Matthew 18

The world looks upon humility as that which will make one contemptible, but it is the ready way to honor: the way to rise is to fall, the way to ascend is to descend. Humility exalts us in the esteem of men, and it exalts us to a higher throne in heaven (Matthew 18:4): Whoever s…

4. God delights in their company, he loves to see their countenance and hear their voice (Song of Solomon 2:14). He cannot refrain long from their company: Let but two or three of his children meet and pray together, he will be sure to be among them (Matthew 18:20). Where two or…

Prayer is more powerful when many join and unite their forces. [reconstructed: Vis unita fortior] (Matthew 18:19). 7. Private prayer; when we pray by ourselves (Matthew 6:6).

I wish there be none in our age guilty of this, who when they are in want, use indirect means for a livelihood, they consult with witches, who are the Devil's oracles; the end of these will be fearful as that of Saul was, whom the Lord is said to have killed, because he asked co…

He may not admit him to see his face; he may shut a son out of doors when yet he does not cast him off. He may retain their sins (as Christ's expression is, John 20:23; Matthew 18:18) — that is, call in the patent of his pardon which he had passed under his hand and seal in eart…

Whereby it appears, that when we rush on into the practice of any sin, we do as much as in us lies to cause God to send down his judgments upon us for our sins, and that by the ministry of his angels. Secondly, we are taught another lesson by Christ himself: See (says he) that y…

You are daily grieving and wronging God, and yet he bears it, forgives, and will not take vengeance upon you — and will you be so quick in avenging yourselves upon others? O what a sharp and terrible rebuke is that — Matthew 18:32-33: 'O you wicked and slothful servant, I forgav…

For the second, I would both weep and tremble, considering that they (so abiding) must be damned doubly (Matthew 24:51). And for the third, no less than any of the rest, because, though they themselves may and shall be saved, yet their examples make fast the bonds of death upon…

We have not then reason to think this secret was whispered in the ears of the Devils, before they fell. 2. It is true (Matthew 18) the elect angels, [in non-Latin alphabet], always now behold the face of Christ's Father; for now they are confirmed, that they cannot look awry, an…

Now as there is in roses, gardens, creatures that are fair, something [reconstructed: pleasant], that ravishes eye and heart; so there are in God so many fair and pleasant truths to take the mind, and God is so capacious, and so comprehensive a truth, and so lovely, such a botto…

Therefore it is notable, they are sometimes called God's Angels (Psalm 103:21), Bless the Lord, all you his hosts, you ministers of his that do his pleasure. Sometimes their Angels (Matthew 18:10), Take heed, that you despise not one of these little ones, for I say to you, that…

Angels know not only themselves, but all the elect now; how else do they minister about them? They know the least believer (Matthew 18:10): Take heed that you offend not one of these little ones, for I say to you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Fathe…

Thus Paul (1 Corinthians 4:9): We are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels and to men. Now the angels, that are witnesses to their combats and sufferings, cannot but make report to God (Matthew 18:10): Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones, for I say to…

So for place and manner, them that sin openly must be rebuked before all, and testify their repentance before the church. So, if the sin be private or less known, the rule in (Matthew 18:15-16) is to be observed for private admonition and confession: And consequently secret sins…

Hence Schoolmen distinguish of prayer, that it is either [Communis or Singularis] common or singular: both have their place and use. Though they lay great stress upon Christ's promise, in (Matthew 18:20), promising to be where two or three are met in his name; which as we deny n…

When he says, I travail again, he teaches, that if men fall after their first initial repentance, there is still a possibility of mercy, and place for a second repentance. We must forgive till seventy-seven times (Matthew 18:22). Much more will God do it.

Fourthly, hence we are taught, not to wonder, though sinners be so loath to be reproved, and account it so painful a thing to be restored, and think those offensive to them, and scarce their friends, which labor to reclaim them: considering the same is to be seen in the body: fo…

This was done to confirm our faith as truly as that of the shepherds. Among men, the testimony of "two or three witnesses" (Matthew 18:16) is sufficient to remove all doubt. But here is a heavenly host, with one consent and one voice bearing testimony to the Son of God.

He bestows the designation of sheep of the house of Israel not on the elect only, but on all who were descended from the holy fathers; for the Lord had included all in the covenant, and was promised indiscriminately to all as a Redeemer, as he also revealed and offered himself t…

And they were deeply grieved. Matthew 18:1-5 1. At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

Matthew 18:11-14 11. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

Matthew 18:15-20 15. But if your brother has sinned against you, go and reprove him between you and him alone: if he hears you, you have gained your brother.

Matthew 18:21-35 21. Then Peter approaching him said, Lord, how often shall my brother offend against me, and I forgive him?

Matthew 18:6-10 6. But whosoever shall offend one of those little ones who believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were sunk to the bottom of the sea.

Matthew 5:3. Blessed are the poor in Spirit: For theirs is the Kingdom of God. Matthew 18:3, 4. Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little Children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little Ch…

Acts 3. 21. Mat. 18. 19. 1 Cor. 6. 16. 1 Cor. 3. 16. compared. (6.) The Holy Spirit works the Work of Christ; John 16. 13, 14, 15. opened. (7.) The Holy Spirit the peculiar Author of all Grace. (8.) The Holy Spirit workes all this according to his own Will. 1. His Will and Pleas…

Came to present themselves before the Lord. Not that the angels are at any time out of the presence of God, for Christ is express in that, (Matthew 18:10). Their angels do always behold the face of my Father. But they are then said to come and present themselves before God, when…

Ephesians 4:32. Matthew 18 24. unto the end. Only there are some things that put a singular Emphasis upon this command, manifesting the great importance of this duty in us, which may be marked.

And in so doing, they perform not only a parental, but an angelical work. Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones; for I say to you, that in Heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven (Matthew 18:10). And if God, the great Fathe…

When we come to the public prayers, we are not to come as auditors, but as actors; we have our part in them; and every petition that is spread before God, ought to be breathed from our very hearts and souls: which if we affectionately perform, we may have good assurance, that wh…

1. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a debt. Sin is compared to a debt of ten thousand talents (Matthew 18:24). A talent of gold among the Hebrews was valued at almost four thousand pounds.

APPLICATION. THe care and pains you take to recover your lost cattel, carries a sweet and lively representation of the love of Iesus Christ, in the recovery of lost sinners. Iesus Christ came on purpose from heaven upon a like errand, to seek and to save that which was lost, Mat…

The Lord guide you: I am sorry to hear the complaints that are abroad. Fourthly, in the liberty that you give, use great caution, some things you may be forced to bear with for a time, take heed of endangering the truths of God, you ought to be tender of Christ's little ones; wo…

Thus, if ever we would enter into the kingdom of heaven, must we be converted from pride, envy, ambition and strife for precedency, and must become like little children. So our Savior has told us (who, even after his resurrection, is called, the Holy Child Jesus (Acts 4:27)) (Ma…

3. The person committing thus to prison and into bondage, is God himself. To him we owe our debts (Matthew 6:12; Matthew 18:27-29), against him are our offenses (Psalm 51:5). He is the judge and lawgiver (James 4:12); to sin is to rebel against him.

Masters and servants are in the same subjection, and under a like command. There is one master, even Christ: and all men whoever are brethren, fellow-servants. (Matthew 23:8; Matthew 18:28) Section 132: Of God's Being in Heaven.

Justice requires that it be a truth, and a known truth, even a thing of which he is assured, for which he reproves his wife. Christ in giving direction for reproving aright, lays down this as a ground, If your brother shall trespass, etc. a trespass therefore must go before repr…

When the soul is calm and composed, it may behold the face of God shining on it; and they that pray together, should not only have hearts in tune within themselves in their own frame, but tuned together, especially husband and wife that are one, they should have hearts consorted…

Therefore he does not forbid public praying in the assemblies of the saints, or family worship; both are elsewhere required in Scripture. God has made promises to public, and church prayer, praying with men, or before men: (Matthew 18:19) When two or three are met together, and…

1. No debt to man can be so great as our debt to God, both for number and weight. Matthew 18:24, compared with verse 28, you shall see there the parable of the Lord, forgiving ten thousand talents; and the servant goes and takes his brother by the throat, and requires from him a…

And secondly, to the subject matter, that which is forgiven, there is no proportion. When we compare the multitude or magnitude, the greatness and the number of offences forgiven of the one side and the other, we see there's a mighty disproportion; we forgive pence, and God tale…

And that is the reason why the temporal deliverance of the wicked and impenitent, is called a remission; as, (Psalm 78:38) But he being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not. And, (Matthew 18:26-28) Have patience with me, and I will pay you all. And…

Thirdly, there is the highest heaven, or the heaven of the blessed, spoken of (Matthew 7:21), Not everyone that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; that is, into the third heaven, the glorious heaven, the blessed presence of God. (Matthew 18:10) In he…

Let me see your Countenance. If but two or three of Gods Children meet and pray together, God will be sure to make one of the company; Matthew 18:20. There am I in the midst of them.

Of which kind of people the cowardliness is so much the more shameful and blameworthy, because God has given them such a Savior and Captain, as is both able and willing to minister strength to them be they never so weak and feeble, health, be they never so sick or diseased, soun…

In crosses and persecutions a man may have secret likings of truth, and a purpose to own it; but by scandal she dislikes the way of God, of religion itself; it begets a base and vile esteem thereof in the hearts of men, so they are loose and fall off. And this mischief does not…

5. Consider, that Christianity was sent into the world, not to set up a kingdom of power, but patience. Whoever therefore shall be humble as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:4). He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the…

Psalm 2. Therefore does Christ sit at his right hand, but to promote the affairs of his church, and to blast the devices of the wicked? Matthew 18. The gates of hell shall never prevail against it. 4. That the proud are near a fall.

As the captain's servant said, take heed what you do, for this man is a Roman: so these men are children of God, he is their patron and protector, God is interested in their protection. They are little ones, but they have a great God (Matthew 18:10). Therefore take heed of havin…

The grand pretense for separation, is the wickedness of many who are church members. Now our Savior's method is, that such should be first reproved and admonished, before they be cast out (Matthew 18:15-16); but it is a most preposterous and headlong course that thousands in our…