A. Jews, whose office it was to write copies of the law, and to read and explain it to the people.

Who were the Pharisees? A. A proud sect of Jews, who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.

VER. 21-26. Repeat the head of this

section.

What is meant by a precept?

A. A rule or direction. What was said by them of old time?

What was threatened to him who killed?

Who does Christ say shall be in danger of the judgment?

What is threatened to him who says to his brother, Raca?

What is meant by "Raca ?"

A. A vain and worthless fellow.

What is meant by being in danger of the council?

A. Being in danger of a sentence to severe punishment from that assembly. What is meant by “council?"

A. The great assembly of the Jewish elders.

What is threatened to any one who shall say, "Thou fool?"

What is here meant by a "fool?"

VER. 21-26.

Christ extendeth the pre

cepts against Murder. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; but whosoever shall say,

A. An exceedingly wicked person, a villain.

What are we admonished to do before we offer a gift unto God?

66

What did Christ mean by having aught against thee?"

A. Any thing to complain of against thee.

What is meant by an "adversary?"

A. An enemy. Who is meant by our brother?

A. Every body. What are we to do towards our adversary? Why?

How long shall we otherwise have to remain in prison?

What are we to learn from this?

A. That we must live in peace and love, if we hope to escape God's wrath.

VER. 27-32.

What is the head of this section?

What was said by them of old time?

But what rule does Christ give?

According to this declaration of Christ, what must we do?

A. We must conquer all the lusts and evil desires of the heart.

If your right eye offend

if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

VER. 27-32. Adultery.

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his

you, what are you commanded to do? Why?

What is meant by thy right eye offending thee? A. Causing me to offend. If your right hand offend you, what are you commanded to do? Why?

Did Christ really mean that we should pluck out a right eye, or cut off a right hand?

A. No.

What are we to learn then from this precept, respecting the right eye or right hand?

A. That we should part with any thing that is most dear to us, if it is likely to lead us into sin.

What had been said respecting putting away a wife?

But what does Christ say a man does, if he puts away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication?

What does he do, who marries her that is divorced? VER. 33-37.

What is the head of this section?

What was said by them of old time?

What is the meaning of "forswear?"

A. To swear falsely. But what does Christ say concerning swearing? [294]

heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell: And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement; But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced, committeth adultery.

VER. 33-37. False Swearing. Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is

D

By what then may we not swear?

Why may we not swear by heaven?

Why not by the earth? Why not by Jerusalem ? Who is the great king? A. God himself. Why may we not swear by our head?

What is meant by not being able to make a hair black or white?

A. We have no power over the creatures of God.

What kind of oaths are here forbidden?

A. Oaths used in common conversation.

How does this appear ? A. Because Christ speaks of our communication, which means our common dis

God's throne: nor by the earth; for it it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great

King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black: but let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever is more these cometh of evil.

VER. 38-42.

than

Christ exhorteth to suffer

wrong patiently.

What was formerly said concerning the returning an injury?

What do you mean by an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth?

A. That injury should be returned for injury, and loss for loss.

What do you mean by not

resisting evil?

A. Not returning it.
But what

Christ give us?

rules does

If any one smite you on the cheek, what are you not to do?

A. Not to return the blow.

What are you to do? If any one goes to law with you for your coat, what

are you to do?

How far did Christ mean that these directions were to be followed?

A. That we should bear some injury rather than be guilty of revenge, and that we should return good for evil.

If any man ask you to go a mile, what are you to do? What do you mean by "twain ?"

A. Two.

What are you to do to him that asks any thing of you?

Did Christ really mean that we should give to every one that asks?

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye,

and a tooth for a tooth:

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And

whosoever shall compel thee

to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee, turn not thou away.