300 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.

set apart to a liigli and holy calling, but still after all only men. Let us never forget these things. Such cautions are alwaj^s useful. Human nature would always rather lean on a visible minister, than an invisible Christ. We see in the last place, that there is no grace tvhich should distinguish the Christian so mncJi as humility. He that would be great in the eyes of Christ, must aim at a totally different mark from that of the Pharisees. His aim must be, not so much to rule as to serve the Church. Well says Baxter, '^ church greatness consisteth in being greatly serviceable." The desire of the Pharisee was to receive honor, and to be called ^^ master." The desire of the Christian must be to do good, and to give himself, and all that he has to the service of others. Truly this is a high standard, but a lower one must never content us. The example of our blessed Lord, the direct command of the apostolic Epistles, both alike require us to be " clothed vAih humility." (1 Peter v, 5.) Let us seek that blessed grace day by day. None is so beautiful, however much despised by the world. None is such an evidence of saving faith, and true conversion to God. None is so often commended by our Lord. Of all His sayings, hardly any is so often repeated as that which concludes the passage we have now read, " He that shall humble himself shall be ex- alted."