While Matthew Henry was writing his commentary in 1708, China was ruled by one of its greatest emperors, Kang Xi.
His reign lasted 61 years and began when he was eight years old. But what is more interesting about him is that he was very respectful of the Christian faith. He gifted a house within the walls of the Forbidden City to the Jesuits and gave them land upon which to build a church.
Over the door the Emperor wrote an inscription: ‘To the true principal of all things. He is infinitely good and is infinitely just, he illumines, he supports, he regulates all things with supreme authority and with a sovereign justice. He has no beginning and no end. It is he who rules and is the true master.’ It is not believed that he embraced Christianity for his own salvation. Sadly, what a difference for the Chinese nation today. Now a different ‘Xi’ has the ultimate rule: Xi Jing Ping.
