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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
and horror. 132 Those who reason in that manner do not sufficiently consider what a monstrous crime
it is, not only to profane intentionally the sacred name of God, but to spit in his face when he shines
evidently before us. It shows equal ignorance to object, that it would be absurd if even repentance
could not obtain pardon; for blasphemy against the Spirit is a token of reprobation, and hence it
follows, that whoever have fallen into it, have been delivered over to a reprobate mind, (Romans
1:28.) As we maintain, that he who has been truly regenerated by the Spirit cannot possibly fall
into so horrid a crime, so, on the other hand, we must believe that those who have fallen into it
never rise again; nay, that in this manner God punishes contempt of his grace, by hardening the
hearts of the reprobate, so that they never have any desire towards repentance.
32. Neither in the present life What these words mean, Mark briefly explains by saying, that
those who have spoken against the Spirit are exposed to eternal judgment Every day we ask from
God the forgiveness of sins, and every day he reconciles us to Him; and, finally, at death, he takes
away all our sins, and declares that he is gracious to us. The fruit of this mercy will appear at the
last day. The meaning therefore is: — “There is no reason to expect that those who shall have
blasphemed against the Spirit will obtain pardon in this life, or will be acquitted in the last judgment.”
With regard to the inference drawn by the Papists, that the sins of men are forgiven after death,
there is no difficulty in refuting their slander. First, they act foolishly in torturing the expression,
future life, to mean an intermediate period, while any one may perceive that it denotes “the last
judgment.” But it is likewise a proof of their dishonesty; for the objection which they sophistically
urge is inconsistent with their own doctrine. Who knows not their distinction, that sins are freely
pardoned in respect of guilt, but that punishment and satisfaction are demanded? This is an
acknowledgment, that there is no hope of salvation to any one whose guilt is not pardoned before
death. To the dead, therefore, there remains no forgiveness, except as regards punishment; and
surely they will not venture to deny that the subject of this discourse is guilt. Let them now go and
light their fire of purgatory with these cold materials, if ice can kindle a flame. 133
MATTHEW 12:33-37
Matthew 12:33-37
33. Either make the tree good, and its fruit good: or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for
the tree is known by the fruit. 34. Offspring of vipers, how can you speak what is good, when you
are bad? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35. A good man, out of the
good treasure of his heart, bringeth forth what is good, and a bad man, out of the bad treasure,
132 “Veu que l’horreur d’iceluy nous devroit a tous faire dresser les cheveux en la teste;” — “since the horror at it ought to
have such an effect on all of us, as to make the hair stand on our head.”
133 “Voire s’i1 est possible de tant souffler la glace, qu’on la face flamber;” — “that is, if it be possible to blow upon the ice
in such a manner as to produce a flame.”
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John Calvin