Ch. rB.Chrif1 payeth tribute. St. M bate, but that here meant it's likeft was Poll, money, impaled by ltegulbus fielt : And by ['hildres] is not meant free Subjecs $ for fuch did pay : but their own Families. And then it's hard to know, what Chriß's anfwer meant, unlefs it were as many fay, Theo this Trsbute belongs ofright te the howl of David, and I being of it amfree. Or elle, fit Kings own Families be not taxed, I that am the Son of the univer- fal King, from wham is all Power, and whole Subjects they are, am rightfully freer than their Children ] This feemeth to me to be the fenfe. But he queftioneth not but Tribute is due to Kings and other Powers. 27. Notwithffanding, left we should offend them, go thou to the fea, and caft a hook, and take up the fifh that fiat cometh up : and when thou haft opened his mouth, thou lisalt find a piece of money : that take, and give unto them for me and thee. 27. But we mutt deny our own right to avoid offence : Go therefore and caft a Hook, and I will bring a Fills to thy hand with half a Crown (a Stater) in his Mouth; which is the Poll-money for two Perfons; Pay.,them that for thee and me. Note, I. This (hewed the great Power of Chtilt. 2. But why did he pay for Peter, and. not the refry ,Anfw. Peter had a Houle in Capernaum where they were, and was there to pay his Poll-money, Mattb- t. 8, 14. If it be, as others think, the Tax to the Sanctuary that is here meant, it will make no doctrinal alteration : The fenfe then will he, PA Tax, due to God, is rather due ro me, than from me, that am the Sonof God C H A P. XVIII. a. A T the fame time came the difciples unto Jefus, flying, Who is the greater} in the kingdom of heaven ? I. Ambition ftirred in them, to debate who fhould be greateft in Chriff's Church or King. dom next himíèlf. a. And Jefus called a Iittle child unto him, and fet him in the midft of them, 3. As}d Paid, Verily I fay unto you, Except ye be converted. and become as little children, ye thud not enter into the kingdom of hea- ven. 2, 3, Chrift let a Child before thon as a vi- Sble anfwer, and Paid, Except true Converfon r give you a new and humble Mild, and rake li atthew. Humility taught. Ch.18 you off from ambitious over-valuing earthly Pomp and lower, that as teachable and obe- dient Difciples to me, youmay be drawn to let more by heavenly things, you cannot be ca- pable of entring into the heavenly Kingdom, much lefs of being greateft there : nor are you fit for a place in the Church on Earth (much lets ofPower) without covenanting this. 4. Whofoever therefore shall humble himfelf as this little child, the fame is greateft in the kingdom of heaven. 4. Tho worldly Men will think otherwife; I tell you that the humbleft Chrifrian is the belt, and the belt is indeed the grcareft, as being deateft unto God, and he is fitteft alfo for Church Power. 5. And whofo (hall receive one fuch little child in my name, recei. veth me. 3. And he that receiveth or fheweth kind- nets to any fuchhumble Godly Chrillian, I will take and reward it as done to me. N. How do the Papal Clergy read this, that hate, revile, filence, and ruine or burn fuch But they cheat theirSouls by laying, that fuch are but Hereticka andSchifmaticks, and deny them to be Chrift's, and then they think they are difobliged, and may ufe them as they firft judge and call them. 6. But whofo Ihall offend one of thefe little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a mil- fcone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the fea. 6. Bat whoever he be that fhall gall, courage, or by threatning, derifion, or perfe- cation, reek to drive the leaft from Faith and holy Living, it were lull hurt to that Man, (how big louver he now look and talk) that he were drowned in the Sea, with a milftone about his Neck: for God will take vengeance on him. 7. Wounto the world hecaufe of offences : for it muff needs be that offences come : but wo to that man by whom the offence cometh. 7. Wo to the World by reafon of the Scan: dsls, appofitions, and impediments to Faith. Halinefs, and Salvation, which Men will lay before each other, fame by Error, fome by Crimes, and fame by Perfecution : Such lean- dals, and hinderances, and temptations there will be: God will permit them for trial, and men will commit them. But the fin is great, t will be wo to the guilty, efpecially the ma. grant Perfecuters andSeducers. B S. Where-
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=