plain words, when they are prepossessed with a contrary opinion. Christ told them positively that he must die, and rise again, and yet they did not understand it. How often is this our case! and how greatly does it concern us to know, that the reason why we do not understand Christ better, is because we set up a wisdom, and will of our own against him; and have not learned this first lesson in his school, to submit to his teaching with undisputing simplicity.

Ver. 1-10.-At the close of the last chapter, Christ had stunned his disciples with a solemn warning of his approaching death, and sufferings. Here they are revived by God's attestation to him from heaven, as his well-beloved Son, and with a sight of his glorified body; and are thereby showed what kind of bodies they would have at the resurrection. For all the faithful shall be raised in glory, with such bodies, as His then was, and he now appears in at the right hand of God, and in which the righte ous shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Matt. xiii. 43. And no doubt the remembrance of what they had seen would encourage them greatly in their work, and amidst all their sufferings. St. Paul tells us, that he was encouraged, supported, and comforted with the thoughts of his new body, his house eternal in the heavens, of God's making and providing for him. 2. Cor. v. 5. What do we set our affections most upon? These grassy, earthly bodies of ours, which were made to perish, and to be food for worms. If we might keep them always, we should not desire to exchange them for glorious heavenly bodies. It may be asked, why did Christ only admit three of his disciples to the sight of his transfiguration? We know not any farther than that they would communicate it to the rest for their benefit, as it is here left upon record for ours. Let us be Christians indeed, by thinking most of that happy change, and happy home, when God shall wipe all tears from our eyes, and there shall be no

more death, neither sorrow, nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away. Rev. xxi. 4.

SECTION XXIX.

Chap. ix. ver. 11-29.

JESUS CASTETH OUT A DUMB SPIRIT.

11. And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?

If the scribes say so, why may not we satisfy them and others that Elias is come, and that we have seen him? In answer to which Christ shows their mistake, and tells them that he whom they had seen with him, was not the Elias prophesied of as his forerunner, but another, namely, John the Baptist.

12. And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things;

Elias is John the Baptist, Christ's forerunner, and the opener of his dispensation, in which all things were to be restored. In this dispensation, God's peace and good will are restored to men; and the hearts of men to God. You never have your work before you till you are aiming at this restoration, each one for himself.

12. And how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.

This was immediately subjoined to prevent a mistake in the disciples, namely, that the restoration here spoken of was to be that of the kingdom to Israel. Acts i. 6. No, verily, says Christ, the Son of man, the author of it, must accomplish it by suffering.

VOL. II.

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13. But I say unto you, that Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him. 14. And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.

15. And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.

They were struck with an awful sense of Christ's coming and presence; and ran with alacrity to see and hear him. Here is a pattern for us; let us receive him gladly into our hearts.

16. And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?

He knew, though at a distance, that they were questioning with them; and what was the subject. Nothing is hid from him. It would be of great use to us, to set Christ always before us.

17. And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit ;

18. And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him; and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away; and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.

This was a pitiable case, and is so represented here, that we might never think our own to be desperate, while we have the same helps in which we may trust. Though all other means fail us, Jesus cannot.

19. He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you, how long shall I suffer you? bring him

unto me.

Can you see nothing in yourselves to make you think this is spoken to you? You are undone if Christ esteems you a faithless generation. You must be spoken to more plainly. If your nature, your sin, your helpless condition, has not been brought before Christ, with a true sense of it, and concern for yourself, like that of the father of this child, you are not yet come to him. You therefore who read this, bring yourselves to him, with all your sins, and

with all your needs, for his help. You can do nothing for yourselves in the exigency of your souls: and take heed also that you do not go for help chiefly to man, to sermons, to books, or even to the Scripture itself. All they can do is to send you to Jesus.

20. And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him: and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

21. And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

Length of time is no hindrance to Christ's power. Suppose him saying to many of us, How long hast thou been an unawakened worldling, or sinner? The true answer would be, “Of a child." But do not therefore despair: only feel thy case now at the last, and come to him for a cure.

22. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.

No one ever said these words to Christ with a sincere heart, in vain.

23. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe,

The answer to this, according to some, is, No, we cannot ; it must be given us. So I am persuaded. But how given? Not instantaneously, or by putting a force upon our wills, any more than in the case of strength against sin, which we equally want; but by the secret operation of the Spirit, convincing us of our want of Christ, and of his all-sufficiency; and inclining us in the use of our faculties, to believe, and embrace the mercy offered us in him.

23. All things are possible to him that believeth.

Victory over sin, gospel holiness, perseverance; and that because the power of God waits upon faith, which is a compound of penitence, desire, and trust: and is as freely given to the humble believer, as the breast is by the mother to the child that turns to it.

24. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

We think it an easy matter to believe, and say we do; but sense of sin, and an humble heart, must go before, and then we shall cry out, Lord, help mine unbelief.

25. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

Christ proceeded without delay to the cure. Why? Could too many be witnesses of the miracle, or be benefitted by it? It must be remembered that the multitude was ready to make an ill use of it, and he was aware of the consequence of exciting a sedition, on his account. So in ver. 30, "He passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it;" and took occasion from thence to arm his disciples against the common notion of his temporal kingship, by forewarning them again of his approaching sufferings and death. Learn also from this verse, that, when you know every one the plague of his own heart, and who is your physician, to rebuke it in you, and give the word of command for your recovery, you know all. Be faithful to this knowledge, and you do all.

26. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

:

27. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him

he arose.

up; and

Know for certain that a great work has been wrought in you, when you give your hand to Jesus for this purpose; and that he will answer your faith, and fulfil the desire of your heart, by purifying you from the guilt of sin, and raising you from its death.

28. And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?

29. And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.