di,inl'd the true dignity of his Master, but what it involved was net yet felt. The doctrine is often correct when the sense of oblign lion it ouii;ht to produce is not awakened. A great spiritual truth may be perceived and adopted lJng ere its relations to practical life are recognized; just as a principle in mechanics or a law of nature. Deeper spiritual experience and more sympathetic agreement with Christ in his desire to abolish sin were needed ere this could take place. 2. Impulse and thoughtlessness. 'l'his v.•as his temperament. He was a man of impulse and affection, rather than of calm, spiritual intuition, or careful, painstaking reflection. It was due to his forward and impulsive temperament that be generally spoke for the otherM, and was s.J confi- dent respecting himself in the future. Christianity owes much to such spirits, but they have to be kept in check by more sober thinkers, and disciplined by the lessons of providence. 3. Worldly conceptions of the kingdom of God. Had be entertained purer and more spiritual hopes respecting his Master's work, the mischief of bis impul- siveness might have been minimized, although it would still have been a source of danger. But with such habitual materialism of aim and desire (common to him with the otbers) be was constantly committing mistakes, and ready to compromise the cause of Christ. " This world bas many Peters, who wish to be wiser than Christ, and to prescribe to him what it is needful to do" (Hofmeister). We ought not to be too severe with Peter whilst we ourselves lean so much for the guidance of the Church to merely human wisdom, and set our own affections for particular persons, or for C'Ur- selves, above the well-being of the race; and estimate that well-being not f1.,m a spiritual but from a material standpoint.-M. Vers. 31--33.-.Tlie Christforete1ling his own career, I. How UNIQUE AND MARVEL- 1,ous THE PREDICTION l It is a clear, consistent, even symmetrical scheme; as exqui- sitely balanced and progressively developed as any tragedy of lEschylus or Euripides. A person who could ideally mark out such a future for himself could not have been mere man. The gospel challenges investigation because of the originality and Divine moral elevation of its conception. And by such statements as this it proves how closely the Old and New Testaments are interwoven, and sympathetically and ideally correspondent. 11. lT DEMONSTRATED THAT HIS SUFP'ERING il'D DEATH MUST HAVE BEEN IN THE HIGHEST SENSE VOLUl,TARY. He was still at a point where the future was in great degree within his own power. 'l'bat he clearly knew what lay before him in the event of his continuing steadfast proved that his will was absolutely, divinely free. There were several alternatives within easy reach: these, comprehensively, he put from him in spurning Peter's interference. It is no fate that is bliudly shaping out the destiny of a powerless victim; the necessity is a. moral and spiritual one, consequent upon motives and aim deliberately preferred. III. Ol>"LY THE HIGHEST MORAL END COULD JUSTIFY SUCII CONDUCT. To suppose that earto.ly aims or selfish objects could have dete1mined such a career is a palpable absurdity. Christ is, therefore, through all time, the type of noble self-sacrifice. But it is only spiritual motives and principles that can so inspire. And conscience justifies the sacrifice upon such grounds alone. Whilst we may be incapable of it ourselves, we feel, nevertheless, that it is not madness, but the fulfilment of the great end of our being, and its highest blessedness. If it be but fairly and-fully regarded, it furnishes its own justification, and constitutes a jup.gment bar before which all so-called religious acts acd schemes must stand or fall. IV. BY MAXING THIB ANNOUNCEMENT CIIRIBT: 1. Tested the loyalty of his disciples. 2. Vindicated and revealed his own pure, unalterable spiritual resolution, 3, Fur- nished them with a ,u[!p<J'rl for f aitli and enthusiastic sympathy.-M.
Vere. 32, 33.-Covert temptation. This sce~e has, of course, certain features con- nected with it which cannot be imitated by ordinary persons, or by mere men. Chris\ exercieed. a Divine insight and authority. But there are certain principles illustrated. We see- I. How IT PRESENTS ITSELF. 1. Under the guise of friendship. The love may be real in the individuals who are the instruments of temptation, but their knowledge is not su.illcicnt, or their moral character not so high u it should be. Many of the most w. vm. 1-38.] TUE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. 349