The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 215

bis disciples bin twelve apostles (cf. Mnrk iii. 13-19; Luke vi. 12-49). (2) He taught the outside multitude in pare.hies. 'fo bis disciples a.part he revenied the mysteries of the kingdom. (3) So it is still. "The natural man perceiveth not the things of the Spirit of Qod." We must become disciples of Jesus if we would learn the spiritual and saving truth of hie doctrine. III. A SUITABLE PREACHEn. 1. The sermon presupposes tM preacher. (1) Great preachers are not made in universities. Universities have their uses. Learning is of very great importance. He that despises learning is a fool. (2) God's ministers are raised up and qualified by himself. '!'he "Lord of the harvest" finds his "labourers." He gives them the spiritual qualification needed for spiritual work. (3) His people should "pray" him. 2. Ohrut was an i11,C()1Ylparable PreacMr. (1) The promised Messiah. As ~uch attested by prophecy. (2) Heral<led by the Baptist. "All men accounted John that he was e. prophet indeed." (3) Approved by heavenly signs. '!'he wonders at his birth. The voice of the God of glory at bis baptism. (4) Self- authenticated by miracles, Turning water into wine a.t Cana (John ii. 1-11). Driving the hucksters out of the temple a.t Jerusalem (John ii. 13-22). Working many wonders in Galilee (eh. iv. 12-24). 3. He claims all attention. (1) "When he wa.s set," viz. according to the custom of the Jewillb doctors. " Sitting" among the ra.bbins is synonymous with teaching. The assumption of tha.t posture was a claim for respect. This claim sets forth the value of knowledge. No such know- ledge as the knowledge of God. (2) "He opened bis mouth a.nd taught." "Man is the mouth of creation, Christ is the mouth of humanity" (Lange). (3) Here is an admirable ca.se. He ba.d perfect knowledge of man's ignorance and need. Also of heaven's secrets. His human intelligence was radiated by the Divine. (4) Here e.lso is an idea. of profusion. Teaching wells from bis lips as from a fountain. It is gracious teaching. "Grace is poured upon his lips." Beatitudes stream forth. Let us lea.m from the lips of Jesus. Search his Word. Invoke bis Spirit.- J. A.. M. Vera. 3~.-Tlie triumphs of humi1ity. The originality of Christ is evinced in these first sentences of his discourse. "Nothing," says David Hume," carries a ma.n through the world like a true, genuine, nature.I impudence." Sturdy qualities are approved by men of the world, and quiet virtues are despised. Christ places these in the forefront, e.nd associates with them benedictions in a manner which astonishes the poets, philosophers, and sages of antiquity. Let us- . I. REVIEW THE QUALITIES HERE COMMENDED. 1. Poverty of spirit. (1) The" poor in spirit" are not the poor in profession. 'l'he monks routed by Henry VIII. bad pro- fessed "perpetual poverty;" but many of them were both lusty in flesh and haughty in spirit. (2) Neither are they the poor in circumstances. Poverty, in the abstract, is no virtue. Many owe their poverty to stupidity; me.ny to crime. (3) Neither are they the poor-1pirited. 'l'he slaves of lust are moral cowards. "Conscience makes cowards of us all." (4) They are the spiritually humble. Those who are humbled before God by the sense of unworthiness. Those who vulue others rather than themselves. '!'hose whose righteousness is Christ. '!'hose who chafe not under providential reverses, but in everything give thanks (see Phil. iv. 11-13). 2. Mournfulness. (1) On account of personal sin; Who mourn not despairingly, as Judas, as lost souls. Rut with an eye to Christ (see Zech. xii. 10). (2) On e.ccount of sin in others. As Jesus wept over Jerusalem. In this we·moum with Christ, who, passing with pure human sympathies through II world of sinners, we.s 11 "Me.n of sorrows." (3) In ,ympathy with the mourning of others. With sinners in penitence. With saints in affliction (see Ps. cmvii. 1-6). 3. Meekness. (1) The meek are those who lovingly bow to the authority of God. Who in 11ffliction bless him (see 2 Se.m. xii. 22, 23). Who by prayer seek his guidance. (2) Those who nre slow to give offence (Titus iii. 1, 2). Whose bearing to ·superiors is n.10dest-to pa.rents, masters, rulers. To inferiors con- descending-to children, servaitts, the poor. Let your condesconsion be without e.ffectation. (3) Those who a.re slow to resenl olTcnces. The negro boy Wi\s well instructed who, when asked, '' ,Vho are tlie meek?" replied, "'!'hose who givo soft answers to roi1gh quesl;ions" (cf. ·Prov. :ni. 1; 1 Cor. xiii. 5-7; Jae. i. 19). Christian  208 THE GOSrEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [oH, v. 1--48.