Standard Jet DBnb` Ugr@?~1y0̝cßFNjf7ٜ*(+` {6߱iC#23y[~(|*"|5烃f_Љ$g'DeFx -bT4.0 S  Y S  Y   Y Y  Y Y  Y  Y  Y   Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 2Y  Y   Y  Y ConnectDatabaseDateCreateDateUpdate FlagsForeignNameIdLvLvExtraLvModule LvPropName OwnerParentIdRmtInfoLongRmtInfoShortTypeYYIdParentIdName        OYS Y Y Y  Y 2ACMFInheritableObjectIdSID  AtYObjectId YSY  Y Y Y  Y  Y Y  Y AttributeExpressionFlagLvExtra Name1 Name2ObjectId Ordernzf edY"ObjectIdAttribute -YSY Y Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y ccolumn grbiticolumnszColumnszObject$szReferencedColumn$szReferencedObjectszRelationship   YYYszObject$szReferencedObjectszRelationshipYv1b N  : k & W  C t/     @@  @@ OJmJLJkQkiQ^JmYdbkWYfkmJL^QkLdd\bdmQkMWJfmQibdmQk Md``QbmJiv OQmJY^k `kvkJMQk`kvkdL[QMmk`kvkhoQiYQk`kvkiQ^JmYdbkWYfk`kvkOL  @    H  @ @ @ ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !  !  !  !  !  !  !  ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !      d k f  C  ;zp@;zp@Details@" <<<0000000. @-ةzp@;zp@Commentary@" BBB66666664 @;zp@;zp@Chapter Notes@" HHH<<<<<<<: @;zp@Θzp@Book Notes@" BBB66666664 @zp@zp@MSysRelationshipsDDDDDDDDDDB zp@zp@MSysQueries88888888886 zp@zp@MSysACEs22222222220 zp@zp@MSysObjects88888888886 zp@zp@MSysDb.........., zp@zp@Relationships<<<<<<<<<<: zp@zp@Databases44444444442 zp@zp@Tables..........,  YNY Y  Y IDBook IDComments  xuYIDv1Exodus  Genesis IYNY Y Y  Y IDBook IDChapterComments YIDv1@ wGenesis chapter two .....5Genesis chapter one ....4QYNY Y Y Y  Y  Y YIDBook IDChapterStart VerseEnd VerseCommentsYlYl lYYID ^ l '   LVAL{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\tx0\cf1\i\f0\fs24 (Note\i0 , \i Mr. Ryle's\i0 Preface\i follows these comments.)\i0 \par T\fs16 HESE\fs24 verses begin the New Testament. Let us always read them with serious and solemn feelings.\emdash The book before us contains not the word of men, but of God. Every verse in it was written by inspiration of the Holy Ghost. \par Let us thank God daily for giving us the Scriptures. The poorest Englishman who understands his Bible, knows more about religion than the wisest philosophers of Greece and Rome. \par Let us remember our deep responsibility. We shall all be judged at the last day according to our light. To whomsoever much is given, of them much will be required. \par Let us read our Bibles reverently and diligently, with an honest determination to believe and practice all we find in them. It is no light matter how we use this book. Eternal life or death depends on the spirit in which it is used. \par Above all let us humbly pray for the teaching of the Holy Spirit. He alone can apply truth to our hearts, and make us profit by what we read. \par The New Testament begins with the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. No part of the Bible is so important as this, and no part is so full and complete. Four distinct Gospels tell us the story of Christ's doing and dying. Four times over we read the precious account of His works and words. How thankful we ought to be for this! To know Christ is life eternal. To believe in Christ is to have peace with God. To follow Christ is to be a true Christian. To be with Christ will be heaven itself. We can never hear too much about Jesus Christ. \par The Gospel of Matthew begins with a long list of names. Sixteen verses are takenLVAL up with tracing a pedigree from Abraham to David, and from David to the family in which Jesus was born. Let no one think that these verses are useless. Nothing is useless in creation. The least mosses, and the smallest insects, serve some good end.\emdash Nothing is useless in the Bible. Every word of it is inspired. The chapters and verses which seem at first sight unprofitable, are all given for some good purpose. Look again at these sixteen verses; and you will see in them useful and instructive lessons. \par Learn from this list of names, that \i God always keeps His word\b .\b0 \i0 He had promised, that in Abraham's seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed. He had promised to raise up a Savior of the family of David. (\ul Gen_12:3.\ulnone \ul Isa_11:1\ulnone .) These sixteen verses prove, that Jesus was the son of David and the son of Abraham, and that God's promise was fulfilled.\emdash Thoughtless and ungodly people should remember this lesson, and be afraid. Whatever they may think, God will keep His word. If they repent not, they will surely perish.\emdash True Christians should remember this lesson, and take comfort. Their Father in heaven will be true to all His engagements. He has said, that He will save all believers in Christ. If He has said it, He will certainly do it. \f1 "\f0 He is not a man that He should lie.\f1 "\f0 \f1 "\f0 He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself.\f1 "\f0 (\ul 2Ti_2:13\ulnone .) \par Learn next from this list of names \i the sinfulness and corruption of human nature\b . \b0\i0 Observe how many godly parents in this catalogue had wicked and ungodly sons. The names of Roboam, and Joram, and Amon, and Jechonias, should teach us humbling lessons. They had all pious fathers. But they were all wicked men. Grace does not run in families. It needs something more than good examples and good advice to make us children of God. They that are born again are not born of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (\ul Joh_1:13\LVALulnone .) Praying parents should pray night and day, that their children may be born of the Spirit. \par Learn lastly from this list of names, \i how great is the mercy and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ\b . \b0\i0 Think how defiled and unclean our nature is; and then think what a condescension it was in Him to be born of a woman, and \f1 "\f0 made in the likeness of men.\f1 "\f0 Some of the names we read in this catalogue remind us of shameful and sad histories. Some of the names are those of persons never mentioned elsewhere in the Bible. But at the end of all comes the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Though He is the eternal God, He humbled Himself to become man, in order to provide salvation for sinners. \f1 "\f0 Though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor.\f1 " \par \f0 We should always read this catalogue with thankful feelings. We see here that no one who partakes of human nature can be beyond the reach of Christ's sympathy and compassion. Our sins may have been as black and great as those of any whom Matthew names. But they can not shut us out of heaven, if we repent and believe the gospel. If Jesus was not ashamed to be born of a woman, whose pedigree contained such names as those we have read to-day, we need not think that He will be ashamed to call us brethren, and to give us eternal life. \par ======================= \par \pard\sb100\sa100\b Preface\b0\emdash \par \f2\fs22 I\fs16 N\fs22 sending forth the first volume of a new expository work upon the Gospels, I feel it necessary, in order to prevent misapprehension, to offer some explanation of the character and design of the work. \par The "E\fs16 XPOSITORY\fs22 T\fs16 HOUGHTS\fs22 ," which are now before the reader, are not a learned, critical commentary. I do not profess to expound every verse of the Gospels, grapple with every difficulty, attempt the solution of every hard text, and examine every disputed reading or translation. \par The "E\fs16 XPOSITORY\fs22 T\fs16 HOUGHTS\fs22 " are not a continuouLVALs and homiletic exposition, containing practical remarks on every verse, like the commentaries of Brentius and Gualter. \par The plan I have adopted in drawing up the "Expository Thoughts" is as follows. I have divided the sacred text into sections or passages, averaging about twelve verses in each. I have then supplied a continuous series of short, plain "Expositions" of each of these passages. In each Exposition I have generally begun by stating as briefly as possible the main scope and purpose of the passage under consideration. I have then selected two, three, or four prominent points in the passage, singled them out from the rest, dwelt exclusively on them, and endeavoured to enforce them plainly and vigorously on the reader's attention. The points selected will be found to be sometimes doctrinal, and sometimes practical. The only rule in selection has been to seize on the really leading points of the passage. \par In style and composition I frankly avow that I have studied, as far as possible, to be plain and pointed, and to choose what an old divine calls "picked and packed" words. I have striven to place myself in the position of one who is reading aloud to others, and must arrest their attention, if he can. I have said to myself in writing each Exposition, "I am addressing a mixed company, and I have but a short time." Keeping this in view, I have constantly left unsaid many things that might have been said, and have endeavoured to dwell chiefly on the things needful to salvation. I have deliberately passed over many subjects of secondary importance, in order to say something that might strike and stick in consciences. I have felt that a few points, well remembered and fastened down, are better than a quantity of truth lying loosely and thinly scattered over the mind. \par A few\i \i0 foot-notes explaining difficult passages, have occasionally been added to the exposition. I have thought it good to add these notes for the information of readers, who may feel a wish to know LVALwhat can be said about the "deep things" of Scripture, and may have no commentary of their own. If the reading public should ever demand another edition of the work, the number of these foot-notes will probably be much increased. \par I cannot, of course, expect that the opinions expressed in these expositions, whether about doctrine, practice, or prophecy, will be satisfactory and acceptable to every one. I can only say, I have spoken out freely, and kept back nothing that seemed to me true. I have set down nothing but what I conscientiously believe to be the real meaning of the inspired writer, and the mind of the Spirit. I have always held that truth is most likely to be reached, when men on all sides conceal nothing, but tell out all their minds. Right or wrong, I have endeavoured to tell out my own mind. It is my firm conviction, that I have said nothing in these expositions which is not in perfect harmony with the thirty-nine articles of my own church, and does not agree in the main with all the Protestant confessions of faith. The words of an old divine will explain the kind of theology, to which I ever desire to conform;\emdash "I know no true religion but Christianity;\emdash no true Christianity but the doctrine of Christ; of His divine person (\ul Col_1:15\ulnone ,) of His divine office (\ul 1Ti_2:5\ulnone ,) of His divine righteousness (\ul Jer_23:6\ulnone ,) and of His divine Spirit, which all that are His receive (\ul Rom_8:9\ulnone .) I know no true ministers of Christ but such as make it their business, in their calling, to commend Jesus Christ, in His saving fulness of grace and glory, to the faith and love of men. I know no true Christian, but one united to Christ by faith, and abiding in Him by faith and love, to the glorifying of the name of Jesus Christ, in the beauties of gospel holiness. Ministers and Christians of this spirit, have for many years been my brethren and companions, and I hope ever shall be, whithersoever the hand of the Lord may lead me."\emdash\i (Traill's LVALPreface to Throne of Grace.)\i0 \par I am deeply sensible of the many imperfections and defects of the volume which is now sent forth. No one perhaps will see them more clearly than I do myself. At the same time, I think it only fair to say, that no exposition in this volume has been composed without deliberate reflection, and laborious examination of other men's opinions. There are very few passages handled in these expositions, concerning which I have not at least \i looked \i0 at the views of the following writers:\emdash Chrysostom, Augustine, Theophylact, Euthymius, Calvin, Brentius, Bucer, Musculus, Gualter, Beza, Bullinger, Pellican, Calovius, Cocceius, Baxter, Poole, Hammond, Lightfoot, Hall, Du Veil, Whitby, Piscator, Par\'e6use, Ferus, Jansenius, Leigh, Ness, Mayer, Trapp, Henry, Gill, Doddridge, Burkitt, Quesnel, Bengel, Scott, A. Clarke, Pearce, Adams, Watson, Olshausen, Alford, Barnes, Stier. I can truly say, that I have spent hours, days, and weeks in examining the opinions of these writers, and that when I differ from them, it is not because I do not know their views. \par Commentaries and Expositions of Scripture are so numerous in the present day, that I feel it necessary to say something as to the class of readers whom I have specially had in view in putting forth these E\fs16 XPOSITORY\fs22 T\fs16 HOUGHTS\fs22 . \par In the first place, I indulge the hope, that the work may be found \i suitable for use at family prayers. \i0 The supply of works adapted for this purpose has never yet been equal to the demand. \par In the next place, I cannot help hoping that the work may prove \i an aid to those who visit the sick and the poor. \i0 The number of persons who visit hospitals, sick-rooms, and cottages, with an earnest desire to do spiritual good, is now very great. There is reason to believe that proper books for reading on such occasions are much wanted. \par Last, but not least, I trust that the work may not be found unprofitable \i for private reading, LVAL as a companion to the Gospels. \i0 There are not a few whose callings and engagements make it impossible for them to read large commentaries and expositions of God's Word. I have thought that such may find it helpful to their memories to have a few leading points set before their minds, in connection with what they read. \par I now send forth the volume with an earnest prayer, that it may tend to the promotion of pure and undefiled religion, help to extend the knowledge of Christ, and be a humble instrument in aid of the glorious work of converting and edifying immortal souls. \par J. C. RYLE. \par \i Helmingham Rectory, \i0 \par \pard\sb100\sa100\qj\i December, \i0 1856. \par \pard\f0\fs24 =======================\cf0\f3\fs23 \par } (^\3 f= p G  z Q ( [ 2 e <  o F  yP'Z1d;nExO&Y0c:mD`(9B7{ "?_(-8 >w "?^(,j<s"?](  -p"?\( Lk"?[(EK6g"?Z(9D,d"?Y(/8.4`"?X($.I["?W(#SU"?V(9Q"?U( 45M"?T(.*<I"?S(j8E"?R( $G@"?O($.2<"?N(#68"?M(4?4"?L("90"?K("'0@+"?J( !C&"?I( <8""?H(".l0"?G(!3"?F(5"?E(R7"?D(!.,"?C( . "?B( 0"?A( 9"?@("*"??(3"?>(|8"?=(A"?<(X0"?;(P3"?:(3"?9(#8-"?8(?"?7(t9"?6(*8"?5(6"?4( C"?3(&"?2(X$"?1( Q"?0( 4"?/(' 5"?.(P4"?-( 2"?,( 26"?+($7"?*( 2"?)( ."?(( 3:,,"?'( ,2,/"?&( +5"?%( <"?$( &2LF"?#( %I"?"( .-"?!(  v*"? ( @"?( -"?( (|"?( "*)y"?( !,v"?( r+s"?( +p"?( &D,m"?( -j"?(  (g"?(""d"?('a"?(./^"?('["?( .X"?( 0T"?("(Q"?((N"?( HI"? (#F"? (&0*C"? (%'@"? ( f1<"? ( <28"?( .5"?( )2"?(  %/"?( &),"?( +)"?( b2%"?(7!"?(^e"?LVAL"{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 T\fs16 HESE\fs24 verses begin by telling us two great truths. They tell us how the Lord Jesus Christ took our nature upon Him, and became man. They tell us also that His birth was miraculous. His mother Mary was a virgin. \par These are \i very mysterious subjects. \i0 They are depths, which we have no line to fathom. They are truths, which we have not mind enough to comprehend. Let us not attempt to explain things which are above our feeble reason. Let us be content to believe with reverence, and not speculate about matters which we cannot understand. Enough for us to know, that with Him who made the world nothing is impossible\i .\i0 Let us rest in the words of the Apostles' Creed: "Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the virgin, Mary." \par Let us observe \i the conduct of Joseph \i0 described in these verses. It is a beautiful example of godly wisdom, and tender consideration for others. He saw the "appearance of evil" in her who was his espoused wife. But he did nothing rashly. He waited patiently to have the line of duty made clear. In all probability he laid the matter before God in prayer. "He that believeth shall not make haste." (\ul Isa_28:16\ulnone .) \par The patience of Joseph was graciously rewarded. He received a direct message from God upon the subject of his anxiety, and was at once relieved from all his fears. How good it is to wait upon God! Who ever cast his cares upon God in hearty prayer, and found him fail? "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." (\ul Pro_3:6\ulnone .) \par Let us observe \i the two names \i0 given to our Lord in these verses. One is Jesus: the other Emmanuel. One describes His office: the other His nature. Both are deeply interesting. \par The name Jesus means "Savior." ILVAL#t is the same name as Joshua in the Old Testament. It is given to our Lord because "He saves His people from their sins." \i This is His special office. \i0 He saves them from the guilt of sin, by washing them in His own atoning blood. He saves them from the dominion of sin, by putting in their hearts the sanctifying Spirit. He saves them from the presence of sin, when He takes them out of this world to rest with Him. He will save them from all the consequences of sin, when He shall give them a glorious body at the last day. Blessed and holy are Christ's people! From sorrow, cross, and conflict they are not saved. But they are saved from sin for evermore. They are cleansed from guilt by Christ's blood. They are made meet for heaven by Christ's Spirit. This is salvation. He who cleaves to sin is not yet saved\i . \par \i0 Jesus is a \i very encouraging name to heavy-laden sinners. \i0 He who is King of kings and Lord of lords might lawfully have taken some more high-sounding title. But He does not do so. The rulers of this world have often called themselves Great, Conquerors, Bold, Magnificent, and the like. The Son of God is content to call Himself Savior. The souls which desire salvation may draw nigh to the Father with boldness, and have access with confidence through Christ. It is His office and His delight to show mercy. "God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (\ul Joh_3:17\ulnone .) \par Jesus is a name,\i which is peculiarly sweet and precious to believers. \i0 It has often done them good, when the favor of kings and princes would have been heard of with unconcern. It has given them what money cannot buy, even inward peace. It has eased their wearied consciences, and given rest to their heavy hearts. The Song of Solomon speaks the experience of many, when it says, "thy name is as ointment poured forth." (\ul Son_1:3\ulnone .) Happy is that person, who trusts not merely in vague notions of God's mercy and goodness, but in "JesuLVAL$s." \par The other name in these verses is scarcely less interesting than that just referred to. It is the name which is given to our Lord from his nature, as "God manifest in the flesh." He is called Emmanuel, "God with us." \par Let us take care that we have clear views of our Lord Jesus Christ's \i nature and person. \i0 It is a point of the deepest importance. We should settle it firmly in our minds, that our Savior is perfect man as well as perfect God, and perfect God as well as perfect man. If we once lose sight of this great foundation truth, we may run into fearful heresies. The name Emmanuel takes in the whole mystery. Jesus is "God with us." He had a nature like our own in all things, sin only excepted. But though Jesus was "with us" in human flesh and blood, He was at the same time very God. \par We shall often find, as we read the Gospels, that our Savior could be weary, and hungry, and thirsty,\emdash could weep, and groan, and feel pain like one of ourselves. In all this we see\i \i0 "\i the man\i0 " Christ Jesus. We see the nature He took on Him, when He was born of the virgin, Mary. \par But we shall also find in the same Gospels that our Savior knew men's hearts and thoughts,\emdash that He had power over devils,\emdash that He could work the mightiest of miracles with a word,\emdash that He was ministered to by angels, that He allowed a disciple to call Him "my God,"\emdash and that he said, "Before Abraham was I am," and "I and my Father are one." In all this we see "\i the eternal God.\i0 "\i \i0 We see Him "who is over all, God, blessed for ever. Amen." (\ul Rom_9:5\ulnone .) \par Would you have a strong foundation for your faith and hope? Then keep in constant view your Savior's \i divinity. \i0 He in whose blood you are taught to trust is the Almighty God. All power is His in heaven and earth. None can pluck you out of His hand. If you are a true believer in Jesus, let not your heart be troubled or afraid. \par Would you have sweet comfort in suffering and trial? ThenLVAL keep in constant view your Savior's \i humanity. \i0 He is the man Christ Jesus, who lay on the bosom of the virgin Mary, as a little infant, and knows the heart of a man. He can be touched with the feeling of your infirmities. He has Himself experienced Satan's temptations. He has endured hunger. He has shed tears. He has felt pain. Trust Him at all times with all your sorrows. He will not despise you. Pour out all your heart before Him in prayer, and keep nothing back. He can sympathize with His people. \par \pard Let these thoughts sink down into our minds. Let us bless God for the encouraging truths which the first chapter of the New Testament contains. It tells us of One who "saves His people from their sins." But this is not all. It tells us that this Savior is "Emmanuel," God Himself, and yet God with us,\emdash God manifest in human flesh like our own. This is glad tidings. This is indeed good news. Let us feed on these truths in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving.\cf0\f1\fs23 \par } LVAL&{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\f0\fs24 I\fs16 T\fs24 is not known who these wise men were. Their names and dwelling-place are alike kept back from us. We are only told that they came "from the East." Whether they were Chaldeans or Arabians, we cannot say. Whether they learned to expect Christ from the ten tribes who went into captivity, or from the prophecies of Daniel, we do not know. It matters little who they were. The point which concerns us most is the rich instruction which their history conveys. \par These verses show us, \i that there may be true servants of God in places where we should not expect to find them. \i0 The Lord Jesus has many "hidden ones" like these wise men. Their history on earth may be as little known as that of Melchizedek, and Jethro, and Job. But their names are in the book of life, and they will be found with Christ in the day of His appearing. It is well to remember this. We must not look round the earth and say hastily, "all is barren." The grace of God is not tied to places and families. The Holy Ghost can lead souls to Christ without the help of many outward means. Men may be born in dark places of the earth, like these wise men, and yet like them be made "wise unto salvation." There are some traveling to heaven at this moment, of whom the church and the world know nothing. They flourish in secret places like the lily among thorns, and "waste their sweetness on the desert air." But Christ loves them, and they love Christ. \par These verses teach us, \i that it is not always those who have most religious privileges, who give Christ most honor. \i0 We might have thought that the Scribes and Pharisees would have been the first to hasten to Bethlehem, on the slightest rumor that the Savior was born. But it was not so. A few unknown strangers from a distant land were the first, except the shepherds mentioLVAL'ned by Luke, to rejoice at His birth. "He came unto his own, and his own received him not." What a mournful picture this is of human nature! How often the same kind of thing may be seen among ourselves! How often the very persons who live nearest to the means of grace are those who neglect them most! There is only too much truth in the old proverb, "The nearer the church the further from God." Familiarity with sacred things has an awful tendency to make men despise them. There are many, who from residence and convenience ought to be first and foremost in the worship of God, and yet are always last. There are many, who might well be expected to be last, who are always first. \par These verses teach us,\b \b0\i that there may be knowledge of Scripture in the head, while there is no grace in the heart. \i0 Mark how king Herod sends to inquire of the priests and elders, "where Christ should be born." Mark what a ready answer they return him, and what an acquaintance with the letter of Scripture they show. But they never went to Bethlehem to seek for the coming Savior. They would not believe in Him, when He ministered among them. Their heads were better than their hearts.\emdash Let us all beware of resting satisfied with head-knowledge. It is an excellent thing, when rightly used. But a man may have much of it, and yet perish everlastingly. What is the state of our hearts? This is the great question. A little grace is better than many gifts. Gifts alone save no one. But grace leads on to glory. \par The conduct of the wise men described in this chapter is \i a\i0 \i splendid example of spiritual diligence.\b\i0 \b0 What trouble it must have cost them to travel from their homes to the house where Jesus was born! How many weary miles they must have journeyed! The fatigues of an Eastern traveler are far greater than we in England can at all understand. The time that such a journey would occupy must necessarily have been very great. The dangers to be encountered were neither few nor small. But none of thLVAL(ese things moved them. They had set their hearts on seeing Him "that was born King of the Jews;" and they never rested till they saw Him. They prove to us the truth of the old saying, "Where there is a will there is a way." \par It would be well for all professing Christians if they were more ready to follow the wise men's example. Where is our self-denial? What pains do we take about our souls? What diligence do we show about following Christ? What does our religion cost us? These are serious questions. They deserve serious consideration. \par Last, but not least, the conduct of the wise men is\b \b0\i a striking example of faith. \i0 They believed in Christ when they had never seen Him;\emdash but that was not all. They believed in Him when the Scribes and Pharisees were unbelieving;\emdash but that again was not all. They believed in Him when they saw Him a little infant on Mary's knee, and worshiped Him as a king. This was the crowning point of their faith.\emdash They saw no miracles to convince them. They heard no teaching to persuade them. They beheld no signs of divinity and greatness to overawe them. They saw nothing but a new-born infant, helpless and weak, and needing a mother's care like any one of ourselves. And yet when they saw that infant, they believed that they saw the divine Savior of the world. "They fell down and worshipped Him." \par We read of no greater faith than this in the whole volume of the Bible. It is a faith that deserves to be placed side by side with that of the penitent thief. The thief saw one dying the death of a malefactor, and yet prayed to Him, and "called Him Lord." The wise men saw a new-born babe on the lap of a poor woman, and yet worshipped Him, and confessed that He was Christ. Blessed indeed are those that can believe in this fashion! \par \pard This is the kind of faith, let us remember, that \i God delights to honor. \i0 We see the proof of that at this very day. Wherever the Bible is read the conduct of these wise men is known, and told as a memorB LVALR ial of them. Let us walk in the steps of their faith. Let us not be ashamed to believe in Jesus and confess Him, though all around us remain careless and unbelieving. Have we not a thousand-fold more evidence than the wise men had, to make us believe that Jesus is the Christ? Beyond doubt we have. Yet where is our faith?\f1\fs23 \par } LVAL*{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\f0\fs24 O\fs16 BSERVE\fs24 in this passage, how true it is that \i the rulers of this world are seldom friendly to the cause of God. \i0 The Lord Jesus comes down from heaven to save sinners, and at once we are told that Herod the king "seeks to destroy him." \par Greatness and riches are a perilous possession for the soul. They know not what they seek who seek to have them. They lead men into many temptations. They are likely to fill the heart with pride, and to chain the affections down to things below. "Not many mighty, not many noble are called." "How hardly shall a rich man enter the kingdom of God." \par Do you envy the rich and great? Does your heart say, "Oh! that I had their place, and rank, and substance"? Beware of giving way to the feeling. The very wealth which you admire may be gradually sinking its possessor down into hell. A little more money might be your ruin. Like Herod, you might run into every excess of wickedness and cruelty. "Take heed, and beware of covetousness." "Be content with such things as you have." \par Do you think that Christ's cause depends on the power and patronage of princes? You are mistaken. They have seldom done much for the advancement of true religion. They have far more frequently been the enemies of the truth. "Put not your trust in princes." Those who are like Herod are many. Those who are like Josiah and Edward the Sixth of England are few. \par Observe how \i the Lord Jesus was "a man of sorrows" even from His infancy. \i0 Trouble awaits Him as soon as He enters into the world. His life is in danger from Herod's hatred. His mother and Joseph are obliged to take Him away by night, and "flee into Egypt." It was only a type and figure of all His experience upon earth. The waves of humiliation began to beat over Him, even when He was a sucking child. \par The LorLVAL+d Jesus is just the Savior that the suffering and sorrowful need. He knows well what we mean, when we tell Him in prayer of our troubles. He can sympathize with us, when we cry to Him under cruel persecution. Let us keep nothing back from Him. Let us make Him our bosom friend. Let us pour out our hearts before Him. He has had great experience of affliction. \par Observe how \i death can remove the kings of this world like other men. \i0 The rulers of millions have no power to retain life, when the hour of their departure comes. The murderer of helpless infants must himself die. Joseph and Mary hear the tidings that "Herod is dead;" and at once they return in safety to their own land. \par True Christians should never be greatly moved by the persecution of man. Their enemies may be strong, and they may be weak; but still they ought not to be afraid. They should remember that "the triumphing of the wicked is but short." What has become of the Pharaohs and Neros and Diocletians, who at one time fiercely persecuted the people of God? Where is the enmity of Charles the Ninth of France, and bloody Mary of England? They did their utmost to cast the truth down to the ground. But the truth rose again from the earth, and still lives; and they are dead, and mouldering in the grave. Let not the heart of any believer fail. Death is a mighty leveler, and can take any mountain out of the way of Christ's church. "The LORD liveth" for ever. His enemies are only men. The truth shall always prevail. \par Observe, in the last place, \i what a lesson of humility is taught us by the dwelling place of the Son of God, \i0 when He was on earth. He dwelt with His mother and Joseph "in a city called Nazareth." \par Nazareth was a small town in Galilee. It was an obscure, retired place, not so much as once mentioned in the Old Testament. Hebron, and Shiloh, and Gibeon, and Bethel, were far more important places. But the Lord Jesus passed by them all, and chose Nazareth. This was humility. \par In Nazareth the Lord Jesus l4LVALDived thirty years. It was there He grew up from infancy to childhood, and from childhood to boyhood, and from boyhood to youth, and from youth to man's estate. We know little of the manner in which those thirty years were spent. That He was "subject to Mary and Joseph," we are expressly told. That He worked in the carpenter's shop with Joseph, is highly probable. We only know, that almost five sixths of the time that the Savior of the world was on earth was passed among the poor of this world, and passed in complete retirement. Truly this was humility. \par Let us learn wisdom from our Savior's example. We are far too ready to "seek great things'' in this world. Let us seek them not. To have a place, and a title, and a position in society, is not nearly so important as people think. It is a great sin to be covetous, and worldly, and proud, and carnal-minded. But it is no sin to be poor. It matters not so much where we live, as what we are in the sight of God. Where are we going when we die? Shall we live for ever in heaven? These are the main things to which we should attend. \par \pard Above all, let us daily strive to copy our Savior's humility. Pride is the oldest and commonest of sins. Humility is the rarest and most beautiful of graces. For humility let us labor. For humility let us pray. Our knowledge may be scanty. Our faith may be weak. Our strength may be small. But if we are disciples of Him who "dwelt at Nazareth," let us at any rate be humble.\f1\fs23 \par } LVAL-{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs24 T\fs16 HESE\fs24 verses describe the ministry of John the Baptist, the forerunner of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a ministry that deserves close attention. Few preachers ever produced such effects. "There went out to him Jerusalem, \f1 and all Jud\'e6a, and\f0 all the region round about Jordan." None ever received such praise from the great Head of the Church. Jesus calls him "a burning and a shining light." The great Bishop of souls Himself declares, that "among them that are born of women there hath not arisen a greater than John the Baptist." Let us then study the leading features of his ministry. \par \pard\sb100\sa100\qj John the Baptist spoke plainly \i about sin. \i0 He taught the absolute necessity of "repentance," before any one can be saved. He preached that repentance must be proved by its "fruits." He warned men not to rest on outward privileges, or outward union with the church. \par This is just the teaching that we all need. We are naturally dead, and blind, and asleep in spiritual things. We are ready to content ourselves with a mere formal religion, and to flatter ourselves, that if we go to church we shall be saved. We need to be told, that except we "repent and are converted" we shall all perish. \par John the Baptist spoke plainly \i about our Lord Jesus Christ. \i0 He taught people that one far "mightier than himself" was coming among them. He was nothing more than a servant: the Coming One was the King. He himself could only "baptize with water:" the Coming One could "baptize with the Holy Ghost," take away sins, and would one day judge the world. \par This again is the very teaching that human nature requires. We need to be sent direct to Christ. We are all ready to stop short of this. We want to rest in our LVAL.union with the church, regular use of the sacraments, and diligent attendance on an established ministry. We ought to be told the absolute necessity of union with Christ Himself by faith. He is the appointed fountain of mercy, grace, life, and peace. We must each have personal dealings with Him about our souls. What do we know of the Lord Jesus? What have we got from Him? These are the questions on which our salvation hinges. \par John the Baptist spoke plainly \i about the Holy Ghost.\b \b0\i0 He preached that there was such a thing as the baptism of the Holy Ghost. He taught that it was the special office of the Lord Jesus to give it to men. \par This again is a teaching which we greatly require. We need to be told that forgiveness of sin is not the only thing necessary to salvation. There is another thing yet; and that is the baptizing of our hearts by the Holy Ghost. There must not only be the work of Christ for us, but the work of the Holy Ghost in us\i .\i0 There must not only be a title to heaven by the blood of Christ, but a preparedness for heaven wrought in us by the Spirit of Christ. Let us never rest till we know something by experience of the baptism of the Spirit. The baptism of water is a great privilege. But let us see to it that we have also the baptism of the Holy Ghost. \par John the Baptist spoke plainly \i about the awful danger of the impenitent and unbelieving. \i0 He told his hearers that there was a "wrath to come." He preached of an "unquenchable fire," in which the chaff would one day be burned. \par This again is a teaching which is deeply important. We need to be straitly warned, that it is no light matter whether we repent or not. We need to be reminded, that there is a hell as well as a heaven, and an everlasting punishment for the wicked, as well as everlasting life for the godly. We are fearfully apt to forget this. We talk of the love and mercy of God, and we do not remember sufficiently His justice and holiness. Let us be very careful on this point. It is no reLVALal kindness to keep back the terrors of the Lord. It is good for us all to be taught, that it is possible to be lost for ever, and that all unconverted people are hanging over the brink of the pit. \par In the last place, John the Baptist spoke plainly \i about the safety of true believers. \i0 He taught, that there was "a garner" for all who are Christ's wheat, and that they would be gathered together there in the day of his appearing. \par This again is a teaching which human nature greatly requires. The best of believers need much encouragement. They are yet in the body. They live in a wicked world. They are often tempted by the devil. They ought to be often reminded, that Jesus will never leave them nor forsake them. He will guide them safely through this life, and at length give them eternal glory. They shall be hid in the day of wrath. They shall be safe as Noah in the ark. \par \pard Let these things sink down deeply into our hearts. We live in a day of much false teaching. Let us never forget the leading features of a faithful ministry. Happy would it have been for the Church of Christ, if all its ministers had been more like John the Baptist!\cf0\f2\fs23 \par } LVAL0{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 Y\fs16 OU\fs24 have here the account of our Lord Jesus Christ's baptism. This was His first step, when He entered on His ministry. When the Jewish priests took up their office at the age of thirty, they were washed with water. When our great High Priest begins the great work He came into the world to accomplish, He is publicly baptized. \par Let us learn from these verses \i to regard the sacrament of baptism with reverence. \i0 An ordinance of which the Lord Jesus Himself partook, is not to be lightly esteemed. An ordinance to which the great Head of the Church submitted, ought to be ever honorable in the eyes of professing Christians. \par There are few subjects in religion on which greater mistakes have arisen than baptism. There are few which require so much fencing and guarding. Let us arm our minds with two general cautions. \par Let us beware on the one hand, \i that we do not attach a superstitious importance to the water of baptism. \i0 We must not expect that water to act as a charm. We must not suppose that all baptized persons as a matter of course receive the grace of God, in the moment that they are baptized. To say that all who come to baptism obtain like and equal benefit;\emdash and that it matters not a jot whether they come with faith and prayer, or in utter carelessness,\emdash to say such things appears to contradict the plainest lessons of Scripture. \par Let us beware on the other hand, \i that we do not dishonor the sacrament of baptism. \i0 It is dishonored when it is thrust out of sight, and never publicly noticed in the congregation. A sacrament ordained by Christ Himself ought not to be treated in this way. The admission of every new member into the ranks of the visible church, whether young or grown up, is an event which ought to excLVAL1ite a lively interest in a Christian assembly. It is an event that ought to call forth the fervent prayers of all praying people. The more deeply we are convinced that baptism and grace are not inseparably tied together, the more we ought to feel bound to join in prayer for a blessing, whenever any one is baptized. \par The baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ was attended by circumstances of peculiar solemnity. Such a baptism never will be again, so long as the world stands. \par We are told of \i the presence of all three persons of the blessed Trinity. \i0 God the Son, manifest in the flesh, is baptized. God the Spirit descends like a dove, and lights upon Him. God the Father speaks from heaven with a voice. In a word we have the manifested presence of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Surely we may regard this as a public announcement, that the work of Christ was the result of the eternal counsels of all the Three. It was the whole Trinity, which at the beginning of creation said, "let us make man." It was the whole Trinity again, which at the beginning of the Gospel seemed to say, "let us save man." \par We are told of "\i a voice from heaven\i0 "\i \i0 at our Lord's baptism. \par This was a circumstance of singular solemnity. We read of no voice from heaven before this, except at the giving of the law on Sinai. Both occasions were of peculiar importance. It therefore seemed good to our Father in heaven to mark both with peculiar honor. At the introduction both of the law and Gospel, He Himself speaks. \par How striking and deeply instructive are the Father's words! "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." He declares, in these words, that Jesus is the divine Savior sealed and appointed from all eternity to carry out the work of redemption. He proclaims, that He accepts Him as the Mediator between God and man. He seems to publish to the world, that He is satisfied with Him as the propitiation, the substitute, the ransom-payer for the lost family of Adam, and the Head of a redeemed peopl LVAL e. In Him He sees His holy "law magnified and made honorable." Through Him He can "be just and yet the justifier of the ungodly." (\ul Rom_3:26\ulnone .) \par \pard May we ponder these words well! They are full of rich food for thought. They are full of peace, joy, comfort and consolation, for all who have fled for refuge to the Lord Jesus Christ, and committed their souls to Him for salvation. Such may rejoice in the thought, that though in themselves sinful, yet in God's sight they are counted righteous. The Father regards them as members of His beloved Son. He sees in them no spot, and for His son's sake is "well pleased." (\ul Eph_1:6\ulnone .)\cf0\f1\fs23 \par } LVAL3{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 T\fs16 HE\fs24 first event in our Lord's ministry which Matthew records after His baptism, is His temptation. This is a deep and mysterious subject. There is much in the history of it which we cannot explain. But there lie on the face of the history plain practical lessons, to which we shall do well to take heed. \par Let us learn, in the first place\i , what a real and mighty enemy we have in the devil.\b \b0\i0 He is not afraid to assault even the Lord Jesus Himself. Three times over he attacks God's own Son. Our Savior was "tempted of the devil." \par It was the devil, who brought sin into the world at the beginning. This is he, who vexed Job, deceived David, and gave Peter a heavy fall. This is he, whom the Bible calls a "murderer," a "liar," and a "roaring lion." This is he, whose enmity to our souls never slumbers and never sleeps. This is he, who for nearly 6000 years has been working at one work, to ruin men and women, and draw them to hell. This is he, whose cunning and subtlety pass man's understanding, and who often appears as "an angel of light." \par Let us all watch and pray daily against his devices. There is no enemy worse than an enemy who is never seen and never dies, who is near us wherever we live, and goes with us wherever we go. Not least let us beware of that levity and jesting about the devil, which is so unhappily common. Let us remember every day, that if we would be saved, we must not only crucify the flesh, and overcome the world, but also "resist the devil." \par Let us learn in the next place,\i that we must not count temptation a strange thing. \i0 "The disciple is not greater than his master, nor the servant than his lord." If Satan came to Christ, he will also come to Christians. \LVAL4par It would be well for all believers, if they would remember this. They are too apt to forget it. They often find evil thoughts arising within their minds, which they can truly say they hate. Doubts, questions, and sinful imaginings are suggested to them, against which their whole inward man revolts. But let not these things destroy their peace, and rob them of their comforts. Let them remember there is a devil, and not be surprised to find him near them. To be tempted is in itself no sin. It is the yielding to the temptation, and giving it a place in our hearts, which we must fear. \par Let us learn in the next place, \i that the chief weapon we ought to use in resisting Satan is the Bible.\b \b0\i0 Three times the great enemy offered temptations to our Lord. Three times his offer was refused, with a text of Scripture as the reason, "it is written." \par Here is one among many reasons, why we ought to be diligent readers of our Bibles. The Word is the sword of the Spirit. We shall never fight a good fight, if we do not use it as our principal weapon.\f1\emdash\f0 The Word is the lamp for our feet. We shall never keep the king's highway to heaven, if we do not journey by its light.\f1\emdash\f0 It may well be feared, that there is not enough Bible-reading amongst us. It is not sufficient to have the Book. We must actually read it, and pray over it ourselves. It will do us no good, if it only lies still in our houses. We must be actually familiar with its contents, and have its texts stored in our memories and minds. Knowledge of the Bible never comes by intuition. It can only be got by hard, regular, daily, attentive, wakeful reading. Do we grudge the time and trouble this will cost us? If we do, we are not yet fit for the kingdom of God. \par Let us learn in the last place,\i what a sympathizing Savior the Lord Jesus Christ is. \i0 "In that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted." (\ul Heb_2:18\ulnone .) \par The sympathy of Jesus is a truth whichLVAL ought to be peculiarly dear to all believers. They will find in it a mine of strong consolation. They should never forget, that they have a mighty Friend in heaven, who feels for them in all their temptations, and can enter into all their spiritual anxieties. Are they ever tempted by Satan to distrust God's care and goodness? So was Jesus.\f1\emdash\f0 Are they ever tempted to presume on God's mercy, and run into danger without warrant?\f1\emdash\f0 So also was Jesus. Are they ever tempted to commit some one great private sin for the sake of some great seeming advantage? So also was Jesus.\f1\emdash\f0 Are they ever tempted to listen to some misapplication of Scripture, as an excuse for doing wrong? So also was Jesus.\f1\emdash\f0 He is just the Savior that a tempted people require. Let them flee to Him for help, and spread before Him all their troubles. They will find His ear ever ready to hear, and His heart ever ready to feel. He can understand their sorrows. \par \pard May we all know the value of a sympathizing Savior by experience! There is nothing to be compared to it in this cold and deceitful world. Those who seek their happiness in this life only, and despise the religion of the Bible, have no idea what true comfort they are missing.\cf0\f2\fs23 \par } LVAL6{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 W\fs16 E\fs24 have in these verses the beginning of our Lord's ministry among men. He enters on His labors among a dark and ignorant people. He chooses men to be His companions and disciples. He confirms His ministry by miracles, which rouse the attention of "all Syria," and draw multitudes to hear Him. \par Let us notice \i the way in which our Lord commenced His mighty work. \i0 "He began to preach." \par There is no office so honorable as that of the preacher. There is no work so important to the souls of men. It is an office which the Son of God was not ashamed to take up. It is an office to which He appointed His twelve apostles. It is an office to which Paul in his old age specially directs Timothy's attention. He charges him with almost his last breath to "preach the word." It is the means which God has always been pleased to use above any other, for the conversion and edification of souls. The brightest days of the Church have been those when preaching has been honored. The darkest days of the Church have been those when it has been lightly esteemed. Let us honor the sacraments and public prayers of the Church, and reverently use them. But let us beware that we do not place them above preaching. \par Let us notice \i the first doctrine which the Lord Jesus proclaimed to the world. \i0 He began to say "repent." \par The necessity of repentance is one of the great foundations, which lie at the very bottom of Christianity. It needs to be pressed on all mankind without exception.\emdash High or low, rich or poor, all have sinned and are guilty before God; and all must repent and be converted, if they would be saved. And true repentance is no light matter. It is a thorough change of heart about sin, a change showing itself in godly sorrow and humiliatLVAL7ion,\emdash in heartfelt confession before the throne of grace,\emdash in a complete breaking off from sinful habits, and an abiding hatred of all sin. Such repentance is the inseparable companion of saving faith in Christ. Let us prize the doctrine highly. It is of the highest importance. No Christian teaching can be called sound, which does not constantly bring forward "repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." (\ul Act_20:21\ulnone .) \par Let us notice \i the class of men whom the Lord Jesus chose to be His disciples. \i0 They were of the poorest and humblest rank in life. Peter, and Andrew, and James, and John, were all "fishermen." \par The religion of our Lord Jesus Christ was not intended for the rich and learned alone. It was intended for all the world,\emdash and the majority of all the world will always be the poor. Poverty and ignorance of books excluded thousands from the notice of the boastful philosophers of the heathen world. They exclude no one from the highest place in the service of Christ. Is a man humble? Does he feel his sins? Is he willing to hear Christ's voice and follow Him? If this be so, he may be the poorest of the poor, but he shall be found as high as any in the kingdom of heaven. Intellect and money are worth nothing without grace. \par The religion of Christ must have been from heaven, or it never could have prospered and overspread the earth as it has done. It is vain for infidels to attempt to answer this argument. It cannot be answered. A religion which did not flatter the rich, the great, and the learned,\emdash a religion which offered no license to the carnal inclinations of man's heart,\emdash a religion whose first teachers were poor fishermen, without wealth, rank, or power,\emdash such a religion could never have turned the world upside down, if it had not been of God. Look at the Roman emperors and the heathen priests with their splendid temples on the one side! Look at a few unlearned working men with the Gospel on the other! Were thLVALere ever two parties so unequally matched? Yet the weak proved strong, and the strong proved weak. Heathenism fell, and Christianity took its place. Christianity must be of God. \par Let us notice in the last place \i the general character of the miracles by which our Lord confirmed His mission.\b \b0\i0 Here we are told of them in the mass. Hereafter we shall read many of them described particularly. And what is their character? They were miracles of mercy and kindness. Our Lord "went about doing good." \par These miracles are meant to teach us our Lord's power. He that could heal sick people with a touch, and cast out devils with a word, is "able to save to the uttermost all them that come unto God by Him." He is almighty. \par These miracles are meant to be types and emblems of our Lord's skill as a spiritual physician. He before whom no bodily disease proved incurable, is mighty to cure every ailment of our souls. There is no broken heart that He cannot heal. There is no wound of conscience that He cannot cure. Fallen, crushed, bruised, plague-stricken as we all are by sin, Jesus by His blood and Spirit can make us whole. Only let us go to Him. \par These miracles not least are intended to show us Christ's heart. He is a most compassionate Savior. He rejected no one who came to Him. He refused no one, however loathsome and diseased. He had an ear to hear all, and a hand to help all, and a heart to feel for all. There is no kindness like His. His compassions fail not. \par \pard May we all remember that Jesus is "the same yesterday, to-day, and forever"! High in heaven at God's right hand, He is not in the least altered. He is just as able to save, just as willing to receive, just as ready to help, as He was 1800 years ago. Should we have spread out our wants before Him then? Let us do the same now. He can "heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease."\cf0\f1\fs23 \par } LVAL9{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 T\fs16 HE\fs24 three chapters which begin with these verses deserve the special attention of all readers of the Bible. They contain what is commonly called the "sermon on the mount." \par Every word of the Lord Jesus ought to be most precious to professing Christians. It is the voice of the chief Shepherd. It is the charge of the great Bishop and Head of the Church. It is the Master speaking. It is the word of Him who "spake as never man spake," and by whom we shall all be judged at the last day. \par Would we know what kind of people Christians ought to be? Would we know the character at which Christians ought to aim? Would we know the outward walk and inward habit of mind which become a follower of Jesus? Then let us often study the sermon on the mount. Let us often ponder each sentence, and prove ourselves by it. Not least let us often consider who they are that are called blessed at the beginning of the sermon. Those whom the great High Priest blesses are blessed indeed. \par The Lord Jesus calls those blessed, who are \i poor in spirit\i0 . He means the humble, and lowly-minded, and self-abased. He means those who are deeply convinced of their own sinfulness in God's sight. These are they who are not "wise in their own eyes and holy in their own sight." They are not "rich and increased with goods." They do not fancy they need nothing. They regard themselves as "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Blessed are all such! Humility is the very first letter in the alphabet of Christianity. We must begin low, if we would build high. \par The Lord Jesus calls those blessed, who \i mourn. \i0 He means those who sorrow for sin, and grieve daily over their own short-comings. These are they who trouble themselves more about sin than about anythingLVAL: on earth. The remembrance of it is grievous to them. The burden of it is intolerable. Blessed are all such! "The sacrifices of God are a broken and contrite spirit." One day they shall weep no more. "They shall be comforted." \par The Lord Jesus calls those blessed, who are \i meek. \i0 He means those who are of a patient and contented spirit. They are willing to put up with little honor here below. They can bear injuries without resentment. They are not ready to take offence. Like Lazarus in the parable, they are content to wait for their good things. Blessed are all such! They are never losers in the long run. One day they shall "reign on the earth." (\ul Rev_5:10\ulnone .) \par The Lord Jesus calls those blessed, who \i hunger and thirst after righteousness. \i0 He means those who desire above all things to be entirely conformed to the mind of God. They long not so much to be rich, or wealthy, or learned, as to be holy. Blessed are all such! They shall have enough one day. They shall "awake up after God's likeness and be satisfied." (\ul Psa_17:15\ulnone .) \par The Lord Jesus calls those blessed, who are \i merciful. \i0 He means those who are full of compassion towards others. They pity all who are suffering either from sin or sorrow, and are tenderly desirous to make their sufferings less. They are full of good works, and endeavors to do good. Blessed are all such! Both in this life and that to come, they shall reap a rich reward. \par The Lord Jesus calls those blessed, who are \i pure in heart. \i0 He means those who do not aim merely at outward correctness, but at inward holiness. They are not satisfied with a mere external show of religion. They strive to keep a heart and conscience void of offence, and to serve God with the spirit and the inner man. Blessed are all such! The heart is the man. "Man looketh at the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh at the heart." (\ul 1Sa_16:7\ulnone .) He that is most spiritual-minded will have most communion with God. \par The Lord Jesus calls tLVAL;hose blessed, who are \i peacemakers\i0 . He means those who use all their influence to promote peace and charity on earth, in private and in public, at home and abroad. He means those who strive to make all men love one another, by teaching that Gospel which says, "love is the fulfilling of the law." Blessed are all such! They are doing the very work which the Son of God began, when he came to earth the first time, and which He will finish when He returns the second time. \par Lastly, the Lord Jesus calls those blessed, who are \i persecuted for righteousness sake.\i0 He means those who are laughed at, mocked, despised, and ill-used, because they endeavor to live as true Christians. Blessed are all such! They drink of the same cup which their Master drank. They are now confessing Him before men, and He will confess them before His Father and the angels at the last day. "Great is their reward." \par Such are the eight foundation-stones, which the Lord lays down at the beginning of the sermon on the mount. Eight great testing truths are placed before us. May we mark well each one of them, and learn wisdom! \par Let us learn how entirely contrary are the principles of Christ to the principles of the world. It is vain to deny it. They are almost diametrically opposed. The very characters which the Lord Jesus praises, the world despises. The very pride, and thoughtlessness, and high tempers, and worldliness, and selfishness, and formality, and unlovingness, which abound everywhere, the Lord Jesus condemns. \par Let us learn how unhappily different is the teaching of Christ from the practice of many professing Christians. Where shall we find men and women among those who go to churches and chapels, who are striving to live up to the pattern we have read of to-day? Alas! there is much reason to fear, that many baptized persons are utterly ignorant of what the New Testament contains. \par \pard Above all let us learn how holy and spiritual-minded all believers should be. They should never aim at any sth LVALx andard lower than that of the sermon on the mount. Christianity is eminently a practical religion. Sound doctrine is its root and foundation, but holy living should always be its fruit. And if we would know what holy living is, let us often bethink ourselves who they are that Jesus calls "blessed."\cf0\f1\fs23 \par } LVAL={\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 I\fs16 N\fs24 these verses the Lord Jesus treats of two subjects. One is the character which true Christians must support and maintain in the world. The other is the relation between His doctrines and those of the Old Testament. It is of great importance to have clear views on both these subjects. \par True Christians \i are to be in the world like salt. \i0 Now salt has a peculiar taste of its own, utterly unlike anything else. When mingled with other substances it preserves them from corruption. It imparts a portion of its taste to everything it is mixed with. It is useful so long as it preserves its savor, but no longer. Are we true Christians? Then behold here our place and its duties! \par True Christians \i are to be in the world like light\b .\b0 \i0 Now it is the property of light to be utterly \i distinct\i0 from darkness. The least spark in a dark room can be seen at once. Of all things created light is the most \i useful\i0 . It fertilizes. It guides. It cheers. It was the first thing called into being. Without it the world would be a gloomy blank. Are we true Christians? Then behold again our position and its responsibilities! \par Surely, if words mean anything, we are meant to learn from these two figures, that there must be something marked, distinct, and peculiar about our character, if we are true Christians. It will never do to idle through life, thinking and living like others, if we mean to be owned by Christ as His people. Have we grace? Then it must be \i seen. \i0 Have we the Spirit? Then there must be \i fruit. \i0 Have we any saving religion? Then there must be a difference of habits, tastes, and turn of mind, between us and those who think only of the world. It is perfectly clear that true CLVAL>hristianity is something more than being baptized and going to church. "Salt" and "light" evidently imply \i peculiarity\i0 both of heart and life, of faith and practice. We must dare to be singular and unlike the world, if we mean to be saved. \par The relation between our Lord's teaching and that of the Old Testament, is cleared up by our Lord in one striking sentence. He says, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." These are remarkable words. They were deeply important when spoken, as satisfying the natural anxiety of the Jews on the point. They will be deeply important as long as the world stands, as a testimony that the religion of the Old and New Testament is one harmonious whole. \par The Lord Jesus came to fulfill \i the predictions of the prophets, \i0 who had long foretold that a Savior would one day appear. He came to fulfill the \i ceremonial law, \i0 by becoming the great sacrifice for sin, to which all the Mosaic offerings had ever pointed. He came to fulfill \i the moral law\i0 , by yielding to it a perfect obedience, which we could never have yielded,\f1\emdash\f0 and by paying the penalty for our breach of it with His atoning blood, which we could never have paid. In all these ways He exalted the law of God, and made its importance more evident even than it had been before. In a word, "He magnified the law and made it honorable." (\ul Isa_42:21\ulnone .) \par There are deep lessons of wisdom to be learned from these words of our Lord. Let us consider them well, and lay them up in our hearts. \par Let us \i beware of despising the Old Testament \i0 under any pretense whatever. Let us never listen to those who bid us throw it aside as an obsolete, antiquated, useless book. The religion of the Old Testament is the germ of Christianity. The Old Testament is the Gospel in the bud. The New Testament is the Gospel in full flower.\f1\emdash\f0 The Old Testament is the Gospel in the blade. The New Testament is the Gospel iLVAL?n full ear.\f1\emdash\f0 The saints in the Old Testament saw many things through a glass darkly. But they all looked by faith to the same Savior, and were led by the same Spirit as ourselves. These are no light matters. Much infidelity begins with an ignorant contempt of the Old Testament. \par Let us, for another thing, \i beware of despising the law of the Ten Commandments. \i0 Let us not suppose for a moment that it is set aside by the Gospel, or that Christians have nothing to do with it. The coming of Christ did not alter the position of the Ten Commandments one hair's breadth. If anything, it exalted and raised their authority. (\ul Rom_3:31\ulnone .) The law of the Ten Commandments is God's eternal measure of right and wrong. By it is the knowledge of sin. By it the Spirit shows men their need of Christ, and drives them to Him. To it Christ refers His people as their rule and guide for holy living. In its right place it is just as important as "the glorious Gospel."\f1\emdash\f0 It cannot save us. We cannot be justified by it. But never, never let us despise it. It is a symptom of an ignorant and unhealthy state of religion, when the law is lightly esteemed. The true Christian "delights in the law of God." (\ul Rom_7:22\ulnone .) \par \pard In the last place, let us \i beware of supposing that the Gospel has lowered the standard of personal holiness, \i0 and that the Christian is not intended to be as strict and particular about his daily life as the Jew. This is an immense mistake, but one that is unhappily very common. So far from this being the case, the sanctification of the New Testament saint ought to exceed that of him who has nothing but the Old Testament for his guide. The more light we have, the more we ought to love God. The more clearly we see our own complete and full forgiveness in Christ, the more heartily ought we to work for His glory. We know what it cost to redeem us far better than the Old Testament saints did. We have read what happened in Gethsemane and on Calvary, and t>LVALNhey only saw it dimly and indistinctly as a thing yet to come. May we never forget our obligations! The Christian who is content with a low standard of personal holiness has got much to learn.\cf0\f2\fs23 \par } LVALA{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 T\fs16 HESE\fs24 verses deserve the closest attention of all readers of the Bible. A right understanding of the doctrines they contain lies at the very root of Christianity. The Lord Jesus here explains more fully the meaning of His words, "I came not to destroy the law, but to fulfill." He teaches us that His Gospel magnifies the law, and exalts its authority. He shows us that the law, as expounded by Him, was a far more spiritual and heart-searching rule than most of the Jews supposed. And He proves this by selecting three commandments out of the ten as examples of what He means. \par He expounds \i the sixth commandment\i0 . Many thought that they kept this part of God's law, so long as they did not commit actual murder. The Lord Jesus shows, that its requirements go much further than this. It condemns all angry and passionate language, and especially when used without a cause. Let us mark this well. We may be perfectly innocent of taking life away, and yet be guilty of breaking the sixth commandment. \par He expounds \i the\b \b0 seventh commandment. \i0 Many supposed that they kept this part of God's law, if they did not actually commit adultery. The Lord Jesus teaches, that we may break it in our thoughts, hearts, and imaginations, even when our outward conduct is moral and correct. The God with whom we have to do looks far beyond actions. With him even a glance of the eye may be a sin. \par He expounds \i the third commandment. \i0 Many fancied that they kept this part of God's law, so long as they did not swear falsely, and performed their oaths. The Lord Jesus forbids all vain and light swearing altogether. All swearing by created things, even when God's name is not brought forward;\emdash all calling upon GoLVALBd to witness, excepting on the most solemn occasions, is a great sin. \par Now all this is very instructive. It ought to raise very serious reflections in our minds. It calls us loudly to use great searching of heart. And what does it teach? \par It teaches us \i the exceeding holiness of God. \i0 He is a most pure and perfect Being, who sees faults and imperfections, where man's eyes often see none. He reads our inward motives. He notes our words and thoughts, as well as our actions. "He requireth truth in the inward parts." Oh! that men would consider this part of God's character more than they do! There would be no room for pride, and self-righteousness, and carelessness, if they only saw God "as He is." \par It teaches us \i the exceeding ignorance of man in spiritual things. \i0 There are thousands and ten thousands of professing Christians, it may be feared, who know no more of the requirements of God's law than the most ignorant Jews. They know the letter of the ten commandments well enough. They fancy, like the young ruler, "all these have I kept from my youth up." They never dream that it is possible to break the sixth and seventh commandments, if they do not break them by outward act or deed. And so they live on satisfied with themselves, and quite content with their little bit of religion. Happy indeed are they who really understand God's law! \par It teaches us \i our exceeding need of the Lord Jesus Christ's atoning blood to save us. \i0 What man or woman upon earth can ever stand before such a God as this, and plead "not guilty"? Who is there that has ever grown to years of discretion, and not broken the commandments thousands of times? "There is none righteous, no! not one." Without a mighty Mediator we should every one be condemned in the judgment. Ignorance of the real meaning of the law is one plain reason why so many do not value the Gospel, and content themselves with a little formal Christianity. They do not see the strictness and holiness of God's Ten commandments. If they di6LVALFd, they would never rest till they were safe in Christ. \par \pard In the last place, this passage teaches us \i the exceeding importance of avoiding all occasions of sin. \i0 If we really desire to be holy, we must "take heed to our ways, that we offend not in our tongues."\f1\emdash\f0 We must be ready to make up quarrels and disagreements, lest they gradually lead on to greater evils. "The beginning of strife is like the letting out of water."\emdash We must labor to crucify our flesh and mortify our members, to make any sacrifice and endure any bodily inconvenience rather than sin.\f1\emdash\f0 We must keep our lips as it were with a bridle, and exercise an hourly strictness over our words.\f1\emdash\f0 Let men call us precise, if they will, for so doing. Let them say, if they please, that we are "too particular." We need not be moved. We are merely doing as our Lord Jesus Christ bids us, and, if this is the case, we have no cause to be ashamed.\cf0\f2\fs23 \par } LVALD{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 Y\fs16 OU\fs24 have here our Lord Jesus Christ's rules for our conduct one towards another. He that would know how He ought to feel and act towards his fellow men, should often study these verses. They deserve to be written in letters of gold. They have extorted praise even from the enemies of Christianity. Let us mark well what they contain. \par The Lord Jesus\i forbids everything like an unforgiving and revengeful spirit. \i0 A readiness to resent injuries,\f1\emdash\f0 a quickness in taking offence,\f1\emdash\f0 a quarrelsome and contentious disposition,\f1\emdash\f0 a keenness in asserting our rights,\f1\emdash\f0 all, all are contrary to the mind of Christ. The world may see no harm in these habits of mind. But they do not become the character of the Christian. Our Master says, "Resist not evil." \par The Lord Jesus \i enjoins on us a spirit of universal love and charity. \i0 We ought to put away all malice. We ought to return good for evil, and blessing for cursing. We ought to "love even our enemies."\f1\emdash\f0 Moreover we are not to love in word only, but in deed. We are to deny ourselves, and take trouble, in order to be kind and courteous. If any man "compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain." We are to put up with much and bear much, rather than hurt another, or give offence. In all things we are to be unselfish. Our thought must never be, "how do others behave to me?" but "what would Christ have me to do?" \par A standard of conduct like this may seem, at first sight, extravagantly high. But we must never content ourselves with aiming at one lower. We must observe the two weighty arguments by which our Lord backs up this part of His instruction. They deserve serious attention. \par For one thing, iLVALEf we do not aim at the spirit and temper which are here recommended, \i we are not yet children of God. \i0 Our "Father in heaven" is kind to all. He sends rain on good and on evil alike. He causes "His sun" to shine on all without distinction.\f1\emdash\f0 A son should be like his father. But where is our likeness to our Father in heaven, if we cannot show mercy and kindness to everybody? Where is the evidence that we are new creatures, if we lack charity? It is altogether wanting. We must yet be "born again." (\ul Joh_3:7\ulnone .) \par For another thing, if we do not aim at the spirit and temper here recommended\i , we are manifestly yet of the world. \i0 Even those who have no religion can "love those who love them." They can do good and shew kindness, when their affection or interest moves them. But a Christian ought to be influenced by higher principles than these.\f1\emdash\f0 Do we flinch from the test? Do we find it impossible to do good to our enemies? If that be the case, we may be sure we have yet to be converted. As yet we have not "received the Spirit of God." (\ul 1Co_2:12\ulnone .) \par There is much in all this which calls loudly for solemn reflection. There are few passages of Scripture so calculated to raise in our minds humbling thoughts. We have here a lovely picture of the Christian as he ought to be. We cannot look at it without painful feelings. We must all allow that it differs widely from the Christian as he is. Let us carry away from it two general lessons. \par \pard\sb100\sa100\qj\tx2880 In the first place if the spirit of these ten verses were more continually remembered by true believers,\b \b0\i they would recommend Christianity to the world far more than they do\i0 . We must not allow ourselves to suppose that the least words in this passage are trifling and of small moment. They are not so. It is attention to the spirit of this passage which makes our religion beautiful. It is the neglect of the things which it contains by which our religion is deformed. UnfailingLVAL courtesy, kindness, tenderness, and consideration for others, are some of the greatest ornaments to the character of the child of God. The world can understand these things, if it cannot understand doctrine. There is no religion in rudeness, roughness, bluntness, and incivility. The perfection of practical Christianity consists in attending to the little duties of holiness as well as to the great. \par \pard In the second place, if the spirit of these ten verses had more dominion and power in the world\i ,\b \b0 how much happier the world would be than it is. \i0 Who does not know that quarrelings, strifes, selfishness, and unkindness, cause half the miseries by which mankind is visited? Who can fail to see that nothing would so much tend to increase happiness as the spread of Christian love, such as is here recommended by our Lord? Let us all remember this. Those who fancy that true religion has any tendency to make men unhappy, are greatly mistaken. It is the absence of it that does this, and not the presence. True religion has the directly contrary effect. It tends to promote peace, and charity, and kindness, and goodwill among men. The more men are brought under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, the more they will love one another, and the more happy they will be.\cf0\f2\fs23 \par } LVALG{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 I\fs16 N\fs24 this part of the sermon on the mount the Lord Jesus gives us instruction on two subjects. One is that of giving alms. The other is that of prayer. Both were subjects to which the Jews attached great importance. Both in themselves deserve the serious attention of all professing Christians. \par Observe that our Lord takes it for granted, \i that all who call themselves His disciples will give alms.\b \b0\i0 He assumes as a matter of course, that they will think it a solemn duty to give, according to their means, to relieve the wants of others. The only point He handles is the manner in which the duty should be done. This is a weighty lesson. It condemns the selfish stinginess of many in the matter of giving money. How many are "rich towards themselves," but poor towards God! How many never give a farthing to do good to the bodies and souls of men! And have such persons any right to be called Christians, in their present state of mind? It may well be doubted. A giving Savior should have giving disciples. \par Observe again that our Lord takes it for granted, \i that all who call themselves His disciples will pray. \i0 He assumes this also as a matter of course. He only gives directions as to the best way of praying. This is another lesson which deserves to be continually remembered. It teaches plainly that prayerless people are not genuine Christians. It is not enough to join in the prayers of the congregation on Sundays, or attend the prayers of a family on week-days. There must be private prayer also. Without this we may be outward members of Christ's church, but we are not living members of Christ. \par But what are the rules laid down for our guidance about almsgiving and praying? They are few and simpLVALHle. But they contain much matter for thought. \par In giving, \i everything like ostentation is to be abhorred and avoided. \i0 We are not to give as if we wished everybody to see how liberal and charitable we are, and desired the praise of our fellow men. We are to shun everything like display. We are to give quietly, and make as little noise as possible about our charities. We are to aim at the spirit of the proverbial saying, "Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth." \par In praying, \i the principal object to be sought is to be alone with God. \i0 We should endeavor to find some place where no mortal eye sees us, and where we can pour out our hearts with the feeling that no one is looking at us but God.\f1\emdash\f0 This is a rule which many find it very difficult to follow. The poor man and the servant often find it almost impossible to be really alone. But it is a rule which we must all make great efforts to obey. Necessity, in such cases, is often the mother of invention. When a person has a real will to find some place, where he can be in secret with his God, he will generally find a way. \par In all our duties, whether giving, or praying, the great thing to be kept in mind is, \i that we have to do with a heart-searching and all-knowing God.\b \b0\i0 Everything like formality, affectation, or mere bodily service, is abominable and worthless in God's sight. He takes no account of the quantity of money we give, or the quantity of words we use. The one thing at which His all-seeing eye looks is the nature of our motives, and the state of our hearts. "Our Father seeth in secret." \par \pard May we all remember these things. Here lies a rock, on which many are continually making spiritual shipwreck. They flatter themselves that all must be right with their souls, if they only perform a certain amount of "religious duties." They forget that God does not regard the quantity, but the quality of our service. His favor is not to be bought, as many seem to suppose, by the formal repet8 LVALH ition of a number of words, or the self-righteous payment of a sum of money to a charitable institution. Where are our hearts? Are we doing all, whether we give or pray, "as to the Lord, and not to men"? Do we realize the eye of God? Do we simply and solely desire to please Him, who "seeth in secret," and by whom "actions are weighed"? (\ul 1Sa_2:3\ulnone .) Are we sincere? These are the sort of questions, with which we should daily ply our souls.\cf0\f2\fs23 \par } LVALJ{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fswiss\fcharset0 Arial;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 T\fs16 HESE\fs24 verses are few in number, and soon read, but they are of immense importance. They contain that wonderful pattern of prayer, with which the Lord Jesus has supplied His people, commonly called "the Lord's Prayer." \par Perhaps no part of Scripture is so well known as this. Its words are familiar, wherever Christianity is found. Thousands, and tens of thousands, who never saw a Bible, or heard the pure Gospel, are acquainted with "Our Father," and "Paternoster." Happy would it be for the world, if this prayer was as well known in the spirit, as it is in the letter! \par Perhaps no part of Scripture is so full, and so simple at the same time, as this. It is the first prayer which we learn to offer up, when we are little children. Here is its simplicity.\f1\emdash\f0 It contains the germ of everything which the most advanced saint can desire. Here is its fullness.\f1\emdash\f0 The more we ponder every word it contains, the more we shall feel, "this prayer is of God." \par The Lord's prayer consists of ten parts or sentences. There is one declaration of the Being to whom we pray.\f1\emdash\f0 There are three prayers respecting His name, His kingdom, and His will.\f1\emdash\f0 There are four prayers respecting our daily wants, our sins, our weakness, and our dangers.\f1\emdash\f0 There is one profession of our feeling towards others\f1\emdash\f0 There is one concluding ascription of praise.\f1\emdash\f0 In all these parts we are taught to say "we," and "our." We are to remember others, as well as ourselves.\f1\emdash\f0 On each of these parts a volume might be written. We must content ourselves at present with taking up sentence by sentence, and marking out the direction in which LVALKeach sentence points. \par The first sentence declares \i to whom we are to pray: \i0 "Our Father which art in heaven." We are not to cry to saints and angels, but to the everlasting Father, the Father of spirits, the Lord of heaven and earth. We call Him Father, in the lowest sense, as our Creator; as Paul told the Athenians, "in him we live and move, and have our being,\f2\fs20\emdash\f0\fs24 we are also his offspring." (\ul Act_17:28\ulnone .) We call Him Father in the highest sense, as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, reconciling us to Himself, through the death of His Son. (\ul Col_1:20-22\ulnone .) We profess that which the Old Testament saints only saw dimly, if at all,\f2\fs20\emdash\f0\fs24 we profess to be His children by faith in Christ, and to have "the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father." (\ul Rom_8:15\ulnone .) This, we must never forget, is the sonship that we must desire, if we would be saved. Without faith in Christ's blood, and union with Him, it is vain to talk of trusting in the Fatherhood of God. \par The second sentence is\b \b0\i a petition respecting God's name: \i0 "Hallowed by thy name." By the "name" of God we mean all those attributes under which He is revealed to us,\f2\fs20\emdash\f0\fs24 His power, wisdom, holiness, justice, mercy, and truth. By asking that they may be "hallowed," we mean that they may be made known and glorified. The glory of God is the first thing that God's children should desire. It is the object of one of our Lord's own prayers: "Father, glorify thy name." (\ul Joh_12:28\ulnone .) It is the purpose for which the world was created. It is the end for which the saints are called and converted. It is the chief thing we should seek, that "God in all things may be glorified." (\ul 1Pe_4:11\ulnone .) \par The third sentence is \i a petition concerning God's kingdom: \i0 "Thy kingdom come." By His kingdom we mean first, the kingdom of grace which God sets up and maintains in the hearts of all living members of Christ, by His Spirit and LVALLword. But we mean chiefly, the kingdom of glory which shall one day be set up, when Jesus shall come the second time, and "all men shall know Him from the least to the greatest." This is the time when sin, and sorrow, and Satan shall be cast out of the world. It is the time when the Jews shall be converted, and the fullness of the Gentiles shall come in (\ul Rom_11:25\ulnone ), and a time that is above all things to be desired. It therefore fills a foremost place in the Lord's prayer. We ask that which is expressed in the words of the Burial service, "that it may please thee to hasten thy kingdom." \par The fourth sentence is \i a petition concerning God's will: \i0 "thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven." We here pray that God's laws may be obeyed by men as perfectly, readily, and unceasingly, as they are by angels in heaven. We ask that those who now obey not His laws, may be taught to obey them, and that those who do obey them, may obey them better. Our truest happiness is perfect submission to God's will, and it is the highest charity to pray that all mankind may know it, obey it, and submit to it. \par The fifth sentence is \i a petition respecting our own daily wants: \i0 "give us this day our daily bread." We are here taught to acknowledge our entire dependence on God, for the supply of our daily necessities. As Israel required daily manna, so we require daily "bread." We confess that we are poor, weak, wanting creatures, and beseech Him who is our Maker to take care of us. We ask for "bread," as the simplest of our wants, and in that word we include all that our bodies require. \par The sixth sentence is \i a petition respecting our sins: \i0 "Forgive us our debts." We confess that we are sinners, and need daily grants of pardon and forgiveness. This is a part of the Lord's prayer which deserves especially to be remembered. It condemns all self-righteousness and self-justifying. We are instructed here to keep up a continual habit of confession at the throne of grace, and a continual LVALMhabit of seeking mercy and remission. Let this never be forgotten. We need daily to "wash our feet." (\ul Joh_13:10\ulnone .) \par The seventh sentence is \i a profession respecting our own feelings towards others: \i0 we ask our Father to "forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." This is the only profession in the whole prayer, and the only part on which our Lord comments and dwells, when He has concluded the prayer. The plain object of it is, to remind us that we must not expect our prayers for forgiveness to be heard, if we pray with malice and spite in our hearts towards others. To pray in such a frame of mind is mere formality and hypocrisy. It is even worse than hypocrisy. It is as much as saying, "Do not forgive me at all." Our prayer is nothing without charity. We must not expect to be forgiven, if we cannot forgive. \par The eighth sentence is \i a petition respecting our weakness\i0 : "lead us not into temptation." It teaches us that we are liable, at all times, to be led astray, and fall. It instructs us to confess our infirmity, and beseech God to hold us up, and not allow us to run into sin. We ask Him, who orders all things in heaven and earth, to restrain us from going into that which would injure our souls, and never to suffer us to be tempted above that which we are able to bear. (\ul 1Co_10:13\ulnone .) \par The ninth sentence is \i a petition respecting our dangers:\i0 "deliver us from evil." We are here taught to ask God to deliver us from the evil that is in the world, the evil that is within our own hearts, and not least from that evil one, the devil. We confess that, so long as we are in the body, we are constantly seeing, hearing, and feeling the presence of evil. It is about us, and within us, and around us on every side. And we entreat Him, who alone can preserve us, to be continually delivering us from its power. (\ul Joh_17:15\ulnone .) \par The last sentence is \i an ascription of praise:\i0 "thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory." We declare in theLVALse words our belief, that the kingdoms of this world are the rightful property of our Father,\f2\fs20\emdash\f0\fs24 that to Him alone belongs all "power,"\f2\fs20\emdash\f0\fs24 and that He alone deserves to receive all "glory." And we conclude by offering to Him the profession of our hearts, that we give Him all honor and praise, and rejoice that He is King of kings, and Lord of lords. \par \pard And now let us all examine ourselves, and see whether we really desire to have the things which we are taught to ask for in the Lord's Prayer. Thousands, it may be feared, repeat these words daily as a form, but never consider what they are saying. They care nothing for the "glory," the "kingdom," or the "will" of God. They have no sense of dependence, sinfulness, weakness, or danger. They have no love or charity towards their enemies. And yet they repeat the Lord's Prayer! These things ought not to be so. May we resolve that, by God's help, our hearts shall go together with our lips! Happy is he who can really call God his Father through Jesus Christ his Savior, and can therefore say a heart felt "Amen" to all that the Lord's Prayer contains.\cf0\f3\fs23 \par } LVALO{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 T\fs16 HERE\fs24 are three subjects brought before us in this part of our Lord's sermon on the mount. These three are fasting, worldliness, and singleness of purpose in religion. \par \i Fasting,\i0 or occasional abstinence from food, in order to bring the body into subjection to the spirit, is a practice frequently mentioned in the Bible, and generally in connection with prayer. David fasted, when his child was sick. Daniel fasted, when he sought special light from God. Paul and Barnabas fasted, when they appointed elders. Esther fasted, before going in to Ahasuerus.\f1\emdash\f0 It is a subject about which we find no direct command in the New Testament. It seems to be left to every one's discretion, whether he will fast or not.\f1\emdash\f0 There is great wisdom in this. Many a poor man never has enough to eat, and it would be an insult to tell him to fast. Many a sickly person can hardly be kept well with the closest attention to diet, and could not fast without bringing on illness.\f1\emdash\f0 It is a matter in which every one must be persuaded in his own mind, and not be hasty to condemn others, who do not agree with him.\f1\emdash\f0 One thing only must never be forgotten. Those who fast should do it quietly, secretly, and without ostentation. Let them not "appear to men" to fast. Let them not fast to man, but to God. \par \i Worldliness \i0 is one of the greatest dangers that beset man's soul. It is no wonder that we find our Lord speaking strongly about it. It is an insidious, specious, plausible enemy. It seems so innocent to pay close attention to our business! It seems so harmless to seek our happiness in this world, so long as we keep clear of open sins! Yet here is a rock on which many make shipwreck to aLVALPll eternity. They "lay up treasure on earth," and forget to "lay up treasure in heaven." May we all remember this! Where are our hearts? What do we love best? Are our chief affections on things in earth, or things in heaven? Life or death depends on the answer we can give to these questions. If our treasure is earthly, our hearts will be earthly also. "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be." \par \i Singleness of purpose \i0 is one great secret of spiritual prosperity. If our eyes do not see distinctly, we cannot walk without stumbling and falling. If we attempt to work for two different masters, we are sure to give satisfaction to neither. It is just the same with respect to our souls. We cannot serve Christ and the world at the same time. It is vain to attempt it. The thing cannot be done. The ark and Dagon will never stand together. God must be king over our hearts. His law, His will, His precepts must receive our first attention. Then, and not till then, everything in our inward man will fall into its right place. Unless our hearts are so ordered, everything will be in confusion. "Thy whole body shall be full of darkness." \par Let us learn from our Lord's instruction about fasting, \i the great importance of cheerfulness \i0 in our religion\i .\i0 Those words, "anoint thy head, and wash thy face," are full of deep meaning. They should teach us to aim at letting men see, that we find Christianity makes us happy. Never let us forget that there is no religion in looking melancholy and gloomy. Are we dissatisfied with Christ's wages, and Christ's service? Surely not! Then let us not look as if we were. \par Let us learn from our Lord's caution about worldliness, what immense need we all have to \i watch and pray against an earthly spirit. \i0 What are the vast majority of professing Christians round us doing? They are "laying up treasure on earth." There can be no mistake about it. Their tastes, their ways, their habits tell a fearful tale. They are not "laying up treasure in heaven." LVALOh! let us all beware that we do not sink into hell by paying excessive attention to lawful things. Open transgression of God's law slays its thousands, but worldliness its tens of thousands. \par \pard Let us learn from our Lord's words about the "single eye," \i the true secret of the failures,\i0 which so many Christians seem to make in their religion. There are failures in all quarters. There are thousands in our churches uncomfortable, ill at ease, and dissatisfied with themselves, and they hardly know why. The reason is revealed here. They are trying to keep in with both sides. They are endeavoring to please God and please man, to serve Christ and serve the world at the same time. Let us not commit this mistake. Let us be decided, thorough-going, uncompromising followers of Christ. Let our motto be that of Paul, "One thing I do." (\ul Phi_3:13\ulnone .) Then we shall be happy Christians. We shall feel the sun shining on our faces. Heart, head, and conscience will all be full of light. Decision is the secret of happiness in religion. Be decided for Christ, and "thy whole body shall be full of light."\cf0\f2\fs23 \par } LVALR{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 T\fs16 HESE\fs24 verses are a striking example of the combined wisdom and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ's teaching. He knows the heart of a man. He knows that we are all ready to turn off warnings against worldliness, by the argument that we cannot help being anxious about the things of this life. "Have we not our families to provide for? Must not our bodily wants be supplied? How can we possibly get through life, if we think first of our souls?" The Lord Jesus foresaw such thoughts, and furnished an answer. \par He forbids us\i to keep up an anxious spirit \i0 about the things of this world. Four times over He says, "take no thought." About life,\f1\emdash\f0 about food,\f1\emdash\f0 about clothing,\f1\emdash\f0 about the morrow, "take no thought." Be not over-careful. Be not over-anxious. Prudent provision for the future is right. Wearing, corroding, self-tormenting anxiety is wrong. \par He reminds us of \i the providential care that God continually takes of everything that He has created\i0 .\b \b0 Has He given us "life"? Then He will surely not let us want anything necessary for its maintenance. Has He given us a "body"? Then He will surely not let us die for want of clothing. He that calls us into being, will doubtless find meat to feed us. \par He points out the \i uselessness of over-anxiety\i0 .\b \b0 Our life is entirely in God's hand. All the care in the world will not make us continue a minute beyond the time which God has appointed. We shall not die till our work is done. \par He sends us \i to the birds of the air \i0 for instruction.\b \b0 They make no provision for the future. "They sow not, neither do they reap."\f1\emdash\f0 They lay up no stores against time yet to come. They do not "gatheLVALSr into barns." They literally live from day to day on what they can pick up, by using the instinct God has put in them. They ought to teach us that no man doing his duty in the station to which God has called him, shall ever be allowed to come to poverty. \par He bids us observe \i the flowers of the field\i0 . Year after year they are decked with the gayest colors, without the slightest labor or exertion on their part. "They toil not, neither do they spin." God, by His almighty power, clothes them with beauty every season. The same God is the Father of all believers. Why should they doubt that He is able to provide them with raiment, as well as the lilies "of the field"? He who takes thought for perishable flowers, will surely not neglect the bodies, in which dwell immortal souls. \par He suggests to us, that over-carefulness about the things of this world is \i most unworthy of a Christian\i0 .\b \b0 One great feature of heathenism is living for the present. Let the heathen, if he will, be anxious. He knows nothing of a Father in heaven. But let the Christian, who has clearer light and knowledge, give proof of it by his faith and contentment. When bereaved of those whom we love, we are not to "sorrow as those who have no hope." When tried by anxieties about this life, we are not to be over-careful, as if we had no God, and no Christ. \par He offers us \i a gracious promise\i0 , as a remedy against an anxious spirit. He assures us that if we "seek first" and foremost to have a place in the kingdom of grace and glory, every thing that we really want in this world shall be given to us. It shall be "added," over and above our heavenly inheritance. "All things shall work together for good to them that love God." "no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly." (\ul Rom_8:28\ulnone . \ul Psa_84:11\ulnone .) \par Last of all, He seals up all His instruction on this subject, by laying down \i one of the wisest maxims\i0 . "The morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. SufficienLVALt to the day is the evil thereof." We are not to carry cares before they come. We are to attend to to-day's business, and leave to-morrow's anxieties till to-morrow dawns. We may die before to-morrow. We know not what may happen on the morrow. This only we may be assured of, that if to-morrow brings a cross, He who sends it, can and will send grace to bear it. \par \pard In all this passage there is a treasury of golden lessons. Let us seek to use them in our daily life. Let us not only read them, but turn them to practical account. Let us watch and pray against an anxious and over-careful spirit. It deeply concerns our happiness. Half our miseries are caused by fancying things that we think are coming upon us. Half the things that we expect to come upon us, never come at all. Where is our faith? Where is our confidence in our Savior's words? We may well take shame to ourselves, when we read these verses, and then look into our hearts. But this we may be sure of, that David's words are true, "I have been young, and now am old, yet never saw I the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." (\ul Psa_37:25\ulnone .)\cf0\f2\fs23 \par } LVALU{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fswiss\fcharset0 Arial;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 T\fs16 HE\fs24 first portion of these verses is one of those passages of Scripture, which we must be careful not to strain beyond its proper meaning. It is frequently abused and misapplied, by the enemies of true religion. It is possible to press the words of the Bible so far that they yield not medicine, but poison. \par Our Lord does not mean that it is wrong, under any circumstances, to pass an unfavorable judgment on the conduct and opinions of others. We ought to have decided opinions. We are to "prove all things." We are to "try the spirits."\f1\emdash\f0 Nor yet does He mean that it is wrong to reprove the sins and faults of others, until we are perfect and faultless ourselves. Such an interpretation would contradict other parts of Scripture. It would make it impossible to condemn error and false doctrine. It would debar any one from attempting the office of a minister or a judge. The earth would be "given into the hands of the wicked." (\ul Job_9:24\ulnone .) Heresy would flourish. Wrong-doing would abound. \par What our Lord means to condemn is a \i censorious and fault-finding spirit\i0 . A readiness to blame others for trifling offences, or matters of indifference,\f2\fs20\emdash\f0\fs24 a habit of passing rash and hasty judgments,\f2\fs20\emdash\f0\fs24 a disposition to magnify the errors and infirmities of our neighbors, and make the worst of them,\f2\fs20\emdash\f0\fs24 this is what our Lord forbids. It was common among the Pharisees. It has always been common from their day down to the present time. We must all watch against it. We should "believe all things," and "hope all things "about others, and be very slow to find fault. This is Christian charity. (\ul 1Co_13:7\ulnone .)LVALV \par The second lesson contained in this passage, is \i the importance of exercising discretion as to the persons with whom we speak on the subject of religion\i0 . Everything is beautiful in its place and season. Our zeal is to be tempered by a prudent consideration of times, places, and persons. "Reprove not a scorner," says Solomon, "lest he hate thee." (\ul Pro_9:8\ulnone .) It is not everybody to whom it is wise to open our minds on spiritual matters. There are many, who from violent tempers, or openly profligate habits, are utterly incapable of valuing the things of the Gospel. They will even fly into a passion, and run into greater excesses of sin, if you try to do good to their souls. To name the name of Christ to such people, is truly to "cast pearls before swine." It does them not good, but harm. It rouses all their corruption, and makes them angry. In short, they are like the Jews at Corinth (\ul Act_18:6\ulnone ,) or like Nabal, of whom it is written, that he was "such a son of Belial, that a man could not speak unto him." (\ul 1Sa_25:17\ulnone .) \par This is a lesson which it is peculiarly difficult to use in the proper way. The right application of it needs great wisdom. We are most of us far more likely to err on the side of over-caution than of over-zeal. We are generally far more disposed to remember the "time to be silent," than "the time to speak." It is a lesson, however, which ought to stir up a spirit of self-inquiry in all our hearts. Do we ourselves never check our friends from giving us good advice, by our moroseness and irritability of temper? Have we never obliged others to hold their peace and say nothing, by our pride and impatient contempt of counsel? Have we never turned against our kind advisers, and silenced them by our violence and passion? Alas! we may well fear that we have erred in this matter. \par The last lesson contained in this passage is \i the duty of prayer, and the rich encouragements there are to pray\i0 . There is a beautiful connection between thisLVALW lesson and that which goes before it. Would we know when to be "silent," and when to "speak,"\f1\emdash\f0 when to bring forward "holy" things, and produce our "pearls"? We must pray. This is a subject to which the Lord Jesus evidently attaches great importance. The language that He uses is a plain proof of this. He employs three different words to express the idea of prayer. "Ask." "Seek." "Knock." He holds out the broadest, fullest promise to those who pray. "Every one that asketh receiveth." He illustrates God's readiness to hear our prayers, by an argument drawn from the notorious practice of parents on earth. "Evil" and selfish as they are by nature, they do not neglect the wants of their children according to the flesh. Much more will a God of love and mercy attend to the cries of those who are His children by grace. \par Let us take special notice of these words of our Lord about prayer. Few of His sayings, perhaps, are so well known and so often repeated as this. The poorest and most unlearned can tell you, that "if we do not seek we shall not find." But what is the good of knowing it, if we do not use it? Knowledge, not improved and well employed, will only increase our condemnation at the last day. \par Do we know anything of this asking, seeking, and knocking? Why should we not? There is nothing so simple and plain as praying, if a man really has a will to pray. There is nothing, unhappily, which men are so slow to do. They will use many of the forms of religion, attend many ordinances, do many things that are right, before they will do this. And yet without this no soul can be saved. \par Do we ever really pray? If not, we shall at last be without excuse before God, except we repent. We shall not be condemned for not doing what we could not have done, or not knowing what we could not have known. But we shall find that one main reason why we are lost is this, that we never asked that we might be saved. \par \pard Do we indeed pray? Then let us pray on, and not faint. It is not lost labLVALor. It is not useless. It will bear fruit after many days. That word never yet failed, "Every one that asketh receiveth."\cf0\f3\fs23 \par } LVALY{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 I\fs16 N\fs24 this part of the sermon on the mount our Lord begins to draw His discourse to a conclusion. The lessons He here enforces on our notice, are broad, general, and full of the deepest wisdom. Let us mark them in succession. \par He lays down \i a general principle for our guidance \i0 in all doubtful questions between man and man. We are "to do to others as we would have others do to us." We are not to deal with others as others deal with us. This is mere selfishness and heathenism. We are to deal with others as we would like others to deal with us. This is real Christianity. \par This is a golden rule indeed! It does not merely forbid all petty malice and revenge, all cheating and over-reaching. It does much more. It settles a hundred difficult points, which in a world like this are continually arising between man and man. It prevents the necessity of laying down endless little rules for our conduct in specific cases. It sweeps the whole debatable ground with one mighty principle. It shows us a balance and measure, by which every one may see at once what is his duty.\f1\emdash\f0 Is there a thing we would not like our neighbor to do to us? Then let us always remember, that this is the thing we ought not to do to him. Is there a thing we would like him to do to us? Then this is the very thing we ought to do to him.\f1\emdash\f0 How many intricate questions would be decided at once, if this rule were honestly used! \par In the second place, our Lord gives us \i a general caution against the way of the many in religion\i0 . It is not enough to think as others think, and do as others do. It must not satisfy us to follow the fashion, and swim with the stream of those among whom we live. He tells us that the way tLVALZhat leads to everlasting life is "narrow," and "few" travel in it. He tells us that the way that leads to everlasting destruction is "broad," and full of travelers. "Many there be that go in thereat." \par These are fearful truths! They ought to raise great searchings of heart in the minds of all who hear them.\f1\emdash\f0 "Which way am I going? By what road am I traveling?"\f1\emdash\f0 In one or other of the two ways here described, every one of us may be found. May God give us an honest, self-inquiring spirit, and show us what we are! \par We may well tremble and be afraid, if our religion is that of the multitude. If we can say no more than this, that "we go where others go, and worship where others worship, and hope we shall do as well as others at last," we are literally pronouncing our own condemnation. What is this but being in the "broad way"? What is this but being in the road whose end is "destruction"? Our religion at present is not saving religion. \par We have no reason to be discouraged and cast down, if the religion we profess is not popular, and few agree with us. We must remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in this passage: "The gate is strait." Repentance, and faith in Christ, and holiness of life, have never been fashionable. The true flock of Christ has always been small. It must not move us to find that we are reckoned singular, and peculiar, and bigoted, and narrow-minded. This is "the narrow way." Surely it is better to enter into life eternal with a few, than to go to "destruction" with a great company. \par In the last place, the Lord Jesus gives us \i a general warning against false teachers in the church\i0 .\b \b0 We are to "beware of false prophets." The connection between this passage and the preceding one is striking. Would we keep clear of this "broad way"? We must beware of false prophets. They will arise. They began in the days of the apostles. Even then the seeds of error were sown. They have appeared continually ever since. We must be prepared for them2LVALB, and be on our guard. \par This is a warning which is much needed. There are thousands who seem ready to believe anything in religion if they hear it from an ordained minister. They forget that clergymen may err as much as laymen. They are not infallible. Their teaching must be weighed in the balance of Holy Scripture. They are to be followed and believed, so long as their doctrine agrees with the Bible, but not a minute longer.\f1\emdash\f0 We are to try them "by their fruits." Sound doctrine and holy living are the marks of true prophets.\f1\emdash\f0 Let us remember this. Our minister's mistakes will not excuse our own. "If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into the ditch." \par What is the best safe-guard against false teaching? Beyond all doubt the regular study of the word of God, with prayer for the teaching of the Holy Spirit. The Bible was given to be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (\ul Psa_119:105\ulnone .) The man who reads it aright will never be allowed greatly to err. It is neglect of the Bible which makes so many a prey to the first false teacher whom they hear. They would fain have us believe that "they are not learned, and do not pretend to have decided opinions." The plain truth is that they are lazy and idle about reading the Bible, and do not like the trouble of thinking for themselves. Nothing supplies false prophets with followers so much as spiritual sloth under a cloak of humility. \par \pard May we all bear in mind our Lord's warning! The world, the devil, and the flesh, are not the only dangers in the way of the Christian. There remains another yet, and that is the "false prophet," the wolf in sheep's clothing. Happy is he who prays over his Bible and knows the difference between truth and error in religion! There is a difference, and we are meant to know it, and use our knowledge.\cf0\f2\fs23 \par } LVAL\{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fprq2\fcharset161 TITUS Cyberbit Basic;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 T\fs16 HE\fs24 Lord Jesus winds up the sermon on the mount by a passage of heart-piercing application. He turns from false prophets to false professors, from unsound teachers to unsound hearers. Here is a word for all. May we have grace to apply it to our own hearts! \par The first lesson here is \i the uselessness of a mere outward profession of Christianity\i0 .\b \b0 Not every one that saith "Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven. Not all that profess and call themselves Christians shall be saved. \par Let us take notice of this. It requires far more than most people seem to think necessary, to save a soul. We may be baptized in the name of Christ, and boast confidently of our ecclesiastical privileges. We may possess head-knowledge, and be quite satisfied with our own state. We may even be preachers, and teachers of others, and do "many wonderful works" in connection with our church. But all this time are we practically doing the will of our Father in heaven? Do we truly repent, truly believe on Christ, and live holy and humble lives? If not, in spite of all our privileges and profession, we shall miss heaven at last, and be for ever cast away. We shall hear those awful words, "I never knew you: depart from me." \par The day of judgment will reveal strange things. The hopes of many, who were thought great Christians while they lived, will be utterly confounded. The rottenness of their religion will be exposed and put to shame before the whole world. It will then be proved, that to be saved means something more than "making a profession." We must make a "practice" of our Christianity as well as a "profession." Let us often think of that great day. Let us often "judge ourselves, that we be not judged,"LVAL] and condemned by the Lord. Whatever else we are, let us aim at being real, true, and sincere. \par The second lesson here is a \i striking picture of two classes of Christian hearers\i0 . Those who hear and do nothing,\f1\fs23\emdash\f0\fs24 and those who hear and do as well as hear,\f1\fs23\emdash\f0\fs24 are both placed before us, and their histories traced to their respective ends. \par The man who hears Christian teaching, and practices what he hears, is like "a wise man who builds his house upon a rock." He does not content himself with listening to exhortations to repent, believe in Christ, and live a holy life. He actually repents. He actually believes. He actually ceases to do evil, learns to do well, abhors that which is sinful, and cleaves to that which is good. He is a doer as well as a hearer. (\ul Jam_1:22\ulnone .) \par And what is the result? In the time of trial his religion does not fail him. The floods of sickness, sorrow, poverty, disappointments, bereavements beat upon him in vain. His soul stands unmoved. His faith does not give way. His comforts do not utterly forsake him. His religion may have cost him trouble in time past. His foundation may have been obtained with much labor and many tears. To discover his own interest in Christ may have required many a day of earnest seeking, and many an hour of wrestling in prayer. But his labor has not been thrown away. He now reaps a rich reward. The religion that can stand trial is the true religion. \par The man who hears Christian teaching, and never gets beyond hearing, is like "a foolish man who builds his house on the sand." He satisfies himself with listening and approving, but he goes no further. He flatters himself, perhaps, that all is right with his soul, because he has feelings, and convictions, and desires, of a spiritual kind. In these he rests. He never really breaks off from sin, and casts aside the spirit of the world. He never really lays hold on Christ. He never really takes up the cross. He is a hearer of truth, buLVALt nothing more. \par And what is the end of this man's religion? It breaks down entirely under the first flood of tribulation. It fails him completely, like a summer-dried fountain, when his need is the sorest. It leaves its possessor high and dry, like a wreck on a sand bank, a scandal to the church, a by-word to the infidel, and a misery to himself. Most true is it that what costs little is worth little! A religion which costs us nothing, and consists in nothing but hearing sermons, will always prove at last to be a useless thing. \par \pard So ends the sermon on the mount. Such a sermon never was preached before. Such a sermon perhaps has never been preached since. Let us see that it has a lasting influence on our own souls. It is addressed to us as well as to those who first heard it. We are they who shall have to give account of its heart-searching lessons. It is no light matter what we think of them. The word that Jesus has spoken, "the same shall judge us in the last day." (\ul Joh_12:48\ulnone .)\cf0\f2\fs23 \par } LVAL_{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 T\fs16 HE\fs24 eighth chapter of Matthew's Gospel is full of our Lord's miracles. No less than five are specially recorded. There is a beautiful fitness in this. It was fitting that the greatest sermon ever preached should be immediately followed by mighty proof, that the preacher was the Son of God. Those who heard the sermon on the mount would be obliged to confess, that, as "none spake such words as this man," so also none did such works. \par The verses we have now read contain three great miracles. A leper is healed with a touch. A palsied person is made well by a word. A woman sick with a fever is restored in a moment to health and strength. On the face of these three miracles, we may read three striking lessons. Let us examine them, and lay them to heart. \par Let us learn, for one thing, \i how great is the power of our Lord Jesus Christ\i0 .\b \b0 Leprosy is the most fearful disease by which man's body can be afflicted. He that has it is like one dead while he lives. It is a complaint regarded by physicians as incurable. (\ul 2Ki_5:7\ulnone .) Yet Jesus says, "Be thou clean, and immediately the leprosy was cleansed."\f1\emdash\f0 To heal a person of the palsy without even seeing him, by only speaking a word, is to do that which our minds cannot even conceive. Yet Jesus commands, and at once it is done.\f1\emdash\f0 To give a woman prostrate with a fever, not merely relief, but strength to do work in an instant, would baffle the skill of all the physicians on earth. Yet Jesus "touched" Peter's wife's mother, and "she arose, and ministered unto them."\f1\emdash\f0 These are the doings of one that is Almighty. There is no escape from the conclusion. This was "the finger of God." (\ul Exo_8:19\ulnone .) \par BehoLVAL`ld here a broad foundation for the faith of a Christian! We are told in the Gospel to come to Jesus, to believe on Jesus, to live the life of faith in Jesus. We are encouraged to lean on Him, to cast all our care on Him, to repose all the weight of our souls on Him. We may do so without fear. He can bear all. He is a strong rock. He is Almighty. It was a fine saying of an old saint, "my faith can sleep sound on no other pillow than Christ's omnipotence." He can give life to the dead. He can give power to the weak. He can "increase strength to them that have no might." Let us trust Him, and not be afraid. The world is full of snares. Our hearts are weak. But with Jesus nothing is impossible. \par Let us learn, for another thing, \i the mercifulness and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ\i0 .\b \b0 The circumstances of the three cases we are now considering were all different. He heard the leper's pitiful cry, "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."\f1\emdash\f0 He was told of the centurion's servant, but He never saw him.\f1\emdash\f0 He saw Peter's wife's mother, "layed sick of a fever;" and we are not told that she spoke a word.\f1\emdash\f0 Yet in each case the heart of the Lord Jesus was one and the same. In each case He was quick to show mercy, and ready to heal. Each poor sufferer was tenderly pitied, and each effectually relieved. \par Behold here another strong foundation for our faith! Our great High Priest is very gracious. He can be "touched with the feeling of our infirmities." He is never tired of doing us good. He knows that we are a weak and feeble people, in the midst of a weary and troublous world. He is as ready to bear with us, and help us, as He was 1800 years ago. It is as true of Him now as it was then, "He despiseth not any." (\ul Job_36:5\ulnone .) No heart can feel for us so much as the heart of Christ. \par Let us learn, in the last place, \i what a precious thing is the grace of faith\i0 .\b \b0 We know little about the centurion described in these verses. His nLVALame, his nation, his past history, are all hidden from us. But one thing we know, and that is, that he believed. "Lord," he says, "I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof. Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed." He believed, let us remember, when Scribes and Pharisees were unbelievers. He believed, though a Gentile born, when Israel was blinded. And our Lord pronounced upon him the commendation, which has been read all over the world from that time to this, "I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." \par Let us lay firm hold on this lesson. It deserves to be remembered. To believe Christ's power and willingness to help, and to make a practical use of our belief, is a rare and precious gift. Let us be ever thankful if we have it. To be willing to come to Jesus as helpless, lost sinners, and commit our souls into His hands is a mighty privilege. Let us ever bless God if this willingness is ours, for it is His gift. Such faith is better than all other gifts and knowledge in the world. Many a poor converted heathen, who knows nothing but that he is sick of sin, and trusts in Jesus, shall sit down in heaven, while many learned English scholars are rejected for evermore. Blessed indeed are they that believe! \par \pard What do we each know of this faith? This is the great question. Our learning may be small: but do we believe? Our opportunities of giving and working for Christ's cause may be few: but do we believe? We may neither be able to preach, nor write, nor argue for the Gospel: but do we believe? May we never rest till we can answer this inquiry! Faith in Christ appears a small and simple thing to the children of this world. They see in it nothing great or grand. But faith in Christ is most precious in God's sight, and like most precious things, is rare. By it true Christians live. By it they stand. By it they overcome the world. Without this faith no one can be saved.\cf0\f2\fs23 \par } LVALb{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\f0\fs24 I\fs16 N\fs24 the first part of these verses we see a striking example of \i our Lord's wisdom in dealing with those who professed a willingness to be His disciples.\b \b0\i0 The passage throws so much light on a subject frequently misunderstood in these days, that it deserves more than ordinary attention. \par \tab A certain scribe offers to follow our Lord whithersoever He goes. It was a remarkable offer, when we consider the class to which the man belonged, and the time at which it was made. But the offer receives a remarkable answer. It is not directly accepted, nor yet flatly rejected. Our Lord only makes the solemn reply, "the foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." \par \tab Another follower of our Lord next comes forward, and asks to be allowed to "bury his father," before going any further in the path of a disciple. The request seems, at first sight, a natural and lawful one. But it draws from our Lord's lips a reply no less solemn than that already referred to: "Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead." \par \tab There is something deeply impressive in both these sayings. They ought to be well weighed by all professing Christians. They teach us plainly, that people who shew a desire to come forward and profess themselves true disciples of Christ, should be warned plainly to "count the cost," before they begin.\cf1\emdash\cf0 Are they prepared to endure hardship? Are they ready to carry the cross? If not, they are not yet fit to begin.\cf1\emdash\cf0 They teach us plainly that there are times when a Christian must literally give up all for Christ's sake, and when even such duties as attending to a parent's funeral must be left to be performed by others. Such duties some will alwaysLVALc be ready to attend to; and at no time can they be put in comparison with the greater duty of preaching the Gospel, and doing Christ's work in the world. \par \tab It would be well for the churches of Christ, if these sayings of our Lord were more remembered than they are. It may well be feared, that the lesson they contain is too often overlooked by the ministers of the Gospel, and that thousands are admitted to full communion, who are never warned to "count the cost." Nothing, in fact, has done more harm to Christianity than the practice of filling the ranks of Christ's army with every volunteer who is willing to make a little profession, and talk fluently of his experience. It has been painfully forgotten that numbers alone do not make strength, and that there may be a great quantity of mere outward religion, while there is very little real grace. Let us all remember this. Let us keep back nothing from young professors and inquirers after Christ. Let us not enlist them on false pretenses. Let us tell them plainly that there is a crown of glory at the end. But let us tell them no less plainly, that there is a daily cross in the way. \par \tab In the latter part of these verses we learn, \i that true saving faith is often mingled with much weakness and infirmity\i0 .\b \b0 It is a humbling lesson, but a very wholesome one. \par \tab We are told of our Lord and His disciples crossing the sea of Galilee in a boat. A storm arises, and the boat is in danger of being filled with water, by the waves that beat over it. Meanwhile our Lord is asleep. The frightened disciples awake Him, and cry to Him for help. He hears their cry and stills the waters with a word, so that there is "a great calm." At the same time, He gently reproves the anxiety of His disciples. "Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?" \par \tab What a vivid picture we have here of the hearts of thousands of believers! How many have faith and love enough to forsake all for Christ's sake, and follow Him whithersoever He goes, and yet arLVALe full of fears in the hour of trial! How many have grace enough to turn to Jesus in every trouble, crying, "Lord save us," and yet not grace enough to lie still, and believe in the darkest hour that all is well! Truly believers have reason indeed to be "clothed with humility." \par \tab Let the prayer, "Lord, increase our faith," always form part of our daily petitions. We never perhaps know the weakness of our faith, until we are placed in the furnace of trial and anxiety. Blessed and happy is that person who finds by experience that his faith can stand the fire, and that he can say with Job, "though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." (\cf1\ul Job_13:15\cf0\ulnone .) \par \pard\tab We have great reason to thank God that Jesus, our great High-priest, is very compassionate and tenderhearted. He knows our frame. He considers our infirmities. He does not cast off His people because of defects. He pities even those whom he reproves. The prayer even of "little faith" is heard, and gets an answer.\f1\fs23 \par } LVALe{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\f0\fs24 T\fs16 HE\fs24 subject of these seven verses is deep and mysterious. The casting out of a devil is here described with special fullness. It is one of those passages which throw strong light on a dark and difficult point. \par Let us settle it firmly in our minds, \i that\b \b0 there is such a being as the devil. \i0 It is an awful truth, and one too much overlooked. There is an unseen spirit ever near us, of mighty power, and full of endless malice against our souls. From the beginning of creation he has labored to injure man. Until the Lord comes the second time and binds him, he will never cease to tempt, and practice mischief. In the days when our Lord was upon earth, it is clear that he had a peculiar power over the bodies of certain men and women, as well as over their souls. Even in our own times there may be more of this bodily possession than some suppose, though confessedly in a far less degree than when Christ came in the flesh. But that the devil is ever near us in spirit, and ever ready to ply our hearts with temptations, ought never to be forgotten. \par Let us, in the next place, settle it firmly in our minds, \i that the power of the devil is limited.\b\i0 \b0 Mighty as he is, there is one mightier still. Keenly set as his will is on doing harm in the world, he can only work by permission. These very verses show us that the evil spirits know they can only go to and fro, and ravage the earth, until the time allowed them by the Lord of lords. "Art thou come to torment us," they say, "before the time?" Their very petition shows us that they could not even hurt one of the Gergesene swine, unless Jesus the Son of God suffered them. "Suffer us," they say, "to go into the herd of swine." \par Let us, in the next place, settle it in our minds, \i that our LoLVALfrd Jesus Christ is man's great deliverer from the power of the devil\i0 .\b \b0 He can redeem us not only "from all iniquity," and "this present evil world," but from the devil. It was prophesied of old that he should bruise the serpent's head. He began to bruise that head, when he was born of the virgin, Mary. He triumphed over that head, when He died upon the cross. He showed His complete dominion over Satan, by "healing all that were oppressed of the devil," when He was upon earth. (\cf1\ul Act_10:38\cf0\ulnone .) Our great remedy, in all the assaults of the devil, is to cry to the Lord Jesus, and to seek His help. He can break the chains that Satan casts round us, and set us free. He can cast out every devil that plagues our hearts, as surely as in the days of old. It would be miserable indeed to know that there is a devil ever near us, if we did not also know that Christ was "able to save to the uttermost, because he ever liveth to make intercession for us." (\cf1\ul Heb_7:25\cf0\ulnone .) \par Let us not leave this passage without observing \i the painful worldliness of the Gergesenes\i0 , among whom this miracle of casting out a devil was wrought. They besought the Lord Jesus to "depart out of their coasts." They had no heart to feel for anything but the loss of their swine. They cared not that two fellow-creatures, with immortal souls, were freed from Satan's bondage. They cared not that there stood among them a greater than the devil, Jesus the Son of God. They cared for nothing but that their swine were drowned, and "the hope of their gains gone." They ignorantly regarded Jesus as one who stood between them and their profits, and they only wished to be rid of Him. \par \pard There are only too many like these Gergesenes. There are thousands who care not one jot for Christ, or Satan, so long as they can make a little more money, and have a little more of the good things of this world. From this spirit may we be delivered! Against this spirit may we ever watch and pray! It is very common. I" LVAL2 t is awfully infectious. Let us recollect every morning that we have souls to be saved, and that we shall one day die, and after that be judged. Let us beware of loving the world more than Christ. Let us beware of hindering the salvation of others, because we fear the increase of true religion may diminish our gains, or give us trouble.\f1\fs23 \par } LVALh{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 L\fs16 ET\fs24 us notice in the first part of this passage, \i our Lord's knowledge of men's thoughts\i0 . \par There were certain of the scribes, who found fault with the words which Jesus spoke to a man sick of the palsy. They said secretly among themselves, "this man blasphemeth." They probably supposed that no one knew what was going on in their minds. They had yet to learn that the Son of God could read hearts, and discern spirits. Their malicious thought was publicly exposed. They were put to an open shame. \par There is an important lesson for us in this. "All things are naked and opened before the eyes of him with whom we have to do." (\ul Heb_4:13\ulnone .) Nothing can be concealed from Christ. What do we think of, in private, when no man sees us? What do we think of, in church, when we seem so grave and serious? What are we thinking of at this moment, while these words pass under our eyes? Jesus knows. Jesus sees. Jesus records. Jesus will one day call us to give account. It is written that "God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." (\ul Rom_2:16\ulnone .) Surely we ought to be very humble when we consider these things. We ought to thank God daily that the blood of Christ can cleanse from all sin. We ought often to cry, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight." (\ul Psa_19:14\ulnone .) \par Let us notice in the second place,\b \b0 the wonderful call of the apostle Matthew to be Christ's disciple.\b \par \b0 We find the man, who afterwards was the first to write a Gospel, sitting at the receipt of custom. We see him absorbed in his worldly calling, and possibly thinking of nothing but money and gain. But suddenly the Lord Jesus calls on him to follow Him, and become His dLVALiisciple. At once Matthew obeys. He "makes haste, and delays not" to keep Christ's commandment. (\ul Psa_119:60\ulnone .) He arises and follows Him. \par Let it be a fixed principle in our religion, that \i with Christ nothing is impossible\i0 . He can take a tax-gatherer, and make him an apostle. He can change any heart, and make all things new. Let us never despair of any one's salvation. Let us pray on, and speak on, and work on to do good to souls, even to the souls of the worst. "The voice of the LORD is mighty in operation." (\ul Psa_29:4\ulnone .) When He says by the power of the Spirit, "follow me," He can make the hardest and most sinful obey. \par Let us observe Matthew's \i decision\i0 . He waited for nothing. He did not tarry for "a convenient season." (\ul Act_24:25\ulnone .) And he reaped in consequence a great reward. He wrote a book, which is known all over the earth. He became a blessing to others, as well as blessed in his own soul. He left a name behind him, which is better known than the names of princes and kings. The richest man of the world is soon forgotten when he dies. But as long as the world stands, millions will know the name of Matthew the publican. \par Let us notice, in the last place, our Lord's \i precious declaration about His own mission\i0 . \par The Pharisees found fault with Him, because He allowed publicans and sinners to be in His company. In their proud blindness they fancied, that a teacher sent from heaven ought to have no dealings with such people. They were wholly ignorant of the grand design for which the Messiah was to come into the world, to be a Savior, a Physician, a healer of sin-sick souls. And they drew from our Lord's lips a rebuke, accompanied by the blessed words, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." \par Let us make sure that we thoroughly \i understand \i0 the doctrine that these words contain. The first thing needful, in order to have an interest in Christ, is to feel deeply our own corruption, and to be willinLVALg to come to Him for deliverance. We are not to keep away from Christ, as many ignorantly do, because we feel bad, and wicked, and unworthy. We are to remember that sinners are those He came into the world to save, and that if we feel ourselves such, it is well. Happy is he who really comprehends that one principal qualification for coming to Christ is a deep sense of sin! \par \pard Finally, if by the grace of God we really understand the glorious truth that sinners are those whom Christ came to call, let us take heed that we \i never forget it\i0 . Let us not dream that true Christians can ever attain such a state of perfection in this world, as not to need the mediation and intercession of Jesus. Sinners we are in the day we first come to Christ. Poor needy sinners we continue to be so long as we live, drawing all the grace we have every hour out of Christ's fullness. Sinners we shall find ourselves in the hour of our death, and shall die as much indebted to Christ's blood, as in the day we first believed.\cf0\f1\fs23 \par } LVALk{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 L\fs16 ET\fs24 us mark in this passage, the gracious name by which the Lord Jesus speaks of Himself. He calls Himself "\i the bridegroom.\i0 " \par What the bridegroom is to the bride, the Lord Jesus is to the souls of all who believe in Him. He loves them with a deep and everlasting love. He takes them into union with Himself. They are "one with Christ and Christ in them." He pays all their debts to God. He supplies all their daily need. He sympathizes with them in all their troubles. He bears with all their infirmities, and does not reject them for a few weaknesses. He regards them as part of Himself. Those that persecute and injure them are persecuting Him. The glory that He has received from His Father they will one day share with Him, and where He is, there shall they be. Such are the privileges of all true Christians. They are the Lamb's wife. (\ul Rev_19:7\ulnone .) Such is the portion to which faith admits us. By it God joins our poor sinful souls to one precious Husband; and those whom God thus joins together, shall never be put asunder. Blessed indeed are they that believe! \par Let us mark, in the next place, \i what a wise principle the Lord Jesus lays down for the treatment of young disciples. \par \i0 There were some who found fault with our Lord's followers, because they did not fast as John the Baptist's disciples did. Our Lord defends His disciples with an argument full of deep wisdom. He shows that there would be a want of fitness in their fasting, so long as He, their Bridegroom, was with them. But He does not stop there. He goes on to show, by two parables, that young beginners in the school of Christianity must be dealt with gently. They must be taught as they are able to bear. They must not be exLVALlpected to receive everything at once. To neglect this rule would be as unwise as to "put new wine into old bottles," or to put "a piece of new cloth to an old garment." \par There is a mine of deep wisdom in this, which all would do well to remember, in the spiritual teaching of those who are young in experience. We must be careful not to attach an excessive importance to the lesser things of religion. We must not be in a hurry to require a minute conformity to one rigid rule in 'things indifferent', until the first principles of repentance and faith have been thoroughly learned. To guide us in this matter, we have great need to pray for grace, and Christian common sense. Tact in dealing with young disciples is a rare gift, but a very useful one. To know what to insist upon as absolutely necessary from the first,\f1\emdash\f0 and what to reserve, as a lesson to be learned when the learner has come to more perfect knowledge,\f1\emdash\f0 is one of the highest attainments of a teacher of souls. \par Let us mark, in the next place, \i what encouragement our Lord gives to the humblest faith. \i0 \par We read in this passage, that a woman sorely afflicted with disease, came behind our Lord in the crowd, and "touched the hem" of His garment, in the hope that by so doing she should be healed. She said not a word to obtain help. She made no public confession of faith. But she had confidence, that if she could only "touch His garment," she would be made well. And so it was. There lay hid in that act of hers a seed of precious faith, which obtained our Lord's commendation. She was made whole at once, and returned home in peace. To use the words of a good old writer, "She came trembling, and went back triumphing." \par Let us store up in our minds this history. It may perhaps help us mightily in some hour of need. Our faith may be feeble. Our courage may be small. Our grasp of the Gospel, and its promises, may be weak and trembling. But, after all, the grand question is, do we really trust only in Christ? DLVALo we look to Jesus, and only to Jesus, for pardon and peace? If this be so, it is well. If we may not touch His garment, we can touch His heart. Such faith saves the soul. Weak faith is less comfortable than strong faith. Weak faith will carry us to heaven with far less joy than full assurance. But weak faith gives an interest in Christ as surely as strong faith. He that only touches the hem of Christ's garment shall never perish. \par In the last place, let us mark in this passage\b \b0\i our Lord's almighty power\i0 . He restores to life one that was dead. \par How wonderful that sight must have been! Who that has ever seen the dead, can forget the stillness, the silence, the coldness, when the breath has left the body? Who can forget the awful feeling, that a mighty change has taken place, and a mighty gulf been placed between ourselves and the departed? But behold! our Lord goes to the chamber where the dead lies, and calls the spirit back to its earthly tabernacle. The pulse once more beats. The eyes once more see. The breath once more comes and goes. The ruler's daughter is once more alive, and restored to her father and mother. This was omnipotence indeed! None could have done this but He who first created man, and has all power in heaven and earth. \par This is the kind of truth we never can know too well. The more clearly we see Christ's power, the more likely we are to realize Gospel peace. Our position may be trying. Our hearts may be weak. The world may be difficult to journey through. Our faith may seem too small to carry us home. But let us take courage, when we think on Jesus, and not be cast down. Greater is He that is for us, than all they that are against us. Our Savior can raise the dead. Our Savior is almighty.\cf0\f2\fs23 \par } LVALn{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 T\fs16 HERE\fs24 \f1 are four lessons in this passage, which deserve close attention. Let us mark them each in succession. \par Let us mark, in the first place, that \i strong faith in Christ may sometimes be found where it might least have been expected\i0 . Who would have thought that two blind men would have called our Lord the "Son of David"? They could not, of course, have seen the miracles that He did. They could only know Him by common report. But the eyes of their understanding were enlightened, if their bodily eyes were dark. They saw the truth which Scribes and Pharisees could not see. They saw that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah. They believed that He was able to heal them. \par An example like this shows us, that we must never despair of any one's salvation, merely because he lives in a position unfavorable to his soul.\b \b0 Grace is stronger than circumstances. The life of religion does not depend merely upon outward advantages. The Holy Ghost can give faith, and keep faith in active exercise, without book-learning, without money, and with scanty means of grace. Without the Holy Ghost a man may know all mysteries, and live in the full blaze of the Gospel, and yet be lost. We shall see many strange sights at the last day. Poor cottagers will be found to have believed in the Son of David, while rich men, full of university learning, will prove to have lived and died, like the Pharisees, in hardened unbelief. Many that are last will be first, and the first last. (\ul Mat_20:16\ulnone .) \par Let us mark, in the next place, that our Lord Jesus Christ \i has had great experience of disease and sickness\i0 . He "went about all the cities and villages" doing good. \par He was an eye-witness of all the ills LVALothat flesh is heir to. He saw ailments of every kind, sort, and description. He was brought in contact with every form of bodily suffering. None were too loathsome for Him to attend to. None were too frightful for Him to cure. He was a healer of every "sickness and every disease." \par There is much comfort to be drawn from this fact. We are each dwelling in a poor frail body. We never know what quantity of suffering we may have to watch, as we sit by the bedside of dear relations and friends. We never know what racking complaint we ourselves may have to submit to, before we lie down and die. But let us arm ourselves betimes with the precious thought that Jesus is specially fitted to be the sick man's friend. That great high-priest to whom we must apply for pardon and peace with God, is eminently qualified to sympathize with an aching body, as well as to heal an ailing conscience. The eyes of Him who is King of kings used often to look with pity on the diseased. The world cares little for the sick, and often keeps aloof from them. But the Lord Jesus cares specially for the sick. He is the first to visit them, and say, "I stand at the door and knock." Happy are they who hear His voice, and let Him in! \par Let us mark, in the next place, \i our Lord's tender concern for neglected souls\i0 .\b \b0 "He saw multitudes" of people when He was on earth, scattered about "like sheep having no shepherd," and He was moved with compassion. He saw them neglected by those who, for the time, ought to have been teachers. He saw them ignorant, hopeless, helpless, dying, and unfit to die. The sight moved Him to deep pity. That loving heart could not see such things, and not feel. \par Now what are our feelings when we see such a sight? This is the question that should arise in our minds. There are many such to be seen on every side. There are millions of idolaters and heathen on earth,\emdash millions of deluded Mahometans,\emdash millions of superstitious Roman Catholics. There are thousands of ignorant ProtestantxLVALs near our own doors. Do we feel tenderly concerned about their souls? Do we deeply pity their spiritual destitution? Do we long to see that destitution relieved? These are serious inquiries, and ought to be answered. It is easy to sneer at missions to the heathen, and those who work for them. But the man who does not feel for the souls of all unconverted persons, can surely not have "the mind of Christ." (\ul 1Co_2:16\ulnone .) \par Let us mark, in the last place, that \i there is a solemn duty incumbent on all Christians\i0 , who would do good to the unconverted part of the world. They are to pray for more men to be raised up to work for the conversion of souls. It seems as if it was to be a daily part of our prayers. "Pray ye the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth laborers into his harvest." \par \pard If we know anything of prayer, let us make it a point of conscience never to forget this solemn charge of our Lord's. Let us settle it in our minds, that it is one of the surest ways of doing good, and stemming evil. Personal working for souls is good. Giving money is good. But praying is best of all. By prayer we reach Him without whom work and money are alike in vain. We obtain the aid of the Holy Ghost.\emdash Money can pay agents. Universities can give learning. Congregations may elect. Bishops may ordain. But the Holy Ghost alone can make ministers of the Gospel, and raise up lay workmen in the spiritual harvest, who need not be ashamed. Never, never may we forget that if we would do good to the world, our first duty is to pray!\cf0\f2\fs23 \par } LVALq{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 T\fs16 HIS\fs24 chapter is one of peculiar solemnity. Here is the record of the first ordination which ever took place in the church of Christ. The Lord Jesus chooses and sends forth the twelve apostles.\emdash Here is an account of the first charge ever delivered to newly ordained Christian ministers. The Lord Jesus Himself delivers it.\emdash Never was there so important an ordination! Never was there so solemn a charge! \par There are three lessons which stand out prominently on the face of the first fifteen verses of this chapter. Let us take them in order! \par We are taught, in the first place, that\b\i \b0 all ministers are not necessarily good men\i0 . We see our Lord choosing a Judas Iscariot to be one of His apostles. We cannot doubt that He who knew all hearts, knew well the characters of the men whom He chose. And He includes in the list of His apostles one who was a traitor! \par We shall do well to bear in mind this fact. Orders do not confer the saving grace of the Holy Ghost. Ordained men are not necessarily converted. We are not to regard them as infallible, either in doctrine or in practice. We are not to make popes or idols of them, and insensibly put them in Christ's place. We are to regard them as "men of like passions" with ourselves, liable to the same infirmities, and daily requiring the same grace. We are not to think it impossible for them to do very bad things, or to expect them to be above the reach of harm from flattery, covetousness, and the world. We are to prove their teaching by the word of God, and follow them so far as they follow Christ, but no further. Above all, we ought to pray for them, that they may be successors not of Judas Iscariot, but of James and John. It is an awful thing to be a minister of the Gospel! MinisLVALrters need many prayers. \par We are taught, in the next place, that \i the great work of a minister of Christ is to do good\i0 .\b \b0 He is sent to seek "lost sheep,"\emdash to proclaim glad tidings,\emdash to relieve those who are suffering,\emdash to diminish sorrow,\emdash and to increase joy. His life is meant to be one of "giving," rather than receiving. \par This is a high standard, and a very peculiar one. Let it be well weighed, and carefully examined. It is plain, for one thing, that the life of a faithful minister of Christ cannot be one of ease. He must be ready to spend body and mind, time and strength, in the work of His calling. Laziness and frivolity are bad enough in any profession, but worst of all in that of a watchman for souls.\emdash It is plain, for another thing, that the position of the ministers of Christ is not that which ignorant people sometimes ascribe to them, and which they unhappily sometimes claim for themselves. They are not so much ordained to rule as to serve. They are not intended so much to have dominion over the Church, as to supply its wants, and wait upon its members. (\ul 2Co_1:24\ulnone .) Happy would it be for the cause of true religion, if these things were better understood! Half the diseases of Christianity have arisen from mistaken notions about the minister's office. \par We are taught, in the last place, that \i it is a most dangerous thing to neglect the offers of the Gospel\i0 . It shall prove "more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah" in the judgment day, than for those who have heard Christ's truth, and not received it. \par This is a doctrine fearfully overlooked, and one that deserves serious consideration. Men are sadly apt to forget, that it does not require great open sins to be sinned, in order to ruin a soul for ever. They have only to go on hearing without believing, listening without repenting, going to Church without going to Christ, and by and bye they will find themselves in hell! We shall all be judged according to our lLVALight. We shall have to give account of our use of religious privileges. To hear of the "great salvation," and yet neglect it, is one of the worst sins man can commit. (\ul Joh_16:9\ulnone .) \par \pard What are we doing ourselves with the Gospel? This is the question which every one who reads this passage should put to his conscience. Let us assume that we are decent and respectable in our lives, correct and moral in all the relations of life, regular in our formal attendance on the means of grace. It is all well, so far as it goes. But is this all that can be said of us? Are we really receiving the love of the truth? Is Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith? If not, we are in fearful danger. We are far more guilty than the men of Sodom, who never heard the Gospel at all. We may awake to find, that in spite of our regularity, and morality, and correctness, we have lost our souls for all eternity. It will not save us to have lived in the full sunshine of Christian privileges, and to have heard the Gospel faithfully preached every week. There must be experimental acquaintance with Christ. There must be personal reception of His truth. There must be vital union with Him. We must become his servants and disciples. Without this, the preaching of the Gospel only adds to our responsibility, increases our guilt, and will at length sink us more deeply into hell. These are hard sayings. But the words of Scripture, which we have read, are plain and unmistakable. They are all true.\cf0\f1\fs23 \par } LVALt{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 T\fs16 HE\fs24 truths contained in these verses should be pondered by all who try to do good in the world. To the selfish man, who cares for nothing but his own ease or comfort, there may seem to be little in them. To the minister of the Gospel, and to every one who seeks to save souls, these verses ought to be full of interest. No doubt there is much in them, which applies specially to the days of the apostles. But there is much also which applies to all times. \par We see, for one thing, \i that those who would do good to souls, must be moderate in their expectations\i0 . They must not think that universal success will attend their labors. They must reckon on meeting with much opposition. They must make up their minds to "be hated," persecuted, and ill-used, and that too by their nearest relations. They will often find themselves like "sheep in the midst of wolves." \par Let us bear this in mind continually. Whether we preach, or teach, or visit from house to house,\emdash whether we write or give counsel, or whatever we do, let it be a settled principle with us not to expect more than Scripture and experience warrant. Human nature is far more wicked and corrupt than we think. The power of evil is far greater than we suppose. It is vain to imagine that everybody will see what is good for them, and believe what we tell them. It is expecting what we shall not find, and will only end in disappointment. Happy is that laborer for Christ, who knows these things at his first starting, and has not to learn them by bitter experience! Here lies the secret cause why many have turned back, who once seemed full of zeal to do good. They began with extravagant expectations. They did not count the cost. They fell into the mistake of the great German Reformer, who confesseLVALud he forgot at one time, that "old Adam was too strong for young Melancthon." \par We see, for another thing, \i that those who would do good have need to pray for wisdom, good sense, and a sound mind\i0 . Our Lord tells his disciples to be "wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." He tells them that when they are persecuted in one place, they may lawfully "flee to another." \par There are few of our Lord's instructions which it is so difficult to use rightly as this. There is a line marked out for us between two extremes; but one that it requires great judgment to define. To avoid persecution by holding our tongues, and keeping our religion entirely to ourselves, is one extreme. We are not to err in that direction.\emdash To court persecution, and thrust our religion upon every one we meet, without regard to place, time, or circumstances, is another extreme. In this direction also we are warned not to err any more than in the other.\emdash Truly we may say, "who is sufficient for these things?" We have need to cry to the only wise God for wisdom. \par The extreme into which most men are liable to fall in the present day, is that of silence, cowardice, and letting others alone. Our so-called prudence is apt to degenerate into a compromising line of conduct, or downright unfaithfulness. We are only too ready to suppose that it is of no use trying to do good to certain people. We excuse ourselves from efforts to benefit their souls, by saying it would be indiscreet, or inexpedient, or would give needless offence, or would even do positive harm. Let us all watch and be on our guard against this spirit. Laziness and the devil are often the true explanation of it. To give way to it is pleasant to flesh and blood, no doubt, and saves us much trouble. But those who give way to it often throw away great opportunities of usefulness. \par On the other hand, it is impossible to deny that there is such a thing as a righteous and holy zeal, which is "not according to knowledge." It is quite possible to createJLVALZ much needless offence, commit great blunders, and stir up much opposition, which might have been avoided by a little prudence, wise management, and exercise of judgment. Let us all take heed that we are not guilty in this respect. We may be sure there is such a thing as Christian wisdom, which is quite distinct from Jesuitical subtlety, or carnal policy. This wisdom let us seek. Our Lord Jesus does not require us to throw aside our common sense, when we undertake to work for Him. There will be offence enough connected with our religion, do what we will; but let us not increase it without cause, Let us strive to "walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise." (\ul Eph_5:15\ulnone .) \par \pard It is to be feared, that believers in the Lord Jesus do not sufficiently pray for the spirit of knowledge, judgment, and a sound mind. They are apt to fancy that if they have grace, they have all they need. They forget that a gracious heart should pray that it may be full of wisdom, as well as of the Holy Ghost. (\ul Act_6:3\ulnone .) Let us all remember this. Great grace and common sense are perhaps one of the rarest combinations. That they may go together, the life of David, and the ministry of the apostle Paul are striking proofs. In this however, as in every other respect, our Lord Jesus Christ Himself is our most perfect example. None were ever so faithful as He. But none were ever so truly wise. Let us make Him our pattern, and walk in His steps.\cf0\f1\fs23 \par } LVALw{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 T\f1\fs16 O\fs24 do good to souls in this world is very hard. All who try it find out this by experience. It needs a large stock of courage, faith, patience, and perseverance. Satan will fight vigorously to maintain his kingdom. Human nature is desperately wicked. To do harm is easy. To do good is hard. \par The Lord Jesus knew this well, when He sent forth His disciples to preach the Gospel for the first time. He knew what was before them, if they did not. He took care to supply them with a list of encouragements, in order to cheer them when they felt cast down. Weary missionaries abroad, or fainting ministers at home,\fs20\emdash\fs24 disheartened teachers of schools, and desponding visitors of districts, would do well to study often the nine verses we have just read. Let us mark what they contain. \par Those who try to do good to souls \i must not expect to fare better than their great Master\i0 . "The disciple is not above his Master, nor the servant above his Lord." The Lord Jesus was slandered and rejected by those whom he came to benefit. There was no error in His teaching. There was no defect in His method of imparting instruction. Yet many hated Him, and "called Him Beelzebub." Few believed Him, and cared for what He said. Surely we have no right to be surprised if we, whose best efforts are mingled with much imperfection, are treated in the same way as Christ. If we let the world alone, it will probably let us alone. But if we try to do it spiritual good, it will hate us as it did our Master. \par Those who try to do good \i must look forward with patience to the day of judgment\i0 .\b \b0 "There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, and hid that shall not be known." They must be content in this preLVALxsent world to be misunderstood, misrepresented, vilified, slandered, and abused. They must not cease to work because their motives are mistaken, and their characters fiercely assailed. They must remember continually that all will be set right at the last day. The secrets of all hearts shall then be revealed. "He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday." (\ul Psa_37:6\ulnone .) The purity of their intentions, the wisdom of their labors, and the rightfulness of their cause, shall at length be made manifest to all the world. Let us work on steadily and quietly. Men may not understand us, and may vehemently oppose us. But the day of judgment draws nigh. We shall be righted at last. The Lord, when He comes again, "will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts, and then shall every man have praise of God." (\ul 1Co_4:5\ulnone .) \par Those who try to do good must \i fear God more than man. \i0 Man can hurt the body, but there his enmity must stop. He can go no further. God "is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." We may be threatened with the loss of character, property, and all that makes life enjoyable, if we go on in the path of religious duty. We must not heed such threats, when our course is plain. Like Daniel and the three children, we must submit to anything rather than displease God, and wound our consciences. The anger of man may be hard to bear, but the anger of God is much harder. The fear of man does indeed bring a snare, but we must make it give way to the expulsive power of a stronger principle\fs20 , \fs24 even the fear of God. It was a fine saying of good Colonel Gardiner's, "I fear God, and therefore there is none else that I need fear." \par Those who try to do good \i must keep before their minds the providential care of God over them\i0 . Nothing can happen in this world without His permission. There is no such thing in reality as chance, accident, or luck. "The very hairs of their LVAL"heads are all numbered." The path of duty may sometimes lead them into great danger. Health and life may seem to be periled, if they go forward. Let them take comfort in the thought that all around them is in God's hand. Their bodies, their souls, their characters are all in His safe keeping. No disease can seize them,\fs20\emdash\fs24 no hand can hurt them, unless He allows. They may say boldly to every fearful thing they meet with, "Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above." \par In the last place, those who try to do good \i should continually remember the day when they will meet their Lord to receive their final portion\i0 . If they would have Him own them, and confess them before His Father's throne, they must not be ashamed to own and "confess Him" before the men of this world. To do it may cost us much. It may bring on us laughter, mockery, persecution, and scorn. But let us not be laughed out of heaven. Let us recollect the great and dreadful day of account, and not be afraid to show men that we love Christ, and want them to know and love Him also. \par \pard Let these encouragements be treasured up in the hearts of all who labor in Christ's cause, whatever their position may be. The Lord knows their trials, and has spoken these things for their comfort. He cares for all His believing people, but for none so much as those who work for His cause, and try to do good. May we seek to be of that number. Every believer may do something if he tries. There is always something for every one to do. May we each have an eye to see it, and a will to do it.\cf0\f2\fs23 \par } LVALz{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 I\fs16 N\fs24 these verses the great Head of the Church winds up His first charge to those whom He sends forth to make known His Gospel. He declares three great truths, which form a fitting conclusion to the whole discourse. \par In the first place, He bids us remember \i that His Gospel will not cause peace and agreement wherever it comes\i0 . "I came not to send peace, but a sword." The object of His first coming on earth was not to set up a millennial kingdom in which all would be of one mind, but to bring in the Gospel, which would lead to strifes and divisions. We have no right to be surprised, if we see this continually fulfilled. We are not to think it strange, if the Gospel rends asunder families, and causes estrangement between the nearest relations. It is sure to do so in many cases, because of the deep corruption of man's heart. So long as one man believes, and another remains unbelieving,\f1\emdash\f0 so long as one is resolved to keep his sins, and another desirous to give them up, the result of the preaching of the Gospel must needs be division. For this the Gospel is not to blame, but the heart of man. \par There is deep truth in all this, which is constantly forgotten and overlooked. Many talk vaguely about unity, and harmony, and peace in the Church of Christ, as if they were things that we ought always to expect, and for the sake of which everything ought to be sacrificed. Such persons would do well to remember the words of our Lord. No doubt unity and peace are mighty blessings. We ought to seek them, pray for them, and give up everything in order to obtain them, excepting truth and a good conscience. But it is an idle dream to suppose that the churches of Christ will enjoy much of unity and peace befLVAL{ore the millennium comes. \par In the second place, our Lord tells us \i that true Christians must make up their minds to trouble in this world\i0 . Whether we are ministers or hearers, whether we teach or are taught, it makes little difference. We must carry "a cross." We must be content to lose even life itself for Christ's sake. We must submit to the loss of man's favor, we must endure hardships, we must deny ourselves in many things, or we shall never reach heaven at last. So long as the world, the devil, and our own hearts, are what they are, these things must be so. \par We shall find it most useful to remember this lesson ourselves, and to impress it upon others. Few things do so much harm in religion as exaggerated expectations. People look for a degree of worldly comfort in Christ's service, which they have no right to expect, and not finding what they look for, are tempted to give up religion in disgust. Happy is he who thoroughly understands, that though Christianity holds out a crown in the end, it brings also a cross in the way. \par In the last place, our Lord cheers us by saying \i that the least service done to those who work in His cause is observed and rewarded of God\i0 . He that gives a believer so little as "a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple shall in no wise lose his reward." \par There is something very beautiful in this promise. It teaches us that the eyes of the great Master are ever upon those who labor for him, and try to do good. They seem perhaps to work on unnoticed and unregarded. The proceedings of preachers, and missionaries, and teachers, and visitors of the poor, may appear very trifling and insignificant, compared to the movements of kings and parliaments, of armies and of statesmen. But they are not insignificant in the eyes of God. He takes notice who opposes His servants, and who helps them. He observes who is kind to them, as Lydia was to Paul,\f1\emdash\f0 and who throws difficulties in their way, as Diotrephes did to John. All their daily eLVALxperience is recorded, as they labor on in His harvest. All is written down in the great book of His remembrance, and will be brought to light at the last day. The chief butler forgat Joseph, when he was restored to his place. But the Lord Jesus never forgets any of His people. He will say to many who little expect it, in the resurrection morning, "I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink." (\ul Mat_25:35\ulnone .) \par \pard Let us ask ourselves, as we close the chapter, in what light we regard Christ's work and Christ's cause in the world? Are we helpers of it, or hinderers? Do we in any wise aid the Lord's "prophets," and "righteous men"? Do we assist His "little ones"? Do we impede His laborers, or do we cheer them on?\f1\emdash\f0 These are serious questions. They do well and wisely who give the "cup of cold water," whenever they have opportunity. They do better still who work actively in the Lord's vineyard. May we all strive to leave the world a better world than it was when we were born! This is to have the mind of Christ. This is to find out the value of the lessons this wonderful chapter contains.\cf0\f2\fs23 \par } LVAL}{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 T\fs16 HE\fs24 first thing that demands our attention in this passage, is \i the message which John the Baptist sends to our Lord Jesus Christ\i0 .\b \b0 He "sent two of his disciples,and said un him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" \par This question did not arise from doubt or unbelief on the part of John. We do that holy man injustice, if we interpret it in such a way. It was put for the benefit of his disciples. It was meant to give them an opportunity of hearing from Christ's own lips, the evidence of His divine mission. No doubt John the Baptist felt that his own ministry was ended. Something within him told him that he would never come forth from Herod's prison-house, but would surely die. He remembered the ignorant jealousies that had already been shown by his disciples towards the disciples of Christ. He took the most likely course to dispel those jealousies for ever. He sent his followers to "hear and see" for themselves. \par The conduct of John the Baptist in this matter affords a striking example to ministers, teachers, and parents, when they draw near the end of their course. Their chief concern should be about the souls of those they are going to leave behind them. Their great desire should be to persuade them to cleave to Christ. The death of those who have guided and instructed us on earth ought always to have this effect. It should make us lay hold more firmly on Him who dieth no more, "continueth ever," and "hath an unchangeable priesthood." (\ul Heb_7:24\ulnone .) \par The second thing that demands our notice in this passage, is \i the high testimony which our Lord bears to the character of John the Baptist\i0 .\b \b0 No mortal man ever received such commendation as JesusLVAL~ here bestows on His imprisoned friend. "Among them that are born of women, there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist." In time past John had boldly confessed Jesus before men, as the Lamb of God. Now Jesus openly declares John to be more than a prophet. \par There were some, no doubt, who were disposed to think lightly of John Baptist, partly from ignorance of the nature of his ministry, partly from misunderstanding the question he had sent to ask. Our Lord Jesus silences such cavilers by the declaration he here makes. He tells them not to suppose that John was a timid, vacillating, unstable man, "a reed shaken by the wind." If they thought so, they were utterly mistaken. He was a bold, unflinching witness to the truth.\f1\emdash\f0 He tells them not to suppose that John was at heart a worldly man, fond of king's courts, and delicate living. If they thought so, they greatly erred. He was a self-denying preacher of repentance, who would risk the anger of a king, rather than not reprove his sins.\f1\emdash\f0 In short, He would have them know that John was "more than a prophet." He was one to whom God had given more honor than to all the Old Testament prophets. They indeed prophesied of Christ, but died without seeing Him. John not only prophesied of Him, but saw Him face to face.\f1\emdash\f0 They foretold that the days of the Son of man would certainly come, and the Messiah appear. John was an actual eye-witness of those days, and an honored instrument in preparing men for them.\f1\emdash\f0 To them it was given to predict that Messiah would be "led as a lamb to the slaughter," and "cut off." To John it was given to point to Him, and say, "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." \par There is something very beautiful and comforting to true Christians in this testimony which our Lord bears to John. It shows us the tender interest which our great Head feels in the lives and characters of all His members. It shows us what honor He is ready to put on all the work and LVALlabor that they go through in His cause. It is a sweet foretaste of the confession which He will make of them before the assembled world, when He presents them faultless at the last day before His Father's throne. \par \pard Do we know what it is to work for Christ? Have we ever felt cast down and dispirited, as if we were doing no good, and no one cared for us? Are we ever tempted to feel, when laid aside by sickness, or withdrawn by providence, "I have labored in vain, and spent my strength for naught"? Let us meet such thoughts by the recollection of this passage. Let us remember, there is One who daily records all we do for Him, and sees more beauty in His servants' work than His servants do themselves. The same tongue which bore testimony to John in prison, will bear testimony to all his people at the last day. He will say, "Come ye blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." And then shall His faithful witnesses discover, to their wonder and surprise, that there never was a word spoken on their Master's behalf, which does not receive a reward.\cf0\f2\fs23 \par } LVAL{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qj\cf1\f0\fs24 T\fs16 HESE\fs24 sayings of the Lord Jesus were called forth by the state of the Jewish nation, when He was upon earth. But they speak loudly to us also, as well as to the Jews. They throw great light on some parts of the natural man's character. They teach us the perilous state of many immortal souls in the present day. \par The first part of these verses shows us\b \b0\i the unreasonableness of many unconverted men in the things of religion\i0 . The Jews, in our Lord's time, found fault with every teacher whom God sent among them. First came John the Baptist preaching repentance,\emdash an austere man, a man who withdrew himself from society, and lived an ascetic life. Did this satisfy the Jews? No! They found fault and said, "He hath a devil."\emdash Then came Jesus the Son of God, preaching the Gospel, living as other men lived, and practicing none of John the Baptist's peculiar austerities. And did this satisfy the Jews? No! They found fault again, and said, "Behold a man gluttonous and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners." In short, they were as perverse and hard to please as wayward children. \par It is a mournful fact, that there are always thousands of professing Christians just as unreasonable as these Jews. They are equally perverse, and equally hard to please. Whatever we teach and preach, they find fault. Whatever be our manner of life, they are dissatisfied. Do we tell them of salvation by grace, and justification by faith? At once they cry out against our doctrine as licentious and antinomian.\emdash Do we tell them of the holiness which the Gospel requires? At once they exclaim, that we are too strict, and pr