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thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring, Isa. xliv. 3. And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing, Ezek. xxxiv. 26. Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you, Hos. x. 12. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it, Mal. iii. 10.

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But that which a beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears, Heb. xii. 17. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which 1 commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it; cursed is the ground for thy sake in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field, Gen. iii. 17, 18. And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand, iv. 11. And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed, v. 29. And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day, Deut. xxix. 28. Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended, Job xxxi. 40. A fruitful

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land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein, Psal. cvii. 34. Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. And now, Oinhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and myvineyard. What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briars and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry, Isa. v. 1— 7. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited, Jer. xvii. 6. So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, and because of the abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day. xliv. 22. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it, Mark xi. 14. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away, 21. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none; cut it down;

a

a

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HEB. VI. 8, 9.

A. D. 64. why cumbereth it the ground? And b How shall we escape if we neglect he answering said unto him, Lord, let so great salvation; which at the first it alone this year also, till I shall dig began to be spoken by the Lord, and about it, and dung it: And if it bear was confirmed unto us by them that fruit, well: and if not, then after that heard him, Heb. ii. S. And being thou shalt cut it down, Luke xiii. made perfect, he became the author 7-9.

of eternal salvation unto all them that bBut a certain fearful looking for obey him, v. 9. For thus saith the of judgment and fiery indignation, high and lofty One that inhabiteth which shall devour the adversaries, eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell Heb. x. 27. See also on Matt. ii. in the high and holy place, with him ver. 10. clause 4.

also that is of a contrite and humble VER. 9.

spirit, to receive the spirit of the

humble, and to revive the heart of the Πεπείσμεθα δε περί υμών, αγαπητοί,

contrite ones, Isa. lvii. 15. Blessed τα κρείττονα και έχόμενα σωτηρίας, ει και ούτω λαλούμεν:

are the poor in spirit: for their's is the But, beloved, a we are persuaded better that mourn: for they shall be com

kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they things of you, and things that accom- forted. Blessed are the meek : for pany salvation, though we thus speak.

they shall inherit the earth. Blessed a For it is impossible for those who are they which do hunger and thirst were once enlightened, and have tast- after righteousness : for they shall be ed of the heavenly gift, and were made filled. Blessed are the merciful : for partakers of the Holy Ghost, And they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are have tasted the good word of God, the pure in heart : for they shall see and the powers of the world to come, God. Blessed are the peacemakers: If they shall fall away, to renew for they shall be called the children them again unto repentance; seeing of God. Blessed are they which are they crucify to themselves the Son persecuted for righteousness' sake : of God afresh, and put him to an for their's is the kingdom of heaven. open'shame, ver. 4-6. For God is | Blessed are ye, when men shall revile not unrighteous to forget your work you, and persecute you, and shall say and labour of love, which ye have all manner of evil against you falsely, shewed toward his name, in that ye for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedhave ministered to the saints and do ing glad: for great is your reward in minister, 10. For ye had compassion heaven: for so persecuted they the of me in my bonds, and took joyfully prophets which were before you, the spoiling of your goods, knowing Matt. v. 3—12. He that believeth in yourselves that ye have in heaven and is baptized shall be saved; but a better and an enduring substance, he that believeth not shall be damned, X. 34. But we are not of them who Mark xvi. 16. When they heard these draw back unto perdition ; but of them things, they held their peace, and that believe to the saving of the soul, glorified God, saying, Then hath God 39. Being confident of this very also to the Gentiles granted repentthing, that he which bath begun a ance unto life, Acts xi. 18. Testifygood work in you will perform it until ing both to the Jews, and also to the the day of Jesus Christ: Even as it is Greeks, repentance toward God, and meet for me to think this of you all, faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, because I have you in my heart; in- xx. 21. For godly sorrow worketh asmuch as both in my bonds, and in repentance to salvation not to be rethe defence and confirmation of the pented of : but the sorrow of the world Gospel, ye all are partakers of my worketh death, 2 Cor. vii. 10. For in grace, Phil. i. 6, 7. Remembering Jesus Christ neither circumcision without ceasing your work of faith, availeth any thing nor uncircumcision; and labour of love, and patience of but faith which worketh by love, Gal. hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the v. 6. But the fruit of the Spirit is sight of God and our Father ; Know- love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gening, brethren beloved, your election tleness, goodness, faith, meekness, of God, 1 Thess. i. 3, 4.

temperance: against such there is no

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HEB. VI. 9, 10.

law, 22, 23. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works, Tit. ii. 11-14.

VER. 10.

Οὐ γὰρ ἄδικος ὁ Θεὸς ἐπιλαθέσθαι του ἔργου ὑμῶν, καὶ τοῦ κόπου τῆς ἀγάπης, ἧς ἐνεδείξασθε εἰς τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ, διακονήσαντες τοῖς ἁγίοις, καὶ διακονοῦντες.

For a God is not unrighteous, b to forget your e work and labour of love, a which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

a Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his ass fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again, Deut. xxii. iv. God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou might est be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man), Rom. iii. 4, 5. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 2 Thess. i. 6, 7. 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 to all them also that love his appearing, 2 Tim. iv. 8. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, 1 John i. 9. b Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people, Neh. v. 19. And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they

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should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy, xiii. 22. And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the first fruits, Remember me, O my God, for good, 31. Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice, Selah, Psal. xx. 3. Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not

sown.

Israel was holiness unto the LoRD, and the frstfruits of his increase all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD, Jer. ii. 2, 3. Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, and to turn away thy wrath from them, xviii. 20. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine And said, alms are come up for a memorial before God, Acts x. 4. Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God, 31.

c Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself; is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinking no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things, 1 Cor. xiii. 47. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love, Gal. v. 6. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another, 13. Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father, 1 Thess. i. 3. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need; and shutteth up his bowels of com passion from him, how dwelleth the

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HEB. VI. 10.

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love of God in him? My little chil- of Macedonia and Achaia to make dren let us not love in word, neither a certain contribution for the poor in tongue ; but in deed and in truth, saints which are at Jerusalem. It 1 John iii. 17, 18.

hath pleased them verily; and their d But to do good and to communi- debtors they are. For if the Gentiles cate forget not; for with such sacri- have been made partakers of their fices God is well pleased, Heb. xiii. spiritual things, their duty is also to 16. He that oppresseth the poor re- minister unto them in carnal things, proacheth his Maker: but he that xv. 25-27. Now concerning the honoureth him hath mercy on the poor, collection for the saints, as I have Prov, xiv. 31. And whosoever shall given order to the churches of Galatia, give to drink unto one of these little even so do ye. Upon the first day of ones a cup of cold water only in the the week let every one of you lay by name of a disciple, verily, I say unto him in store, as God hath prospered you, he shall in no wise lose his re- him, that there be no gatherings when ward, Matt. x. 42. For I was an I come. And when I come, whom, hungered, and ye gave me meat : 1soever ye shall approve by your letwas thirsty, and ye gave me drink : ters, them will I send to bring your I was a stranger, and ye took me in: liberality unto Jerusalem, 1 Cor. xvi. Naked and ye clothed me: I was sick 1-3. Moreover, brethren, we do and ye visited me: I was in prison, you to wit of the grace of God beand ye came unto me. Then shall stowed on the churches of Macedonia; the righteous answer him, saying, How that in a great trial of affliction Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, the abundance of their joy and their and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave deep poverty abounded unto the thee to drink ? When saw we thee a riches of their liberality. For to their stranger, and took thee in ? or naked, power, I bear record, yea, and beyond and clothed thee? Or when saw we their power they were willing of themthee sick, or in prison, and came unto selves; Praying us with much inthee? And the King shall answer and treaty that we would receive the say unto them, Verily, I say unto you, gift, and take upon us the fellowship

1 Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the ministering to the saints. And of the least of these my brethren, ye this they did, not as we hoped, but have done it unto me, xxv. 35–40. first gave their ownselves to the Lord, For whosoever shall give you a cup and unto us by the will of God. In, of water to drink in my name, be- somuch that we desired Titus, that as cause ye belong to Christ, verily I he had begun, so he would also finish say unto you, he shall not lose his re- in you the same grace also. Thereward, Mark ix. 41. And all that fore, as ye abound in every thing, in believed were together, and had all faith, and utterance, and knowledge, things common; And sold their pos- and in all diligence, and in your love sessions and goods, and parted them to us, see that ye abound in his grace to all men, as every man bad need, also. I speak not by commandment, Acts ii. 44, 45. Neither was there any but by occasion of the forwardness of among them that lacked : for as many others, and to prove the sincerity of as were possessors of lands or houses your love. For ye know the grace of sold them, and brought the prices of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though the things that were sold, And laid he was rich, yet for your sakes he bethem down at the apostles' feet : and came poor, that ye through his poverty distribution was made unto every might be rich, 2 Cor. viii. 1—9. For man according as he had need, iv. 34, as touching the ministering to the 35. Then the disciples every man saints, it is superfluous for me to write according to his ability, determined to you, ix. 1. Being enriched in every to send relief unto the brethren which thing to all bountifulness, which dwelt in Judæa, xi. 29. Distributing causeth through us thanksgiving to to the necessity of saints: given to God. For the administration of this hospitality, Rom. xii. 13. But now service not only supplieth the want I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto of the saints, but is abundant also the saints. For it hath pleased them by many thanksgirings unto God;

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HEB. VI. 10, 11.

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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 good,
and seeth his brother have need, and
shutteth up his bowels of compassion
from him, how dwelleth the love of
God in him? 1 John iii. 14-17.

VER. 11.

Επιθυμοῦμεν δὲ ἕκαστον ὑμῶν τὴν αὐτὴν ἐνδείκνυσθαι σπουδὴν πρὸς τὴν πληροφορίαν Tñç iλπidos äxpi TÉROUS•

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And a we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

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Whiles by the experiment 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. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift, 11-15. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the houshold of | faith, Gal. vi. 10. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift but I desire fruit that may But I have abound to your account. a Or he that exhorteth, on exhortaall, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things tion: he that giveth, let him do it with which were sent from you, an odour of simplicity; he that ruleth, with dilia sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, gence; he that sheweth mercy, with well-pleasing to God, Phil. iv. 16— cheerfulness, Rom. xii. 8. Not sloth18. And whatsoever ye do in word ful in business; fervent in spirit; or deed, do all in the name of the Lord serving the Lord, 11. Therefore, my Jesus, giving thanks to God and the beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unFather by him, Col. iii. 17. That moveable, always abounding in the they do good, that they be rich in work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye good works, ready to distribute, will know that your labour is not in vain ing to communicate, 1 Tim. vi. 18. in the Lord, 1 Cor. xv. 58. And let The Lord grant unto him that he may us not be weary in well doing: for in find mercy of the Lord in that day: due season we shall reap, if we faint not, Gal. vi. 9. And this I pray, that and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest your love may abound yet more and Hearing of more in knowledge and in all judgvery well, 2 Tim. i. 18. thy love and faith which thou hast ment; That ye may approve things toward the Lord Jesus, and toward that are excellent; that ye may be all saints; That the communication sincere and without offence till the of thy faith may become effectual by day of Christ; Being filled with the the acknowledging of every good fruits of righteousness, which are by thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise For we have great joy and consolation of God, Phil. i. 9-11. Let us therein thy love, because the bowels of the fore, as many as be perfect, be thus saints are refreshed by thee, brother, minded: and if in any thing ye be Philem. 5-7. If a brother or sister otherwise minded, God shall reveal be naked, and destitute of daily food, even this unto you, iii. 15. And inAnd one of you say unto them, De- deed ye do it toward all the brethren part in peace, be ye warmed and which are in all Macedonia: but we filled; notwithstanding ye give them beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more, 1 Thess. iv. not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even 10. Be ye, brethren, not weary in so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, well doing, 2 Thess. iii. 13. And bebeing alone, Jam. ii. 15-17. We side this, giving all diligence, add to know that we have passed from death your faith virtue; and to virtue knowunto life, because we love the breth-ledge; And to knowledge temperHe that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive

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ance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound,

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