And though in words they take upon them to be the only servants, sons, and saints of God, as heretics and schismatics ordinarily do, yet these words of theirs and their confident calling on God are not such fruits by which you can judge well of them, for it is not every one which believeth on me, which acknowledgeth me, which looketh for salvation from me, that—
at the day of judgment, Lord, we are the men which thou by thy power hast enabled to foretell things to come, and by the same to exorcise devils, and do all kind of miracles.
saying, I never knew you:
believeth and entertaineth all these commands here contained in this sermon, (beginning ch. v. 1,) and practiseth them, he is like a prudent builder, that laid the foundation of his house upon a rock: (see note on ch. x. [b]).
land floods that proceeded from that sudden rain, by, τῷ ὀνδμ.
(The things that heathen men are so solicitous for; they that worship false idol gods, or that acknowledge nothing of a divine providence,) for the gospel tells us (not that we have no need of them, but) that God knows we have need of them, and will in his providence take care for our wants, help us to the necessaries of life in due time, as long as he affords us life.
But let your principal and first care be to approve yourselves the obedient servants of God, performing all those things with all diligence and exactness, which are required to render you acceptable in his sight, and then for the necessaries of this life (though ye now, which follow me, have no way to lay in for yourselves) I promise you, that they shall not be wanting to you, I will take care they shall be brought in unto you.