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VERS. XIX.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉;
Why callest thou me good?
I. FOR the better understanding our Saviour's sense and meaning in these and the following words, I would affirm (and who can argue it to the contrary?) That this man acknowledged Jesus for the true Messias.
1. This, several others did also, who as yet were not his Disciples: So those blind men when they call him the Son of David, Matth. XX. 30. not to mention others. And what reason can there be for the negative upon this man? especially when he appears to be a person of more than ordinary parts and accomplishments, not only from what he tells us of himself, but from that kind and affectionate reception he met with from Christ.
2. This was no vulgar or ordinary question he put here: What shall I do that I may inherit Eternal Life? For it seems plain that he was not satisfied in the doctrine of their Schools, about the merit of good works, and justification by the Law; but he thinks there is something more requisite toward the obtaining Salvation, because, after he had (as he tells us) performed this Law from his youth up, he yet enquireth further, what shall I do, &c. in which, that he was in earnest, our Saviour's behaviour toward him r 1.1 sufficiently testified: as also that he came to Jesus, as to no ordinary Teacher, to be in∣structed in this affair.
3. It was very unusual to salute the Rabbins of that Nation with this title. For however they were wont to adorn (not to say load) either the dead, or absent with very splendid Epithets, yet if they spoke to them whiles present, they gave them no other title than either Rabbi, or Mar, or Mari. If you turn over both the Talmuds, I am deceived if you once find either good Rabbi, or good Mar.
II. So far therefore is our Lord in these words from denying his God-head, that he rather doth as it were draw this person in, to own and acknowledge it. Thou seemest in thy very address to me, and the compellation thou gavest me to own me for the Messias, and dost thou take me for God too as well as man, when thou callest me good, seeing there is none good but God only? Certainly he saw something that was not ordinary in this man when it is said of him that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Mark X. 21. he loved him: i. e. he spoke kindly to him and exhorted him, &c. See 2 Chron. XVIII. 2. and Psal. LXXVIII. 36. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 they flattered him with their mouth. Hebrew, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Nor is it an ordinary affection this young man seemed to have for the blessed Jesus, in that, he departs sorrowful from the counsel that had been given him: and that he had the person that had counsel'd him in very high esteem, appears in that he could not without infinite grief reject the counsel he gave him.