Vers.19-22 (see also Luke ix. 57-62).-Three hwman types-one Divine type. In introduction, note that the passage in St. Luke has by some been regarded, on account of its very different place and apparent connection, as not the parallel of the present passage. On the other hand, it can scarcely be a mere duplicate or even a replica. Under any circumstances, if not the parallel, it certainly is a parallel, and the very equivalent, when allowance is made for the addition supplied by St. Luke.. In fact. the absence of the third position from St. Matthew's account may possibly find explanation (explanation confessedly somewhat asked for) for any who hold, with some of the best of critics, that we may not improbably have here, in the three persons described, the anonymous biographies in so far as this incident goes of Judas Iscariot, St. Thomas, and St. Matthew himself. Notice- I. JESUS CHRIST THE TYPE OF DISCRIMINATING FIDELITY; NOT DISGUISING, NOT FLATTERING, THE CILARACTER OF lilB OWN SERVICE, If any one, whether more or less savouring of the things that be of Judas Iscariot, seeks to enter the service of Christ lllld the kingdom of heaven, he shall not do so untaught as to the service, unwarned as to the conditions of it; he is plainly, faithfully, and most impressively told of these. Remark on the perfection for effectiveness of the warning here given, in its naturalneas and simplicity (ver. 20), and of the touching, exquisite pathos of the last of the three clauses. Remark also on the inevitable dangers of times of apparent prosperity.and popular impression, as well those that flourish in dispositions of the sanguine and enthusiastic type. Discriminate between the man who offers himself, as "moved by the Holy Ghost," and the way in which he offers himself, and the boastful volunteer, whether of the nature here portrayed, or of that of the misguided zeal of Peter. lI. JESUS CHRIST Till!: TYPE OF CLE.A.llEBT VISION IN THE MATTER 01!' THE RELATIVE WORTH OF THE HEAVENLY CALL, AND ANY AND EVERY E.A.llTHLY 0ALL; THE HEAVENLY RELATIONSHIP, AND ANY AND EVERY E.A.llTBLY RELATIONSHIP; AND OF UNBROKEN SINGLENESS OF DEVOTION, AND LOYALTY INCORRUPT TO THE HIGHER. Remark here OD the expression (ver. 21), "another of his disciples," as finding its explanation from St. Luke (iL 59), where we learn that Jesus bad just called him, and that he was therefore his disciple. Illustrate from other clear deliverances of Jesus Christ that there is not to be imagined here for a moment any depreciation of the sacredness and the worth of human affections, but rather ezaltation of the Divine affection (which must be ever the one determine.ting and turniDg-point of human character and hope and eternal outlook). Show how, in this instaDce, all this was yet more illuminated by the grace and kindness and inspiriting nature of the further commission, " But go thou and preach the kingdom of God." Ill. JESUS CHRIST THE TYPE OF THE UN•LOOKING DACK, THE UN-MISGIVING, THE UN•TUR1''1NG, AND THE "WITHOUT-REPENTANCE" WHEN HIGH DUTY, WHEN THE KOBE THAN HEROIC HEIGHTS OF PRESENT 8ELF-SA0illFICE1 WHEN HOLY EFFORT AND HEAVEN, ARE THE GOAL IN FRONT. Dwell lovingly on the undoubted dependence (equally extraordinary and glorious iu its essential nature) of true Christian work, on an exact, -<JH, vw. 1-34.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 345
a clear, a steadfast eye, and a heart thereupon perfect to follow its outlook. How much so-called Ohristian work withera like untimely birth itself by reason of carelessness, mixed motive, and lack of supremely dominating affection 1-B.
Vera. 23-27 (Mark iv. 35--41; Luke viii. 22-25).-The novel call to faith. In introduction, emphasize the little chain of events that led to the position of peril, -as in every sense natural, as wearing that appearance, and justly wearing it, and resent the imputation that it was an artificial one. The suggestive parallel or contrast, so often pointed to by various students of the New Testament in many an age, may be recalled, viz. that of Jonah fleeing from duty in a ship, falling asleep thro 11gh a callous heart and a stupefied conscience, and creating peril for all hie fellow-voyagers. Allow -respecting the disciples now that there was much natural in their fear, am.I right in a secondary degree, though secondary only in their repairing with anxious cry t\.> Jesus Christ in their extremity, as they supposed, of danger. But show, on the other hand, that the time was one of deeper teaching; the opportunity one of getting a word, and a powerful word, in for exercise of higher faith; and the crisis had arrived w hen 1 .for the disciples at any rate, a step in advance was to be taken, and they are compelled to see it. For- L THE CALL TO FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF IS NOW PUBLISHED FOB THE DISOIPLEB, AND NOT SIMPLY FAITH IN WHAT HE MAY DO. 1. He was asleep, but it was he. 2. He was asleep, but he was in the ship. 3. He wa.s asleep, but it was certain he did "care" for his disciples, and did care that they should "not JJerish." ll. THE CALL TO FA.ITH IN JESUS CHRIST WAS FOB BUCH FAITH TO OWN Hill OMNIPOTENT MASTER IN EVEBY AND ALL DIRECTIONS OF GoD's WIDE DOMAIN. It was a new surprise that "winds and sea obey him." But if it were this, a new 81/,rprise. what did it mean, except that they knew it not before or doubted it before? Ill. THE CALL TO EXERCISE FArra IN JESUS CHRIST w AS A CALL TO BELIEVE THAT THE ENEMIES TO BE-SUBJUGATED BY mu WERE NOT BUCH A~ COULD BE CALLED ACCIDENT AND THINGS UNCONSOIOUB, BUT UNSEEN FOES IN DISASTl!.OUS ALLIANCE WITH THESE. Christ "rebuked" the " winds and sea." The alliance of spirit with flesh and blood and matter of swh kind (wonderful and mysterious as is the bridge from one to another, the subtle but powerful and, for long lasting, tyrannous link between them), is undenied; and is so familiar as a phenomenon and a fact with us that we think not at all about it, except with special effort and on special occasion. Yet deeper things are betrayed to us in revelation and by revelation, viz. such a thing as this, that spirit may possess other matter and other forms of matter; and tyrannously dominate the ubiquitous "elements of nature" and their forces. The deeper and less recognized whisperings and suggestions of revelation are sometimes equivalent to authoritative pronouncements of what we had once named the superstitious figments of heathen minds. Let it be they were such; yet how cravingly, inquiringly, wearily, and nol altogether vainly, did they roam round and beat at the bonds and environment of their ignorance; and sometimes they touched truth I The disciples were taught such truths, and we through them.-B.