Then the mother of Zebedee's children came to him, with her sons, James and John, worshipping him, and desiring a certain favour of him; saying, Master we would that thou shouldest promise to do whatsoever we shall request. And he said to her, What wouldest thou have? and to them, What would ye desire that I should do for you? She says unto him, Grant that these my two sons-(and they said, Grant unto us, that we-) may sit, the one at the right-hand, and the other at thy left, as thy chief ministers of state.—But Jesus said to them in reply, You know not what you ask. Are you able to drink of the cup of which I am about to drink? and to be baptized with the baptism with which I am to be baptized? And they say to him, We are able. And Jesus says unto them, You shall indeed drink of my cup of which I am to drink, and be baptized with the baptism with which I am to be baptized; but to sit on my right-hand and on my left, is not mine to give, but to those for whom it is prepared by my Father.

And when the ten other apostles heard of it, they began to be much displeased, and were moved with indignation against the two brethren, James and John. But Jesus called them all to him and said unto them, You know that the princes of the heathen lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you; but whosoever would be great among you, let him be your minister t; and whosoever would be chief among you, let him be your servant; yea, the servant of all: for even the Son of man came not to be waited upon but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.—And quickly after this they came to Jericho.

REFLECTIONS.

Astonishing grace and compassion of the Son of God in going up to Jerusalem at this passover, when he so circumstantially knew all the things which were to befall him there! not only that he should be put to death, but in what manner he should suffer; and what cruelty and what scorn should introduce the last scene of his agonies! Yet, with so sad a prospect in his eye, he marched on with distinguished alacrity, leading the company, as if he longed to encounter what they could not bear to see, or even to hear of. Glorious Captain of our salvation, give us the like alacrity in all the sufferings we are called to bear for thee! Who would not grieve to see these good apostles still so much possessed with the spirit of this world, and still dreaming of preferment in a temporal kingdom? Who would not especially lament it, that his most intimate friends, James, and John the beloved disciple, should be the persons who should come to him with this strange request? Justly did our Lord answer them, You know not what you ask. And may

* It is observable that this James was the first of all the apostles who suffered martyrdom, Acts xii. 2. And John endured very severe persecutions; being scourged by the Jews (Acts v. 40.) and banished by Domitian into the isle of Patmos (Rev. i. 9.) Tertullian also mentions a tradition, that at Rome he was plunged into boiling oil.

†The word axovos [from whence the term deacon is derived] properly signifies a servant; and dunes in the next verse, rendered serwant, imports one who is the property of another.

not the same answer often be made to us? When therefore he denies us the great things that we are seeking for ourselves, let us be satisfied with the denial he sees fit to give us; believing that it is wisdom and love, and not unkindness, that produces it.-Let us often ask ourselves, Can we share the sufferings which our Lord endured? If we do not desire to do it, so far as he shall appoint, we are not worthy to be called his disciples. Let us then gird up the loins of our minds, and wait our Master's signal to go forth to any suffering or service that he shall require; ever ready to make ourselves the servants of all, and therein to imitate the humility of the Son of man, who came not to be ministered unto, but to minister: yet, after all we can do or bear for him, let our trust still be in the merits of his righteousness and blood who gave his life a ransom for many. So shall we be fitted for those distinguished honours in the heavenly world, in comparison with which thrones and sceptres on earth are but empty pageants and childish toys.

SECTION CXLIII.

Our Lord, coming out of Jericho, cures two blind men*, and converts Zaccheus the publican. MATT. XX. 29-34.

A

ND as Jesus and his disciples, in their way to Jerusalem, were going from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. And behold two blind men, who sat by the way-side, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And the multitude rebuked them that they should be silent; but they cried out the more, Have mercy on us, thou Son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What do you desire that I should do for you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. Then Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes, and immediately they received sight, and they followed him.

MARK X. 46, &c. LUKE Xviii. 35, &c.

And it came to pass, as he was yet nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man, Bartimeus, the son of Timeus, sat begging by the way-side. And hearing the multitude passing by, he asked what that meant. And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was coming by. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth that was passing by, he began to cry out and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me! And they who went before rebuked him, and many charged him that

* As both Mark and Luke mention only one, their narrative could not be interwoven with that of Matthew, who speaks of two, without a very awkward paraphrase; and such the author's, however ingenicus,must be allowed to be. The Editor has therefore judged it most expedient to give the compound text of the two former Evangelists separate. Though they differ from Matthew, there is no contradiction between them; and we are to consider their narrative as relating to Bartimeus only, who being so particularly noticed, may be supposed (as the Dr. remarks) to have been a person of some note in that neighbourhood.

he should be silent. But he cried a great deal the more, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. Then Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called, and brought unto him. And they called the blind man saying to him, Be of good courage, rise, he calleth thee. And throwing aside his upper garment, he arose and came to Jesus. And when he was come near, Jesus answered and said unto him, What dost thou desire I should do for thee? And the blind man said unto him, Rabboni (that is, my Master and my Lord) that I may recover my sight. And Jesus said to him, Receive thy sight; go thy way, thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it gave praise unto God*.

The conversion of Zaccheus, LUKE Xix. 1-10.

1 And Jesus having entered and passed through Jericho, this new instance of his miraculous power drew the multitude after him. 2 And behold there was a man in that country [whose notice was attracted by the crowd that followed Jesus] whose name was Zaccheus, who was the chief among the Publicans; or head-collector of 3 the customs; and he was very rich. And from the great things which he had heard, he sought an opportunity to see Jesus, what sort of a person he was; but he could not compass his design, because of the crowd; for he himself was very little of stature. 4 And therefore running before the rest, he got up into a Sycamore5 tree that he might see him, for he was to pass that way. And Jesus, when he came to the place, looked up [into the tree] and saw him, and immediately said to him, Zaccheus, make haste and 6 come down, for to-day I must abide at thine house. And he came down with speed, and gladly entertained him.

7

And the persons who saw it all murmured, saying, He is gone in to refresh himself at a man's house who is a notorious sinner. 8 But Zaccheus stood forth and said to the Lord, Behold, O Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have wrongfully ta9 ken any thing from any man, I restore him four-foldt. And Jesus said to him, Surely to-day is salvation come to this house, since 10 this man is also a true Son of Abraham: for the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

REFLECTIONS.

Thus did our Lord Jesus Christ, wheresoever he came, scatter blessings around him, both to the souls and the bodies of men. Who

*This section, which is longer than many, may be conveniently divided here, and the Reflections on the former part (which seem improperly placed last) the reader may transpose; for which purpose a mark of division is made.

This was more than he was bound to do by the law, which required only a fifth part more than the principal, besides the trespass-offering. Lev. vi. 2—5. Numb. v. 7, 8.-From Zaccheus's account of himself, which his accusers could not contradict, it doth not appear that he was such a sinner as they represented him, and as the Publicans generally were. ED.-See Apb. Tillotson, as quoted by the author; Op. vol. iii. p. 86.

Or rather "concerning him." W. and Camb.

can wonder that Zaccheus had a curiosity to see such a person! And how happily did that curiosity end! Christ graciously observed him, and, with an amiable frankness and openness of heart, invited himself to be a guest at his house; choosing to accept the entertainment of a publican, and to distinguish with a particular regard one that was so desirous to see him. And let us diligently observe how happy a change this visit produced in the master of the family. O Zaccheus, well wast thou repaid for thine hospitality when salvation came to thine house, and the Saviour himself bore witness to thee as a son of Abraham!

What cannot the grace of God effect! This publican was in the morning contriving only how he might increase his estate by all possible methods of gain*, and, before evening, he cries out, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. Thus does the Spirit of Christ operate on the soul, producing in it the fruits of righteousness and charity to our fellow creatures, as well as of love to God and faith in the Redeemer. And surely the miracle by which the walls of Jericho were many ages before thrown down by the sound of rams horns, was not greater in its kind than that which now triumphed over the heart of Zaccheus, and threw down all the obstacles which corrupt nature had formed against the entrance of Christ into it. Now were his eyes opened, and he saw in a moment how much more valuable the pearl of price was than all the riches he could part with to procure it. And he judged rightly of religion when he saw the necessity not only of faith, but of charity too; and not only of charity, but of restitution also to those whom he had injured, without which the highest pretences to charity are but presenting to God robbery for a burnt offering.

Our Lord's progress is marked with another work of divine power and beneficene in opening the eyes of the blind. With what importunity was the cure desired! And when the petitioner was for a while discouraged, with what eagerness was that importunity repeated, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me! Thus will the sinner cry to Jesus when he sees how much he needs him. But, alas! men are not aware of their spiritual indigence and distress: they say they are rich, and increased in goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that they are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.

When once they come to be awakened to a just sense of their case, there is then room for hope, and great encouragement for their address. We may in such circumstances say to them, as was said to Bartimeus, Be of good courage, rise, he calleth thee. With pleasure should we deliver such a message; with pleasure should we lead on the lame and the blind, the weak and the trembling, in their application to Christ; and in all the instances, in which his victorious grace is exercised, should join with those who have received it in glorifying God, and in celebrating the praise of this Deliverer, whom he has mercifully raised up for his people.

See the preceding Note. Zaccheus appears to be speaking not of his fu ture but his past conduct. ED.

VOL. I.

Hh

SECTION CXLIV.

The parable of the ten pounds. The vengeance taken by a prince on his rebellious subjects. LUKE XIX. 11-28.

OW as they heard these things [from Christ with attention]

Nhe continued his discourse, and spake a parable, because he

was drawing near to Jerusalem, and he perceived they thought that the kingdom of God would immediately be revealed, and that he, as 12 the Messiah, would assume the government. He therefore said, A certain person of a noble birth, went to a distant country to receive a 13 kingdom to himself, and intended to return*: And having called ten of his servants, he delivered to them ten pounds, one pound† to each; and said unto them, Trade with this money till I come. 14 But his citizens hated him, and sent an embassy after him, saying, 15 We will not have this man to reign over us‡. And it came to pass that, when he had received the kingdom and was come back, he commanded these servants, to whom he had delivered the money, to be called to him, that he might know what improvement each of them had made.

16

And the first came near and said, Sir, thy pound has gained 17 ten pounds more. And he said to him, Well done, thou good servant: since thou hast been faithful in a very little, I will amply re18 ward it be thou governour over ten cities in my dominions.

And the second came, saying, Sir, thy pound has gained five pounds. 19 And he said likewise unto this, Be thou over five cities. And another came and said, Sir, behold here is thy pound, which I 21 have kept, laid up in a napkin : for I feared thee, because thou art an austere man, who takest up what thou didst not lay down, and reapest what thou didst not sow; and therefore I did not ven22 ture the money out of my hands, lest it should be lost. But he was filled with indignation, and says to him, O thou wicked servant: thou knewest that I am an austere man, taking up what I did not lay 23 down, and reaping what I did not sow: And why didst thou not then give my money into the bank, that when I came I might 24 have received it with interest ?-And he said to them that stood

by, Take away the pound from him, and give it to him that has 25 ten pounds. (And they said to him, Sir, as he hath ten pounds

already, it is sufficient. Eut the prince answered, So I resolve to 26 act) for I assure you, That to every one that hath, it shall be given, but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be 27 taken away from him. But those mine enemies, who would not

* That is, to take the government of his own country, after having received an investiture to it, from a superior prince abroad. The kings of Judea were thus invested with power by the Romans.

†The Mina contained sixty shekels, which, at 2s. 6d. the shekel, was 77.10s. i. e. They sent ambassadors to the supreme court to enter their protest against his admission to the regal power; which well represents the solemn manner in which the Jews renounced Christ.

Or, interrogatively, "Didst thou know?" ED.