subject of their conversation. But they, ashamed of it (as well they might be) held their peace. Finding however that all attempts to conceal it from him were in vain, they referred the matter to his decision. But their disingenuousness sadly appears, in that they pro- pose the question to him only in a general way, as if they had felt no personal interest in it^ Our Lord did decide it ; but in a way they little expected. He exhibited before their eyes an emblem of true great- ness, and shewed them,
I. The nature of conversion —
The conversion here spoken of means either a deli- verance from that sin of which they were guilty, or a turning from sin in general •". Taking it in the more enlarged sense, it imports the becoming like a little child,
1. In humility of mind —
[A little child is not filled with notions of his own great- ness and self-sufficiency, but feels his dependence on others for support. Happy would it be for us if such were the habit of our minds towards God. But fallen nature is far removed from such a state as this. We universally think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think, and imagine ourselves possessed of whatever is necessary for our salvation. But in conversion our views are greatly changed. We are bi'ought to acknowledge our extreme guilt and helplessness, and are made willing to depend on Christ alone for righteousness and strength '^.J
2. In teachableness of disposition —
[Man in his natural state is as prone to lean to his own understanding as to trust in an arm of flesh. Almost every one thinks he knows his duty ; nor do they who confess their need of human instruction, feel any want of the teachings of God's Spirit. But in this respect also their views are altered as soon as they partake of converting grace. As a little child is sensible of his ignorance, and ready to receive, without
^ Compare St. Mark's account, chap. ix. 33 — 35. with ver. 1. of the text.
*> Our Lord's words may be understood either as a particular ad- monition to them, or as a general declaration grounded on this parti- cular occurrence.
•= See St. Paul's views of these things before and after his conver- sion, Rom. vii. 9. and Phil. iii. G, 7.