often bold them very cheap, and underrate the extent of our mercies. Let us take heed to our own spirit in the use of sacred things. Often as we may read the Bible, let us never read it without deep reverence. Often as we hear the name of Christ, let us never forget that He is the One Mediator, in whom is life. Even the manna that came down from heaven was at length scorned by Israel, as "light bread." (Num. xxi. 5.) It is an evil day with our Souls, when Christ is in the midst of us, and yet, because of our familiarity with His name, is lightly esteemed.
We learn for another thing, how bitterly human nature dklikea the doctrine of the sovereigntt/ of God, We see this in the conduct of the men of Nazareth, when our Lord reminded them that God was under no obligation to work miracles among them. Were there not many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah P No doubt there were. Yet to none of them was the prophet sent. All were passed over in favour of a Gentile widow at Sarepta* — ^Were there not many lepers in Israel in the days of Elisha P No doubt there were. Yet to none of them was the privilege of healing granted. Naaman the Sjrrian was the only one who was cleansed. — Such doc- trine as this was intolerable to the men of Nazareth. It wounded their pride and self-conceit. It taught them that God was no man's debtor, and that if they themr selves were passed over in the distribution of Hia mercies, they had no right to find fault. They could not bear it. They were "filled with wrath." They thrust our Lord out of their city, and had it not been for an exercise of miraculous power on His part, they would doubtless have put Him to a violent death.