The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 216

meekness would soon end the scandal of Church squabbles. (4) Christ is our Model. Even Moses, "the meekest of [mere] men," was "angered at the waters of strife" (Ps. cvi. 32, 33). . II •. ~EDITATE ~:N ~ITE!R BLESSEDNESS. 1. The kingdom of. heaven ~ for the poor ~n spirit. (1) It 1s theirs m prospect. They may be worsted m competition with the impudent in this earth; but they will have the advantage in the great future. (2) It is theirs in possession. "The kingdom of heaven is within." The kingdoms of this world consist in" meat and drinl~." Of that, !n "_righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost." The m_eek will accept this kingdom, while the proud refuse it. 'l'he meek_are accepted, while the proud are refused. (3) The spiritual experience of the meek 1s to the heaven of the future as the sod of infeoffment given into the hand of the heir of an estate. (4) Note: Meekness is put first, because self-denial is the first lesson of Christian discipleship (cf. eh. x. 38; xvi. 24; Luke xiv. 27). When we would build high, the foundation must be laid low. 2. There is comfort for the =urner. (1) For the penitent seeker the comfort of pardon. The Holy Spirit as the Comfort.er, witnesses this to the heart. 'l'he "fruits of the Spirit" comfort 'his reflections. (2) For the afflicted saint the comfort of holy sympathy. The sympathy of Christ. Of his servants. (3) For the sympathetic spirit wiion with Christ. "'Midst blessings in.finite, Be thia the foremost, that my heart has bled I " "It is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting." (4) Heaven will be a place of comfort. It will compensate for suffering (cf. Luke xvi. 25). '' Glorified together" with Christ. (5) Full of comfort is the assured hope of heaven (cf. 2 Cor. i. 5-7; 2 Thess. ii.16, 17). 3. The meek shall inherit the earth. (1) They io now, in a remarkable manner, inherit it. For they make few enemies. Content- ment gives them riches in the fewness of their wants. Providence is on their side (see Ps. Ix.xvi. 9). Look around. Who but the good rationally enjoys life here? (2) They shall more fully inherit it in the millennium (see Ps. ux:viL 10, 11). Those who die without inheriting will be raised to inherit. Abraham (cf. eh. xxii. 31, 32; Heb. x:i. 13-16). Daniel (see Dan. xii. 2, 13). The innocents (see Jer. xxxi.15-17). So the Gentile children of Abraham's faith-the fellow-heirs of the believing Jews. (2) The meek shall inherit the new earth (2 Pet. iii. 13). Let us qualify for this blessedness by cultivating the virtues that may claim it.- J. A. :M. Vers. 6, 7.-Righteousness and mercy. The cry of humanity is after happiness. Men seek it in all manner of avenues. They are commonly mortified and disappointed. In the text we may learn- L THAT IN RIGHTEOUSNESS ALONE IS BATISFACTIO:N. 1. The sphere of intellect is filled with God. (1) He is the Origin of all things. They came out of nothing by hie power. (2) He is the End of all things. They were made for his pleasure. In hie pleasure they consist. (3) Science is miserably deficient when it ignores God. The Godward side is the nobler side of all things. (4) The pure knowledge of God is the crowning science. God is self-revealed. Herein is satisfaction; for there is nothing above or beyond. 2. The sphere of ajfection is filled with God. (1) Illicit affections are ciemoralizing. lo demoralization there can be no satisfaction. Reason is insulted. Conscience is outraged. God is provoked. (2) Inordinate affections are demoralizing. A man comes to resemble that he loves. If he love supremely that which is inferior to himself, he is degraded. He may love his neighbour as himself. He may not love the world as his neighbour. (3) God alone may be supremely loved, The supreme love of God ie what the Bible calls "perfect Jove." There ie nothing above, nothing beyond. Herein our happiness is full. 3. Righteousness secures tlie higliest{'avour. (1) No approval is comparable to that of God. It is founded in justice an truth. (2) The sense of that favour is the earnest of a magnificent reward. What resources are behind the favour of God I (3) In the sense of righteousness is the soul of con- tentment. It sends joy into affliction. It is the crown of martyrdom. Witness the face of Stephen, and the triumphing of his "noble army." Il. THAT lllGHTEOUSNKSS JilVST DE SOUGHT IN THE SPIBIT OJ' EABNEBTNESS. 1. GO<I oo. v.1-48.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 209