NAZARETH REJECTING CHRIST.
Ah, unhappy Nazareth! the first refuser and the first refused of Messiah! the banisher and persecutor of thine own happiness and glory. Christ honoured the town with His title and epithet, Jesus of Nazareth; but Nazareth will not retain Him, much less honour Him. So Moses was refused of his brethren, and glad to flee upon their repulse (Acts vii. 27). We read not that Christ ever came to this town again, or ever owned it.—Lightfoot.
SATAN’S CUNNING.
Satan is so artificial, so subtle and critical, that he can make our very graces to serve him against our graces; conquering joy by joy, sorrow by sorrow, humility by humility, fear by fear, love by love, if we do not look upon all our graces as streams flowing from the fountain above, and as fruits growing upon the tree of life that is in the midst of the Paradise of God. Therefore, when one eye is fixed upon our graces, let the other be always fixed upon the God of grace.—Brooks.
GRACE AND GIFTS.
Sin may dwell with the most excellent natural gifts under the same roof; I mean, in the same heart. A man may have the tongue of an angel, and the heart of a devil. The learned Pharisees were but painted sepulchres. Gifts are but as a fair glove drawn over a foul hand. But grace is incompatible with sin in dominion; it purifies the heart, cleanses the conscience, crucifies the affections and lusts of the flesh; is not content with the concealment, but with the ruin, of corruptions.—Flavel.