The Epistle. Ephes. vi. 10. My brethren, be strong in the (h) Lord, and in the power of his might. 11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12. Forwe wrestle not against flesh and blood (i), but against prin

cipalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness (k) of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (1) 13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be

(h) v. 10. "The Lord," i. e. " Christ." (i) v. 12. "Not against flesh and blood, " &c." i. e. " not against ordinary human powers, but against powers that have the "supernatural assistance of the devil."

(k) "The rulers of the darkness of " this world," i. e. "the chief, the high" est, the most powerful of the devil's "ministers, those who most effectually " promote the sinfulness and disobedience " of man."

(7) " Spiritual wickedness in high " places," τὰ πνευματικὰ τῆς πονηρίας ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις, i. e. (metaphorically) "the spirits " of wickedness of highest rank and power." In Ephes. ii. 2. the great promoter of iniquity is called, "the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that worketh in the "children of disobedience."

(m) v. 16. "The wicked," or "the wicked “ one." 18 πονηρθ.

(n) v. 17. "The sword, &c." The word of God is here called "the sword of the

able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. 14. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breast-plate of righteousness; 15. and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16. above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (m) 17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword (n) of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18. praying (o) always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19. and for me, that utterance

may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the Gospel, 20. for which I am an ambassador

in bonds (p); that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. THERE was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

The Gospel. John iv. 46.

"Spirit," the great weapon upon which Christians are to rest. It is observable, that when our Saviour was tempted of the devil, it was with passages from Scripture be repelled the attacks. See ante, 90, note on Matt. iv. 7.

(0) v. 18. " Praying, &c." The duty of prayer was strongly pressed upon the Gentile converts, because as they had not been accustomed to the worship of the true God, nor brought up in the discipline of the Temple, they might not know its efficacy. 1. Towns. 192. St. James says, (James v. 16.) "The effectual fervent prayer of a " righteous man availeth much;" and St. Luke, who wrote for the Gentiles, states two parables, (Luke xi. 5. and Luke xviii. 1.) to shew the effect of earnest and importunate prayer.

(p) v. 20. " In bonds." This epistle, therefore, was written whilst St. Paul was a prisoner: (probably) A. D. 58. whilst he was at Rome.

47. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. 48. Then said Jesus unto him, "Except ye see "signs and wonders, ye will not "believe." 49. The nobleman saith unto him, “Sir, (q) come " down, ere my child die." 50. Jesus saith unto him, "Go thy "way, thy son liveth." And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. 51. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, "Thy son "liveth." 52. Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour "the fever left him." 53. So the father knew that it was at the same hour in the which Jesus said unto him, "Thy son liveth :" and himself (r) believed, and his whole house. 54. This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judea into Galilee.

Saint Luke the Evangelist.
The Collect.

ALMIGHTY God, who calledst
Luke the Physician, whose praise

(9) v. 49. " Sir," rather "Lord;" Κύριε. The application being for what nothing but divine power could effect, the divine appellation of "Lord" was most appropriate.

(r) v. 53. "Believed," and was there not abundant evidence for this belief?

(8) v. 5. "Watch, &c." This injunction implies pretty strongly that at this time the Christians were subject to many difficulties.

(t) v. 8. " A crown, &c." A figure of speech borrowed from the Olympic games, where they who had succeeded in a combat or race, they who, as in v. 7. had "fought

is in the Gospel, to be an Evangelist and Physician of the soul; May it please thee, that by the wholesome medicines of the doctrine delivered by him all the diseases of our souls may be healed, through the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. 2 Tim. iv. 5.

7. I

WATCH (8) thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an Evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8. henceforth there is laid up for me a crown (t) of righteousness, which the (u) Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day (r): and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 9. Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: 10. for Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. 11. Only Luke (y) is with me. Take Mark (y), and bring him with thee; for he is profitable to me for the ministry. 12. And Tychicus have

" a good fight," or " finished their course," were honoured with a crown.

(u)

" The Lord," ὁ Κύριος, i. e. "Christ," to whom, according to Jolin v. 22. all judgment was committed, and who, according to Acts x. 42. (169) was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

(x) "At that day," i. e. either "the " time of his departure, or the time so often " referred to of Christ's coming." See ante, 73. note on 1 John iii. 2. post, note on 1 Cor. xv. 24.

(y) v. 11. "Luke" and "Mark," i. e. "the writers of the gospels which bear "their names."

Q

I sent to Ephesus. 13. The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. 14. Alexander

the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord (z) reward him according to his works: 15. of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

The Gospel. Luke x. 1.

THE Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would

come. 2. Therefore said he unto

them, "The harvest (a) truly " is great, but the labourers are "few: pray ye therefore the "Lord of the harvest, that he " would send forth labourers into "his harvest. 3. Go your ways: "behold, I send you forth as " lambs (b) among wolves. 4. Carry "neither purse, nor scrip, nor "shoes; and salute no man (c) " by the way. 5. And into what"soever house ye enter, first say, "Peace be to this house. 6. And " if the Son of peace (d) be there,

(2) v. 14. "The Lord," ὁ Κύριος, i. e. "Christ."

(a) v. 2. "The harvest, &c." i. e. "many " to have the gospel preached unto them, or in a disposition to be converted, and " but few to preach."

(6) v. 3. "Lambs, &c." therefore you must expect difficulty and danger.

(c) v. 4. "Salute no man," i. e. "waste " no time in idle civilities."

(d) v. 6. "The son of peace," i. e. " any person of a proper temper of mind " to receive the gospel."

(e) v. 7. "Eating, &c." "not scrupling " to eat and drink at their expence, because "your labours give you that right."

(g) v. 3. "Upon every remembrance of "you," i. e. " whenever I think of you." (h) v. 4. "Request," or, " the prayer." It is the same word as that which in the

Lord, we beseech thee to keep thy household the Church in continual godliness; that through thy protection it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in good works, to the glory of thy Name, through Jesus

Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. Phil. i. 3.

I THANK my God upon every remembrance (g) of you, 4. (always in every prayer of mine for you all making request (h) with joy,) 5. for your fellowship (i) in the Gospel, from the first day until now; 6. being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform (1) it until the day (1) of

beginning of the verse is translated " prayer," and with the article, “Την δέησιν."

(i) v. 5. "Fellowship," i. e. " partici"pation, or concurrence in advancing its " propagation." (k) v. 6. "Perform," i. e. "go on with, "carry through," "complete.'

(1) τ. 6. 10. "The day, &c." i. e. the time so often referred to under the expression of " the day," or " coming of the "Lord." See ante, 28. note on Rom. xiii. 11. The frequent mention of this approaching period shews how strongly it pressed upon St. Paul's mind, and is a strong argument that all the epistles in which it is noticed were written before the destruction of Jerusalem. See 1 Cor. x. 11.-Philipp. iv. 5. - Thess. ii. 1, 2.1 Tim. vi. 14. - 1 Thess. v. 23.-1 Pet. i. 7. 13.-1 John ii. 28

Jesus Christ: 7. even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds (m), and in the defence and confirmation of the Gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. (n) 8. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels (0) of Jesus Christ. 9. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgement; 10. that ye may approve (p) things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the (q) day of Christ; 11. being filled with the (r) fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

The Gospel. Matt. xviii. 21.

PETER said unto Jesus, "Lord, "how oft shall my brother sin "against me, and I forgive him? "till seven times?" 22. Jesus saith unto him, "I say not unto "thee, Until seven times; but, "Until seventy times seven. (s) "23. Therefore is the kingdom of "heaven likened (t) unto a certain "king, which would take account " of his servants. 24. And when

(m) v. 7. "In my bonds." This epistle was written whilst St. Paul was a prisoner at Rome, A. D. 59. after the Philippians had sent him a supply of money.

(n) "My grace," i. e. "whatever God "confers upon me, whether of suffering or "otherwise:" the being allowed to suffer for Christ's sake is mentioned in v. 29. as a gift; "To you it is given in the behalf of "Christ, not only to believe on him, but "also to suffer for his sake."

(0) v. 8. "The bowels, &c." i. e. "the "extreme of Christian love." See ante, 72. note on Col. iii. 12.

(p) v.10. "Approve," i.e. "adhere to, sanc" tion by example, give proof of, practise."

66

" he had begun to reckon, one "was brought unto him which "owed him ten thousand talents: "25. but forasmuch as he had not " to pay, his lord commanded him "to be sold (u), and his wife and "children, and all that he had, " and payment to be made. "26. The servant therefore fell " down, and worshipped him, say"ing, "Lord, have patience with "me, and I will pay thee all." "27. Then the lord of that ser"vant was moved with com" passion, and loosed him, and forgave (r) him the debt. 28. But "the same servant went out, and "found one of his fellow-servants "which owed him an hundred "pence; and he laid hands on " him, and took him by the "throat, saying, "Pay me that "thou owest." 29. And his fel" low-servant fell down at his " feet, and besought him, saying, " " Have patience with me, and I " will pay thee all." 30. And he "would not; but went and cast " him into prison, till he should " pay the debt. 31. So when his " fellow-servants saw what was " done, they were very sorry, and "came and told unto their lord

(g) "Till the day, &c." as if he was expecting it during their lives. (r) v. 11. "The fruits, &c." those Christianity produces.

(ς) υ. 22. "Seventy times seven," i. e. " indefinitely, without any fixed limit." (t) v. 23. "The kingdom of heaven," i. e. "the course of God's proceedings."

(u) v. 25. "To be sold, and his wife, &c." This was the practice in the east. See Exod. xxii. 3. Levit. xxv. 35.41.2 Kings iv. 1. Is. l. 1.

(x) v. 27. "Forgave," not (perhaps) absolutely and intirely, but retracted his command to sell him, dispensing with imImediate payment.

"lord, after that he had called "him, said unto him, "O thou " wicked servant, I forgave thee "all that debt, because thou de"siredst me: 33. shouldest (y) "not thou also have had com"passion on thy fellow-servant, " even as I had pity on thee?" "34. And his lord was wroth, and " delivered him to the tormentors, " till he should pay all that was " due unto him. 35. So likewise "shall my heavenly Father do "also unto you, if ye from your "hearts (z) forgive not every one " his brother their trespasses."

Saint Simon and Saint Jude, Apostles.
The Collect.

O ALMIGHTY God, who hast built thy Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets,

(y) v. 33. "Shouldest, &c." The duty of forgiveness is strongly pressed, Eccl. xxviii. 1. "He that revengeth shall find " vengeance from the Lord, and he," (i. e. God) "will surely keep his sins in re"membrance. Forgive thy neighbour the " hurt he hath done unto thee, so shall thy " sins be forgiven also when thou prayest: " one man beareth hatred against another, " and doth he seek pardon from the "Lord?" And in the Sermon on the Mount, (Matt. vi. 14, 15.) what says our Saviour? "If ye forgive men their tres"passes, your heavenly Father will also "forgive you; but if ye forgive not men " their trespasses, neither will your Father " forgive your trespasses!!!" See 1. Till. 303.- and ante, 221. note on Ephes. iv. 32.

(z) v. 35. "From your hearts." The forgiveness must be complete, without any

reservation.

(a) v. 1. "Jude." St. Jude is supposed to have been the person called (John xiv. 22.) "Judas, not Iscariot," and (Luke vi. 16.) "Judas, the brother of James." Both he and St. Simon are named in the list of the apostles, Luke vi, 15, 16. "Simon called

head corner-stone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of Spirit by their doctrine, that we may be made an holy temple, acceptable unto thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. Jude 1.

JUDE (a) the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James (b), to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: 2. Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. 3. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained (c) to this condemn

"Zelotes," and "Judas, the brother of "James." St. Jude is called by St. Matthew, (ch. x. 3.) " Lebbeus, whose surname was "Thaddeus;" and by St. Mark, (ch. iii. 18.) "Thaddeus" only. This epistle is supposed to have been written after St. Paul's epistles to Timothy, and after the 2d of St. Peter's epistles (of which it seems in some respects an epitome or abstract), but before the destruction of Jerusalem.

(6) "James," i. e. the author of the general epistle of St. James; the son of Cleophas or Alphæus. Ante, 154. note (n).

(c) v. 4. "Before of old ordained, &c." i. e. " prophesied of," "foretold." Our Saviour, in his prophecy relative to the destruction of Jerusalem, (Matt. xxiv. 10, &c.) observes, that before that great event " many shall be offended," (that is, fall off from Christianity) and that "the love of

many shall wax cold." In 1 Tim. iv. 1. St. Paul says, "The Spirit speaketh ex" pressly, that in the latter times" (that is, perhaps, the times just preceding the destruction of Jerusalem, which is called the end) "some shall depart from the faith, "giving heed to seducing spirits, and doc