The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 536

to evinc~ his power to drive them away from the hea.rts of the people. (4) The reformation, however, was but partial. The people; relapsed; and now their condition had become worse than ever. Instead of being the victim of one, they now became the victim of seven devils, and these more wicked than the former, Note: There are degrees C?f wickedness in devils. Hence the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. Hence also the1r filling up the measure of their iniquity in crucifying the Just One; and hence the oonseq uent "days of vengeance" in the destruction of J eruse.lem. 3, Indi- vid,'IUU8 also are p'/111'1,ished jtYr sin. (1) Sinners, as individuals, do not wholly go unpunished in this world. The wrath upon communities is felt by individuals. The condition of the backslider is itself a punishment. (2) Satan finds hie soul inviting. For out of humanity he is restless. He is uneasy when he can do no mischief. Hell iB the devil's heaven. There is nothing to keep him out, (a) He finds it "empty" of God, of Christ, of his Holy Spirit. (b) It is "swept n from love, lowliness, meekneBB, and all the fruits of .the Spirit. (c) It is" garnished" with levity and security. The lodgings are furnished. " Servants make the house trim and handsome against their master comes home, especially when he brings guests with him, as here the devil brings • seven more'" (Gurnall). (3) The last state of the backslider is worse than the first. (a) His powers were expanded under the heavenly influences of the gospel, and he iB the more capable now of refinement in iniquity. He can now entertain "seven" devils, whereas formerly he had accommodation for one only. (b) Evil habits are formed and strengthened by relapses. The condition induced by multiplied relapses is therefore the more incurable. (4) The final doom of the sinner is at the judgment of the last day. Then balances are struck and arrears paid up. Then the severity of the tyranny of the "seven devils n is felt.-J. A. M. Vers. 46-50.-Ohrist's relationships. These, so far as they are set forth in the text, arc three, viz. he has a relationship to the world, to the family, and to the Church. Consider, then- I. Hrs RELATIONSHIP TO THE wonLD. 1. He ia its Redeemer. (1) To accomplish our redemption he assumed our na.ture. In our na.ture he assumed our sin. Not, however, by his incarnation, but by imputation. He redeemed us frOJ]l suffering by suffering in our stead. (2) He is the Redeemer of all meu. To all men, therefore, the conditions of salvation a.re to be proclaimed. Those who accept the couditions experience the benefit. (3) The redemption saves us from sin to righteousness. It saves us from death-spiritual-everlasting. 2. He is its Teacher. (1) He came to release the Jew from the traditions of the elders. To bring out the spirit of the Law, which has the essence of the gospel in it (see 2 Cor. iii. 12-18). To illustrate life a.nd immortality. (2) He came to release the Gentile from ignorance, superstition, a.nd vice. To reconcile him to God. To reconcile him to the Jew. For the children of the promise, whether Jew or Gentile, are the children of Abraham's faith (Gal. iii. 29). (3) Here we find him "speaking to the multitudes." His discourse was not to the Pharisees, but to the crowd. From the " wise and understanding" he turns away, that he may reveal the mysteries of wisdom " unto babes." Those multitudes were repre- sentative. To the vaster multitudes in a.11 climes, in a million echoes, he still speaks loving words. I l His RELA.TIONBIIIP TO RIB FAMILY. 1. Thejami!,y daim was asserted. (1) "His mother and his brethren." There is difference of opinion as to the identity of these " brethren." Some think they were his cousins-children of Mary, his mother's sister, and of Cleophe.s, or Alphaius. Some believe them to have been children of Joseph and Mary. There is no sufficient reason to doubt this; for the perpetual virginity of Mary is a figment. (2) They" stood without, seeking to speak with him." Note: Mary made no effort to "command her Son," as the Mariolatrists speak. Yet there was an assertion of family claim in the desire for a private audience with Jesus. (3) He.cl the family claim been properly asserted, it would doubtless receive a recognition. From his cross Jesus was solicitous for the temporal maintenance and protection of his mother (see John xi.x. 25-27). 2. lt WaB offensively asserted. (1) "His mother and his brethren sf,ood, withQ'IJ,t," when they should have stood within, listening to the discourse, Those who are nearest the means of grace are often the most negligent of them. So the prcverb, " Th.e nearer the church the further from God," (2) Yet they had the p\'t- oll. :m. 1-50.J Tim GOSPEL ACC01t1>ING TO ST. MATTHEW. 533