Luke 13

(6.) The usurer, who takes of others even to extortion: he seems to help another by letting him have money in his necessity, but gets him into bonds, and sucks out his very blood and marrow. I read of a woman whom Satan had bound (Luke 13:16). And truly, he is almost in as bad a…

Many sermons lie dead, buried in earthly hearts. We preach to men to get their hearts in heaven; but where covetousness is predominant, it chains them to the earth, and makes them like the woman which Satan had bowed together, that she could not lift up herself (Luke 13:11). You…

Repentance is not arbitrary, but necessary; there is no being saved without it. Luke 13:3: Except you repent, you shall all likewise perish. And we may be thankful to God, that he has left us this plank after shipwreck.

Thus you see there are some who have gone many steps in the way to Heaven, yet have come short. Some have gone so far in profession that they have been confident their estate has been good, and they should go to the Kingdom of Heaven, yet have missed it: (Luke 13:25) When once t…

Shall I take off the head of such a drunkard, swearer, sabbath-breaker? And God's patience says as the dresser of the vineyard (Luke 13:8), Let him alone this year. O the infinite patience of God, that sin being so great an evil, and so contrary to God, he should bear with sinne…

And though Satan has will of himself and a desire to it and physical power enough and abilities to inflict this at all times, yet he must further have moral power, or leave and commission from God. And God sometimes gives to Satan power over the sons and daughters of Abraham (Lu…

I answer, that this desire of Balaam's was not grounded upon any constant persuasion, nor settled resolution, but upon some sudden motion: Secondly, though he desired to die the death of the righteous, yet he would not live the life of the righteous: he had no delight to walk in…

It must be far from us, to have our joy and our hearts set on the things of this world. Thirdly, the consideration of this; that Christ Jesus has prepared a place for us in heaven, and also has trained the way with his own blood, must make every one of us to strive to enter in a…

A ninth ground is (and it's a very poor one,) folks sitting down on the means when they have them, as if when they have gotten the Gospel they were in no hazard, and could believe whenever they please. I make no question, but where the Gospel is powerfully in any measure preache…

And then to speak a word to the last use that rises from the matter that formerly we have handled on these words: We show you, and we think the Scripture is very clear for it, that among the generality that hear the Gospel, they are very rare and thinly sown that do believe it,…

It is as certain that many that hear this gospel and profess Christ to be the only sin-offering will be disowned by Him on this account. Therefore many are brought in saying (Luke 13), "Did we not hear you preach in our streets, have we not eaten and drunk in your presence?" — t…

Was it not these who had Christ and His Apostles preaching to them? Indeed, they were not among the more ignorant sort who did not believe, but Scribes and Pharisees, and these not of the most profane sort only, but such as came to church, and attended on ordinances, as you do,…

Why is it not hewed down? There is an efficacy in Christ's intercession for sparing it a while longer, as it is (Luke 13:6): the dresser of the vineyard says, "Spare it for this year"; and it is granted. O but we would have a most sinful and miserable life, if there were not an…

For the first, that there is such a sin, it may be clear from a few considerations, that may be obvious to every one of us. 1. It may be clear from the effect, what is the cause that so many come so little speed in prayer, that they pray, and yet get not a hearing, so that in th…

3. Many run, and obtain not (1 Corinthians 9:24, 25, 26). Many strive to enter in, and shall not be able (Luke 13:24). Many lay a foundation, and are not able to finish (Luke 14:29).

3. Christ thought himself well away and out of the gate (as he foretells, when the people mourned for his death (Luke 23:28-31)) before the destruction that came on the city of Jerusalem, that killed many of the Lord of the vineyard's servants, and at last killed the righteous h…

Oh then let your hearts be upon it, desire must go before delight. 2. To move us to labor for it, and seek it in the first place, and to get it assured that we have a part in this blessed and joyful condition (Matthew 6:33), seek you first the Kingdom of God, and the righteousne…

I speak this by experience: for I know the Devil's subtleties, who at that time not only goes about to fear us with the terror of the law, indeed and also of a little mote makes many beams, that is to say, of that which is no sin he makes a very hell (for he is marvelous crafty…

But if Satan overthrow this (for he is a cunning workman, and will leave no way untried) and lay against you the word and example of Christ in this wise: True it is that Christ is meek, gentle and merciful, but to those which are holy and righteous. Contrariwise, to the sinners…

It was a great privilege to be familiarly acquainted with Christ, and to have eaten and drunk with him: yet is it of no use in the kingdom of Christ. For of such Christ says (Luke 13:26), Depart from me you workers of iniquity. It was a great privilege to be allied to Christ in…

Thirdly, all the year long, as the husbandman does; I looked for grapes, and lo wild grapes (Isaiah 5:4). Fourthly, he expects our amendment, many years together (Luke 13:7): Behold, these three years have I come and sought fruit on this fig tree, and find none. Fifthly, the Lor…

And he said to them, 24. Strive to enter by the narrow gate: for many, I say to you, will seek to enter, and shall not be able. Luke 13:23. And one says to him Although Matthew relates this answer, as if it were immediately connected with other sentences taken out of our Lord’s…

30. And, lo, they are last who shall be first, and they are first who shall be last. Luke 13:25. And when the master of the house shall have arisen Though these words, as I hinted a little before, were spoken on a different and later occasion, I have chosen to pay more regard to…

But it is more likely that he had in his eye a passage from the book of Job. In the opening description of "the devices of the crafty," Herod, who is pronounced by Calvin to have been "a man of no ordinary address, and another Herod, whom our Lord designates that fox, (Luke 13:3…

34. But without a parable he did not speak to them, but he explained all things to his disciples when they were apart. Luke 13:18-22 18. Therefore he said, To what is the kingdom of God like?

Assuredly I tell you, That it shall be demanded from this generation. Luke 13:34-35 34. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who slays the prophets, and stones those who are sent to thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a bird gathers its brood under its wings, and yo…

Chapter 21:19, 33, 34. Luke 13:6. John 15:1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8.

Matthew 9:13: 'I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.' Luke 13:3: 'Except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.' Luke 15:7, 10: 'There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repents,' that is, over one sinner that is converted.

Matthew 7:14: 'Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.' Luke 13:24: 'Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.' Fourth, the possibility of obtaining.

Storms make (as it were) a confusion among the Elements, and are the distemper of nature: diseases make a confusion among the humors, and distemper the constitution and spirits of the body. It is said of the woman in (Luke 13:16) that Satan had bound her 28 years; Observe in tha…

Our request for pardon is this; Forgiue us our debts. In the word debt is a figuratiue kinde of speech, taken from bargaining, wherein God is resembled to the Creditour, Man is the debter: the Law is the bond or obligation; and sinne is that debt of ours, for which we stand boun…

And thus wee see what manner of persons they be that shall say, Lord, Lord, and make apologie for themselues at the last day, and yet be damned; namely, some that have beene excellent preachers of the word, and some that have had extraordinary power to cast out deuils: and lastl…

2. When he is born, the Lord gives him his name, indeed, sends Nathan, (2 Samuel 12) with this warrant, to name him Jedidiah, because the Lord loved him; which cannot be a love flowing from anything in him, as if he had been well pleased with his carriage, (Solomon had not yet d…

2. For their destroying, hurtful nature, in their destroying of the Church; therefore called ravening wolves (Matthew 7:15), and grievous wolves (Acts 20:29), who subvert whole houses (Titus 1:11), and whose word eats as does a gangrene (2 Timothy 2:17). 3. They are compared to…

In this verse 12, we have three of these comparisons, whereby she is described and commended. 1. She is compared to a garden enclosed: a garden is a plot of ground, separate from other places, for delight and recreation of the owner, having many flowers in it, and much pains tak…

5. When a literal sense answers not the present scope of the speaker, and the speaker would be thought impertinent, if his words were properly taken, then it would seem necessary to expound it as an allegory; so Matthew 3:10, when John is pressing repentance, he says, The axe is…

So (Matthew 12:11): What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will not lay hold on it, and lift it out? And so again, (Luke 13:15): Does not every one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall,…

What could the Lord have done more to his vineyard than he has done? Therefore then when he looked for grapes, brought it forth only leaves, or wild grapes? (Luke 13; Isaiah 5:4-6) And is it then to be wondered at, if the Lord pluck down the hedge thereof, that it might be eaten…

- 1. Careless loiterers. - 2. Vain-glorious boasters. - 3. Impious offenders. - 4. Unprofitable Christians. 1. Careless loiterers, that sleep out a fair summer's day of grace, and forget the day of their visitation; many poor ministers have cause to weep over their dear people,…

Therefore in Scripture our earnestness for Heaven is set out by those allegories and metaphors which imply violence. 1. Sometimes by striving (Luke 13:24). Strive to enter in at the strait gate.

If it may properly be represented, that any Reprobates will come for Salvation at the Day of Judgment, they will not do so before the King appears; But Christ will appear first, and then they will come and cry to him for Salvation. Whereas, in this Parable, the Guests are repres…

(1 Timothy 4:7) in godliness, exercising, or stripping themselves, as for a race. (Luke 13:24) in the pursuit of happiness, striving, even to an agony. (Acts 26:7) in prayer, serving God instantly; or in a stretched-out manner; indeed, pouring out their hearts before him (Psalm…

The tree that is to be hewen down for the fire, stands in the Orchard among other flourishing trees, where it has enjoyed the benefit of a good soyl, a strong fence and much culture; but being barren, these priviledges secure it not from the fire. It is not our standing in the v…

Husbandmen carry out their compost; to fertilize their arable ground, they dung it, dress it, and keep it in heart; and in these western parts are at great charges to bring lime, and salt water sand to quicken their thin and cold soil. "Lord, let it alone this year also, till I…

It is an excellent expression that Luther has to this purpose: Bodily promises, says he, is as the shell or husk that covers the nut, which is Christ, and eternal life; therefore Christ coming, the shell, the husk, is broken and taken off, that is, temporal promises cease, and t…

Heaven indeed is a glorious Place, the Spacious and Royal Mansion of the great King; but difficilia quae pulchra. It has a streight and narrow entrance, Luke 13. 24. O the difficulty of arriving there!

There are also seasons and gales of Grace for our Souls; golden opportunities of Salvation afforded to men, the neglect of which proves the loss and ruine of Souls. God has given to men a day of Visitation, which he has limited, Hebrews 4:7. and keeps an exact account of every Y…

God has his seasons, and when these are past will not treat with us in such a mild affectionate manner. The means of grace are removed from a people by strange providences, when they have slighted the offers of grace (Luke 13:7). These three years I came seeking fruit on this fi…

God reckons up 120 years patience (after many before that) as to the old world (Genesis 6:3), and to Israel, forty years (Hebrews 3:17). He came to the fig tree of the Jewish nation, three years in person, seeking fruit before he cut it down, or so much as gave order for it (Luk…

Yes, on the contrary, justice calls aloud for an infinite punishment of their sins. Divine justice says of the tree that brings forth such grapes of Sodom, 'Cut it down, why does it cumber the ground?' (Luke 13:7). The sword of divine justice is every moment brandished over thei…