the history before us. He was in a Pharisee's house, whither he had been invited to dinner ; and his con- duct there will afford us many useful lessons. We shall consider,
I. The character of those who entertained our Lord — The lawyers and Pharisees professed a high regard for religion, and on this occasion appeared to act a very friendly part. But they soon manifested,
1. Their inveterate malignity —
[Under the mask of friendship they were traitors at heart. They " watched" our Lord's words and actions, not with a desire to receive instruction, but with a determination to seize an opportunity of traducing his character and destroying his life. Such was their employment on the Sabbath-day, when they should have been more particularly in the exercise of all holy affections. Such was their return to our Lord for all his condescension and kindness. And such was their conduct while they wished to be esteemed as patterns of sanctity and virtue. Would to God that this spirit had died with them ! But are there none in this day like-minded with them ? Do none, who appear friendly in their outward conduct, occupy themselves with watching the words and actions of a godly person, marking any frailty with critical acuteness, and animadverting upon it afterwards with malicious pleasure ? Do none even on the Sabbath-day attend the public ministration of the word, with this captious disposition, disdaining to receive instruction, and seeking only to find some expressions which they may report and ridicule ?]
2. Their utter want of candour —
[Our Lord put a simple question to them, " in answer" to what he knew to be passing in their minds. There was but one answer that could possibly be given to it. But they knew that a just reply would subvert their own superstitious notions, and justify our Lord in a conduct which they wished to con- demn. Unable to maintain the sentiments they professed, and unwilling to acknowledge their error, they held their peace. What a base and disingenuous spirit was this ! Yet, how many resemble them! If we address the consciences of some, how backward are they to acknowledge the plainest and most un- questionable truths ! If they be compelled to give their assent to any position which militates against their practice, they shew, in the very mode of assenting, a fixed determination to resist every inference that may be drawn from their concession. If invited to consider calmly the most important and most ob- vious truths, they will " shun the light lest their deeds should be
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