Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 10:42

42 And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

He that receiveth you, receiveth me, &c. we have the same Luke 10.16. only there it is. He that heareth you, heareth me, and there is added, And he that despiseth you, despiseth me, and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me; in Iohn 13, 20. it is, Verily, Verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me, and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me. As great Princes account what Favour is shewn to their Embassadours, who represent their Persons, shewn unto themselves, and whatsoever Indignities, or Affronts are done unto them, as done to themselves, so doth Christ. Receiving is a general Term, and capable of a large interpretation. That Hearing is one Branch of it, Luke tells us. The Scope of the Context, and the Words that follow, do manifest that a giving Entertainment to them in their houses, is another thing here meant. There is another more inward, receiving of their Doctrine by Faith, and Love to which undoubtedly, there will be a great reward. But whether it be here intended, I doubt. Our Saviour was sending the 12 out, he had commanded them to take with them, no Gold, Silver, nor Brass, no Scrip, &c. but when they came into any City, to inquire who there were in that City, who were worthy Men, Favourers to the Gospel, and ready to entertain Strangers, and to go to their House or Houses, Saluting them, and to abide there, till they left the place. He furnisheth them here as it were with a Ticket, or Bill of Exchange. He gives them an Assurance, that whatsoever kindness should be done to them, he would account it as done to himself. And further hath assured both them, and all the World, That if any should come to them to reveal the Will of God (for that the Term Prophet signifyeth) if they give him an Entertainment upon that account, they should be rewarded. What is here meant by the Term; a Prophets reward is variously guessed, whether it be. 1. The reward which God hath appointed for such as entertain his Prophets. 2. Or such a reward as such a Prophet shall himself receive, or. 3. The reward which the Prophet will give him or them, viz. Prayers and Instruction. That which appears to me most probable, is that no more is meant, then a Liberal reward. For such shall be the reward of those who turn many to Righteousness, Dan. 12.3. Those words [in the Name of a Prophet] are both exclusive of t ose from the benefit of this promise▪ who receive and entertain the Ministers of the Gospel, upon any other account then this, that they are the Lords Prophets ▪ and also encouraging to those who may discern, they have been mistaken in their Acts of Charity of this Nature; if they have been sincere in their Designs, and Actions, they shall not lose their reward, tho the pretended Prophet so entertained prove but an Impostor. And whosoever shall give to one of these little ones a Cup of Cold Water only, in the Name of a Disciple: He shall not lose his reward. Christ will not only reward those who shew love to his Prophets, but those who shew kindness to his Members, whom the World counts Contemptible, and calleth little ones; nor shall those only be rewarded, who give them great Entertainments, and make them great Presents, but (if it be proportionable to what they are able to do) tho it be a kindness of the mo[illegible: 1 letter]t Minute Consideration, but a Cup of Cold Water, they shall be rewarded. God rewards the love we shew to him and the good Actions, that flow from it. Here are three Persons mentioned, for whose Entertainment, and reception, God hath provided in this Promise. A Prophet. A Righteous Man, a little one. And a three-fold reward promised. The reward of a Prophet. The reward of a Righteous Man, and his reward. How to distinguish the Righteous Man, and the little one, I cannot tell, unless we understand by the Righteous man, one more perfect, more Eminent in holiness, and by the little one, one that is sincere, tho we cannot Judge him so grown in Grace, and the knowledge of Christ. I should understand no more by the three-fold rewards, then Gods more particular Value for his Ministers, and for such as are more perfect in Holiness. While in the mean time he will not break the bruised Reed, nor quench the smoaking Flax, and that every one shall be rewarded according to his Works. Which shall not be measured by the quantity of the Gift, but by the Obedience, and Affection, and Ability of the giver; Luke 21.2, 3. Heb. 6.1[illegible: 1 letter].

Marginal references: Chap. 25.40. Mar. 9.41.