We however, looking back, are able to form a more just opinion. Our Lord offered him treasure in heaven, if he would leave all, and follow him. He chose to retain his earthly treasure, and to refuse the offer of treasure in heaven. This happened eighteen hundred years ago. What is now become of his great possessions? What can they profit him? Can they confer happiness on his soul, or prevent its misery?

If, indeed, he could have kept his possessions eighteen hundred years, it might appear something: it is a long period of time, except when compared with eternity. But we know that he could not have enjoyed his earthly treasure more than twenty or thirty years. That is the longest expectation which the average of human life allows.

Whereas, had he obeyed the invitation of our Lord, whenever he departed, he would have been "with Christ;" he would already have been in the enjoyment of happiness unspeakable, and he would possess the sure and certain prospect of still greater happiness, when the soul shall be re-united to the body, and received into the kingdom "prepared for the righteous from the foundation of the world." Could he be permitted to choose again, can we now doubt what his choice would be?

Suffer then, his experience to determine you. What would have been good for him, is good for all. What he forfeited, you will forfeit too, if you allow any one worldly good to keep you back in your pursuit of heaven. Worldly possessions are valuable they provide the means of many comforts, they afford the opportunity of being useful

to our fellow-creatures. But they perish with us : therefore they are not worth the risk of what is to last for ever. Worldly pleasures are good, when they are innocent, and those that are innocent, are the truest; but whether innocent or guilty, they come to an end; therefore they are not worth the risk of what is to last for ever. The favour and the praise of man is good; it is pleasant to be spoken well of, and painful to be reproached; but the praise and favour of God will be of real value, when those who now speak either well or evil of us, have learnt a better rule to judge by, than this world affords. Do not then, for the sake of any of these things; for the sake of a little more gain, or a little more amusement, or a little more of men's good word, do not act the part of this unhappy young man, and go away from your Redeemer. Do any thing, leave any thing, suffer any thing, rather than fail to "make your calling and election sure." So shall you receive an hundred fold now in this time. In a just hope of acceptance with God, in conscious dependence upon your Saviour, in the support of his Spirit, in the progressive sanctification of your souls, in the friendship of those whose favour is most truly valuable, you shall receive an hundred fold now in this time, and in the world to come, eternal life.

Matt. xx.

17-34. Luke xviii. 31-43.

LECTURE XCIX.

JESUS FORETELLS HIS DEATH.

AMBITION OF THE SONS OF ZEBEDEE REPROVED.
BLIND BARTIMEUS HEALED.

MARK X. 32-52.

32. And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,

33. Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:

34. And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

Such was the prophecy. The history was related by St. Peter, some two months afterwards: (Acts ii. 22 :) "Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you, by miracles and wonders and signs, which God

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Probably their amazement and their fear arose from what Jesus had frequently declared to them that he must needs suffer at Jerusalem. So (John xi. 8) "his disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?"

did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know; Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death. Whereof we all are witnesses." The Son of man goeth, as was determined of

him.

"Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight."

35. And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.

36. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should

do for you

?

37. They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

38. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

39. And they say unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of ; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:

40. But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

In one sense, we know, and are sure, that the places in the kingdom of heaven are Christ's to give, and his alone. "All things are delivered unto him of the Father." "For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to

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execute judgment also, because he is the Son of

man."

But it was not Christ's to give, in the way of arbitrary favour or partiality, or except to those for whom it is prepared: namely, those "who by patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory and honour and immortality." It was morally impossible for Christ to assign it to others.

And a great practical lesson is derived to us, from this unseasonable demand of the two disciples. It is vain to expect a place in the kingdom of Christ, without the prescribed qualifications. And middle place there is none; no place between the kingdom of Christ, and the regions of darkness where Satan reigns. But in this there is nothing arbitrary or exclusive. Nothing assigned to one, from which another is necessarily shut out. Nothing which our Lord would even give to his favourite apostle, and deny to another preferring a like claim. John was beloved by our Lord in an especial manner; yet he was one of the two to whom this declaration was returned.

This, then, is the reflection which each one of us ought to dwell upon. Certain characters will sit in the kingdom of Christ, and except to these, it is not even his to give. And we who hear this positive assurance, are either among those for whom it is prepared, or for whom it is not prepared. Those for whom it is prepared, are clearly described. They are described by that same apostle, who now met with a rebuke, because instead of entering "by the door into the sheep-fold," he was trying "to climb up some other way." But he found the