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. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God. If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth; that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ: to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Pe. iv. 9, 10, 11.

15 Talents.] And when he (the king in the parable) had begun to reckon (with his servants), one was brought unto him which owed him ten thousand talents. Mat. xviii. 24. He that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. Lu. xii. 48. And “he” (“a certain nobleman”) called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a messenger after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. Lu. xix. 13, 14.

16 Went and traded with the same.] And it came to pass, when the king (David) sat in his house, and the Lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies, that the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains. And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the Lord is with thee. 2 Sa. vii. 1, 2, 3. And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the Lord our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren every where that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites, which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us. And let us bring again the ark of our God to us; for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul. 1 Ch. xiii. 1, 2, 3. See 1 Ch. xx-xxvi. throughout. Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear, my brethren, and my people; as for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building, &c. Ch. xxviii. 2, &c. Furthermore, David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon, my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great; for the palace is not for man, but for the Lord God, &c. 1. Ch. xxix. 1, &c. Now, O Lord

God (said Solomon), let thy promise unto David my father be established; for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? 2 Ch. i. 9, 10. And when Asa heard "these words" ("be ye strong," &c. spoken by the prophet Azariah), and the prophecy of Oded, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from Mount Ephraim; and renewed the altar of the Lord that was before the porch of the Lord, &c. 2 Ch. xv. 8. And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; but sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not the after doings of Israel. Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents, and he had riches and honour in abundance. 2 Ch. xvii. 3, 4, 5, &c. And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem, and he went out again through the people, from Beer-sheba, to Mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the Lord God of their fathers. 2 Ch. xix. 4. And the Lord hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness. And the Levites and the priests praised the Lord, day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the Lord. 2 Ch. xxx. 20, 21. And he (Manasseh) took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the Lord, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the Lord, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city. And he repaired the altar of the Lord, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings, and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the Lord God of Israel. 2 Ch. xxxiii. 15, 16. Josiah reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years. 2 Ch. xxxiv. 1. See Ch. xxxiv. and xxxv. through out. Moreover (said Nehemiah), from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor; yea, also I continued in the work of this wall; neither bought we any land, and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work; think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people. Ne. v. 16. 19. And her (Tyre's) merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the Lord, it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise

shall be for them that dwell before the Lord, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing. Is. xxiii. 18. Kings shall be "thy" ("the church's") nursing-fathers, and their queens thy nursing-mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord. For they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. Is. xlix. 23. Then thou (the church) shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shalt fear and be enlarged, because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee: the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee; thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings, and thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty one of Jacob. Is. Ix. 5. 16. David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption. Ac. xiii. 36. I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient by word and deed, through mighty signs and wonders by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about unto Illyricum I have fully preached the Gospel of Christ. Ro. xv. 18, 19. Though I preach the Gospel I have nothing to glory of, for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel; for if I do this willingly I have a reward; but if against my will, a dispensation of the Gospel is committed unto me; what is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the Gospel I may make the Gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the Gospel. For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law. To them that are without law, as without law (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ), that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak. I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the Gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof 1 Co. ix. 16-23. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 1 Co. xv. 10. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things

with you.

And likewise he But he that had

to enjoy. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate. 1 Ti. vi. 17, 18. The husbandman that laboureth must be first par taker of the fruits. 2 Ti. ii. 6. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry; for I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Ti. iv. 5-8. I thank my God that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. Phil. 6, 7. 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. Because that for his name's sake they went forth taking nothing of the Gentiles; we, therefore, ought to receive such, that we might be fellow helpers to the truth. 3 John 5–8.

17 He also gained other two.] For I know him (Abraham) that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of hi Ge. xviii. 19. Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old; and he had provided the king (David) of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim, for he was a very great man. 2 Sa. xix. 32. And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly; for it was so when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, that Obadiah took an hundred pro phets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water. 3, 4. And it fell on a day that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman, and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by he turned in thither to eat bread. And she said unto her husband, Behold, now I perceive that this an holy man of God which passeth by us continually. Let us make a little chamber, i pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick; and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither. 2 Ki. iv. 8, 9, 10. When the ear heard me, then it

blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me; because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. 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. And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth. Job xxix. 11-17. If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof; (for from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother's womb;) 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 my shoulder-blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone. Job xxxi. 16-22. Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase. So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Pr. iii. 9, 10. Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to and also to eight, for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth there it shall be. He that observeth the wind shall not sow, and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child, even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand, for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. Ee. xi. 1-6. And (Jesus) being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard, very precious, and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

seven,

And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor: and they murmured against her. And Jesus said, Let her alone, she hath wrought a good work on me. Mar. xiv. 3-8. Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which, by interpretation, is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works

and alms-deeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick and died; whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber, and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. Ac. ix. 36–39. There was a certain man in Cesarea, called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band; a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. Ac. x. 1, 2. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. Ac. xi. 29, 30. If there be first a willing mind, it is acceptable according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. 2 Co. viii. 12. God is able to make all grace abound toward you, being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; whiles by the expe. riment of this ministration, 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. 8. 11-14.

And let us not be weary in welldoing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Ga. vi. 9, 10. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ep. v. 15, 16. Say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. Col. iv. 17. Let a widow be 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. 10. The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain. But when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day. And in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus thou knowest very well. 2 Ti. i. 16, 17, 18. 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. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end. He. vi. 10, 11. 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. 10.

18 And hid his lord's money.] He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. Pr. xviii. 9. The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way, a lion is in the streets. As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom, it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a

reason. Pr. xxvi. 13-16. Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built. Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste? Hag. i. 2, 3, 4. Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? Neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought; I have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord of hosts; neither will I accept an offering at your hand. Mal. i. 10. And another (servant who had received one pound) came, saying, Lord, behold here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin. Lu. xix. 20. We desire that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. He. vi. 12. If "these things" ("the virtues which are the fruits of faith") be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren, nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Pet. i. 8.

19 After a long time.] lord delayeth his coming servant). Mat. xxiv. 48.

24.

My

See verse 5. (saith the wicked

Reckoneth with them.] See Mat. xviii. 23,

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen; the rich man died and was buried; and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, &c. Lu. xvi. 19. and the whole of the parable. None of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord; whether we live therefore or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ

both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be the Lord both of the dead and living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God: so then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Ro. xiv. 7-12. Now, if any man build upon this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble: every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire, and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire. 1 Co. iii. 12-15. My brethren, be not mamy masters, knowing that we shall receive greater condemnation. Ja. iii. 1.

20 Behold, I have gained, &c.] Thea came the first (servant), saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant, because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. Lu. xix. 16, 17. But none of these things move me (said Paul), neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God. Ac. xx. 24. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain: bet I laboured more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 1 Co. xv. 10. "Whereunto ("that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus") I also labour, striving according to his working which worketh in me mightily. Col. i. 29. I charge thee therefore, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom, preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering, and doc trine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shal turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry,

for I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand; I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Ti. iv. 1-8. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast fai th, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Ja. ii. 18.

21 Well done, thou good and faithful servant.] And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good, and right, and truth, before the Lord his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered. 2 Ch. xxxi. 20, 21. He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least, is unjust also in much. Lu. xvi. 10. He is a Jew that is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter, whose praise is not of men but of God. Ro. ii. 29. Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall every man have praise of God. 1 Co. iv. 5. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 2 Co. v. 9. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. 2 Co. x. 18. You, who are kept by the power of God, that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ. 1 Pe. i. 7.

I will make thee ruler over many things.] See verse 34-40. 46. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.

And

whosoever shall give to drink unto 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. 41, 42. Verily I say unto you (said Jesus), that "he" (his Lord") shall make "him" (his “faithful and wise servant") ruler over his goods. Mat. xxiv. 47. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. Lu. xii. 44. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint VOL. II.

unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table, in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Lu. xxii. 28, 29, 30. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. Re. ii. 10. 26, 27, 28. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Re. iii. 21. He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Re. xxi. 7.

Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.] See verse 23. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life; in thy presence is fulness of joy, and at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Ps. xvi. 10, 11. If any man serve me, let him follow me, and where I am, there shall also my servant be; if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. John xii. 26. 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. 3. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. John xvii. 24. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Phi. i. 23. If we suffer we shall also reign with him. 2 Ti. ii. 12. Wherefore let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us; and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. He. xii. 1, 2. Ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations, that the trial of your faith might be found unto praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing ye rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory. I Pe. i. 6, 7, 8. The Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne shall feed "them" ("which have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb'), I i