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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. And his fellow-servant fell down at his feet, and 29 besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till 30 he should pay the debt. So when his fellow-servants saw what 31 was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord

28 And took him by the throat.] Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour, shall release it, he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother, because it is called the Lord's release. De. xv. 2. Then I consulted with myself (said Nehemiah), and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them. I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn; I pray you, let us leave off this usury. Ne. v. 7. 10. Restore, I pray you, to them even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their olive-yards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them. Ne. v. 11. They (the people) entered into a curse and into an oath, that if the people of the land bring ware, or any victuals on the sabbath-day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day; and that we would leave the seventh year (the year of release), and the exaction of every debt. Ne. x. 31. Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? Wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the

day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact

all your labours. Is. lviii. 3. Remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from my people (0 princes of Israel), saith the Lord God. Ez. xlv. 9.

29 Have patience with me, &c.] See verse 26 and chap. vi. 12. If he (Onesimus, (Philemon's servant) hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. Philm. 18, 19.

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30 But went and cast him into prison.] When Ahab heard these words (God's judgment against him) he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly. And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days, but in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house. 1 Ki. xi. 27-29. Thus saith the king (Ahab), Put this fellow (Micaiah the prophet) in the prison, and feed him

with bread of affliction, and with water of affliction, until I come in peace (from Ramoth Gilead). 1 Ki. xxii. 27.

31 They were very sorry.] Rivers of waters run down mine eyes because they keep not thy law. I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved, because they kept not thy word. Ps. cxix. 136. 158. O that my head were waters and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people. Je. ix. 1. And when "he" ("Jesus") had looked round about on them with anger (who had conspired his death), being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man (that had the withered hand), Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. Mar. iii. 5. And when he was come near, he beheld the city (of Jerusalem), and wept over it. Lu. xix. 41. I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have great heaviness, and continual sorrow in my heart; for I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh. Ro. ix. 1-3. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Ro. xii. 15. I speak (said Paul, shewing that he was not inferior to the other apostles) as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak; howbeit, whereinsoever any is bold (I speak as a fool), I am bold also. 2 Co. xi. 21. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. He. xiii. 3.

And came and told unto their Lord.] Joseph being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren, and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah his father's wives; and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. Ge. xxxvii. 2. That servant (who was sent to invite the guests to the marriage supper) came and shewed his lord these things (the excuses of those that were bidden); then the master of the house being angry, said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. Lu. xiv. 21. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy and not with grief;

32 all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, 33 because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had com34 passion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he 35 should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

for that is unprofitable for you. He. xiii. 17.

32 0 thou wicked servant.] Thou wicked and slothful servant (said the lord who had delivered the talents to his servants), thou (he who had hid his talent) knewest that reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed; thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Mat. xxv. 26, 27. Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant; thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow; wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury. Lu. xix. 22, 23. Now we know, that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Ro. iii. 19.

33 Even as I had pity on thee.] See chap. v. 44, 45. Love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest; for he is kind unto the unthankful, and to the evil; be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Lu. vi. 35, 36. Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ep. iv. 32, Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children, and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God, for a sweet smelling savour. Ep. v. 1,2. Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another; if any man have a quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Col.

iii. 13.

34 And delivered him to the tormentors.] See chap. v. 25, 26. When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence till thou hast paid the very last mite. Lu. xii.

58, 59. To you who are troubled (God will recompense), rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. 2 The. i. 7, 8, 9. The same (if any man worship the beast) shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone, in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb; and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever, and they have not rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Re. xiv. 10, 11.

35 Do also unto you.] See chap. vi. 12 14, 15; vii. 1, 2. Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry him self, but shall not be heard. Pr. xxi. 13. If ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. Mar. xi. 26. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged; condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned; forgive, and ye shall be forgiven; give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom; for with the same measure that ye mete withal, it shall be measured to you again. Lu. vi. 37, 38. For he shall have judgment without mercy that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. Ja.

ii. 13.

From your hearts forgive, &c.] Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord pondereth the hearts. Pr. xxi. 2. For all this, "her" ("Israel's") treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the Lord. J. in. 10. Yea "they" ("the Jews") made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of Hosts hath sent in his Spirit by the former prophets; therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of Hosts. Zec. vii. 12. Ye are they which justify yourselves before men but God knoweth your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. Lu. xvi. 15. If ye have

CHAPTER XIX.

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AND it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judea beyond Jordan; And great multitudes followed him; and he 2 healed them there. The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting 3 him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, 4 Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning

bitter envyings, and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. Ja. iii. 14. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you; cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. Ja. iv. 8. I am he which searcheth the reins, and hearts; and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. Re. ii. 23.

CHAP. XIX.-1 That when Jesus had finished, &c.] And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judea by the farther side of Jordan; and the people resort to him again, and as he was wont he taught them again. Mar. x. 1. And (Jesus) went away again beyond Jordan, into the place where John at first baptized, and there he abode. John x. 40.

2 Great multitudes, &c.] See chap. iv. 23, 24, 25; ix. 35, 36; xii. 15; xiv. 35, 36: xv. 30, 31. And "they" ("the people") ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him, that they might touch, if it were but the border of his garment, and as many as touched him were made whole. a Mar. vi. 55, 56.

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3 Tempting him.] See chap. xvi. 1. And they (the Pharisees) sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man; for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us, therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cesar or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Mat. xxii. 16, 17, 18. Then one of them which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Mat. xxii. 35. And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife, tempting him. Mar. x. 2. And they sent unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians to catch him in his words. And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou

art true, and carest for no man, for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to give tribute to Cesar or not? Shall we give or shall we not give? But he knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? Mar. xii. 13, 14, 15. The Scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things, laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him. Lu. xi. 53, 54. This they said (of the woman taken in adultery) tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. John viii. 6. Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith), to-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness, when your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. He. iii. 7, 8, 9. See chap. xxii. 18.

Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife?] See chap. v. 31, 32. Ye say, Wherefore? (doth not God regard your offering?) Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. And did not he make one? yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? that he might seek a godly seed. Therefore, take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith, that he hateth putting away; for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the Lord of Hosts. Therefore, take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously. Mal. ii. 14, 15, 16.

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4 Have ye not read, &c.] See chap. xii. 3. Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, is become the head of the corner? This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Mat. xxi. 42. As touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God (in Ex. iii. 6.)? I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Mat. xxii. 31. Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he and

5 made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they 6 twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man

they that were with him; how he went into to him shalt thou cleave and swear by his the house of God, and did eat the shewbread? &c. Mar. ii. 25, 26. Have ye not read so much as this, what David did when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him; how he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread? Lu. vi. 3. A certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to in herit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? How readest thou? Lu. x. 25, 26.

That he which made them at the beginning.] God created man in his own image: in the image of God created he him. Male and female created he them. Ge. i. 27. Male and female created he them, and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. Ge. v. 2. Did not he make one? And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Mal. ii. 15. 5 Said, for this cause, &c.] The Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept. And he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Ge. ii. 21-24. Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house. Ps. xlv. 10. They (the Pharisees) said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put "her" ("the wife") away. And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh : so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. Mar. x. 3-8. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Mar. x. 9. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. Ep. v. 31.

Cleave to his wife.] And his (Shechem's) soul clave unto Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel. Ge. xxxiv. 3. Ye that did cleave unto the Lord your God are alive every one of you this day. De. iv. 4. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God; him shalt thou serve, and

name. De. x. 20. If ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him, then will the Lord drive out all these nations from before you, &c. De. xi. 22. The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul! 1 Sa. xviii. 1. I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan (said David), very pleasant hast thou been unto me; thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. 2 Sa. i. 26. Of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go into them, neither shall they come in unto you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. 1 Ki. xỉ. 2. My soul followeth hard after thee; thy right hand upholdeth me. PL. lxiii. 8. Let love be without dissimulation.

Ro. xii. 9.

And they twain shall be one flesh.] What! know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? For two, saith he, shail be one flesh. I Co. vi. 16. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence; and likewise, also, the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband; and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. 1 Co. vii. 2, 3, 4.

6 God hath joined, &c.] "Which" ("the strange woman") forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. Pr. ii. 17. The Lord hath been witness be tween thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously; yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy cove nant. Mal. ii. 14. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Mar. x. 9. The woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. Ro. vii. 2. Unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: but and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to ber husband. And let not the husband put away his wife. If any brother hath a wife that be lieveth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman that hath an husband which believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her,

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put asunder. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command 7 to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith 8 unto them, Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except 9 it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery:

let her not leave him for the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; else were your children unclean, but now are they holy. 1 Co. vii. 10-14. So ought men to love their wives as their own body; he that loveth his wife loveth himself. Ep. v. 28. Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled, but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. He. xiii. 4.

7 Why did Moses then command, &c.] See chap. v. 31. When a man hath taken a wife and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes; then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife. And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or, if the latter husband die which took her to be his wife, her former husband which sent her away may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled. De. xxiv. 1-5. Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement (saith the Lord to the Jews) whom I have put away? Is. 1. 1. And I saw (saith the Lord) when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. Je. iii. 8. Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her ('he wife) away. Mar. x. 4.

And to put her away.] See chap. i. 19. The Lord the God of Israel saith, that he hateth putting away, for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the Lord of Hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal = not treacherously. Mal. ii. 16.

8 Because of the hardness of your hearts.] Harden not your heart as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness. Ps. xcv. 8. They (the Jews) made their hearts as an adamant-stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of Hosts hath sent in his Spirit by the former prophets; therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts. Zec.. vii. 12. This have ye done again, covering the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good-will at your hand; yet ye say, Wherefore? Because

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the Lord hath been witness between thee and thy wife of the youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously; yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. Mal. ii. 13, 14. For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. Mar. x. 5.

Suffered you to put away your wives.] See chap. iii. 15; viii. 31. Defraud ye not one the other (husband and wife), except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer, But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. 1 Co. vii. 5, 6.

But from the beginning it was not so.] Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh. Ge. ii. 24. Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood. Ge. vii. 7. Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. Je. vi. 16.

9 Whosoever shall put away his wife.] Whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery, and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. Mat. v. 32. Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. Mar. x. 11. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery. Mar. x. 12. Whosoever putteth away his wife and marrieth another, committeth adultery; and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband, committeth adultery. Lu. xvi. 18. Unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord Let not the wife depart from her husband: but, and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband; and let not the husband put away his wife. But to the rest speak I, not the Lord. If any brother have a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. The wife is bound by the law so long as the husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will, only in the Lord. 1 Co. vii. 10-13. 39.

And the woman

Except it be for fornication.] It is reported

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