Matthew Poole and continuators on Luke 7:48

48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

Our Saviour treateth his host civilly, but yet letteth him know, that he both knew his heart, and the heart of this poor Woman, whom he had so uncharitably reflected upon. Simon v. 39. spake within himself. Christ lets him know that he knew the thoughts of his heart. I have, (saith he) something to say unto thee. So he civilly obtaineth leave of him to speake, Simon saith, Master say on. Our Saviour tells him. There was a certain Creditor, &c. It is obvious by our Saviours application of this Parable v. 44, 45, 46, 47. That he whom Christ here intendeth under the notion of a Creditor is God. That one of the debtors that did owe five hundred pence, (that is a great Sum,) was this Woman, whither Simon were intended by the other or no, is not easily determined, but admit the other was [non-Latin text not transcribed] any one that was a Sinner, but not so notorious a Sinner. God forgives freely both the one and the other. Christ asks which would love most? Simon tells him, that Debtor to whom most was forgiven. Christ tells him that he had judged rightly, whence observe. 1. That as all Sins, so all Sinness are not equal in the sight of God, all are guilty, but there are degrees in guilt. 2. That be Mens Sins less or greater, fewer, or more, those who have least will stand in need of pardoning Mercy, and forgivness. 3. That God is free in the forgivness of all Sins, be they few or more. He frankly forgave them both. 4. That Christ first speaketh of these two Debtors as being forgiven them, of their loving much ▪ and of their being forgiven as the cause of their loving much 5. That much love, will follow a great forgivness, a great Sinner (one I mean who hath been so) will hardly ever be able to satisfie himself, that his much is forgiven, if he doth not find his heart very warm with Love to God. 6. A true Love to God and Christ, will be seen in all acts, which may be demonstrative or declarative of it. Christ turns to the Woman, and saith to Simon, &c. Kissing, washing of feet, anointing with Oil, were usual Complements of those Countries, by which Men shewed their respects and kindness to Strangers and Friends. For Washing of Feet. See Gen. 18.4 & 19 2. Iud. 29 21. 1 Sam. 25.41. 1 Tim. 5.10. For anointing with Oil. See Psal. 23.5 & 45.7. This Woman had exceeded the usual kindness, and civility of the Country toward Christ, they were wont to bring their Friends Water to wash their Feet, and possibly a piece of linnen to wipe them, she washeth his Feet with her tears, and drieth them with her hair. They used to annoint the Head [illegible: 1 letter]of their Friends with Oil, she annoints his Feet. They used to kiss one anothers Cheeks ▪ or Lips, she kisseth his Feet, they kissed their Friends once, she ceased not to kiss his Feet. Upon this Christ who before had forgiven her, declareth her to be forgiven, first in the hearing of Simon, then he doubleth his Words unto her. He had told Simon before that the Creditor had frankly forgiven them both, his adding here, Her sins which are many, sufficiently evidenceth that she was she, whom he intended by the debtor who owed much. Hence we may judge how little ground the Papists have, to urge this place to prove, that Remission of Sins is procured by our own merits and satisfactions. Love here is not mentioned as the cause, but as the effect of the Remission of Sins, and that which our Saviour here designed to instruct Simon in, was. 1. That whatsoever this Woman had been, she was not now such a notorious Sinner, as he fancyed; her Sins were forgiven. 2. That God having thus favoured her with the Grace of Remission, had also kindled in her heart a Love towards him. 3. That this Love wrought in her heart in some proportion to that Love, which God had magnified upon her, therefore she loved much. 4. That Men and Womens love to God and Christ, will, and ought to be according to that Love which they have received from Christ. 5. That much love to God, will bring a great sense of Gods Love to the Soul. Iohn 14.21. The Particle [non-Latin text not transcribed] which we Translate because, doth not always in Scripture signifie the cause, but may be translate therefore, or for what cause, see Ioh 14.17. you know him for he dwelleth in you, the Spirits abiding in believers, is not the cause of their knowing of him▪ but the effect of it, so that for, in that place is as much as therefore, So in Mark 9.28. [non-Latin text not transcribed] is as much as for what cause, or, for what reason? we translate it, why could not we cast him out, so here, Her Sins which are many are forgiven, for which cause, or reason, she loveth much.