generally think they are lowly, because they are poor : but in this they deceive themselves, they have oftentimes as much conceit of themselves as any. All are proud by nature, till their hearts are made contrite, and they are humbled for sin.

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.

They thought he was about to ruin himself, and to put them into danger, by going to Jerusalem. They feared that at which they should have rejoiced. As yet they were weak in faith and understanding, they knew not the necessity and the benefit of Christ's death. The Holy Spirit, at the day of Pentecost, turned them into other men; as he does all true believers. But Christ was not wanting to them, in imparting further instruction; neither will he be to us, if we obey him.

32. 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.

We learn from hence the great backwardness which there is in us all, to admit truths into our minds which are opposed to our natural inclinations, and worldly interests. We see with the eyes of flesh, and till we are beaten off from the pursuit of the world and sensual enjoyments, we can derive no benefit from the instructions of Christ.-Edit.

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.

His glorious kingdom upon earth, on this their minds were set, and they thought he was now about to set it up; had it been otherwise, Christ would have told them that they knew not what they wished.

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 ?

So he says to us. You would be high in my favour, but can you believe? Can you obey? Can you suffer, if you are called to endure loss, reproach, or persecution for my name sake?

39. And they said unto him, We can.

It is better to say, we will; O Lord make us able to suffer shame for thee.

39. 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.

He tells them that they should suffer for his sake, which accordingly came to pass. James was killed with the sword, Acts xii. 2. It is reported of John that he was thrown into a caldron of boiling oil. This was a baptism he came out unhurt.

indeed! But by the power of God

The same kind of trials await the ministers of the most high God at all times.

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.

The chief ministers in setting up the kingdom of Christ were prepared, and God would in due time fit them for their office according to his will.

41. And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.

42. But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exer

cise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

43. But so it shall not be among you but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

In other words, he shall be a servant to you; for true greatness consists in serving the brethren for their good to edification.

44. And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

That is, he must be in will and disposition. Lord grant us this humiliation, this truly christian frame of mind, which makes us great in thy estimation: give us this rather than any worldly greatness.

45. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Who of us can stoop so low from so great a height, and where can we find a better example of humility?

SECTION XXXIV.

Chap. x. ver. 46-52.

BARTIMÆUS RESTORED TO SIGHT.

46. And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimæus, the son of Timæus, sat by the highway side, begging.

We also are poor and blind, if being sinners can make us so. Let us put ourselves in the way of Jesus who passes by in the preaching of his gospel.

47. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

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A deep sense of our condition in sin, and of the danger of a natural state, will raise this cry in us, when we know that Jesus must help us, and that none else can.

48. And many charged him that he should hold his peace:

So the world will forbid us to cry to God, when we are in earnest to come to Jesus Christ for salvation.

48. But he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.

We also shall cry most mightily to Christ as opposition increases, if we know what we really want.

49. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called.

This was a precious moment to the blind man. He likewise will hear our cry, when we call upon him faithfully. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved."

49. And they called the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

50. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

He cast away his garment for haste and gladness. Make no delay when you know your spiritual blindness; and think not of going anywhere but to Christ for a cure.

51. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

He knew that he was blind, and therefore he begged for a cure: but it is impossible for us to tell him what we want from him, if we have no knowledge and belief that we are undone sinners, and must perish without his help.

52. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way, thy faith hath made thee whole.

What else can make us so? If we had works to show for ourselves, we should not want Jesus to make us whole.

52. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

All must follow Jesus, who are made whole by him, and all true believers will, in the way of his perfect example, and in obedience to his holy commands.

SECTION XXXV.

Chap. xi. ver. 1—11.

CHRIST RIDETH WITH TRIUMPH INTO JERUSALEM.

1. And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,

2. And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.

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Here is a proof of Christ's divine knowledge. Who but he who knows everything, could have told them all this so exactly? He knows what we have been doing this day, and every day of our lives, and he sees all the motions of our hearts.

3. And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him: and straightway he will send him hither.

4. And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without, in a place where two ways met: and they loose him.

5. And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?

6. And they said unto them, even as Jesus had commanded : and they let him go.

O that the name of Jesus was as powerful with us; and that we were as ready to do everything at his bidding!

7. And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.