done In the Chnrcli. Let us hear sermons in a prayerful and reverent frame of mind, and remember that they are the principal engines which Christ Himself employed, when He was upon earth. Not least, let us pray daily for a continual supply of faithful preachers of God's word. According to the state of the pulpit will always be the state of a congregation and of a Church.
Notes. Luxb IV. 8S— 4^.
33. — [An unclean devil.'] This expression is one which occurs fireouently in the Gospels. It is prohably intended to teach the awml truth that works of imcleanness, in breach of the seventh commandment, are works which Satan especially labours to promote. It may also teach us that those who were given over to Satanic possession, were often people who had been specially addicted to sins of uncleanness and impurity.
34. — [What have we to do with thee f] The words so translated are the same expression that we find used by our Lord to His mother at the marriage of Gana in Galilee. (John ii. 4.) It seems impossible to avoid the conclusion that they hnply some- thing of rebuke.
35. — [Hold thy peace."] The literal meaning of the word so trans- lated is, " Be muzzled." (1 Cor. ix. 9 ; 1 Tim v. 18.) It is the same expression that our Lord addresses to the stormy sea, (Mark iv. 80,) where it is rendered '* Be still."
[Thrown him into the midst.] This is one of those expressions in the Gospels, which show clearly that satanic possession was a distinct thing from lunacy, epilepsy, or any other common form of mental or physical disease
36. — [AU amazed.] The word would be translated more literally, ** amazement was upon all." The expression is one peculiar to 8t. Luke, ^Luke v. ; Acts iii .10,) and specially describes that state of mind which is produced in people by the sight of some- thing supernatural or divine.
[What a word i» this.] Scholefield says that this would be better translated, •* What is this word?" 37. — [The fame.] The word so rendered is translated in the only other place where it is used, "the sound." **A sound from heaven," Acts ii. 2, and the '^soimd of a tempest," Heb. xii. 19.
38. — [8imon*s wtfe*s mother.] Let it be carefully noted here that the Apostle Simon Peter was a married man. The Romish doctrine of the celibacy of the clergy finds no countenance in thd Bible.
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EXFOSnOllY THOUGHTS.
39. — [Stood over.] The word so rendered is more eommonlT traxis* lated, " coming in," " coming upon," and " standing by.* Luke ii. 0, 38, and Acts xxii. 20, and xxiii 11. The present is the only place where it is translated; ** standing over."
39. — [Immediately shs arose and ministered.] The completeness of our Lord's cures is shown in this expression. It is notorious that fevera leaye people too weak for any ezertioxi, even wkeii they begin to recover and are out of danger.