Matthew 7

Matthew 7:11-14

and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

We have here,

1. The conclusion and sum of the foregoing commands; the golden rule, universally applicable in all coins. To do unto our neighbours as, according to reason and religion, we might expect they should do for us, if our situations were reversed: to do them no injury; to give them every affluence in our power; to deal with them in uprightness and integrity, without making the first advantage of their ignorance or necessities. And this doctrine both the law and the prophets inculcate; and in this one word the commands of both, respecting our duty towards our neighbours, are summed up. The rule is short, and easy to be remembered; but how wide and difficult the practice?

2. Christ urges us to all diligence in securing eternal life, and points out the only way thereto: Strive is enter in at the great gate. The gate is Christ, his blood and righteousness; it is fruit, as it admits none of the trespasses of pride and self-righteousness, and calls us to part from all our most beloved sins, to deny ourselves, take up our souls, and follow Christ. And as this will require much labour, prayer, and self-denial, Christ urges the necessity of striving to enter in:

[1.] Because of the ruin and danger which attend the ways of sin, in which the multitude walks unconcerned; for while is the gate, and brand is the way, that loaded to difficulties. There are no restraint withholds the unbridled appetite; there pleasure, riches, honour, spread their lute; there all may find the gratification of their darling paffion, or are engaged to to hope by that wily temper, who welcomes all with farrell promises of joy and happiness; and many there be safely go in throats, naturally dispoised to follow the bent of their fallen minds, and walking every one in his own way. To swim therefore against the stream of inbred corruption, and the tide of custom too, is difficult; but let us remember that the end is defraudism; that these paths lead down to hell; that, whether they be those of carelessness and neglect about the soul, open immorality, or self-righteous hypocrisy, all tend to eternal misery, and meet in the place of turmoil.

2. Because great is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. There we must show, our pride be mortified, all self-dependance be renounced; there the restraints of God’s law hedge up the way, and leave us the narrow path of holiness only to walk in; there our very nature must be changed, our inveterate evil habits subdued, our corruptions mortified; there we must expect to meet with many trials, afflictions, and temptations, from inbred evil and outward enemies; there every inch must be won with perpetual war against sin, earth, and hell; and every step must be taken with watchful care, since dangers and sinners are at the right hand and at the left: no marvel then there is you that find it, comparatively few at least; a remnant, a little flock, according to the election of grace. When therefore the difficulties are so great, the diligence should be proportionable; and since there are but few saved, we should strive to be of that number; and the idea will repay our pains; careful life will infinitely more than compensate for all the struggles of the way.

3. ¶ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16. Ye shall know them by their fruits: Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thillies? 17. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit: but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit: neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Matthew 7:15-20

False Christs and false prophets would shortly arise; and false teachers were already abundantly numerous. Against these the Lord therefore cautions his disciples, and sets down marks whereby they may be distinguished.

1. Our Lord describes them as wolves in sheep’s clothing; such as the Pharisees and Scribes were, who with exterior marks of sanctity, and authority in their manners and gods, were inwardly full of enmity against the doctrines of grace and true holiness, and in their spirit hypocritical, proud, and covetous. And probably our Lord hath respect to the false qualities, the judacting teachers, and all that should ever afterwards appear in his church, preaching the abominable doctrines of man’s self-sufficiency, free-will to good, justification by works, and the like; previous women, Acts xx. 29. whom gain, not godliness, Rom. xvi. 18. hath drawn into the ministry. Beware of them.

2. He lays down the rule by which we must prove all who pretend a mission from him. Ye shall know them by their fruits, just as easily as a tree is known. They who are evil can no more preach the truth, and live it too, than a thorn can bear grapes.

And, on the other hand, where the soul is right with God, there the fruits of truth and holiness naturally and necessarily are produced. Two ways the prophet may be known:

[1.] By his life. In his conduct exemplary; self-denying, humble, meek, zealous; both the love of God and of men’s souls appear to influence and actuate him in all his works and ways; at least in the general temper of his mind, and tendency of his conversation, is this manifested: there are good fruits of a good tree. But is he worldly-minded, proud, tenfold, indolent, more willing to fleece than to feed the flock; rigid in exacting the wages, but unwilling to be employed in the work of the ministry; encouraging instead of repiving sinners by his example; conforming to the ways of a wicked world, instead of being transformed in the spirit of his mind? there are evident proofs of the falsehood of such a prophet’s pretensions.

[2.] By his doctrine; which seems chiefly intended here: for a false prophet may wish the evil of hypocrisy cover his iniquities so as to appear righteous unto men. But are his doctrines according to truth, and drawn from the sacred fountain? Both he preach the dignity or the desperate wickedness of the human nature? the freedom of man’s will, or his utter impotence to every good thought, defen, or work? Both he declare the damnable nature of sin, the utter guilt of every man by nature and practice, and the wrath of God revealed from heaven against all unrighteousness; or encourage the false hopes of sinners by smooth prophecies, and soften the harsh terms of hell and damnation, that he may not offend the ear with such innumerable sounds? Both he exalt the divine Redeemer, his person, his officers, his blood, his righteousness; or slightly pass over these glorious subjects, for dry ethics, and lectures on morality? Both he enforce religion as an experimental thing, as the work of God’s Spirit in the heart, purifying the inner man; or both he dwell on mere external forms and duties, as silent about divine agency as if he knew not whether there were any Holy Ghost? Both he offend sinners by the freedom of his retakes, and the formal and self-righteous by his scrutinizing detection of their hypocrisy; or both he duly to plead men, and, like the false prophets of old, secure the good word of the deluded and misguided world? by these and the false fruits shall they be known. Try therefore the spirits, whether they be of God, for many false prophets are gone out into the world, I John iv. 1.

3. He declares the terrible end of these wolves in sheep’s clothing. As the barren tree is only fit fuel for the flames, so are these marked for ruin; the ax of death shall shortly be laid to their root, and ruin eternal by their passion. Beware therefore of false prophets; left, deluded by them, you partake of their plagues.

4. ¶ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22. 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? 23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house: and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock. 26. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house: and it fell, and great was the fall of it. 28. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine. 29. For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Matthew 7:21-29

We have here the conclusion of this awakening discourse, and the deep impression it made on the hearers.

1. Our Lord shews that no profession of religion, destitute of the power of godliness, will stand a man in any stead at a judgment-day.

[1.] It is not saying, but doing, must prove our calling and election of God. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, in boathing profession and noisy devotion, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, he enrolled as living members of his church, or he admitted inheritors of his glory; but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven, who truly believes on him whom God hath sent, takes him for his Lord and Master, not merely in word and tongue, but in deed and in truth; obedient to his commands, following him in righteousness and true holiness, deftes to do his will on earth as he hopes shortly to do his will in heaven. Reader, is this character thine?

[2.] Many in the day of Christ will appear to have deluded themselves with false hopes, whose pleas will then be fearfully silenced. Many will say to me in that great day of judgment, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name. Many of those who may have filled the highest flatness of the church on earth, have been to appearance the most zealous preachers, or public professors in it, yet proved no better than Balaam or Calaphas: yea, and in thy name have call out devils, as Judas, and many others on doubt; and in thy name does many wonderful words? even working the most astonishing miracles: and yet Christ declares, Thus will I profess unto them, I never know you, never called or owned you for my servants; depart from me, all ye that work iniquity. Notwithstanding all your pleas, your hearts have been false and fathists, and your professions utterly unfound; and therefore your portion must be to depart accursed with the Devil and his angels. Learn hence these awful truths: (1.) That a man may be a professor, a minister, yea distinguished with gifts and successful in his labours, and yet he finally cast away; may be the instrument of having others, and perish himself; may cast out devils from the hearts of others, and harbour them in his own. (2.) Names may pass upon men, but God fearcheth the heart. There are secret sins to be found in many, under the cloke of most glaring profession; and they shall receive greater damnation. (3.) In the day of judgment, terrible will be the disappointment of those, who all their lives long were working, as they thought, for life, were silenced as patterns of piety, and cried up as the excellent of the earth, and yet will be found not only to have deceived others, but to have deluded themselves, falling from the height of self-righteous hopes into the depths of endless despair, and from the gates of heaven driven into the belly of hell. Let every man prove well his own work, and judge himself, that he may be found sincere and without offence at the day of Christ.

2. He enforces the truths he had delivered by an appointe parable of a wise and foolish builder, describing the different foundations they laid, and the different issue of their labours.

[1.] The wise builder, his labours, and success, are described. 1. His character is given; He heareth their feelings of mine, and doth slow. Heron is seen the mind that hath wisdom. He receives the truth in the love of it, obeys the precepts, is influenced by the gospel as a living principle of action, and seeks conformity in heart and life to his divine Lord and Master. 2. He builds upon a rock, on Jesus Christ, the only sure and safe foundation, depending on his blood and righteousness alone for pardon and acceptance: and under the teachings of his word and Spirit, and the supports of his grace, the glorious superfluous rules of righteousness and true holiness. As he builds for eternity, he is zealous in labouring to make his calling and election fare, and in every good word and work seeks to approve himself to the great master. 3. His work stands against every storm. He may expect and will meet with many a better blast: the rules of temptation, the foods of corruption within, the overflowings of unguilted without, the wind of persecution, all may enter their fiery against him, to move him from his fledgallment, to shake his confidence in Christ, to discourage or seduce him from the good ways of the Lord, but in vain: the gates of hell can never prevail against the weakest believer. He shall be made to stand in the day of evil; in the hour of death he shall be supported; his work shall stand the fiery rock, and in the day of judgment he shall be approved and rewarded by the Lord of life and glory.

[2.] The foolish builder, and his sad end, are set forth for our warning. 1. His character is, that He heareth their feelings of Christ, and doth slow not. He makes profession of religion, and attends upon the ordinances, but goes no farther; the doctrines of the gospel have no deep effect upon his heart, nor an universal and abiding influence on his conduct. 2. He builds upon the food, leaving Christ, to rest upon something in himself, and looking for acceptance, in whole or in part, on account of some external things wherein he differs from others, whether moral duties, then, honestly, and the like, or on the form of godliness, baptism, prayers, frequenting the house and table of the Lord, &c. or if he hath a speculative knowledge of the truth, and knows the vanity of these things, he rests on that knowledge, without any experimental possession of the blessings of the gospel, and then it profiteth him nothing; or, if his notions are yet more spiritualized, he makes his inward feelings, or supposed gifts and graces, his confidence, depending upon what he calls the Christ within, which is but a more refined self-righteousness, and a more subtle delusion: and therefore, when the time of trial comes, his house will fall, and crush him under its ruins. If persecution arises for the word’s sake, such are quickly offended; in times of affliction and trouble their hopes cannot support and comfort them; and in death they utterly fail; at least, if the hypocrite’s hopes stand out to the last, they die with him; destruction and despair from that moment seizes him, and too late he discovers the fatal mistake, when it is irremediable, and his eternal then is determined.

3. Great was the impression made by this discourse of our Lord on his audience: they were as men thunderstruck; astonished with the uncommon power, weight, and energy, which

attended his preaching. They admired the dignity with which he spake, addressing them in his own name as one invaded with authority: and his sentiments were new, as well as weighty; utterly unlike the flat and spiritless comments of the fetishes, who fervily adhered to the traditions and decisions of their rabbis. And yet, alas! the impression soon went off from many, from the most of them. So easy, so common, is it to hear with admiration the eloquence or powerful preachers of the gospel, to feel a transient glow, and notwithstanding in continue in ignorance, unbelief, under the power of sin, and perish everlastingly.