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for a fign which fhall be fpoken against. 35. (Yea, a fword fhall pierce through thy own foul alfo) that the thoughts of many hearts may be evealed. 35. And there was one Anna a prophetefs, the daughter of Phanuel, of the

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the Juft fhall walk in them: but the Tranfgreffors fhall fall therein. E+Zech. 12.3 In that Day will 1 make Jerufalem a burdensome Stone for all the People: all that burden themselves with it fhall be cut in =Pieces, though all the People of the Earth be gathered together against it. Mat. 21. 44. Luk. 29. 18. Whofoever fhall fall on this to Stone, fhall be broken: but on whomfoever it fhall fall, it will grind him to powder. Joh. 3. 19. This is the Condemnation, that Light is come into the World, and Men 15 loved Darkness rather than Light, because their Deeds were Evil. A&t. 4. 11. This is the Stone which was fet at nought by you Builders, which

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fied, unto the Jews a ftumbling block and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Chrift the Power of God, and the Wisdom of God. † 2 Cor. 2. 16. To the one we are the favour of Death unto Death; and to the other, the Savour of Life unto Life. † 1 Pet. 2. 7, 8. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious but unto them which be Disobedient, the Stone which the Builders difallowed, the fame is made the Head of the Corner, And a Stone of Stumbling, and a Rock of Offence, even to them which fumble at the Word, being Difobedient.

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is become the Head of the Corner. 20 this Se&, we know that every

† Rom. 9. 32, 33. They stumbled at that ftumbling Stone; as it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a fumbling Stone, and Rock of Offence: and whofoever believeth on him fhall not be afhamed. +1 Cor. 1. 23, 24. We preach Chrift cruci

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where it is spoken against.

1*.* Pfal. 42. 10. As with a Sword in my Bones, mine Enemies reproach me.-- Joh. 19. 25. Now there ftood by the Crofs of Jefus his Mother

against his Perfon and Do&rine, and from an unwillingness to forfake their Sins, and amend their Lives, the Event and Confequence of his Coming was their falling into a worfe Condition than that they were in before. And it is no Way inconfiftent with the divine Perfections to deny Mercy and Salvation to thofe who refufe to accept thereof, on the rea fonable and neceffary Conditions it is offered to them upon, namely, Faith, Repentance, and fincere Obedience; or to punish them for their Refufal. But thefe can have no Reafon to complain, the Fault not being in God, but in themfelves. And this is conformable to the Account the Holy Scriptures give of this Matter. This is the Condemnation, fays Our Lord, Joh. 3. 19. that Light is come into the World, and Men loved Darknefs rather than Light, because their Deeds were Evil. It was Mens Difobedience that made them stumble at the Word, 1 Pet. 2. S. We cannot therefore wonder that our Lord was a Stone of Stumbling, and a Rock of Offence, and that many refufed to believe his Doctrine, which condemned thofe Courfes they were refolved to follow, and thereby fell into a worfe Condition than they were by Nature.

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Tribe of Afer; fhe was of a great age, and had lived with an husband (1) feven years from her virginity : 37. And he was a Widow of about fourfcore and four years: which de parted not from the Temple, but ferved God with faftung and prayers m night and day. 38. And fhe coming in th inftant, gave thanks likewife unto the Lord, and fpake of hi to all them that looked for redemption in Jerufale [Or, Ifrael]. 39. And when they had performed all thing according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Gal lee, to their own city Nazareth. 40. And the Child gre and waxed strong in fpirit, filled with wifdom; and grace of God was upon him. 41. Now his Parents went Jerufalem every year at the feaft of the paffover. 42. A (2) when he was twelve years old,they went up to Jerufalem after the cuftom of the Feaft. 43. And when they had fu filled the days, as they returned, the Child Jefus tarried hind in Jerufalem; and Jofeph and his Mother knew of it. 44. But they fuppofing him to have been in 4 Company, went a days journey, and they fought hi mong their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45. And when found him not, they turned back again to Jerufalem, fe ing him. 46. And it came to pafs, that after three Da they found him in the Temple, fitting in the midst of doctors, both hearing them, and asking them quefti

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m See the Note on A&ts 20. 31. "Ver. 25. Mar. 15. 43. Jofeph of Arimathea, an honourable Counfellor, which alfo waited for the Kingdom of God. Luk. 24. 21. We trusted that it had been he which fhould have redeemed Ifrael.

° Ver. 52. Luk. 1. 80.

Month of Abib, and keep the ver unto the Lord thy God. Times in the Year fhall all thy appear before the Lord thy 5 in the Place which he fhall cho in the Feast of unleavened B &c.

9 Pfal. 42. 4. I had gone with Multitude, I went with them to

* Deut. 16. 1, 16. Obferve the 10 Houfe of God.—

(1) The Evangelift here defcribes the eminent Piety and Chastity this good Woman. When fhe was married, fhe was a pure Virgin; her Husband dying in seven Years, the lived a Widow. She frequent Fafted, and conftantly attended on the publick Worship of God in Temple, being prefent both at the Evening and Morning Service, at t accustomed Hours of Prayer, which is doubtlefs the Meaning of thele Words, he departed not, &c. for it is not to be supposed that the neve went from the Temple.

(2) Year of our Lord 8, which reaches to the End of the Chapter.

47. And all that heard him were a aftonished at his underftanding and anfwers. 48. And when they faw him, they were amazed, and his Mother faid unto him, Son, why haft thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have fought thee forrowing. 49. And he faid unto them, How is it that ye fought me? bwift ye not that I must be about my Fathers bufinefs? 50. And they d understood not the faying which he fpake unto them. 51. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was fubject unto them: but his mother f kept all these fayings in her heart. 52. And Jefus increased in wisdom and ftature, and in fa

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OW in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cefar, Pontius Pilate being governour of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea, and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lyfanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2. Annas and Caiaphas being the high Priefts, the word of God came unto John the fon of Zacharias in the wildernefs. 3. And he came into all the country

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Mat. 7.28, The People were aftonished at his Do&trine. † Mar. 1.22. They were astonished at his Doctrine. † Luk. 4. 22, 32. And all bare him witnefs, and wondred at the gracious Words that proceeded out of his Mouth. They were aftonished at his Doctrine, for his Word was with Power. Joh. 7: 15, 46. The Jews marvelled. 1o Never Man fpake like this Man.

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Pfal. 40. 8. I delight to do thy Will, O my God: Yea, thy Law is within my Heart. Joh. 4. 34. -My Mear is to do the Will of him that fent me, and to finish his Work.

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e Mar. 6. 3. Is not this the Carpenter, the Son of Mary.

f Dan. 7. 28. -I kept the Matter in my Heart. See on ver. 19. Ver.40.1 Sam.2.26.The Child Samuel grew on, and was in Favour both with the Lord, and alfo with Men.

h+Joh. 11. 49. One of them named Caiaphas, being the High Prieft that fame Year. Joh. 18. + 13. And led him away to Annas firft, (for he was Father in Law to Caiaphas, which was the High Prieft that fame Year.) † A&t. 4. 6. And Annas the High Prieft, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the Kindred of the High Prieft, were 20 gathered together at Jerufalem.

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* Mat. 3. 1. See on Mar. 1. 4.

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country about Jordan, preaching the baptifm of repentance for the remiffion of fins; 4. As it is written in the book of the words of Efaias the Prophet, faying, The voice of one crying in the wildernefs, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths ftraight. 5. Every (1) valley fhall be filled, and every mountain and hill fhall be brought low; and the crooked fhall be made ftraight, and the rough ways fhall be made smooth; 6. And all flefh fhall fee the falvation of God. 7. Then faid he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the Wrath to come? 8. Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of [Or, meet for] repentance, and begin not to fay within your felves," We have Abraham to our father: for I fay unto you, that God is able of thele ftones to raise up children unto Abraham. 9. And now alfo the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down, and caft into the fire. 10. And the People asked him, faying, P What fhall we do then? 11. He anfwereth and faith unto them, He that hath (2) two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him

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Brethren, within thy Gates, in thy Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thy Heart, nor shut thy Hand from thy poor Brother. *Jam. 2. 15, 16. If a Brother or Sifter be naked, and deftitute of daily Food; And one of you fay unto them, Depart in Peace, be you warmed, and filled: To notwithstanding ye give them not thofe things which are needful to the Body; what deth it profit?

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Pt See on A&. 2. 37. 9+ Deut. 15. 7. If there be among you a poor Man of one of thy 15

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1 Joh. 3. 17. Whofo hath this Worlds Good, and feeth his Brother

have

(1) Thefe are figurative Expreffions, and denote that all Impediments to the Gospel, and to our Salvation, ihall, if we are not wanting to our felves, be removed. The Allufion is taken from great Princes, who, before they went any great Journey, used to fend Men before to fill up, and make the Ways fmooth and even.

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(2) Thefe Words do not imply, that a Man may not have two Coats; but Bounty is here recommended to the Rich, and they are required to lieve the Neceffities of the Poor in Proportion to their Ability.

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him do likewife. 12. Then came alfo publicans to be baptized, and faid unto him, Mafter, what fhall we do? 13. And he faid unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. 14. And the foldiers likewife demanded of him, faying, And what fhall we do? And he faid unto them, * Do violence to no man [Or, put no man in fear], neither accufe any falfly, and be content with your wages [Or, allowance]. 15. And as the People were in expectation [Or, in fufpence], and all men mufed [Or, reafoned, or, debated] in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ or not 16. John answered, faying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whofe fhoes I am not worthy to unloofe: he fhall baptize you with the holy Ghoft, and with fire. 17. Whole fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. 18. And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the People. 19. But Herod the tetrarch, (1) being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philips Wife, and for all the evils which Herod 20. Added yet this above all, that he fhut up John in Prifon. 21. Now when all the People were baptized, it came to pass, that Jefus alfo being baptized, and praying,

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have need, and fhutteth up his Bowels of Compaffion from him, how dwelleth the Love of Godin him?

Joh. 4 20. If a Man fay I love God, and hateth his Brother, he is a Liar: for he that loveth not his Brother whom he hath feen, how can he love God whom he hath not feen?

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Mat. 21. 32. John came unto 10 you in the Way of Righteoufaefs, and ye believed him not: but the Publicans and the Harlots believed him.

Lev. 19. 11, 13. Ye fhall not 15 Steal, neither deal falfly, neither lie one to another. Thou halt not

defraud thy Neighbour, neither rob

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Year of our
Lord 27.

c* See on Mat. 3. II.

See on Mat. 3. 12.

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e* Mat. 14 3. Herod had laid hold on John and bound him, and put him in Prifon for Herodias fake, his Brother Philips Wife. † Mar. 6. 17. Herod himfelf had fent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in Prifon for Herodias fake, his Brother Philips Wife; for he had married her.

* Mat. 3. 13. Then cometh Jefus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. Joh. 1. 32. John bare record,faying, I faw the Spirit defcending from Heaven like a Dove, and it abode upon him.

(1) St. Joha Baptift was imprifoned by Herod about the Year of our Lord 30.

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