Luke 16

Luke 16:1

THere was a certain rich man] The drift of this parable is to shew us, that they who bestow their riches, or other gifts of God, on their pleasures or worldly interests onely, must give an account to God for the same: And that charitie shall stand us in such stead in the day of judgment, that God will accept thereof, and abundantly requite it.

Luke 16:6

measures of Oyle] The word Batus in the originall, containeth nine gallons three quarts.

Luke 16:7

measures of wheat] The word here interpreted a measure, in the originall containeth about fourteen bushels and a pottle.

Luke 16:8

And the Lord commended] We must not strain similitudes beyond the intent of the speaker, to make every particular agree: The meaning is, that God commended them, who so used their temporall goods, that thereby they might prepare them treasure for the life to come, Matth. 6. 19, 20. 1 Tim. 6. 18, 19.

are in their generation] Meaning that worldly men commonly shew more care and providence for secular things, then others for things eternall.

the children of light] John 12:36. 1 Thessalonians 5:5.

Luke 16:9

Make to your selves] This figurative manner of speaking is accommodated, and fitted to the allegory; the meaning is, by your beneficence to the poor, give them occasion to pray for you, and make your advantage of being rewarded by God. See Proverbs 19:17.

the mammon of unrighteousnesse] Or, riches. Not by giving goods unjustly gotten for almes; (for all such must be restored again to their right owners) but riches are so called, because commonly, either in their getting, using, or keeping, they administer matter of sinne.

when ye faile] That is, when ye dye.

Luke 16:10

in that which is least] Luke 19:17.

Luke 16:11

mammon] Or, riches. If you abuse temporall riches, you would also abuse spirituall.

Luke 16:12

that which is another mans] He calleth externall goods another mans, because we are but stewards thereof, and must leave them; and spirituall goods our own, because they shall never be taken away: not but that God gave them all; nor that wee may use them any otherwise then to Gods honour.

who shall give you that which is your own] That is, God will not give you.

Luke 16:13

no servant can serve to masters] Matthew 16. 24.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon] You may possesse and be served of riches, and serve God; but you cannot serve riches, but you must thereby neglect Gods service: to serve riches, is to be an idolater, and so no servant of God.

Luke 16:14

and they derided him] As the manner of carnall men is, in any thing which crosseth their corrupt minds: these men thought none happy but the rich.

Luke 16:16

The law and the prophets] Matthew 11:11.

man preasseth into it] They doe zealously follow the Gospell.

Luke 16:17

And it is easier] Matthew 5:18.

Luke 16:18

Whosoever putteth away his wife] Matthew 5:32. & Matthew 19:9. Mark 10:5. 1 Corinthians 7:11.

Luke 16:19

in purple and fine linnen] By these things which were in use among them ho describeth the magnificence of rich and worldly men. See Proverbs 31:22. Revelation 18:16.

Luke 16:22

into Abrahams bosome] He meaneth the communion of Saints and faithfull, who walked in the steps of Abrahams faith and sanctitie, therefore called his sonnes, Rom. 4. 12, 16. Gal. 3. 7, 9. Luke 19:9.

Luke 16:23

And in hell he lift up his eyes] In that lifting up the eyes, is attributed to a tormented soule; it seemeth this is rather a parable then an history: that which is here set downe concerning their paines, is to expresse the torments of the damned, in their hopelesse condition, aggravated by their remembrance of worldly prosperitie, and the consideration of the elects happinesse, whom they formerly despised.

Luke 16:25

Sonne, remember that thou in thy life-time] This is a common manner of speaking: otherwise the wicked are not to be accounted sonnes of Abraham, John 8:39. Galatians 3:9.

Luke 16:28

may testifie unto them] That he may testifie to them what wofull torments are in this place, that they may not 〈◊〉 hither by their sinne and unbeliefe.

Luke 16:29

Moses and the prophets] Meaning the law given by the Ministery of Moses, and the writings of the Prop, and also preachers of the same word.

Luke 16:31

neither will they be perswaded] He that will not beleeve the Spirit of God speaking in the Prophets, will not beleeve a man pretending that he came from the dead, and telling what the wicked suffer there: for who could beleeve a creature who cannot rest assured in the infallible testimony of God himselfe?