FOR SCARCELY FOR A RIGHTEOUS MAN WILL ONE DIE: YET PERADVENTURE FOR A GOOD MAN SOME WOULD EVEN DARE TO DIE.-Rom. v. 7.

JOHN xiii. 34-.7.

with you. Ye-shall-seek me: and as I-said unto-the Jews, Whither I go, ye can not 34 come; so now I-say to-you. A-new commandment I-give unto-you, That ye-love one35 another; as I-have-loved you, that ye also love one-another. By this shall-all men'know that ye-are my disciples, if ye-have love one-to-another.

36

Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest-thou ? Jesus answered him, Whither 37 I-go, thou-canst not follow me now; but thou-shalt-follow me afterwards. Peter said

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

Jno. xiii. 33. I said unto the Jews-ch. vii. 34; viii. 21, § 55, pp. 94, 101.

Whither I go-see on ver. 36, infra.

34. A new commandment-1 Jno. ii. 7, 8, Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you:'-And yet it is an old commandment, iii. 11, The message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.' But the illustration of the law of love, as given in the Son of God, is new, Rom. v. 7, 8 (see margin); and new motive is supplied, by our being made members one of another in him, Eph. iv. 15, .6, Speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of

itself in love.'

That ye love one another-Le. xix. 18, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself:'-this is the old commandment recognised by our Lord, Mt. xix. 19, § 75, p. 225-the second of the two great commandments, on which hang all the Law and the Prophets, Mt. xxii. 37-40; Mk. xii. 29-31, § 85, p. 304-see also Lu.

x. 27, 860, p. 145.

as I have loved you-Rom. v. 8, God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.'-This is the new sanction to the law of love, and example of obedience thereto-see Jno. xv. 12-7, infra, p. 389-The love of Christ passeth knowledge, Eph. iii. 17-9, That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19, and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.'-The example which Jesus gave is that which is to be followed in the nearest and dearest relations, Eph. v. 25-.9-Ga. vi. 2, Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil

the law of Christ.'-1 Pe. ii. 24, Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree,'-1 Jno. iii. 16, Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.'

35. By this shall all, &c.-Men do but deceive themselves, or attempt to deceive others, if without manifesting brotherly love, they profess to be followers of Christ-Ja. iii. 14, If ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.'-1 Jno. ii. 9-11, He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10, He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 11, But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.'-It is by the true manifestation of love that we declare we are Christians, ver. 5, Whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God per14-7, We know that we have passed from death fected hereby know we that we are in him.'-iii. loveth not his brother abideth in death,' &c.-iv. unto life, because we love the brethren. He that 7-17, Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God,' &c.

36. whither goest thou?-Referring to what our Lord had said, ver. 33, supra, Whither I go,' &c. canst not follow me now-which was amply proved when he could not watch with him one hour, Mk. him with oaths and with curses, 70, .1, § 89, p. 432. xiv. 37, § 88, p. 415-and when afterwards he denied thou shalt follow me afterwards-ch. xxi. 19, § 97, This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.'-And Peter afterwards did boldly follow his Master in witnessing a good confes sion, and that in the face of all opposition, Ac. iv. 8-12, .9, 20; xii. 3, 4.

NOTES.

Jno. xiii. 33. So now I say to you. That is, they could not follow then, ch. xiv. 2, p. 380. He was about to die and to return to the Father, and for a time they must be willing to be separated from him. But he consoled his true disciples, ver. 36, with the assurance that the separation would be only temporary, and that they should afterwards follow him. [34. A new commandment. See SCRIP. ILLUS. Brotherly love is here called 'a new commandment,' not as if it had not all along existed in the law of God, but because Christ revived it when it was sadly corrupted and almost forgotten, and enjoined it by a new example, and with new explications, motives, and enforcements, that it might be observed with a new spirit and temper, and in a new manner, as a fundamental law of his kingdom.] 35. By this shall all men know, &c. The disciples of different teachers were known by their habits, or

some particular creed or rite, or point of austerity, which they had adopted. The Pharisees were distinguished by their reception of traditions and zeal for ritual observances; the disciples of John the Baptist by the austerity of their lives, and their frequent fastings: but Jesus wished the characteristic and criterion of his followers to be mutual love. The primitive Christians were particularly known by this among the Gentiles. Tertullian, in his Apology, gives us their very words: Vide, inquiunt, ut se diligunt; et pro alterutro mori parati sunt. See, said they, how they love one another, and are ready to lay down their lives for each other."

36. Whither I go, &c. Our Lord here adds, but thou shall follow me afterwards;' meaning, it should seem, that he should follow him in the likeness of his death, as well as in the participation of his glory. -See SCRIP. ILLUS., supra.

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

by love, self-sacrificing, patient, kind, and courteous, and constant to the last.]

[36 ver. Let not the Christian lose confidence in God, on account of being called to follow his Lord in suffering affliction; neither let us flatter ourselves on account of present exemption from trials which some others are called to bear: this may not be because of any particular merit in us, but rather on account of our unpreparedness for them. God may, in compassion to our weakness, be reserving them, until he has strengthened us to bear them.]

Jno. xiii. 33. Let us be prepared to part with those we hold most dear upon earth, remembering that, if we and they are the Lord's, it is only now we partwe shall meet hereafter. 34 ver. Let us continue to love one another for Christ's sake, even as he hath loved us who were so utterly unworthy. [35 ver. It is not so much by outward uniformity, either in religious rites or even doctrinal profession, as by the truthfulness of their love, that the disciples of Christ are to be distinguished. We are to be known stands, is a distinct and independent instance of any such prophecy; yet as no such prophecy has hitherto preceded, though similar predictions may be hereafter repeated, it will be the first instance of the kind.'— Greswell, Vol. III. Diss. xlii. p. 186.

3741

CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY.-Rom. v. 6.

[VOL. II.

BUT GOD COMMENDETH HIS LOVE TOWARD US, IN THAT, WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US.-Rom. v. 8.

CHRIST MADE HIMSELF OF NO REPUTATION, AND TOOK UPON HIM THE FORM OF A SERVANT, AND WAS MADE IN THE LIKENESS OF MEN:-Ph. ii. 7.

JOHN Xiii. 38.

unto-him, Lord, why can-not-I follow thee now? I-will-lay-down my life for thy-sake. 38 Jesus answered him, Wilt-thou-lay-down thy life for my-sake? Verily, verily, I-say unto-thee, The-cock shall-not-crow, till thou-hast-denied me thrice. [Ch. xiv. 1, p.380.] (G. 88.)-The disciples dispute among themselves who should be greatest, and are rebuked by Jesus.* Jesus again foretells that Peter will thrice deny him.-Luke xxii. 24-38. [Ver. 23, p. 371.]

24

25

26

And there was also a-strife poveikia among them, which of them should-be accounted the-greatest. And he said unto-them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise-lordship overthem; and they that-exercise-authority upon-them are-called benefactors eveрyeTal. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let-him-be as the younger; and 27 he that-is-chief, as he that-doth-serve. For whether is greater, he that-sitteth-at-meat, or he that-serveth? is not he that-sitteth-at-meat? But I am among you as he thatserveth.

28

Ye are they which-have-continued diaμeμevVnKOTES with me in my temptations.
SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

38. The cock shall not crow, till-Lu. xxii. 34, The cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.'-Mt. xxvi. 34, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.' Mk. xiv. 30, infra, p. 406, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.'-See this prediction fulfilled, ver. 68, § 89, p. 431.

Lu. xxii. 24. which...greatest-This question had before been raised among them shortly after the Transfiguration, Lu. ix. 46; Mk. ix. 34, § 52, pp. 72,.4; Mt. xviii. 1, § 53, p. 82- Then he took a child and placed him before them as an example of humility, ver. 2-4, ib.-Now he gives himself as an example of that humble service, in truth and in love, which he called for, in each, towards the others, ver. 27, infra -see Jno. xiii. 14, .5, supra, p. 367. 25. The kings of the Gentiles-Mt. xx. 25, § 77,

Jno. xiii. 37. lay down my life - Lu. xxii. 3-6, p. 238, The princes of the Gentiles,'-Mk. x. 42, § ib., § 86, p. 356, supra; Mk. xiv. 31, infra, p. 406. They which are accounted to rule over,' &c. 26. But ye...not... so-The apostles only claimed to be helpers of the disciples' joy, 2 Co. i. 24; and were, even the chief of them, sent on the service of the church, Ac. xiii. 1-3; and they strongly resisted the claims of those who desired to have pre-eminence among the brethren, 1 Co. iii. 21-.3; 1 Pe. v. 3; 3 Jno. ver. 9, 10. 27. For whether is greater, &c.-ch. xvii. 7-9, § 70, p. 207. Which of you, having a servant,' &c.-Mt. xxiv. 45-7, § 86, p. 313, Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler,' &c. I am among you as he that serveth-and not merely as before described, Jno. xiii. 6, 7, supra, p. 366, but as washing us from our sins in his own blood,' Rev. i. 5-comp. Ph. ii. 7, 8.-see margin. 28. have continued, &c. It was after Abraham had patiently endured, he obtained the promise,' NOTES. [The very Greek word used by the evangelist, pyéra, was the surname of some of the Prolemies of Egypt; Ptolemy Euergetes, i.e., the Benefactor. It was a custom among the ancient Romans to distribute part of the lands which they had conquered on the frontiers of the empire to their soldiers; those who enjoyed such lands were called beneficiarii, beneficed persons; and the lands themselves were termed beneficia, benefices, as being held on the beneficence of the sovereign: and it is no wonder that such sovereigns, however tyrannical or oppressive they might have been in other respects, were termed benefactors by those who were thus dependent on their bounty.1

Jno. xiii. 38. The cock shall not crow, &c. It is very common in the East to regulate the time in the night by the crowing of the cock; as, the midnight cock and the morning cock. The people attach a high value to those birds which crow with the greatest regularity; and some of them keep the time with astonishing precision.-See ADDENDA, On the times of Peter's denials,' § 89, p. 437.

Till thou hast denied me thrice. 'His threefold denial was thrice foretold; first, at the time mentioned here; secondly, at that mentioned by St. Luke; lastly, at that recorded by St. Matthew and St. Mark. This is the first instance of the prediction of Peter's denial of his Master yet recorded.' See on Mt. xxvi. 31-.5, infra, p. 406.

Lu. xxii. 25. The kings of the Gentiles. The kings of the nations, or of the earth. Our Lord does not mean to say that it was wrong that there should be such authority among them, but that his kingdom was to be of a different character.

Are called benefactors. εὐεργέται καλοῦνται. Ενερ yarns was among the Greeks a title of honour, assigned to all who had in any way deserved well of the monarch or state, and was the title arrogated by, and through flattery bestowed on, the princes or magistrates of antiquity.

unto love.

26. Let him be as the younger. Dr. Lightfoot conjectures that Peter was the eldest of all the disciples; and he supposes that the strife was kindled between him and the sons of Zebedee, James and John. These three disciples were those whom Jesus had distinguished by peculiar marks of his favour.-See on Mt. xvii. 1, § 51, p. 52, SCRIP. ILLUS. 27. I am among you as he that serveth. As when he rose from supper and washed their feet.-See SCRIP. ILLUS. 28. Temptations. by rois meipagpas μov, 'in my trials and afflictions.

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

not that which the disciples of Christ should seek after. The example of the kings of the nations is in this respect no example for us.]

[26 ver. Men are not to be given honour in the church because of their possessing power; but in proportion to their using the power they possess for the glory of God in the good of men, as the servants of all for Christ's sake.]

Jno. xiii. 37. It is possible that, like Peter, we do not know our own weakness: let us not boast of our strength, but ask more from God. 38 ver. Jesus laid down his life for Peter, although he well knew that Peter was not yet prepared to lay down his life for him. Let us endeavour to provoke [Lu. xxii. 24. We can marvel at the folly of the disciples, in striving to the last which of them [27 ver. It is not as masters, but as servants, that should be greatest; but how much more foolish are men are to minister in the church of Christ: and all we, if we follow the apostles in this, in place of who require the observance of this precept by others, following the example of their Lord and Master.] should teach it, as our Lord did, by example.] [25 ver. Forced subjection of others to their rule is 28, .9, ver. Let us be willing to suffer with Christ *The language of the reproof is such as can leave no doubt that it was directed against some present and some passing, and not some former instance of the dispute in question; and there are two allusions in it, or subjoined shortly upon it, which tend to prove that both these incidents were posterior first to the act of washing the disciples' feet, and secondly to the departure of Judas from the supper table.' Greswell, Vol. III. Diss. xlii. p. 187. FULFIL YE MY JOY, THAT YE BE LIKEMINDED,-Phil. ii. 2.

VOL. II.]

[375

AND BEING FOUND IN FASHION AS A MAN, HE HUMBLED HIMSELF, AND BECAME OBEDIENT UNTO DEATH, EVEN THE DEATH OF THE CROSS.-Ph. ii. 8.

THE GOD OF ALL GRACE, WHO HATH CALLED US UNTO HIS ETERNAL GLORY BY CHRIST JESUS,

LUKE Xxii. 29-33.

29 And-I appoint diarieμal unto-you a kingdom, as my Father hath-appointed unto-me ; 30 that ye-may-eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath-desired knτnσato to have you, 32 that he-may-sift you as wheat: but I have-prayed édenonv for thee, that thy faith fail 33 not: and when thou art-converted morрevas, strengthen σrnosov thy brethren. And he said unto-him, Lord, I-am ready to-go with thee, both into prison, and to death. SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

NOTES.

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW THEIR OWN WEAKNESS AND SINFULNESS, ARE BUT ILL PREPARED TO ACKNOWLEDGE CHRIST.

LUKE Xxii. 34-.8.

34 And he said, I-tell thee, Peter, the-cock shall-not-crow this-day, before that thou-shaltthrice-deny that-thou-knowest me.*

35

And he said unto-them, When I-sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked36 ye any-thing? And they said, Nothing. Then said-he unto-them, But now, he thathath a-purse, let-him-take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that-hath no sword, let37 him-sell his garment, and buy one. For I-say unto-you, that this that is-written must yet be-accomplished in me, And he-was-reckoned among the-transgressors: for the38 things concerning me have an-end. And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto-them, It-is enough Ikavov. [Ch. xxii. 39, infra, p. 405.]

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

Lu. xxii. 34. I tell thee, Peter, &c.-see Jno. xiii. 38, p. 375-Peter at length learned the folly of having confidence in himself, and writes his second Epistle, i. 1-4, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:'

36. he that hath a purse-Jesus had before said to them-Lu. xii. 33, § 63, p. 166, 'Provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not,'-There is something much more precious than gold that perisheth, I Pe. i. 7-Eph. iii. 8, The unsearchable riches of Christ;'

scrip-2 Pe. i. 3, His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:'

sword-2 Co. x. 4, The weapons of our warfare are not carnal,'-Eph. vi. 17, Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: '-He. iv. 12, The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,' &c.-see also Rev. i. 16; ii. 12; xíx. 15, 21.

buy one-Pr. xxiii. 23, Buy the truth, and sell it not;-2 Pe. i. 5-11, Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; ' &c.

37. reckoned among the transgressors-Is. liii. 12, 'He was numbered with the transgressors;- The same scripture referred to, Mk. xv. 28, § 91-To distinguish between things that widely differ, but which men are apt thus to confound, and to enable us to deprive the enemy of the advantages that accrue to him from such confusion, it is necessary to be intimately and extensively acquainted with the word of God Thus Jesus successfully combated the enemy, Mt. iv. 4, 7, 10, § 9, pp. 61-.6-Thus also he exposed and defeated his various enemies, as the Sadducees, Mt. xxii. 29-32, § 85, pp. 301-..3.

an end-The climax of his ill usage at the hands of men was hastening on, as he had forewarned his disciples, Mt. xvi. 21, § 50, p. 40; xvii. 22, .3, § 52, p. 711 Pe. iv. 1-7, Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: .... But the end of all things is at hand:' &c.

38. It is enough-Two swords were not enough that each of the twelve should have one, as required ver. 36, supra-It was not that kind of weapon that our Lord had so earnestly desired them to possess—see afterwards, Mt. xxvi. 51, .2, § 88, p. 419.

NOTES.

10, .1, ib.

Lu. xxii. 34. The cock shall not crow this day, &c. | priest's servant, ver. 49-51, § 88, p. 419; Jno. xviii. Both Matthew and Mark say this night; but there is no disagreement between them and Luke, for the Jewish day of twenty-four hours began with the evening and ended with the beginning of the evening of the next day: and therefore included the night.-See on Mt. xxvi. 34, infra, p. 406.

35. When I sent you without purse, &c. See on Mt. x. 5-10, § 39, p. 295.

36. But now, he that hath a purse, &c. The general sense is, But now ye will have need of all the means of support and defence which ye may be able to provide for yourselves; for the time is at hand when ye will no longer be treated as the friends and disciples of a prophet, but as of one who has been "reckoned with the transgressors."'-Lonsdale and Hale. He that hath no sword, &c. The original would be more correctly rendered, He that hath not, let him sell his garment, and buy a sword; that is, he that hath not a purse of money, wherewith to buy a sword, let him sell his garment to provide the means of buying one. That our Lord, however, did not mean this direction to be taken by the apostles in its literal sense, appears from his answer to them in ver. 38; and also from his rebuke of one of them, namely, Peter, for using his sword against the high

[37. Must yet be accomplished in me. As much as to say, After all that I have suffered, this last now remains, namely, that I should (as was long ago prophesied of me) be brought unto an ignominious death. Τέλος έχει is synonymous with τελεσθῆναι, and is used by the best classical writers of the completion of predictions.]

For the things, &c. been foretold by the prophets concerning me' are 'The things' which have now on the point of having their accomplishment.Comp. ch. xviii. 31, § 77, p. 235; Jno. xix. 30. In such circumstances it was of the greatest importance that they should possess and make themselves well acquainted with the scriptures, in order to be prepared for, and to profit by, the things that were taking place. 38. It is enough. The disciples mistook our Saviour's meaning. He made use of a proverbial form of speech; they took him in a literal sense. He corrected their misapprehension, by telling them that two were enough of that kind of sword, so that it could not be the weapon he referred to, of which he had told them each to possess one. Some, however, have supposed the meaning here is not there are swords enough,' but enough has been said upon the matter.'

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

[Lu. xxii. 35, .6. The Lord is sometimes pleased to the providence of God, the people who have been give, as he did to the apostles, extraordinary evidence most desirous of possessing and communicating the of his care over his servants in the beginning of their scriptures, have been given the greatest facilities for service; that so they may learn to trust entirely acquiring and dispensing temporal blessings also.] in him but this is not to prevent their own industry and care in ordinary cases; except when specially [37 ver. As being forewarned by the sure word of directed otherwise, they are to exert themselves for prophecy, we can best be prepared for the trials of the obtainment of what they need; in every case life, and the pains of death. Did we not possess looking unto God for the blessing.]. 'the shield of faith,' and 'the sword of the Spirit,' we [36 ver. Christ could support his servants with-night sometimes be tempted to think that God had out any direct effort on their part; he could forsaken the earth, as when the innocent are conalso defend his servants by words put into their demned to bear the shame and punishment of the mouths without their requiring to study the scrip- guilty.]-38 ver. See margin. tures. Yet it was as using the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, that he himself overcame Satan in his temptations: and he requires that we possess this knowledge, even although at the expense of ordinary covering for the body. But it is remarkable that in After this, there may be no reason why Lu. xxii. 35-8, should not be supposed to have followed consecutively, until a period of time when the paschal solemnity as such was manifestly drawing to a close; the next event which he specifies being the departure to the mount.'-Greswell, Vol. III. Diss. xlii. p. 189. VOL. II.]

Let us be duly thankful that what our Lord desired his apostles to possess, he hath procured for us: we may each possess a copy of the written word of God, but let us have it, not in our hands only, but also in our hearts.

BE THOU INSTRUCTED,-Jer. vi. 8.

[377

THERE HAS BEEN ENOUGH OF THE SWORD THAT KILLS THE BODY.

LET US REJOICE IN THE USE OF THAT WHICH MAKETH ALIVE THE SOUL.

IF, WHEN WE WERE ENEMIES, WE WERE RECONCILED TO GOD BY THE DEATH OF HIS SON,

(G. 89.)-Jesus institutes the blessing of the cup; the remaining part of the Lord's supper.*

1 Co. xi. 25. same manner-He had given thanks at taking the bread, 1 Co. xi. 24-and in the same manner he took the cup, Mt. xxvi. 27-When the old covenant was made with Israel, Ex. xxiv. 1-8, the heads of the people were entertained at the Lord's table, and did drink as well as eat, ver. 11.

when he had supped-Lu. xxii. 20, After supper,' Mt. xxvi. 27. Drink ye all of it-Lu. xxii. 17, Divide it among yourselves : '-supra, p. 364.

28. For this is my blood, &c. As in making the old covenant, Ex. xxiv. 8, Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you so the Mediator of the new covenant applies to each of us the blood of the better sacrifice, He. ix. 23-8, by which our hearts are sprinkled from an evil conscience,' x. 22.

new testament - The new covenant predicted, Je. xxxi. 33, But this shall be the covenant that I

will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.' - Comp. He. viii., ix.-The former covenant was upon the ground of man's promised obedience to the law, Ex. xxiv. 7, And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.'The new covenant is made with a recognition of man's utter helplessness in himself, Lu. xxii. 31—4, p. 376-and with the promise of free forgiveness, Je. xxxi. 34, And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.'-And the supply of all things that pertain unto life and godliness, upon the ground of Divine righteousness, made ours by faith in Him who hath perfectly satisfied the demands of the law, 2 Pe. i. 1-3; Rom. iii. 21—.6, 31.

NOTES.

Luke xxii. 20. Likewise also the cup after supper. See on Lu. xxii. 17, .8, p. 364.

[Mt. xxvi. 27. And gave thanks. The Jews had been accustomed to partake at all their feasts of bread and wine, in a serious and devout manner, after a solemn blessing or thanksgiving to God for his goodness to men; but especially at the feast of the passover, they commemorated more at large the mercies of their God, dwelling, however, chiefly on their deliverance from the bondage of Egypt. And as this had many particulars resembling that infinitely more important redemption of mankind from sin and ruin, which our Saviour was then about to accomplish, he very naturally directed his disciples that their ancient custom should for the future be applied to the greatest of Divine blessings, and become the memorial of Christ their passover, sacrificed for them; as indeed the bread broken aptly enough represented his body, and the wine poured forth expressly figured out his blood shed for our salvation.]

Drink ye all of it. The Romanists contend that our blessed Lord only spoke these words to those persons to whom he said, when speaking of the bread, do this; and that those words, do this, were only spoken to the apostles, whom he then made priests. But the reason of partaking of the cup, because it is the blood of the new testament shed for the remission of sins, concerns all believers.

[28. Blood of the new testament. In the federal sacrifices of the ancients it was (as Grotius and Hammond shew) usual to receive in a vessel the blood, which was itself drunk by the more barbarous nations; but by the more civilized, wine was substituted for it; to which the colour (the wine of the East being red) would contribute: and indeed wine is by poets called the blood of the grape. Our Lord is by some thought to have had a reference to this.]

Of the new testament. τῆς καινῆς διαθήκης, of the new covenant,' alluding to Ex. xxiv. 7, 8. The old PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

Mt. xxvi. 27; Mk. xiv. 23. Our Lord hath given us an example of humility, not only in washing the feet of the disciples, but also of serving them at table.

28 ver. Let us not only feed upon Christ as the bread of life, but trust to his atoning blood, whereby we are received into new covenant blessing.

[May we know the power of that atoning blood whereby we have the remission of sins; so that we may fully forgive each other, and be willing, if need be, to lay down our lives for the brethren.]

[May we know the new covenant, so as to feel the responsibility under which we are brought, to love and to serve; and, if need be, to suffer unto the death for each other. We are bound together in one each other in the Lord be like the new covenant in bundle of life with the Lamb slain.-May our love to his blood, everlasting. Should the faults of our fellow-Christians force themselves upon our attention, let us remember, that it is only as forgiven sinners we ourselves can partake of new covenant blessing. But let us also consider that before giving

Here . . . I would place the introduction of the third and probably the last paschal cup; and with it the institution of the remaining member of the christian sacrament. In this part of the first eucharistic ordinance Judas would, consequently, not partake; though he must have partaken of the former.'-Greswell, Vol. III. Diss. xlii. p. 190.

378]

I HOPE IN THY WORD.-Psa. cxix. 114.

[VOL. II.

MUCH MORE, BEING RECONCILED, WE SHALL BE SAVED BY HIS LIFE.Rom. v. 10.