degree of joy which many believers feel arises often from want of knowledge. Weak faith and inconsistent prac- tice are doubtless two great reasons why many of Good's children enjoy so little peace. But it may well be sus- pected that dim and indistinct views of the Gospel are the true cause of many a believer's discomfort. When the Lord Jesus is not clearly known and understood, it must needs follow that there is little ''joy in the Lord." Let us leave the Gospel of St. Luke with a settled purpose of heart to seek more spiritual knowledge every year we live. Let us search the Scriptures more deeply, and pray over them more heartily. Too many believers only scratch the surface of Scripture, and know nothing of digging down into its hid treasures. Let the word dwell in us more richly. Let us read our Bibles more diligently. So doing we shall taste more of joy and peace in believing, and shall know what it is to be '' continually praising and blessing God."
Notes. Luke XXIV. 60—63.
50. — [Led them out as far as to Bethany."] There is something very touching in the fact that our Lord's ascension took place close to Bethany. It was a small village bordering on the mount of Olives, where Mary, and Martha, and Lazarus dwelt It is probable that they all were present when our Lord left the earth.
[Lifted up his hands and blessed them.'] This circumstaQce is full of meaning. The blessing was significant. It showed the spirit in which our Lord parted from His chiirch on earth, and was an earnest of what He would do for them in heaven. It typified His full assumption of His priestly oiiice, and gave as- surance of what He will yet do when He comes again.
Gill remarks, "This lifting up of the hands was not in order to put them on His disciples, nor was it used as a prayez^gestore, nor was the blessing of them prayerwise, or by praying for a blessing on them. As Aaron, Ilis type, liftea up his hands towards the people of Israid, and blessed them when he first