Vere. 8-14.-TJ,e Jitti1e in religiM, d4. In these verses we have brought Into view four aspects of religious truth. I. THE FUTILE. The Pharisee, H he were charged with any evil course, consoled hi'?1~elf _with the thought tha~ he Wa.'! & "son of Abraham;" to his mind it was every- thing wJt.h God that he was lineally descended from the father of the faithful, end hnd been admitted by the rite of circumcision into ~he" commonwealth of Israel." John anticipating the doctrine of Jesus Christ, demolishes this delusion. That, he tells hi; audience on the banks of Jordan, is a matter of very small account with Heaven; that is not the criterion of character; that is not the passport to the kingdom of God. Let no man think to build on that poor foundation. Not genealogical connection with the best of men (see John i. 13), not admission by outward rite into any visible com- munity, decides our state before God. If we appear before him, and have no better plea than this to offer, we must prepare for his dismissal. .All that is fleshly, all that is circumstantial, all that is outward and unspiritual, falls short of the Divine require- nrnnt. It does not bring us into the kingdom of heaven. II. THE DIFFICULT. "God is able of these stones,'' eto. Nothing could be easier than for Almighty power to raise up children unto Abraham-to bring into existence more children of privilege. He had but to" speak, and it would be done; to command, and it would come forth." But it was quite another thing to win the disobedient and the disloyal to filial love and holy service, to bring the hard of heart and the proud of spirit to penitence and confession of sin, to conduct the feet that bad long been walking in paths of selfishness and guilt into the ways of wisdom and of worth. This is a work in the accomplishment of which even the Divine Spirit employs many means and expends great resources and exercises long patience. He teaches, he invites, he pleads, he warns, he chastens, be waits. .And on this great., this most difficult work, this spiritual victory, on which the eternal Father spends so much of the Divine, we surely may be well content to put forth all our human, strength. III. THE SEVERE. "Now also the axe is laid onto the root . . . is hewn down, and cast into the fire." John intimates that a new dispensation is arriving, and with its coming there will come also a more severe sentence against disobedience and unfruitful- ness. The shining of the fuller light will necessarily throw far deeper shadows. They who will not learn of the great Teacher will fall under great condemnation. The use- less trees in the garden of the Lord will now not only be disbranched, they will be cut down. It is a very solemn thing to live in the full daylight of revealed religion. With every added ray of privilege and opportunity comes increase of sacred responsibility and exposure to the Divine severity. IV. THE PRACTICAL. (Vers. 10-14.) Real repentance will show itself in right behaviour, and every man, according to his vocation, will take his rightful part. Tbe man of means will be pitiful and generous; the man in office will be just and upright; the soldier will be civil; the servant will be faithful and be satisfied with tbe receipt of what is due to him; the master and the mistress will be fair in their expectation of service ; the father will be considerate of bis children's weakness; the children will be regardful of their parents' wilL .And while the right thing will be done, it will be done reverently and religiously, not only as unto man, but as "unto Christ the Lord."-C.
Vere. 15-17.-Th.e wisdom of a true estimate. Those who are far up the aocH heights are usually under a. strong temptation to climb to the very summit. We do not know how strong the temptation may have been to John to assume or to attempt the part of the Messiah. Popularity is very exciting and ensnaring; it leads men to prefer claims and to adopt measures which, on lower ground a11d in calmer mood, they would not have entertained for a moment. nut John's mi1,cl never lost its balanco in the tumult of great profcfsional success. Unlike mvst men, he seems to have on nr. 1-3A.] 1'TTF, OO~PF.T, ACCORDTNO TO RT. LTIKP!. 71)