Vers. 28--30.-Tiui u:nforgivab'le sin. I. AN ACI'UAL OFFENCE, It Is not mentioned again in the Gospel, but the warning was called forth by the actual transgression. There is no mere theorizing abont it therefore. It is an exposure and denunciation. This gives us an idea of ;the fearful unbelief and bitter hatred of those who opposed him. The manifestation of light and love only strengthened the antagonism of some. They consciously sinned against the light. II. WHY 1s IT UNFORGIVABLE ? I. Beca'U$e of the majesty of the crime. It identifies the Representative and Son of God with the devil-the best with the worst. 2. From the nature of the spiritw:d state induced. When a man deliberately falsifies his spiritual intuitions, and corrupts his conscience so that good is considered evil, there is no hope for him. Snch a condition can only be the result of long-continued opposition to God and determined. hatred of his character. 'l'he means of salvation are thereby robbed of their possibility to save. III. THE LIKELIHOOD OF ITS BEING REPEATED. As it is a.n extreme and final degree of sin, there is little danger of its being committed without full consciousness and many previous warnings. I. It is therefore, a prwri, improbable in any. Yet as increasing light and grace tend to throw into stronger opposition the spirit of evil, it must be regarded as: 2. .A possibiUty of every sinner. Necessity for self-examination and continual recourse to the cleansing and illuminating power of Christ.-M. Vers. 31-35.-The ffl/Jther and the brethren of Jems. The annoyance and hindrance of a moment are turned to eternal gain to the ea.use of truth. L Fil!lLY Th"TLUENCES l,[AY INJUJlE SPIBITUAL USEFULNESS. They are powerful either way. They operate subtly and constantly. A tendency to narrowness in the family tie, which requires to be checked. Much of this influence which is adverse to Christian life is unconsciously BO. Yet the intensest forms of hatred to truth and goodness are exhibited within the family relation. Hence the necessity for clear and forcible realization of the distinction between lower and higher obligations. The child of God will have recourse to constant prayer for help and guidance, and for the con- version of relatives. II. THERE ARE CIBCUl!BTA.NCEB IN WllICB THE J!IATURAL MUST YIELD TO TBE BPIBITCJAL RELATIONSHIP. This is so whenever they CO!lflict, or when, both being of Divine obliga- tion, the latter is manifestly more immediately impreBSed upon the conscience, and more evidently calculated for the good of men and the glory of God. ill. THE :!,."EAl!El!T ARD ONLY l'EJll,[ANENT RELATION TO CJBBIBT IS SPDIITUAL Al,"D NOT NATUE.AL. I. .An invitation to all. 2. .An enco?Jlfagement and inspiration to real disciples. 3 . .AforeC<Ut of the wmmunion of ,aints.-M.
Ver. 35.-Divine relatwnships. 1. How FAB RESEMBLING HUMAJ!I RELATIONSHIPS. 1. In laying d<iwn the condition of Divine relationship, Ch:rist does not ahsolutely displace hwma111. relatwnshipB. It would have been bard for him BO to do, since men were being addressed, and the relationships SUBtained by them would depend upon the religious sanction they might posBeBS for the measure of honour and faithful observance they would receive. That the terms of human relationship were still employed showed that an analogy at least existed- 2. The terms denoting the distinction_s of natural rel,ation- ihips ara'Ulled in speaki,ng of the hea?Jenly. The "brother" and" s1Bter n and "mother," therefore, express a real distinction in the heavenly family. And there a.re differences of mutual service and affection which m118t exist within the common "bond of charity," even as on earth. In the case of those who believe in Christ, then, the beautiful variation which God has created in the affection of the domestic circle will have a us1.: and fitness in fulfilling the duties and realizing the idoal of the Divine life. The latter has its sphere for the mterlincss, the brotherliness, etc., even as the human life; and thei;e are u:1ode11 through which the Divine love will express itself. Indeed, it may be on. m.1-35.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO BT. MARK. 131