The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 196

tion of the LRw of commandments contained in ordinances was not ripe until after the Resurrection. 2, 'fhe glory of the Resurrection would render more credible the testimony concerning the Transfiguration, Had the testimony been given earlier, the sufferings of Christ would probably he urged against its credibility. 3. The earlier te~timony might imperil the witnesses. The heads of the nation appear to have been implicated in the martyrdom of John. "They knew him not, but did unto him whatsoever they listed." If they did not imprison John, they made no effort to pro- cure his release. They rejoiced in his death. Having tasted the blood of John they thirsted for the blood of Jesus. " Even so shall the Son of man also suffer of them" (see Acts xii. 1---3). Christ's times are best for us.-J. A. M. V:ers. 14-21.-17ie secrets of faith. A blended good and evil characterizes the present state of man. Ever since our first parents ate of the "tree of knowledge of good and evil" their children have been eating of it. The hovel i3 found under the very shadow of the palace. What a scene of glory was that of the Transfiguration ! What a scene of misery is this at the foot of th.e mountain! "And when they were come to the multitude," etc. Leam- 1.. '.J;'HAT THE POWER OF FAITH IS UNLIMITED. 1. For Omnipotence is pledged to it, (1) Witness the miracle of faith on the waters of the Red Sea (see Exod. xiv. 13, 14). The distance across the arm of the Red Sea at Pihahiroth is about twelve miles; while the average depth of the water there is about eighty-four feet. The weight of the vast ocean sets into it. Yet was that world of waters controlled by the faith of Moses. (2) So, had the disciples of Jesus" faith as a grain of mustard seed," they might have routed the devil from this boy, And the case of the demoniac may be taken as a sample of the moral condition of man under the tyranny of Satan, (3) No limit is set to the promise here given to faith (cf. eh. xxi. 21; Luke xvii. 5). Things great or small are equally easy to the Promiser. Properly speaking, to God nothing is miraculous, A rustic, witnessing the experiments of an electrician, may conclude that he is a magician. To the scientist these experiments have no more of miracle in them than the rustic may see in the furrow he cuts with his plough. "Things impossible with men are possible with God." 2. Bui Omnipotence is nol pledged to caprice. (1) In the heathen mythology there is one Phaethon, the son of Apollo, who was ambitious to guide the chariot of the sun, and importuned his father to entrust him with the reins. He soon found his arm too feeble to restrain the fiery steeds; and the sun was rushing down upon the earth. Jupiter, seeing the danger, launched a thunderbolt at Phaethon and dislodged him from his seat, upon which the chariot came back into abler hands, and the world was saved from conflagration. If, then, Omnipotence be pledged to faith, may not ambition and folly destroy the world? (2) The answer is that faith is the gift of God (see eh. xvi. 17; 1 Cor. xii. 9; 2 Cor. iv, 13; Eph. ii. 8, 9; Phil. i. 29; Col, ii. 12; 2 Pet. i. 1). God will not inspire faith in the interests of folly. (3) Hence quality rather than quantity is the thing required, "Faith as a grain of mustard seed." The idea of a grain of mustard seed dislodging a mountain I Abstractedly, faith is impotent; it becomes omnipotent as it is asso- ciated with God. A small band slipped over a wheel sets a factory in motion, because it links the machinery with the steam-engine. Faith may link the machinery of the universe to the great power of God. (4) True faith is distinct from mere credence. Some are Christiane from the accident of birth, as others a.re Mohammedans, Papists, or pagans. Some are Christians from conviction, having studied and approved the evidences. But saving faith is a thing of the heart-an inspiration from God; it works by love, and purifies the heart and life. II. THAT MORAL CONSIDERATIONS DETERMINE THE SUBJECTS OF THE GIFT OF FAITH. 1. Divine serwusnesa is a ,:;ondilion of the faith of miracle-working. (1) This our Lord declared (see Mark ix. 38, 39). And Paul says, "No man can say Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Ghost" (1 (lor. xii. 3). (2) Simon the magician was mistaken in thinking that the gift of God co11ld be purchased with money (Acts viii. 20), The sons of Sceva found to their cost that they must not trifle with the name of Jesus (see Acts xix. 13-16). (3) The miracle-working faith was given to authenticate the gospel, That end is now answered. Yet may it he given again at !\DY time when God sees sufficient reason, 2. Repentance is the conditioo of saving faith. (1) Chri:ia 200 THE GvSrEL ACCORDIN~ TO ST. MATTHEW. [on. :rvn. 1-2T.