14 Then of course their desires | Jesus? And what would be the privileges of such characters?

were to be limited to what would be for the glory of God; and for their further encouragement, that they might not feel a single doubt, Jesus repeats his assurance-what is it?

15 Jesus now intimates that they should show their affection for him in a better way than by mourning his absence-how?

16 And to console them, what did Jesus promise to do on their behalf? And what would be the effect of his intercession? And they would never have to mourn his departure-for what did Jesus say of the Comforter?

17 And who is this Comforter? Who cannot receive the Spirit? Why not? But the disciples already, in a degree, knew him by the doctrines they had imbibedand what further communication does Jesus promise them?

18 In what state would not Jesus leave his disciples? What did he promise to do?

19 And he did return personally, though the meaning may be spiritually; and in neither sense did the world see him-but what to the disciples would be the consequence of Jesus surviving all his sufferings?

20 And when they had received another Comforter, what would they know?

21 Who are the true lovers of

22 One of the disciples wished for an explanation of this-what was his name? It seems there were two of that name-which Judas was it not? Can you remember by what other name this disciple was called? What other part of the New Testament did he write? What question did Jude ask our Lord? 23 In the 23d verse, Jesus answers the question-how?

24 What would be a proof that we do not love Jesus Christ? And what does he say of these sayings, which he also calls his word?

25 When did Jesus say he had spoken these things?

26 That is, in prospect of leaving-but who would succeed him? What is the Comforter? And who would send the Spirit? And what would the Spirit do?

27 And being about to leave his disciples, what blessing did he bequeath them? And how did he not give peace? True; for the world often wish peace and prosperity in a mere complimentary way, or if they are sincere their wishes are ineffectual-but, considering what Christ would do, how should they not feel?

28 And though Jesus was about to leave them, of what did he remind his disciples? And if they loved him, how would they feel in the prospect of his going to his

Father? Why would this give them joy?

29 Why did Jesus tell them all these things before they took place? 30 And they would do well to pay great attention-why? And why would not Jesus talk much with his disciples? Yet, even under this trial, what would afford satisfaction to the mind of Jesus? 31 And why did Jesus submit to this trial, and indeed to all through which he had to pass?

CHAP. XV.

does Jesus say, even of their present character? And how had they attained to this character?

4 And if they clave to the Saviour, what would be his conduct towards them? What is the union of the disciples to the Saviour? ANS. A union of heart and of interest, believing in his doctrines, trusting in him for salvation, obeying his commands, and making his cause our own. And what is the union of Christ to his disciples? ANS. A union of affection, imparting to them every holy disposition, watching over all their wants and sorrows, especially those which are spiritual, and communicating to them strength and· vigour in the performance of every Christian duty. In the 4th verse, what point of agreement is stated to exist between the disciples of Christ and the branches of a vine?

5 Who is the Vine? And who are the branches? And not only the eleven, but all true Christians

1 IN the 1st verse, to what does Jesus compare himself? And to what does he compare the Father? 2 To whom does Jesus here refer, by branches? ANS. To all who profess to be his disciples, whether they are sincere or not. What does the Husbandman, or Vinedresser do with every branch that does not bear fruit? Can you point out such a branch among the twelve disciples? But what does the Vine--and what does Jesus say of every dresser do with every branch which does bear fruit? Or pruneth it— why? What does Jesus mean, by this? ANS. That even his sincere disciples were not perfect Christians; and, that they might be more so, he would purify them from their remaining sinfulness by trials.

3 And thus the eleven would shortly be purified by the trials which were near at hand-yet what, comparatively speaking,

one between whom and himself there exists a vital, or living union? But severed from the Vine; that is, separate from Christ, what is the condition of the branches, or disciples?

6 What is done with every one who continues not united to Christ? As what kind of branch? And what do men do with withered branches?

7 And what will be the privilege

of those who continue stedfast in their faith in Christ, whose words are received into their hearts?

ing of this? ANS. The end which Jesus had in view in thus instructing his disciples and preparing them for

their faith that he might continue to rejoice in them as his firm adherents, and that their joy in him might not be

12 And very soon, such would be their situation, in an unfriendly world, and their Friend not. personally present, that one commandment seems more appropriate than any other-what is it? In this mutual affection, whose love should inspire them, and be their pattern?

8 It is not enough that Chris-approaching trials, was so to strengthen tians, as branches of the true Vine, bear fruit but in what degree should they be fruitful? And as we commonly think highly of a vine-interrupted, but be full and complete. dresser whose vines flourish-who will be glorified by Christians being abundantly fruitful in every good work? And, as if we saw a very fruitful branch we should feel sure that it was united to the stem-so what will fruitfulness in Christian duties prove concerning those who are thus fruitful? Does not this parable of the vine and the branches convey a very perfect idea of the Christian life? ANS. Yes, both in its cause and its effects: our religion cannot be genuine, except as it comes from, and is maintained by Jesus Christ; and we may be certain it is not the Christian religion, unless it produces in us practical holiness.

13 And that love was perfect in its nature, and complete in its degree-for what is the greatest proof of love that a man can show to his friends?

14 And how would the disciples prove that they were Christ's friends?

15 What did Jesus not call his disciples? Not that they were not his servants, for they were-but wherein was a mere servant dis

9 In the 9th verse, Jesus compares his love to his disciples, to some one else's love to himself-tinguished from an intimate friend? to whose? And what does he But his disciples Jesus called his exhort them to do? friends, and treated them as such wherein ?

10 And how may they continue to insure his love to them? And by these means he secured the continued affection-of whom?

16 What, that they might not he elated with the preference shown them, did Jesus say his disciples had not done? On the contrary, what had Jesus done? But had they not chosen Jesus? Ans. Jesus does not mean that they were not

11 And Jesus mentions two reasons why he spake to them as he did what is the first? And what is the second? What is the mean

gence; and in every thing to be influenced by the motives and directions contained in the Bible.

20 What saying of our Lord's would the disciples have occasion to remember? In two particulars the disciples might expect a treatment from the world similar to what Christ received-in what?

willing that he should be their Lord and Master; but that the choice originated with him, and that their choosing him was in consequence of his having first chosen them. And to what did Jesus choose and ordain his apostles? To what did Jésus refer, in their going and bringing forth fruit? ANs. To their preaching, at his command, the gospel to all nations, and to the success which should attend their preaching. Nor would this success be temporary, or only for a time-for whatsition to Christ and his disciples did Jesus say of the fruit which be accounted for? should arise from their exertions? And as this was a great work, in which they would feel their weak-Christ came among them, and afness, and inability of themselves forded them such undeniable evito insure success-what kind pro- dence of his being the Messiahvision had Jesus made for them? what predicament were they in?

17 And again, amidst their various trials and difficulties and persecutions-what important command does Jesus enjoin on them?

18 What would be the feeling of the world, or worldly people, towards the disciples? Nor need they wonder at this-why?

19 But if the disciples were worldly-minded, and were guilty of the sinful practices of the world -how would the world feel towards them? And why do the world hate the disciples of Christ? What is the meaning of being not of the world? ANS. It is to disapprove of every unholy principle to deny ourselves every sinful indul

21 And for whose sake would the world persecute the disciples? That is, because they belonged to Christ-but how may this oppo

22 And what greatly aggravated the sin of the Jews? But since

23 And what is true of all who hated Jesus Christ?

24 And comparatively speaking, what would have been their character, if Christ had not done such wonderful works among them? But now, since he had thus displayed his glory and the glory of bis Father-what was true of them?

25 And they had no excuse whatever-for in their hatred of Christ, what awful scripture did they fulfil ?

26 Having told the disciples what they might expect from the world, our Lord proceeded to comfort them-of whose coming did he speak? From whom would the

Comforter proceed? At whose intercession? And when the Comforter, or the Spirit of Truth, came, what would he do?

27 And who besides would tify of Jesus? And how had they been qualified for this work?

:

3 And how might such strange conduct as that be accounted for?

4 Why did Jesus inform his disciples of all this beforehand? Why tes-what would be the good of such a remembrance? ANs. It would not only prevent their being surprised and perplexed; but would convince them that, however painful their sufferings were, they would answer some wise end; since otherwise, he who predicted and foresaw them, and who was their friend, would certainly have prevented them. Jesus did not converse with his disciples on these subjects at the beginning of his ministry-why not?

And though we have not, like the disciples, been with Jesus, from the beginning, yet we are acquainted with his history from the beginning; with the purity of his doctrine, the holiness of his character, and the strength of his love to God and man then is it not our duty also to bear witness of him? And how should we bear witness of Jesus? ANS, Not only in talking to others of his glory, his greatness, his goodness, and his love; but also by showing in cur own lives that he is indeed a Redeemer from the love and bondage of sin.

CHAP. XVI.

1 JESUS had been conversing with his disciples on the trials which awaited them, and the supports they should receive with what particular end in view did he converse with them on these subjects?

2 That is, that they should not be surprised and perplexed at the treatment they would receivewhat would be the conduct of the ungodly Jews towards them? And even if any proceeded to kill them, what false opinion would they entertain?

5 And now Jesus was about to leave them-yet, though they knew this, what natural inquiry did they not make?

6 What effect did the communications of Jesus produce in the hearts of the disciples?

7 And this was the more to be regretted; because the knowledge of whither Jesus was going was so greatly calculated to moderate their grief-still, though it grieved them so, what did Jesus candidly do? And it was expedient, or desirable, that Jesus should leave them why?

8 And when the Comforter, or Holy Spirit, came, concerning what would he reprove the world?

9 Wherein would the world be convinced, or convicted, of sin? 10 Wherein would the world be