February 21

Matthew vii. — 13. 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:

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

15. 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 thistles?

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.

21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

With these words our Lord closed the Sermon on the Mount, which, unlike the petty criticisms of the scribes touching the law, laid down the deepest principles of the inner life with the authority of One who knew the heart, and who spoke from God. The people felt and owned this authority. It did not proceed from office, rank, position, but from that spiritual insight which searched the heart, and exposed the conscience to the light of truth. That which gives power to the ministry is not official dignity, nor a reputed learning or sanctity, but the faculty of carrying truth home to the heart.

Our Lord's sermon, which began with benedictions, ends with warnings. In matters of religion, it is not safe to follow the multitude. The way of life is narrow: it requires self-denial, painstaking, to walk in it; and the many prefer the broad and easy ways of sin. It is not safe to follow every

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 doeth 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 doeth 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.

teacher: men, doctrines, systems, churches, must be judged by their fruits; and holy living is the evidence of a true faith. Religion is an inward principle of consecration to God which conforms the life to his will, just as the nature of a tree determines the kind and quality of its fruit. It is not enough to make a profession of religion, and to be active in works of piety: the motive, the principle, the heart, determines the character; and those who build upon their own foundation, and are not joined to Christ by a living faith, will come to a sudden disappointment in the end. A house built loosely upon the sandy margin of a stream, without care for its foundation, when, as often happens in Palestine, the torrents rise swiftly with the beating tempest, will be undermined and swept away. Let us take heed that our faith and hope are built upon Christ the Rock.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 11, 39, 76.

Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that, by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. May we receive the truth in the love of it! and, walking in its light, may we ourselves shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life! Preserve us, we pray thee, from pride, prejudice, and unbelief; from a worldly and covetous spirit; from self-righteousness, and from uncharitableness toward others; from all false hopes, and from all unholy desires. As new-born babes, may we desire the sincere milk of the Word, that we may grow thereby.

[We entreat thee, O Lord! so to feed the children of this household with the words of Jesus

their Saviour, that they shall grow up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Cause them to shun the ways of sin, and to walk in the narrow way which leadeth unto life.] Be very gracious to our friends, our kindred, our neighbors; and bring them all into the kingdom of heaven. Oh! let thy gospel go forth to enlighten and save the whole world.

Heavenly Father, we thank thee for the daily gifts of thy providence; for rest in the night; for the light of the morning; for health, comfort, and hope. Give unto us, we pray thee, that which thou seest to be good for us. Defend us, O Lord! from all evil; be thou our rock, our refuge, our strong tower; and, when heart and flesh shall fail us, be thou, O God! the strength of our heart, and our portion forever, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.