Study Desk

The same day Jesus went on board a vessel with his disciples, and said to them, let us pass over to the other side of the lake: and so they put off to sea.

for he had commanded the impure spirit to quit the man, he had so long possessed: who, tho' bound in chains, and fastned with fetters, broke thro' all restraints, and was hurry'd by the demon into the desarts.

then the Gadarenes of the adjacent parts unanimously desired him to leave their country: for they were greatly allarm'd. so he embark'd to cross over the lake.

however, Jesus strictly charged them not to say so much to any body; adding,

I have authoriz'd you to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and triumph over all the power of the enemy; so that nothing shall be capable of doing you any mischief.

so if satan be divided against himself, how can his kingdom subsist?

for as the case of Jonas was a miraculous instance to the Ninevites, so shall the son of man be to this generation.

" so that the blood of all the prophets, which has been shed since the creation of the world, may be required of this generation,

In the mean time thousands of people being gather'd about him, so as to trample upon one another, he first address'd himself thus to his disciples, beware of the corrupt doctrine of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

if then you can't effect so small a matter, why are you disquieted about a much longer time?

for it is enough that the Gentiles are so concern'd about these things: as for you, your father is acquainted with all your wants.

whom his master at his return shall find so employ'd.

Then he said to the people, when you see a cloud rise out of the west, you say, it is just going to rain; and so it happens.

and when the south wind blows, you say, there will be heat; and so it happens.

it is like a grain of mustard-seed, which a man took, and sowed in his garden: it grew, and became so large, that the birds of the air built their nests in its boughs.

so the servant return'd, and related the whole matter to his master, who in resentment said to his servant, go immediately into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring hither the poor, the maimed, the halt, and the blind.

even so, I assure you, the angels in heaven rejoice, when any one sinner becomes a penitent.

so he departed and went to his father. but while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him, and mov'd with compassion, ran and threw himself upon his neck, and kissed him.

so he sent for every one of his master's debtors in private, he ask'd the first, how much do you owe my master?

and this unfaithful steward was commended by his master for being so provident. for they who look to this world, manage their affairs with more prudence, than those who have a prospect of a better.