The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 414

their prey on the earth, some widow's ho11Be" (Henry). (4) Some think it probable that the scribes and Pharise01 eold their "long prayers," as the Romish priests sell their Masses. Through sympnthy.for their deceased husbands, widows might fall easy victims t.o the avarice of those who" make merchandise of souls." 2. In it they ani obstroctive tog~. (1) The scribes and Pharisees would not enter the kingdom them- selves. They did not use "the key of knowledge" to see what Scripture so.id about Messiah. (a) In Jacob's departing sceptre of Judah. (b) In Moses' Prophet. (o) In Daniel's weeks. They shut their eyes. (2) They hindered those who were enterina. The people were on the point of entering into the privileges of the new dispensatio~ preached by John Baptist and Jesus, but were hindered by the scribes and Pharisees. (a) They were hindered by their example (see John vii. 48). (b) By their doctrine, in cavilling against Christ (see eh. xii. 24; John iL 16). (c) By their authority, in the threat of excommunication (see John ix. 22). (d) Therefore only the violent could force an entrance into the kingdom (see eh. xi 12; Luke xvL 16). 8. They promoted evil. (1) They were infernally zealous. They spared no pains to make proselytes, not, how- ever, with a view to benefit them, but for sectarian ostentation. For the scribes and Pharisees made proselytes to the schools of particular mbbins. (2) Their victims they made even more the sons of hell than themselves. Note: (a) Hypocrisy is itself the offspring of hell, for it originates with the "father of lies." (b) "Two- fold more." The Hellenist Jews, who were mostly proselytes, were the bitterest enemies of the apostles (see .Acts xiii. 45; :xiv. 2, 19; xvii 5; xviiL 6). Truth falsified is worse than simple falsity. Half-truths are the most vicious lies. (c) The proselytes were trained by the Pharisees in wicked sophistry, which palliated .vice and substituted ceremony for piety. They were also taught to practise evil with 18118 remorse and greater subtlety than they had been acc11Btomed to in their former condition. II. TRAT IT IB m."FAIBLY CHARGED WITH THEIR VIOEB. 1. Unbelief seeks to/<Uten their scandal upon it. (1) Sons of Belial are never weary of denouncing the hypocrisy of the Church. If they can find any rascality in a professor of religion, they cry exultingly, "There's your Christianity J" (2) They delight in favourably contrasting themselves with the hypocrites of the Church. What is more common than for sons of Belia! to say, "I don't profess to be religious, but I am better than many. of your Christians"? 2. B'll,t this is manifestly unfair. (1) Christ does not recognize hypocrites as Christians. On the contrary, he repudiates them with the strongest abhorrence. (2) They are only tolerated in the Church because of the difficulty of finding them ont. For want of infallible judgm.ent, the tares have to grow with· the wheat until the harvest. (3) Hypocrites are not Christians. 'fhe "hypocrisy of the Church " is a misnomer. There is a clear distinction between the true members of the Church and those hypocrites who intrude into its visible corporation. In all fairness this should be recognized.. (4) Instead of contrasting themselves with hypocrites, let them compare themselves with Christ, and see then where they stand in the judgment. (5) Let them compare themselves with the Christ-like. These are the only trne Christians, the only true Church-members-members approved by its laws, and permanently belonging to its corporation. Hypocrites are neither. IIL GOD '\TILL VINDICATE THE CREDIT OF HIS CHURCH. 1. By separating eke hypocrites from ie. (1) They fairly belong to the world. '!'heir Hpirit is of the world. (2) Their connection with the Church is unnatural. It is like themselves, a deception. (3) Their connection with the Church is transient. Like the tares among the wheat, the bad fish among the good in the net, the goats among the sheep, in the final judgment. 2. By dooming them to perdition. (1) Hypocrites will be found with worldlings in the damnation of hell. Let the sons of Belial, then, contrast them.selves with their own if they wilL 'l'hey will scarcely call the hypocrites Christians in damnation. (2) The greater dam.nation. Note: (a) .There are degrees of damnation. (b) Pretences of religion will aggravate the torments of the lost. (c) 'l'he gospel curses are the sorer (cf. Heb. x. 29). Who can entreat for him against whom the great lu<.Crcessor pleads ? .A " woe" from Christ has no remedy. No such wrath as that of the Lamb! " Three woes are made to look very dreadful (Rev. viii. 13-ix. 12) ; but here are eight woes, in opposition to the eighe Beatitudes (Matt. v. 4)" (Henry). 3. By rebuking their accorn,plicea. The open sinner I.& an accomplice with tho very <JU, xxm.. 1-39.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 419