III. PK0ULUBITY OF TBE SYBJ.Ao VERSION IN TBIS PLAOE. It strangely combines the two lBBt clBBses in its rendering, namely, "Those that had plagues of unclean spirits, a.s often as they saw him, kept falling down before him." Our Lord, however, invariably reprobated and rejected their testimony, BB if there were something insidious in it or injurious to his cause, IV. THE PHYSICAL HEALTH RESTORED TO BO MANY Al'FLICTED BODIES WAS A GUARANTEE OF BPmITUAL HEALTH FOB THE soUL. In all the ages, and in all the annals of medical science, a11d in all the countries of the world, we have account of one Physician, and only one, who was able to lay his hand on the aching head and diseased heart of suffering humanity, bringing immediate cure and effectual relief. No malady could resist bis healing power, no sickness withstand his touch, and no illness remain incurable once he but spoke the word. No disease, however deep-seated in the system, or deadly in its nature, or inveterate from long duration, could baffie his skill or defy his power. Vvhether it was palsy, or dropsy, or asthma, or convulsions, or ulceration, or bloody issue, or fever, or even consumption, or, what was still worse, leprosy itself,-wbatever the form of disease might be, he cured it. Persons labouring under organic defects- the deaf, the dumb, the blind, the lame-were brought to him, and be removed all those defects. Mental ailments also, as lunacy and demoniacal possession, all were relieved by him. Sometimes it was a word, sometimes a touch, again some external appliance, not as a remedy but to act as a conductor, or to show a connection instituted between the operator and the patient, but, whatever was the plan adopted, the power never failed to produce the desired effect. Now, whatever he did in this way to the body is proof positive of his ability and willingness to do the same and more for the soul. We may be diseased with sin so as to be loathsome in our own eyes and morally infectious to our neighbours and acquaintances; we may be leprous with sin so as to be cut off from the fellowship of the saints and the communion of the holy; we may be under the ban of man and the curse of heaven; yet if we approach this great Physician of soul as well as body, confiding in his power and trusting in his mercy, we shall obtain, and that without fail, healing and health for our diseased spirits and sin-sick souls. 'l'bousands alive this day can testify from actual happy experience to the healing power of Jesus' word, the cleansing efficacy of his blood, and the renewing, purifying, and sanctifying influences of his Spirit.. Millions this day in the realms of bliss above are enjoying the health and the happiness, the brightness and the beauty, the purity and perfection of that upper sanctuary, though on earth the diseases of their souls had been of the most desperate character-utterly incurable had it not been for the mercy and grace of this great Physician. And he is still the same--" the same, yesterday, to-day, and for ever," and able as ever to "save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him." V. A RECONOILIATION. It is thought by some that a discrepancy exists between the fourLh verse of the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah and the seventeenth verse of the eighth chapter of St. Matthew. But if we take the first clause of each verse as referring to bodily diseases, and the second clause to the diseases of the mind or soul, we shall have an instructive harmony in place of an insuperable difficulty or seeming discrep:l.Ilcy. The verbs will then be most suitable and appropriate: the n<1sa of the Hebrew, being general in its meaning, to take up in any way, or to take up in order to take away, will correspond in its generality of signification to l>..afJ•, to take in any way; while saval, for which ,{Jd.u-rau• of St. Matthew is an exact equivalent, is to bear as a burden. "Thus," says Archbishop Magee, in his invaluable work on the Atonement, "are Isaiah and Matthew perfectly reconciled; the first clause in each relating to diseases removed, and the second to sufferings endured." Thus too there is a close correlation between the removal of the diseases of the body and the expiation of the sins of our souls.-J. J. G. Vers. 13-19. Parallel passages: Matt. x. 2-4; Luke vi. 12-19.-The choosing of tlte twelve, 1. THE CHOICE AND ITS ODJECT. The Saviour ascends the mountain that was near at hand, probably Karun Battin, "11.nd calls to him whom he wished." At once they went off away (&1r&), leaving_ other things, and t1;1r?ing to hi!13- as the)r sole object, Of these he appointed, or orcla1ncd-though the ong1n~l wor_d 1~, more s1mp_le, viz. "he made "-twelve for a. threefold purpose: (1) to "be with him, to keep him 144: THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. [OR, m. 1-35.
company, assisting him and sympathizing with him; (2) to be his messencrers to men heralding the good news of salvation; and (3) to alleviate_miraculously hum:n misery~ curing diseases and expelling demons. II. TBE LIST OF NAMES. The order and meaning of the names require only a few remarks. The twelve are distributed into three classes. Simon, the Hearer, whom our Lord surnamed the Rock-man, heads the first class; next to him were James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, both of whom were surnamed Boanerge~, "Sons of Thunder,'' that is, bene ( oa equivalent toe) regesh; and Andrew. The second class is headed by Philip; then comes Bartholomew, which means the son of Tolmai, the word being a patronymic-in all probability the person meant was Nathanael, the proper name of the 58.me; also Matthew and Thomas. The third class begins with James the son of Alphreus; then Judas, surnamed Thaddreus, or Lebbreus, the Couracreous • and Simon the Kananite, that is, the Zealot, not a Canaanite; while Judas Iscariot that is the man of Kerioth, the traitor, is the last in every list.-J. J. G, ' '