The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 435

other. Bevwnthly, the principle distinctly laid down that spiritual work is worthy of its reward. St. Paul (1 Cor. ix. 11-18) enlarges on this very principle. The ministers of Christ were to hold that it was the duty of the people to support them. What must be the deeper departure from right of those who rob, or would wish to rob, what has been given, and given from age to age, cannot be imagined; this is not even con- templated here. Let it be distinctly asked on what growid, on what authority, the spiritual labourer is "worthy of his meat" at the hands of that world which does not in the ordinary sense ask his labour or for long time value his works, the reply is that it is on the ground of the paramount authority, the authority of Christ. But the dictum of Christ on this thing must especially apply to those who "are worthy," who would wish to rank themselves among "the worthy," and profess to belong to his kingdom. Eighthly, the highest sanction of the principle of unstinted, ungrudging "freeness of giving," ln what they have to give, on the part of the ministers of Christ, who themselves undeniably have received so freely. III. CHRIST'S FOREKNOWLEDGE OF THE COURSE OF ms CHURCH AND KINGDOM; AND THE HOSTAGES HE GIVES HEI\EIN OF WS OWN ABSOLUTE Al!ID INTRINSIO AUTHORITY, BY THE BOLD Al!ID FULL DESCRIPTION OF THAT COURSE, AS IN THE FULLEST BENSE TH.AT OF A DEEP REVOLUTION, A REVOLUTION THAT WOULD REND TO THEm FOUNDATIONS THE STRONGHOLDS OF HUMAN SOCIETIES, IIUMAN RELATIONSHIPS, WITH ALL THElB LONGEST OUSTOMS AND FIEROEST PREJUDICES. JV. THE CALM, IMMOVABLE INTBEPIDITY OF ATTITUDE AND OF SOUL THAT IS TO MARK THOSE WHO SHALL SEEM THE CHIEF ACTORS IN THIB MORAL REVOLUTION. This Is to rest upon: Firstly, the forearmedness of forewarnedness. Knowledge of them- selves, of the enemy, and of him who fights by them, in them, for bis own grand works; and who will not fail to fight for them, by himself, and all necessary unseen power. Secondly, the confidence that the Spirit of the Father shall be with them, and speak in and for them at each time of need. Thirdly, in memory of that Master, who is "above the servant "-a memory that has often shown itself so omnipotent an impulse and source of strength. Fo'IJ,rthly, with ever-present memory of the infinite disparity between the ultimatt1 sanctions involved, viz. that of those who can kill the body but can no more, and of him who indeed can kill both, but of whom it is in the same breath said-He notices the fall of a sparrow, and counts the hairs of the head of his servant. Fifthly, that noblest incentive of the safest ambition that was vouch- safed in the words of incredible condescension, "He that receiveth you rcceiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me." This for some and all. And ,ir,;thly, also for some and all the words of tenderest promise, "Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a dis- ciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward." Thus forewarned, thus forearmed, thus taught, thus given to fear with godly fear, and stimulated thus with promise and preijent assurance, it might well be that human "weakness" should be, as it was, as it often is, "made perfect in strength."-B. Vere. 2-16.-0hrist's charge to his apostles. After a night spent in prayer, Jesus called his twelve disciples and constituted them into an apostolic college. With his commission he gave them hfa charge. Notice- I. THE PERSONS OOMMISSIONED AND OHABGED. 1. They were twelve in number, (1) Perhaps in correspondence to the twelve tribes of Israel, to whom they ure first to preach (cf. ver. 6; eh. xix. 28; Luke xxii. 30). (2) As the sons of Jacob were the fathers of Israel according to the flesh, so are the twelve apostles the fathers of Israel after the Spirit. (3) Twelve is a remarkable number in relation to tlie things of Christ (see Rev, vii. 4; xii. 1; xiv. 1; xxi. 12, 14). It has, therefore, been dis- tinguished from the "number of the beast" as the n,'11,mber of the Lamb, ( 4) In this number the apostles of Christ ever remained. For Paul (not Matthias) filled the place forfeited by Judas. The election of Matthias took place before the outpouring of the Spirit, and of the apostleship of Matthias we read no more (eee Introduction in Mosheim). 2. Their names are given in order. (1) Peter stands first in the lists (vcr. 2; Mark iii. 16; Luke vi. 14; Acts I. 13). He was the first, called to a constant attendance upon Christ, though Andrew had seen Jesus before Simon (cf. Luke v, &-l0i John i. 40, 41), :But bQ had no authority over hill brethren, or it had surely ~2 THE GOSPEL AOOORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [en. x:.1-41.