Matthew 7:29

As having authority.

He spake, not as man, with human doubts and limitations, but as one who was omniscient. He came from God, was the brightness of the Father's glory, and spoke as one divine; not as human, hesitating, halting, limping expounders like the scribes, the interpreters of the Scriptures. The scribes said, "Rabbi Hillel, or Rabbi Shammai, says thus and thus," but Jesus said, " I say unto you."

PRACTICAL AND SUGGESTIVE.

THE STRAIT GATE.--Christian enters through the strait gate and is directed in the narrow way. In the broad road every man may choose. path suited to his inclinations, shift about to avoid difficulties, or accommodate himself to circumstances; and be will be sure of company agreeable to his tastes. But Christians must follow in the narrow way along the same track, surmounting difficulties, facing enemies, and bearing hardships without any room to evade them; nor is any indulgence given to different tastes, habits or propensities. It is, therefore,. straitened way,. way of repentance, faith, self-denial, love and patience; in. word,. full conformity to the will of God, according to the Scriptures.-- Bunyan.

BY THEIR FRUITS.--Here seems to be prescribed. plain and easy way of discerning false teachers from true; and. way which lies level to the meanest capacity. It is only by observing the fruits and consequents of every doctrine, what it is apt to produce when thoroughly believed, and then judging how far those fruits resemble the doctrine and spirit of Christianity.-- James Blair.

ON. ROCK.--To understand Christ's comparison, imagine the rough, steep sides of the valleys of that Jura formation, prevalent in Palestine.. house built beside. torrent, on. rock, is unharmed by the swollen and angry flood; but if resting, though placed high above the stream, on. foundation of sandy earth, the flood gradually wears away its base, till at last the undermined and growing slide of earth reaches the house itself, and plunges it into the flood.-- Ebrard.

THE ROCK OR THE SAND.

On what are you building, my brother, Your hopes of an eternal home? Is it loose, shifting sand, or the firm, solid rock, You are trusting for the ages to come. Hearing and doing, we build on the Rock; Hearing alone, we build on the sand; Both will be tried by the storm and the flood; Only the rock the trial will stand.-- H. R. Trickett.

POINTS FOR TEACHERS.

This lesson is full of striking figures. They are familiar and easily understood. Bring them vividly before the pupils and make the application. 1. Note the two gates; one broad, easily entered, inviting, with. broad way; the other narrow, difficult and with. narrow way. One tempts the natural man, the other does not. Which is the way into the kingdom? Why? 2. Bring out why men naturally seek the broad gate and broad way. 3. Take up the second figure, wolves with sheep's clothing, show what. wolf is; and. wolf that passes as. sheep. Apply. 4. Take the third figure: Fruit. Bring it home by familiar illustration-the orchard at home; why some trees are cherished, others cut down. The value is the fruit. Apply to preachers, teachers, men, systems. 6. Bring out the fate of those who bear bad fruit and the reasons for that fate. 6. The next figure, doors shut, many crying for admittance, prayer, claims of profession and miracles--the door kept shut, bidden to depart, why? Note all they did, but what they lacked. Does your class lack that? 7. Note the striking figure of the two builders. The wise man, why wise, his time of trial and how he endured it. 8. The foolish man, why foolish, what he did, what came, his ruin and why. 9. Show that both the wise and foolish men are hearers, but wherein they differ, why one is wise, the other foolish, and their final fate. 10. Bring out the applications in this lesson. Ask your scholars to name the truths and lessons that apply to them.