Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. John xxi. 15, 16,

= 17.

His right hand.] And Joseph took them both, Ephraim (his son) in his right hand, towards Israel's left hand, and Manasseh (his elder son) in his left hand, toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him. #And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's : head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the first-born. And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father's hand to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head. And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father, for this is the first-born: put thy right hand - upon his head. And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. Ge. xlviii. 13, 14. 17-19. Kings' daughters were among thy (the church's) honourable women; upon thy right hand did stand the queen, in gold of Ophir, Ps. xlv. 9. The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. Ps. cx. 1. So then after the Lord had spoken unto "them" ("the disciples"), he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. Mar. xvi. 19. David is not ascended into the heavens (said Peter on the day of Pentecost), but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool. Ac. ii. 34, 35. I cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that ye may know what is the hope of his (the Father's) calling, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. Ep. i. 16. 19. 20. God hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. He. i. 3.

5.

34 The king say unto them.] See chap. xxi. And when the king came in to see the guests (at the marriage feast), he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment;

Is. xxxiii.

and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither, not having a wedding garment? and he was speechless. Then said the king to his servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Mat. xxii. 11, 12, 13. And "they" (" who watched Jesus") set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Mat. xxvii. 37. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates, even lift them up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Ps. xxiv. 7-10. Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. Is. xxxii. 1, 2. For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; he will save us. 22. Know, therefore, and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. Da. ix. 25. The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the King of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. Zep. iii. 15. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battlebow shall be cut off; and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth. Zec. ix. 9, 10. Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb (said the angel to Mary), and bring forth a Son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Lu. i. 31, 32, 33. Blessed be the king that cometh in the name of the Lord (said the multitude of the disciples at the descent of the Mount of Olives), peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. Lu. xix. 38. Blessed is the king of Israel (said the people with palm trees in their hands), that cometh in the name

of the Lord. John xii. 13. "He" ("the Word of God") hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Re. xix. 16.

Come, ye blessed of my Father.] See verse 21. 23. 41. Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven. Mat. v. 3-12. I will make of thee (said the Lord to Abram) a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Ge. xii. 2, 3. Then (said Moses to the people of Israel) will the Lord drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves. Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours. There shall no man be able to stand before you: for the Lord your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you, upon all the land that ye shall tread upon. Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; a blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day and a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods which ye have not known. De. xi. 23-28. He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great; the Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children. Ye are blessed of the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Ps. cv. 13, 14, 15. Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it. Lu. xi. 28. Unto "you" (" the Jews") first God having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. Ac. iii. 26. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse

of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ: that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Ga. iii. 13, 14. Blessed

be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Ep. i. 3. Ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you (as a father doth his children), that ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 1 The. ii. 11, 12. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Pe. i. 3.

Inherit the kingdom, &c.] Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Lu. xii. 32. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ: if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Ro. viii. 17. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Co. vi. 9, 10. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like, of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Ga. v. 21. For this ye know, that no whore-monger, nor un» clean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Ep. v. 5. If we suffer we shall also reign with him. 2 Ti. ii. 12. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righte ousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing. 2 Ti. iv. 8. Hearken, my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him! Ja. ii. 5. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you: who are kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 1 Pe. i. 3, 4, 5. 9. Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another; love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous; not rendering evil for evil, nor railing for railing, but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a

blessing. 1 Pe. iii. 8, 9. And (thou, the Lamb) hast made us unto our God, kings, and priests, and we shall reign on the earth. Rev. 10. He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Re. xxi. 7.

Prepared for you.] Ye (the sons of Zebedee) shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with, but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. Mat. xx. 23. To sit on my right hand, and on my left hand, is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. Mar. x. 40. In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. "I go to prepare a place for you; and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also. John xiv. 2, 3. As it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Co. ii. 9. But now "they ("many excellent persons of old times") desire a better country, that is an heavenly, wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city. He. xi. 16.

From the foundation of the world.] Known unto God are all his works, from the beginning of the world. Ac. xv. 18. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, and without blame before him in love; having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved. Ep. i. 3-6. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish, and without spot who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. 1 Pe. i. 18, 19, 20. All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him (the beast with seven eads and ten horns), whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain From the foundation of the world. Re. xiii. 8. 35 I was an hungred.] See verse 40. He that eceiveth you (said Jesus to his disciples) eceiveth me; and he that receiveth me eceiveth him that sent me. He that receivth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall eceive a prophet's reward; and he that reeiveth a righteous man in the name of a

righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Mat. x. 40, 41, 42. Ye have the poor always with you, but me ye have not always. Mat. xxvi. 11. If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the Lord against thee, and it be sin unto thee. Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. For the poor shall never cease out of the land; therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land. De. xv. 7-11. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem: I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame; I was a father to the poor; and the cause which I knew not I searched out. Job xxix. 13-16. If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail, or have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof; if I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering; if his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep; if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate: then let mine arm fall from the shoulder-blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone. Job xxxi. 16-22. A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved for ever; the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid; until he see his desire upon his enemies. He hath dispersed; he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away; the desire of the wicked shall perish. Ps.

exii. 5-10. Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and the presses shall burst out with new wine. Pr. iii. 9, 10. There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Pr. xi. 24, 25. He that despiseth his neighbour, sinneth; but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. He that oppresseth the poor, reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him, hath mercy on the poor. Pr. xiv. 21. 31. He that hath pity on the poor, lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. Pr. xix. 17. He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. Pr. xxii. 9. Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. Ec. xi. 1, 2. Is not this the fast that I have chosen ? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him, and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily, and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. And if thou drain out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day. And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden; and like a spring of water whose waters fail not. Is. lviii. 5-11. If a man be just, and hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment; neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment: he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live. Ez. xviii. 7. 16. Wherefore, O king (said Daniel), let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor: if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. Da. iv. 27. He (the Lord) hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Mic, vi. 8. Ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good, but me ye have not always. Mar.

xiv. 7. Give alms of such things as ye have, and behold, all things are clean unto you. Lu. xi. 41. When thou makest a dinner, or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy bre thren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours, lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. But when then makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. Lu. xiv. 12, 13, 14. Some of them thought (when Jesus said, That thou doest, do quickly), because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Bay those things that we have need of against the feast; or that he should give something to the poor. John xiii. 29. The multitude of them that believed were of one heart, and of one soul, neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. Ac. iv. 32. Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works, and almsdeeds, which she did, &c. Ac. ir. 36, &c. Cornelius (said the angel), thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Ac. L. 31. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea. c. xi. 29. Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; how that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, abounded unto the riches of their liberality; for to their power (1 bear record), yea, and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves, praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of ministering unto the saints. Therefore as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also; for ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 2 Co. viii. 1, 2, 3.7.9. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work (as it is written, He hath dispersed abroad, he hath given to the poor, his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower, both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness), being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only sup

plieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God. Whiles by the experiment of this ministra tion they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; and by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 2 Co. ix. 7-14. Let him that stole, steal no more, but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Ep. iv. 28. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God who giveth us richly all things to enjoy, that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Ti. vi. 17, 18, 19. We have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. Philem. 7. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. He. vi. 10. To do good and to communicate forget not, for with such sacrifice God is well pleased. He. xiii. 16. Pure religion, and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. Ja. i. 27. Use hospitality one to another without grudging; as every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Pe. iv. 9, 10. 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. But whoso hath this world's goods, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth; and hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 1 John iii. 16-19.

Thirsty, and ye gave me drink.] See verse 42. If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink. Pr. xxv. 21. Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Ro. xii. 23.

I was a stranger.] See verse 43. And “he” (“Abraham") lift up his eyes, and looked, and lo, three men stood by him; and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward

the ground; and said, My lord, if I now have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant. Let a little water be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on; for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do as thou hast said. And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf, tender and good, and gave it unto a young man, and he hasted to dress it. And he took butter and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them, and he stood by them under the tree; and they did eat. Ge. xviii. 2-8. And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom. And Lot seeing them, rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; and he said, Behold, now my lords, turn in I pray you into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay, but we will abide in the street all night. And he pressed upon them greatly, and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat. Ge. xix. 1, 2, 3. And when "she" ("Lydia" of Thyatira) was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there ; and she constrained us. Ac. xvi. 15. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, distributing to the necessity of the saints, given to hospitality. Ro. xii. 13. Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Ro. xvi. 23. Let not a widow be taken into the number, under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. 1 Ti. v. 9, 10. Let brotherly love continue; be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. member them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. He. xiii. 1, 2, 3. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 1 Pe. iv. 9. Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren and to strangers, which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well. Be

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