again, tliat though she goes, she will come again, and then It shall go with her, and she will part from it no more. The child is yet impatient ; she endeavoreth to still it, telling it that it knoweth whitlier she goeth, and it knows the way by which, if need be, it may come to her."
Let us note that disciples often know more than they suppose or admit, but do not use their knowledge, or keep it ready for use. Ferus compares them to infants lying in their cradles, who have fathers and fortunes, but do not know it.
Let us note that Christ looks graciously on the little knowl- edge His people possess, and make the most of it. He can make allowance for their minds being clouded by grief or trouble, and their consequent forgetfulness of truth for a season.
5. — [Thomas saith unto Him, etc.] This verse shows how foolishly a disciple may talk under the influence of despondency. Here is one of the eleven faithful Apostles declaring flatly that they neither knew where their Master was going, nor the way ! The saying is characteristic of the man. Thomas always appears a doubting, slow-minded believer. But we must not judge dis- ciples too sharply for words spoken under deep distress. W^hen the passions and affections are much stirred, the tongue often runs away with a man, and he speaks unadvisedly. Nor must we forget that disciples have very different gifts. All have not equally strong faith, clear understanding, and good memory.
Trapp quaintly remarks that believers in the frame of Thomas are like people who hunt for their keys and purses, when they have got them in their pockets.
6, — [Jesus saith. .J. ..way. ..truth. ..life.] This wonderful saying is a brilliant example of a foolish remark calling out a gaeat truth from our Lord's lips. To the ill natured remark of the Phari- sees we owe the parable of the Prodigal Son (See Luke chapter XV.) ; to the fretful complaint of Thomas we owe one of the grandest texts in Scripture. It is one of those deep utterances which no exposition can thoroughly unfold and exhaust.
When our Lord says, " I am the way," He means, " the Father's house is to be reached through my mediation and atonement. Faith in Me is the key to heaven. He that be- lieveth in Me is in the right road."
When our Lord says, " I am the truth," He means, " The root of all knowledge is to know Me. I am the true Messiah to whom all revelation points, the truth of which the Old Testa- ment ceremonies and sacrifices were a figure and shadow. He that really knows Me, knows enough to take him safe to heaven, though he may not know many things, and may be troubled at his own ignorance."
When our Lord says " I am the life," He means, " I am the