which Scripture leads the disciples of Christ to expect as they travel through this world.

7. And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

8. But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in king's houses.

9. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

10. For this is he of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

The arrival of John's disciples, led our Lord to discourse concerning John: and to declare openly what he was, and what office he bore. He was the messenger of whom it had been predicted that he should prepare the way for the Redeemer, by awakening men to a sense of their need of redemption, and preaching, as he did, Repent ye,

for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Then follows a striking truth:

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11. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women, there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

As a prophet, taught of God: as "a burning and a shining light" sent to enlighten the souls of men as God's messenger bearing a most important office, there had not risen a greater than John the Baptist. Notwithstanding, the least minister in Christ's own kingdom was greater than he.

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By the kingdom of heaven is not here meant "the kingdom of God" in heaven, the kingdom of heavenly glory; but the dispensation of the gospel on earth, the kingdom which our Lord was now establishing, which is to lead to heaven. And if we ask why such great things are said of the least minister in this kingdom, we can discover a suffici ent reason.

John could preach the law, the discipline which leads to Christ as the Redeemer. But the apostles i could preach "Christ crucified," who "hath redeemed us from the curse of the law," having (Galat. iii. 13.)

borne the curse for us.

John could say, "Repent ye, for the kingdom of

heaven is at hand." But Peter and James could say, "Repent, and be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

John could exhort, "Bring forth fruits meet for repentance." But the apostles could say, "Yield yourselves unto God, for sin shall not have dominion over you." You shall be enabled to "do all things through Christ which strengtheneth you." "He that has begun a good work in you, shall perform it unto the end."

Such is the superiority which those enjoy, to whom "the ministry of reconciliation" is commit. ted: as was acknowledged by no one more fully than ¦ by John himself, when he said, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me, shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire."

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12. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

These are strong expressions, designed to rouse attention by being at first unexpected. The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence: "every man presseth into it:" (Luke xvi. 16:) like a crowd bursting into a house, like an army taking a city. Some hope, without pains or labour, to attain the gift and promise of God: But those who "strive" shall "enter in." The violent "seize" the kingdom: those who will not be denied, but wrestle in prayer, and labour in mortification.

In this manner, from the days of the apostles to the present hour, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence. All mankind have some object in view, for which they are earnestly contending. May we always have grace to perceive, what is really worth our exertions.

13. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

14. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias which was for

to come. 2

15. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

16. But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,

17. And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

2 God had declared by the prophet Malachi (iv. 5,) “Behold, I will send Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." This promise was now fulfilled. No other than John was meant in the predicted Elijah: no other Elias was to be expected: he is come already.

18. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.

19. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a wine bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

Our Lord here demands the attention of those around him. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. He to whom God has given a head that can understand, a heart that can feel; he that has the sense of a man, and faculties of an intellectual being;-let him use them now, use them on this matter, use them in what concerns his soul and the way of its redemption.

This, however, is too often the last thing on which men will exercise a sound understanding. They are like perverse children, who refuse to be pleased, whether their companions are serious or gay. They will find fault with every way in which religion is represented to them. One while, it is too easy, and gives encouragement to vice: or else it is too severe, and incompatible with the business of the world. So the Jews complained of John the Baptist for his austerity and seclusion; and murmured against Jesus, because he held intercourse with mankind.

In the mean time, Wisdom is justified of her children. The wise children are those who see the truth, and pursue it. These approve their own choice, are satisfied with the resolution which they have made, to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness." And as these justify wisdom, so does wisdom justify them. It rewards them now

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with "

righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost:" and it will hereafter reward them with "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away."

LECTURE XXIX.

REJECTION OF THE GOSPEL.

MATT. xi. 20-30.

20. Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not :

21. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, 1 they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

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22. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.

23. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

24. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

1 Tyre is called in Isaiah a "crowned city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth.” (xxiii. 8.) Sidon was also famed for its wealth aud luxury. And the destruction of both these cities was foretold by the prophets, as a judgment from God.