Matthew 18

Matthew 18:1

IN the Kingdome] Namely in the kingdome of the Messias which is called of heaven, that is to say spirituall and divine, by reason of the Lawes and state thereof, and by reason of the quality required in his subjects: and of the last accomplishment of it in heaven. Now the Disciples, thorow ignorance imagined there should bee in it degrees of worldly greatnesse; and from thence proceeded their question.

Matthew 18:3

As little] in humility, simplicitie, feare, innocencie docility, &c. See Matthew 11:25.

Matthew 18:5

One such] namely a true Christian that shall have laid aside all worldly pride, whereby hee is become abject in the fight of the world.

Matthew 18:6

Offended] despising or wronging him for his simplicy and humilitie, and shall thereby have disturbed him in the course of his heavenly vocation and holy disposition, and caused him to take evill councell, and forsake it: Or to conceave any sorrow therefore, and grow faint therein A milstone] the Italian addeth, an asse milstone] that is to say a great one, such as Horses and Asses doe turne, opposite to your lesser ones which were in hand-mills.

Matthew 18:7

Woe] infinite evills shall come upon the world because of offences, as well upon the offenders, as those who are offended It must needs be,] they are inevitable by reason of the malice, weakenesse, inconstancy and other vices of men: and by reason of Gods providence which suffereth them either for judgment or for tryall: and yet mans error shall not thereby bee excusable.

Matthew 18:8

Cut them off] See upon Matthew 5:29.

Matthew 18:10

Little ones] that is to say vile, and abject in the sight of the world, for their condition and profession Their Angels] men ought not to contemne poore beleevers, seeing God hath so farre honoured them, as to give them his own Angels to be guardians and ministers unto them, Hebrews 1:14. who are as it were his houshold and ordinary servants, which is signified by seeing the face, 1 King. 10. 8.

Matthew 18:11

For the] another reason, why those poore beleevers ought to be honoured; namely because God hath made them partakers of his glorious salvation, Iam. 2 5.

Matthew 18:12

How thinke ye] he sheweth another cause of the contempt, especially of the Pharisaicall contempt, because that the beleevers are poore converted sinners. Now saith he, that ought not to make them to be lesse esteemed, seeing that Christ came expressely for such, and that Gods glory, and the joy of Angels is the greater therefore Doth he not leave] others have it doth he not leave the ninetie and nine in the mountaines, &c. and goeth to seek that which is gone astray?

Matthew 18:15

Shall trespasse] by personall offence, or by offence given secretly betwixt him and thee, Luke 17:3. Now Christ having spoken against them that give offence, hee now turneth to them that take offence, teaching them how they should proceed therein Heare thee] namely thy just complaints, to confesse his fault and amend it. Or to give glory to God, and promise repentance and conversion Gained] thou hast brought him againe to his duty, and hast bent him to be a good brother to thee. See Sam. 5. 20.

Matthew 18:16

Take with thee] that the reproofe may bee of greater weight, these men seconding it, and also because that if hee bee stubborne, the relation which thou shalt make thereof to the Church, may bee the better verified.

Matthew 18:17

Vnto the Church] namely to the assembly of those who have the governement of the Church in their hands, and are to provide for the order, peace and discipline of it, 1 Corinthians 5:3-4. and 2 Corinthians 2:6. according to the Iewes custom, who had also their consistory, for the reforming of behaviour and manners As an heathen] hold him as a prophane man, worthy for his rebellion and hardnesse to bee forbidden the communion of beleevers, as Publicans and heathens were amongst the Iewes, Matthew 5:46. Luke 15:2.

Matthew 18:18

Ye shall] namely you ministers and governours of the Church, proceeding in knowledge, uprightnesse, and wisdome according to the duty of your office: See Matthew 16:19.

Matthew 18:19

If two] the meaning seemes to bee, that God being called upon in conjunction of spirit, without passion or partiality, though there Ecclesiasticall Iudges bee but few in number, and consequently of little authority and respect in the world, yet he would assist them by his Spirit, that they might doe such things as should be ratified in Heaven. Yet this may likewise be understood generally of the concord and charity necessarily required in all those that pray unto God concerning one and the selfe same thing. See Matthew 5:23-24. 1 Pet. 3, 7 Any thing] according to his will, as well in the thing it selfe, as touching the manner of asking it, 1 Iohn 3. 22. and 5. 14.

Matthew 18:20

In my Name] by my authority, and by my commission, and calling upon me in Faith Am I] in grace and spirit.

Matthew 18:22

Seventy] that is to say without any limitation.

Matthew 18:23

The Kingdome] that is to say Gods spirituall government in his Church, re-established by the Messias.