SERMON ON THE MOUNT.

65

whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,

Do ye even so to them:

For this is the law and the prophets.

Enter ye in at the strait* gate;

For wide is the gate, and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

And many there be which go in thereat : Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life,

And few there be that find it.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits: For every tree is known by his own fruit for of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes: Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit; neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil :

:

Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them : For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh.

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the
things which I say?

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord,
Shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

*Strait means narrow and difficult.

F

But he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:

Depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Therefore, whosoever cometh to me, and heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like. He is like unto a wise man, which built his house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, that, without a foundation, built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and the stream did beat vehemently upon that house, and it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.

And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine : For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

THE LIFE OF CHRIST.

O Almighty God, who alone caust order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men; grant unto thy people, that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be found, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

67

Questions on Section VI.

Enumerate the nine beatitudes.

What is the law and rule of our duty towards our neighbour?

Why is the Lord's Prayer so called?

How many petitions are there in the Lord's Prayer?
How do the first three differ from the rest?

How does this correspond with the division of the ten commandments into two tables?

How do both the Decalogue and the Lord's Prayer show that we are to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness?

What is the meaning of "thy kingdom come?"

What precept and promise are given us respecting prayer?

Taking the Lord's Prayer for our model, how does it appear that praise should be joined with supplication ? How does it appear that Heaven is very difficult of attainment, and that a life of faith and righteousness requires constant watchfulness and effort?

Who alone shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven? To what does our Lord compare the man who hears and obeys the Gospel ? '

To what does he liken him who hears and disobeys, or neglects, the Gospel precepts ?

SECTION VII.

From the healing of the Centurion's Servant to the first Declaration concerning the Day of Judgment.

PRAYER.

O Almighty Lord, and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to direct, sanctify, and govern, both our hearts and bodies, in the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy commandments; that, through thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unAnd when he to him, was sick, and ready to die.

And

heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant; and saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. And Jesus saith, Then Jesus went I will come and heal him. with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself; for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore, neither thought I myself worthy to come

HE RAISES THE DEAD TO LIFE AT NAIN. 69

unto thee; but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed *: For I also am a man set under authority, having soldiers under me; and I say unto this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith; no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and from the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven: But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain: and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier; and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat

The faith and the humility of this centurion afford another example of the manner in which we should approach Christ to intercede for ourselves or for those dear to us.