and of this kingdom, whatever it cost us; for we are here given to understand, that there must be an earnest seeking after it. O for penitent wills, a lively faith, and the holy violence of prayer!

Ver. 13. For all the prophets, and the law, prophesied until John. And no longer. The prophecies concerning Christ looked no farther, being then actually fulfilled. But there was a difficulty still remaining; for Elias must first come. He therefore adds,

Ver. 14. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. And therefore Christ himself must immediately follow. Alas! they did not receive it. They had fixed their own interpretation of Scripture, and would not be set right.

Ver. 15. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.- What it so much concerns every one to understand, and hear effectually. Bring your hearts and consciences to the hearing of the word.

LECTURE.

My brethren, what have we heard from the mouth of our Lord to-day, and what use do you intend to make of it? Do you charge it upon yourselves to remember and consider what you read and hear; and have you a prayer for your souls that God would accompany it with his blessing, and seal the heavenly instruction of his word to your hearts? The passage I have now been reading, and a very awakening one it is, is to this effect: John Baptist, who was in prison for the faithful discharge of his office, haying heard of the works of Christ, sent two of his disciples to him, for their information and conviction, with this question" Art thou he that should come, or do

we look for another?" In answer to which, and to give them full proof that he was that person, the very prophet so long promised and foretold, that should come into the world for the deliverance and salvation of mankind, he referred them to his miracles, as the seal of his mission, and the foundation of our belief in him. And when they were departed, he spake to the multitudes, then gathered about him, concerning John, in order to magnify his office and ministry, by telling them who and what he was, and, by so doing, to turn their eyes to himself, whose messenger John was, being sent for no other end but to prepare the way before him, who had all the blessings they wanted in his own hands. Blessings so rich and so great, as to deserve the utmost earnestness of endeavour, steady purpose of heart, and persevering resolution, to obtain them; no less than the kingdom of heaven, admission to the grace, rights, and privileges of it here, and the glory of it hereafter. And what he said to the two disciples of John, and to the people afterwards, on occasion of their coming to him, throughout this chapter, he now says to you, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear;" the meaning of which is, that we are either fatally deaf, or blessed in our hearing, dead or alive unto God, just in proportion as we receive, understand, and believe his words of saving truth.

"Art

What, then, do you think of John's question, thou he that should come?" Come, my friends? What to do? I will suppose you know the answer, to bless and to save mankind. What, all? the impenitent, hardened, and unbelieving; the ignorant and the careless, those who know nothing more of Christ than that they were baptized in his name, and live in all other respects as if he had never come into the world? Do not deceive yourselves, no such thing. He who came in our flesh, Christ, the Son of the living God, must come in your

indulgence. We shall know one day the wisdom and mercy of God in all his dealings with us; what calls we have had, what various occasions of improvement, and how he has endeavoured to suit himself to us, and work upon us, whether by prosperity or adversity, riches or poverty, sickness or health.

Ver. 19. But wisdom is justified of all her children.— Whether appearing in the austere, mortified life of John, or in the more free and open conversation of Jesus, she will be discerned to be what she is, and not ill thought of, or rejected, for such differences of outward behaviour, by those who know her, and are truly enamoured of her. It would be well if this observation had its weight at all times with the children of wisdom, the lovers of God and goodness. What we disapprove, and, too often, censure in others, and they in us, may be the wisdom of God in both.

Ver. 21, 22. Wo unto thee, Chorazin, wo unto thee, Bethsaida; for if the mighty works, &c.-We do not read of any of his mighty works in the first of those places; though, doubtless, he wrought them wherever he went. The evangelists have recorded but few of his miracles, and those too selected, we may suppose, for the sake of some particular use or instruction. But what it concerns us more especially to observe is, the heavier doom of those who slight great advantages for reformation. Have you not the Scriptures in your hands? Do you not live under the light of the Gospel? Is not Christ preached to you? Is not the Holy Ghost always ready to teach your hearts?

Ver. 25. At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.-Persons of the greatest na

tural acuteness, or improved abilities, generally wise in their own conceits, and too proud to learn even of God himself, are not the fittest to receive the Gospel, which makes all stoop to it, but those who have the simplicity of children. This affirmation seems to be the thing here intended; and it is delivered by Christ in the form of a thanksgiving; for God will be glorified in them who believe not, as well as those who do. But observe further can babes, the unlearned poor, attain to the knowledge of the truth? Nay, are they better fitted for it, and, in Christ's judgment, more likely to embrace it than others? Why then will you plead your want of learning and station in life, and be always catching at this pretence for not being wise unto salvation? Let your hearts bring you to Christ, and you know all; put yourselves unfeignedly into God's hands, and you do all. See what comfort there is for you in the next words, and how desirous Christ was to settle this point with you.

Ver. 27. All things are delivered unto me of my Father To deliver to all that will receive them.

And no man knoweth the Son but the Father.Therefore the knowledge of him, what he is in himself, and what he is to us, must necessarily be by divine teaching.

Neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son.Man's wisdom, or learning, is here quite out of the question. The knowledge of him in Christ, which is the knowledge of him we are concerned in, and the way in which he offers himself to be known of us, can only be by Christ.

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And he to whomsoever the Son will reveal himBoth by outward and inward teaching. The former in this book; the latter will be granted to your desire. One is in order to the other; and one without the other

will do you no good. It is a capital truth of Scripture, that revealed things are unrevealed, in effect, without divine illumination.

Ver. 28. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden-With the burden of sin, and a sinful nature.

·And I will give you rest - Which neither any one else can, nor can you give to yourselves.

Ver. 29. Take my yoke upon you. Not that of the Pharisees, laying upon you the heavy load of their traditions, and especially of the law as a covenant of life. And, that you may do it, and be prepared for the rest I have to give you,

Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart. Be little in your own eyes, give up the pride of your hearts, give up all pretensions to a justifying righteousness or power to attain it by any will or wisdom of your own.

And ye shall find rest unto your souls - In the remission of your sins, peace with God, and the gift of a perfect righteousness. We say, therefore, that Christ's rest is not principally meekness and lowliness, or any degree of Christian holiness; but rest to the conscience, from the guilt of sin, and fear of condemnation, accompanied with a will of obedience which makes duty pleasant to the soul.

Ver. 30. For my yoke - So understood, in the whole and every part of it, in its grace and commands, as a covenant and a rule, as refreshing the conscience, and binding the heart is easy, and my burden is light.

Happy, O Lord, are they, who take thy yoke upon them, and learn of thee. For thou art the rest of our souls; thou speakest peace to them by thy forgiveness, and confirmest it to them in holiness. Thou art he that should come to preach the kingdom of heaven, and hast opened it to all believers. Reveal it to us,