which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

25. And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judæa, and from beyond Jordan.

Whatever were the motives from which they followed him, he knew what they wanted, as appears in the three next chapters. Let us beseech God that we may follow him in heavenly instructions, with earnest attention, a deep sense of our own blindness, and full submission to his authority.

SECTION VI.

Chap. v. verse 1-12.

WHO ARE BLESSED.

1. And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him.

Christ saw the multitudes, destitute of knowledge and perishing in sin. This was a moving sight to him, who came from heaven to die for them.

He knew his authority, and "His disciples came unto

"And when he was set." would not be wanting to it. him." Not the twelve, for they were not yet chosen; if some of the company were more especially entitled to that appellation, he spoke to them for all, in the hearing of all.

2. And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

Think who it is who is now going to speak, and what a loss it would have been to the world, if what he then taught had not been left upon record. Who cannot commit the

several particulars of this sermon to memory, meditate upon them, and pray over them?

3. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their's is the kingdom of heaven.

The Christian has his eye and heart upon the blessedness which Christ pronounces upon man, knowing assuredly, that he could not possibly be mistaken in it. Note, there is a dreadful reverse implied in all these blessings. If we neither have them, nor are following after them, let us be what we will in other respects, we are, and must for ever be, accursed.

"The poor in spirit," are those who are deeply conscious of their sin, guilt, and helplessness, and have a constant abiding sense of their poverty and dependence; who, knowing their desert, think any condition of life too good for them, and neither court riches nor distinction. "Their's is the kingdom of heaven :" they are fitted to enter into it, will enter into it, and receive all its heavenly, self-denying doctrines; and having chosen God's kingdom of grace here, shall be admitted into his kingdom of glory in heaven.

4. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Those who mourn for sin, past and present; for the prevalence of it in the world, and the remainder of it in themselves; for the miseries it brings upon men here and hereafter; feeling and suffering for all mankind. "For they shall be comforted," in time, or in eternity.

"For

5. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. The meek are the patient toward God and man. they shall inherit the earth." If the words should be supposed primarily to respect their inheritance in the new earth, or paradise restored, yet they are certainly true in this sense also, that the meek have more enjoyment of themselves, and pass more quietly and happily through the world, whatever is their lot in it, than other men. What

would the greatest affluence signify to a man's happiness, if he had it with this condition, to receive one or more wounds with a sword every day of his life? Discontent and impatience, pride and passion, are that sword.

6. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.

Who hunger and thirst after God's righteousness, by faith; their own, by love. "For they shall be filled," with such a measure of what they hunger and thirst after as will be satisfying not fully here; for these beatitudes have their completion in heaven.

:

7. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

66

Those who give, and forgive; pity all, bear with all, and do good to all in love. They shall obtain mercy ;" and they all want it, notwithstanding this and other good qualities.

8. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Those who are purely and singly devoted to God, having their hearts shut against all such creature-love as would defile them, or alienate them from him. "For they shall see God;" his glorious excellency which they loved in their hearts. Consider whether any shall see him but the pure in heart.

9. Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Who, being at peace with God, are at peace with all mankind, love peace, study peace, buy peace. "They shall be called the children of God;" that is, actually be his children, and be so reputed by God, the great peacemaker in his Son, and whose nature is universal good-will.

10. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake; for their's is the kingdom of heaven.

Who know righteousness, love it, and are so well-esta

blished in it, that they can bear to be persecuted for it. It may be inferred from hence, that the righteousness which exposes to persecution is something different from that which passes for religion in the common opinion of the world, namely, a decent, civil behaviour, attended with beneficent actions, and the profession of religion to a certain degree for that never is persecuted, but, on the contrary, entitles those who are possessed of it to the general esteem. The true, evangelical righteousness, opposing itself not only to the sinful practices, but vain customs, ensnaring pleasures, and mistaken pursuits of the world, will be sure to draw the enmity of the world upon it. "For their's is the kingdom of heaven;" which will be a superabundant recompense for all they can suffer.

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. 12. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before

you.

The general obloquy and hatred are a grievous trial, as well as persecution unto death. Christ knew this, and therefore repeats his encouragement.

SECTION VII.

Chap. v. verse 13-20.

CHRIST ADMONISHES HIS DISCIPLES.

13. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

All true christians, especially faithful ministers, are the salt of the earth. "But if the salt have lost its savour."

It is not here asserted that salt can lose its quality, but only those who have the nature of it, and are compared to it, may; and, when they do, are in a more dangerous conIdition than others. O teacher! never lose sight of his image.

14. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Ye are ordained to shine for the general good; but still as the sun does, without merit. Those should not be hid who have light given them. God no more intends they should hide it, than men light a candle to cover it up again.

15. 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.

Improve your light, keep it always burning, and then be not afraid to let it appear. But mark to what end-not to take pride in it, but "that men may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." That when men see the beauty of goodness, and the power of God in you, they may glorify him by their own conversion. Make a duty of speaking and acting for the good of men, to the glory of God.

17. Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets :

By a partial, lame interpretation of them, as the Scribes and Pharisees do. Mark, therefore, that not taking the law in its whole comprehension and extent, is in effect destroying it. The perfection of our hearts consists most in those points of which we little think, and which we most easily overlook. What a scene of new, unthought-of guilt is opened to us in what follows!