16. The faithful servants doubled their means, by a useful occupation of them. We get more graces more means of doing good--and we gain more for Christ's cause, in proportion as we are faithful in the use of what we have. We shall find sure direction in God's word for the use of our means in His service. If a man has property he should wisely employ it in promoting true religion among men. So if he has time, or any other talent, he should use it in serving God. And whatever religious opportunities he has for increasing in knowledge and grace, he should diligently improve.

18. He that had received one. Those who have received but few gifts and graces are in danger of pleading excuse on this ground. But he should have put these to some profitable use. It was only this one talent that he was responsible for. Hence he could not plead his small ability or opportunity. Many will do nothing because they cannot do more. Many think themselves excused because they have not as many talents as others. But it is according to what a man hath, and not according to what he hath not," that God demandeth (2 Cor. 8. 12). The Lord requires fidelity in the little as well as in the much.

19. After a long time. Though the master long delays, He will come at last. Concerning this subject, see 2 Pet. 3 ch.-T Reckoneth with them. Makes a final settlement of accounts (see ch. 18. 23). Christ will come at last to the final judgment (Rom. 14.

other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents; behold, I have gained besides them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler " over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

u Lu.12.44; 22.29; Re.3.21.

10. 2 Cor. 5. 10). "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ." The Lord will come to reckon with us in death.

20. Five talents more. He had gained this by trading (vs. 16)—by active and careful employment of his talents.--¶ I have gained. It was the servant's industry applied to God's property. The faithful servant acknowledges God's grace in himself. "Thou deliveredst unto me," &c. (vs. 20). And yet he rejoices in the day of Christ that he has not run in vain, neither laboured in vain (Phil. 2. 16). This that he has to show is not his desert, but the results by God's grace. As Paul," What is our hope or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, at His coming?" (1. Thess. 2. 19.) "I—yet not I, but CHRIST LIVETH IN ME."

21. Faithful. Dutiful - having aimed to do one's duty. I will exalt thee to higher stations, and to the use of more abundant gifts (Rom. 2. 7). Such do rest from their labours and their works do follow them (Rev. 14. 13.

- Joy of thy lord, i. e., the entertainment provided on occasion of their lord's return, to which the faithful servants were to be admitted as the highest token of his favour. This represents the reward of faithful Christians. They shall enter into the joy of Christ upon His mediatorial throne, sitting with Him there, and sharing His bliss. "To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I overcame

22 He also that had received two talents, came, and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents besides them.

23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

24 Then he which had received the one talent, came, and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art

and am set down with my Father in his throne" (Rev. 3. 21). "Here we have a few drops of joy which enter into our bosoms, but there we shall enter into joy, as vessels put into a sea of happiness."--Leighton. Among the Romans, the master's inviting his slave to sit down with him at table, did constitute in itself an act of manumission-henceforth he was free. Henceforth I call you not servants but friends (John 15. 15. Luke 12. 37. Rev. 3. 20).

23. The master will reward men not for their works, but according to their works." According to the deeds done in the body," shall all be judged. These two received the same approbation, and virtually the same reward. 24. Then. This one came reluctantly, and last of all. - I knew thee, &c. He meant to say by this, that the master demanded more of him than he had any right to require, as if a man should look for a crop from a field which he had not sown, or should look for clean grain where he had not strawed or scattered the chaff.- -T Strawed. This was the process of fanning, to cleanse the grain from the chaff (chap. 3. 12). He pleaded his inferior gifts, and poor opportunities. There was a show of humility in this. But at the bottom of his excuse, was his false view of

W

an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25 And I was afraid, x and went, and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

27 Thou oughtest therefore to

v Job 21.15. w Je.2.31. Pr.26.13. Re.21 8. y Job 15.5,6. c.18.32. Lu. 19.22. Jude 15.

the character of God.--¶ An hard man. Severe-hard-hearted, requiring bricks without straw (Exod. 5. 7). They who know thy name will put their trust in thee."

25. He pleaded that God called to a labour for which He gave no ability; and so he feared Him.- -TI was afraid. So utterly false were his views of the master, and of his own duty. He had the spirit of bondage. The legal spirit that looks upon God as an exacting master, and does not see His grace, will always bury its talent. He was afraid lest by employing the one talent in business (so small a sum), he might lose it, and so incur the severity of this harsh master. There are none who have no means of usefulness committed to them and that obscure station which they occupy is honourable. The blame is in not serving God according to what we have. But this servant laid the blame of his unfaithfulness upon God.- -T That is thine. He claimed to be strictly honest, and to be dealing justly with God. But it is proved against him. Such a slavish fear of God, and such unworthy views of Him as He is in Christ, must lead to all infidelity.

26. Slothful-indolent, lazy. He is here called "wicked and slothful," for his indolence was sinful, and led

have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

to sin. He was charged only with neglecting his duty. But for this we are justly condemned, because it is a contempt of God, and a neglect of our best interest. "How shall ye escape if ye NEGLECT SO great salvation (Heb. 2. 3). Mere neglect of Christ, or mere indifference to religion is as certain of perdition as open sin itself, because the only way of escape is despised, and contempt is thrown upon the very grace of God. "Inasmuch as ye did it not" (vs. 45). T Thou knewest. This is spoken in retort, taking him up at his word. "Thou knewest ?" Thou oughtest therefore." "Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee. (See Job 15. 6.) If you did know me to be such as you say, you should on this very account have been careful to serve me.

27. Exchangers — money-dealers bankers, who allowed interest for the use of money. Very high rates of interest were paid for money by the ancients. Why did he not put out the money to such use, if he was afraid of using it in business? And especially if he was afraid of a strict and harsh dealing from his lord, this would have been the natural course to take. His lord did not recommend this, but thus condemns the man on his own showing. He might have known that lawful interest or usury would be demanded by a severe master. This was his inconsistency. Sinners in all their excuses are grossly inconsistent with themselves. They plead their inability yet they do not pray (as they are urged to do) for greater ability, nor do they honestly employ their common powers, or use the means. From those Christians

who have few means and small opportunities, God demands earnestness, prayerfulness, and growth in grace.- -¶ With usury - with increase, or interest, as the word usury signified in the old English.

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28. Take therefore, &c. The money was taken from him because he had made such bad use of it, and shown such contempt of the master. It was given to him that had ten talents, as part of his reward for his eminent improvement. The good shall be raised as high as the wicked are cast low. Dives' measure of good things is taken away from him and given to Lazarus. The slothful servant claims to have given back all that he got as in strictest justice. But not so. The law allows a rate of interest that can be claimed, equally with the principal. The just return would have been at least the original sum with interest added. The man who despises his talent from God, forfeits it, and shall be stripped of it at length.

29. Every one that hath. (See note Matt. 13. 12.) A disposition to improve his talents is here meant. The man of one talent had it not

for he buried it—he put it to no use, he only seemed to have it. Το him that hath to purpose shall be given an increase, and he shall have abundance. But from him that hath not, with such a disposition for improvement, shall be taken away even the talents which he neglected and misimproved-" that which he seemeth to have." If we neglect the time and opportunities given us of God, we may expect to be cast off beyond the reach of mercy (Heb. 6. 7).

30. Outer darkness. This is always the opposite to the brilliant festivities

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then

b c.8.12. c Da.7.13. Zec.14.5. c.16.27; 19.28. Mar. 8.38. Ac.1.11. 1Th.4.16. 2Th.1.7. Jude 14. Re.1.7.

of the faithful, to which they are admitted, as to an entertainment while outside, all is utter darkness -sin and misery.

The parable of the virgins and this of the talents would seem to meet two different but common cases in the church among professed disciples. The foolish virgins were over bold and presumptuous. This one-talent-man, was suspicious and backward. The former counted the service easy and themselves safe; within reach of full preparation at any time. The latter regarded the Master as one not able to be pleased. The former represent a class that need to be urged and plied by the alarming motives. Strait is the gate (ch. 7. 14). Let a man deny himself (16. 24). The latter represents such as need the spirit of adoption, instead of that other spirit of bondage. Rom. 8. 15. Heb. 12. 18, 22, 24.

OBSERVE, (1.) We are to work for Christ as well as to wait for Him. (2.) Christians have very different talents entrusted to them for His service. Some have very many endowments and opportunities and means others have very few. (3.) Those of moderate means and powers are the great majority, and it is of utmost consequence that such feel their high responsibility, and that every one be brought into active and faithful service. This would give prosperity to the churches. (4.) The joy of our Lord, is our common inheritance. "If we suffer with Him we shall also reign with Him." There is fellowship of service here-and partnership of glory hereafter. (5.) Mistaken views of God are at the bottom of unfaithfulness in the church.

e

32 And before him shall be gathered all nations; and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

d Ro.14.10. 2Cor 5.10. Re.20.12. e Eze.20.38. c. 13.49. Ps.78.52. Jno. 10.14,27.

Chiefly the legal spirit the spirit of bondage and a lack of the spirit of adoption-which fails to apprehend the grace of the gospel, leads to a hiding and burying of the talent. Such are the inactive, backward, and slothful servants. (6.) God claims an improvement of what we have received. The slothful will be cast off: to others He gives the increase.

130. SCENES OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. THIRD day of the week.

From

31. When the Son of man. the parables in regard to final retribution, He now passes to describe the judgment day-the scenes-the par: ties. The Son of man is Christ. This is a title which Christ generally applies to Himself, and it expresses His glorious Humanity—the mystery of His Divine and Human natures. It occurs often in connexion with something that expresses His proper Divinity. So here, "in His glory," in His proper authority and majesty as Governor of the universe and Judge of all. To Him is given "the authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of man" (Jno. 5. 27). This authority as Mediator, is the throne of His glory. This makes Him the proper Judge.-—-¶ The holy angels, as distinguished from fallen angels (Jude 6), are attendants of His majesty.- -T ́All nations. All mankind every where, that have ever lived. John 5. 28, 29. The Jews had a notion that the Gentiles would form no part in the resurrection. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body"

33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

g He.1.3. h Ps. 115.15. i Ro. 8.17. 1Pe. 1.4. j ITh.2.12. Re.5.10. k1Cor.2.9. He.11.16.

(2 Cor. 5. 10). "He hath appointed a day in which He will judge THE WORLD." We shall be there at that day. Separate them. This He will do, because they are of different characters as the sheep in a flock are different from the goats-and are divided on that account. This is an allusion to the practice of shepherds in early times, to keep the sheep and the goats in different flocks. By the sheep, are meant true Christians. Christ calls Himself the Shepherd, and He has a flock. "He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out." John 10. 3. By the goats are meant the wicked. He will know the characters of each, because He is the searcher of hearts. Wicked children shall be separated from their pious parents on that day, and so they shall remain apart for ever.

33. On His right hand. This denotes the favour and protection of the Sovereign and Judge. (Psalm 110. 1.)

"Sit thou at my right hand." Only those who are followers of Christ shall be set there. The goats or wicked shall be placed on the left hand, which denotes the place of rejection and condemnation.

34. The King. This refers them back to the Parables, where in the character of King He had set forth Himself. The Lord Jesus Christ is King of Kings (Rev. 19. 16. Psalm 2. 6). He must be God, as well as man. The righteous are called "blessed of the Father," as chosen and called from eternity, and given to Him by the Father (John 17. 6), and now approved by Him, and ad

35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink : I was a stranger, m and ye took me in:

36 Naked" and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me : I was in prison, P and ye came

unto me.

7 Is.58.7. Eze.18.7. m 1Pe.4.9. 3Jno.5. n Ja.2. 15,16. o Ja.1.27. p 2Ti.1.16. He.13.2. mitted to glory. The earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God." Salvation is all of grace.-¶ Inherit the kingdom. This is to take possession of it, as heirs take possession of their estate.- -T Prepared for you. It was made ready long beforehand. It was provided for them and intended to be theirs. It did not come to them of chance or of their own superior goodness-or of their sovereign will-but of God's free choice, "according to the election of grace." (Rom. 8. 29-30. 1 Pet. 1. 2.) And this was ordained in God's gracious purposes. - From the foundation of the world—that is, from all eternity. Comp. Ephes. 1. 4, 5. This points back before the world was, to a founder, builder, designer of it. The same God wrought their salvation. This shows that on God's part their salvation is all of grace. No man deserves it-none can have any claim-and if He has chosen to save some, and so has sent Christ into the world, none can complain, for it is a free gift—and He can do what He will with His own (Matt. 20. 15). Besides, while it is of free grace on God's part, it is shown to be according to their works. Without holiness no man shall see God. These acts of charity and friendship were in great estimation among the Jews, though confined to their kin.

35. For I was an hungered, &c. They had a tender regard for Him, and for His cause, and improved the means and talents entrusted them. Favours shown to His people He regards, and will reward as fa