---

I. WE MUST ALL EXPECT TO BE CALLED TO AN ACCOUNT BY THE LORD JESUS.

1. We are all now in "the way" — travellers — following Christ in consort.

2. There will be a review of what passes in "the way."

3. The accounts in the great day must be given up to our Lord Jesus. God made the world, by His Son; and by Him, as the fittest person, He will judge the world. Now this is a good reason —

(1) Why we should judge ourselves, and prove our own work, and see that our matters be right and good against that day. Let us examine ourselves concerning our spiritual state, that we may make sure work for our own souls.

(2) Why we should not judge one another, or be severe in our censures one of another. We thereby invade Christ's throne.

II. WE MUST IN A PARTICULAR MANNER BE CALLED TO AN ACCOUNT ABOUT OUR DISCOURSES AMONG OURSELVES.

1. If we talk anything which is good among ourselves, and which is to the use of edifying; which manifests grace in the speaker, and ministers grace to the hearers; Christ takes notice of that, and we shall hear of it again to our comfort, in that day when those who thus confess Christ before men shall be owned by Him before His father and the holy angels.

2. If we talk anything that is ill among ourselves; if any corrupt communication proceeds out of our mouths, dictated by the corruption of our minds, and which has a tendency to corrupt the minds and manners of others; Christ observes that too, is displeased with it — and we shall hear of it again, either by the checks of our own consciences, in order to our repentance, or in the day of the revelation of the righteous judgment of God, when, according to Enoch s prophecy, the Lord shall come to reckon with sinners, not only for all their ungodly deeds, but for all their hard speeches, spoken against Him.

III. As our other discourses among ourselves by the way, so ESPECIALLY OUR DISPUTES, WILL ALL BE CALLED OVER AGAIN, and we shall be called to an account about them.

1. Disputes commonly arise from difference of opinion, either in religion and Divine things (about which oftentimes the disputes and contests are most violent); or in philosophy, politics, or other parts of learning; or in the conduct of human life. These disputes (though not necessarily sinful in themselves, for men cannot be expected to agree on all points) are often such as we may justly be ashamed of, when we come to look back upon them.

(1) Upon account of the matter of them. This may have been —

(a)  Something above us, with which we had no concern; or

(b)  something below us, not worth disputing about.

(2) Upon account of our management of them. Our Master will be displeased with us if it be found that we have been hot and fierce in our disputes, and have mingled our passions and peevish resentments with them; if a point of honour has governed us more than a point of conscience, and we have contended more for victory and reputation, than for truth and duty; if we have contended about things of small moment for, or against, them, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law and gospel; if we have spent more of our zeal on matters in difference than they deserve; and have lost the vitals of religion in our heat about circumstantials, and have disputed away our seriousness and devotion — "What then shall we do when God riseth up? and when He visiteth, what shall we answer Him?"

2. Many disputes arise from separate and interfering interests in this world. Neighbours and relations quarrel about their rights and properties, their estates and trades, their honours and powers and pleasures; Meum and Tuum — "my rent" and "thy bond," are the great subjects of dispute, and engage people in endless strifes. These disputes, as they are most common, so they are most scandalous, among relations, and those who are under particular obligations to love one another. And whatever keeps brethren from dwelling together in unity, is very provoking to Christ, who has made brotherly love the livery of His family: and it is very hardly removed.

3. Some disputes, and hot ones too, arise merely from passion and clashing humours, where really there is nothing of judgment or interest in the case.

(1) As far as we are able to make a judgment, let us see to it that we have truth and right on our side, in all our disputes, and not be confident any further than we see just cause to be so. We must not only never contend for that which we know to be false and wrong, but also never for that which is doubtful, or which we do not know to be true and right.

(2) In matters of doubtful disputation. While we are contending for that which we take to be right, let us at the same time think it possible that we may be in the wrong.

(3) Let us keep the full possession and government of our own spirits, in all our disputes. Let us carefully suppress all inward tumults, whatever provocation may be given us; and let our minds be calm and sedate, whatever argument we are engaged in.

(4) Let us never lose the charity we ought to have for our brethren in our disputes of any kind, nor violate the sacred laws of it.

(5) Let us often think of the account we must shortly give to our great Master of all our disputes with our fellow-servants by the way. Let us consider how our disputes will look in that day, and what our own reflections will be then upon them.

IV. Of all disputes, Christ will be sure to reckon with His disciples for their DISPUTES ABOUT PRECEDENCY AND SUPERIORITY. The prevalency of such a temper as this, as far as it appears, is very threatening. But when the Spirit shall be poured out upon us from on high, there shall be no more such disputes as these; and then the wilderness shall become a fruitful field. Upon the whole matter, therefore, let our strife be, Who shall be best, not Who shall be greatest.

1. Let us never strive who shall be greatest in this world; who shall have the best preferment; who shall be master of the best estate, or make the best figure; but acquiesce in the lot Providence carves out to us, not aiming at great things, or striving for them. Consider what worldly greatness is.

(1) What a despicable thing it is to those who have their eyes upon another world.

(2) What a dangerous thing this worldly greatness is to those who have not their eyes upon another world; how apt it is to keep their hearts at a distance from God, and from the consideration and pursuit of a future blessedness; and to fix them to this world, and make them willing to take up with a portion in it; and, especially, what a strong temptation it is to break through all the sacred fences of the Divine law to compass it.

2. Let all our strife be who shall be best, not disputing who has been best, that is a vain-glorious strife, but humbly contending who shall be so; who shall be most humble, and stoop lowest, for the good of others; and who shall labour most for the common welfare. This is a gracious strife; a strife that will pass well in our account, when all our disputes will be reviewed,

(Matthew Henry.)

---

---

KJV: Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.

WEB: One of the lawyers answered him, "Teacher, in saying this you insult us also."