the holy things of the sanctuary. These were thinge which had t.ouched the altar and were of the nature of sacrifice. (2) Such things were nevei intenderl for doge. They were eaten by the priests and Levites. The gospel is the "children's bread." There is no gospel for the impenitent. (3) Our respect for Christ should lead us to preach repentance first rather than faith to the wicked. Resentment against reproof is the sign of an unclean nature. (4) We are not needlessly to hazard our lives in reproving the wicked. The hog will mistake the pearl ofreproof for the stone of reproach (see Jer. vi, 10; Luke xi. 45). He will" turn again" in resentment. So Herod turned upon the Baptist. (5) Our time may be better employed in preaching to those who will hear (see Acts xiii. 41). LESSONS. 1. There are degrees in sin-the mote as compared with the beam. 2. There are those who have the beam in the eye, but do not consider it. They justify their enormities by pleading that "others do worse." 3. He is no enemy to sin who does not hate it in himself. 4. Let reproof begin at home. 5. Let the severity of our reproving be restrained by consideration of our own frailty.-J. A. M. Vera. 7-12.-Prayer. From the subject of giving our Lord turns to that of asking. The text instructs us in- I. THE NATURE OF PRAYER. 1. It la asking. (1) Asking of God. He requires our prayer, not to induce him to give, but to fit us to receive. (2) Asking implies want. We have needs for our fellows; for ourselves-temporal, spiritual (cf. ver. 11; Luke xi. 13). (3) We ask with the heart. 2. It is seeking. (1) Seeking for the hidden riches of promise. (2) Seeking implies loss. The loss of God. The loss of heaven. The loss of the soul. (3) This term "seek " suggests the way, viz. to eternal life. To asking we add diligent endeavour. (4) We seek: with the understanding. 3. It is knocking. (1) To seeking we add importunity. Our need is urgent. Our loss is seriotlB. (2) Knocking suggests perseverance. "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." (3) It suggests, moreover, the obtaining of ad.mission to the house and kingdom of God. (4) We knock with the life. II. THE ENCOURAGEMENT TO PRAY. 1. In tM promises ef God. (1) "Ye shall receive; " " Ye shall find; " "It shall be opened." (2) They are free for all. " Every one that asketh," etc. Jew and Gentile. Rich and poor. Bond and free. No sinner is too vile. 2. In the character of the promises. (1) Our Father. We give good gifts to our children. He id the Author of our nature. He made us after his own image. (2) The Father of goodness. We are evil:" If ye then, being evil." Here is a testi- mony to original sin. Yet natural affection will not allow us to give our child a stone for bread, a scorpion for a fish. The good father cannot mock his children with false promises. He delights to give good things (3) Note: Christ speaking in the second person, " If ye then, being evil," excepts himself from original sin. Th rough the merits of the Son of God we receive. (4) Sonship comes in with prayer, "How much more will your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" Ill. THE CONDITIONS OF PRAYER, 1. These are given in the promises. (1) They are sometimes expressed in them. (2) They are evermore implied. (3) Without compliance with the conditions we have no claim upon the promises (cf. Jas. i. 5-7; iv. 3; 1 John v. 14). 2. They are embodied in the golden rule. (1) Prayer, to have weight with God, must be in charity towards men. As our heavenly Father is kind to us, so in kindness to our fellows are we his children (see eh. v. 45). Let our brotherly love be practical, and our Father will acknowledge us in blessing. (2) The equity of this rule comes home to every conscience. Read it negatively: "What ye would not that men should do unto you," etc. Read it positively: "What ye would," etc. "If our heart condemn us, then have we not confidence before God" (see 1 John iii. 19-22). (8) This rule sums up the Law and the prophets (cf. eh, xxii. 39, 40; Rom. xiii. 8; Gal. v. 14). Tbe Law, prophets, and gospel are essentially one. The gospel is the spirit and glory or the Law. The prophets bring the gospel out of the Law by anticipation. The golden rule is the law of heaven. 3 . .Apply this rule. (1) In thought. Where, then, will be evil surmisinga and suspicions? (2) In word. Where, then, will be evil- speaking, abuse, backbiting, detraction? (3) Jn deed. In buying and selliug. In service and remuneration. (4) This law requires, not exchanges of states, b 11t simply of places. Exchanges of states would be exchanges of identity, so nothing would be 814 THE GOSPEL ACOORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [on. vn.1-29,
g.. ined. (5) To fulfil this rule we need the converting grace and constant help of God. -J.A.M.