oocause more naturally prompted, action. Each case of distress as it arises receives his deliberate and careful attention. His diagnosis of the blind man's state must have been perfect. It was impaired original power that had to be restored, and the treat- ment corresponded to this fact. The interest of the Saviour in the case is as great as that of the saved. The sinister ends of those who brought the blind man, or wntched to see what would be done, did not prevent him showing the mercy required. When the bodily cure had been completed, the spiritual welfare of the recovered one was care- fully provided for. The aim is complete salvation in every sense of the word. \Vhat Christ does he will do perfectly. Ill. JuDGMENT. Unworthy men were debarred from seeing the wonders of his saving power. They might have perverted the privilege to an evil end, and so injured themselves and the cause of Christ; so they were shut out. It is a fearful sentence agair,st a place or a person when the spectacle of the Lord's saving grace is denied and the things that make for peace are hidden from view.-M. ' Vers. 22-26.-The Saviour's method in dealing with individual souls, L HE rsoLATES FROM: DISTURBING INFLUENCES. The gossips and scheming politicians of the town of Bethsaida. Notoriety. The sense of importance. By his dealings with the sinner in conviction and repentance, he spiritually removes him to his own retirement. He is first brought to be with Christ, that by-and-by he may be in him. TI. HE ENCOURAGES .U."D CONFIRMS FAITH, By leading the blind man away,althongh as yet a stranger to him. By personal contact and operation, and by kindly words, the inner free-will and power of the patient were evoked. 'l'he means and the gradual working out of the cure were a demonstration of the Power by whom the miracle was wrought. The gradual realization of spiritual power in those being saved is a crucial evidence of Divine grace, and encourages belief in the ultimate accomplishment of a complete salvation. llL HE EXACTS DIPLICIT OBEDIENCE, This was the highest exercise of a spiritual kind he had demanded. It was but a phase of the faith already called forth-" the obedience of faith." Having won the trust and confidence of his people, he proves and perfects that by directing the fulfilment of duties the reason for which may not be apparent. It is sufficient that be has commanded. The first use of the restored vision is to avoid those upon whom he had formerly depended-a hard task! The life Christ's people are bidden to lead may not commend itself to their judgment or desire, but it is best for their spiritual interests; and if Christ is to be a complete Saviour, he must be 8ll absolute and unquestioned Lord.-M.
Vers. 22-26.-0uring spiritual blindness. I. DELIVERANCE FROM BLIND GUIDES. li. TRANSFER OF CONFIDENCE TO THE TRUE GUIDE, Ill. REVELATION OF THE INVISIBLE POWEB OF GOD, IV. EXERCIBING THE SOUL'S ?.'EWLY ACQUIRED POWERS OF SPIRITUAL VISION. V. GIVING SPIRITUAL DIRECTION FOB THE FUTUBE.-M. Vers. 27-30.-Peter's good, wnfession. The scene of this is worth notice. It lay to the northward of Bethsaida, amongst the villages in the neighbourhood of Cresarea Philippi. This town, on the site of the ancient Paneas (now Banias), was built by the tetrarch Philip in honour of Tiberius Cresar, and is to be distinguished from the Cresarea of the southern Mediterranean seaboard of Palestine. The country was magnificent (Tristram, 'Land of Israel,' p. 586); wild, wooded, and mountainous, and dominated by the royal castle of Subeibeh. Here, too, was the chief fountain-head of the Jordan (ibid., p. 585). It was a region where the utmost seclusion could be enjoyed, pend- ing the great things which were to take place in the near future. Immediately behind the disciples were the great works which had occasioned such universal wonder and speculation concerning their Master; a~d they were in a position of comparat~ve leisure and quietude duly to recall and meditate upon them. No better opportunity had hitherto presented itself for the crowning question of Jesus, ' 1 Whom say ye that Iamt" L THE IDENTD'I0A.TlON WAS DIBTINGUIBBED FBOII SEVERAL .ALREADY OUBRENT, So Jll&I'Vellous was the career of Jesus, that all ideas of explaining on ordinary gror.nd, vn. vm. 1-38.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. }I.ARK. 347