been mentioned; neither had he e.ny authority over the Church in which his brethren did not share. Ja.mes the son of Alphmus presided in the council at Jerusalem (see Acts xv. 19). The New Testament gives no countenance to the papal cl1Lims. (2) In the groups we find brothers together. Peter and Andrew ; James and John ; James the son of Alphmus, and Lebbams, or Jude. "God here unites by grace those who were before united by nature." Nature must not be deemed a. hindra.nce to grace. (3) Last in the lists is the name of Judas Iscariot. He has the unenviable distinction of" the traitor." Unworthy persons may be found in the holiest societies on ea.rth. II. THE CHARGE. 1. .As to the apostlupreaching. (1) To whom were they to go? (a) Not to the Gentiles. (b) Not to the Samaritans. (c) They were to limit their preaching to the" Jost sheep of the house of Israel" (cf. Isa. !iii. 6; Jer. I. 6; eh. viii. 12 ; Rom. ix. 1-4). The gospel must first be preached to the J ewe (cf. eh. xv. 24; Rom. xv. 8). The restriction, however, was temporary (see Acts i. 8; iii. 26; xiii. 46). (2) What gospel were they to proclaim? (a) The gospel of the" kingdom." Its spiritua.l nature. Spiritually, as well as literally, they were to "hea.l the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils." (b) Its near approach. "At hand," viz. when the Spirit should be given on the Day of Pentecost. (c) Therefore the need of preparation for it, viz. by repentance (cf. Mark vi. 12). 2. .As to its authentication. (1) To this end miraculous powers were conferred upon the apostles. These were.to continue with them. Unless in the spiritual sense, neither did they raise the dead nor cleanse the leper until after the resurrection of Christ. (2) These they were to exercise freely, without restriction and without reward (see 2 Kings v. 15, 16, 26). Herein they differed from the exorcists mentioned by Josephus(' Ant.,' lib. viii. c. 11). 3. .As to their maintenance. (1) 'lbis they were to receive from those to whom they should minister (vers. 9-12; see alao 1 Cor. ix.; Gal. vi. 6; 1 Tim. v. 17). They must be under no necessity Otherwise to earn their living. (2) Where hospitably entertained their peace was to come. " Peace be to this house" was their salutation (see Luke L 5). "Great is peace," say the rabbins, "for all other blessings are comprehended in it" (cf. John xiv. 27; Phil. iv. 7). (3) When inhospitably treated they were to "shake off the dust of their feet," viz. as a witness against them before God (see Neb. v. 13; Acts xiii 51; xviii. 6). See that you refuse not the gospel message, for the case of the rejecter is fea.rful. 1. This sin is worse than that of the men of Sodom (Ezek. xvi. 48, 49). Who sin against the clear light of revelation are more guilty than those who offend against the dim light of tradition. 2. 'l.'he full judgment upon sin is reserved to the last great day. (1) The men of Sodom have yet to appear before the judgment-seat of Christ. The severest temporal judgments upon sinful men do not satisfy the claims of the offended justice of God. (2) 'l.'errible as their case will be, it will be more tolerable than that reserved for the rejecters of the gospel of Christ.- J. A.M. Vers. 16-23.-Sheep and wolves. The charge of Christ to his evangelists is here continued. Though addressed in the first instance to the twelve, it is by no means limited to them. We may learn- I. THAT THE DISPOSITION OF THE WOBLDLING TOW ARDS THE CHRISTIAN IS WOLFISH. I. It is a disposition of hostility. (1) The wolf is the natural enemy of the sheep. The carnal mind is enmity agaiost God. So is it enmity also against what is God- like. (2) Hence the hatred of the world against Christ (John xv. 25). A heathen philosopher in commending virtue said," Were it to become incarnate, such would be its loveliness that all the world would worship it." The experiment was tried. Instead of worshipping, they murdered Christ. (3) So for Christ's sake (ver. 22) the wolfish world bas also bated Christians. It appears by the Apologies that the ancient Christians were liable to be condemned by those who were wholly ignorant of their principles or manners (Tertullian, 'Apo!.,' c. iii.; cf. 1 Kings xviii. 17; 1 Cor. iv. 13). 2. Its hostility is nerved by cruelty. (1) The hostility of the wolf to the sheep is relentless. Its eyes, teeth, ta.Ions, and muscles are fitted to destroy, and its feet are "swift to shed blood." (2) With cruelty the wicked pursued Christ. Herod (see eh. ii. 13, 16), Pharisees, and rulers plotted his destruction. With the utmost cruelty they executed their purpose. Witness the scourge, the thorn, the cross. (3) So likewise did th11 w'llves pursue his disciples. P,rnl, who had scourged others, was himself ~ve time~ OH, x. 1-42.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO BT. MATTHEW. 433
beaten in the synagogues (cf. Acts xx.ii. 19; x.xvi. 11; 2 Cor. xl. 24), The disciples had also to stand before "governors and kings" (see Act.s xxiii. 11; x.xv.; xxvi.). ~ the prediction that these humble ~en should ev_er stand before proconsuls and kings tributary to the Romans, we see a miracle of prescience. 3. The cr"1i,elty is aggravated by treachery. (1) "Beware of men," viz. who have the wisdom of the serpent and not the harmlessness of the dove. "Men," viz. more venomous, cunning, and deadly than serpents. "0 she.me to men I de'l/'&1 with dein"l damn'd Firm concord holds, men only disagree Of creatures rational; though under hope Of heavenly grace; o.nd, God proclaiming pca~e, Yet live in hatred, enmity, e.nd strife Among themselves, and levy cruel wars, Wasting the earth, each other to destroy I''