affectation. If a missionary, a pastor, or a preacher do not show a great indifferency towards everything which relates to bodily wants, he will never be able much to advance the work of God."
11. — [Be ye sure of this.'] The literal translation of the Greek expression used here, would be, " Know this."
12. — [It shall he more tolerable, dc] Let it be noted here that there are degrees of guilt and punishment in hell, even as there are degrees of grace and glory in heaven.
Let it also be noted, that our Lord speaks of Sodom as a real city which once existed; and of the story of the guilt of its inhabitants, as a real and true story. There is no foundation here for the theory that the historical parts of the Old Testament are only mythical inventions, intended to point a moral, or convey a spiritual lesson.
Let it also be noted, that both in the present and the three following verses, the grand truth is manifestly implied that man is accountable for his belief, and that not believing the Gospel is a sin which leads to hell as really as not keeping the ten command- ments. It is doubtless true that no man can come to Christ except the Father draws him. But it is also no less true that God regards man as a responsible being, and that his not coming to Christ will be part of his guilt, and add to his condemnation at the last day.
13. — [Chorazin, — Bethsaida.] Let it be noted that these places were in the district where all our Lord's chiefest miracles were wrought ; and where at least five of the apostles are supposed to have lived, Peter, Andrew, Philip, James, and John. It is not the seeing miracles alone that is necessary to convert souls.
[Tyre and Sidon.] These two cities were great commercial ports, famous for their riches, luxury, and idolatry. Ezekiel prophecies against them. (Ezek. xxxviii.) They are now little better than ruins.
15. — [Thrust down to heU.] It is worthy of remark, that Caper- naum, of which this strong expression is spoken, has so com- pletely passed away, that not even its ruins remain, and the place where it stood, is matter of dispute.
It should be noted that "heaven" and "hell" are probably used here as allegorical expressions, signifying the highest ex- altation and the lowest degradation. (See Isa. xiv. 13.)
16. — [He that heareth you heareth me.'] There is probably no stronger language than this in the New Testament about the dignity of a faithful minister's office, and the guilt incurred by those who refuse to hear his message. It is language, we must remember, which is not addressed to the twelve apostles, but to