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eat with him; but he had none of that dear love and respect for him in his heart, which this woman, whom he despised, showed in her whole behaviour. May the Lord deliver us from Simon's coldness!

47. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

She therefore loved much, because much was forgiven. her. Her love was not first, but her forgiveness; and it followed forgiveness, as a token or proof of it. She could never have done what she did for Christ, without a lively sense of mercy in her heart.

48. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

They are, they are forgiven, to every humble, desiring soul; doubt not of it, whatever this ill-judging Pharisee, or any others, may think or say, or whatever thy own fears may suggest.

49. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

He who came with this joyful message to a lost world, and paid the price of his most precious blood for our forgiveness.

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50. And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go peace.

Here is the whole of our religion. Faith saves us; Christ says to every one who receives him, go in peace, thy sins are forgiven. Peace with God is the ground of our love to him, and of all holy working. This is a sweet portion of scripture to those who look for redemption through the name of Jesus; and who seek for a full declaration of the manner of it. of healing on the bodies of particular persons, that he might be believed in as the universal physician, and helper of the soul and here he shines out in all the glory of his peculiar office, his great work, and his endearing character.

Christ wrought his miracles

In this section we have a lively representation of the freedom of God's grace in the forgiveness of sinners, and the effect of it, in turning the soul to Christ with the stress of its love. Let us understand this scripture, and we have all saving knowledge. The whole gospel is contained in it. Let us re-peruse it with deep attention.

SECTION XXVI.

Chap. viii. ver. 1-15.

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER.

1. And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,

Jesus went to preach God's kingdom of grace upon the earth, in which remission of sins is published,-newness of life is required, and strength is offered to do the will of God. We enter into this kingdom now, in this short day of our lives, or never.

2. And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,

3. And Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

The poverty of Christ was the advantage of these disciples, and they had eyes to see it, though probably they were then called fools for their care of Jesus. He may still be ministered unto in his poor members.

4. And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:

5. A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

6. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

7. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.

8. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

9. And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?

With this request, Jesus immediately complied. Let us also ask, and it shall be given us. Why do we not. understand, but because we do not desire it with all our heart?

10. And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

It is given unto us to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, if we choose it. This parable is either a dark saying, or it is heavenly instruction, just as the heart is prepared for it, or not. Though Christ is the expounder, it has not light for those who will not see. May the Lord deliver us from so sore a judgment !

11. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

12. Those by the way-side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

13. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

14. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

The fruit fails in all these cases, not from the fault of the seed, but the ground. Let us seek to the Holy Spirit to make our hearts good.-Edit.

15. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

They do not suppose that fruit can be produced all at once but whatever they have, they aim at more and hold out to the last, in spite of all difficulties.

The parable of the sower is easy, as it is explained by Christ, and needs nothing but application. What is the ground of the heart, good or bad? Is it working to and with God, in honesty and simplicity, and striving with downright simplicity and earnestness to enter into the door of grace, which is opened for all in Christ? Or do we cheat ourselves with a vain show of religion, or an empty form of reading and hearing? It matters not which kind of the three hearers here mentioned we are, if we do not get life and power from Christ, so as to bring forth fruit under him. Everything else will be rejected by God. Examine yourselves. Bring all within you to the touchstone of this parable. It was delivered for this end. Think of it by day and by night, and pray continually against the deceitfulness of your own hearts. Think more especially of the poor man's hindrance. He says, it is hard living, and pleads worldly care as an excuse for the neglect of his great work. Christ knew this as well as he; but nevertheless here is no allowance made for his case. If the word is choked, let it be how it may, the soul will

be lost,

SECTION XXVII.

Chap. viii. ver. 16–25.

PARABLE OF THE LIGHTED CANDLE-CHRIST STILLETH

THE TEMPEST.

16. No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.

This is a charge to the apostles, and to all, to let their light shine before men,-to speak what they know, and communicate what is given them to others. Although God helps all, he usually helps one man by another.

17. For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither anything hid, that shall not be made known and come abroad.

Nothing that is profitable should be hid within ourselves. It was given, in part, for this end, that others might have the benefit of it. A gracious word in season from any one of you, may, by God's blessing, save a soul.

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Let us be anxious to learn, with what profit we hear to ourselves; but not for ourselves only.

18. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

He that values, and retains, and improves what he hath bestowed upon him from God, to his own benefit, and that of others, shall have more given him. And whosoever hath not, that is, does not use and improve what he has—which, indeed, is the same thing as if he had it not-" from him shall be taken away even that which he seemeth to have." For instance; you have the parable of the sower, and Christ's interpretation of it, before you; and you may seem to yourselves and others, to have attained some knowledge by it. But none of us have got anything, and all is lost, if we do not receive it into our hearts.

19. Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.

20. And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.

21. And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

What greater encouragement can we have for doing the will of God? We see that we may claim kindred with Christ,

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