Vers. 1, 2.-Teachvng for thtJ multitude. We hold that the discourse to which these two verses in St. Matthew's Gospel are an introduction is one with that given in the sixth chapter of St. Luke's Gospel; and that although, judging from the closest context in both passages, it might at first be supposed that" these sayings of Jesus" were spoken to the lesser circle of his disciples exclusively, they were really spoken, if not from the very beginning, yet, as regards the large proportion of them, to the widest circle of his disciples, and even to" the multitudes" (eh. vii. 28; Luke vii. 1). The second Passover of our Lord was now past; and this discourse was not as near the beginning of his pnblic life as its apparent early place in St. Matthew's Gospel would ordinarily lead one to infer. To remember its later place is to vindicate more clearly its seasonableness to the minds of the disciples and people, and its usefulness as another higher standard in the "teaching" of the world. In these two preliminary and iDtroductory verses we may notice as, at all events, suggestions that lie on the surface, the following things. I. IN THE BORN TEACliEB OF MORALS, A.ND ESPECIALLY RELIGION, THE BIGHT OF "THE lmLTITUDEB" IN ITSELF A PROMPT A.ND BTBONG IMPULSE. Trace the fact historically, that it is the moral gaze on "the people" that is the spring of this impulse; and that otherwise the ages have rather hedged up knowledge to the few; and that the world's greater teachers have been prone and glad to avert their teaching-thought when the multitudes have been thrust before their eye by any accident. IL A TYPICAL INSTANCE OF A MOBAL IKPULSE; PBOHPT AND VEBY STRONG, IT DOES NOT PAUSE AT THOUGHT, NOB EX.HA.UST ITSELF IN FEELING: IT IB PBAOTIOAL. Point out the illustration of this that is spoken in Christ's pursuit of methcd, and in his use of intermediate agents and in his measured calmness herein. But through and after all there is a sure outcome of action and something practical. IIL THE MOUNTAIN-PLATFORM A MORAL VANTAGE-GROUND. For it secured at the &ame time some apparently very various results and ends, each very desirable. 1. It cannot be denied that it fairly challenges the observation of earth and heaven. 2. But it does at the same time win much retirement from the noise of earth, and shall foster thought and high feeling rather than distract them. 3. It speaks the large sweep and outlook of moral and religious truth. 4. And at the same time the large room and welcome that the truth offers to all who will receive it. One may imagine at this point, in a literal sense, the position of Jesus himself, with all that his eye overlooked and surveyed each moment, and moral analogies will rise not slowly in the wake of the literal facts. IV. A TYPICAL INST.A.NOE OF THE TBUE TRADITION, OF HEAVENLY WIBDOM, HEAVENLY TEACHING, AND THE GBEAT MASTER'S OWN WORK, INTO TIIE CllABGE OP MEN. 1. The work of Christ is to be carried on by the living instrumentality of living men, imper- fect as they are l!ure to be, and far removed from the goodness, grace, power, and wisdom of the Master. 2. These men must be in real character disciples. 8. They must be progressi.ng learners as well 4. It must be of the things they themselves in very truth have learned of the great Teacher that they are to tell others. They must not only be, fo1· instance, hearer,, but must be of the taught, the successfully and humbly taught. OIL T.1-48.J THE GOSPEL AOOOBDING 'fO BT. MATTHEW. 185
V, THE FINAL BUM.MONS TO Alt UNTAU0HT, LISTLESS WORLD TO GIVE EAR AND LISTEN, JesllB "opened his mouth and taught." 1. What an authoritative summons! 2. What an encouraging summons I 3. What a rewarding and comforting summons 1-B.
Ver. 3.-The blessedness that Oh'f'ist pronow,,ces, Amid many ways in which the grand inheritance which Jesus designated by the word "blessedness" may be regarded, and its worth exhibited and its charm enhanced to our mental gaze, all too sluggish, we may now take the following course. This blessedness which Christ pronounces m11Bt be the more worthy of regard, in that- I. IT IS NOT FLAUNTED IN PBOMINENOE ARD IN BRIGHTEST, LOUDEST COLOUR ON BIS FLAG, JI. IT FINDS A. PLACE NEVERTHELESS A.ND IS EXHIBITED, BUT 18 BARELY EXHIBITED, A.ND THEN NOT WITH A.NY BEBA.LD1S FLOURISH OF TRUMPETS, BUT WITH SUDDENNESS, WITH SCARCELY A NOTE OF PBEPA.BATI0N; WITH APPEAL TO THOSE ONLY WHO HAVE BYES OPEN TO BEE. III. IT IS PROMPTLY ASCERTAINED TO BE :BA.BED ON A.N UNUSUAL FOUNDATION, A.ND ONE UNUSUALLY DEEP. .AJ4m OTBEB :BUILDINGS INNtrMEBA.BLE, IT IS BUILDED ON A BOOK, IV, WHEN CONSIDERED IN ITSELF, IT IS DISCOVERED TO BE WROUGHT OUT OF fJ!8- POSITION BATHER THAN' BESTOWED UPON IT; THE ESSENTIAL A.ND SUBE OUTCOME OF QUALITY ARD 01!' HEART BA.TBEB THAN BOON, PRIZE, 0B BEWA.BD CONFERRED UPON THEM BY A.NY TBEOBY OF RECOMPENSE, . V, IT IS IN ITS ENDURANCE A.S LA.STING, l!'AB-SEEING, FAR-BEA.CHING, AS IT IS IN 1TB NATURE INTBINSI0. Show that these peculiarities of the blessedness that Jesus esteems are il111Btrated by all the instances following in vers, 3-11, etc.; and that they entitle it to be said firmly a.nd emphatically that- VI. IT IS THE "OHIEF GOOD," FOUND A.T LAST A.ND FOUND SURELY; THE "OHIEF GOOD," NOT OF THE PHILOSOPHEB'B QUEST MERELY, BUT OF THAT OF THE UNIVEBSAL HUMAN HEART A.ND LIFE. "The chief good is the only motive of philosophical inquiry; but whatever confers blessedness, that is the chief good; therefore Jesllil begins, 'Blessed are the poor in spirit'" (Aug., • De Civ. Dei,' :x.ix. 1).-B.