weeded out again and again, you would not suppose wheat to be indigenous (that is, to grow wild) in that country, but would conclude that, if the land had been left to itself, it would have produced grass and thistles, and no wheat at all. So also, when you see men's natural character so opposite to the pure, and generous, and benevolent, and forgiving character of the gospel, that, even after they have received the gospel, their lives are apt to be quite a contrast to its virtues, you cannot think it likely that such a being as man should have been the inventor of such a religion as the Christian." Our Lord would warn his disciples of the mischievous influence of false teachers, Those cherishing guilelessness and trustfulness would be especially exposed to the power of such teachers. It was necessary to provide a safe test for the trying of all such. I. WHAT IS THIS 11:0DE OF JUDGING 11:EN? Show that, all through creation, the nature of things is exhibited to us in their forms. Illustrate seeds. Qualities of the tree, or of the bud, or graft, placed in the tree. Creatures; and man. Every- where disposition is seen in conduct; and we esteem it fair to judge disposition by conduct. IL BUT 1s THIS ALTOGETHER A FAm MODE OF JUDGING? On the whole, we may say, "Yes, it is." It is our only mode, for we cannot read motive. It is a mode with which we are familiar, in which we ought to be practised and skilful. We never hesitate about testing by it our fellow-men. .And yet it can hardly be a perfect test. Men are so often better than their actions. We must endeavour to find what they are trying after. True in the large, it often fails in the minute. 111. UsE THE TEST TO JUDGE OUR OWN INDIVIDUAL LIFE. Can we safely let the world judge our fruitage as professing Christians? What fruits of holiness, worship, brotherhood, charity, service, do they see? Come searchingly to deal with minute things. Our fruit may be good-looking, but not good; it may be like crab-apples, Our fruit may be actually good-not crab-apples, and yet of very inferior value. Our Lord said, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit;" and that means "much and good."-R. T. Ver. 21.-The self-deception of professors. The professors here, are the" prophets" of ver. 15. But the sadness of their condition comes out in a very striking way when they are seen to be both deceivers and self-deceivers. There may be a designed allusion to the characteristic teachers of the day, some of whom were hypocrites, and some of whom were self-deceived. Illustration may be found in the mischievoUB influence of the J udaist teachers who followed St. Paul and eagerly laboured to destroy his spiritual work. L THE SELF-DECEPTION OF THE FLUENT SPEAKER. "Have we not prophesied in thy Name?" Reference may be made, not merely to glib and eaay public speaking, but also to glib and easy expression in prayer; and in the utterance of religious feelings and experiences. Strange is the power of self-deception in these things. Because we can express, we feel sure we must feel. Because we can express earnestly, we satisfy ourselves that we must be feeling deeply. H costs great heart-searching, and continuous watchfulness, if our speech is made and kept strictly sincere. And it will 100n be found that the talker is too often a mere talker. IL THE SELF-DECEPTION OF THE EXORCIST. "In thy Name have cast out devils." Remember that, in our Lord's day, there were many who claimed power to exorcise devils. Noticing that C"llrist cast out devils, it was easy to deceive themselves into the idea that they could exorcise as they had been accustomed to do, only using Christ's Name. They stand to represent those professors who continue life on precisely the old principles, but think they secure themselves by freely using Christ's Name. Everything depends on their right, as disciples, to UBG the Name. They must belong to Christ first. III. THE SELF-DECEPTION OF THE 11:IRACLE-WOBKER. Miracle-worker, in those days; succesef'ld man in religious work, in these days. We 11re constantly deceived into saying of a man, "He must be a good man, for see how successful he is." Then, how the man may be self-deceived by the success! Succesij may be won on purely human principles, and may have nothing Divin11 in it, Persoi:111,I relation W Olirist ts tlit beginnj,ng of all good wor~.-R. 'f, on. VIII, 1-34.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO !:IT. MATTIIEW. 321
Ver. 29.-The distinguishing /eatwre of Ohrisfs teachin9. "As a rule, the scribe ho.rdly ever gave his exposition without o.t least beginning by what bad been said by Hille! or Shammai, by Rabbi Joseph or Rabbi Meir, depending almost or altogether upon what had thus been ruled before, as much as an English lawyer depends upon his precedents." Geikie mentions one of the rabbis who "boasted that every verse of the Bible was capable of six hundred thousand different interpretations." But on such principles who could hope to know or find the truth? To venture on originality and independence in teaching was something hitherto unknown; and the difference between the method of Jesus and the method of the scribes forcibly impressed the people. The point which may be profitably opened, illustrated, and impressed is the difference in power exerted by those who must be classed under the term "scribe," and those who may be classed along with the Lord Jesus. And all our teachers, in home, school, church, society, literature, will thus divide. I. THE POWER OF THE SCRIBE-LIKE TEACHER. A very small power. Such men often do more harm than good by their pettiness, narrow limitations, quibbles, interest in trifles, and uncertainties of mere verbal interpretation. They are always seriously affected by the prejudices of the schools to which they belong. They find it impossible to grasp or to apply great, comprehensive principles. Such are dangerous teachers still. IL THE POWEB OF THE CHBIBT-LIKE TEACHER. No doubt Christ had au authority arising from his office which was unique; but we can recognize also an authority in respect of which we may be like him. He was strong in unquestioning, unwavering, convictions of the truth. That is the kind of authority that is still needed. Prophet- like authority, The age needs men, like Christ, who can speak with the "accent of conviction." Our fellow-men-and we ourselves-are always best helped by those who hold truth with a great grasp of faith, and have no quavering in their voice as they speak to us the message of God. They are not stubborn men, but believing men. What they say to UB is this, "I believe; therefore have I spokeu."-R. T.