the slightest excuse for stopping short in talk, opinion, and speculation. The Jews of our Lord's time might have found out, if they had been honest inquirers, that Jesus of Nazareth was neither John the Baptist, nor Elias, nor an old prophet, but the Christ of God. The speculative Christian of our own day, might easily satisfy himself on every point which is needful to salvation, if he would really, candidly, and himibly seek the teaching of the Spirit. The words of our Lord are weighty and solemn, '^ If any man will do God's will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God." (John vii. 17.) Honest, practical obedience, is one of the keys of the gate of knowledge.
Let us notice, secondly, in this passage, the singular knowledge and faith displayed by the Apostle Peter. We read, that when our Lord said to His disciples, " Whom say ye that I am P Peter answering, said, the Christ of God."
This was a noble confession, and one of which, in these days, we can hardly realize the full value. To estimate it aright we should place ourselves in the position of our Lord's disciples. We should call to mind that the great, and wise, and learned of their own nation, saw no beauty in their Master, and would not receive Him as the Mes* siah. We should recollect that they saw no royal dignity about our Lord, — ^no crown, — ^no army, — ^no earthly dominion. They saw nothing but a poor man, who often had no place in which to lay his head. And yet it wafi at this time, and under these circumstances, that Peter boldly declares his belief tiiat Jesus is the Christ of God. Truly, this was a great faith I It was mingled, no doubty