We should all look to our hearts, that they may be cleansed and new-created; and while we
attend to the great things of the law and of the gospel, we must not neglect the smallest matter God
has appointed. When any wait to catch something out of our mouths, that they may insnare us, O
Lord, give us thy prudence and thy patience, and disappoint their evil purposes. Furnish us with
such meekness and patience that we may glory in reproaches, for Christ's sake, and that thy Holy
Spirit may rest upon us.
Chapter 12
Chapter Outline
Christ reproves the interpreters of the law. (1–12)
A caution against covetousness, The parable (13–21)
of the rich man.
Worldly care reproved. (22–40)
Watchfulness enforced. (41–53)
A warning to be reconciled to God. (54–59)Verses 1–12
A firm belief of the doctrine of God's universal providence, and the extent of it, would satisfy
us when in peril, and encourage us to trust God in the way of duty. Providence takes notice of the
meanest creatures, even of the sparrows, and therefore of the smallest interests of the disciples of
Christ. Those who confess Christ now, shall be owned by him in the great day, before the angels
of God. To deter us from denying Christ, and deserting his truths and ways, we are here assured
that those who deny Christ, though they may thus save life itself, and though they may gain a
kingdom by it, will be great losers at last; for Christ will not know them, will not own them, nor
show them favour. But let no trembling, penitent backslider doubt of obtaining forgiveness. This
is far different from the determined enmity that is blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which shall
never be forgiven, because it will never be repented of.
Verses 13–21
Christ's kingdom is spiritual, and not of this world. Christianity does not meddle with politics;
it obliges all to do justly, but wordly dominion is not founded in grace. It does not encourage
expectations of worldly advantages by religion. The rewards of Christ's disciples are of another
nature. Covetousness is a sin we need constantly to be warned against; for happiness and comfort
do not depend on the wealth of this world. The things of the world will not satisfy the desires of a
soul. Here is a parable, which shows the folly of carnal worldling while they live, and their misery
when they die. The character drawn is exactly that of a prudent, worldly man, who has no grateful
regard to the providence of God, nor any right thought of the uncertainty of human affairs, the