The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 298

scl'ibes and Pharisees ln our Lord's time, There was one false apostle amoM the chosen twelve-one who was a thief; who cared not for the poor, but only for hi; own selfish gains. There are false teachers now, who care not for th" sheep, but only for themselves ; they are wolves in heart, " grievous wolves, not sparing the flock." (2) How to distinguish between the false teachers and the true. "By their fruits ye shall know them." Grapes and figs are among the good gifts of God; thorns and thistles tell of Adam's sin (Gen. ill. 18). 'fhe good fruit springeth not from the evil tree; a. tree is known by its fruit, 'l'he outward life is the evidence of the inward. Indeed, the hypocrite acts the part of the righteous, and sometimes succeeds in deceiving the world; hie almegivings, hie prayers, his seeming self-denials, impose upon men for a time. But in the long run even the world can discern the difference between the real and the unreal; there is an undefinable something, in look, voice, and manner, which betrays unreality-a something which is felt even by the irreligious. And he that is spiritual judgeth e.11 things. A man who knows what it is to deny himself for Chriat's sake, to pray out of the depths of his heart, who knows something of the deep experi- ences of the spiritual life, its sorrows and its joys,--such a man will distinguish by intuition, by a feeling which ie rarely wrong, between the real and the unreal, the Christian and the hypocrite. A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit; it may have a show of goodness, but when you test it, it is worthless. A.n unbeliever cannot live a holy life; he may assume the appearance of piety, but there will be something forced, something unnatural, which betrays him; he will fail in the distinctive Christian grace of humility-that grace which our Lord puts in the forefront of the Beatitudes. His actions may seem good, but the goodness is only outward; the root is evil ; the inner life of thought and motive is corrupt in the eight of him who searcheth the heart. The corrupt tree cannot bear good fruit, but it may by the grace of God become a good tree ; the wild olive may be graffed in upon the good olive tree, and partake of its root and fatness. Thus only can it bring forth good fruit by union with the root of the good tree. This change is possible as long as the tree remains in life ; it is necessary. if it is to be saved from death; for " every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." The fruit of the Spirit is the test of reality, the evidence of spiritual life, the earnest of a blessed immortality. Without it there is no salvation. The Lord who died for us warns us in the plain words of that true love which will not gloss over sin or hide the danger that is impending. He tells us of that hell which threatens the unloving and the hypocrite, of the prison from whic,h there is no escape, of the destruction to which the broad way inevitably leadeth, of the fire into which the corrupt tree must be cast. Let the awful thought sink deep into our souls. Enter in at the strait gate; beware of false prophets; a tremendous alterna- tive awaits us. The loving words of Christ our Lord call us to the way of holiness; may he give us ears to hear I LESSONS. 1. The Lord teaches the great dang<;r of i<lle and slanderous gossip; take heed, listen, and obey. 2. Pray earnestly for grace to see your own faults, examine yourselves; be real, hate unreality, and hypocrisy. 3. Pray always, in trustful faith, in persevering earnestness. 4. Deny yourselves; only the way of the cross leadeth to the crown of life. 5. Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit; beware of false teachers. Vere. 21-29.-0onclmion of the sermon. L THE NEOESBITY OIi' OBEDIENCE. 1. Nol all disciples will be saved. They all say, 11 Lord, Lord;" they all call themselves by the holy name of Christiane; but not all can enter into the kingdom of glory at the last. For our Father which is in heaven is the King of heaven; and none can enter into his kingdom but those who do hie will. They all pray, 11 Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." It is mere hypocrisy, it is mocking God, to say that holy prayer and not to try to do the will of God ourselves. It is done in heaven. There is room for no other will there; all wills in heaven are one with the blessed will of God. We must learn to do our Father's will in earth, that our will may by his grace be more and more conformed to hie most holy will; so may we one day enter into that blessed place where all do hie will lovingly and perfectly. 2. Noe all teachers. In the great day men will call Jesus Lord. Could he say that, were he not what we know he was, tho Lord God Almighty? He accepts tho title, for it iR his by right; be himself called no man lord. They will call him Lord then, some of them in terror and fearful  292 TIIE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MA'l''l'HEW. [on. vn. 1-20.