whole, to be accepted as real. Were it not that there are moral as well as purely intel- lectual and constitutional causes for this ignorance, no fault need be found with it. But any view of mental error which omitted consideration of the fact of human depravity could not be considered adequate. The natural mind “loves darkness rather than light.” (2) Scripture is intended to correct human error, “The entrance of thy words giveth light” (Ps.cxix. 130). They reveal the existence, works, character, and purpose of God. By so doing they solve the mysteries attaching to human life and duty. They are the Word of God, anticipating and transcending the findings of the world’s experience. This is done, not only by communicating what is above sensible perception, but by affording a discipline to the spiritual nature. ‘For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb.iv. 12). ‘Every Scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness; that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work” (2 Tim. iii. 16). “Ye search the Scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life ; and these are they which bear witness of me” (John v. 39). 2. Lack of spirtiual experience. “ Nor the power of God.” This ignorance may consist partly in ignorance of the facts of the Divine history of mankind as recorded in Scripture; but it is chiefly due to absence of personal, experimental consciousness of God in the spiritual nature. It is the “darkness of the heart” which exaggerates and intensifies the effects of general ignorance. “The power of God” works its miracles in the inward as well as the outward life; in conversion, sanctification, communion, and providential grace.
Il. ly wom THESE MAY EXIST. The Sadducees were, according to the standards of their day, educated men, With the letter of the books of Moses they were familiar (ver. 26); and they were most careful to preserve them from addition or intermixture. 1. Highly educated men may err in Divine things. “ Thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes” (Matt. xi. 25). Secular culture has not furnished an atom of the transcendental knowledge upon which religion is based; the Bible is not its product, nor can it be interpreted by it. Yet is not literature, art, or science to be discarded as a secondary aid to the interpretation of Scripture. If God does not require our knowledge, neither does he, as it has been finely said, require our ignorance. 2. There are many who know the letter of God’s Word without knowing tts sptrit. Religious training may bestow an acquaintance with Scriptural history and doctrine and the chief outlines of moral duty, but it cannot ensure the inward knowledge of the heart. The interpretation of Scripture is only possible to those who are spiritually enlightened. Knowing the Bible externally may actually prove a hindrance to an inward knowledge of it, if it be made too much of, or imagined sufficient in itself. Superficial acquaintance with Biblical literature, doctrine, etc., “ puffeth up ;” and it requires the sternest and most frequent assaults ere its true character is exposed to itself.
How THEY ARE TO BE REMOVED. 1. The teaching of Christ ; awakening a sense of inward need and repentance, and revealing the correspondence of the Word of God to the expan and maturing spiritual consciousness, 2. The giftof the Holy Spirit; which takes of the things of God and reveals them to us, ‘“‘ Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, and which entered not into the heart of man, whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him. But unto us God revealed them through the Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (1 Cor. ii. 9). Not aa of i enlightening influence of the Holy Ghost is due to the purification of the
eart.—
Vers, 283—34.—The Law akin to the gospel, but inferior to tt. I. TRUE RELIGIOUS DXQUIRY 18 ENCOURAGED BY OANDOUR AND SPIRITUAL INSIGHT ON THE PART OF RELIGIOUS TEACHERS. Matthew tells us that the Pharisees “came together to the same place,” when they saw the discomfiture of the Sadducees; and “then one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying.” Mark introduces him as one of the scribes. In the one Gospel the motive and encouragement are represented as experienced by the Pharisaic party in general ; in the other they are ropresented as individually felt and acted upon. ‘There were, therefore, elements of earnestness and spirituality amongst
on. xu. 1—44.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. 178
the Pharisees, and these were called forth by our Saviour’s teaching. They were now in a more favourable attitude for receiving the truth than they had ever been before. As to the idea expressed by “tempting,” it need not be understood in a sinister sense, but generally as proving, testing, etc. Our Lord did not crush the spirit of inquiry, but courted it. They felt that there was more in him than they could explain, and that his knowledge of Scripture was spiritual and profound, and therefore they wished to discover what he could possibly have to tell them that was not already taught by Moses or his prophetic exponents. He had all but converted his enemies and critics into his disciples. He had infected them with his own spirit of religious earnestness. Of this mood the “lawyer” was the mouthpiece. He pushes inquiry to its highest point, and desires to know the chief duties of religion.