LESSONS

FROM THE

GOSPEL OF ST. MATTHEW.

66 THINGS NEW AND OLD." xiii. 52.

LESSONS.

SECTION I. CHAPTER I. 1..17.

Promises given to Abraham and David were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The descendant of Jewish kings was the guardian of the new-born

heavenly King.

The order of a Divine plan is partially seen in the page of history.

SEC. II. CHAP. I. 18..25.

Angels of God were sent to render honour and service to Jesus.
His birth declared Him to be both human and Divine.

God was present and manifested in the person of His Son.

The salvation of Christ is a deliverance from sin.

SEC. III. CHAP. II. 1..12.

The nations of the world become the willing subjects of His kingdom.

What is small in size may have the greatest worth.

The kings of the earth vainly oppose the kingdom of Christ.

Guidance is given in various ways to those who seek it.

SEC. IV. CHAP. II. 13..23.

That which is best for men rises out of obscurity and affliction.
Suffering belongs to the kingdom of Christ, and brings consolation.
What is despised by men receives honour from God.

SEC. V. CHAP. III. 1..12.

Repentance is requisite for the reception of good, and the avoidance of ill.

Relation to the good will not profit without resemblance.
Religious rites exhibit truth, but do not change character.
Christ accomplishes for men what prophets predicted.

He imparts the Spirit of God, and makes suffering salutary.
He will receive the good, and reject the wicked.

SEC. VI. CHAP. III. 13..17.

All that is right should always be observed and done.

Christ is the object of Divine approval, delight, and favour.
All men are to hear, honour, and obey Him.

The Spirit of God is given to fit for the service of God.

SEC. VII. CHAP. IV. 1..11.

The perfection of Christ was proved and shown by temptation.
He is able to sympathise with and to succour the tempted.
It is the duty of man ever to have faith in God.
He will provide for men's wants in the right way.
He has not promised protection from needless peril.
His help is sufficient for the attainment of all good.
To honour falsehood and wrong is to worship Satan.
By faith in God all evil is to be resisted and overcome.

SEC. VIII. CHAP. IV. 12..17.

Opposition may lead to a change of place, without a change of purpose.
Where there has been much sorrow there will be much joy.
Christ came to be the Light of the world.

He required repentance, and offered salvation to all.

SEC. IX. CHAP. IV. 18..22.

Some are required for special service, and are called to it.
Men are prepared for the service of Christ by learning of Him.
His ministers have to work under darkness and difficulty and delay.
They have the assurance of safety and success.

SEC. X. CHAP. IV. 23..25.

Christ came to seek and save those who were lost.

He is the Great Teacher, and the Healer of all diseases.

SEC. XI. CHAP. V. 1..20.

The pain of want precedes the joy of possession.

For every sorrow comfort is provided.

Gentleness is better than violence, nobler and stronger.

They who seek right will not be disappointed.

Divine mercy is to be copied in human conduct.

Purity of heart is a preparation for knowing and seeing God.

Peace is to be received, and to be promoted everywhere.

Suffering is connected with the highest service of God.

They who are with the good in service, will be with them in reward.

Personal goodness is requisite for Christian usefulness.

Publicity is for the profit of men, and the honour of God.

The Old Testament contains a revelation of Him who is unchangeable. In Christ there is the fulfilment of what was foretold,-the realization of what was presented typically, and the completion of the good which before was partially given to men.

SEC. XII. CHAP. V. 21..48.

Law is only a partial expression of what is right.

Sin belongs to the purpose, as well as to the practice of wrong.
Different degrees of sin have different degrees of punishment.
They who are wrong with men, are not right with God.
There is a time for reconciliation and forgiveness, and only a time.
Sin cannot be avoided without self-denial, and this is expedient.
The union of the sexes is for higher ends than sensual gratification.
To seek this alone is sin, for it is to live as the brutes.

These higher ends requiring a permanent union, separation is sin.
References to God, without reverence for Him, are wrong.
All deception and falsehood are evil, in nature and in origin.
Evil may often be overcome by good, and this is always the best way.
Divine benevolence is the source and pattern of human kindness.
The assimilation of men to God is the purpose and promise of the
Gospel.

What is right may be done with a wrong intention.

That may have a present advantage, which is not approved by God.
To seek men's honour for the semblance of right, is wrong.

To value the honour of men more than the approval of God, is wrong.
The right done in secret is seen and approved and rewarded.
Alms-giving, Prayer, and Fasting, are useful and right.

Secrecy in these is generally to be preferred, for ourselves and others.
God's knowledge of our wants is a reason for prayer, not against it.
Our first prayers should respect His character, kingdom, and will.
Desires for what is outward and temporal should be small.

All should seek pardon, and be ready to forgive.

We should distrust ourselves in the conflict with evil.
We should trust in God to deliver us from all evil.

SEC. XIV. CHAP. VI. 19..34.

Earthly possessions are transient, heavenly are eternal.

The heart becomes like its object,―pure and peaceful and noble.
The mind sees good, as the eye sees the sun.

When its vision is lost, darkness and destruction come.

The service of God and the world are contrary and incompatible.
The cure for all anxiety is confidence is God.

Nature manifests His universal care and kindness.
He who has done the greater, will not omit the less.
He who provides for the less, will not neglect the greater.
There is an appointed time for men upon the earth.
If we seek the best things, others will be given also.
Every day has its appointed measure of ill and of good.

SEC. XV. CHAP. VII. 1..11.

All needless judgment of others should be avoided.

Censoriousness increases responsibility, and promotes pride and uncharitableness.

The correction of one's own faults, should precede the correction of

others.

The sacred should not be given to the profane, nor the precious to the

senseless.

Prayer, for promised good, is certainly answered by God.
Perseverance, in seeking good, is sure to succeed.

They who walk in the right way, will come to the right end.
Good and evil are combined in men, but not in God.
Parental kindness is some sign of the fatherly love of God.

SEC. XVI. CHAP. VII. 12..29.

What is desirable for ourselves, shows what is due to others. the right is difficult and unfrequented.

The wrong way is and full;

easy

Profession is proved by practice, character by conduct.

Men may deceive others, and themselves.

Some work is done in the kingdom of Christ by those who are not His. Right thinking and talking may leave the character unchanged.

What does not alter the conduct of men, will not alter their condition. The sentence of Christ will decide the destiny of men.

SEC. XVII. CHAP. VIII. 1..4.

Confidence in Christ is the condition of receiving his aid.

He is able and willing to heal all who seek his help.

Miraculous cures were for religious instruction.

Civil law should be carefully observed.

SEC. XVIII. CHAP. VIII. 5..13.

Humility, kindness, and faith in Christ, are connected.

Whatever affects the welfare of men is subject to the Saviour.

Gentiles received a preparation for the kingdom of God.

The redeemed will be a great society, all good and happy.