we do 1ur ſelves. This Ruler of the Synagogue and his Party indeed did not heal on the Sabbath D.cy. But what kind of Work was healing ? was it not a Work of Mcrcy 2 what ſervile labour was there in it?
tis only ſaid Chriſt called this poor Crezture, and ſhe came, not ſhe was brought to liim. What did Chriſt do 2 he only laid his hands iron her, and pronounced her Icofed from her infirmity. Now the Jews would ordinarily apon the Sabbath-day, looſe a Beaſt from the Stall .to go and drink at a Pit, or ledd it thither, was not this a greater Jab2ur 2 Fow came this to be Lawful, and not that aft of Mercy which Chriſt did ſhew to this poor Creature ? Their at was capable of no other excuſe, than that it was an Ad of Mer. cy. and 2good Man wril ſhew Mercy to his Beaſt ; it could be no AQ of Piety, nor of V:ce{ity; for a Beaſt may live one Day without Water, or at leaft might have had Water ſet by 1t the Night before ; nay our Lord's Work of Mercy was much more Notle. Theirs was toa Beaft, his to on? of MHenlind, to a Woman, and ſhe a Few- b Woman, a Daughter of 4bran4am, a Fathcr upon whom they much valued themſelves, and their whole Nation, Matth. 3. g. Fob. 8. 39. Their Beaſt might tiot be Sick, The was under an Infirmity, and. that no ordinary Infirgmity, ſhe was in the hands of the Enetny of Manitnd, bound by Satan; nor was" her afhittion of a few days con-
elnuance, ſhe Had becn fo bound erghteen years.
- 17 And when he had ſaid theſe things, all his adverſa- ries were aſhamed :. and all the people rejoyced for all the Zlorious things that were done by him.
- Tt 159ne thing to be aſhamed, another thing to be convinced, fo 45 to confeis an error 5 they were aſhamed. that they were ſo put to ſence before the People; but we read of no confeſſion of their error, and miftake, and bzgging Chriſt's Pardon 3 the People rejoyced and gave thanks to God tor all the glorious things that were done by Sur Saviour.
: 18 Then {aid he, Unto what 1s the kingdom of God
like ? and whereunto ſhall I refemble it ?
19 it is like a grain of Muſtardeſeed, which a man took and caſt inro his garden, and it: grew, and waxed a great tree: and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. - | 2 A ek, +..20 And 25210 he laid, Whereunto ſhall 1liken;the king- | fdom of God ? ES of, {of _ 21. It is like leaven, which.a woman took and hid in *aree meaſures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
.
* There are {jx
See the Notes on Matthew 123. 2C, 22 + They SA 9s rables by which Chriſt ropes ihe, a Wo = the Faq notwithſtanding the preſent ſmall appearance of the efticacy of is Nh
22 * And he went through the cities, and villages *v reaching and journeying towards Jeruſalem. 2? Marks 7
Still wherever we tind our Blefled Lord, we find him feack;., and that not by an exemplary Life only, but by Word of ll There are different opinions whether our Saviour was now ;: +=" ing towards Feruſalem, with reſpe&t to. the Paſſiver, or ſome oth. oreat Feſtival of the Jews. :
2.3 Then ſaid one unto him, Lord, are there few thi: he laved ? And he {aid unto them, |
24 Strive to enter in at the ſtrait gate : for many [ ſay - unto you, will feek to enter in, and ſhall no þ+ able.
Our Saviour hath told us, Matth. 7. 13. that ftraizht is the way and narrow is the Gate, that leadeth to eternal Life, and few thers be that find it. Upon this exhortation 1s- founded dyaitck contend, or ſtrive to cnter in at this ſtraight Gate, a Word which tignifies a Jabouring againſt oppoſition, and the utmoſt endeaygy; of the Mind, and Body ; not that our own Iabouring will bring \; thither, for eternal Life is the Giit of God, and without the ing. ence of his Grace we can do nothing effe&ually; but to let us know that the Lord will give Heaven to none but ſuch as labour ana ſtrive for it, yca and alſo ſtrive lawfally. He tells us that many thall ſeek and ſhall not enter. Either ſeeking in a wrong way, of jn
J Wer + t
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Kingdom of God 3 and many who ave the Laff, up93 thet2 acc