THE occasion of the words is set down in the context; Levi was called from the receipt of custom, (he was a Custom-house man) but Christ called him, and there went out power with the word, he left all, rose up, and followed him, ver. 28. Levi did not consult with flesh and blood, he did not say, What shall I do for the hundred Talents*? how shall I live and maintain my charge? I shall lose many a sweet bit at the Custom-house; poverty is like to be my patrimony; nay, in case I follow Christ I must espouse persecution; he doth not reason thus; but having a call, he hastens away after Christ, He rose up and followed him; and that he might give Christ a pledge and specimen of his love, he makes him a feast, ver. 29. And Levi made him a great feast in his own house; a better guest he could not invite; Christ always came with his cost; Levi feasted Christ with his cheer, and Christ feasted him with salvation. Well, Christ being at this feast, the Pharisees begin to murmur, ver. 30. Why do ye eat and drink with publicans? The Pharisees, 1. were offended at him that he should go in and eat with ⟨p. 468⟩Publicans. The Publicans were counted the worst of sinners; sinners of the deepest dye; yet the Pharisees were not so much offended at the sins of the Publicans, as they had a mind to pick a quarrel with Christ. He who was the Horne of salvation to some, was a Rock of offence to these Jews; others did feed on him, these did stumble at him. 2. They accuse Christ: for these words carry in them a Charge and Accusation, Why do ye eat with Publicans and sinners? The Pharisees impeached Christ for eating with sinners; malice will never want matter of accusation. Though the Devils proclaimed Christs holiness, Luke 4.34. Let us alone, I know thee who thou art, the holy one of God. Yet the Pharisees tax him for a sinner; see what malice will do, it will make a man speak that which the Devil himself will not speak. The Devils justify Christ, the Pharisees accuse him. And if Christ who was a Lamb without spot, could not scape the worlds censures, no wonder if his people are loaded with the calumnies and censures of the wicked.
THE occasion of the words is set down in the context; Levi was called from the receit of custome, (he was a Custome-house man) but Christ called him, and there went out power with the word, he left all, rose up, and followed him, ver. 28. Levi did not consult with flesh and blood, he did not say, What shall I do for the hundred Talents*? how shall I live and maintain my charge? I shall lose many a sweet bit at the Custom-house; poverty is like to be my patrimony; nay, in case I follow Christ I must espouse persecution; he doth not reason thus; but having a call, he hastens away after Christ, He rose up and followed him; and that he might give Christ a pledge and specimen of his love, he makes him a feast, ver. 29. And Levi made him a great feast in his own house; a better guest he could not invite; Christ alwayes came with his cost; Levi feasted Christ with his chear, and Christ feasted him with salvation. Well, Christ being at this feast, the Pharisees begin to murmur, ver. 30. Why do ye eate and drink with publicans? The Pharisees, 1. were offended at him that he should go in and eate with ⟨p. 468⟩Publicans. The Publicans were counted the worst of sinners; sinners of the deepest dye; yet the Pharisees were not so much offended at the sins of the Publicans, as they had a mind to pick a quarrel with Christ. He who was the Horne of salvation to some, was a Rock of offence to these Jews; others did feed on him, these did stumble at him. 2. They accuse Christ: for these words carry in them a Charge and Accusation, Why do ye eate with Publicans and sinners? The Pharisees impeached Christ for eating with sinners; malice will never want matter of accusation. Though the Divels proclaimed Christs holinesse, Luke 4.34. Let us alone, I know thee who thou art, the holy one of God. Yet the Pharisees tax him for a sinner; see what malice will do, it will make a man speak that which the Divel himself will not speak. The Divels justifie Christ, the Pharisees accuse him. And if Christ who was a Lamb without spot, could not scape the worlds censures, no wonder if his people are loaded with the calumnies and censures of the wicked.
- *2 Chron. 25.9.
