CHAPTER III. JAN. 4, MAY 5, SEPT. 2. TRINITY SUNDAY, morn. ST. JOHN BAPTIST, morn. In those days came John the ness of Judea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judæa, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But Baptist *, preaching in the wilder 2 Repentance is the first step towards a righteous life. We must first cease to do evil, ere we can learn to do well. 3 Isaiah thus foretold the office of the Baptist-to prepare the hearts of men for the reception of the Gospel of Christ. when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of 7 The Pharisee was conspicuous for self-righteousness and spiritual pride: his was the exclusive feeling-" I am not as other men." Such is not the spirit of Christ †. vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit 10 The Roman armies are at hand to take vengeance-type of those angelic hosts, who will fearfully avenge God's truth in the day when He shall judge the world in righteousness. is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water, unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 12 whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge 12 In the fall of Jerusalem, the Christians fled safely away; their safety being an emblem of final safety to the faithful in Christ Jesus. *John the Baptist; so called from his office and to distinguish him from John the Apostle and Evangelist. The Pharisees erred in interpreting the word of God by the traditions of men. The Sadducees held the impious doctrine of materialism; and believed neither angel, nor spirit, nor the resurrection. It is no wonder that the Baptist reproves thus the pride of the one, and the subtlety of the other. his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. 13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be bap 13 Jesus fulfilled all righteousness; and every religious ordinance He strictly observed. Go we and do likewise. tized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16 And Jesus, when he was 16 The three persons of the ever baptized, went up straight- blessed Trinity are here plainly deway out of the water: and, signated *. lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and, lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. CHAPTER IV. JAN. 5, MAY 6, SEPT. 3. 1 THEN Was Jesus led up of 5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it 1 So a Christian's life is, from the beginning of his course, a life of trial. 2 This hunger clearly proved that the Son of God was also the son of man, touched with the feeling of our infirmities. him, he said, If thou be the these stones be made bread. 4 Christ does not argue the point. The word of God was the best reply. Deut. viii. 3. Let the unlearned re member this. The same word is always at hand, and free to them. 5 We are not to court danger and persecution; that is to tempt God. We also learn, that when the devil strained. He cannot cast us down. The Son is baptized; the Holy Ghost descends upon Him at his baptism; and the Father declares himself" well pleased in his beloved Son." Our Lord teaches us, that if wicked men try and pervert parts of Scripture to their own purposes, the general tenor of the word will clear up all doubt. The positive commands are never to be broken. Deut. vi. 16. angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory 9 Almighty God is the only proper object of his creatures' worship. Deut. vi. 13; x. 20. 9 of them, and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels 17 11 So, if we "resist the devil, he will flee from us" also (James iv. 7,) and God will then comfort us. WhenChrist's sake, have you not found ever you have denied yourself for an inward peace, which the world never gave? and dwelt in Capernaum, which borders of Zabulon and Neph14 Is. ix. 1. Jesus Christ is "the light" which dispelleth the darkness of ignorance and sin. came and ministered unto him. Now when Jesus heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth, he came is upon the sea coast, in the thalim: 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. 23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teach 17 Jesus, like the Baptist, preaches first," repentance;" as the fit preparation for receiving the laws of the Gospel kingdom. (iii. 1.) the call of Christ! Peter and An18 What noble decision in obeying drew "straightway follow him." "James also and John immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him." Ver. 22. 23 By miraculously healing the infirmities of the body, Jesus strengthened faith in him as the healer of the soul-the long-promised "healer of the nations." Ps. liii. 5. ing in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria and they brought unto him all sick people that were ! taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy ; 25 Let us gladly join the goodly and he healed them. company of these faithful followers. 25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judæa, and from beyond Jordan. CHAPTER V. JAN. 7, MAY 7, Sept. 4. In this our Lord's first sermon, how heavenly is the doctrine! how decided the authority! yet how plain the instruction! How affectionate the manner of it! In the union which it enforces of heavenly feeling with a corresponding practice-of Christian principles with Christian moralitywhat a noble pattern of a sermon does it present to the preachers of the Gospel for ever! What an exalted standard of morality! Where is the honour which rises not higher when thus sustained where the generosity which is not encouraged? where the benevolence which is not enlarged? are the poor in Blessed are they Blessed are the Blessed are they AND seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed spirit for their's is the kingdom of heaven. that mourn for they shall be comforted. meek for they shall inherit the earth. which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 13 Ye are the salt of the 11 God's blessing well compensates man's persecution. Eternity of bliss for a short season of misery! 13 The faithful purify the great mass of society, even as salt purifies that with which it is mingled; whilst earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith their example in a sinful world is light amid the darkness. shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven. 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily, I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven, 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: but I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that 16 The poorest and most unlearned follower of Christ may do this, by leading a holy and religious life. 17 The whole of this sermon is in evidence, that Christian faith without Christian morality is dead. thy brother hath ought against 20 A self-righteous spirit - which sets a man up above his neighbour, with the proud vaunt," I am not as other men"-is not the spirit of the Gospel of Christ. (i. 7.) 23 Apply this precept. Have you hatred in your heart? for thy soul's sake cast it out; lest death hurry thee to the prison-house of the grave, and thou diest, miserably, unforgiving. thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost |