Commentary on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2.pdf
Commentary on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2.pdf Commentary on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2.pdf
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<str<strong>on</strong>g>Commentary</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>Matthew</strong>, <strong>Mark</strong>, <strong>Luke</strong> - <strong>Volume</strong> 2<br />
In short, there is nothing to prevent him from tyrannizing over the world without c<strong>on</strong>trol. Not that<br />
he can do anything without the permissi<strong>on</strong> of the Creator, but because Adam, having withdrawn<br />
from the domini<strong>on</strong> of God, has subjected all his posterity to this foreign sway.<br />
Now though it is c<strong>on</strong>trary to nature that the devil reigns, and though it is by, just punishment<br />
of God, <strong>on</strong> account of sin, that men are subjected to his tyranny, yet he remains in quiet possessi<strong>on</strong><br />
of his kingdom, and may insult us at his pleasure, till a str<strong>on</strong>ger than he shall rise up against him.<br />
But this str<strong>on</strong>ger pers<strong>on</strong> is not to be found <strong>on</strong> earth, for men have not sufficient power to relieve<br />
themselves; and therefor it was promised that a Redeemer would come from heaven. Now this kind<br />
of redempti<strong>on</strong> Christ shows to be necessary, in order to wrench from the devil, by main force, what<br />
he will never quit till he is compelled. By these words he informs us, that it is in vain for men to<br />
expect deliverance, till Satan has been subdued by a violent struggle. 125<br />
He expressly accuses the scribes of ignorance, in not understanding the principles of the kingdom<br />
of God. But this reproof applies almost equally to all, for all are chargeable with the same folly.<br />
There is no man who does not loudly boast that he desires the kingdom of God; and yet we do not<br />
permit Christ to fight boldly, as the occasi<strong>on</strong> requires, in order to rescue us from the power of our<br />
tyrant; just as if a sick man were to entreat the aid of a physician, and then to refuse every remedy.<br />
We now see the reas<strong>on</strong> why Christ introduced this parable. It was to show, that the scribes were<br />
hostile to the kingdom of God, the beginnings of which they maliciously resisted. Let us also learn<br />
that, as we are all subject to the tyranny of Satan, there is no other way in which he commences<br />
his reign within us, than when he rescues us, by the powerful and victorious arm of Christ, from<br />
that wretched and accursed b<strong>on</strong>dage.<br />
30. He that is not with me. There are two ways of explaining this passage. Some suppose that<br />
it is an argument drawn from c<strong>on</strong>traries, and that Christ’s meaning is: “I cannot reign till the devil<br />
is overthrown; for the object of all his attempts is, to scatter whatever I gather.” And certainly we<br />
see abundant evidence of the earnestness with which that enemy labors to destroy the kingdom of<br />
Christ. But I rather agree in opini<strong>on</strong> with those who explain it to denote, that the scribes are declared<br />
to be, in two respects, opposed to the kingdom of God, because they intenti<strong>on</strong>ally hinder its progress.<br />
“It was your duty to assist me, and to give me your hand in establishing the kingdom of God; for<br />
whoever does not assist is, in some measure, opposed to me, or, at least, deserves to be reck<strong>on</strong>ed<br />
am<strong>on</strong>g enemies. What then shall be said of you, whose furious rage drives you into avowed<br />
oppositi<strong>on</strong>?” 126<br />
And he that gathereth not with me scattereth The truth of this is abundantly manifest from what<br />
has been already said; for so str<strong>on</strong>g is our propensity to evil, that the justice of God can have no<br />
place but in those who apply to it in good earnest. This doctrine has a still more extensive bearing,<br />
and implies that they are unworthy to be c<strong>on</strong>sidered as bel<strong>on</strong>ging to the flock of Christ, who do not<br />
125 “Que c’est folie aux hommes d’attendre deliverance, si Satan n’est premierement mis bas en choquant a b<strong>on</strong> escient c<strong>on</strong>tre<br />
luy;” — “that it is folly in men to expect deliverance, if Satan is not first put down by encountering him in good earnest.”<br />
126 “A batailler ouvertement c<strong>on</strong>tre Dieu;” — “to fight openly against God.”<br />
49<br />
John Calvin