offloioue interference of uneympe.thizing by- with general terms which do not describe ete.nrlere wo.s e.t once brushed aside. They their special wants. could attract Ohrist'e attention only by their Ver. 34.-Touched their eyea. Only St. . pnssionate cry, and this they continued to Matthew mentions this action of our Lord; utter with renewed energy. Faith resists but in all other cases of the cure of blind- opposition and triumphs over all impedi- nese the healing touch of the Man accom- ments. pnnied the word of the God (comp. eh. ix. 29; Ver. 32.-J'eaua stood still. He acknow- Mark viii. 23; John ix. 6), and Christ did ledgrd the title of " Bon of David," and, as not now depart from hie mrnal practice. the blind men oould not follow him, he Thus, e.e we have noticed before, he con- stopped hie progress; their perseverance nected the cure with himself. He proved won his acceptance ; he we.a ree.cly to listen that his flesh taken unto the Godhead wa1J. to their appeal and to grant their request. life-giving, remedial, efficacious ; and he Called them. The gracious summons left confirmed the faith of the sufferers and by- them in no doubt e.s to the happy issue of standers by showing that there WBB no their prayer. St. Mark speaks of the joyful deceit or collusion. The other synoptieta e.le.crity with which the blind mon obeyed give Christ's nesurance to the men, that the the ce.11 ; how he "co.et e.we.y his garment, restoration of their eight was the reward of sprang up, e.nd co.me to Jesus." What will faith-a faith exhibited by the invocation ye that I shall do unto you 1 The Lord of Jesus e.e "Son of David," by continued knew the desire of their hearts, but he importunity amid surrounding difficulties, wished to dre.w forth the public confession by confidence in his power and willingneH of their needs, e.nd the distinct blessing to bee.I brought to a point by Christ'11 which they craved, that e.11 the bystanders question, "What will ye that I shall do might acknowledge the mire.ole, e.nd the unto you?" They followed him. A fact llllfferere themselves might be incited more only lees remarkable than the miracle that vehemently to urge their plea, e.nd thus led to it. The impulse or a grateful heart become more worthy of relief. So God knows drew them along the road which the all our necessities before we e.sk, but he will Saviour travelled. They may have accom- he.ve our prayers, that we me.y co-operate panied him to Jerusalem, and joined the with him in the work which he purposes to applauding multitude which escorted him accomplish. to the holy city, and employed their new Ver. 33.-That our eyes me.y be opened. power of eight in observing that wonderful Bo another blind man ea.id, when e.eked the spectacle which the next few days afforded. so.me question (Me.rk x. 51). They he.d e.t One, at any rate, of these men, Bartimeue, first asked vaguely for mercy, now they seems to have become known in the early prayed definitely for eight-an example to Church as a devoted follower of Christ, and all to me.ke their supplications for porticule.r hence his name is recorder!. for all time in graces e.nd merciea, and not to be content the sacred ne.rre.ti ve.
HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-16.-Parable of the labourers in the vineyard. I. THE HIRING. 1. Th~ connection. 'fhe parable is very closely connected with the last four verses of eh. xiL It is plainly intended to illustrnte our Lord's saying in eh. xix. 30, " Many that are first. shall be last; and the last shall be first." St. Peter's question in ver. 27 contained an element of error. The Lord had promised a great reward to his faithrul servant~, and he would give it. It was their due, in a sense; but not as a debt, not as of merit (" the gift of God is eternal life"), but only of promise, because God, in the free bounty of his sovereign grace, has given unto us "exceeding great and precious promises." God will remember his holy promise; he is faithful. But his people must understand that the rewards of his kingdom are his to give-to give according to his own will. His will is not arbitrary; it is holy and jnst and good. He cannot deny himself; the determina- tions of his will must always be in accordance with his own infinite goodness, love,. wisdom, justice. His people must learn to say, "Thy will be done." They must trust absolutely and wholly in his love and bounty. They must not prescribe their own reward. They must not venture to estimate it upon the basis of so much reward for so much work. They must not make jealous comparisons of themselves with others. Each Ohristian man must do his duty, not grudgingly, nor of necessity, but out of love in simple trustfulness. God is faithful. 2. The first hiring. The house- holder we~t out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. The House~ W6 THE GOSPEL AGCORDING TO ST. MAT'l'HEW, [011, xx. l-34.