receive them" as a class which they must expect to see. He tells them how to behave, when not received, as if it was a state of things to which they must make up their mind.
All ministers of the Gospel would do well to read carefully this portion of our Lord's instructions. All mis- sionaries, and district visitors, and Sunday-schoolteachers, would do well to lay it to heart. Let them not be cast down if their work seems in vain, and their labour without profit. Let them remember that the very first preachers and teachers whom Jesus employed were sent forth with a distinct warning, that not all would believe. Let them work on patiently, and sow the good seed without fainting. Duties are theirs. Events are God's. Apostles may plant and water. The Holy Ghost alone can give spiritual life. The Lord Jesus knows what is in the heart of man. He does not despise his labourers because little of the seed they sow bears fruit. The harvest may be small. But every labourer shall be rewarded accordiag to his work.
Notes. Lxtkb IX. 1—6.
1. — IHis twelve diseiples.] Let it be noted, that Judas Iscariot, the false apostle and traitor, was one of those twelve whom our Lord sent forth to preach and heal the sick. It must not surprise us, if we see unconverted men preachers and ministers oi the Gospel. Our Lord permitted one to be in the number of His apostles, in order to show that we must expect to see the evil mingled with the good in this world. The highest ecclesiastical office and dignity afford no proof that a man has the grace of God.
[Gave them power.] Theophylact remarks, what an evi- dence we have here of our Lord's divine power. He could not only work miracles Himself, but could give power to others to work them.
lUKB, CHAP. IX. VEB. 7 — 11.
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2. — [He sent them to preach.'] Let it be carefully noted, that, speaking literally and accurately, there is no such thing as apostolical succession. The office of the apostles was isolated, peculiar, and distinct, and ceased with themselves. Ministers of the churches of Christ are successors of Timothy and Titus, but not of the apostles.
3. — \Tahe nothing for your journey, dc] ITie words of Quesnel on this verse are worth reading. "Men will never be able to establish the kingdom of God in the hearts of people, so long as they do not appear fully persuaded themselves oi those truths which they preach. And how can they appear so, if they plainly contradict them in their practice and behaviour ? In order to persuade others to be unconcerned for superfluities, a man must not himself appear too much concerned, even about necessaries."
[Scrip.'] The word so translated, means, a little bag to carry provisions in.
4. — [There abide, and thence depart.] The object of this injunction is evident. The apostles were to beware of appearing changeable, fickle, luxurious, and hard to please. Like men who regard all the world as an inn, and heaven as their home, they were to be content with any lodging, and any kind of entertainment.
6. — [Preaching the Gospel.] It is a very awful thought, that one of those who did this, was Judas Iscariot. There seems no reason to suppose that he preached less faithfully or powerfully than the other apostles. Yet his heart was all the time wrong in the sight of God. It is no proof that a man is a con- verted man, because he preaches the Gospel ! See Philipp. i. 15. A man may preach Christ from false motives.