I. CHRIST'S 00NBOJ0UBNEBS OP ms ORIG:tN', He was aware: 1. Of his Divine nature. 2. Of his Divine mission. 3. Of his Divine qualifications. II. 0HBlST'8 OONS0IOUSNESS 011' BIB DEPAR'l'URE AND DEBTilUTl()N. He knew that he WIIB not going into annihilation, into oblivion; that he was not to fail in his work, though he WIIB to die in its execution, 1. His departure was to secure the accomplish- ment of God's will, 2. And the achievement of man's redemption, which was the special purpose of the Fnther. 8. And the manifestation of the Father's acceptance. He went to God to be received ns God's beloved Son; and he was raised from the dead, and taken to heaven, that it might be evident to all the world that the Father approved his work. III. CHBIBT'S CONSCIOUSNESS OF ms UNIVERSAL AUTHORITY. 1. Jn the hour of his suffering and humiliation he knew full well that his hands were all-comprehending and all-powerful, that all power was given to him in heaven and on earth, that his was a supreme and universal sway. 2. He knew, too, that his power should be exercised for the salvation of his people. They should scatter and flee, but he should rally them. Ho was to be their High Priest, and at ths same time their King. APPLICATION. Learn : 1. 'l'he security of those who trust in One so wise and so mighty. 2. The strength of those who work for such a Master. 3. The hope which is before those who seek and wait for his salvation. 4. The encouragement which all who need his countenance and help a.re at liberty to take from him.-T. Ver, 13.-Mastership and subfection. Equality amongst men is the dream of fanatics. It is true that men should by law have equal rights. Bnt the Creator bas not bestowed equa.l gifts or powers of body or of mind, and no human laws can eq1::alize men's con- dition, their possessions, or their enjoyments. And in all society there must be authority and subordination; some must rule, and some obey. So is it in the spiritual kingdom of our Lord. I. THE• CLAIM OF CHRIST, 1. What it is. (1) Jesus claims to be the authoritative Teacher, the Master of ·his people and of mankind. He reveals and commnnicates the truth of God to men. He bids us learn of him. (2) He claims to be the Lord who rules. His authority is not merely over men's beliefs; it is over their actions. He issues laws, and requires homage and obedience. In both these respects Christ is wujvalled and supreme. "One is your Master." 2. On what it rests. (1) On gro=ds .of native right. The Deity of our Lord's Person, the Divinity, of his attributes, bis appointment by the Father, give him a right to teach and to govern his people. (2) On grounds of moral fitness, His wisdom and insight are such that none is so qualified to instruct ; bis moral authority is such that the conscience bows before him as before none other. (3) Christ's claim rests uron tenderer grounds-upon his love toward bis people. What he has done and suffered for us is proof of his disinterested affection, ·ai;id gives his claim. to our devotion an efficacy quite unique. II., Hrs PEOPLE'S A0KN0WLEDGMENT OF CIIBIST's CLAIM. 1. The character of this acknowlcdgment. It is sincere and practical; opposed to resistance and rebellion, and equally oppo1;1ed to pretence and hypocrisy. The repudiation of the rebel, the enemy, and ,the pretence and dissimulation of the hypocrite, are alike detestable to Christ. 2. The methods of this acknowledgment. Practical submission to Jesus means the studying and reception of his doctrines, and obedience to bis commands. Yet there are certain definite ways in which we may recognize Christ's lordship, e.g. by honour- ing his holy Name, and by discountenancing and rebuking profanity; and again by devoutly observing his ordinance, concerning which he said," Do this in remembrance of me," 3. The advantages of this acknowledgruent. It tends (1) to the improvement of the individual Chrislirm character; (2) to the unity of the Cluuch, which needs to think less, of human leaders and more of the Divine Head; and (3) to the illumination and conversion of the world. On these accounts they "say well" who sincerely recognize Christ's just demands upon them, and prove their sincerity by their docility and their obedience.-T.
Ver. 14.-Humility and mutual service. There are certain virtues which are dis- tinctively Christian, Amongst these must certainly be reckoned humility. Chris- tianity has done not a little to elevate this grace of character to a. higher position thau 204 THE GOSPEL ACOORDING TO ST. JOHN. [oH, IIIL 1-3&.