believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words? John v. 44-47. I told you (that he was the Christ), and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me; but ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. John x. 25, 26. But though "he" ("Jesus") had done so many miracles, yet they believed not on him. John xii. 37. If our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 1 John iii. 20.

26 We fear the people.] See verse 46. and chap. xiv. 5. Of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? Have I not held my peace, even of old, and thou fearest me not? Is. lvii. 11. And they (the Jews) sought to lay hold on him (Jesus) but feared the people; for they knew that he had spoken the parable (of the vineyard and wicked husbandmen) against them. Mar. xii. 12. And the chief priests, and the Scribes, the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people; for they perceived that he had spoken "this parable" ("of the vineyard") against them. Lu. xx. 19. The chief priests and Scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. Lu. xxii. 2. These words spake "his" ("the blind man's") parents, because they feared the Jews for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ he should be put out of the synagogue. John ix. 22. Then (when the Jews heard that the apostles whom they had imprisoned were preaching in the temple) went the captain with the officers and brought them without violence (for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned). Ac. v. 26.

For all hold John as a prophet.] 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. 20. He was a burning and a shining light, and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. John v. 35. And many resorted unto "him" ("Jesus") and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. And many believed on him there. John x. 41, 42. 27 We cannot tell.] Let them alone, they be blind leaders of the blind; and if the blind lead the blind both shall fall into the ditch. Mat. xv. 14. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? Mat. xvi. 3. Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Mat. xxiii. 15. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. Is. vi. 10. Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. Is. xxviii. 9. The Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes; the prophets and your rulers, the seers, hath he covered; and the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed. And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I am not learned. Is. xxix. 10, 11, 12. Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent ? Who is blind, as he that is perfect, and blind as the Lord's servant? Seeing many things, but thou odservest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not. Is. xlii. 19, 20. His watchmen are blind; they are all ignorant; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark, sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber; yea, they are greedy dogs, which can never have enough; and they are shepherds that cannot understand; they all look to their own way, every one for bis gain from his quarter. Is. Ivi. 10, 11. Yea, the stork in the heavens knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle, and the crane, and the swallow, observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the Lord. How do ye say, We are wise; and the law of the Lord is with us? Lo, certainly, in vain made he it; the pen of the Scribes is in vain. Je. viii. 7, 8. 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. But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts. Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people; according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law. Mal. ii. 6-9. They answered, That they could not tell whence "it" ("the baptism of John") was. And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. L. XX. 7, 8. Why, herein is a marvellous thing (said the blind man), that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Some of the Pharisees which were with him heard " these words" (“For judgment I am come into this world, that they which sec

O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Ex. xviii. 27— 32. And at the end of the days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever; whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation. And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. 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. 34-37. Arise, and go unto Nineveh, that great city (said the Lord to Jonah), and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. Let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God; yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands; who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not. Jon. iii. 2. 8, 9, 10. When he (the prodigal in the parable) came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's house have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger ? I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. Lu. xv. 17, 18. Know ye not, that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? And such were some of you; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Co. vi. 9. 11. You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience; among whom also we all had our conversation in times past, in the lusts of our flesh fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he

loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (b grace ye are saved), And hath raised up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus; that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches d his grace in his kindness towards us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye sared through faith; and that not of yourselves: it a the gift of God; not of works, lest any should boast. For we are his workman created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that w should walk in them. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called the circumcision in the fest made by hands; that at that time ye war without Christ, being aliens from the commut wealth of Israel, and strangers from the nants of promise, having no hope, and with God in the world: but now in Christ Je ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Ep. ii. 1—13

38 I go, sir, and went not.] Whatsoever they (the Scribes and Pharisees) bid you serve, that observe and do (said Jesus); bad not ye after their works, for they say and not. Mat. xxiii. 3. And "they" (“ the chi dren of my people") come unto thee, as th people cometh; and they hear thy ward (said the Lord to Ezekiel), but they wil do them; for with their mouth they sh much love, but their heart goeth after the covetousness. Ez. xxxiii. 31. Behold, the art called a Jew, and restest in the law, st makest thy boast of God, and knowes will, and approvest the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law; and art confident that thou thyself art a g of the blind, a light of them which are a darkness, an instructor of the foolish. teacher of babes, which hast the for knowledge and of the truth in the Thou therefore which teachest another, tra est thou not thyself? Thou that preacher i man should not steal, dost thou steal? Th that sayest a man should not commit adultery dost thou commit adultery? Thou that horrest idols, dost thou commit sacring Thou that makest thy boast of the through breaking the law dishonourest th God? For the name of God is blaspheast among the Gentiles, through you, as written, For circumcision verily profiteth, thou keep the law; but, if thou be a breast of the law, thy circumcision is made u cumcision. Ro. ii. 17-25. They profess they know God; but in works they deny is being abominable, and disobedient, and L every good work reprobate. Tit. 1. 16.

The first.] David's anger was greatly kindled against the man (who took the poor ; man's lamb and dressed it), and he said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die; and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel; I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord to do evil in his sight? 2 Sa. xii. 5, 6, 7. Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I; yea, thine own lips testify against thee. Job xv. 6. Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee (said Jesus to the Pharisee). And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors; the one owed him five hundred pence, and the other fifty; and when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me, therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. Lu. vii. 40-43. Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant (said the nobleman who left money with his servants); thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow. Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that I might receive mine own with usury? Lu. xix. 22. Now we know what thing soever the law saith, it saith to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Ro. iii. 19.

Verily I say unto you.] See chap. v. 18; vi. 5; xviii. 3.

The publicans and harlots, &c.] See chap. ix. 9.; xx. 16. All the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a

sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment; and stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now, when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him, for she is a sinner. And he (Jesus) turned to the woman, and said unto Simon (the Pharisee, in whose house he sat at meat), Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet, but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head; thou gavest me no kiss, but this woman, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet; my head with oil thou didst not anoint, but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment, Wherefore, I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much; but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto ber, Thy sins are forgiven; thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. Lu. vii. 29. 37-39. 44-50. Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and Scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. Lu. xv. 1, 2. Moreover, the law entered, that the offence might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. Ro. v. 20. What shall we say then? That the Gentiles which followed not after righteousness have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith? But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith; but, as it were, by the works of the law; for they stumbled at that stumbling-stone; as it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling-stone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Ro. ix. 30-33. I thank Christ Jesus our Lord (said Paul), who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious; but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant, with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me, first, Jesus Christ

might shew forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 1 Ti. i. 12-16.

32 Came unto you in the way of righteous ness.] See chap. iii. 1-8. An highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called, The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for those, the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. Is. xxxv. 8. Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Je. vi. 16. Bring forth, therefore (said John), fruits worthy of repentance; and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father; for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees; every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise, &c. Lu. iii. 8, 9. 11. It had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 2 Pe. ii. 21.

And ye believed him not.] See verse 25.; chap. xi. 18. And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John; but the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. Lu. vii. 29, 30. Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man (said Jesus), but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light, and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light; but I have greater witness than that of John; for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. John v. 33-36. As John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose. Men and brethren (said Paul to the people of Antioch), children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets, which are read every sabbath-day, they have fulfilled

them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a sepulchre. Ac. xiii. 25-29.

Repented not afterward.] My people would not hearken to my voice, and Israel would none of me; so I gave them up unto their own hearts' lusts and they walked in their own counsels. Ps. lxxxi. 11, 12. They refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears that they should not hear: yea, they made their hearts as an adamantstone, lest they should hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets; therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts. Zec. vii. 11, 12. The Father himself which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me; ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape; and ye have not his word abiding in you; for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me; and ye will not come to me that ye might have life. John v. 37-40. The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient in meekness, instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. 2 Ti. ii. 24, 25. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. He. iii. 12. If they (who have tasted the good word of God) shall fall away (it is impossible), to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: but that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. He. vi. 6, 7, 8. I gave her (that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess) space to repent of her fornications, and she repented not. Re. ii. 21.

33 Hear another parable.] See chap. xiii. 18. Hear thou, therefore, the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne (said Micaiah the prophet), and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. 1 Ki. xxii. 19. Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of your God, ye people of Gəmorrah. Is. i. 10. Hear ye the word of the