LESSONS ON THE GOSPELS.

We now, according to promise, proceed to supply those Lessons, which were not needed in the year for which we provided, 1849 1850. These will complete the set in the Magazine; and they will, ere long, be published in a separate form, like the Lessons on the Collects.

We hope to commence in our next Number, Lessons on the Epistles of the Church, for the Upper Classes in schools.

THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.-Matt. viii. 1-13.

Circumstances.-The two miracles here related occurred at some distance of time from each other. See the two parallel accounts in Luke v. 12-14, and vii. 1-10. It is also probable that between the descent from the mountain where the Sermon had just been delivered, and the miracle of healing the leper, the call of Peter, related in Luke v. 1-11, took place.

Chief Lessons.-The Almighty power of Christ. God is no respecter of persons. Secondary Lessons.-Our Saviour is able and willing to save all that come to Him. Many who have less advantages than we have, will put us to shame by making a better use of what they have.

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

Verse 1-See Matt. v. 1.-This verse properly completes chapter vii. Notice why they follow Him, Matt. vii. 28, 29. There was a life and meaning in his teaching to which they were not accustomed.

Verse 2.-" A leper." This dreadful disease rendered a man an outcast from society, Lev.xiii, 46; Numbers v. 2; being thus emblematic of sin, which drove man out of Eden, and (unrepented) keeps him out of heaven. Notice the man's belief in Christ's power. See chap. ix. 28. He had heard of Christ's miracles, and conceived hope for himself. See that Christ permitted himself to be worshipped, which neither Angels nor Apostles would do, Acts x. 25, 26; xiv. 14, 15; Rev. xix. 10; xxii. 9. Christ is able to save all that come to Him, Heb. vii. 25, and willing, Is. lv. 1; Matt. xi. 28.

Verse 3.-Leprosy was scarcely ever cured; now a cure was effected at once. So is sin forgiven at once and completely, when the soul turns to God, Matt. ix 2. Verse 4.-See Lev. xiii. 2, &c.; xiv 2, &c. This would shew the reality of the cure, and be "a testimony" to the priests, of Christ's power and pity.

Verse 5.-"A Centurion," a Roman officer, commanding 100 men. The common soldiers in the Roman army were respectable citizens of some property, so that the officers were proportionately higher in station and circumstances than ours. The Jews prided themselves on their spiritual privileges, and the Romans were equally proud of their civilization and conquests, looking down on all other men as barbarians. But the grace of God makes all his people brethren, Ephes. ii. 14. We gather from St. Luke's account, chap. vii., that the Centurion first sent the Jews and then friends to Christ, before coming himself. A man is often said to do that which he directs others to do.

Verse 9-That is, he believed that Christ's power of effecting his will was as complete as his own authority over his servants; his word was law to them, so would Christ's word be to and in all things.

Verses 10, 11.-See also chap. xv. 28. There were other points in his character to be praised, but Christ fixed on his faith as in strong contrast to the unbelief of the Jews, Luke v. 20. vii. 50.

Verse 12.-"The children of the kingdom," the Jews. See how rich we may be in opportunities and privileges, and yet lost, if they are despised and abused.

APPLICATION.

Will our advantages testify against us at the last day?

T

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.-Matt. viii. 23-34. Circumstances.-Comparing the accounts of these incidents in St. Mark and St. Luke, we gather that they occurred some time after the events previously recorded in this chapter, the break being probably at verse 18, and the immediate preceding circumstance the delivery of the parable of the Sower, chap. xiii.

1-23.

Chief Lessons.-The safety of Christ's people. The devils believe and tremble. Christ is the conqueror of Satan.

Secondary Lessons.-Troubles are blessings when they teach us to lean on Christ. God often sends trials to bring his people closer to Him. They who bid Christ depart from them, will one day hear Him say, "Depart from Me."

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

Verses 23, 24.-This occurred on the Sea of Galilee, which was subject to sudden and violent gusts of wind. "The ship was covered," that is, the waves broke over and into it, Mark iv. 37.

"He was asleep,"-his human nature was wearied. He foresaw the storm, and doubtless permitted it on purpose to work the miracle. But though, as man, asleep-as God, He knew all that was passing, and his disciples were therefore safe, Ps. cxxi. 4.

Verse 26.—Notice the rebuke; they had seen his power, and might have trusted Him. Not that they had no faith, or they would not have gone to Him. Weak faith is reproved, but borne with and strengthened. Notice the effects of great trials. Often, through the weakness of our faith, trials make us forgetful of past mercies, and doubtful of present safety, Ps. xxxi. 22; lxxvii. 9, 10; Is. xl. 27; xlix. 14;-but God is better than our fears, Is. xlix. 15. He sends trials, but for our good, Prov. iii. 11, 12; Lam. iii. 27, 28; Heb. xii. 10, 11; Rev. iii. 19 -and supports us under them, Psalm lxvi. 11, 12; xci. 15; Isaiah xliii. 1, 2; Lam. iii. 31, 32.

Notice the result of this: man distrusted Him, but the elements knew his voice, for it was the voice of their Creator, John i. 3. This shews also Christ's power over the heart, which may be tossed with trials and filled with fears, but his voice fills it with peace.

Verse 28.-"The other side," the east coast of the sea, once belonging to Manasseh, now inhabited partly by Jews, partly by Gentiles.

Notice the fierceness of these Demoniacs, full as they were of the evil spirit. Satan is the prince of all evil passions, hatred, murder, John viii. 44; Christ is the Prince of Peace, Is. ix 6-the God of love, John xiii. 1; 1 John. iv. 8.

Verse 29.-See James ii. 19, also Mark i. 24. See what these evil spirits look for! This should give force to the solemn warning, Matt. iii. 7; Rom. i. 18— and keep us from trifling away the day of grace.

Verses 30-32.-The Jews were forbidden to eat these animals, and the very touch of them made a man unclean, Lev. xi. 7, 8; but these men, for the sake of gain, sinned against that law. The devils probably wished to effect what really happened, i. e., to prejudice the people against Christ. He permitted the destruction of the swine to shew the reality of the possession, the power and yet the limit of evil spirits, and to punish the owners for their sinful practices.

Verses 33, 34.-See the power of sin. Many came to Christ for healing-many for teaching; now many came to urge Him away, and HE WENT. What would they not one day give to recal that time?

APPLICATION.

What do we trust in ? What do we love ?

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.-Matt. xiii. 24-30.

Circumstances.-This Parable was delivered just after that of the Sower and the Seed, at the sea of Galilee, see verses 1-3; and, like that Parable, was explained by our Saviour to the disciples, verses 36-43. For the nature and design of teaching by Parables, see notes on the Gospel for Sexagesima Sunday.

Chief Lesson.-The mixture of true Christians and hypocrites, in Christ's visible Church on earth.

Secondary Lessons.-When Satan cannot hinder the Word from being sown, nor destroy it, he will try to spoil by mingling evil with it. Man's natural heart is ready for any evil suggestions, as weeds grow naturally without cultivation. We cannot always distinguish true followers of Christ, nor should we be hasty to judge our fellow-creatures. God knows perfectly who are his, and will let none

of them be lost.

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

Verse 24.-The disciples asked for an explanation of this Parable, verse 36; so should we ask instruction from our teachers and spiritual pastors, and above all from God, James i. 5. Refer to the explanation, verses 37-43. The Parable of the Sower shewed the different effects of the preached Word, this shows the effect of false teaching.

Christ is the sower, personally and by his ministers, 2 Cor. v. 20; the field is the whole world, through which the Gospel was to be preached, Mark xvi. 15. Notice, that it is his field, the world is Christ's, Matt. xxviii. 18, for He made it, John i. 3. The good seed are Christ's true followers, "Children of the kingdom," that is, born of God, John i. 13; heirs of eternal life, John x. 28.

Verse 25.-"While men slept." See that sin takes us off our guard: Satan would have us feel so safe as not to watch, 1 Thes. v. 3.; but true safety depends on watching, Matt. xxvi. 41. See the exhortation and warning in Heb. iii. 13.

"Tares," not the plant known among us by that name, which could be easily distinguished and separated, but a weed closely resembling wheat, yet bearing no true grain. So do hypocrites copy Christians; see Matt. ii. 8.

"His enemy." Satan the adversary, 1 Peter v. 8; our first enemy, Gen. iii. 1; and our enemy to the end, Rev. xx. 7–10. “Went his way," knowing that the tares were sure to grow. Contrast with this, the care that must be taken of good seed, how it needs constant watchfulness, and at last, often disappoints the sower, being choked or blighted.

Verses 26, 27.-The servants of the householder represent Ministers &c., who are often surprised to find evil growing rapidly where they had expected only good. Verses 28, 29.-Men are not always good judges of each other's characters, and might hastily condemn some, whom God knows to be his. They might have condemned Nicodemus for coming to Christ so timidly; but afterwards he boldly avowed himself, John xix. 39.

Verse 30.-"Grow together," there was a Judas even among the Apostles; there were tares in the early Church, Acts viii. 18-21; 1 Cor. v. 11; xv. 12; 1 Tim. i. 15; iv. 10; 3 John 9; and there will be till the last, Matt. xxv. 32. See the end of the tares-burning, Mark ix. 43, 44; Rev. xix. 20; xx. 14; xxi. 8; and that "in bundles:" how much of the misery of hell will arise from mutual reproaches! The wheat is gathered into the barn, Matt. iii. 12; Rev. xxi. 7; free from all mixture of evil, Rev. xxi. 27.

APPPLICATION.

To which do we belong-the tares or the wheat?

SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.-Matt. xxiv. 23—31.

Circumstances.-Our Saviour delivered this discourse on the Mount of Olives to the disciples privately, v. 3. It was now within two days of his betrayal and death. The immediate occasion of this discourse was the remark made by the disciples on the grandeur of the temple, v. 1.

Chief Lesson.—The triumph of the Gospel in spite of all opposition.

Secondary Lessons.-When Satan cannot prevent men from taking thought about religion, he tries to deceive them with a false religion. The triumph of the truth, for which God's people pray, is a source of terror to the impenitent.

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

Verse 23.-"Then," this refers the time to the events foretold in the preceding verses, which are generally considered to be the invasion of Judea and destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans.

Verse 24.-See Acts xxi. 38; v. 36, 37, and the history of the Jews, by Josephus.

Notice, that the Jews refused (as a nation) a Messiah who came as a Prince of Peace, and were punished by being deluded into following false Christs, who brought on them nothing but misery and destruction. "Signs and wonders." See Deut. xiii. 1, 2; 2 Thess. ii. 9—11; Rev. xiii. 13, 14; xix. 20. These might be mere impositions; but on the other hand, God might permit such wonders to be wrought by satanic agency, to try the people. The passage above referred to in Deut. clearly establishes a test, by which even miracles were to be tried.

"The very elect," God's true chosen people. "If it were possible." They might be for a time shaken in their Faith, but not from their Faith.

Verse 25.-Compare John xiv. 29; xvi. 1-4. In those things which stagger the unbeliever, the true Christian, (by the light of God's Word) sees only the confirmation of his Faith.

Verses 26-28.-The coming of the Son of Man here spoken of is evidently his coming to destroy Jerusalem, which contributed in several ways to the establishment of Christianity, by removing the opposing power of the Jewish rulers, by dispersing the Jews, both believers and unbelievers, all over the world (both would carry the history of Christ with them,) by shewing most signally God's wrath against the nation, and pointing to the rejection of Christ as the final cause, and by fulfilling such prophecies as Gen. xlix. 10. This coming would be like the lightning, undeniable, instantaneous, irresistible. "The carcase," the corrupt Jewish nation; "the eagles," the Romans, whose standard was an eagle.

Verses 29-31.-These verses, though probably having a secondary reference to the end of the world, predict in their primary sense the destruction of the Jewish authority, (the sun and moon being emblems of kings and rulers) the terror of all the anti-Christian Jews, the wide preaching of the Gospel with power and glory, by angels, i. e. ministers, and the conversion of numbers in all parts of the earth.

APPLICATION.

Will the second coming of Christ fill us with terror or with joy?