Luke 16

Luke 16:1

A Certaine] the end of this prable is to shew that men being but stewards of the goods which they have receaved of God, which goods they doe sundry wayes abuse; they ought before they goe out of this world and leave the possession and the administration of them, seeke to make amends, thorow charity to Christs members, for those faults which they have committed, in not employing the foresaid goods in Gods service, who is the onely and supreame owner of them, that so by this meanes they may be known to be Gods children, and bee receaved into the everlasting Kingdome. Now in this narration there are many parts which serve but only for the connexion of the parable; and neither can nor ought to be applyed to the spirituall sence.

Luke 16:6

Measures] the Italian Bates] which was a measure of liquid things, Ezech. 45. 10, 14.

Luke 16:8

The unjust] that is to say disloyall in his office Wisely] namely in this action. The meaning is, that beleevers ought in time to seeke to cover by charity the errours which they have committed against God, in the obtayning and using of temporall goods. Daniel 4:27. Luke 11:41. 1 Tim. 6. 18. 19 For the,] this vertue of providing was found in this man; it being very frequent amongst worldly men: but very rare amongst beleevers in spirituall things In their,] that is to say, amongst themselves in their manner of living, in their businesses and wayes guided by naturall reason Then the,] then the elect themselves, supernaturally inspired by Gods Spirit, who for all that do not imploy this light, nor obey it with so much care, as worldly men do their naturall light. See Iohn 12. 36. 1 Thessalonians 5:5.

Luke 16:9

Make to your,] figurative kindes of speeches accommodated to the similitude. The meaning is, give the poore occasion by your bountifulnesse towards them to pray for you, and in a manner to lay open your charity before God; that he may according to his promises, and in regard of them, reward you therefore in the life everlasting. Which is ordinarily more for poore men then for rich, Luke 6:20. Iames 2. 5. See Proverbs 19:17. Matthew 25:40 Of unrighteousnesse,] that is to say, in the gaining, possession, and use of which, men do commit an infinite many errors, and which are the object, baite, and instrument of many sinnes Ye faile,] that is to say, when you die, and lose the fruition and distribution of worldly goods and riches.

Luke 16:10

He that is,] the right use of riches in beleevers, is a triall of the loyall use of their spirituall graces, and of the gift of the holy Ghost, which hath been conferred upon them: and contrariwise the abuse of the one sheweth the abuse of the other, and God likewise taketh away his spirituall graces, from them who do not use the temporall ones well.

Luke 16:11

The true,] namely, the spirituall ones, which are the true treasure of man, and makes him happy.

Luke 16:12

Another mans,] he meanes worldly externall goods, which a man at last must leave to others and is tyed to distribute to others. Proverbs 3:27. And by ones own goods, are meant spirituall internall goods which a man receives for himselfe as his own proper inheritance, and having received them, and using them as he ought to do, he never loseth them neither in this life, nor in the life to come.

Luke 16:16

Presseth,] see upon Matthew 11:12.

Luke 16:17

To faile,] to be in vaine, or not to be accomplished.

Luke 16:19

There was,] this is more likely to be a parable then a true history In purple,]seeing that these colours white and red were the most magnificent kinde of clothing amongst the ancient. Proverbs 31:22. Revelation 18:16.

Luke 16:20

Lazarus,] it is the same name as Eliezer or Eliazar which signifieth God is my helpe. This name seemes to be specified, not to signifie that it is a true history, but to shew that there is but one kinde of good poore men such as this was, namely those that put their whole confidence in the Lord: whereas the rich man here hath no me, because there are divers kindes of bad rich men.

Luke 16:21

The Dogges,] using (as one should say) more pity towards him then the rich man.

Luke 16:22

Was carried,] as for the body it had no pompous buriall, as the rich mans had; but as for the soule it was gathered up into heaven, into the communion of all true beleevers, of whom Abraham was the titular father, having been as it were the head of the covenant, the depository of all promises, and a patterne of faith to all. See Rom. 4. 12. 26. Gal. 3. 7. 9 Bosome,] the gesture of a good father, towards his tender children.

Luke 16:23

Lift up,] all this signifies figuratively the addition of torment which the damned shall feele, through the remembrance of their worldly happinesse, and the consideration of the beleevers eternall happinesse, whom they either contemned or afflicted in the world. And it doth also point at their despaire of ever being eased.

Luke 16:25

Some,] a vulgar manner or kinde of speaking accommodated to the narration. For otherwise Abraham acknowledgeth none for his children but only beleevers and holy men. See Isay 63. 16. Iohn 8. 39. Gal. 37.

Luke 16:28

He may testifie,] the torments which are prepared for the wicked. Or protest and admonish them seriously, charging them with their duties.