least room to judge, or hope well; never rashly, and uncharitably, or to gratify pride, or ill temper. We are not, however, here forbidden to think an action evil which is so, or to call it by its proper name: nor are we forbidden to admonish, and reprove one another in love. We shall not be judged when we do not judge: so that this hindrance of God's mercy to us will be taken out of the way,

38. Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal, it shall be measured to you again.

The encouragement to liberality is very great: give, and it shall be returned to you. In the Greek it is, "shall they give," that is, shall be given; chiefly, by God.

SECTION XXII.

Chap. vi. ver. 39–49.

ON PRACTISING WHAT WE HEAR.

39. And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

Can one blind man teach another? Every man is blind in divine things, till he is taught of God. Let us all learn of Christ.

40. The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

If a disciple has man for his teacher, he will only have man's wisdom, at the best. If we take Christ as our master, we shall be perfect, according to him.

41. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

42. Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.

We are, in general, very quick-sighted in spying out faults; and, perhaps, officious to have matters set right. But the misfortune is, we mistake the person.

selves.

It is our

43. For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

So long as the beam is in our own eye, the tree is corrupt, and no good is to be expected from it. There is no virtue in one man's evil nature, to mend the evil nature of another.

44. For every tree is known by his own fruit: for of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

45. A good man, out of the good treasure of his heart, bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man, out of the evil treasure of his heart, bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

The treasure of the heart; there, there, is the root! If ever we would bring forth fruit to God, or man, let us look that all be sound there. For instance, Christ says, love, bless, and pray for your enemies. But we do not receive this saying, unless we have divine love in the heart. And if we should so far comply with the command as to pray for them, it could only be in hypocrisy.

46. And why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Here Christ is at a word with us. Take knowledge of yourselves. What Christ says, has neither been done nor thought of. What then must you do? Repent, that you may be forgiven; and by the virtue of faith, enter upon the way of obedience, here marked out for all. See what foundation you are resting upon. And if it is not the

rock Christ, Christ dying for us, and living in us, hear now what will be the end of all.

47. Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

48. He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

49. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.

SECTION XXIII.

Chap. vii. ver. 1—17.

THE CENTURION'S FAITH AND THE RAISING FROM THE DEAD THE WIDOW'S SON.

1. Now when he had ended all these sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

2. And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

The centurion's concern for his servant, was an excellent part of his character.

3. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his

servant.

Have we not heard of Jesus? and shall we hear in vain ? The centurion thought himself unworthy to come to Christ himself, and therefore he sent his servant in his place. It is a sign of an humble heart, when we desire others to pray

for us.

4. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this.

Let us beseech Christ instantly, for ourselves: as we shall, when we know ourselves, and our want of Jesus. The servants did well, in saying that their master was worthy: but, observe, he said no such thing of himself. Let us have a care how we plead our worthiness before God.

5. For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. 6. Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof;

Every convinced sinner is ready to make a confession of his unworthiness, and to say, Lord, I am not worthy of the least of thy mercies. This is, indeed, what he wishes to hear us all say.

7. Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

Here is a short prayer, ready to be put into our mouths; and it will always be heard, when it is spoken from the

heart.

8. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

He did not doubt but that Christ's word would be followed with an equal effect, as his was when he commanded any of his servants. It is very acceptable to him that we should conceive highly of his power, and readiness to help. us. Hear how he commends such a faith.

9. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

We see the high admiration in which our Lord holds true faith.

10. And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

May the Lord grant that we may find a recovery from our spiritual sickness in ourselves. Our recovery will come to us by faith in his mercy, and the conversion of our hearts to him.

11. And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain: and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.

12. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow and much people of the city was with her.

13. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

14. And he came and touched the bier; and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

16. And there came a fear on all ing, That a great prophet is risen up hath visited his people.

and they glorified God, sayamong us; and, That God

17. And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judæa, and throughout all the region round about.

:

Here we have a still higher instance of Christ's power. I mean as to our conception for one thing is as easy to him as another. All he did was for this end, that we might see where our help is, and come to him for it. Are we dead in trespasses and sins, and dead to help in ourselves? We need not fear: we need not despair. His compassions fail not. He who raised the widow's son from the dead, with a word speaking, can as easily put life and power into us.

SECTION XXIV.

Chap. vii. ver. 18—35,

CHRIST'S TESTIMONY OF JOHN.

18. And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.

VOL. II.

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