the circumcision of children under the law, — ^to the haptiem of whole families in the Acts, — to the striking absence of any hint in the New Testament, that children were not to be formally admitted into the church by an outward ordinance under the Gospel, as they had beeu under the law, — and not least to the remarkable fact mentioned by Lightfoot, that the children of all proselytes admitted inta the Jewish Church by baptism before our Lord's time, were always baptized together with their parents.
Nevertheless the passage before us will always remain a strong testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ's care for little children. There is a deep significance in His rebuke of those who would have kept infants from Him, which deserves serious consideration.
17. — IVerily I say unto you^ dc.'] The lesson of this verse admits of only one interpretation. It describes the spirit and frame of mind which are absolutely necessary to salvation. Pride, high thoughts, and self righteousness, must be laid aside. We must be converted and become as little children. (Matt, xviii 3.)
LUKE XVIII. ia-27.
18 And a certain ruler asked him, laying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life }
19 And Jesus said unto him, Why eallest thou me good } none is good, save one, that w, Grod.
20 Thou knowest the command- ments. Do not commit adultery. Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear fdJse witness, Honour thy father and thv mother.
21 And ho said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him. Yet lackest thou one thing : sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor.
and thou shalt have treasure in hea- ven : and come, follow me.
23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful : for he was very rich.
24 And when Jesus saw that ne was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God !
25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rieh man to enter into the kingdom of God.
26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved ?
27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with Grod.
The story we have now read is three times reported in the Gospels. Matthew, Mark, and Luke were all moved by the Holy Ghost to record the history of the rich man who came to Christ. This fact should be noticed. It shows us that there are lessons before us which demand special attention. When God would impress on Peter