An Exposition of the Gospels

The author writes: Do we not every day see efforts persistently made, and unjustly enforced, even at the certain risk of anarchy, to render to Caesar not only what belongs to Caesar, but also to concentrate in him all rights, human and Divine; to constitute him the sole guardian, depositary, and dispenser of what belongs to God; and this, ill defiance of all the principles of true liberty, despite solemn treaties, and in violation of all guaranteed rights of conscience? Does not this all-absorbing power of the State, resting solely on brute force, by an unholy league Which embraces both hemispheres unjustly invade and trample under foot the sacred rights of parents, and force them to bring up their children, who were destined to fill up one day those seats vacated dy the fallen angels, in schools where the sacred name of God is utterly banished, and their tender minds indoctrinated in the soul-destroying principles of materialism. What is this but a persistent attempt at the revival of paganism, making might, or the law of the strongest, the solo standard of right, and the substitution of brute force for the abiding blessings of moral influences? " That is it but a rapid approach to that sad state of spiritual decay, of which our Redeemer Himself forewarns us, " Think you, when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on earth? " (Luke xviii. 8.) As the Son of God came down from heaven not only to be our Redeemer, but our teacher; not only to ransom us with the effusion of His precious blood, but to enlighten us with these saving truths, the knowledge of which, joined to firm and unhesitating faith, He has made an indispensable condition of salvation, it must be ever a subject of the deepest spiritual interest to place these truths in as clear a light as possible, Whether the following Commentary may serve to advance this and the other ends referred to must be left to others to decide. This was written in 1876, and is even more true today!