Commentary on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2.pdf

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
experience, that the course of the moon affects the increase or decline of these diseases. 488 And yet
this does not prevent Satan from mixing up his attacks with natural means. I am of opinion, therefore,
that the man was not naturally deaf and dumb, but that Satan had taken possession of his tongue
and ears; and that, as the weakness of his brain and nerves made him liable to epilepsy, Satan availed
himself of this for aggravating the disease. The consequence was, that he was exposed to danger
on every hand, and was thrown into violent convulsions, which left him lying on the ground, in a
fainting state, and like a dead man.
Let us learn from this how many ways Satan has of injuring us, were it not that he is restrained
by the hand of God. Our infirmities both of soul and body, which we feel to be innumerable, are
so many darts with which Satan is supplied for wounding us. We are worse than stupid, if a condition
so wretched does not, arouse us to prayer. But in this we see also an amazing display of the goodness
of God, that, though we are liable to such a variety of dangers, 489 he surrounds us with his protection;
particularly if we consider with what eagerness our enemy is bent on our destruction. We ought
also to call to remembrance the consoling truth, that Christ has come to bridle his rage, and that
we are safe in the midst of so many dangers, because our diseases are effectually counteracted by
heavenly medicine.
We must attend also to the circumstance of the time. The father replies, that his son had been
subject to this grievous disease from his infancy. If Satan was permitted to exert his power, to such
an extent, on a person of that tender age, what reason have not we to fear, who are continually
exposing ourselves by our crimes to deadly strokes, who even supply our enemy with darts, and
on whom he might justly be permitted to spend his rage, if it were not kept under restraint by the
astonishing goodness of God?
Matthew 17:17. O unbelieving and rebellious nation. Though Christ appears to direct his
discourse to the father of the lunatic, yet there can be no doubt that he refers to the scribes, as I
have lately explained; for it is certain that the reproof is directed, not against ignorant and weak
persons, but against those who, through inveterate malice, obstinately resist God. This is the reason
why Christ declares that they are no longer worthy to be endured, and threatens that ere long he
will separate from them. But nothing worse could happen to them than that Christ should leave
them, and it was no light reproach that they rejected so disdainfully the grace of their visitation.
We must also observe here, that we ought to treat men in various ways, each according to his natural
disposition. For, while our Lord attracts to him the teachable by the utmost mildness, supports the
weak, and gently arouses even the sluggish, he does not spare those crooked serpents, on whom he
perceives that no remedies can effect a cure.
488 On the opinion expressed by calvin, as to the influence of the moon on these diseases, the reader may consult Harmony,
vol. 1 p. 245, n.l. — Ed.
489 “Combien que nous soyons subiets a mille dangers et inconveniens;” — “though we are liable to a thousand dangers and
inconveniences.”
226
John Calvin