Matthew Poole and continuators on Luke 12:48

48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required, and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

See the Notes on Matth, 24. from v. 45. to the end, where we met with thesame Parable, but here expressed more largely, and with more Circumstances. Matthew hath not the Introduction to it, which we have here, v. 41. It was occasioned, from Peters saying to Christ, Lord, speakest thou this Parable unto us, or unto all? Doth this Duty of Watchfulness concern all thy Disciples, or only us, that are thine Apostles, the Ministers of thy Gospel? The substance of what our Lord saith in Answer to Peter, from v. 42. to v. 49. is. Peter, I spake it to all, I have not the meanest Hearer, but is concerned to Watch against my coming. But you that are Ministers of my Gospel, are most eminently concerned. Others are concerned upon the Pain of Eternal Damnation, to have the Loyns of their understandings girt about with Truth, the Loyns of their Minds girt with Sobriety and Hope, to have their Lights burning to be every way, and always ready▪ Watching against Sin, abstaining from it, and Industriously keeping themselves from any obedience to their Lusts, in a prospect of my coming to Judgment. But you that are to be Ministers, are more highly concern'd than others. You are the Rulers of my Houshold, the Stewards of my Mysteries, 1 Cor. 4.1. your Work is to give the rest of my People their Portion of Meat in due Season, if you faithfully do this, you shall be blessed, holding on in doing of it to your lieves end, so as your Lord find you so do[illegible: 1 letter]ng. But if any of you shall be found, who out of my Athei[illegible: 1 letter]tical Principles, not in heart believing what you Preach to others▪ but saying, either that I will not come, or no[illegible: 1 letter] so soon but you may sleep a while, and wake time enough to prepare for my coming. If they, who should be examples to my Flock, and are the Rulers over them shall give reins to their Lusts, and eat with the Gluttons, and Drink with the Drunkards, if they who should feed my Flock, shall fall to the worrying of it, instead of feeding, beating my Men Servants, and Maidens. The Lord will not spare them long but be upon them before they are aware [non-Latin text not transcribed] and cut them in pieces, (the Word signifies to divide into two parts,) as those Nations were wont to serve the vilest transgressors, Traitors, and Rebels, and Violaters of their Covenants) they shall be most severely dealt withal, v, 47. They shall be beaten with many stripes. Because they knew their Masters will, and did it not. Ignorance of the Divine Will, will not wholly excuse the Sinner of Ignorance, he shall be beaten, but his stripes shall be few, his damnation shall be gentle compared with a Ministers, that knows his Masters will, but doth it not, teacheth it to others, but doth it not himself. Our Saviour further tells them. That this just judgment of God upon Leud and Scandalous Ministers, is [illegible: 1 letter]ustified by the ordinary practice of Men, who require much w[illegible: 2 letters]re they give much, and ask much of those to whom they have c[illegible: 1 letter]mmitted great trusts. God looks upon Wicked, loose, and Sca[illegible: 3 letters]lous and mischievous Ministers, as the greatest Transgressors, a[illegible: 2 letters] [illegible: 1 letter]he will deal withthem as such. There will be degrees in the punishment, as [illegible: 1 word] as in the rewards of another Life. Such Persons as [illegible: 1 word] take[illegible: 1 letter] [illegible: 1 letter]pon them to be the Rulers of Christs houshold, th[illegible: 1 letter] Stewar[illegible: 2 letters] of his Mysteries, if they be vile and Wicked, if they be not Faithfull in giving the Servants of Christs houshold [illegible: 2 letters]eir portion in its season, must expect the deepest place in the bottomless Pit; they know more then others, they have more commited to their trust then others, their examples do more harm then others. Their Sins are greater then others, and the fiery furnace will for them be heated over seven times.