly have
watched at that Time, and would not have permit-
ted his Houfe to be broke open: But he that acts
with Prudence will be always on his Watch, that
as he knows not when the Thief will come, he
40 may not find him unprepared. Be you there-
fore

36 And ye yourselves like unto Men that wait for their

Lord, when he will return from the Wedding, that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

37 Bleffed are thofe Servants whom the Lord when

he cometh fhall find watching: verily, I fay unto you, that he fhall gird himself, and make them to fit down and ferve them.

to Meat, and will come forth

38 And if he fhall come

in the fecond Watch, or

and find them fo, bleffed are come in the third Watch,

thofe Servants.

39 And this know, that

[ocr errors]

if the Good-man of the Hour the Thief would come, he would have watched, and not have fuffered his House to be broken through.

[blocks in formation]

(c) From a Marriage-Feaft.] There is no particular Myftery in this Circumftance. Our Lord might probably inftance in this, because Marriage-Feafts were generally the most fplendid, and fo prolonged to the latest Hours.

(d) And fhould come forth himself, and wait upon them.] It is true, (as Grotius, and many others obferve,) that the Roman Mafters did fometimes, during the Saturnalia, practise fome Condefcenfions like thefe, to their Šlaves: But that was, perhaps, chiefly for their own Diverfion; and it is difficult to judge, how far Chrift's Hearers might be acquainted with it ; at least the Words would be very intelligible without fuppofing any fuch Reference.

(e) In the fecond, or third Watch of the Night.] This included all the Time, from Nine in the Evening, to Three in the Morning; and was as if he had faid, whether he come early, or late.

(f) At

think not.

I21

Luke XII.

40.

The Son of Man comes at an Hour when we think not. alfo: for the Son of Man fore also ready; for at fuch a Seafon as you think Sect. 114. cometh at an Hour when ye not of it, the Son of Man cometh (f); and as the Day of final Judgment will be a Surprize to the World in general, fo the Day when particular Perfons are called out of this Life, is often a fudden Thing, and too frequently a fatal Surprize to the Perfons most intimately concerned in it. (Compare Mat. xxiv. 43, 44. Sect. 163.)

[blocks in formation]

Peter then faid unto him, Lord, dost thou speak 41
this awakening Parable (g) to us thine Apoftles
in particular? or is it alfo unto all in general, that
what thou hast been saying is directed?

And the Lord faid in Reply, Tho' none are 42
entirely unconcerned, yet you my Minifters are
more peculiarly to apply it to yourselves, and to
confider me as afking each of you, Who is that
faithful and prudent Steward (b), whom [his] Mafter
fhall fet over all the Servants of his Family (i), to
deal out to each of his Domesticks the ftated Al-
lowance of Food in its proper Seafon? As the Guilt
of fuch an Officer will be greater, than that of a
common Servant, if he prove negligent; fo the
Reward of his Fidelity will be proportionably
Peculiarly happy is that Servant in fo 43

43 Bleffed is that Servant, great.

whom

eminent

(f) At fuch a Seafon as you think not, the Son of Man cometh.] The Coming of the Son of Man often fignifies, his Providential Interpofition for the Deftruction of Jerufalem. (See Mat. x. 23. Note (g), Vol. i. pag. 464) But here, I think, it cannot be taken in fuch a Senfe; because our Lord fpeaks of an immediate Reward to be bestowed on all faithful Servants, and an immediate Punishment to be executed on all that were unfaithful; and exprefsly declares this to be a Matter of univerfal Concern: All which Particulars have very little Senfe or Propriety, when applied to the Deftruction of Jerufalem. It must therefore be understood of his Coming, to remove them from the Capacities of Service here, to give up their Account. And if we fuppofe it to relate to Death, as well as Judgment, (which by a Confequence at leaft it undoubtedly does,) it ftrongly intimates his having fuch a Dominion over the invifible World, that every Soul removed into it might be faid to be fetched away by him. Compare Rev. i. 18.

(g) This awakening Parable.] It may fignify particularly, the Similitude of the Mafter and Servants, or may extend to the whole of the Difcourfe.

(b) Who is that faithful and prudent Steward ?) This Interrogation had a lively Force to turn their Thoughts inward, that each might ask himself, Whether he was the Man? The Pruffian Verfion therefore, (and that English one which follows it fo close,) lofes much of the Spirit of the Paffage, in rendering it, If there be any faithful Steward, &c.

(i) The Servants of his Family.] So I render Jeaned, which (as Elfner fhews at large, Obferv. vol. i. pag. 235.) exactly answers to the Latin, Famulitium, all the Servants of a Family; for which we have no one English Word; any more than for alouelgor, which ftrictly fignifies, a determinate measure of heat; but here is put for all the daily Food. (See Erafmus here.) By fuch a Verfion the Diftinction between this, and the 44th Verfe, is fet in a clearer Light, than Criticks have generally given it. To be raifed from the Care of giving out Food to the Servants, to have the Charge of the whole Estate, was a noble Preferment. VOL. II. (k) If

44.

122

The faithful Servant rewarded, and the negligent punished.

Sect. 114. eminent a Station, whom his Lord at his Arrival Shall find thus employed, in a faithful Discharge of Luke XII. the Truft committed to him. Truly I fay to you, that he will prefer him to a much higher Station of Honour and Usefulness; as if a Perfon finding his domeftick Steward thus faithful, fhould upon that appoint him to take the Care of all that he hath, Abroad as well as at Home. (Compare Gen. xxxix. 4, 5, 6.)

45

But on the contrary, if that Servant I spoke of before as fet over the Family (k), fhould fay in his Heart, My Lord delays his Coming, fo that I have nothing to apprehend from it; and on that foolish Presumption ball grow fo infolent and wanton, as to begin to beat and abuse the Men and Maid-Servants, and to eat and drink in a riotous and extravagant Manner, fo as to debauch 46 [himself] with it: I affure you, that the Master of that Servant will come upon him in a Day when he does not expect him, and in an Hour which he is not aware of, and will scourge him with fuch Severity, that he will even cut him afunder (); and notwithstanding all his Profeffions, GOD will appoint him his Portion with Infidels; nay, in fome Refpects his Cafe shall be worse than theirs, as his Opportunities and Engagements have been greater. For that Servant, who like him I have been fpeaking of, knew his Mafter's Will by a particular Declaration of it, and did not keep himself ready (m), nor fet himself to do according to his Will, fhall be beaten with many [Stripes] (n). (Compare Deut. xxv.

47

2, 3.)

whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing.

44 Of a Truth I fay unto you, that he will make him Ruler over all that he hath.

45 But and if that Servant fay in his Heart, My

Lord delayeth his coming; and fhall begin to beat the Men-fervants, and Maidens, and to eat and drink, and to

be drunken:

46 The Lord of that Servant will come in a Day when he looketh not for him, and at an Hour when he is not ware, and will cut him in funder, and will appoint him his Portion with the Unbelievers.

47 And that Servant

which knew his Lord's Will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his Will, fhall be beaten with many Stripes.

(k) If that Servant I fpoke of before, &c.] It is neceffary thus to go back to ver. 42. for the Explication of this; for it is most evident from the whole Tenor of Scripture, that the Servant who at his Lord's Coming has paffed his Account in an honourable Manner, will never afterwards be in Danger of incurring his Displeasure.

(1) Scourge him with fuch Severity, that he will even cut him afunder.] Dr. Whitby has fo clearly proved this to be the Senfe of lounges, that I am furprized that any should fince have coldly rendered it, fhall feparate him from the rest. But this is one Inftance of many, in which the Verfion of 1727. has followed the Pruffian Teftament, in fome of thofe Parts of it, which are the leaft judicious.

(m) Did not keep himself ready.] So Monf. L'Enfant renders Juaras, I fuppofe to diftinguish it from the following Claufe; and I follow him, tho' not without fome Hefitation. Perhaps both may be joined thus, Did not prepare, or fet himself, to do according to his Will. (n) Shall be beaten with many Stripes.] Scourging was a ufual Punishment for negligent Servants; but I cannot find, that what is properly called Giving the Baftinado was in Use among the Jews, tho' fome fuppofe it to be referred to here. Brennius thinks, that thefe Words

Reflections on the faithful and unfaithful Servant.

123

Luke XII.

48 But he that knew not, 2, 3.) But he, who, like the Heathen, did not Sect. 114. and did commit Things wor- know the Particulars of his Duty by a clear Revethy of Stripes, fhall be beaten with few Stripes. For unto lation, and yet finning against the Light he had, 48. whom foever much is given, committed Things which deferved Stripes, fhall be beatof him fhall be much requi- en indeed, but with fewer and lighter [Strokes] (0) red: and to whom Men have than the other. For it is a received Maxim among Men, and GOD will make it the Rule of his final Judgment, that much Improvement is required from every one, to whom much is given; and where much is depofited, the more will be demanded in Proportion to it. (Compare Numb. xv. 29, 30.)

committed much, of him they will ask the more.

MA

IMPROVEMENT.

AY our Souls be awakened by thefe awful Truths! And may we Luke xii. 35, be engaged to gird up the Loins of our Mind, to be fober, and 36. watch to the End! (1 Pet. i. 13.)

Great are our Encouragements to Diligence, on the one Hand; and on the other, dreadful will be the Punishment of our Neglect. The Time of our Lord's Appearance is uncertain; let us therefore always be ready; Ver. 40. folicitous that when he comes, he may find us fo doing, as he has required; living not to ourselves, but to him, and employing ourselves about that Ver. 43. particular Thing, whatfoever it may be, which, all Circumstances confidered, we are verily perfuaded may most promote the great Ends of Life, and the important Purposes of his Glory.

Ver. 42, 44.

How glorious are the Rewards promised to fuch! How justly may they awaken our Emulation! He will prefer them to Stations of more honourable and important Service. He will fet them down at his Table, Ver. 37. and minifter (as it were) himself to their Delight, bringing forth the choiceft Dainties of Heaven, and spreading before them an eternal Banquet. Lord, may we, thro' thy Grace, be found worthy to taste of that Supper! May the Lamb that is in the Midft of the Throne, feed us, and guide us to Fountains of living Water! (Rev. vii. 17.)

On the other Hand, let us feriously confider the Punishments to be Ver. 45. inflicted on the unfaithful Servant. Let Minifters, if fuch there are, who

aban

have a peculiar Reference to the Cafe of Minifters, who have fuch fingular Advantages for
knowing Chrift's Will; fo that they will certainly be in the Number of the most happy, or the
moft miferable of Mankind. May we seriously confider it, and rejoice with Trembling in
thofe Diftinctions of our Office, which will draw after them fuch folemn Confequences!
(0) Shall be beaten indeed, but with fewer Strokes.] This ftrongly intimates, that Ignorance
will not entirely excufe any, who have neglected GOD's Service, fince they might in gene-
ral have known, at least, the main Branches of their Duty; as every Servant may know in
the main, what Kind of Conduct his Mafter will approve, tho fome may be much more fully
inftructed, than others, as to his particular Pleasure.

[ocr errors]
« PreviousContinue »