sayings. They ought to be well weighed by all 2:)rofess- ing Christians. They teach us j^lainly, that people who show a desire to come forward and profess themselves true disciples of Christ, should be warned plainly to " count the cost/' before they begin. — Are they prepared to endure hardship ? Are they ready to carry the cross ? If not, they are not yet fit to begin. — They teach us plainly that there are times when a Christian must literally give up all for Christ's sake, and when even such duties as attending to a j)arent's funeral must be left to be performed by others. Such duties some will always be ready to attend to ; and at no time can they be i3ut in comparison with the greater duty of preaching the Gospel, and doing Christ's work in the world.
It would be well for the churches of Christ, if these sayings of our Lord were more remembered than they are. It may well be feared, that the lesson they contain is too often overlooked by the ministers of the Grospel, and that thousands are admitted to full communion, who are never warned to " count the cost." Nothing, in fact, has done more harm to Christianity than the practice of filling the ranks of Christ's army with every volunteer who is willing to make a little profession, and talk fluently of his experience. It has been pain- fully forgotten that numbers alone do not make strength, and that there may be a great quantity of mere out- ward religion, while there is very little real grace. Let us all remember this. Let us keep back nothing from young professors and inquirers after Christ. Let us not enlist them on false pretences. Let us tell them plainly that there is a crown of glory at the end. But
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let us tell them no less 2)lainly, that there is a daily- cross in the way.
In the latter part of these verses we learn, that true saving faith is often mingled ivith much lueahness and infirmity. • It is a humbling lesson, but a very whole- some one.
We are told of our Lord and His discij)les crossing the sea of Galilee in a boat. A storm arises, and the boat is in danger of being filled with water, by the waves that beat over it. Meanwhile our Lord is asleep. The frightened disciples awake Him, and cry to Him for help. He hears their cry and stills the waters with a word, so that there is "a great calm." At the same time, He gently reproves the anxiety of His disciples. " Why are ye fearful, 0 ye of little faith \"
What a vivid picture we have here of the hearts of thousands of believers ! How many have faith and love enough to forsake all for Christ's sake, and follow Him whithersoever He goes, and yet are full of fears in the hour of trial ! How many have grace enough to turn to Jesus in every trouble, crying, '^ Lord save us," and yet not grace enough to lie still, and believe in the darkest hour that all is well ! Truly believers have reason in- deed to be " clothed with humility."
Let the j^rayer '^ Lord, increase our faith," always form part of our daily jDctitions. We never perhaps know the weakness of our faith, until we are placed in the furnace of trial and anxiety. Blessed and happy is that person wdio finds by experience that his faith can stand the fire, and that he can say ^vith Job, " though he slay me, jxt will I trust in him." (Job xiii. 15.)
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EXrOSlTOllY THOUGHTS.
We have great reason to tliank God that Jesus, our great High-priest, is very comj^assionate and tender- hearted. He knows our frame. He considers our infir- mities. He does not cast off His people because of de- fects. He pities even those whom he reproves. The prayer even of " little faith" is heard, and gets an answer.