contain what is commonly called the " sermon on the mount."
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. If is the Master speaking. It is the word of Him who " spake as never man spake/' and by Avhom we shall all be judged at the last day.
Would we know what kind of people Christians ought to be ? Would we know the character at which Chris- tians 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.
The Lord Jesus calls those blessed, who are poor in spirit. 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. J^e must begin low, if we would build high. ^
The Lord Jesus calls those blessed, who mourn. He means those who sorrow for sin; and grieve daily over their own short-comings. These are they who trouble them-