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nature. He knew that scoffers would arise in the last days, saying, where is the promise of His coming ? (2 Pet. iii. 4.) He knew that when He came, faith would be rare on the earth. He foresaw how many would contempt- uously reject the solemn predictions He had just been delivering as improbable, unlikely, and absurd. He warns us all against such sceptical thoughts, with a caution of peculiar solemnity. He tells us that, whatever man may say or think. His words shall be fulfilled in their season^ and shall not " pass away,'' unaccomplished. May we all lay to heart His warning. We live in an unbelieving age. Few believed the report of our Lord's first coming, and few believe the report of His second. (Isaiah liii.l.) Let us beware of this infection, and believe to the saving of our souls. We are not reading cunningly devised fables, but deep and momentous truths. May God give us a heart to believe them.