Matthew Poole and continuators on Luke 9:56

56 For the son of man is not come to destroy mens lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

The Term Spirit sometimes signifies, the inward motions Propensions, and inclinations of the Soul, influenced either from the holy Spirit of God, or from the Evil Spirit. So the Term is used, 2 Tim. 1.7. you do not (saith our Saviour) consider what kind of motions these are, which you indulge your selves in. The Case of Elias, and this Case had three remarkable differences, 1. The People of Israel at that time had been in an Apostacy, but of few years Comparatively to these Samaritanes; they were fallen into it, in the sight of the true Worship of God at that time upheld in Iuda. They were not only stiff in it, but the King sends these Captains to apprehend Elias for declaring what God had commanded him to declare. These Samaritanes were under the Prejudices of Antiquity, and prescription for many hundreds of years. Histories tell us, that the Samaritane Temple, on Mount Gerazzim, builded in opposition to the Temple at Ierusalem, was builded by one Sanabala, Darius his Governour in those parts, to be revenged on the Iews, for turning his Son-in-Law Manasse, from the Priesthood at Ierusalem, which if it be true, the Samaritanes had been fixed now in their false Worship, more than five hundred years. Nor were these that we read of, any of the Heads, and Rulers, but probably ordinary Country People, Rooted so long in this Corrupt-way, and doing this in Zeal to their own Temple on Mount Gerazzim, and so inclined to shew no favour to those, who in any Devotion were going to the Opposite Temple. Christ pitieth them under these Prejudices, and tho he doth not approve of their Worship, yet he did not think, that the way to change their minds, was to call for Fire from Heaven against them, nor would he be so severe against them. It is not the Will of God, that we should approve of any corrupt Worship, and joyn with those that use it, but neither is it his Will, that we should by Fire and Sword go about to suppress it, and bring Men off from it. Antiquity, or the Practice of our Fore-fathers, is no sufficient Plea to justify any Worship. (It was the Samaritanes Plea, Iohn 4.20.) but yet where any such Prejudice against the Truth is, it calleth to us, for Mild and Gentle Behaviour, towards such as are under those disadvantages for the receiving of the Truth. 2. But Secondly, There was a difference in the Call of Elias. He was an extraordinary Prophet who did nothing of this Nature, but by an immediate Imtruse, and direction; so as what he did was in Zeal for God, guided by a Knowledge of the Will of God. The Disciples had no such Call. 3. The times differed, Elias acted under the Legal Dispensation, which was more severe. They were under the more mild and gentle Dispensation of the Gospel. And in this Question they did but indulge their Passions, and sinful desire of Revenge, therefore (saith our Saviour) you know not what manner of Spirit you are of. Our Saviour lets them know, that they were under a more mild and gentle Dispensation, by Propounding his own Example. The Son of Man (saith he) came not to destroy Mens Lives, but to save. The Term Translated Lives signifyeth also Souls; but if we consider the Apostles questions, which was not whether they should call for Fire from Heaven, to destroy their Souls; but to destroy them as to their Lives here, it will well enough justify our Translators rendering it in this place Lives. You see, saith our Saviour, by my healing the Sick, raising the Dead, &c. that my business is not to make my Ministry ingrateful to Men, by any ways Prejudicing them in their outward Concerns. If it were Translated Souls, it is yet a great Truth. Christ came not to destroy Mens Souls, but to bring the means of Salvation, and Eternal Happiness; if they reject these, and Perish, their Destruction is of themselves.

Marginal references: Joh. 3.17. & 12.47.