sion occurs in Rom. v. 18; 1 Tim. ii. 4. The term is intended rather by way of antithesis to the one whose life was the ransom of the many” (Lange). Its efficacy was to be felt far beyond the personality in which it first took place. We are invited to take wide, comprehensive views of the work of Christ. And there is nothing in the language of Scripture to lead to the supposition that only some may be saved. That which avails for one will avail for all who choose to comply with the condition of salva- tion, viz. faith in the Lord Jesus Christ’s death as an atoning sacrifice for sin. The zinlessness and perfect obedience of Christ are his qualification for this work.
Ill. Ia WHAT WAY IT SHOULD BE ACKNOWLEDGED. The verse commences with “ for "—a word connecting it with the previous verses, to which it is appended as a reason for what is there enjoined. Our duty, therefore, with respect to the service and sacrifice he has rendered is: 1. To accept them for ourselves. By believing in the redemptive work of Christ we honour him, and the Father by whom he was sent. 2. To imitate his spirit. His kingdom is based upon service, and its dignities and authorities are the result of the spontaneous affection thereby secured. Service and self-humiliation are not only means toward the attainment of future greatness; they are that greatness already. Offices in the Church are not thereby abolished; they are only interpreted as functions of love: all dignity and authority otherwise derived are discountenanced, and convicted as usurpations. 3. To declare his work amongst men. In so doing we shall truly glorify him, and extend his kingdom to the ends of the earth.—M.
Vors. 46—52.—Blind Bartimeus. I. THE BEHAVIOUR OF THOSE WHO ABE IN EARNEST ABOUT BEING SAVED. They will: 1. Seize every opportunity that presents tiself. 2. Make the most of it, by (1) putting all their knowledge to the proof, and (2) exerting all their powers to attract attention and help. 38. Not be easily discowraged. 4, Hasten to do what Jesus commands,
II. Tae SPrRit THAT OUGHT TO BE SHOWN BY CHRIST'S SERVANTS TOWARDS THOSE SEEKING BALVATION. Two standards of conduct observed by them, viz. the dignity and glory of their Master, and the good of men. The mistake has been in over- emphasizing the one or the other of these, or in divorcing them. They are really but the two sides of one thing. The glory of Christ is that of a Saviour, ¢.e. in saving from misery and sin. 1. Christ corrects what is faulty in thetr attitude. 2. Hmploys them to further his purpose of mercy. 3. Infuses his own spirit of gentleness and love. “ Be of good cheer: rise, he calleth thee,” is the expression of the spirit of the gospel as it ought to be proclaimed to the world.
IIL Carist PROVING HIMSELF THE Saviour oF MEK. 1. By his sympathy for distress. He heard the cry of the beggar notwithstanding the tumult, and the thoughts which agitated his mind. It was natural for him to postpone everything to attend to such acry. 2. By inspiring others with his own spirit,and employing them to further his purpose, 8. By calling forth and exercising the principle of faith in the subjects of his mercy. 4. By freely and completely delivering from distress, pain, and sin.—M.
Ver. 52.— Saving faith.” I. Nor onz OF SEVERAL KINDS OF FAITH, BUT SIMPLY FAITH PROPERLY DIRECTED, AND PEAOTIOALLY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF CHRIST’S POWER, Much confusion on this subject. Theologians have spoken of different sorts of faith, as speculative, practical, historical, realizing, and saving. There is but one faith, a faculty of the soul. What is needed is not the faculty, which already exists, but the proper direction or destination of it, That is a true faith by which I see and appropriate the truth ; that a saving fuith by which salvation is seen and received.
Farru DOES NOT SAVE THROUGH [TS OWN VIRTUE OR POWER, BUT BY BRINGING THE 8OUL IfTO CONTACT WITH THE VIRTUE AND POWEB—-THE SALVATION OF OnRisT. It is not the cause of salvation, but the condition, The only Saviour is Christ, but he saves us through our having faith towards him. By our having faith towards Christ what is his becomes ours; we enter into union and fellowship with him. His life, righteousness, spirit, become ours; and we are identified with him in his sacrifice for sin,
Ill. So Also OUB FAITH I8 THE MEASURE OF THE SAVING GRACE WE RECEIYE, St. Matthew puts it thus: “ According to your faith be it unto you.” Rartimaus’s faith was strong and practical, and it saved him, by uniting him to the power and
OH. X 1—-52.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. 81
holiness of Christ. A weak faith will ever entaij: spiritual weakness. To be “made whole” we must believe with our whole heart.—M.
Vers. 17-——21.— The excellences of the young rater. Too often religious teachers have attempted to classify all who are mentioned i» che Bible as being either definitely good or utterly bad. If the latter exhibit any excellency it is depreciated, or explained away; and if the former have faults, they are carefully concealed, But the Bible gives no such definite decision respecting them. It mentions the faults of the saints, and exhibits the excellences of those whose character and destiny are left doubtful. Here, for example, one is mentioned who was not what he ought to have been, of whom it is boldly said, “Jesus beholding him loved him.” The feeling with which our Lord regarded him was not the result of regard for his social position, which led to a discreet hiding of his faults. Amongst us too often one of dubious character, because he has wealth or brilliant prospects, is admitted to circles from which he ought to be excluded; and # rich man is not told of his sing as a poorer man would be, go that it is the more hard for him to enter into the kingdom. But with our Lord esteem was won not by what a man had, but by what he was. Nor was our Lord influenced by the young man’s religious knowledge, for he made small account of theological lore, suck as was once by lawyers and Pharisees. And as knowledge would not win his love, ueither
d ignorance and error prevent it. There was evidently much in this young ruler that was commendable and lovable, all of which found its source in God; for even those who are not decided followers of Christ have in them gleams of heavenly light, and must beware of quenching the Spirit.