The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 95

somo results appearing in his behaviour. He will not immediately step on to the pedestal of the saint. He will be still down in tho darkness, feeble, depreased, guilty, and conscious of guilt. But every action will show that he is trying to reach after better things, even though they may be still far beyond his grasp. Lorenzo di Medici on his death-bed sends for Savonarola and, in terror of the torments of hell, begs to bo assured of the Divine forgiveness. The stem reformer bids the dying man return their possessions to those whom he has robbed, and set his imprisoned enemies free, and he consents. Then Savonarola makes a third demand, that the tyrant will restore their liberties to tho Florentines. This is too much for him; he turns away in silent refusal and dies unrepentant-and therefore unshriven. Ill. IT IS THE DUTY OF THE PENITENT TO CULTIVATE FRUITS OF REPENTANCE, People sometimes distress themselves with the fear that they have not repented sufficiently to receive the pardon of God. But they make a mistake if they suppose that the exciting of deeper feelings of compunction or the shedding of more tears is what God requires. Let them leave their emotions to take care of themselves, and set their attention on their conduct. Th.is does require thought and effort. Yet the very fact that repentance must bear fruit shows that H is more than a work of man's produc- tion. Therefore it is necessary to seek the "grace" of repentance, to pray for the Spirit of God to make tho true fruits appear. Lastly, let it be remembered when they do appear they are not all we need; they are only the signs of a right state of mind for receiving forgiveness.-W. F. A. Vera. 9, 10.-The axe at the root. Here we have an insight into the method of John the Baptist. We see how be led bis hearers to repentance. He found them too often soothing their consciences in a false security, and quite blind to the danger that threatened them. So be set to work first to destroy the false security and then to reveal the imminent danger. I. A GREAT DELUSION. (Ver. 9.) 1. Its excuse. The Jews prided tbem,elves in their pedigree. They were Abraham's children, and they expected to be favoured on account of their great ancestor. Glorious promises had been made to Abraham and his seed; the Jews were the seed of Abraham; therefore they concluded tbat the promises were for them, and that no final harm could come near them. The same delusion is found in those people who comfort themselves with the thought that they belong to a Christian Church, that they a.re members of a Christian family, that in some way they are included in a Christian covenant, although there is nothing Christian in their character and conduct, 2. Its mistake. There is no such thing as hereditary salvation. The children of a saint will suffer the doom of sinners if they are sinners, quite as much a.s the children of a sinner; na.y, even a worse doom, because their ad vantages are greater. It is true that great promises a.re laid up for the children of Abraham ; but only they are his true children who have their ancestor's faith. The Jews could not but admit that the Arabs were children of Abraham, yet they did not extend to them the hope of A.bra.ham's blessings. It might have been urged that the Israelites cannot peri.sh because, if they were lost, God would not have a people on whom he could fulfil his great promises to A.bra.ham. This would be to limit the power of God, to forget his resources. If he wanted other children he could raise them from the very stones of the wildernesB. He did raise them from the Gentile peoples. We are none of us necessary to God. II. A NEAR DANGER. (Ver. 10.) This question of A bra.ham's family is not a subject for quiet speculation only. Soon the futility of tb.e theory of the Jews with which they quiet their fears will be apparent. The axe is already lying by the root of the tree. The Roman power that is destined to cut down the Jewish state is close at band. 1. Its unsuspected presence. (1) The tree is still standing-a. great tree, with massive trunk and spreading branches. An imposing presence suggests strength and security. (2) 'fhe tree is vigorous. Its stem is not rotten. But it is bearing no good fruit, and it is cumbering the ground; in these facts is its danger. (3) The axe is unseen. It lies at the root-perhaps bidden among the grasses. Yet the place where it lies suggests utter destruction. We do not see dangers lurking a.tour feet. 2. Its fatal power. That cold gleam of steel o.t the root of the tree-bow frightfully suggestive it is I It is a small thing by the side of the giant of the forest. Nevertheless how soon c,m it bring the proud treo crashing to the ground I No one c&n escape from the keen blows of the 84 'l'HE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [en. Ill, 1-17.