nations, 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.
He expounds the third commandment. 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 ; — all calling upon God to witness, ex- cepting on the most solemn occasions, is a great sin.
Now aU 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 ?
It teaches us the exceeding holiness of God, He is a most pure and perfect Being, who sees faults and imper- fections, 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."
It teaches us the exceeding ignorance of man in spiritual things. 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 com- mandments 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