Luke 12

Luke 12:2

NOthing] this generall sentence ought in this place to bee restrained to the publicke preaching of the Gospell, which untill that time had been preached but to few, in unfrequented and obscure places: and that secretly and obscurely.

Luke 12:4

My friends] see Iohn 15. 14, 15.

Luke 12:14

Who made] Christ not willing to entermeddle with any part of secular governement; doth notwithstanding herein doe his office, instructing this man and all his hearers, by giving them warning to take heed of covetousnesse, which was the beginning of this contention.

Luke 12:21

That layeth up] namely he that heapeth up welth to satisfie his unsatiable covetousnes before he makes provision of Gods grace and blessing by faith and good works, which are mans good treasure layd up with God, Matthew 6:20. 1 Timothy 6:18-19. Iam. 2. 5.

Luke 12:26

For the rest] namely for greater and more important things, that is to say to preserve your whole being, which dependeth upon the pleasure of God alone.

Luke 12:33

Sell] this is not spoken to condemne all manner of property and possession; but to shew that charity ought not to be used out of superfluities onely as revenues and fruits are, but that in case of necessity, one ought to lay all out upon it, without any exception: and that this way your goods come to bee secured unto you being deposited in Gods hands, who causeth them to fructifie both in bodily and spirituall blessings.

Luke 12:35

Let your] be alwayes ready, like unto Travailers, for to forsake the world and the desires thereof, whether it be by death, or by my comming to judgement, to aspire to heavenly and everlasting goods: and trouble not your selves with the cares of this world Lights] the Italian, Lampes] See upon, Matthew 25:1.

Luke 12:37

Shall gird himselfe] figurative termes, the spirituall meaning of which is, that Christ shall with an unspeakeable charity, distribute and dispense his everlasting goods unto them, even as if a master should waite upon his owne servants at Table.

Luke 12:38

In the second] see upon, Matth. 14. 25.

Luke 12:41

Peter] it seemes that Peter was moved to aske this question, either thorow presumption, as if it were impossible for them to bee overtaken or surprised. Or thorow ambition, as if it should belong to them onely to receave Christ at his comming, and to be by him exalted to that honour wherof he had spoken, ver. 37. And Christs answer beateth downe these defaults in his Apostles, telling them that the more honour and prerogative they had receaved at his hands, the more they were bound to a faithfull duty without which all their prerogatives would prove to their greater condemnation.

Luke 12:49

What will I] that is to say the proofe of what I speake concerning the fire of divisions, and troubles which will happen in the world by reason of me, is already perceaved in the hatred which the Gospell produceth in the Iewish Nation against me, and shall daily produce more.

Luke 12:50

Baptized with] hee calleth his sufferings and death so, which was like to an abisse or deepe into which he was plunged, according to the ancient manner of baptizing, and by which he was to bee consecrated to be the Saviour of the world. See Matthew 20:22. Heb. 2. 10. and 5. 9.

Luke 12:58

When thou] that which I say unto you is for your salvation; because that if you neglect the time of Gods patience, in which his mercie is yet open, you must take heed least it befall you as unto a debter who suffereth himself to be imprisoned, after he hath wearied out or deceaved his creditor. Namlie that you shall finde no more grace nor pardon at Gods hands, See Psal. 32. 6. Isaiah 55:6.