The Pulpit Commentary — Ephesians — Section 207

of truth, the truth thus revealed must be of first moment. Emotion without truth is vapid sentiment; and action without truth can have no moral character, and is as likely to be hurtful as useful. It is a blind man's groping. We can dispense with a superfluity of dogma. We have too many words about truth. But truth itself, the living spiritual reality, is the very breath of our souls. To know ourselves ancl our vocation, to know God, his love and his will, to know the spiritual order of things as far as it touches our own lives and conduct, is of vital interest. II. TRUTH IS REVEALED IN CHRIST. Truth is written on the great book of creation, but in obscure hieroglyphics, for nature is an inarticulate prophet. 'l'ru th has also come through the inspiration of thought and conscience in poets and seers. But then it is always in words; and words make it but a clwnsy garment hidino- its finer beauty and, at best, speaking at second hand. In Christ we see truth intelligible, powerful, touching. It is ravealed in his very self and in his words and deeds as they· are the outcome and signs of his character and nature. Christ is the truth. He has but to be and to be seen and heard for truth to be revealed. Ill, THIS REVELATION OF TilUTH L."I CHRIST IS OF A DISTINCTIVE CH.\RACTEr:. 1. It is human. Truth is seen in Jesus just because he is a real and perfect l\lan. As man is made in the image of God, the very being of a perfect man must be a manifestation of Divine thoughts. (1) Therefore any dogmas that are contrary to humanity are false. (2) Therefore, also, we need not fear truth. Sho has a human countenance. 2. It is liuing. Truth in words is cold and dead, though it may be clear and beautiful. Truth in Jesus is alive, revealing itself in action, putting forth energy, responding to our sympathy. a.- It is spiritual. Truth of religio11 and of conduct is what we see in Jesus, not reminiscences of secular history nor anticipations of material science. 'fhe highest truth concerns God and the soul, duty and the unseen world. 4. It is beautiful. Christ's glory was full of grace and truth. In his face truth has no terrors, but the most winning attractions and the most moving loveliness. IV. Suen A PRESENTATION ·oF TRUTH CALLS FORTH DUTIES ON oun PART. 1. we have to "learn Ohrist." That is the one lesson for our souh We may learn all systems of theology and yet know nothing of the highest truth, if we do not know Christ. They who sit at the feet of Jesus drink from the deepest fountains . .As Christ is best described to us in the four Gospels, these Gospels arc the chief source of Christian knowledge. Yet inasmuch as the apostles interpret the mind or Christ, we may learn Christ from the whole of the New Testament, But we must also come to a personal communion with Christ in order to know him aright. 2. We have to prove how we ha·ve learned Christ by our conduct. This knowledge is to shape our actions. Fidelity, purity, and charity of life must make men see what truth we have found in Jesus.-W. F . .A. Ver. 26.-.Anger. I. .ANGER IS A DUTY. 1. It is natural. The man who is never angry is lacking in moral fibre. Christ was sometimes angry (Mark iii. 5). God is angry with the wicked (Ps. vii. 11). 2. It is ;'ust. We cannot rightly rebuke evil without anger. Lies and cruelty should not be treated mildly. Christ would not have been faithful to righteousness if he had not shown indignation in response to hypocrisy. 3. It is useful. We may save a man by first being angry with him. A mild complacency may be the greatest cruelty to a bad man. Even when we cannot rouse the couscience of the guilty by anger we may protect the weak and wronged who claim our first sympathy. II. ANGER DRINGS A DANGER. It is the most perilous of duties even when it is obligatory. 1. It is in danger of being indulged for our own satisfaction instead of the resistance and checking of moral evil. Personal roveugo is l1koly to usurp thu place of righteous indignation. 2. It is in danger of running into excess. It is a 1iaeMion, and every passion tends to irrational extravagance. The angry man must beware of losing his temper. Ill. THE LIMITS OF IlIGHTEOUS ANGER SHOULD DE CAREFULLY MARKED. 1. We must avoid the mingling of wicked feelings with necessary anger. While angry with our brother we must not cease to love him. ,ve may be most angry with those wo 1.Qvo most. But when anger provokes us to wish harm to any one, it degcnernt~s to  .!06 THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS. [ell, IV. 1-32,