--perhaps men's moral state was estimated by them. Therefore did he
show the use of those gifts--that they were distinct from renewing
grace--that the latter was more excellent than the former; and that
the possession of the latter could not be argued from the exercise of
the former.

Those gifts were very useful at that day, and in that city, which was
filled with idolatry, and almost the headquarters of paganism; but to
the possessor they were of less value than Christian graces--"Covet
earnestly the best gifts; and yet shew I unto you a more excellent
way"--Namely, the charity described in the following chapter, of which
we have been treating above.

To prevent the seventy from indulging the spirit which the apostle
afterwards thus reproved at Corinth, was the design of the caution
given them in the text. Christ observed how they valued themselves on
their gifts and checked the spirit its beginning. _Rejoice not that
the spirits are subject unto you._

II. We are to consider the command--_But rather rejoice because your
names are written in heaven_.

The names of the saints are represented as _written in Heaven_, This
language is figurative, accommodated to human weakness. God hath
promised salvation to the faithful and caused them to hope in his
mercy; but memorandums are not necessary to remind him of his
promises, or records in heaven to entitle the faithful to the heavenly
inheritance. God's counsels are always before him. The phraseology of
the text is borrowed from the customs of men, who need memorandums
and records to secure the fulfillment of engagements.