The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 214

asks, ",Vhat do ye moi·e 1" While we welcome every evidence that a germ of good ia left in human nature, surviving even in some instances the stifling influence of vice, we should be at the same time prepared to show that the noblest natural character can be outdone by the least in the kingdom of heaven. With each of us remains a perpetual responsibility in this matter-the re.sponsibility of wiping out the stain on the name of Christi&n, and of vindicating the reality of Christ's grace, "The regularities of con- stitutional goodness," the decencies that society requires, the affeolions which nature prompts,-these are the perfections, not of God, but of the publican. 'l'he man of the v;orld asks no reward for exercising all these. If you do no more than this, where is your e:ueeding righteousness? Finally, your righteousness must exceed the righteous- ness of the Pharisee. The Pharisees had the pretty common ambition of beina counted the religious men of their time. But they were not mere formalists; they ~re moral men, immensely zealous in their religion, What was lacking in them was il genuine root of goodness, which must at all times produce good fruit. There was wanting love, Their acts were good, but they themselves were evil. No amount of keeping a. law can ever make a man good; it can only make him a Pharisee. Our Lord says, "Love, and do as you please. Be yourselves good, be like your Father in heaven; • for except yom; righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter the kingdom of heaven.' "-D. Vers. 1, 2.-The preparati,on, for a great sermon. Christ magnified the Law, and honoured the sabbath. On the sabbath he wrought many of his miracles and uttered many of his parables. So, after spending the night in prayer, on the sabbath he delivered his sermon on the mount. The preparation for that discourse is the subject of the text. In order to a great sermon there should be- . I. A SUITABLE PLACE. 1. Noble edificu have been raised by the piety, of men. (1) Even heathenism has its gorgeous temples-ancient; modern. • (2) Wonderful cathedrals have been raised-in England; on the continent of Europe. (3) Solomon's temple must have exceeded all others in magnificence. The plan was Divine. 'l'he workmen were inspired. 2. Here was a cathedral worthy of the occasion~ (1) The roofing. The blue dome so vast as to bound the range of sight. So wonderfully constituted that wherever we go we are still in its very centre. (2) 'l'he pavem·ent. It is set in mosaics of living foliage and flowers of ever-varying form and hue. Each tessellation will bear the microscope, and under its scrutiny discover inexhaustible beauties and glories. (3) The lighting. The sun is the one sufficient lamp. The electric light looks black upon its disc. The glories of the night are lost in its -bright- ness. ( 4) The pulpit. The "mountain." Mountains had been chosen theatres of memorable events-Eden, Ararat, Horeb, Sinai, Hor, Nebo, Zion, Carmel. The New Testament also had its monntains--Tabor, Calvary, Olivet, Zion, this mount. (5) ThB consecration. Human consecrations have their uses. Sometimes their abuses to superstition. Divine consecration is essential. The whole earth was consecrated ta preaching by the sermon on the mount. Open-air preaching has the highest· sanction and encouragement. IL A surrABLE CONGREGATION, 1. Here were multitudes. (1) In actnal presence. Not multitudes of mere units. Immortal men. Tremendous destinies. Glorious possibilities. (2) In representative 1,resence. Each person was the centre of a vast influence. Each individual represente<l a social serie~. 2. Multitudes with whom Jesus sympathized. "Seeing the multitudes," etc. (1) He estimated their personal value as no one else could. He paid the enormous price of their redemption. (2) •He estimated their representative value as no one else could. He saw the end from- the beginning. (3) How profoundly should we sympathize wiLh men I Our neighbour with whom we converse. The heathen-at home; abroad. 3. Ever-increasing muUi,:, tudu. (1) That rongregation included all the congregations of Christendom· from that time to the present. The sentences of the sermon upon the mount have echoed from millions of pulpits to hundreds of millions of men. (2) How many hundreds of millions yet unborn are destined to hear the echoes of the sermon on the mount r 4. JM1LS uaches the 'UIQ'l'ld through his Ohurchea. (1) "His disciples came unto him, and he opened his mouth and taught them." The disciples formed an inner oirele. Jn tho morning of this day, after the night of prayer, be had chosen from the large number of on. v. 1-48.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTIIEW. 207