Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 25:15

15 And unto one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every man according to his several ability, and straitway took his journey.

There is much the same Parable, Luke 19.12. but the difference is so great in the Narration, and the time and Circumstances, and Scope, seem so different, that the best Expositors think it another, and spoken at another time, tho there be much of this in that: I shall therefore leave the consideration of that in Luke, until I meet with it in him, (tho some Interpreters do think this the same with that) and only consider this, as it is before us in this Evangelist. By the Kingdom of Heaven, is doubtless here to be understood the Oeconomy of God's Providence in his Gospel-Dispensations, the Man travelling into a far Country, is Christ ascending up to Heaven, who when he ascended up on High, gave Gifts unto Men, Eph. 4.8. By the Goods, which the Man is said to have delivered to his Servants, are to be understood the Gifts which God giveth to Men, being himself (as to his glorious presence, and his principal Residence which is in Heaven at a great distance from us) as a Man in a far Country, for I see no reason to restrain these Gifts to such as flow from Christ as Mediator, but rather chuse to interpret it generally of all the Gifts of God, whether of Providence or Grace, whereas v. 15. it is said that this Man divided his Goods to his Servants inequally, to one Five Talents, to another two, to another one, to every Man according to his several Ability. It signifieth only Gods inequal Distribution of his Gifts to the Sons of Men, according to his own good pleasure, which is true both concerning Natural Parts, as Wit, Vnderstanding, Iudgment, Memory, as concerning those which the Heathens call good things of Fortune, as Riches, Honours and Dignities, Christians call them the good things of Providence, under which Notion also come all acquired Habits, or indowments, such as Learning, Knowledge, Moral Habits, &c. which tho acquired are yet Gifts, because it is the same God who gives us Power to get Wealth, as Moses speaks, Deut. 8.18. who also gives Men Power to get Knowledge, and upon Study and Meditation to comprehend the Natures, and Causes of things, and also to Govern, and Bridle our Appetites. Or the Gifts of more special Providence, or Distinguishing Grace. I take all those Powers given to Men, by which they are inabled to do good, or to excell others, to come under the Notion of the Goods here mentioned, which God Distributeth inequally according to his own good Pleasure, and as seemeth best [illegible: 1 letter]o his Heavenly Wisdom, for the Government of the Worl[illegible: 1 letter], and the ordering of the affairs of his Church, of all which God wi[illegible: 1 letter]l have an account one Day, and reward Men according to the Improvement, or no Improvement, which they have made of them in their several Stations.

Marginal references: A Talent is 187 pound ten Shillings, see on Chap. 18.24