Heavenly Father give good things to them that ask him1? -v. 11. 24. Are we to infer from this that all our prayers will be granted? A. No; for we often ask for things which, if granted, would prove hurtful to us. We should therefore submit our requests entirely to the wisdom of God, who knows what is good and proper for us, much better than we do ourselves. 25. What does our blessed Saviour say is the sum of the Law and the Prophets? A. To do unto others as we would they should do unto us. This is what the Law and the writings of the Prophets teach, respecting our duty towards our neighbour. Lev. xix. 18. Prov. xx. 22.v. 12. 26. What is meant by entering at the strait gate? A. The strait or narrow gate leads to eternal life; entering at the strait gate means acting in such a manner as will, through Jesus Christ, procure us eternal happiness hereafter. v. 13. 27. Why is it called the strait gate? A. Not only because comparatively few will enter and pass through it, but also because, to obtain admittance, we must divest ourselves of the burden of our sins. The pompous garments of spiritual pride and self-righteousness worn by the Scribes and Pharisees would not permit the wearers to enter therein; man must be stripped of all his external trappings to obtain an entrance into Heaven. 28. Why is the gate which leadeth to destruction so wide? A. Not only to admit the great multitudes that flock to it, but also to receive the great incumbrances and heavy burdens of sin which so many carry with them to the other world. 29. By what means shall we be able to enter in at the strait gate? A. By conversion; by a change of heart from earthly things to heavenly; from wickedness to holiness, and obedience to the commands of God; by following Jesus Christ, the only way leading to eternal life; by trusting in his merits, praying for his Holy Spirit, and 1 A remarkable passage, which shews us how much opposed to Scripture the practice is of seeking the intercession of saints and angels, when our Heavenly Father is so willing to hear the petitions of his children. committing ourselves, both souls and bodies, to his guidance and direction. 30. Why do so few enter the strait gate, and so many travel the broad way? A. Because mankind are unwilling to restrain and mortify their evil passions, which it is necessary to do, that they may be permitted to enter the strait gate, while, on the contrary, they are by nature inclined to evil, and therefore the more willing to commit those acts which will cause their eternal destruction. 31. Of whom does our Saviour tell us to beware? A. Of false prophets.—v. 15. 32. How does he describe them? A. He says, They are wolves in sheep's clothing. 33. What does he mean by that? A. That they outwardly appear righteous and harmless, and endeavour to deceive mankind by their affectation of piety, but their hearts are full of wickedness. 34. What description of persons are meant by false prophets? A. Those who profess to teach, and pretend they have a divine commission for doing so, while, in reality, they only endeavour to mislead those who are simple enough to believe their false doctrines. 35. How shall we discover their real characters? A. By their fruits; that is, by their lives, and by their tempers and dispositions.-v. 16. 36. How does our Lord illustrate this method? A. He says, Men do not gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles. Men do not gather good fruits from barren thorns or plants. 37. What is meant by this? A. That where the heart is not influenced by the Spirit of God, the life and actions cannot be correct. 38. What becomes of the corrupt tree that doth not bring forth good fruit? A. It is hewn down, and cast into the fire.-v. 19. 39. What is meant by this? A. That person who does not live to the glory of God, and who does not take advantage of the assistance which God has given him by his Holy Spirit, to live an holy and righteous life, will, in the next world, be cast into that place of punishment, where the worm dieth not, neither is the fire ever quenched. 40. Who does our Lord say are the only persons who shall enter the kingdom of Heaven? A. Not every one that saith unto him, Lord, Lord, but he that doeth the will of his Father which is in Heaven.— -v. 21. 41. What is meant by this? A. That we must not rest satisfied with making merely an outward profession of religion, or of our faith, by crying, "Lord, Lord;" but we must also exert ourselves to the utmost, aided by God's Holy Spirit, to do the will of our Heavenly Father, as, if we neglect it, and our actions do not accord with our professions, we shall hereafter be excluded from the kingdom of heaven. 42. Why does our Lord mention this? A. That He might undeceive the people respecting that dangerous doctrine, which supposes mere outward profession to be sufficient; but something more is required of us than mere lip-service. Our taiking of faith, or of religion, without holiness, will not recommend us to God. 43. How must we prove the existence of our faith? A. By our good works; by our obedience to God, and consequent love to man. 44. Will the performing even of miracles, in the name of Christ, if we keep not his commandments, recommend us to him? A. No; He says, Many at that day (meaning the day of judgment) will say, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name have done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.-v. 22. 45. What is meant by doing these things in his name? A. Their being assisted by the power of God to accomplish them; and notwithstanding their appearing to be so much in the favour of God, while they prophesied or preached in the name of Jesus; yet still, if their lives are not pure, in the next world those gifts will not avail them, and, in reality, they will be the more inexcusable, because they knew the truth, yet did not practise it. 46. What is meant by his not knowing them? A. They had formed no spiritual acquaintance with our Lord, by prayer, and lifting up their hearts to him in holy communion; but, while they exercised those excellent gifts with which they had been blessed, in the rest of their conduct they showed that they forgot the Giver, and feared not to disobey him. 47. To what does our Lord liken him, who heareth his sayings, and doeth them? A. To a wise man who built his house upon a rock, 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.—v. 24. 48. What is meant by his house? A. His faith, his hopes of salvation. 49. What is meant by the Rock1? A. Jesus Christ, the Saviour of mankind, and his merits, the benefits of which will surely be extended to us hereafter, if we not only hear but obey his Gospel. 50. To what was the safety of this house built upon the rock to be attributed; was it to the strength and firmness of the building? A. No; it was to the strength of the foundation; for let the workmanship be ever so well executed, or let the walls be apparently ever so well built, yet still, if the foundation on which they are erected gives way, the entire building will fall, and all our preceding labour will be to no purpose. 51. What are meant by the floods, and winds, and rain? A. Those persecutions or temptations which assault us in life, the allurements of the world, or our own evil hearts; but which will never destroy our souls, if we walk by faith in Jesus, that everlasting Rock of ages. 52. To what does our Lord liken him who heareth his sayings, and doeth them not? A. To a man that built his house upon the sand.-v. 26. A. When the storms 53. What became of that house? of persecution raged, and the floods of ungodliness beat 'upon it, the sandy foundation could not bear the shock, but crumbled away, and the house fell, and great was the fall thereof. 54. What does building on the sandy foundation mean? A. Supposing that mere outward hearing, without a sincere endeavour to put those precepts we hear into practice, will 1 This was that rock to which our blessed Lord alluded, while, in his conversation with Peter (Matt. xvi. 18.), he said, "Upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." be sufficient, and our resting our hopes of present security and happiness solely on our earthly blessings, and not taking God for our everlasting portion, the never-failing foundation of all security, peace, and comfort. 55. When our Lord had ended his discourse, what effect had his teaching on the people? A. They were astonished at his doctrine.-v. 28. 56. Why were they astonished? A. Because He taught as one having authority, and not as one of the Scribes, who dwelt on vain distinctions in the Law, and took up the time of their hearers in useless controversies.- -v. 29. 57. From whence did Jesus derive his authority? A. From God, who in all ages had given him as Mediator authority and power over all things in the Church. Jesus must 66 reign till he hath put all things in subjection under his feet." All things in heaven and in earth bow the knee before him, the Heir of all things, the Lord of life and glory. 58. What is meant by his teaching as one having authority? A. That is, boldly, and without fear; feeling the power of God within him, as one on whom "the Spirit dwelt without measure," as his proper residence. CHAPTER VIII. 1. WHAT effect had the Sermon of our Lord upon the multitude? A. They were so forcibly struck with the truths which it contained, that they followed him, wishing for further instruction.-v. 1. 2. Did any person come to him as he returned from the mountain? A. Yes; a leper came and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. v. 2. 3. What is a leprosy? A. An infectious disorder which makes its appearance in white scales or scurf on the skin. It is incurable by human means. 4. What was the law respecting those afflicted with it? |