24 But he answered and said, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

u Chap. x. 5, 6; Acts iii. 25, 26, xiii. 46; Rom. xv. 18.

24. But he answered-I am not sent, &c. This answer was made to the woman, not to the disciples. The lost sheep of the house of Israel, viz., the Jews. He came first to them. He came as their expected Messiah. He came to preach the Gospel himself to the Jews only. Afterwards it was preached to the Gentiles; but the ministry of Jesus was confined almost entirely to the Jews. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

25. She came and worshipped. That is, bowed down to him-did him reverence. ¶ Lord, help me. A proper cry for a poor sinner, who needs the help of the Lord Jesus.

26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

Chap. vii. 6; Phil. iii. 2.

26. But he answered and said, It is not meet, &c. That is, it is not fit or proper. ¶ Children's bread. He came to instruct the Jews in the way of salvation. It did not fall in with the design of his personal ministry, to apply the benefits intended for the Jews to others.

27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table.

27. And she said, Truth, Lord, &c. What you say is true. Let it be that the best food should be given to the children. Let the Jews have the chief benefit of thy ministry. But the dogs, beneath the table, eat the crumbs. So let me be regarded as a dog, a heathen, as unworthy of every thing. Yet grant one exertion of that almighty power, displayed so signally among the Jews, and heal the despised daughter of a despised heathen mother.

28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

28. Great is thy faith. That is, thy trust, confidence. The word here seems to include, also, the humility and perseverance manifested in pressing her suit. The daughter was healed then. Going home, she found her well and composed. Mark vii. 30.

y

29 And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh 'unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. 30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them: 31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

y Mark vii. 31. z Chap. iv. 18. a Isa. xxxv. 5, 6; Chap. xi. 5; Luke vii. 22.

29-31. Sea of Galilee. "Jesus departed thence. He sat down by the sea of Galilee, on a mountain that all might see him, and have free access to him; for he is an open Saviour. Great multitudes came to him-brought their sick relations and friends along with them. Whatever our case is, the only way to find ease and relief is to lay it at Christ's feet, to submit it to him, and refer it to his disposal. Here were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, brought to Christ. See what work sin has made! Here were such diseases as fancy could neither contribute to the cause of nor to the cure of, yet these were subject to the commands of Christ. Christ's power may comfort us in all our weaknesses, and his pity may comfort us in all our miseries. The spiritual cures that Christ works are wonderful. When blind souls are made to see by faith, the dumb to speak in prayer, the lame to walk in holy obedience, it is to be wondered at. Those who were healed, glorified God; if he heal our diseases, all that is within us must bless his holy name. That the word rendered maimed, signifies such persons as had been deprived of their limbs, and their restoration may be considered as a most wondrous effect of our Lord's power."

32 ¶Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. 33 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? 34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. 35 And he commanded the multitude to sit on the ground. 36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. 38 And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. 39 And he sent away the mulitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.

b Mark viii. 1. c 2 Kings iv. 43. d Chap. xiv. 19. e 1 Sam. ix. 13; Luke xxii. 19. f Mark viii. 10. 32-39. The miracle recorded here, the feeding of the seven thousand, took place on a mountain, near the sea of Galilee. The circumstances of the miracle are so similar to the one recorded in Matt. xiv. 14-21 (to which we refer the reader) as to need no farther explanation.

ADDITIONAL REMARKS.

We learn from this chapter,-1. That men are often far more attached to traditions, and the commandments of men, than the law of God. Verses 1-6.

2. That men are strongly disposed to explain away the law of God, if possible. It is too strict for them, and too spiritual. They dare not often attack it directly, but they will explain it away and dilute it so as to make it mean nothing. Verses 4-6.

3. Men are prone to introduce foolish rites into religion. They do not love what God has commanded, and they attempt to compensate for not loving his doctrines by being great sticklers for their own. Verse 2; Mark vii. 3, 4.

4. All addition to the law of God is evil. Verse 3. All ceremonies in religion, which are not authorised by the New Testament, are wrong. Man has no right to ordain rites to bind the conscience where God has commanded none. Col. ii. 22. Men come the nearest to that which is right when they live nearest to just what God has commanded in the Bible.

5. Hypocrites should be unmasked and detected. Verse 7. He does a great service to men who detects their hypocrisy. That close and faithful preaching which lays open the heart, and shows men what they are, is that which comes nearest to the example of Christ. It may pain them, but the wounds of a friend are faithful (Prov. xxvii. 6); and we should honour and love the man that, by the grace of God, can show us our heart. We always honour most the physician of the body that is most skilled in detecting and curing disease, and so should we the physician of the soul.

6. We should be exceedingly cautious of formality in worship. Verses 8, 9. It is hypocrisy. God requires the heart. To render him only the service of the lips is to mock him. Nothing can be acceptable but true piety, genuine love, and hearty obedience. Nothing more hateful than an appearance of worshipping God, while the heart is in sin and the world.

7. The duty of honouring parents. Verses 4-6. Nothing can explain away this duty. It is binding on all. Parents should be obeyed, loved, respected. God requires it, and we cannot be free from the duty. Under age, a child is bound always to obey a parent, where the parent does not command any thing contrary to the Bible. But when the parent commands any thing contrary to the Bible, the child is not bound to obey. Acts v. 23. After the child is of age, he is to respect, love, and honour the parent; and if poor and needy, to provide for his wants till he dies. It is certainly proper that we do all we can to comfort those in old age, who did so much for us in childhood. A child can never repay a parent for his kindness to him.

8. Every false doctrine is to be opposed, and shall be rooted up. Verse 13. It is to be opposed by arguments and candid investigation, and not by abuse and misrepresentation. Christ never misrepresented any man's doctrine. He always stated it just as it was just as they held it; and then, by argument and the Word of God, he showed it was wrong. This is the proper way to manage all controversies,

9. We should not be discouraged that our prayers are not immediately answered. God knows the proper time to answer them, and it may be of great importance to us that the answer should be

deferred. Verse 23.

10. Our prayers will be answered if we persevere. Verse 28. They that seek shall find. In due time-in the best and most proper time-a gracious God will lend an ear to our request, and grant the thing we need.

11. We should come with humility and faith. Verse 27. selves, or too much of the mercy and faithfulness of Christ. are answered.

We can never think too little of our-
Prayers of humility and faith only

12. Christ will take care of his poor and needy followers. We may be assured that he has power to give us all we need ; and that in times of necessity he will supply our wants. Verses 32-38.

CHAPTER XVI.

1 The Pharisees require a sign. 6 Jesus warneth his disciples of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 13 The people's opinion of Christ, 16 and Peter's confession of him. 21 Jesus foresheweth his death, 23 reproveth Peter for dissuading him from it: 24 and admonisheth those that will follow him, to bear the cross.

HE Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

a Chap. xii. 38; Mark viii. 11; Luke xi. 16, xii. 54-56; 1 Cor. i. 22.

Ver. 1. See also Mark viii. 11, 12. ¶ The Pharisees also, and with the Sadducees. These two sects were opposed to each other in the doctrines they held and the life they pursued; but they, for a season, laid aside their mutual animosity, and combined with one heart and mind against our Lord. It still frequently happens that men, holding very opposite opinions, unite to suppress and oppose vital godliness. Tempting. They came not to be convinced; they had no desire to be convinced that he was the Messiah. Had they been open to conviction, our Lord had wrought miracles enough to satisfy them that he was the Messiah promised to the fathers. Yet they feigned an appearance of willingness to be convinced; they had a real desire to see our Lord make the attempt to work a miracle, and fail in the attempt. A sign from heaven. The descent of the Holy Spirit upon our Lord at his baptism, and the voice of the Father declaring him to be his "beloved Son," were signs from heaven. In the dispensations of God's providence towards them, their fathers had witnessed many manifestations of Divine glory-the pillar of cloud and of fire in the wilderness, the solemn accompaniments with which the Law was given from the summit of mount Sinai, &c. It was, perhaps, some such manifestation of divine power that they wished our Saviour to put forth. It is not to be supposed that they would have been convinced though he had gratified their wishes. He had done amongst them many works as plainly requiring divine power for their execution, as any work could require, but they had remained proof against the evidence of them. What proofs shall be given in evidence of "Revelation," are not to be selected by the fancies of men, but by the wisdom of God. "It is an instance of the deceitfulness of the heart, to think that we should be wrought upon by means and advantages we have not, while we slight those which we have."

2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather for the sky is red. 3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to-day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? 2, 3. He answered, &c. The meaning of this answer is, there are certain appearances in the atmosphere by which you judge concerning the weather; and you are in possession of abundance of materials by which you, if you really desire it, may be guided to a right conclusion concerning me, and concerning these times. The doctrines I preach, the miracles I have wrought, the state of affairs in Judea, studied in connection with the writings of the prophets, furnish materials by which you may judge of the times. When men are set against the truth, Satan and their own corrupt hearts will readily suggest some argument against it, however cogent the evidence of it may be.

4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

b Chap. xii. 39.

4. A wicked and adulterous generation, &c. Mark adds (viii. 12), that he sighed deeply in spirit. Whilst our Lord severely rebuked the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Sadducees, he was greatly grieved on account of their perverseness and obstinacy.

5 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.

c Mark viii. 14.

5. And when his disciples had come to the other side. That is, to the other side of the sea of Galilee. Had forgotten to take bread. That is, had forgotten to lay in a sufficient supply. They had not more than one loaf. Mark viii. 14. 6 Then Jesus said unto them, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. 7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. 8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? 9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? 10 'Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? 11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? 12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. d Mark xii. 1. e Chap. xiv. 17; John vi. 9. Chap. xv. 34.

6-12. The leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The corrupt principles and practices of the Pharisees and Sadducees. This was a caution given to the disciples to beware of the teaching of those who place the sum of religion and worship in outward performances, which avail nothing to the sanctification of the soul; and such were the traditions of the Scribes and Pharisees: and also such doctrines as tended to subvert religion, by cutting off all hopes of future blessings after this life, and turning the kingdom of God into an earthly and worldly kingdom, as did the doctrines of the Sadducees. They reasoned. They misapprehended the intention of their Master, and, because they had no provisions with them, they thought that he was speaking of bread. O ye of little faith. He chides the disciples for their want of faith. They had no reason to be greatly solicitous in regard to the supply of their temporal wants. A short time before, they had witnessed their Master miraculously supply food for a great multitude of men and women. Had not their faith at this time been weak, they would immediately have inferred that, in speaking of "the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees," our Lord had something more important in view than the bread which perishes. Then understood they, &c. After this explanation, they immediately saw that he referred to their doctrines. Erroneous doctrines are like leaven in the following respects:-1. They are at first slight and unimportant in appearance. 2. They are insinuated into the soul unawares and silently, and are difficult of detection. 3. They act gradually. 4. They act most certainly. 5. They will pervade all the soul, and bring in all the faculties under their control.

13

When Jesus came into the coasts of Cesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, "Some say that thou art John the Baptist; some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said

@Mark viii. 27; Luke ix. 18. A Chap. xiv. 2; Luke ix. 7-9. Chap. xiv. 33; Mark viii. 29; Luke ix. 20; John vi, 69, xi, 27; Acts viil. 37, ix. 20; 1 John iv. 15, v. 5; Heb. i. 2, 5.

unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: *for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but 'my Father which is in heaven.

k Eph. ii. 8. 1 Cor. ii. 10; Gal. i. 16.

13-17. See also Mark viii. 27-29, and Luke ix. 18-20. ¶ When Jesus came. The original is, when Jesus was coming. When in the way, Jesus took occasion to call their attention to the truth that he was the Messiah. This truth it was of much consequence that they should fully believe and understand. He began, therefore, by inquiring what was the common report respecting him. In answer, the disciples said, Some say one thing, some another. "Some say that thou art John the Baptist; some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets." Our Lord having listened to the disciples making mention of the opinions current amongst men in regard to himself, asks them, for the trial of their faith, to declare plainly and truly their own sentiments," Whom do you yourselves think and say that I am?" In answer to this question, Peter, for himself and his fellow-disciples, makes the confession, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God;" as if he had said, "Lord, we well know that thou art the great expected Messiah; and art not only the Son of man, the worthy Heir of that glorious and extensive kingdom promised to him, but art, in a proper and incommunicable sense, the Son of the ever-living God; and we believe in thee as such, and adore thee under that divine character." And Jesus answered, &c. The truth thou hast confessed is one of the utmost importance-essentially necessary to salvation; and, in having been brought to believe it, thou art blessed; and so shall all be blessed who become partakers of the same faith. Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee. You have not become acquainted with this truth, and made firmly to believe in it, by your own sagacity or by the teaching of man. You have been taught of God. He has made a discovery of the truth to you, and wrought faith in your soul.

18 And I say also unto thee, That "thou art Peter, and "upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

m John i. 5. n Eph. ii. 20; Rev. xxi. 14. o Job xxxviii. 17; Psal. ix. 13, cvii. 18; Isa. xxxviii. 10.

18. Upon this rock I will build my Church. The confession made by Peter contains that truth upon which the Church is founded, as upon a rock, which shall never give way or be displaced. The nature, character, offices, and work of Christ are the pillars of the Gospel-the sure and tried foundation stone laid in Zion. The name of Christ is the only name given under heaven by which we must be saved. The work of Christ is solely and exclusively that by which an atonement has been made for sin, and by which God has been reconciled to his people. By a living faith on the truths contained in the confession made by Peter, men have extended to them the benefits of Christ's work, and are constituted members of the true Church-built upon that foundation of which Christ is the corner stone. ¶ And the gates of hell, &c. Ancient cities were surrounded by walls. In the gates, by which they were entered, were the principal places for holding courts, transacting business, and deliberating on public matters. The word gates, therefore, is used for counsels, designs, machinations, evil purposes. The devices and efforts of Satan and of wicked men have ever been directed against the Church, and against those fundamental truths on which the Church is built; with what success we all know. The truth, indeed, remains untouched. It is the Word of God, and cannot be shaken. The success of Satan and his agents is not over the truth, but over the minds of men-leading them to deny the truth, to have but a dim glimpse of it, to hold it in unrighteousness. "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?" It is, indeed, a very vain thing to think that purposes of God can be traversed, or the foundations of his Church shaken. And what comfort is here for the sincere believer! Not only shall the Gospel always maintain a place in the world, and the true Church have an existence-every true disciple, every one who believes in his heart that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God," shall have such support given him from above as shall enable him to endure unto the end. He shall partake of that very stability which is in the truth itself. The gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church, neither shall they against those who are members of the true Church.

19 "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

p Chap. xviii. 18; John xx. 23.

19. And I will give unto thee, &c. A key is an instrument for opening a door. He that is in