Let the truth of the resurrectioii be often before our minds. Let the life to come be frequently before our thoughts. All is not oyer when the grave receives its tenant, and man goes to his long home. Other people may dwell in our houses, and spend our money. Our very names may soon be forgotten. But still all is not over! Yet a little time and. we all shall live again. " The earth shall cast out the dead." (Isaiah xxvi. 19.) Many, like Felix, may well tremble when they think of such things. But men who live by faith in the Son of God, like St. Paul, should lift up their heads and rejoice.
Notes. Luke XI. 27-— 32.
27. — [A certain woman.] We are not told who this woman was. Her exclamation seems to have been the expression of mingled pleasure and wonder, such as the impressible heart of a Jewish woman would utter. It would be too much to conclude that she was a disciple and a believer.
[of the company^ This expression would be more literally rendered, "out of the crowd or multitude."
28. — \Yea, rather.'] The Greek word so translated is only found in three other places, and in each is variously rendered. " Nay, but." (Rom. ix. 20.) " Yea, verily." (Bom. x. 16.) " Yea, doubtless." (PhiL iii. 8.)
We cannot doubt that the words of this verse were spoken with a prophetic foresight of that unscriptural worship of the Virgin Mary, which was one day to arise and prevail so exten- sively in the Church of Christ. By no ingenuity, or torturing process, can the words be made to bear any but one plain mean- ing. They declare, that to hear the word of God and keep it, is to be more blessed than to be connected with Christ by the ties of flesh, and that to be the mother of Christ according to the flesh does not confer on any one greater honour and privileges than to believe and obey the Gospel.
29. — [Oathered thick together.] The Greek word so rendered is only found here. Faxkhurst says that it means " crowding upon." [They seek a eign.] The extraordinary perverseness of the Jews in ever wanting some sign to produce in them faith, is note-worthy. Heart unbelief always professes to want evidence. It is not evidence, but a right will which is needful, if a man's soul is to be saved.