41. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas, and, behold, a greater than Jonas

is here.

42. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon: and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. *

43. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

44. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

45. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

This sad description is applicable either to the case of an individual or of a nation. Our Lord, however, on this occasion, alludes more particularly to the Jewish people, speaking of them as of one man. They had been growing worse and worse, in spite of many advantages. They had been purified by the Babylonish captivity: the power of Satan had been weakened for a time: the unclean spirit might be supposed to have gone out: but any reformation which had followed this chastisement had been transient no sign of it remained; they were again corrupt, exceedingly corrupt, as a people; and

See 1 Kings x. 1-9.

5 Dry places. The idea is suited to an Eastern country, and is taken from the case of one wandering in a sandy desert, where, through want of water, all is waste and barrenness.

they were now signally showing their corruption by rejecting the Messiah.

This state is here traced to Satan as its cause. Any individual, or any national reform, is a conquest over the power of that unclean spirit. He may be expelled for a time, or he may go out; relax his temptations "for a season;" but we know that he will not lose his victim without a struggle; he will watch his opportunity: he will find no rest: all places will be dry and unrefreshing to him, till he return, if possible. As we read in the history of Job, "The Lord saith unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it." 6 And St. Peter acquaints

"Be

us with the object of this restlessness, saying, sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour."7

When then, thus "going to and fro in the earth," he finds a house which he had left, empty, swept, and garnished; that is, when he finds a heart prepared for his reception, unprotected by divine grace, unfortified by sound principles, and made ready for him by remaining evil habits; he returns again with increased power, as if seven, or many, wicked spirits were present instead of one; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

But

This was, undeniably, the case with the Jewish nation. "Light had come into the world." they had shown that they "loved darkness rather

6 Job i. 7.

7 1 Pet. v. 8.

than light, because their deeds were evil." They "would not come to the light, lest their deeds should be reproved."

We may say the same of Judas, as an individual. As an apostle, he must have worn the outward appearance of a religous character. He must have "done many things," as Herod once did, in the way of obedience and duty; and we can hardly suppose that he had not felt many strong compunctions. Still the heart was kept prepared for Satan, as a house that is swept and garnished, to receive a guest on his return. His covetous disposition remained unchanged, his dishonest practices were not altogether abandoned: and therefore he was ready to yield to the grand temptation, when "Satan entered into him," and led him to final destruction, both of body and soul.

8

We must never forget the power of Satan, which this parable represents so fearfully. But the truth must be equally remembered, that the Son of God was manifested to destroy this power, and enables all who "resist the devil," to overcome him and prevail. Nay, he preserves safe from such assaults, all who remain stedfast in his faith, and cast themselves on his protection. It is only when the house is empty, that Satan finds admittance. Let Christ "dwell in the heart by faith," and there will be no room for wicked spirits. He will "keep far our foes give peace at home: Where he is nigh, no ill can come."

See John xii. 6.

See Ephes. iii. 17.

LECTURE LVIII.

THE BLESSEDNESS OF OBEDIENCE TO GOD.

MATT. xii. 46-50.

46. While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. 47. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

The purpose for which these came does not appear. But we know that it was long before they rightly understood the true character of Jesus. On one occasion, whilst he was discoursing to the people, and a multitude surrounded him, "They went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself." On another occasion, even later in his ministry,2 we find his brethren,3 or kinsmen, addressing him in an irreverent and taunting manner, as if jealous of his influence and fame.

1

Mary, however, would not be one of those who would either doubt his divine power, or think him "beside himself," or desire to restrain him. She was well aware of the mystery connected with him. She had early heard prophecies respecting him, and

Mark iii. 21.

2 John vii. 5.

It is conjectured that those here and elsewhere termed his brethren, were sons of Joseph by a former wife. But nothing is recorded either to confirm or contradict this.

seen wonders relating to him, which she "kept and pondered in her heart.” She had also learnt from his own mouth, when he remained behind in Jerusalem, and astonished the doctors in the temple, that he "must be about his Father's business." 5 And she showed what she expected from him, when, at Cana in Galilee, she instructed the servants at the marriage feast, "Whatsoever he saith unto thee, do it." 6

Though, therefore she was now among those who "sent and called him," desiring to speak with him, it was not from any doubt of his authority, or intention of restraining him. But whatever might be her purpose, an opportunity was furnished of leaving important instruction and gracious encouragement to all future ages.

48. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother, and who are my brethren?

49. And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

50. For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

66

Jesus had said concerning John the Baptist, "Of those that are born of woman," there had not arisen a greater prophet. Nevertheless, he that was least in the kingdom of heaven was greater than he." In the same spirit it might be said of Mary, "Blessed was she among women," so that one more blessed or equally blessed has not arisen. But this her blessedness, was not that she was the mother of the Son of God, but that the Son of God had opened

4 Luke ii. 51.
6 John ii. 5.

5 Ib. ii. 49.

7 See Mark iii. 31.