Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 10:15

15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah, in the day of judgment, then for that city.

Our Lord had before set them their Limits, and appointed them their works, and directed them as to their Accoutrements for their Journey, here he directeth them their Methods. Luke hath much of the same instructions, ch. 10. v. 4, 5, 6. but applyed to the seventy, not to the twelve. Mark hath something of them applyed to the twelve, Mark 6.10, 11. And he said unto them, In what place soever you enter into an House, there abide until you depart from that place; and whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when you depart thence, shake off the dust under your Feet, for a Testimony against them. Verily I say vnto you, it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of Iudgment, than for that City. The method Christ set them was, when they came into any of the Cities of Israel, to inquire if there were any worthy Persons in it, and thither to go, and there to abide (if they did not find they were mistaken) untill they left that place; and when they came into an House to salute it, wishing all▪ Peace and Happiness to it, if they found themselves Welcome, to Preach to it the Gospel of Peace. But if they found themselves unwelcome, and discerned, that the People of the City, or of that House, did not care for their Company, and refused to hear them, they should not make themselves, or the Gospel a burden to them, but shew their Contempt of those who contemned the Gospel, and the Ministry of it, by shaking the dust off their Feet, as a Testimony against them. Then he concludes telling them, That the Lord would so grievously at last revenge such Contempt, that the Condition of the Men of Sodom and Gomorrah, who were destroyed by Fire and [illegible: 1 letter]rimstone, Gen. 19.24. would at the last day be more tolerable than theirs. This is the Sum, by which our Saviour doth obviate the sollicitous Thoughts, might from his former words arise in their Minds. How shall we live, going amongst Strangers, if we carry nothing with us? Saith our Saviour, when you first come into a Town or City, do not inquire for the Inns that entertain Strangers, but who is Worthy, Worthy of such Guests, so Heb. 11.38. A Son of Peace, Luk. 10.6. who are accounted, as the most Pious, and Religious Persons in that Town or City, or best affected to the Gospel, (he hereby hints, that Iohn the Baptist and his Ministry had had such Success, that in most places there were some such Persons.) Worthy, doth not in our ordinary Discourse signifie always a meritorious Person, but a Person Excelling, either, in Religion or Knowledge, or Moral Vertue. Such Persons our Lord presumes would entertain those, who came upon so kind an Errand, to their Houses, he Commands them to go, and when they came to an House to salute it: To say, Peace be to this House (which was the Iews ordinary Salutation) under the Notion of Peace they comprehended all Good. But, Let your Peace be upon it (I conceive) comprehendeth more, viz. Preach the Gospel of Peace unto it: Or, my Peace shall be upon it. I will bless that House. But if you find you are mis-informed, or mistaken, your Peace shall return unto you; you have done your Work, and you shall have your reward. If they will not receive you, nor hear your Words. If they declare any Contempt of you, and will not hear the glad Tidings of the Gospel: When you depart out of that House or City, shake off the dust of your Feet. This was more than a sign of Contempt of them, we read of Nehemiah ch. 5.13. that he shook his Lap, and said▪ so God shake out every Man from his House, and from his Labour that performeth not this Promise: We have but one Instance of this Practice of the Apostles, Acts 13.51. Luke adds for a Testimony against them. A Testimony of Gods despising them, who despised his Grace, and of the Vengeance of God, that should come upon them for that Contempt. For he adds, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of Iudgment, the last Judgment, than for that City. Their Condemnation will be more dreadful, as having sinned against greater Light, and fairer offers of greater Grace than ever they had.

Marginal references: Chap. 11, 22.24▪