gotten that those who would stand with Christ in glory, must drink of His cup, and be baptized with His baptism. They did not see that those who carry the cross, and those alone, shall receive the crown. Well might our Lord say, " Ye know not what ye ask."
But do we never commit the same mistake that the sons of Zebedee committed ? Do we never fall into their error, and make thoughtless, inconsiderate requests ? Do we not often say things in prayer without " counting the cost," and ask for things to be granted to us, without reflecting how much our supplications involve ? These are heart-searching questions. It may well be feared that many of us cannot give them a satisfactory answer.
We ask that our souls may be saved and go to heaven, when we die. It is a good request indeed. But are we prepared to take up the cross, and follow Christ ? Are we willing to give up the world for His sake ? Are we ready to put off the old man, and put on the new — to fight, to labor, and to run so as to obtain ? Are we ready to withstand a taunting world, and endure hard- ships for Christ's sake ? — What shall we say ? If we are not so ready, our Lord might say to us also, " Ye know not what ye ask."
We ask that God would make us holy and good. It is a good request indeed. But are we prepared to be Banctified by any process that God in His wisdom may call on us to pass through ? Are we ready to be purified by afiiiction, weaned from the world by bereavements, drawn nearer to God by losses, sicknesses, and sorrow ? Alas ! these are hard questions. But if we are not, our Lord might well say to us, " Ye know not what ye ask."