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النشر الإلكتروني

Whatever might be the design of the Scribe in putting this question to Christ again, which was in effect the same with what another had proposed before, (Luke x. 25, sect. cvii.) we have reason to rejoice in the repetition of so important an answer. Oh that it might be inscribed on our hearts as with the point of a diamond!

The first and great commandment requires us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, and soul, and mind, and strength; and the second, which is like unto it, to love our neighbour as ourselves. But alas, what reason have we to complain of our own deficiency on both these heads! and how much need of being taught again even these first principles of the oracles of God! (Heb. v. 12.)

Can we say, with regard to the first, that the blessed God has the whole of our hearts? Is the utmost vigour of our faculties exerted in his service? Do we make him the end of all our actions, of all our wishes, of all our pursuits? Or are we indeed such equitable judges between ourselves and others as the second of these great commandments would require; so as to seek our own particular interests no farther than they may be subservient to, or at least consistent with, the good of the whole? Do we make all those allowances for others which we expect or desire they should make for us?-Surely we must own we are far from having yet attained, or from being already perfect. (Phil. iii. 12.) But if this be not in the main the prevailing and governing temper of our minds, in vain are our burnt-offerings and our sacrifices; in vain are all the solemnities of public worship, or the forms of domestic and secret devotion; and by all our most pathetic expressions of duty to God, and friendship to men, we do but add one degree of guilt to another. Let us then most earnestly entreat that God would have mercy upon us, and by his Holy Spirit write these laws in our hearts.

On these subjects let Scribes instructed to the kingdom of heaven insist, lest they be condemned by this expositor of the Jewish law. And let those whose notions are thus wisely regulated, take heed, lest, while they seem near to the kingdom of God, by resting in mere notions, they come short of it, and sink into a ruin aggravated by their near approach to the confines of salvation and glory.

SECTION LXXV.

MATT. XXII. 41-46. MARK XII. 35–40. LUKE XX. 41-47.

WHILE the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, while he taught in the temple, How say the Scribes that Christ is the son of David? What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him, in the book of Psalms, Lord; saying by the Holy Ghost, the Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? David therefore himself calleth him Lord: If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

common people heard him gladly.

And the

Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, in his doctrine, Beware of the Scribes, which love to walk in long robes, and love salutations in the market-places, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts; which devour widow's houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

As for that question of Christ with which the Pharisees were perplexed, the gospel has given us a key to it. Well might David in spirit, call him Lord, who according to the flesh was to descend from his loins: for before David or Abraham was, he is. (John viii. 58.) Let us adore this mysterious union of the Divine and human natures in the person of our glorious Emmanuel; and be very careful that we do not oppose him, if we would not be found fighters against God. Already is he exalted at the right hand of the Father: let his friends rejoice in his dignity and glory, and with pleasure wait the day of his complete triumph, when all his enemies shall be put under his feet, and even the last of them be swallowed up in victory. (1 Cor. xv. 25, 54.)

SECTION LXXVI.

MARK XII. 41-44.

LUKE XXI. 1—4.

JOHN XII. 37-43.

AND Jesus sat over against the treasury, and he looked up, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And he saw also a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

But though he had done so many miracles before them, Yet they believed not on him: that the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Our Lord Jesus Christ had his eye on those who were bringing their gifts unto the sacred treasury. Let us remember his eye is also upon us, to observe in what degree we are ready, on proper occasions, to contribute for the glory of God and the good of mankind; and in what proportion to the ability which God has given us. Let not the poorest be discouraged from doing something for these good purposes, however little they may have it in their power to perform; since Christ may

acknowledge the noblest charity in the smallest gift, as wherever there is a willing mind, it is accepted according to what a man hath, and not according to what he hath not. (2 Cor. viii. 12.)

Let us imitate the candour of our blessed Redeemer; and be ready to be pleased with little services. The circumstances of mankind are such, that few have it in their power to do great matters frequently for the service of others: but the desire of a man is his kindness, (Prov. xix. 22.) the principles and circumstances of an action recommend it more than the appearance it may make; and a multiplicity of little kind offices, in persons frequently conversant with each other, are the bands of society and friendship. We ought therefore to preserve an habitual tenderness and generosity of mind, and be mutually willing to oblige and to be obliged by them.

To conclude; let us not despise the poor, since there are many of them who will in Christ's computation be found eminently rich in good works; many whose mite will, in the treasury of God, have the value of a talent, and will condemn the sordid parsimony with which many of the rich and great have cast their presents into it: while what the latter part with out of their abundance bears no proportion in the account of God to what the former freely spare from their necessity. Happy is it for every truly pious and benevolent mind that it is to give up its final account to him who searches the heart, and who is witness to those devout and charitable purposes which will always stretch themselves out beyond the limit of actions, and engage the charitable soul to wish more good than the power and revenues even of kingdoms could effect.

How evidently necessary is the operation of Divine grace to conquer the prejudices of a sinful heart; since even the preach. ing of Christ himself, enforced by all his stupendous miracles, could not overcome those prejudices without it! And how cautious should sinners be that they do not stop their ears to the joyful sound of the gospel, and shut their eyes against its glorious light; lest God should leave them to their own delusions, and in his righteous judgment seal them up under final blindness and impenitence! Then will they never be converted and healed; but die with that poison in all the faculties of their souls, which will make them for ever restless and miserable.

Can we find words sufficient to express the madness of these Pharisees, who, while they were in their consciences convinced that Jesus was the Christ, would not confess that conviction, and publicly pay their homage to him, because they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God? Strange infatuation of the human mind! that it should be capable of believing there is a God, and yet of preferring the creatures

before him and should sometimes imagine the vain breath of popular applause or popular censure so considerable, as that God should be offended to please man; and all the honours and rewards of his heavenly presence lost, to secure a little regard from those who are perishing in their crimes, and will ere long be themselves the objects of everlasting shame and contempt.

JOHN XII. 44-50.

But Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth in me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him : the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

Most important is that proclamation which our Lord made in the temple, and is still making to us in his word: believing in him, we believe in the Father; and seeing him, we see the Father. Let us be ready therefore to receive him out of regard to his Divine authority, as well as with a view to our own happiness; for without him we can have no access unto the Father, nor can we ever see him as a reconciled God.The sacred light which he diffuses around him is not intended merely to amuse our eyes with pleasing speculations, but to animate our hearts with holy affections, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke i. 79.) If we desire therefore to escape an abode in eternal darkness, and to see light everlasting, let us faithfully follow him: otherwise we are condemned already, and that word which he spake will become to us a savour of death unto death, (2 Cor. ii. 16), and will judge us in the last solemn and dreadful day, when it shall sentence those who would not be saved by it,

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