The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 375

the same quick, tender compassion ; his sympathy comforts, helps, encourages, the trembling penitent. (2) But there was behind the physical sickness its moral cause. The man had greatly sinned. The punishment had done its work; it had softened his heart; it had brought him to the feet of Jesus. 'l'he Lord knew the tr·uth of his repentance. He waited not for the confession of the lips; perhaps the poor man could not speak. He pronounced at once the most blessed absolution, "Thy sins be for- given thee." He is the same gracious Saviour now; he came to save his people from their sins. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." II. THE SCRIBES. 1. Their silent ar,eusations. There were many Pharisees and doctors of the Law sitting there; they had been drawn by the fame of Jesus not only f~om _Galilee,_but even from Judma and Jerusalem. They were watching our Lord, hstemng to him. He had spoken a great and awful word. They dared D°Ot condemn him openly; they saw his power, they feared the people; but they reproached him in their thoughts. He was guilty of blasphemy, they murmured in their hearts; he had dared to pronounce the forgiveness of the paralytic; he had assumed to himself the prerogative of God. Certainly God, and God alone, could forgive sins. 2. The Lord', answer. 'l'here were no spoken words, but he knew their thoughts. 11 He saw their thoughts," some ancient manuscripts read; their thoughts lay open to his all-seeing eye; he read them. He reads our thoughts now; he sees all the low, carnal, unchari- table thoughts which defile our souls, as he saw their thoughts then.· They were think- ing evil things in their hearts, accusing him of blasphemy, when they ought to have seen in the power of his works, in the perfect holiness of his life, the proof of his Divine origin; they were thinking in their unworthy jealousy, 11 It is easy to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee;" none can tell whether those great words truly convey forgive- ness. Let him prove his authority; let him heal the paralytic. IIL '.rHE lllRACLE, 1. Tlie word of power. "Forgive us our trespasses," we say to our Father which is in heaven. 11 The Son of man bath power on earth to forgive sins." "Ccelestem ortu.m hie sermo sapit," says Bengel very beautifully. He had power on earth to forgive sins, because he came from heaven; the Son of IIlil,n could forgive, because he wa.s in truth the Son of God. None could test that power; only the for- given penitent could know in the depth of his heart the reality of his forgiveness; he could tell, and he only, in Lis inmost experience the blessed sweetness of that holy absolution. But the Lord would deign to reply to the unworthy questionings of the scribes; he would illustrate his spiritual authority by his power over outward things. He saith unto the man, "Arise!" It was a bold word, a strange thing to s11y to a helpless paralytic. Bnt he had faith to be healed; his will exerted itself in obedience to the Lord's command. The muscles, so long useless, obeyed the mandate of the will. He arose before them all ; he took up his bed, and departed to his house. So it is now in the history of conversions. Many souls have lost all spiritual energy; they are without spiritual force, spiritual activity; they have a vague wish for holiness, but it is only a weak, irresolute desire; an emotion rather than a resolve. But they feel at last the danger of sloth; Christian friends help them; they come, they are brought to Christ. He eaith the word, " Arise I" A new strength :flows in upon their weakened will-the strength which he giveth. In that strength they arise ; they need no longer the help of others; they obey the Lord's life-giving command; they go forth, glorify- ing God. 2. The wonder of the multitude. 'l'hey might well wonder; they had seen strange things that day. '!'heir wonder, or their fear (according to the more ancient manuscripts), led them to glorify God. We see strange things now-sinners saved, souls drawn by the power of the cross to the Saviour's love. The miracles of grace are more wonderful than the miracles of power; they should lead us to glorify God, to glorify him in our praises, to glorify him in our lives. LESSONS. 1. It was sin that brought suffering into the world. Suffering should sbow us the guilt of sin, and should lead us to Christ. 2. Christ is our Hope, our only Hope. We must come to him ourseh•es; we must help others to come. 3. Christ is full <!f compassion. He pities our sorrows; he forgives the sins of the penitent. 4. Praise him for his mercies; glorify God. fers. 9-17.-St. Mattw. L His CALL, 1. Hia occupation. !LI ·was a publican,  on. Ix. 1-38.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTIIEW. 371