dr-^

LIBRARY

Theological Seminary

PRINCETON, N. J^ j_

B S "2 55 5^ . Q 3 1830 v . 2 < Bible. ^ The Gospels

III

X

SELECT CHRISTIAN AUTHORS,

WITH

INTRODUCTORY ESSAYS.

N°- 57.

Vol. II.

THE

GOSPELS;

WITH

MORAL REFLECTIONS

ON EACH VERSE.

PASQUIER QUESNEL.

WITH

AN INTRODUCTORY ESSAY,

BY THE

REV. DANIEL WILSON, A M.

VICAR OF ISLINGTON.

IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. IL

GLASGOW:

PRINTED FOR WILLIAM COLLINS;

OLIVEB & BOYD, WTVI. WHYTE & CO. AND WM. OLIPHANT, EDINBURGH j

W. F. WAKEMAN, AND WM. CUREY, JUN. & CO. DUBLIN ;

WHITTAKER, TREACHER, & ARNOT ; HAMILTON, ADAMS, & CO.

SLMPKIN & MARSHALL ; BALDWIN & CRADOCK ;

AND HURST, CHANCE, & CO. LONDON.

MDCCCXXX.

Printed by W. Collins & Co. Glasgow,

''^'^KQlQ

GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST,

ACCORDING TO

ST. MARK.

CHAPTER I.

Sect. I. — The Preaching of St, John,

*' 1. The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God ;"

The law of Jesus Christ alone is called gospel, that is to say, good news ; because therein the incar- nation of the Son of God, the birth of the expected Saviour, the remission of sins, the kingdom of charity, and the enjoyment of things eternal, are declared to us. What better news could we possibly expect ? How hard soever some of the truths of the gospel may appear to us, yet that is always good news which it tells us, because it is the way of Christ, and the means of salvation. It is the part of a pious man, at his first entrance on the gospel, to form an act of faith, extending to all the speculative and practical truths contained in it, and to beg of God the grace to read them with the same spirit with which they were written.

6 ST. MARK.

" 2. As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger* before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee." I* Fr. Angel.]

St. John is the messenger or angel of God, his ambassador, apostle, and herald. Every one ought to have a visible angel to prepare the way for Jesus Christ in his heart by repentance. It is this alone which receives him ; it is by this that we must go forth to meet him.

" 3. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight."

A preacher should, if possible, be nothing but a voice, which should be always heard and never seen. To cry, is to preach with such force as is worthy of the truth, without falling the voice through com- plaisance. To this end, he must not be a man of the world, but one who comes, as it were, out of the wilderness, without relations, without friends, with- out secular engagements, which may thwart and ob- struct his ministry. The first man who appears in the gospel is one entirely dedicated to repentance ; the first example and the first precept are an example and a precept of repentance — so necessary is this to salvation !

'* 4. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." A preacher, after St. John's example, must be sure not to quit the love of retirement and mortifi- cation, on pretence of undertaking the burden of preaching, and of other employments. The princi- pal function and most usual business of a preacher, is to preach repentance, and to prepare souls for it.

CHAPTER I. 7

This is a baptism which is to begin with the casting ofF of sin, and the renouncing our evil inclinations; but it must not stop there. To enter into the water, is to enter upon the practice of works of atonement, such as are mortifying, and capable of allaying the heat of concupiscence, and of purifying our hearts from dead works.

" 5. And there went out unto him all the land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all bap- tized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins."

The first step toward conversion, is to seek an enlightened guide. The second is, to open our hearts to him, by acquainting him with our manner of life. The third, to receive directions concerning repentance from him. The fourth, to baptize our- selves, as it were, by his advice, in tears and works of mortification. It is an instinct, and a duty which is, as it were, natural, for a man to confess his sins, and to humble himself for them, when once he is touched with a true contrition ; but to do this, is not at all natural to human pride. Repentance is a pool, or rather a river, which carries our impurities far from us, so as never to be resumed again. Lord, thou art the only person who canst put us into it !

" 6. And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins ; and he did eat locusts and wild honey ;"

The fifth step toward conversion is, to observe a meanness, or at least modesty and humility, in our dress* The sixth is, to mortify the flesh. The seventh, to cut off all occasions of sin. The eighth, to employ ourselves in good works. The ninth, to

8 ST. MARK.

avoid all niceness and superfluity in eating. And the tenth, to edify others by a good example. — In times of greatest corruption, God generally gives ex- traordinary examples of mortification to awaken sin- ners, and confound the slothfulness of sensual men. Every one in his way, and according to his capacity, should profit by such examples.

" 7. And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.'*

It is one of the chief endeavours of an humble preacher, to raise himself out of the minds of men, and to imprint Jesus Christ therein. Humility is the sister of true repentance ; they are inseparable, and mutually assist each other. To a real penitent, a truly humble person, nothing is more insupportable than to be esteemed. It is one of the pious artifices of such a person, to apply the minds of men to some excellent subject, to the end that they may not take notice of himself. This is to be a gainer in all re- spects himself, and to make others so, to fix their minds intently on Christ.

*' 8. I indeed have baptized you with water; but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost."

The Spirit of God is a torrent which carries ofF all filthiness from the heart, and a fire, which, in- flaming it with his love, consumes all the impurities thereof. Jesus Christ alone possesses this Spirit entirely, merits it for us, and gives it to us. This water denotes the external works of repentance, of which Christ's grace and Spirit is the soul ; and it is this Spirit which gives life, worth, and merit to those works. Grant, O Jesus, that the Spirit with

CHAPTER I. 9

which thou hast baptized me may awake, and remain continually in me, and that it may animate all the actions of my life.

Sect. II. — The Baptism and Temptation of Christ.

" 9. f And it came to pass in those days, that Je- sus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan."

Christ does not oblige John to come to Nazareth to administer his baptism to him ; but he goes out of one province into another to find him, even to the place of his mission. He condemns beforehand the slothfulness of Christians, and the abuse which they make of domestic chapels, by sparing themselves the pains of going to the service and sacraments at the parish church, under pretence of distance or inconve- nience. Ought any one to be ashamed to appear a sinner, and to take in the sight of the world the re- medy, after that Christ has done the same, though he had no manner of occasion for it?

" 10. And straightway coming up out of the wa- ter, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him : 11. And there came a voice from heaven, saying. Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

He who is renewed by baptism lives already in heaven, as being a citizen thereof by hope, which de- ceives him not ; because charity is shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost which is given him, and because Jesus Christ dwells in him by faith, to which he is obedient in hearing the word of God. Alas ! where can we find those who, since their baptism, have not shut heaven again by their sins, on whom

A3

10 ST. MARK.

the Spirit of divine adoption has continually remained, who have lived like children of God, and answered the love which he has manifested towards them ? — Philip, iii. 20. Rom. V. 5. Eph. iii. 17. Rom. i. 5.

" 12. ^ And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. 13. And he was there in the wilderness forty days tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts: and the angels ministered unto him."

Jesus, the victim of God, was prefigured by the goat of the legal expiation. Being loaded with the sins of the people in his baptism, he is driven into the. wilderness, and exposed to the wild beasts, the Jews and Gentiles, to be torn and devoured by them in his Passion. So profound a humiliation preaches to us a profound humility. When any man is tempted, either in retirement or in the world, he has need of a visible angel to minister unto him and direct him. We are never without temptation in this life : when, by means of abstinence, we have overcome that of the flesh, the devil causes new ones to spring up even out this very victory. It is happy for us to be driven, with some kind of violence, into solitude by the Spi- rit of God, that we may avoid the temptation of the world ; provided this Spirit accompany us, to fight in us, and to support us there : for solitude, as well as the world, has its peculiar temptations.

Sect. III. — T/ie Preaching of Christ. The Call- ing of Peter i A?idrew, James, and John.

" 14. Now, after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15. And saying, The time is ful- filled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye; and believe the gospel."

CHAPTER I. II

The whole gospel is here reduced to repentance. Christ joins it to the hope of heaven, as being the only means of arriving there. Here are four points of the Son of God's preaching : — 1. That his Father does every thing according to the order of his ador- able designs, in the time prefixed by his eternal pre- destination, and in the manner described in the Scrip- tures, prefigured in the shadows of the law, foretold by the prophets, and included in the promises, the time whereof is now fulfilled at his coming. 2. That sin has reigned under the law, that God is to reign under, grace and by it, and that the time of this kingdom of grace and mercy is at hand. 3. That the kingdom of God, and his reign by grace, begins with repentance for past sins. 4. That it is estab- lished by submission to the yoke of faith, and of the precepts of the gospel, and by the hope and love of eternal enjoyments which it reveals and promises.

" 16. 51 Now, as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: (for they were fishers.)'*

This temporary notice which Christ takes of these men, is but a consequence of that eternal notice whereby God had predestinated them to the minis- try, as well as to the belief of the gospel. This is an opportunity which chance seems to present, but which was regulated in the order of God's decrees. How different are the views of Christ in the choice of the ministers of his kingdom, from those of earthly princes ! It plainly appears that he himself is to do every thing therein, since he makes choice of such ministers.

" 17. And Jesus said unto them. Come ye after

12 ST. MARK.

me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 18. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. 19. And when he had ffone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets."

A necessary, quiet, and innocent employment, at- tracts the eyes of God. To know what he requires of us is a beginning of grace. He does not promise a state of inactivity to those whom he calls; but the changing their mean, uncertain, and temporal labour, into an employment heavenly and profitable, and which shall be crowned with an eternal reward. Christ here shows, that the kingdom of God by grace be- gins in making himself obeyed without delay, with- out resistance, without the allurement of any sensible good, and even without being known. It is a great happiness to have but few things to leave. Great possessions are generally great obstacles to salvation, or at least to perfection.

" 20. And straii^htway he called them : and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him."

It is a very great matter to be obedient and faith- ful to the first word which God speaks to us. It is most commonly the seed of abundance of graces. Let us admire this sudden progress of the kingdom of grace, which breaks the strongest ties of nature, separating even children from their father. The first instance of self-denial which Christ gives his minis- ters, in the calling of Peter and Andrew, is the for- saking all secular hopes and expectations, denoted here by nets ; the second is the renouncing, like

CHAPTER I. 13

James and John, all sensual affection towards their kindred. A man finds no difficulty in following Je- sus Christ every where, when he sits loose to every thing besides.

Sect. IV. — Chrisfs Power over Devils,

" 21. And they went into Capernaum ; and straightway on the sabbath-day he entered into the synagogue, and taught."

The teacher of humility begins his mission at a town where pride chiefly reigned. Preference is due from ministers to the greatest need, not to the great- est inclination. A minister should always begin by instructing, in imitation of God who leads men, not by a blind instinct, but by instruction and knowledge, by the external light of his word, and the internal light of his grace.

" 22. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes."

The word of Jesus Christ is full of a holy freedom, energy, and wisdom, and very remote from the flat- tery of the world. The freedom and sincerity of a preacher gain the hearts of the faithful; because these qualifications make it evident that he adheres to God alone, and seeks nothing but him. These things art admired because they are rare; but they persuade, only because God gives his Spirit to those who belong to him, and not to the world. How great is the difference betwixt a declaimer, whose sole end is to please, and who trusts to his own eloquence, and a man of God, who labours to convert sinners, and entirely relies upon the divine assistance !

14 ST. MARK.

" 23. % And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit ; and he cried out, 24. Say- ing, Let us alone ; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth ? art thou come to destroy us ? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God."

The devil is not at all alarmed at the human en- deavours of a worldly preacher; but he dreads every thing from a faithful minister who has the Spirit of God. The devil places his whole joy in possessing a soul with uncleanness. The lascivious cannot bear being spoken to, to repent and renounce their plea- sures. Holiness has such a prevaiHng power, that it forces even those who are at the greatest distance from it to bear witness unto it. It makes even the devil himself sensible of it. God requires the voluntary testimony of a lively and sincere faith, like that of St. Peter; not a forced and flattering confession, like this of the devil.

" 25. And Jesus rebuked him, saying. Hold thy peace, and come out of him."

The devil, and the world, which follows his spirit, never praise but in order to seduce. It is a neces- sary part of prudence not to lay ourselves open to their commendations. The way to avoid their snares, is to have no more commerce with the world than what is absolutely necessary ; and to use a holy se- verity towards it, which may oblige it to" hold its peace. The sinner must be urged to leave off his sinful habits, without listening to its flatteries.

" 26. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him."

What violence, what convulsions does a man feel, when he is about to relinquish a habit of uncleanness,

CHAPTER I. 13

under which he has continued a long while ! Happy is that person, who knows at least how to renounce it betimes. When the temptations of the flesh are most violent in one who resolves to serve God, they are sometimes the last efforts of the devil, and the signs of the approaching deliverance of that soul. It is then that a man ought to redouble his prayer, to cry to God with all the strength of faith, and invoke his deliverer with the greater earnestness.

" 27. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this ? what new doctrine is this ? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him."

The holiness of a preacher goes a great way in re- covering others from uncleanness. Every doctrine which seems new, has not for that reason the fault of profane novelty. Wo to those pastors who are the cause that the most pure maxims of the gospel pass for novelties, by their having corrupted the taste of Christians, either in accustoming them to remissness, or leaving them in ignorance. The spirit of repen- tance inspired into great sinners, and the conversion of the most obdurate, are the true commendation of a preacher. Such preachers as are fond of the world, have reason to fear their being subjected to the spirit of uncleanness which reigns therein, whilst those who have the Spirit of God, drive this spirit of the devil out of souls, and become masters over it.

" 28. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee."

A great reputation could not possibly hurt the Son of God ; but it is a snare very dangerous for a

16 ST. MARK.

preacher. There are few who fear it as they ought, fewer yet who shun and avoid it, but many whom it entices and insensibly corrupts.

Sect. V. — SL Peter's Mother-in-law. The Dis- eased healed.

" 29. And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John."

Jesus here teaches his ministers to avoid applause. He does not choose the house of some great person to repose and refresh himself in : the cottage of a poor fisherman is more grateful to him than a palace. What a large field of reflection is there here for those who never think any thing good enough for them, who never meet with conveniencies enough !

" 30. But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever; and anon they tell him of her."

Men ought to procure for the sick that assistance which they cannot give them themselves, and at least to pray for them. Jesus knew that there was some- body in this poor house who needed his help, which was a sufficient motive to draw him hither. The house of Peter and Andrew is the apostolic church, where all are tormented with the fever of sin, or suf- fer the assaults of concupiscence. This is the only house wherein prayers are successfully off*ered up for sinners, and where Jesus Christ heals them. Let us unalterably fix there. Christ sometimes waits for our prayers, on purpose to make way for that charity which prays to him, to teach us not to be too forward of ourselves in doing remarkable actions.

" 31. And he can^e and took her by the hand, and

CHAPTER I. 17

lifted her up ; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them."

Happy that soul which the heavenly Physician comes to seek, which he touches with his grace, which he recovers from its weakness, its sloth, and all its evil habits ! The acknowledgment which he requires from it, is to serve hira. Good works, and, above all, those of gratitude towards God, and of charity towards the poor, ought to follow the cure of our souls. Concupiscence is the fever of the soul ; charity is its health, and this is never idle.

" 32. f And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. 33. And all the city was gathered together at the door. 34. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils ; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him."

Let us admire, adore, and imitate the extent of Christ's charity. The physicians of the soul ought never to refuse any labour which presents itself, nor accept the reward of vain applause. It is into the house of truth, charity, and unity, represented by this of St. Peter, that all sinners must be conducted. This house only has the Holy Ghost, the power over the evil spirit, and the true remedies for sin.

Sect. VI. — The Retirement^ Prayer^ and Preach- ing of Christ.

" 35. And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."

It is good for a man sometimes to withdraw him-

18 ST. MARK.

self from business or labour, in order to converse with God alone. Prayer is so necessary to him who preaches and labours in the church, that far from dis- pensing with himself on this account, he ought to take a time for it out of that which belongs to rest and the other necessities of life, rather than be de- ficient therein.

" 36. And Simon, and they that were with him, followed after him. 37. And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee."

A minister of Jesus Christ ought to follow him as well in his retirement and prayer, as in his public life, when he diffuses his benefits and favours with lustre and figure. A preacher who has parts, finds but too many who come to tell him, that all men seek, esteem, and applaud him : but the more they seek him, the more ought he to fly from them, as much as his ministry will permit. There are very few of this profession who do not answer the offers and caresses of the world; and it is well if they do not anticipate and court them.

" 38. And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also : for there- fore came I forth. 39. And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils."

A preacher, who is too much cried up and followed in the city, will imitate Christ, if he withdraw him- self from the crowd, and go to instruct the poor in the country : Jesus came for their sake. Men are too apt to imagine, that they have received their talents more for the sake of the rich than of the poor. They take it as an honour to preach in a village or

CHAPTER I. 19

an hospital, in order to make their court to some person of quality; but they are not very forward to go thither for the sake of the poor themselves, and to preach to them in a manner suited to their capa- city. Men should, as it were, purchase and merit the grace to be serviceable in cities, and to the great, by leaving both now and then, and going to instruct the poor in the country without noise, lustre, osten- tation, or interest.

Sect. VII. — The Leper.

" 40, f And there came a leper to him, beseech- ing him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."

How loathsome and inveterate soever the leprosy of our sins may be, let us not be ashamed to go to Christ. Prayer, humiliation, and faith in him, as the source of all righteousness, are a triple band which ties up the justice of God, and draws down his mercy. There is nothing better than frequently to make this prayer; and to be always disposed in heart to do it, since there is always in us something which needs a cure.

"41. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean."

Let us here learn, that the cure of our souls is the pure efiPect of the goodness and free mercy of God ; that Jesus Christ performs it by a sovereign autho- rity ; (" put forth his hand") that his sacred humanity is the instrument of the divine operation in our hearts ; and that it is by his will that his merits are applied to us. Fear, for he does not put forth his healing

20 ST. MARK.

hand and touch all: hope, for he very frequently puts it forth and touches the most miserable.

** 42. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed."

God does whatever he pleases in the cure of the soul, as well as in that of the body ; and the latter is an emblem of the former. When will it be, O Lord, that the leprosy of my pride shall disappear from before thy eyes? Hasten, if it please thee, that moment of thy mercy towards my heart.

" 43. And he straitly charged him, and forth- with sent him away; 44. And saith unto him. See thou say nothing to any man : but go thy way, show thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them."

Happy those who are in a condition to serve the church like angels, hiding themselves as much as possible. Whatever privileges a man has as to ec- clesiastical functions, he must freely forget them, to give place to the ordinary power of the church. To follow the hierarchical order prescribed and esta- blished in the church, is to follow the order and ap- pointment of God ; and it is the mark of a regular spirit full of faith, to submit to this order, without regard to the manners and defects of the ministers. Whenever we receive any benefit from God, he must also receive somewhat in his turn from us, either by the hand of his ministers, or by that of the poor^

" 45. But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places : and they came to him from every quarter."

CHAPTER II. 21

An excess of gratitude is a very pardonable fault. Whoever loves his own salvation ought to take as much care to preserve humility, as to exercise charity. God grant to his church many of those evangelical labourers, who may out of modesty decline their own reputation, and be obliged by the esteem of men to conceal themselves. A pastor or minister of the church ought always to be found, when there is a real need of him ; but when nothing but praise and commendation is to be received, he ought to be in- visible. The more he withdraws himself from the world, the more the world values him, and puts the greater confidence in him.

CHAPTER II.

Sect. I. — The Paralytic,

" 1. And again he entered into Capernaum after some days ; and it was noised that he was in the house. 2. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them."

The retirement of a preacher advances his reputa- tion, and renders his labours more beneficial to those souls who seek him. This wonderful ardour and forwardness of the Jews to hear the word of God, condemns the lukewarmness of abundance of Chris- tians. Men seldom hearken to it as to the word of God, which it really is, because it is seldom preached to them in such a manner as is proper to make them believe that it is so. The faith of the preacher, and

22 ST. MARK.

that of the hearer, ought mutually to support each other.

** 3. f And they ceme unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four."

God willingly accepts the desires, prayers, and good works, which are offered for the conversion of sinners, who are not themselves sensible of their misery. Here is a representation of the universal charity of the church, which is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, which bears sinners in her bosom, and presents them continually to God by Jesus Christ. Every particular Christian ought to imitate the charity of the church, to be zealous for the conver- sion of sinners, and to bring them to Christ by prayer, good advice, good example, and by patience and mildness in supporting them. We are more culpable than we imagine, when we are deficient in point of charity, in neglecting to pray for those whom providence has made known to us, in not admonish- ing them of their faults, and in misguiding them, or treating them after a harsh and severe manner.

" 4. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was : and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay."

That is a holy and necessary violence which a man uses in order to approach Christ. Adorable judg- ment ! He presents himself to some, and they reject him : others earnestly seek him, and scarce can they get near him, even by extraordinary means. Happy that person, for whom pious souls use so many chari- table endeavours, that he is at last brought nigh to Christ. It is absolutely necessary to come nigh unto

CHAPTER II. ^3

him some way or other, either by the door, or by the roof. Nothing should be able to hinder a man from doing it, because without him he is utterly lost.

" 5. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee."

God often defers to hear the prayers which are put up for the bodily health of a friend or relation, and gives that of the soul which was not asked for them. Sin is the source of all the infirmities of the body ; it is the wound to which a remedy must be ap- plied in the first place. God rewards the faith which makes us mindful of our neighbour, though it be not very clearly enlightened : and he rectifies it, by showing us, by the order of his gifts, that which ought to be asked first. Christ calls this sick man •' son," to make us comprehend, 1. That God is never more truly our Father, than when he confers spiritual graces upon us. 2. That the physicians of the soul are fathers, and ought to have the heart and conduct of such.

" 6. But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, T. Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?"

The generality of mankind are more inclined to take an occasion of offence at their neighbour, than to be edified by the extraordinary virtues which he possesses, or the truths which he delivers. Divine truths serve only to set us at a greater distance from truth itself, when we do not receive them into an upright and sincere heart. From a principle, whence they ought to conclude that Jesus Christ is God, they conclude that he is a blasphemer. So true is

24 ST. MARK.

it, that one cannot have a perfect knowledge in the business of salvation without being a good man.

" 8. And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?"

A true pastoral charity bears with the weak and even the wicked, is not discouraged at the defects of the one, or the malice of the other, applies itself to their cure, and reprehends, with a spirit of meekness, even those who sin out of envy. Admirable con- descension, to bestow a new miracle on those whom so many others had only blinded ! But dreadful judg- ment, if it serve only to blind them the more, instead of forcing them to confess, that since he knows the thoughts of the heart, he is God, and not a blas- phemer. Inconceivable delusion of the sinner ! to hide himself from man when he commits a sin, and not to fear the eyes of him who sees the very secrets of the heart !

" 9. Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee? or to say. Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk ?"

Nothing is more or less easy to him who can equally do all things; but by visible miracles he makes known those which are invisible. O inde- fatigable goodness of our Saviour ! He works miracles upon miracles, to overcome the incredulity of his enemies : and yet pastors will not vouchsafe to clear the doubts of a soul full of faith, nor to sup- port the weakness of a scrupulous conscience. The sole consolation of sinners is, that Jesus Christ can forgive their sins ; and it is to assure them of this

CHAPTER II. 25

consolation, that he establishes, by all sorts of ways, this fundamental truth.

" 10. But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)"

If Jesus Christ in his mortal state had power to forgive sins, how great ought the confidence of a sin- ner to be in him now dead for sinners, glorious in heaven, and enjoying all his rights and all his power?

"11. I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house."

What is sin, but a deplorable fall, a grovelling on the earth, a repose in the creature, often followed by a universal palsy of the soul ; namely, an utter in- ability to help itself, to break off its evil habits, to walk in the ways of God, to rise, or to take one good step toward him ? Grace can repair all in a moment ; because it is nothing else but the almighty will of God who commands, and does whatever he com- mands. When God will save a soul, the undoubted effect, always and every where, follows the will of God.

" 12. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion."

Whence comes it, that we less admire the conver- sion of the soul, than the cure of the body, but only from the want of faith, and from the love of the present life, which makes us most intent and con- cerned about the latter? Amazement and admira- tion caused by miraculous works, and especially by those of grace, should not be barren and without Vol. II. B 57

26 ST. MARK.

fruit. The first fruit of it is, to glorify God for them, by adoring and thanking him. Tlie second, to acknowledge how very different his conduct and works are from those of men. Perform in me, O Lord, that which thou didst in this sick person, cure my palsy, my adhesion to the earth and the creatures, my faintness and sloth, and cause me to go towards thee.

Sect. II. — The caUiiig of St, Matthew. Fasting. The new Cloth. The old Vessels.

" 13. ^ And he went forth again by the sea-side ; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them."

That man neglects to improve his talent, who takes ijo care to render the confidence placed in him by others, beneficial to their souls, by instructing them in their duty. Men never go to Christ without re- ceiving some benefit ; the visits made to him are always useful and advantageous. Such let those be which are made to pastors, who ought to have the law of God continually in their hearts, and on their tongues.

*' l^. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alpheus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him."

Such as sit at the receipt of custom are hard to be •converted ; but Jesus manifests his power by doing it with one word alone. Grace disengages Matthew from the love of money, to make him au apostle ; the love of money will separate Judas from Christ, to make him an apostate : thus our blessed Saviour

CHAPTER II. 2T

makes himself amends beforehand. St. Matthew's example had no influence on Judas, though perhaps it was Christ's design to lay it before his eyes. Let us profit by the one as well as the other; and let us, with fear and trembling, adore the different judg- ments of God in relation to souls !

"J 5. ^ And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples : for there were many, and they followed him."

Jesus is sometimes found in a house, or in a so- ciety, which is full of disorderly people, for the sake of one single person who is faithful to him. This new disciple is not ashamed of his Master, in the midst of this worldly and profane company : and Jesus hiuiself is contented to stay in it with his disciples, to teach his ministers not to despise or disdain any. It is on the account of sinners, that these are sent as well as he : such therefore they ought to seek. Every sinner converted to Christ must endeavour to conduct his friends to him. Fruitfulness is a certain proof of the reality of conversion.

" 16. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said un^o his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners ?"

How is it, that he is crucified between thieves, will they one day say? Whoever has not charity,, cannot possibly comprehend, what it is capable of doing through a prudent condescension towards sin- ners; much less, what it caused Christ to do and suffer for their salvation. It is proper only to Pha- risees, to take offence, and be scandalized at the ex- b2

28 ST. MARK.

cess of humility and charity. This is one part of the scandal of the cross and death of Christ, at which the children of this world are offended and take ex- ception, while the children of light find in it their joy and their salvation.

" 17. When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick : I came not to call the right- eous, but sinners to repentance."

The more righteous we imagine ourselves, at so much the greater distance do we remove Christ from us. Let us by no means seek after false comforts, in flattering ourselves with an imaginary health and righteousness. That which alone is substantial and real, consists in our having in Jesus Christ a Phy- sician for all our diseases, and the remission of all our sins. How dear to us ought this his quality of Physician to be, of which he informs us himself! If we are sensible of the need we have of it, let us not neglect often to adore him, to have recourse to him, and to place our whole confidence in the heal- ing operation of his grace.

" 18. And the disciples of John and of the Pha- risees used to fast : and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not ?"

The envious are more busied in censuring the conduct of others, than in rectifying their own ! This is one vice belonging to a Pharisee, and which is very common. It is another, to desire that every one should regulate his piety by ours, and embrace our particular customs and devotions. It is a third, to speak of others, only that we may have an oppor-

CHAPTER II. 29

tunity to speak of, and to distinguish ourselves. It is very dangerous for a man to make himself remark- able by such devout practices as are external and singular, when he is not firmly settled and rooted in internal virtues, and, above all, in humility.

" 19. And Jesus said unto them, Can the chil- dren of the bride-chamber fast while the bridegroom is with them ? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20. But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days."

It is prudence, not to overcharge those with out- ward performances who are as yet weak in piety, lest they be disgusted and discouraged : when their love becomes strong, it will make them do abundantly, and with joy. It is piety, to imitate, by some de- gree of abstinence at least, the primitive Christians, who fasted Wednesdays and Fridays, in remembrance of Christ's being sold and dying on those days ; as the church did not fast at all in the forty days after Easter, in memory of the Bridegroom's continuing so long on earth with his church after his resurrection.

"21. No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment ; else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse."

Men often spoil all, for want of well considering the strength and ability of such souls as begin to serve God. The indiscreet zeal of a spiritual di- rector, who requires too much of a penitent at first, often makes him give over all, and renders him the worse. It is a temptation to some beginners, to be desirous of following the perfect in every thing. The

30 ST. MARK.

devil seeks either to discourage them, or to pufF them up. We must lay deep foundations of humility and the love of God, before vi^e can possibly raise the building of perfection. Love will furnish us with all materials, and humility will preserve them.

*' 23. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles ; else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred : but new wine must be put into new bottles."

Let us wait till God has strengthened the heart by the new spirit, ere we endeavour to fill it with the severer truths of the gospel. The mind of new penitents is often very forward, and full of a lively warmth, which makes them fancy themselves able to do every thing which they find themselves willing to do: but the flesh notwithstanding is weak and in- firm. It is the duty of a wise pastor to use the latter tenderly, and to moderate the former. The means for a man to avoid relapses is, to fear his own weakness, and not to go too fast.

Sect. IIL — The ears of corn pinched. The ob- servation of the Sabbath,

" 23. f And it came to pass, that he went through the corn-fields on the sabbath-day ; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn."

Christ, in suffering hunger while his disciples eat, teaches us, that a master, a superior, or a spiritual director, ought to be more perfect than his disciples. He never once wrought a miracle to feed himself or his disciples, though often in very great need, as he did to feed the people; on purpose to instruct them, not to have recourse on their own account to extra-

CHAPTER ir. 31

ordinary means, without an extreme necessity, and to be more sensibly affected with their neighbour's wants, than with tlieir own.

" 24. And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath-day that which is not lawful r

He who has only the knowledge without the spirit of the law, very often opposes, whilst he thinks he defends it. Pharisaical pride makes men set them- selves up for judges of every thing, and require an account of every thing to be given them. When a man is once full of himself, he decides confidently, especially when it is to condemn others. Those who love to domineer, are not content to exercise their authority upon their own disciples, but would fain bring those of others under their dominion.

" 25. And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungered, he, and they that were with him ? 26. How he went into the house of God, in the days of Abia- thar the high priest, and did eat the shew-bread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him ?"

Charity and necessity are superior to all positive laws. It is good to confound those who pretend to be masters in the divine law, when they are ignorant in it; and a man is so, when he is a stranger to charity, which is the soul thereof. The bread which is offered to God out of religion, is due to man by charity, when necessity makes known the will of God. He who daily feeds his creature, and allows him the use of all his good things, is far from desiring that he should perish. God leaches us to spare nothing,

32 ST. MARK.

when our neighbour is in necessity, by giving up (as one may say) to man even that which he reserves for himself.

" 27. And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath :"

The usages and ordinances of rehgion ought to be regulated according to their end, which is the honour of God and the advantage of men. It is the property of the religion of the true God, to contain nothing in it but what is beneficial to man. Hereby God plainly shows, that it is neither out of indigence, nor interest, that he requires men to worship and obey him, but only out of goodness, and on purpose to make them happy. God prohibited work on the sabbath-day, for fear lest servants should be oppressed by the hard-heartedness of their masters, and to the end that men might not be hindered from attending upon God, and their own salvation.

" 28. Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath."

Man, on the account of self-preservation, may dispense with a law which God made for his benefit and advantage: with much greater reason, then, might Jesus Christ do it, being the God, the Sa- viour, and the sovereign dispenser both of the tem- poral happiness and eternal salvation of man. Let us always take great care to consider chiefly in laws the intention and design of the legislator. This is the way to understand their true meaning, and to do nothing contrary to the spirit of them.

CHAPTER III. 33

CHAPTER III.

Sect. I. — The withered hand.

" 1. And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a witliered hand."

Let us contemplate our own weakness in this em- blem, which represents that total inability of doing good to which sin has reduced mankind. A with- ered hand, in the sight of God, and in the eyes of faith, is a covetous wretch, who bestows on the poor little or no alms at all ; it is a lukewarm and negli- gent Christian, who performs no good works; it is a magistrate or person in authority, who takes no care to maintain order and justice; and it is a great man who abandons the innocent when oppressed. None but thou, O Lord, can heal this withered hand, because its indisposition proceeds from the heart, and thou alone canst apply thy healing and almighty hand to that.

" 2. And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath-day ; that they might ac- cuse him."

How many are there in the world, who will highly condemn an action which charity or necessity shall oblige a man to do upon a Lord's-day, whilst they themselves make no scruple of spending whole Sun- days in taking the air, in diversions, in revelling, in evil-speaking, in vain conversations, or in profane or criminal correspondence !

B 3

34 ST. MARK.

" 3. And he saith unto the man which had tlie withered hand, Stand forth."

It is no other than to be ashamed of that which is good, and of God himself who commands it, not to do it pubhcly, when it is publicly blamed. We ought not to countenance either the ill-grounded scruples of the weak, or the passion of the envious, by abstaining from a good action which they do not approve, lest we confirm the ignorance of the one, and partake of the bad dispositions of the other. True charity fears not the ill will of men, when the doing good to our neighbour is the thing in question.

*' 4. And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath- days, or to do evil ? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace."

The true sabbath consists in abstaining from evil and in doing good. Where sanctification and char- ity are, there is the Christian rest. There is a si- lence which proceeds from the Spirit of God. There is also a diabolical silence, which proceeds from the contest betwixt pride and envy in a pharisaical heart. Would to God, there were not to be found among Christians such as affect to be silent, through fear, eitlier of passing for ignorant persons if they condemn the truth, or of justifying those they do not love, if they approve it !

" 5. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out : and his hand was restored whole as the other."

This conduct, and these dispositions of Christ ought to be imitated by a wise director of souls.

CHAPTER III. 35

He ought, 1. To have a holy indignation against those who, out of envy, oppose their own conversion. 2. A real affliction of heart on the account of their blindness. 3. A charitable 'and constant appli- cation to those whom God sends to him, notwith- standing all contradiction. 4. He must incite them to lift up, and stretch forth their hands, toward God, in order to pray to him, toward the poor to relieve them, and toward their enemies to be reconciled to them. Stretch out thy hand, O Lord, over us, to bless, protect, conduct, heal, and sanctify us.

" 6. And the Pharisees went forth, and straight- way took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him."

5. A wise director should have no apprehension at all of what he may suffer, at the hands of the wicked, or of the pretenders to devotion, for having done his duty. That which ought to have engaged these Pharisees strictly to Christ, to have united them in one common design of becoming his disci- ples, and encouraged them to defend him, is the very thing which induces them to forsake him, to cabal against him, and to take a resolution of destroying him. My God ! what is a heart which has resigned itself up to envy? It infects all things, and is in- fected by all; everything provokes it, everything conspires to complete its corruption and ruin : and even good itself contributes more thereto than evil.

Sect. II. — T/ie concourse of people. The coti/es- sion of the devils.

" 7. But Jesus withdrew himself with his disci- ples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee

86 ST. MARK.

followed him, and from Judea, 8. And from Jeru- salem, and from Idumea, and from beyond Jordan ; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him."

A spiritual director ought, 6. Not to provoke the wicked by a fruitless opposition, but humbly and prudently to avoid their presence and their malice. If Jesus Christ is abandoned and persecuted by the wicked, yet a great multitude of pious souls earnestly seek and follow him. When a man labours for the sake of God, he always finds more than he loses in the midst of all contradiction. If the heart of a good pastor is afflicted for the obduracy of some; God comforts and encourages him by the fervency and zeal of others. He is the savour of death to those whose heart is dead, and the savour of life to those whom God calls thereto.

" 9. And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him. 10. For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues."

7. A spiritual director must not suffer himself to be so taken up with the external exercise of cha- rity, as thereby to lose the recollectioi), humility, hberty, and peace of his mind. See here the ad- mirable patience of Jesus ! These people seek him with trust and confidence, but at the same time out of interest, and with importunity, yet he receives them all kindly and without the least uneasiness. How grateful would this violence be to him, if they sought him for the sake of their eternal salvation,

CHAPTER III. 37

and were so earnest to touch him out of a lively and pure faith ! Charity never examines into the inten- tions, dispositions, or behaviour of men : she opens her hand to all, and receives with gentleness the most importunate and troublesome.

"11. And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying. Thou art the Son of God. 12. And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.'*

8. A spiritual director ought to reject the praises of others. 9. He should not have any conversation with scandalous and incorrigible sinners, but only in order to their salvation ; neither should he enter into any society with them for works of piety. The humiliation of hypocrites is like that of the devil, their prayers the effect of a servile fear, and their confession a forced testimony. All this is abomi- nable in the sight of him who requires the heart. The world is easily deceived in taking some expres- sions of religion and humiliation for conversion, which are only extorted from a reprobate's mouth by the fear of that Judge before whom he is going to appear.

Sect. III. — The Election of the Apostles.

" 13. f And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would : and they came unto him."

What talent soever a man may have, he ought not to undertake the ecclesiastical ministry, without some assurance that it is God's will. This office is a state of perfection, a mountain which none must presume to ascend, without being called up- Jesus

38 ST. MARK.

Christ goes up first himself, as being the sovereign Priest, the author and institutor of the Christian priesthood, the fountain of all sacerdotal power, and the principle of the spirit and holiness thereof: a man has no part therein, but only so far as he is associated and united to him.

" 14. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, 15. And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils."

Bishops and priests are called to the priesthood of Jesus Christ, 1. In order to make but one priest with him, to extend, complete, and continue his priesthood upon earth. 2. To preach his word, and make known his truth and his mysteries. All ecclesiastical functions are denoted by preaching, be-. cause this is a principal function of bishops and pas- tors, because it is by means of the word and of in- struction that the kingdom of God is established, and because the word is likewise made use of in the representative sacrifice, the sacraments, and the other sacerdotal ministrations. 3. To be the physicians of souls, and apply themselves to heal their diseases. 4. To wage war with the devil and destroy his king- dom. Whoever looks upon the sacerdotal state as a state of ease, and not of continual labour, under- stands but very little these words of Christ.

" 16. And Simon he surnamed Peter; 17. And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; (and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is. The sons of Thunder;) 18. And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Canaanite/*

CHAPTER III. 39

The synagogue is a figure or emblem of the church ; the Jewish people, that of the Christian ; the twelve heads of the tribes, that of the twelve apostles ; and the carnal promises, that of the spiri- tual. It is for the completion of these promises, and in order to put the elect in possession of them that the priesthood is instituted. And it is at first communicated to twelve, to show the twelve tribes which composed the Jewish church, that it is in Christ and his members that the kingdom expected by them was to be accomplished, and that the chil- dren of the church only are the children of promise.

" 19. And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed bim : and they went into an house."

Terrible but adorable judgment of God, who sometimes calls to the priesthood one whom he knows will find therein the occasion of his damnation. One of the advantages which God draws from the perfi- diousness of one of the twelve apostles, is, to prevent the scandal of wicked ministers in the Church, at which the weak are apt to be troubled. Who will not admire his goodness, his wisdom, and his care in providing for the peace of souls ? A pastor who be- trays the interests of Christ and his church, is not less on this account the successor of the apostles: for we must always distinguish personal vices from the authority of Christ, and submit to him in the most unworthy of his ministers. He himself sub- mits to authority though lodged in wicked hands.

Sect. IV. — Christ'' s kindred. The Blasphemy of the Pharisees. The divided Kingdom.

" 20. ^ And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.''

40 ST. MARK.

We see very few of the wise and of the noble come in to Christ, but multitudes of the meaner sort of people, contemptible in the eyes of the world : this is to confound human wisdom, power, and gran- deur. We must not set our heart upon these, if we desire to belong to God. Christ teaches his ministers, by his own example, to look upon them- selves as the servants and slaves of souls, to wait their time, to think none inconvenient when it is to do them service, and to forget even the necessaries of life, when the harvest is great, and an opportunity which may irrecoverably be lost is now present.

"21. And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him : for they said, He is beside himself."

A man is never the better for being related to saints according to the flesh. Those whose piety makes them pass for madmen in the opinion of their friends and relations, ought to think it an honour to be treated like Jesus Christ. Let a Christian but neglect the care of his body through the spirit of re- pentance, let a minister of Christ but impair his health by his pastoral labours, presently he is beside himself, he has not the least conduct or discretion. But let a man forget his soul, let him destroy his health by his debaucheries, let him expose his life out of ambition, and he may, notwithstanding, pass for a very wise and prudent person.

" 22. f And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said. He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of devils casteth he out devils."

He, in whom dwells all the fulness of the God- head, is himself looked upon as a demoniac, and ac-

CHAPTER III. 41

cused of being in confederacy with the devil ! What a consolation is this for his most faithful servants, to whom the same crime is sometimes imputed ! A mini- ster of Christ, a teacher of the truth, who is too much afraid of being decried by calumnies, is as yet very far from resembling his master. A man ought to be as careful of his reputation as possible, without neglecting his duty; but he must expose that as well as his life, when it is necessary.

*' 23. And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan ?

It is a mark of solid piety, to be unconcerned under the greatest calumnies, still to retain meekness and charity, and to instruct those who either through ig- norance or blindness happen to join in them. They are very often made up of contradictions; but the confidence of those who raise them, and the malice or simplicity of those who hear them, supply all de- fects. Satan does neither calumniate, persecute, nor cast out Satan : and yet Christians do it to Chris- tians, priests to priests, bishops to bishops, and even the creature to the Creator. The Creator suffers this with patience and humility; and is it reasonable that the creature should be exasperated, incensed, and unwilling to bear it ?

" 24. And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand."

Division destroys the best works, as union estab- lishes, preserves, and perfects them. The world will perish by means of divisions, wars, and enmities ; be- cause it is designed to perish, and because God gives it up to the passions of carnal men. But divisions

42 ST. MARK.

and schisms serve only to purify the church, to sepa- rate the chafFfrom the good grain, and to render the elect fit to form the body of unity, which is the church, and to enter into the eternal unity of God. The reason of this is, because his Spirit makes even divi- sion itself useful in fastening the bond of unitVj and brings out of this darkness the light of peace. Ef- fect this, O Lord, and effect it as soon as possible, according to thy decrees and will.

" 26, And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end."

How guilty then is he who divides the children of the church, by calumnies, dissensions, and jealousies? To divide the church is to endeavour to destroy it ; but hereby a man can only destroy himself. Schism is an attempt against the unity of Christ's mystical body, which is the church ; against the unity of his Spirit, which is the bond thereof; against the unity of Christ, who is the head of it; and against the unity of God himself, who is the principle, the pattern, and the perfection of all unity and society, by the unity of his essence, and the society of his persons.

Sect. V. — T/ie strong Ma?i armed. The sin against the Holy Ghost, Chrisfs mother and brethren.

" 27. No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man ; and then he will spoil his house."

There is an irreconcilable enmity betwixt Christ and the devil, the church and hell, the Christian and the world, charity and concupiscence. The former of these two cannot be in any heart but only so far as the latter is therein suppressed. When the devil is

CHAPTER HI. 43

once become master of a heart, none but Christ can drive him out, and destroy his power there. Enter, Lord, into this house, and destroy therein whatever remains of the spirit of that unjust usurper.

" 28. Verily I say unto you. All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme ;"

See here the extent of God's mercy towards men who sin either through ignorance or infirmity. The sinner is inexcusable if he neglect to have recourse to God, whatever sins he may have committed. A true penitent is never rejected : the spirit of repentance can procure him every thing from the divine mercy; since, as an earnest of this mercy, he has the word and oath of his Saviour, and the mercy itself of his God, which prevents him, by giving him this very spirit of repentance.

" 29. But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation : 30. Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit."

Who will not tremble, when he considers the rigour of the divine justice against such as sin out of mere malice ? For a man, contrary to the light of his own mind, to attribute to the devil that which God performs by his servants, to oppose the known truth of God, and hold it in unrighteousness, are sins which are very seldom forgiven ; because they either proceed from blindness and hardness of heart, or else produce both, and provoke God to deliver up those who are guilty of them to the errors of a depraved and corrupted mind. To call our blessed Saviour a demoniac, is to resolve to have no Saviour ; not to

44 ST. MARK.

acknowledge in him the fulness of that Spirit of which we must all receive in order to salvation, is to reject all forgiveness. Lord, it is thou alone who art my salvation ; it is from thy Spirit alone that I expect my grace and my justification. Purify me, sanctify me, and save me.

"31. ^ There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, call- ing him."

What priest is there, who has not reason to ap- prehend that his relations, how holy soever they may be, will interrupt him, at least in the exercise of his ministry ? The reservedness of the blessed Virgin is very admirable and instructive. Her tenderness towards her son is the cause of her coming; but her modesty, and the fear of interrupting him, hinder her from advancing any farther. Parents ought with great discretion to use the right they have over their sons who are labourers in the church. They properly be- long no more to them, but to God and to Christ.

" 32. And the multitude sat about him ; and they said unto him. Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. 33. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren ?"

It is better for a priest to seem to have too little tenderness for his relations, than to appear to have too much fondness for them. This outward indif- ference towards the best of mothers, is a great lesson for ecclesiastics, who are apt to be too fondly engaged to their parents by the ties of flesh and blood. On how many occasions do those who enjoy benefices show too great a regard both to their mothers and their brethren, enriching the latter at the blind de-

CHAPTER IV. 45

sire of the former, and at the expense of the patri- mony of the poor ! Grant us, Lord, many pastors, ministers, and missionaries, who may be able to say in thy Spirit, " Who is my mother, or my brethren ?"

" 34. And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren ! 35. For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother ?"

Nothing joins us more closely to Christ than the performing the will of God. He who does it to the end, contracts an eternal alliance with God as his Father, with Christ as his Brother, with angels and all the blessed spirits as his brethren and sisters, and with the heavenly Jerusalem as his mother. Who- ever hears the word of God, with no other intent but to obey it, has already done the will of God in his heart. A beneficed person, who feeds the poor ac- cording to his duty, and is himself fed of their sub- stance, in looking upon them ought to say, with joy on one account, and with gratitude on another, " Be- hold my mother and my brethren."

CHAPTER IV.

Sect. I. — The Parable of the Sower.

" 1. And he began again to teach by the sea- side : and there was gathered unto him a great mul- titude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea ; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land."

There are few besides the common sort of people

46 ST. MARK.

who are not tired with hearing the word of God. He who chooses such a place as this to preach in, little values the rank and quality of his auditors; but then he finds among them more true lovers of God's word. The finest talent for preaching which ever appeared in the world, was no doubt that of Christ; and yet he has only a bark for his pulpit, poor country pea- sants for his audience, and the sea-shore for the place of assembly.

" 2. And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his * doctrine," [* jpr. way of instructing.]

Christ, and those who speak by his Spirit, have a peculiar way of instructing, very different from that of the preachers of the world. Impart, Lord, this way of instructing to those whose business it is to feed thy people with thy word. Vouchsafe to send them, not vain declaimers, but charitable fathers, real teach- ers of Christian righteousness, faithful interpreters of thy law and thy doctrines, who may be always intent on instructing others, and not on making themselves admired.

" 3. Hearken ; Behold, there went out a sower to sow : 4. And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way-side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up."

A pastor, a preacher, is a workman hired and sent out to sow the field of God; that is, to instruct souls in the truths of the Gospel, This workman sins, 1. When, instead of going to the field, he absents himself from it; nothing being more agreeable to natural and divine law than for a servant to obey his master, for a seedsman to be in the field for which he

CHAPTER IV. 47

is hired, and whither he is sent to sow. He sins,

2. When he stavs in the field, hut does not sow.

3. When he changes his master's seed, and sows bad instead of good. 4. When he affects to cast it on the high-way. Is not this what they do, who love to preach only before those they call people of fashion, given up entirely to the vanity and other passions of the age, and very little disposed to profit by the divine word ?

" 5. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth ; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth : 6. But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and, because it had no root, it withered away."

This workman sins, 5. When he fixes on stony ground, from whence there is little hope of receiving any fruit. If interest, inclination, the spirit of amusement, or self-satisfaction, determine a pastor to attend chiefly on such souls who seek not God, and whose virtue has no depth, he has but little regard to his master's profit. Men ought not, indeed, to exclude any sort of ground, because Christ would have them preach to all, and because they do not know the heart; but then they ought not to choose and prefer one sort before another, for fear of being guilty of a criminal affection and respect of persons.

*' 7. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no fruit."

It is a 6th defect, not to take care to pick out the stones, not to pluck up the thorns, which are in the field. The sower complains of the barrenness of the field; and perhaps the field will complain, at the tri- bunal of God, of the negligence of the sower, in not

48 ST. MARK.

preparing and cultivating it as he ought. How many ungrateful and barren fields are there ! And who can say, that his own heart is not such in re- spect of the divine seed?

" 8. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred."

A 7th defect is, the not endeavouring to make the seed in the good ground yield fruit in proportion to its goodness. It is a very great degree of know- ledge, to discover the measure of grace conferred on every soul, to give them in proportion that applica- tion, instruction, and counsel, which are proper for them, to show them the way of perfection as far as their grace calls them, and to cause them to make all the use which they ought of the truths of the gospel. How few souls are there who are faithful, and bring forth all the fruit which they ought ? How few per- fect guides are there, who thoroughly understand the art of conducting souls in the ways of God I

*' 9. And he said unto them. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

He alone hears the gospel as he ought who puts it in practice ; and no one can practise it unless Jesus Christ cause him to do it. Let all the world confess, that it is God who gives these ears of the heart, without which none can accomplish his law : to the end, that those who have received them may bless God for this free gift ; and that those who have not may humble themselves, and have recourse to him in order to obtain them.

" 10. And when he was alone, they that were about him, with the twelve, asked of him the parable."

CHAPTER IV. 49

God would have us address ourselves to him in order to understand the Scriptures; and it is for this very reason that they have some obscurity. It is likewise to subdue the pride of man by labour and study, to take off his disgust by variety, and to make him sensible, that to understand the language of God he stands in need of a light superior to reason. In our reading the Scripture, let us frequently ask his Spirit, and not trust to our own, which is but dark- ness.

" 11. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God : but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables :"

Do we sufficiently prize this precious gift of faith and evangelical doctrine, and this preference on which our eternal happiness depends ? Is our fidelity an- swerable thereto? Let us be very far from insult- ing them that are without : it is the mercy of God which alone makes us to differ; his light was no more due to us than to others, and it may be taken from us and given to them. The truths of the church appear to those who are without no other than unintelligible parables. Let them but enter into the church, and its light will soon open their understanding and their heart.

" 12. That seeing they may see, and not per- ceive; and hearing they may hear, and not under- stand ; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them."

Terrible, but just and adorable is this conduct of God towards those who have deserved to be left to themselves. This dereliction has several degrees. Vol. II. C 57

50 ST. MARK.

The first is, their being abandoned to their own darkness. The second, their not being able to un- derstand the truths of salvation. The third, their not obeying them. The fourth, their remaining in their sins. And the fifth, their being condemned. God is pleased to give examples of this, to the end that the children of promise may know how much they owe to grace. It is a mistake to imagine, that whatever appears most severe and rigorous in the conduct of God ought to be concealed from Chris- tians. He himself instructs us in it, on purpose that we should take great notice of it on proper oc- casions, and glorify him on the account of all the good we do, and of all the evil which we avoid.

" 13. And he said unto them. Know ye not this parable ? and how then will you know all parables ?"

Jesus Christ is very careful to make his apostles sensible, how incapable they naturally are of under- standing the Scriptures and mysteries, to the end that they might not ascribe to themselves that know- ledge of them which he should one day confer upon them. He here, by intimation, shows the extent of that knowledge of the Scriptures which the ministers of the gospel ought to have, in order to awaken their attention, to excite in them a desire to be instructed therein, and to make them apprehend how much they stand in need of him to this end.

" 14. f The sower soweth the word."

The word of God is the seed of salvation. Had we, at the time of hearing the word preached, but this truth before our eyes, That it is the word of God, and that this word is the seed of salvation, could we possibly receive it with a faith so weak and

CHAPTER IV. 51

languishing, and a heart so little prepared ? The minister sows nothing but the word : the invisible sower sows even the good-will itself, and causes the seed to spring up therein, and bring forth fruit.

" 15. And these are they by the way-side, where the word is sown ; but, when they have heard, Satan Cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts."

It is very dangerous for a man to have once laid his heart open to the devil, by the love of the world, which is the highway, and by a habit of sin ; truth does not often find any more admittance there. Truth is no other than a trust; and we are persons entrusted with all those truths which are delivered to us. Who- ever, through the love of the world and sin, permits this trust to be taken away from him, must give an account thereof proportionable to the sacredness of this word. Do thou thyself, O Lord, vouchsafe to preserve in me this depositum of evangelical truths; and to give me humility, which is the guardian of them.

" 16. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground ; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness ; 17. And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time : afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended."

Whoever has not the root of charity, has no other than a stony heart for the word of God. The bright- ness of truth may cause some joy and gladness for a time ; but if grace be wanting, and a man must re- nounce the conveniencies of life, then truth becomes odious, and is an occasion of sin. Those truths which c2

52 ST. MARK.

should give us life, give us death, when the love of truth itself does not reign in our heart. Men ought to rejoice with humility at the knowledge of the truth. The weakness under which they find them- selves, in times of trial and temptation on the account of the truth, is often the punishment of that vain joy and ostentation with which they gloried in it.

" 18. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19. And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful."

When the word of God has caused some good desires to spring up in the heart, they continue fruit- less and without effect, if a man open it to the passions and lusts of the world. To profit by good desires, it is not sufficient that the heart be not hardened by sinful habits, it must also be in a condition to apply itself to divine things, and to make use of the means of salvation, prayer, reading, sacraments, &c. The world is full of people whose hearts seem to be open to every thing which is good, and shut against every sin ; but they being likewise open to the things of the world, take their fill of them, and are lost. To open only the bodily ear to the word of God, is not properly to hear it : it is the ear of the heart which we must open to it : it is in obeying it that we must receive it.

" 20. And these are they which are sown on good around ; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirty-fold, some sixty, and some an hundred."

Those profit by the word, who hear it with joy,

CHAPTER IV. 53

retain it with fidelity, and practise it with zeal. The several degrees of bringing forth fruit here men- tioned, denote as many several degrees of charity, as many different states of the Christian life, and as many employments or talents more or less profitable, more or less proper for piety, and more or less meri- torious (in God's account.) To bear an hundred- fold for one is the state of perfection. It is a very great happiness to be called hereto, provided a man be faithful in observing every thing which the per- fection of this state requires. Sometimes sixty is better than a hundred for some certain souls — for a middle state, all the duties whereof a man performs exactly, is, without comparison, surer than a more elevated one, where the fidelity does not rise in pro- portion to the height.

Sect. II. — The Candle under a Bushel. He who hath shall have inore.

'' 21. ^ And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed ? and not to be set on a candlestick ?"

Truth will not be stifled. The knowledge of our

o

duty must not be unprofitable, nor our talents without fruit. They must all be employed for the church. Let us bear witness to the truth, whenever there is occasion, and make our faith evident by our good works. This is the way whereby every one may set the candle on the candlestick. A man may hide from the world some good works; but a Christian life is a lamp which ought to be seen by every body; a public testimony which we owe to our faith, and an example which the church requires of us.

54 ST. MARK.

'* 22. For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad."

The doctrine of Jesus Christ has nothing in it which fears the light ; it is itself the light which must enlighten the world. It is the property of heretics and libertines to propagate their tenets in secret. Every thing is brought to light sooner or later. The humble person conceals his virtue in this life, but God will disclose it at the day of eter- nity. The hypocrite hides his wickedness here, but he shall suffer an eternal confusion for it in the sight of heaven and earth.

*' 23. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.'*

Whoever has the ears of concupiscence to hear the things of the world, and to fill his heart there- with, has not the ears of charity to understand the truths of salvation. He who has these, ought to humble himself, and return thanks for a preference which he by no means deserves. He who has them not as yet, ought to humble himself and pray, in confidence that Christ has merited them for him.

" 24. And he said unto them. Take heed what ye hear : with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you ; and unto you that hear shall more be given."

Whether God speak to us by the general truths of the gospel, or do it by opening our understanding and heart to some particular truth, it is both a respect due to him, and a thing necessary to our own salva- tion, to give good heed to that which he requires of us. If a man would not deceive himself, he must receive the truths and inspirations in their full extent,

CHAPTER IV. 55

and not restrain them through fear of being obliged to do too much. The reward will be answerable to the fidelity : if we are sparing towards him, he will be so towards us. Let us love and serve him with- out measure, who will give himself without measure to us. Let us do ever so much, there can be no manner of comparison betwixt that which we do for God, and that which God prepares for us.

" 25. For he that hath, to him shall be given ; and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath."

The good use of knowledge and grace draws down more : the ill use leads to blindness and hardness of heart. The one is an effect of grace itself: the other, an effect of a depraved will. A faithful soul has a great treasure. The riches which it heaps up have scarce any bounds, because it puts none to its fidelity. A base and slothful soul grows poorer every day, until it is stripped of all. Who can tell the prodigious stock which is acquired by an evangelical labourer, a zealous missionary, who crosses the seas on purpose to seek souls whom he may convert, and is intent on nothing but the salvation of sinners ! The greater his grace is, the more it increases by labour. O how happy and holy is this usury of a faithful soul !

Sect. II L — The Seed cast into the Ground, The Grain of Mustard Seed,

" 26. t And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground ; 27. And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not

56 ST. MARK.

how. 28. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of her-

o

self; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear."

Christ himself cast the seed of the word from' which his church sprung up, and he formed it him- self after a conspicuous manner, by the preaching and miracles of the apostles, and by the blood of the martyrs of the first ages. He seemed, as it were, to sleep in the following ages, while it continued to grow up insensibly, during the night of adversity and the day of prosperity. How adorable is thy con- duct, O my Saviour, in the establishment of thy kingdom; and how admirable are the secret opera- tions_of thy grace in those souls which thou formest for heaven ! Grace has its different ages and gradual increase : its growth is imperceptible. When a soul is once arrived at that measure of age and fulness, according to which Christ is to be formed in it, then God withdraws it from the world.

" 29. But when the fruit is brought forth, imme- diately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come."

As Jesus Christ himself cast the seed into the ground, so he will also himself reap the harvest at the general judgment. How fearful ought we to be, lest we should let the time of harvest come before that of our ripeness, death before the conversion of our hearts, and judgment before the performance of good works ! How terrible will this voice be. The harvest is come to those who shall then be only in the blade, or in an imperfect ear ! My God, vouch- safe to ripen thy fruit thyself: render me worthy to be of that good grain which is to be offered up to thee as the fruit of eternity.

CHAPTER IV. 57

" 30. f And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God ? or with what comparison shall we compare it ?"

How amiable is this carefulness of the Son of God ! How instructive to the ministers of his word ! He is not solicitous in seeking fine turns of eloquence to charm the minds of his auditors, nor in drawing such representations, descriptions, or comparisons as may surprise them : he studies only to make himself understood, to instruct to advantage, to give true ideas of faith and piety, and to find out such expres- sions as may render necessary truths easy and intel- ligible to the meanest capacities. This is what must be imitated.

" 31. It is like a grain of mustard-seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth : 32. But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches ; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it."

That grace, which in its beginning is the least, may be .the greatest when it comes to its full growth: insomuch, that he who has it, will become superior even to those who were advanced the highest in per- fection. Happy those souls, who, being no longer scandalized at what appears low, imperfect, and con- temptible in the church, now lodge under the sha- dow of it with the joy of faith ! Extend, Lord, the branches of this plant, which thou hast watered with thy blood : let it fill the whole earth : let it gather under its shade those whom the pride of error, or the delusion of false pastors, does yet keep at a distance from it.

c3

68 ST. MARK.

" 33. And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it."

A man must adapt himself to the capacity of those whom he instructs. He need not fear stooping too low, when he considers himself as the dispenser of the mysteries of abased wisdom. The gospel is more for the poor and simple, than for the refined wits ; and yet a minister thereof is sometimes, as one may say, afraid of being understood by the simple, lest he should not be admired by the learned.

'' 34. But without a parable spake he not unto them : and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples."

The true disciples of the truth partake of her greatest secrets. Whenever she seems to hide her- self, it is in order to humble those lofty spirits who are puffed up with their own knowledge; to make them sensible how much they stand in need of her illumination ; to oblige her children to have recourse to her spirit ; and to cause them to adore her judg- ments upon the one, and her mercy towards the other.

Sect. IV. — The Storm appeased.

'* 35. And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full."

When a man walks with too much confidence, temptation rises on a sudden, and his heart would certainly be overwhelmed by it, if God did not stretch

CHAPTER IV. 59

forth his hand to sustain it. By being in ship, that is to say, in the church, with Christ and his apostles, we are not in a state of perfect safety, and secure from all temptations. The waves of heresy toss it from without; but the corruption of manners within, hke the water which beat into this ship, puts it in much greater danger of perishing. This corrupt water shall be cast out, and the ship will then arrive safe in the harbour.

" 38. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow : and they awake him, and say unto him. Master, carest thou not that we perish ? "

If Jesus Christ seem to be asleep in times of per- secution or temptation, it is only to oblige us to ap- ply ourselves to him, and to lay before him our dan- ger with fervency and confidence. Jesus sleeps in- deed, but his heart continually watches over his dis- ciples and his church. When the church is in great straits he expects to be awakened, that is, invoked with the loud cries of charity, and the importunity of prayer. It is to the prayers and groans of the church that he vouchsafes to grant peace and a calm. Nothing is more grateful to him than this complaint of his true disciples and of holy bishops, which shows their concern for the church, their compassion on its evils, and their confidence in him.

" 39. And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea. Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."

When passions the most violent, temptations the most dangerous, and the dread of the greatest evils, put our hearts in the most perilous condition, why do we not fly to him whose almighty will can quiet

60 ST. MARK.

and allay all in a moment? The true idea of grace is this, God wills our obedience, and he is obeyed ; he commands, and every thing is done; he speaks with authority, and all things are subject to him. O Jesus, the only refuge of those who are tempted, the strength of the weak, and the sole hope of thy church, thou seest its afflictions, its troubles, and all its wants: pronounce but over it this word of peace which calms all in an instant, and peace will immediately be re- stored to it.

" 40. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful ? how is it that ye have no faith ?"

After a temptation is overcome, let every one con- sider, whether he has not reason, 1. To reproach himself for his want of trust and confidence. 2. To condemn the cause of it, which, perhaps, was want of faiih. God is so good, that he despises not a faith as yet weak, refuses not imperfect prayers, nor rejects and discourages a heart which is too fearful. What faith, what confidence should we not have, did we but take care to reflect on God's conduct to- wards his elect in all ages, and his judgments upon their enemies?

" 41. And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another. What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him ?"

3. We must in the next place, after a victory over temptation, with fear and trembling consider the dan- ger out of which we have been delivered by Jesus Christ. 4. We must retain the dread of it in our hearts. 5. We must willingly entertain one ano- ther with the mercies we have received from God. 6. We must adore his power and his goodness.

CHAPTER V. 61

How comfortable and edifying would it be, to see Christians thus entertain one another, in their con- versations, with the majesty and wonderful works of God, with the sovereign power of Christ over the heart, and with the admirable examples of obedience, submission, and inviolable adherence to his will, wrought by his Spirit both in sinners and in saints ! God's power over insensible beings is set before us in the gospel, as no more than an emblem or represen- tation of that which he exercises over rational crea- tures. Nothing is of greater importance than to be thoroughly convinced of this, which is the ground and foundation of our confidence.

CHAPTER V.

Sect. I. — The legion of Devils cast out. The Swi?ie drowned.

" 1. And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. 2. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,"

Hell is a tomb out of which the unclean spirit will continually come forth, until the judgment of God shall shut him up therein. The heart of an unchaste man is a stinking sepulchre, in which he is himself buried,. and wherein there is nothing but cor- ruption and rottenness. A criminal beauty is a whited sepulchre which insensibly defiles and infects those who continue near it. No sin so entirely pos- sesses the whole heart as that of uneleanness : none

62 ST. MARK.

more nearly resembles the possession of the devil. The first step toward a deliverance from it, is for a man to present himself before Jesus : but how exceed- ing diflBcult is it for him to come out of his grave, to present himself to the light, there to lay open a heart full of the most shameful crime, and to raise a soul, which is become altogether earthy, up to him who is purity itself! This is the work of thy grace, O ray God I Cause the power of it to shine forth in the destruction of this vice so contagious and fatal.

" 3. Who had his dwelling among the tombs ; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:''

An inveterate habit of uncleanness frequently ex- tinguishes all the principles of the Christian life ; and an unchaste soul dwells in its body as in a loath- some sepulchre, where there is nothing but the re- mains of worms and corruption. This is but too often literally true. An unchaste person is a mad- man, whom every thing provokes, whom nothing stops, and who will not bear the least restraint.

" 4. Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces : neither could any man tame him."

Natural physic is by no means capable of curing an unchaste person, a heavenly physician must be employed. We may, indeed, remove from him the occasions of his sin, or bind him hand and foot; but nothing but the Spirit of God alone.;can make itself absolute master of the heart wherein lust reigns. Were this violent passion no more than a chain of iron, another person might be able to manage it ; but as it is, nothing but the Spirit and will of God can

CHAPTER V. 63

break this chain of flesh and blood, which the un- chaste man has made for himself of his depraved will.

** 5. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones."

This passion renders a man brutish, robs him of his rest by night, gives him a continual uneasiness all the day, carries him into the excesses of rage and fury, and drives him even into contrary extremes. How heavy and insupportable is the yoke of sin ! How cruel a tyrant is the love of the creatures ! There is no pleasure but in bearing the amiable yoke of thy law, O my God ; there is no true rest to be found but only in thy love.

" 6. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, 7. And cried with a loud voice, and said. What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not."

At how great a distance soever from salvation an obstinate sinner may be, yet when Jesus once shows himself to him by the saving light of his grace, which illuminates the understanding and gains the heart, he must of necessity submit, he must run, he must humble himself, and adore his Saviour. A man can never leave sin without violence; he can never root up an evil habit, but nature must suffer deeply. She fights against grace; she causes the flesh to strivq^against the Spirit, and will against will. Whoever loves impurity, dreads to be deli- vered from it, and omits nothing to continue himself under that miserable possession.

" 8. (For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.)"

64 ST. MARK,

Jesus cannot suffer the spirit of uncleanness in his presence. One word alone of his, that is to say, one grace of our blessed Saviour, decides the combat betwixt the two men, and renders the new man vic- torious. No unclean spirit whatever can hold out against the Holy Spirit; no rebellious will can be disobedient to the will of God, when he commands as God. Command, Lord, this unclean spirit, which reigns in the world and in the sinner, and both the world and the sinner will immediately change their nature.

** 9. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion : for we are many."

Uncleanness is rather a multitude of vices, than one particular sin. It does not belong to all per- sons to discourse with the unclean spirit; none but the Holy One of God can do it without danger of being infected thereby. He speaks to him with the authority of a judge, and the church does so in his name, because he has given her power to judge the world, and the prince of the world. The sin of un- cleanness is very rarely without accomplices. It is the duty of a spiritual guide to examine sinners upon this point with prudence and caution.

" 10. And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country."

The devil takes delight in the souls which he has for a long time possessed. It is a^ery dangerous illusion, not to break with this sin entirely and with- out reserve. To be willing to enter into a sort of composition with lust, and not to fly all the occasions of it, is to be willing to settle in the very region and

CHAPTER V. 65

country of sin. He deceives himself, who pretends that an impure love will ever be changed into an honest and innocent familiarity. The devil is not much concerned, provided he can but maintain some small correspondence with a heart out of which he has been driven.

" 11. Now there was there, nigh unto the moun- tains, a great herd of swine feeding. 12. And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them."

How many are there in the world, who, after the example of these devils, abstain from one sin, only in order to commit another ! If we do not examine ourselves thoroughly, we shall easily mistake vices for virtues. We may change the object without chang- ing the sinful desire. There is no other way to turn concupiscence into charity, but only by restoring God to his proper place, which has been usurped by the creature. The devil has no power to hurt man, or any thing belonging to him, without God's permis- sion. Being only the instrument of his justice, he executes nothing but by the order of Christ the so- vereign Judge. It is a certain sign of want of faith and trust in God, for a man to iear the devil, any otherwise than as his slave and as the executioner of his justice.

" 13. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine ; and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand,) and were choked in the sea."

God often grants to the wicked, through a motive infinitely holy, that which they ask for a criminal

bb ST. MARK.

end. He makes use of the devil, either to punish sin or to exercise virtue ; and both in the one and the other, he makes him against his will subservient to his glory. When the devil cannot hurt men in their persons, he endeavours to do it in their goods. But when he thinks he hurts a Christian most, then it is that he is sometimes most instru- mental in promoting his salvation, either in curing his avarice by the loss of his goods, or in taking away his health which he abused against God, or in re- moving him from the occasions of sin, or in purify- ing him from his imperfections and faults.

" 14. And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. 15. And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind ; and they were afraid."

When a man is delivered from his evil habits, then only he possesses his soul in peace, and is free indeed. If an instance of some extraordinary con- Version serve only to excite fear and trouble in a soul by reason of some temporal interest, it is little disposed to receive any spiritual advantage thereby. In order to this, a man must worship God, enter into himself, examine his own heart, and have recourse to God with peace and tranquillity of mind : it is thus that he ought to answer his designs.

" 16. And they that saw it told them how it be- fell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. 17. And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts."

Whoever loves earthly possessions and enjoyments

CHAPTER V. 67

will not long preserve Christ in his heart. Alas, there are but too many who strive to part with Christ by parting with the faith by which he dwells in them, and which does not well agree with their passions ! The carnal man shakes with fear, when he considers that grace has prevailed with some souls to divest themselves of all things. He dreads that grace which leaves a man nothing but his God : but how miserable is the heart to which its God is not suffi- cient !

" 18. And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him."

When a man is in a public station, he ought to be very cautious of taking into his house, or admit- ting to the sacred ministry, persons who, before their conversion, have led a very scandalous life. A peni- tent should resolve to follow Christ in his humilia- tions, to imitate him in the sacrifice of Christian virtues, and to adhere to him by a sincere acknow- ledgment, and by all the ties of religion : but he must not think of aspiring to that state which belongs only to the innocent.

" 19. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not; but saith unto him. Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee."

God sometimes requires of a person newly con- verted, nothing but a grateful acknowledgment of heart, and a good example in his family, by a regular life and conversation. A great measure of grace, received by us in order to our own sanctification, ought sometimes also to be made instrumental to-

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wards that of others. The grace of conversion is a talent which a man ought to improve to the utmost, in making known the majesty of God, the inexhausti- ble riches of his mercy, and the power of his grace. One cannot better set forth his goodness than by openly making a very great acknowledgment of his benefits.

" 20. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him:* and all men did marvel." [* Fr. The great graces he had received of Jesus.]

A thankful heart can very difficultly confine itself within the narrow bounds of gratitude prescribed to it. There are some graces which are proper to be published; and there are others which ought to be concealed. It is just to publish those, which, being preceded by heinous sins, cannot be ascribed to any thing but the pure mercy of God, and which are visibly counterbalanced by our demerits. It is the safer way, to conceal such as may be looked on as the reward of great fidelity in making a good use of those which a man has received before. The glory of God, and the advantage of our neighbour, are the rules to be observed on this occasion. He who does not publish them of his own accord, when they are extraordinary in their kind, and the example may be dangerous to the weak, shelters his neighbour's weakness under the veil of silence, and his own un- der-that of obedience.

CHAPTER V. 69

Sect II. — The Bloody Issue healed. The Daughter of J aims raised.

"21. f And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him : and he was nigh unto the sea. 22. And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the syna- gogue, Jairus by name ; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, 23. And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death : I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed ; and she shall live. 24-. And Jesus went with him ; and much people followed him, and thronged him."

We pray with earnestness for a person whose soul is ready to quit the body; and we look with indiffer- ence upon a soul which is on the point of losing its God. Let us judge by this father's grief, what that of a spiritual father full of charity must needs be, when he sees a soul which is committed to his care in danger of falling ! Who can tell with how much humility, fervency, and importunity, he solicits for grace at the feet of Christ for that soul? Happy the daughter who has found such a father ! happy the father, exact and faithful in his duty, who has the bowels of Christ towards those souls whose in- firmities and miseries he fully knows !

" 25. 51 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,"

Jairus is an emblem of the Jewish people, for whom Christ came in the first place, but who are not to be saved till after the Gentiles, of whom this woman is a type or figure, both by the nature of her

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distemper, and by the preference which she receives. God has his proper times and moments. He seems to neglect a sinner, and not to hear his prayer: but very often he only defers it. The secret is, to have patience, and not to give over following him in his ways.

" 26. And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,"

It is a great piece of infidelity for men not to think of God in afflictions until they have experi- enced the insufficiency of human remedies. What a mercy is it to be forced to have recourse to God, by misfortunes, diseases, or the ill usage of men ! See here a representation of those physicians of souls, who, not acting in the name and in the spirit of Christ, do nothing else but feed and increase their maladies. Men are very far from doing as much for the health of the soul as for that of the body, and from giving all for eternal salvation, as they willingly spend all they have for temporal life. They are apt to seek out such physicians from whom they may suffer little or nothing, such as are likely to be most easy and gentle ; and scarce will they hear speak of bestowing some slight alms. What wonder then, if such persons are nothing bettered, but rather grow worse !

" 27. When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment :"

The Gentiles, represented by this woman, passing as it were through the crowd of the Jewish people, approach Christ, and believe in him. A sinner oftentimes, by means of his faith, receives a grace

CHAPTER V. 71

which seemed to he designed for a just person. To touch the garment of Christ, is to helieve that he clothed himself with our flesh for our sakes, it is to unite ourselves to him by a lively faith, to put our trust and confidence in the merits of his mortal life, to apply ourselves to the mysteries accomplished in his flesh, and to imitate the mortification which he himself underwent therein. Alas, we are unwilling to touch this with one of our fingers !

" 28. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole."

In the mysteries of Jesus Christ we find a sover- eign remedy against the diseases which have taken the deepest root in the soul. Every thing is holy, efficacious, and full of a divine virtue in the Mediator of our peace : every thing is saving in the Author of salvation. O God, how oft do we touch, receive, and eat his representative body in the eucharist; and yet, through our own fault, we continue still subject to the same infirmities ! It is because we do not approach him as this woman did; with the same faith, the same confidence, and the same hu- mility.

** 29. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up ; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.'*

The grace of Christ is the only remedy for all the most inveterate diseases of the soul. This will dry up the very fountain itself of sin, which is concu- piscence, when the time of the perfect reign of cha- rity shall come. It at present stops the course, the reign, and the dominion of concupiscence. The healing operation of grace alone can do all in a mo-

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ment : the delays of it do not proceed from inability and necessity, but from dispensation and wisdom. When will it be, O my Saviour, that it shall drain in me the source of all sin, that it shall dry up that fountain of corruption and iniquity which I carry in my flesh and in my heart?

** 30. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said. Who touched my clothes ?"

The Gentiles belong to Christ, and received his grace, as it were contrary to his design and first in- tention. There are graces which are gotten, as it were, by stealth, and which may be called surrep- titious graces : so surprising do they appear, and contrary to the ordinary conduct of God. If any thing were capable of surprising wisdom itself, it would be a faith which is humble and full of confi- dence at the same time. What part soever of Christ such a faith touches, on whatever it lays hold in order to go to him, he is sensible thereof, and suffers him- self to be gained thereby.

"31. And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou. Who touched me ? 32. And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.''

Jesus Christ takes more notice of a soul which seeks him in silence, in the spirit of faith, and by humble and secret ways, than of a multitude of com- mon Christians, who do nothing but through custom, and in the way of external devotion. He seeks those in his turn who have sought him, and who could not have done it but by his grace : that is to say, second graces crown the first. He hides the

CHAPTER V. 73

operations of his grace under appearances altogether human, because this is the time to establish the be- lief of it, not to unfold its mysteries, and to manifest its glory.

" 33. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth."

A timorous humility, and a perfect thankfulness, raise sometimes an innocent contention in a soul. There is a confidence arising from pride, which blinds men, and makes them take defects for virtues. There is a diffidence proceeding from humility, which hides their virtues from them, and makes them sometimes take them for defects. It is a sight very pleasing to Christ, to see a soul humbled at his feet, whose only crime is excess of faith and greatness of confidence,

" 34. And he said unto her. Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague."

The time of comfort succeeds that of pain and trouble. It is to humility and faith that God gives this comfort. What joy must it be to a soul which believed itself wanting in its duty, to understand that its fidelity has not received the least blemish, and that it has been conducted in every thing by its faith ! The word of Jesus Christ sometimes confounds and humbles souls ; sometimes it comforts and raises them from their dejection. This word, and a spiritual guide or director, who has been well nourished there- with, 1. Make men sensible, that the reason why they are exercised and humbled is because they are children of God. 2. Teach them to discern that Vol. II. D 57

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which proceeds from faith from that which does not. 3. Restore to them peace of mind, and calm the troubles of conscience. 4. Confirm them in virtue, and in a fnll persuasion and confidence of the good state of their hearts.

" 35. % While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synatfogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead ; why troubles! thou the Mas- ter any further?"

Thus it happens sometimes, that a ghostly father Jiears of the death of a soul which he loved entirely, and for which he had grieved a long time. God permits this, in order to the humiliation both of this soul and of this fatlier, and that perhaps to cure both the one and the other of their too great fondness and affection. He must be sure not to abandon it in these circumstances, nor to give admission to such thoughts as are merely human, and produce nothing hut vexation, discouragement, and despair. He must, on the contrary, pray with greater earnestness, and with new sighs importune him who is the abso- lute master of the heart, and the author of salvation.

" 36. As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe."

It often happens, that when faith has brought a sinner as it were to the very point of a perfect con- version, this faith suffers greater shocks than ever by thoughts of distrust and despair. A wise director of the conscience ought to dispel these by fortifying his faith, and making known to him the goodness of God, and the power of the grace of Christ. At first Christ spoke not one word to this afflicted father,

CHAPTER V. 75

gave him no manner of hopes, seemed entirely to neglect him, and applied himself to the cure of ano- ther diseased person ; but as soon as he perceives his trust and confidence assaulted, he then speaks to him. God will be entreated a long time in behalf of a soul, and suffers it sometimes to fall, in order to make the power of his grace more evident and illustrious.

" 37. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James."

Let us thus learn from Christ, not to impart, ex- cept only to a few chosen persons, those works of God which we are to undertake, for fear lest they should be obstructed. The Spirit of God would have us labour in secret as much as possible; whereas the spirit of the world continually affects noise and applause. A prelate who ought to form good pas- tors under him, should act in concert with them, and impart his designs to those who are principal workers together with him.

** 38. And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. 39. And when he was come in, he saith unto them. Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth."

The death of sin in the elect is nothing but a sleep, because they will infallibly awake from it. It is not in the midst of the noise and confusion of the world that a man should endeavour to raise his own soul or that of his neighbour, but in retirement and silence. Men are often apt to make too much ado about the fall of a soul. They defame it, they dis- course of it with a sort of grief which is too human, loud, and sometimes despairing, or else from motives d2

76 ST. MARK.

not very charitable or Christian, and which often proceed from interest. One should perhaps very much puzzle these mourners, if one obliged them to answer this " Why," and to discover what passes in their heart upon the death of their friends or relations, or upon the disgraces and falls of their neighbour. It is good to put this question to ourselves.

" 40. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying."

The world laughs those to scorn who hope every thing from the goodness and grace of God : the rea- son is, because it has no faith at all. A man must as much contemn the infidelity of the world, and perform his duty. How desperate soever the con- dition of a sinner may appear, we must neither insult over it, nor despair of his conversion. Perhaps he is one of God's elect, in whom he will make the power of his grace evidently appear by raising him up. In order to this, he must enter into the very place where he is dead, namely, into his heart. Those who have been witnesses of the disorders which bring death on the soul, ought likewise to be so of its conversion.

'* 41. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha-cumi; which is, being inter- preted, Damsel, (I say unto thee,) arise."

If God vouchsafe not to take our heart in his hand, it will never recover from its sin. The sacred humanity is as it were the hand and instrument of the Divinity, to which it is united in the person of

CHAPTER V. 7*7

the Word. It is from this humanity that our life proceeds, because it was in this that Christ died and rose again, and completed his sacrifice. He is man, since he takes this dead person by the hand ; he is God, since he commands her to live and to arise, and is immediately obeyed.

" 42. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked ; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. 43. And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat."

None but God can make his voice heard by a soul which is in sin, because it is as great a miracle as to make a dead man hear it. Observe here the order of conversion: — 1. To rise, by forsaking sin, its hab- its and occasions. 2. To walk a long time in good works. 3. To retire from the world, and to keep silence for some time. 4. To eat the living bread of the eucharist. — One ought to take great care not to give this bread to a dead person. That which ought to precede this divine food, according to the order here intimated by Christ, is, that a man should rise, leave the bed wherein he was dead, and walk in the practice of virtue, with such edification, as even to cause admiration in those whom he has before of- fended and scandalized by his sins.

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CHAPTER VI.

Sect. I. — Christ contemned. No prophet honoured in his own country.

" 1. And he went out from thence, and came into his own country ; and his disciples follow him."

Christ did not begin his preaching in his own country, and it was late before he preached there at all; and this in order to teach priests to have little regard to human and natural affections.

" 2. And when the sabbath-day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?"

It is common for men, when they would elude the force of a sermon, to fall upon the preacher. They lose the benefit of useful and practical truths, by fixing on nice questions which have no relation to manners. How can these men own the miracles of Christ, and yet pretend to be ignorant from whence he has his doctrine? Is not this wilfully to shut their eyes, that they may not believe? Worldly- minded men cannot choose but admire a truly Chris- tian preacher, but they always find pretences enough for not submitting to what he delivers.

" 3. Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at hira."

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The world cannot esteem that which proceeds not from it. False wisdom is blind, and is an obstacle to the true. The humble condition of Jesus Christ is an occasion of offence and falling to many. It seems to be unworthy of him, but it was necessary on our account: and he chooses rather to be wanting to his greatness, than to his love. Men ought to bring along with them to sermons their ears and their heart, in order to hear the word of God, to receive, to love, and to retain it; but not their eyes, that they may not be offended at the external and apparent defects of the preacher. Let us cautiously avoid the com- mon error of affixing the gifts of God to the outward advantages of nature or fortune. " This is a delusion of the world, worthy of its infidelity.

" 4. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house."

The fond adherence of a priest or a preacher to his own kindred and house, renders him very little serviceable in the exercise of his ministry. If he have faults, they are known there, and he becomes contemptible ; if he have great talents, they excite envy, and he is opposed; if he make himself familiar, he loses respect, and his authority suffers thereby; if he do not, he is counted proud, and avoided. The property of an evangelical minister is to be, as it were, another Melchisedec, without country, without house, without relations, or to be as if he had none.

" 5. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them."

Ingratitude, joined with incredulity, ties, as it

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were, the hands of the divine goodness. The only revenge which the gospel allows us, is to overcome evil with good. The infidelity of a whole people does not hinder the mercy of God from extending itself over the small number of elect who are mingled with them.

" 6. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching."

Jesus wonders at that at which he would have us wonder; and he takes notice of our faults, to the end that we may reflect upon ourselves. How much more strange and surprising are our own infidelity or unsuitable returns, after the instruction and miracles of so many ages !

Sect. II. — The Mission and Power of the Apostles*

'* 7. 51 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two ; and gave them power over unclean spirits;"

Union and good understanding betwixt the minis- ters of the gospel is necessary to the progress and advancement of it. Christ shows this in sending them forth by two and two. The end and business of the ministry is to destroy the kingdom of the devil in the world. Judas received power and authority over him as well as the rest of the apostles: but of what advantage is it for a man to cast him out of the body of his brother, if he open his own heart, and through avarice surrender himself up to him, as Judas did?

*' 8. And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staft'only ; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse : 9. But be shod

CHAPTER VI. 81

with sandals; and not put on two coats. 10. And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place."

The ecclesiastical ministry requires a perfect dis- engagement from temporal things, to take away from the people all suspicion that the clergy act only out of self-interest. Ambition and avarice are the two things which frequently ruin a preacher and all his labours. There are very few examples now-a-days of this perfect indifference as to worldly things which Christ here enjoins to the apostles. A man is not obliged to serve the church by actually depriving him- self of all things; but whoever is not ready to be de- prived of all, rather than be wanting to his duty, is not worthy to succeed the apostles.

" 11. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city."

The greater the labours of ecclesiastical ministers have been, the more will they condemn those who have not profited thereby. One of the greatest punishments of their neglect is, that the word of God shall be taken from them. If men have reason to fear being deprived of the truth, when they despise its ministers and neglect to hear them, what judg- ment of God will fall upon those who persecute them ! Jesus Christ neither enjoins nor permits his apostles to employ their apostolical power to avenge them- selves, nor even to desire that he should do it. It d3

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is the part of a minister of truth and charity, to labour without ceasing, to suiFer without resentment, and to leave his cause to God with a full trust and confi- dence in him.

" 12. And they went out, and preached that men should repent."

John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and his apostles, both before and after his death, always began their preaching with the subject of repentance : so great is the necessity of this duty. Those who do not preach it, who weaken the obligation and decry the practice thereof, follow very little the footsteps of the apostles or of Jesus Christ. Awaken the spirit of repentance, O my God, in this age, which has so great need of it ; and vouchsafe to give true preachers thereof to thy church !

" ]3. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them."

Here is an emblem of the several duties of a pas- tor: namely, courageously to prosecute incorrigible sinners, to treat the weak with mildness, and to ap- ply himself to all with zeal.

Sect. III. — The Imprisojiment and Death of John the Baptist.

"14. 51 And king Herod heard of him ; (for his name was spread abroad :) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him."

The very memory of just men who have been op- pressed, torments their persecutors. The sinner has no peace when he desires to have it, because he re- jected it when God was pleased to offer it to hira.

CHAPTER VI. 83

Strange condition this, for a man to be forced to bear witness to the innocence of a saint whom he has oppressed ! This is only a fruitless confession, ex- torted from the mouth of a criminal, not a profitable acknowledfrment of the holiness of a servant of God.

" 15. Others said, That it is Ehas. And others said. That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets."

The judgment of the world is very uncertain in all things, but extremely blind in those which relate to God. There are no conjectures so extravagant, but men will have recourse to them rather than believe the word of God : so corrupt is the heart of man ; so true is it, that blindness is the just punishment of incredulity. These Jews, in their several judg- ments, afford us a lively representation of those pre- tended masters of reason, who affect always singu- larity in their opinions, and who believe every thing except truth.

" 16. But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead."

God exercises his justice upon the sinner even by his sin itself. He need only deliver him up to his conscience to be avenged of his iniquity. See here the repentance of a reprobate, who is not ashamed to confess his crime, and yet is ashamed to do penance for it. If the bare thought of St. John's resurrec- tion gives Herod so much trouble, ho\v will it be when all the elect restored to life shall rise up in judgment against their persecutors, and demand ven- geance on them !

" 17. For Herod himself had sent foith and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Hero-

84 ST. MARK.

dias' sake, his brother Philip's wife ; for he had mar- ried her."

Unchastity is unjust and cruel. A man sacrifices every thing to an infamous creature when he has once made her his idol. God commonly punishes one enormous sin by another more enormous. There is no dreadfuller punishment of public lewdness, than for a man to be abandoned to wickedness, to perse- cute God's ministers, and to murder a saint.

" 18. For John had said unto Herod, It is not law- ful for thee to have thy brother's wife."

The world will always charge it as a crime on righteous persons and zealous preachers, for them to rebuke sinners, and to speak the truth without regard to any man. It is a very grievous misfortune which attends the great, to be accustomed to be never con- tradicted in the least things; they will not be so af- terwards in their most unjust passions. This is the fruit either of a bad education, or of a prostituted flattery. These persons are resolved to be praised, and when they have no virtues which can be com- mended, it seems their very vices become the sub- ject of commendation on pain of death.

*' 19. Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him ; but she could not :'*

An adulteress cannot suffer any obstacles to her passion. When sin is once conceived in the heart, the person sooner or later finds an opportunity to finish and complete it. The difficulty of satisfying a violent passion does only inflame and stir it up the more.

" 20. For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and

CHAPTER VI. 85

when be heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly."

The sin of the flesh stifles the best thoughts, and all the good desires which the word of God has pro- duced. The world is full of persons who take a pride in esteeming virtue, and ip paying a particular respect to good men, so long as they give them no disturbance in their passions. But these become odious to the world, as soon as ever they contradict its corrupt inclinations. A man is always ready to hate those whom he honours only out of policy, or through a self-interested hypocrisy, and because he is afraid of their censure and reproofs.

"21. And when a convenient day was come, that Herod, on his birth-day, made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;"

A crime is more than half committed, when it is once resolved on ; a convenient day cannot be long wanting to a passion so violent and vigilant as re- venge animated by an infamous love. The feasts of the world are days very convenient for sin, as the feasts of the church are for piety. It is a great mis- fortune to be engaged to be at the former: a great imprudence not to provide against the infectious air which is there breathed; a great piece of unfaithful- ness not to excuse ourselves from going when we can ; and a very great folly to appear there without any manner of obligation.

" 22. And when the daughter of the said Hero- dias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod, and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. 23. And he sware unto her, What-

86 ST, MARK.

soever thou slialt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom."

Fatal alliance this betwixt good cheer and lasci- vious objects : it is the source of the greatest evils. How is it possible for a person to go innocent out of those assemblies for diversion, from whence God's presence is excluded as much as possible; where they do not speak of him but to dishonour him ; where all the senses are besieged and intoxicated with pleasures ; where reason, hurried away by pas- sion, becomes incapable of informing and directing the will ; where unbridled lust, without the least re- straint, sees nothing but what excites it; and where modesty and reservedness become a crime !

" 24. And she went forth, and said unto her mother. What shall I ask ? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. 25. And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, 1 will that thou give me, by and by in a charger, the head of John the Baptist."

Vanity, feasting, and lasciviousness joined to- gether, render a person capable of all sorts of crimes. How dangerous are dancing and balls, and how many tragical efiPects do they produce I They awaken the criminal passion of Herod, and deprive him of his liberty and reason; they renew in the heart of Herodias the spirit of revenge, hatred, and rage against St. John ; they make her daughter lose all shame and modesty; they cause all three to join in the horrible and sacrilegious murder of one of the greatest of saints ; and involve this whole court in the crimes of injustice, cruelty, revenge, an impious oath, impurity, and several other which accompany the sin of Herod.

CHAPTER VI. 87

" 26. And the king was exceeding sorry ; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. 27. And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his liead to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,"

.Observe here in Herod, hypocrisy, superstition, and too great a regard to men. His sorrow is the sign of the remorse of his conscience; and his con- science is his accuser and a witness of his crime. It is a penal blindness, justly due to the abuse of light and instruction, for a man to make a scruple of not performing an unjust oath, and to make none of delivering up an innocent person and a saint, at the request of a dancer, to the revenge of an incensed adulteress. An oath is criminal, and by conse- quence void, when it cannot be performed without sin and injustice. How dangerous is it to take but one step in the paths of sin, since it is so very diffi- cult to go back and retreat from it !

" 28. And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother."

See here the fruit of a bad education, a wicked daughter of a wicked mother: they are serviceable to one another in order only to sin and damnation. Revenge causes a person to take pleasure and de- light in that, which, if passion were absent, would raise the greatest horror. This is a dreadful ex- ample for this sex, which is naturally so soft, timo- rous, and bashful : a woman could not arrive at once at such an excess of fury, as to prefer the present of a head swimming in blood before every other favour

88 ST. MARK.

which she might have asked. A person, by the least acts of infidelity, may rise at last to the greatest crimes, and to such as are most contrary to natural inclination. One is capable of every wickedness, when one is capable of forgetting God.

" 29. And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a torob."

Behold here, how one of the best of men, the Bridegroom's friend, and a zealous preacher of the truth, passes the last days of his life in disgrace at court, dies under oppression, is meanly buried, not one person daring to speak for him — and is aban- doned by all, except some few faithful friends, who carry him in silence from the obscurity of a prison, to the darkness of a grave. But the time of the man of God will come, when the time of man is past, and that of God is come.

Sect. IV. — Christ's retirement. The Miracle of' the Jive loaves,

''30. % And the apostles gathered themselves to- gether unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught."

How good is it for a minister to recollect himself near Jesus Christ after his labours ! How sweet is that repose which he tastes at the feet of truth, after missions, pastoral visitations, and the fatigues of preaching ! And how necessary is this repose, to keep him from being too much satisfied in himself and in his good success through a vain complacency, or from continuing, as it were, out of himself by dis- traction of heart ! To give account to Christ, is for & mail to examine his heart and his own conduct in

CHAPTER VI. 89

his presence. There are many who give this account to themselves, with respect to their actions and their faults; hut few think of doing it, as the apostles here did, with respect likewise to the doctrine which they have taught, examining whether it be sound, founded on the word of God, and proper to lead souls to per- fection and salvation.

" 31. And he said unto them, Come ye your- selves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile : for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 32. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately."

The zeal of a bishop ought not. to be harsh towards his fellow-workers ; but he should take care of those who labour much in the church, he should be ten- der of their health, and procure them rest. He must neither tempt the weak by toils which are above their strength, nor urge the strong to exert their very utmost abilities: but he must consider their wants, and apply himself to the relief of them ; and not give the devil an opportunity of tempting them, by tiring them with immoderate and continual labour, or by forgetting their necessities.

" 33. And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him."

Happy those labourers in the church, the sweet savour of whose life and conversation attracts people after Christ. The intermission of extraordinary labours is not only advantageous to the ministers themselves, but it serves likewise to awaken the zeal of the faithful, and to make them desire more ardently that which they no longer enjoy.

90 ST. MARK.

** 34. 51 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd : and he began to teach them many things."

We see abundance of" priests, of doctors of the law, and Pharisees among the Jews, but not one pastor or shepherd. Jesus Christ alone is the good Shepherd, and they reject him. Flis charity is one of the marks or characters of his mission. He who feeds not his people with the word of God, as much as is necessary, is by no means a pastor. How many of Christ's sheep, both on this and on the other side of the seas, have no shepherds ; while so many of the clergy, either shamefully live in idleness, or unpro- fitably tire themselves in works of vanity ! Lord, this flock and these sheep are thine : vouchsafe to send them pastors of thy own choosing, and according to thy own heart.

** 35. And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said. This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed ; 36. Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread : for they have nothing to eat."

The earth is a dark and desert place, where the soul can find no manner of sustenance but by Jesus Christ. Can it beg this of him too frequently? The charity of the apostles is provident indeed, hut they know not as yet the extent of that of their Master. To whom should these people go, having found him who provides the food both of temporal and eternal life ! He has bread to give them, which they know not of.

CHAPTER VI. 91

" 37. He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?"

Charity cannot resolve to desert the miserable under the greatest seeming impossibilities. A man cannot peremptorily refuse an alms, unless he has given or forsaken all for Christ's sake. If there be any defect in the charity of the apostles, it is their considering more their own poverty, than the riches and power of their Master, and their not having re- course thereto. We ought to make use of our credit and interest in behalf of the poor, when we cannot relieve them ourselves.

" 38. He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. 39. And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. 40. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties."

The Christian feeds on five loaves : — 1. On Jesus Christ and his mysteries, in applying himself to them by faith. 2. On his word, by hearing it. 3. On his body, in receiving it. 4. On his grace, by con- fiding in It. 5. On his will and righteousness, in doing it. — And that he may relish them the better, he makes use of the example of the humble and suf- fering life of Christ and of the saints-

"41. And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them ; and the two fishes divided he among them all."

92- ST. MARK.

If Jesu3 Christ does not give his blessing, and cause men to make a holy use of this divine food, it will only do them harm. It is his appointment, that we should receive it by the ministry of ordinary pas- tors. It is to them that he has intrusted his loaves; it belongs to them to distribute them, as the trustees of his power and charity. He shows them in his own person, in what disposition they ought to be, in order to dispense his gifts with advantage : they must ac- knowledge that they come from heaven, and that no- thing belongs to, or proceeds from themselves, but the imperfections which they mix with them ; that it is the unction and benediction they have received from and by Jesus Christ which renders them bene- ficial ; and that, being designed for their neighbour's edification, they are to be dispensed in such a man- ner as may be most profitable for him, and most ac- cording to his capacity.

" 42. And they did all eat, and were filled."

My God ! how few are there who sufficiently con- sider the infinite difference there is betwixt eating, and being filled ; and that more in relation to the food of the soul, than to that of the body ! Those eat without beino^ filled, who make a considerable progress in the knowledge of Christ, and little or none at all in his love ; who read his word without profiting thereby; who partake frequently of his representative body, without partaking of his Spirit; and are very exact in outward performances, without any inward piety.

" 43. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. 44. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men."

CHAPTER VI. 93

The treasures of the truths, word, sacraments, grace, and mysteries of Jesus Christ are inexhaustible. Here is a slight draught of what God requires of a pastor, and of what a true pastor expects from God. The word, truths, and sacraments, which he dispenses after a holy manner, are very often more profitable to him th.-ni to those to whom he dispenses them. Wonderful is the usury in this dispensation : the less a man puts out of his own, the greater is his re- turn; the less share he has in the principal, the higher his interest rises; and the more he seems to lose, the more he certainly gains.

Sect. V. — Christ prays, walks on the Sea, and cures all the Sick,

" 45. And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. 46. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray."

Retirement and prayer always succeed the great and remarkable works of Christ : in this his ministers and members ought to imitate him. Retirement is so necessary to those who labour, that if they are not of themselves inclined thereto, they should be urged to enter into it, after the example of our Lord. It belongs to bishops to procure the conveniences proper for it, and to furnish the subordinate pastors and other labourers with the means thereof, to set them an ex- ample of it themselves, and to support, instruct, and encourage them therein.

" 47. And when even was come, the ship was ia the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.'*

94 ST. MARK.

Christ enjoys perfect rest and felicity in the bosom of his Father, while his church is in the midst of the sea of this life. Every one of us is no other than a little bark rowing against the wind, in a tempestuous sea, encompassed with the darkness of the night, and destitute of all help and succour. He who is not afraid in this condition, sees not the dajger of it; whoever sees it, and does not pray, knows nothing of his own weakness.

" 48. And he saw them toiling in rowing; (for the wind was contrary unto them ;) and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them."

Every thing is contrary to salvation without Jesus Christ. fie leaves us sometimes to ourselves, on purpose that we may know ourselves, and the need we have of him : but he never loses sight of us. This is an emblem of the church guided by its pastors. Did men but consider them as mariners, always tug- ging at the oar, always rowing against the wind, and always in danger, they would not envy their condi- tion. Their comfort is, that Christ has his eye con- tinually on the bark, that he sees their pains and difficulties, and will certainly come to their assistance. He frequently lets a great part of the night pass away, without succouring his church in a plain and sensible manner. This is to give us occasion to exercise our trust and confidence towards him, and to wait his proper time.

" 49. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out : 50. (For they all saw him, and were troubled :)

CHAPTER VI. 95

and immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid."

We sometimes take the inspirations of God for no other than illusions. His word and his light cause us to distinijuish them. We have but little knowledge of his ways, and oftentimes that which he designs for our good terrifies us. There is sometimes a kind of mutiny in the ship of the church, and a great clamour is raised at the sight of certain truths, as if they were errors; and even those who sit at the helm are alarmed at a pliantom which they fancy they see. But as soon as Christ speaks, and they are capable of hearing him, his truth manifestly appears, their apprehensions vanish, and all grows quiet.

" 51. And he vvent up unto them into the ship; and the v/ind ceased : and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered."

Jesus Christ, who is present to the heart, and to his whole church, makes the storms of temptation, persecution, and error to cease, whenever he pleases. How strange is the darkness of this present life ! The presence, word, and miracles of Christ — every thing here disturbs the weak, every thing is to others a matter of scandal or offence. But wo be to him who gives any occasion thereof I

" 52. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves : for their heart was hardened."

How rarely do men preserve the remembrance of the favours and blessings they have received ! If they did, it would give them trust and confidence when they have most occasion for them. We are amazed, and that with reason, to find that miracles so evident did not open the eyes and understanding

96 ST. MARK.

of these poor disciples : but are not all our senses surrounded on every side with the wonderful works of God, and yet we scarce so much as take any no- tice of them ? The miracle of the loaves is wrought every day. And we less admire in this the divine goodness and power, for no other reason, but only because these attributes are really more admirable herein, on the account of the regular, constant, and unchangeable order in which it is performed.

" 53. f And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. 54. And when they were come out of the^ship, straight- way they knew him, 55. And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.'*

Men readily enough know and own Christ, when he bestows upon them temporal benefits; but they seldom call to mind the benefits which he has done to the inward man hidden in the heart. We must not think of enjoying Christ by ourselves, and re- ceiving the whole advantage of his truth and gifts. We ought to invite others to partake of them, to diffuse the sweet odour of his name, and to assist the weak to the utmost of our power : this is one part of the duties of the members which belonfj to one and the same body, and the very spirit of the com- munion of saints.

*' 56. And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole."

Happy that sick person, who, following the ex-

CHAPTER VII. 97

ample of these people, is never weary in seeking out the true Physician, by a faith and confidence accom- panied with good works ! Let us learn to profit by the presence of Christ, who comes to us so many differ- ent ways. To assist the sick, to give or to procure them remedies, is a work of charity very acceptable to Christ ; but how much more so is it, to be instru- mental in restoring to them the health of the soul ! God affixes his assistances and graces to whatever he pleases, to the hem or border of Christ's garment.

CHAPTER VII.

Sect. I. — Unwas/ien Haiids, Human Traditio?is.

" 1. Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusa- lem. 2. And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled (that is to say, with unwashen) hands, they found fault."

They know God but little, who imagine that he has any regard to external cleanness. The neglect of some certain degree of neatness, when it proceeds from the spirit of repentance, and a contempt of one's self, may honour God, as much as the aflPectation of neatness dishonours him, if it proceed from self-love, and a desire of pleasing men.

" 3. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tra- dition of the elders."

Blind wretches, to value themselves upon a super- stitious practice, and to think it meritorious ! False traditions, which are founded only on popular errors,

Vol. II. E 57

98 ST. MARK.

* are sometimes religiously observed, whilst those which are holy and sacred are neglected.

" 4. And when they come from the market, ex- cept they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables."

It is the heart which a man must wash, it is the inward part which he must examine, when he has been busied about worldly affairs, and which he must cleanse in the presence of God from the filth which it may have thereby contracted. External perform- ances are more apt to puff up than to sanctify, when not animated by the Spirit of God. To such as place their whole religion in them, they generally become an occasion of condemning and calumniating the most virtuous persons.

" 5. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?" One of the greatest marks of the corruption of the heart is, for a man to place the main of religion in outward performances, whilst, at the same time, he violates charity, which is the whole law of God. It shows great ignorance in the way of salvation, to disturb the church with unprofitable questions or trifles, as if the essentials of the gospel were in dis- pute, and, in the mean time, to neglect the command- ments of God. The things from which, before our meals, we ought to wash and cleanse, not our hands, but our hearts, are the forgetfulness of God's benefits who feeds us, that greediness and haste with which we commonly sit down at table, the suggestions to

1

CHAPTER VII. 99

intemperance and sensuality, and the neglect of offer- ing to God this action, and beseeching him to sanc- tify it by his Holy Spirit.

" 6. He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7. Howbeit, in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

Sacrifices, fasts, mortifications, and alms, are good in themselves, but when the heart is not with God, they are only a body without a soul. Some human usages are no better than a vain worship, and an lionour which God accepts not ; and that not only such of them as are directly opposite to his command- ments, but those also which amuse, divert, and hinder the creature from paying to the Creator the necessary duties of religion. Let my heart draw near thee, O my God, by the imitation of thy goodness ; since this is the honour which thou dost require.

" 8. For, laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups : and many other such like things ye do."

It is a strange instance of corruption, to set the traditions and ordinances of men in the place of the commandment of God. Self-love is infinitely pleased with this change, and with bestowing on pots and cups that care and application which is due to our- selves. Nothing is troublesome to us, provided we be not obliged to change our hearts. If we do not literally imitate these Jews, let us take heed that we do not something equivalent.

" 9. And be said unto them, Full well ye reject E 2

100 ST. MARK.

the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition."

Self-love inclines us to adore our own inventions, even to the prejudice of God's commandments. The openly wicked do not perhaps contrihute so much to the weakening the truth of the divine law by their vicious lives, as those who make profession of loving it do by their explications and relaxations, which are contrary to the Spirit of God. The former are dis- credited by their very lives, and make no impression upon any but such as are like themselves ; whereas the latter gain credit by their profession, and are heard with confidence by good men.

" 10. For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death :"

It is a very great proof of the corruption of nature, that it was necessary to make a law concerning a duty which one cannot neglect without being unnatural. Next to God, our parents are the first persons whom he would have us honour, as being the most lively images of the First Person of the blessed Trinity, from whom all paternity in heaven and earth is derived, and the channels which convey to us the first gifts of God — being, life, education, subsistence, &c.

" 11. But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother. It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me ; he shall be free."

It is no other than to insult the divine law, to make a jest of religion, and to trample charity under foot, for a man to dogmatize against the first by inhuman and unnatural maxims, to cover himself with the se-

CHAPTER VII. 101

cond as a cloak for this avarice, and to seem to value himself upon the third at the same time he is de- stroying it. In vain do men endeavour to colour over their impiety with the finest pretences imagin- able : God sees it, God judges it, and will one day lay it open before the eyes of the whole world.

" 12. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 13. Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered : and many such like things do ye."

The honour due to fathers and mothers, both by divine and natural law, consists not in bare words, but in assistance spiritual and temporal, in respect, obedience, and obliging carriage, in bearing with the defects either of temper or of age, and in helping and supporting them in sickness, poverty, and troubles, without growing peevish, ashamed, or tired ; and all this, neither through hypocrisy, interest, or human regards; but from a sense of duty, out of gratitude, piety, love, and religion, and to honour our heavenly Father in his image. To take away from parents what is due to them, in order to give it to the church, is sacrilege rather than sacrifice. God will not accept that from the hand of the priest, which he expects to receive from us by the hands of our parents.

Sect. II. — It is the Heart ivhich dejiles a Man.

" 14. 51 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them. Hearken unto me every- one of you, and understand : 15. There is nothing from witliout a man, that entering into him can defile him : but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man."

102 ST. MARK.

This is a rule concerning Christian liberty, of great use, but understood and followed by very few. It ought not to serve as a veil to cover intemperance, disobedience, or want of charity in the use of meats; but as a direction in order to our living like true servants and children of God, by the spirit of faith and charity, by the mortification of the heart and its passions, by inward and spiritual purity, by adoration in spirit and truth, by the spirit of the gospel, which makes Christians, not by the spirit of the law, which makes only carnal Jews.

" 16. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear." This rule must needs be of very great importance to Christians. For our great Master, 1. Calls all the people unto hira on purpose to tell them only this : (ver. 14.) 2. He requires of them a particular attention. 3. He requires it of every one of them without exception. 4. He exhorts them to endea- vour thoroughly to understand it. And, 5. He here lets them know, that in order to do it they have need of a singular grace, and a particular gift of under- standing. It was for want of understanding this rule, that the Jews still remained Jews, adhering to a mere external way of worship. It is for the very same reason, that abundance of Christians, even at this day, serve God like Jews and not like Christians. *' 17. And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. 18. And he saith unto them. Are ye so without understanding also ? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; 19. Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?"

CHAPTER VII. 103

Let us fear that raore, which, arising from our- selves, is lodged in our hearts, than that which enters from without into our bodies. How could the Jews possibly know of what remedy and what physician they stood in need, since they did not well know either the disease of man, or the.source and cause of it, which is sin and the corruption of the heart? The Jew, full of the ceremonial and figurative law, is mindful only of the external impurities which it points out, and of the remedies it prescribes, and by his superstitious exactness increases the number of them : the Christian, enlightened by faith, applies himself to discover and know his own heart, his dis- eases, and his only physician, Jesus Christ.

" 20. And he said. That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.'*

How much ought we to distrust our own heart, since that which it produces of itself is nothing but falsehood and sin ! Whatever love of truth and righteousness it has, must proceed from some other source. Lord, it is thou who art this source, with- out which, nothing in me is pure and innocent. Pour forth on my heart thy celestial water, wash away its impurities, moisten its dryness, heal its wounds, soften its hardness, warm its coldness, bring it again into thy ways, and vouchsafe to guide it therein.

" 2L For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, mur- ders, 22. Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolish- ness : 23. All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."

The heart of man is by the grace of Christ a

104 ST. MARK.

source of all good ; and of all evil, by its own wicked- ness. Sin is always committed in the heart before it appears outwardly. There is no sin without the love of ourselves; as there is no good work without the love of God. It is through thy grace, O my God, that so corrupt a soil as that of my will does not produce all these accursed fruits. It is through thy mercy, that whatever of them it does produce is plucked up and forgotten before thee.

Sect. III. — The Woman of Canaan,

" 24. f And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it : but he could not be hid."

God resists the humble person as well as the proud : the former, by making him manifest when he hides himself; the latter, by humbling him when he exalts himself. An evangelical labourer ought of himself to be disposed to live private and concealed, but without any prejudice to what he owes his neigh- bour. Happy is that person who is made manifest, not because he will not, but because he cannot be hid.

" 25. For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet; 26. (The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation;) and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter."

Every sin is an unclean spirit which possesses the sinner. It is at the feet of Jesus that he must seek a remedy for it. Would to God the sinner had the same zeal and earnestness in regard to his soul which this woman has for her daughter's deliverance, her

CHAPTER VII. 105

fidelity in not letting slip the opportunity which God presents, and that humility which causes her to fall at the feet of the sovereign Physician ! Few mothers resemble this. The generality, instead of shutting the heart of their daughters against the evil spirit of vanity, of impurity, and of the love of the world, or of endeavouring to cast him out thence, rather set it open to him a thousand different ways.

" 27. But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled : for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs."

Jesus Christ, faithful to the Jews, notwithstand- ing their ingratitude, notwithstanding all the evil eftects of it which he foresaw, by his own example forbids us to return unfaithfulness for unfaithfulness, or evil for evil. Let parents learn from him, not to do any injustice to their children out of revenge or hatred ; to give those the preference to whom it is due, and not to favour the rest with a larger share than the law allows. God tries those on whom he intends to bestow great favours. A seeming rigour frequently prepares the way for extraordinary bless- ings.

" 28. And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord : yet the dogs under the table eat of the chil- dren's crumbs."

Faith and humility are very ingenious and elo- quent before God. This woman gives us an idea of a true penitent, who is willing to be treated with a holy severity, to be humbled even for the faults committed in his repentance, to judge himself un- worthy of the Lord's table; so far is he from being impatient at being kept back from it, is satisfied with E 3

106 ST. MARK.

the crumbs, and endeavours in some measure to de- serve the bread of his soul by exercises of humility, by the love of God's word, and by prayer. When God undertakes to humble the sinner, he has no other part to choose but to submit to his conduct, and to put himself into a condition of attracting his compassion.

" 29. And he said unto her. For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. 30. And when she was come to her house she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed."

Of how great importance is it to improve all the opportunities which God vouchsafes us for the ex- ercise of any virtue; salvation, sometimes depending upon one single opportunity ! To neglect this and let it slip, is to hazard all. The devil is not able to resist humility: even God himself does not. Here is a great miracle granted to one word of faith, but of a faith which is itself a gift of God. His good- ness is so great, that his gifts become our merits. How great comfort is it to a Christian mother, when God is pleased at last to grant to her prayers the salvation of a daughter possessed with the spirit of the world ! But how few are there who beg this blessing !

Sect. IV. — The Deaf and Dumb person healed,

** 31. % And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis."

Charity has its rules and measures in the distri- bution of spiritual good things, as well as in that of

CHAPTER VII. 107

temporal. We do not see upon what account Christ leaves one country to pass into another: the reasons hereof are hidden in the secret desixrns of God,- One advantage which Christ draws from it is, to show us that he is absolute master of his own gifts, and that he owes us nothing, to keep men under the apprehension of losing him, and to induce them to profit by his word and benefits while they enjoy him.

" 32. And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they be- seech him to put his hand upon him."

Human nature was incapable of hearing the doc- trine of salvation, and of acknowledging its own misery, when the Son of God came to seek it : and every sinner left to himself has this double inability in some degree. A man is deaf and dumb, when he refuses to hear the truth, to be attentive to it, and to obey it. Deplorable deafness this, which is volun- tary, and of which a man is unwilling to be cured : for as soon as ever he is willing, and humbly begs a remedy, he is no longer either deaf or dumb. The charity of the church supplies the sinner's impotency by her prayers and sighs; and her authority, denoted here by the imposition of hands, applies those graces to him which her charity has obtained.

** 33. And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;"

How great is the mercy shown towards a sinner, when God chooses him out of a multitude of others, on purpose to give him faith, and the grace to con- fess his name ! Nothing but the merits, word, and grace of him who is both God and man, can open our

108 ST. MARK.

heart to the truth, can infuse into it the love and re- lish thereof, and inspire it with courage to confess it. Every thing is efficacious in Jesus Christ, every thing is full of virtue, because every thing in him is united to the word and to the eternal wisdom.

" 34. And, looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is. Be opened. 35. And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain."

It is by prayer, and the secret sighs of the heart, that Christ applies his merits, and that the church does it after his example. If the conversion of a sinner cost Jesus Christ so many desires, prayers, and sighs; is it not reasonable that it should like- wise cost the sinner himself some ? Is it not neces- sary that his servants, called and separated to this work, should be men of desires, prayers, and sighs? That which Christ does here, is the pattern which a minister of the church ought to follow, who, in the exercise of his ministry, in performing the ceremonies of the sacraments, and in pronouncing the words and prayers over sinners, in the name and by the authority of the church and of Christ himself, ought to lift up his heart toward heaven, to groan and sigh in behalf of those under his liand, and to expect every thing from him who is the sovereign Master of all hearts. O Jesus! pronounce over mine, over the hearts of sinners, and of all those who ought to hear thee and to speak in thy stead, these words, " Be opened,'* and thou shalt be immediately obeyed.

" 36. And he charged them that they should tell no man : but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;"

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A benefit becomes so much the more worthy to be published, by how much the more he who does it en- deavours to conceal it. The humility of the bene- factor, and the gratitude of the receiver, may very well oppose each other without any prejudice to the peace of their heart. Though Christ be not here obeyed, yet his prohibition is not altogether fruitless, since it affords an instruction for his ministers, and a pattern for all his members.

" 37. And were beyond measure astonished, say- ing. He hath done all things well : he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak."

It is proper only to Christ to make man capable of hearing the voice of his God, and of praising his majesty. He did nothing but what was useful and beneficial to men, because it was for their sakes that he was made man. That which we owe to the ac- tions of Christ, is not only to admire what is great and illustrious in them, but likewise to consider the tendency and design of them. It is a very great commendation of a minister, to say, that he does all things well ; that is, with gravity, modesty, and exter- nal decency, and with application, piety, and internal religion. This is the way to make even the deaf to hear the truth, and to draw from sinners an acknow- ledgment and confession of their miseries.

CHAPTER VIII.

Sect. I. — The Miracle of the Seven Loaves,

"J. In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,"

110 ST. MARK.

Jesus Christ, the good Shepherd, seems desirous to take advice of his disciples, thit he may set an ex- ample to the chief pastors of the church. He per- mitted this want, and chose this opportunity to feed this people, on purpose to teach the poor to have recourse to him as their refuge in their necessities, and to put the rich in mind, that it is he who keeps them from falling into poverty, and who gives them all their wealth and riches.

" 2. I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat;"

Jesus Christ has had his elect before the law, un- der the law, and from the time of his incarnation; which three periods are represented by these three days : and in all these seasons they have been, and shall be, with him by means of faith, hope, and charity. Alas ! how much did those who lived be- fore the incarnation, long after Jesus Christ, the bread of heaven, who freely gives himself to us, and is become our daily bread ! The Jews having nothing but types and shadows, and carnal sacrifices, incapable of nourishing the soul, had, properly speaking, no- thing to eat : in like manner the Gentiles, who had nothing but what was capable of giving, them death. All thanks be rendered to thee, O holy and adorable Victim, true bread of souls, for having had compas- sion on thy people, and having given them thyself for their food and nourishment!

" 3. And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far."

Faith grows weak, hope faint, and charity cold,

CHAPTER VIII, 1 1 1

during the pilgrimage of this life, especially in those who have been a long time at a distance from God, unless he vouchsafe to . give them new strength. They come from far who come from the region of sin, which is so remote from God. Jesus Christ himself is the living bread, which is the happiness and joy of angels in the heavenly country, and the strength and remedy of men in their way thither. Christ does not feed those who came from far, till he has nour- ished them a great while with his word, tried their fidelity and perseverance, and fully known their want and their hunger. Thus great sinners are to be treated, before they are fed with the eucharist.

"4. And his disciples answered him, From. whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?"

Nothing here below is capable of supporting, healing, and satisfying the heart of man. The Holy Ghost supports it by his strength, Christ heals it by his grace, and God will satisfy it with his glory. Can we fear wanting any thing when we have Jesus Christ with us, when we have him for our pastor? Yes, Lord, thou art our pastor, and nothing will ever be wanting to those who trust in thee, and are within thy fold, which is the church,

" 5. And he asked them. How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven."

These seven loaves are emblems of the seven habitual gifts of the Holy Ghost, of which our blessed Saviour makes use to weaken in us the con- trary habits, and to strengthen us against concu- piscence. O Holy Spirit, who didst rest on Jesus Christ, in order to fill his members through him, be

112 ST. MARK.

thou our wisdom to raise us to the knowledge of the mysteries of religion, our understanding to compre- hend the truths of salvation and our duties, our counsel in all our doubts, our strength in all our weakness, our knowledge in whatever belongs to our vocation, our piety in all our actions, and our filial and religious fear in all the temptations of this life.

" 6. And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground : and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them ; and they did set them before the people."

The Word took these seven gifts in his incarna- tion, inspired them into the apostles by sending the Holy Ghost, and by their ministry has shed them abroad in the hearts of all the faithful by the means of the word and sacraments. Without a new gift, without the benediction of his actual grace, which is obtained by prayer, we can make but an ill use of these habitual gifts. In order to prepare ourselves for the reception of them, we must humble ourselves, and adhere to the body of the pastors and true suc- cessors of the apostles. They are sent by Jesus Christ to be the dispensers and ministers of these gifts.

" T. And they had a few small fishes : and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them."

The bountiful hand of Christ's love never blesses and multiplies, but only in order to distribute : whereas the niggardly hand of secular love gathers and heaps together with no other intent but to hoard. We do not find that Jesus Christ ever gave a bless-

CHAPTER VIII. 113

ing to great riches, but only to some few things ne- cessary to life : which was to show us, that it is through his invisible blessing, tliat the poor, who are religious, always find wherewith to subsist, and are more contented in their poverty than the rich in their abundance.

" 8. So they did eat, and were filled : and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. 9. And they that had eaten were about four thousand : and he sent them away."

The gifts of God fill the heart without being wasted or diminished, and multiply in all the faith- ful. It is Christ who blesses our food, and renders it suflacient for us, when by prayer we in his name and Spirit bless our provisions before we eat. In doing this, let us always have before our eyes this blessing of Christ, and beseech him that his invisible hand may bless us as well as his gifts, and cause us to use them after a Christian manner. Bless us. Lord, and these thy gifts, Sec.

Sect. II. — A Sign refused. The Apostles reproved for their isoant of understanding.

" 10. ^ And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dal- manutha. 11. And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him."

Nothing is sufficient to make him see who is wil- fully blind. None but Pharisees seek Jesus Christ to dispute with him. He would have men seek him as disciples and scholars, not as wranglers and cavil- lers. Many, even at this day, converse with him and

IH ST. MARK.

Study his truths in the Scriptures, only out of a spirit of disputation and contest, never satisfied with that which satisfies all others. New miracles are want- ing for some sort of persons, and yet they would not fail to take occasion even from them to raise new dis- putes.

" 12. And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign ? Verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation."

The voluntary blindness of the great pretenders to learning and strong reasoning, is the most deplor- able condition imaginable, and that out of which they seldom recover. There is nothing to be done for these persons, but only to groan and sigh deeply for them from the bottom of the heart. Miracles are of no manner of use to those who are resolved not to believe. For what reason do these Pharisees, and others like them, seek after signs and miracles, but only that they may have the pleasure to contest the truth of them, to nonplus religion if possible, and to reduce it to want of proof? Let us adore the con- duct of Jesus Christ, and imitate his wisdom.

" 13. And he left them, and, entering into the ship again, departed to the other side."

God generally abandons these disputers to the vanity of their own mind. It is a dreadful judg- ment when truth withdraws itself entirely from a person, and leaves, as it were, a chaos or deep sea between itself and a mind puffed up with pride. Every one has his share of this spirit, few are sensi- ble of it, and all ought to fear lest it remove Christ at a distance from them.

CHAPTER VIII. 1 15

" 14. 51 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.'*

How happy is he whom the relish of Christ's word causes to forget the necessities of life. This forgetfulness will be the occasion of new instructions: for Christ makes every thing contribute to the salva- tion of his elect.

" 15. And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod."

Every state has its leaven, as it has its grace. The leaven of the pretenders to devotion is hypo- crisy and envy, that of courtiers and great persons is ambition and crafty policy. These are two sorts of enemies which truth and its disciples have most rea- son to fear. Every one ought to take heed, and to secure himself from them, not by artifice or violence, but by arming himself with patience and trust in God, by adhering steadfastly to the truth, and by continu- ally watching over himself, that he may not be drawn away either by authority or deceit.

" 16. And they reasoned among themselves, say- ing. It is because we have no bread."

The perfect Christian still raises his mind from sensible things to spiritual : the imperfect lets his sink insensibly from spiritual to sensible and carnal things. The more faith decreases, the more a man concerns himself about the wants of the body, and the more his sight of spiritual things decays. It is very use- ful and important for a man to say frequently to him- self. Eternity is that about which I ought to be chiefly employed.

116 ST. MARK.

" 17. And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye because ye have no bread ? perceive ye not yet, neither understand ? have ye your heart yet hardened ?" * [* Fr, Have ye yet neither sense nor understanding, and is your heart continually in blindness ?]

How justly is this reproof due to those Christians who are altogether taken up with the cares of this present life ! If this anxious solicitude is blameable even in the poor; how much more is it so in those who have necessaries in abundance? To distrust God, after all which he has done to make known his providence over mankind, and his fatherly care to- wards his children, is to want not only faith, but even sense and understanding. Illuminate us, O Lord, anew with thy light, and sufter not our hearts to fall into this blindness !

" 18. Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not ? and do ye not remember,"

One may well apply this with more apparent truth to those children of the earth who mind nothing but earth, and heaping up of riches. They have no eyes to see the vanity and frailty of these things, no ears to hear what faith declares to them concerning them, and no memory to remember how God overturns at his pleasure the greatest fortunes, and scatters abroad that wealth wherein they put their whole trust and confidence.

" 19. When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up ? They say unto him. Twelve. 20. And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up ? And they said,

CHAPTER VIII. IIT

Seven. 21. And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?"

The little use we make of God's gifts, our for- getfulness of his particular benefits, and our not tak- ing sufficient notice of the visible wonders which he works every day for us in the world, make it evident, that sin has spread its darkness over the understand- ing of man, as well as over his heart. There is need of somewhat more than miracles to establish faith and Christian confidence. Without thy grace, O Jesus ! man still remains what he is of himself, even in the midst of the most surprising prodigies. It is not to insult thy disciples that thou speakest so harshly to them in appearance, but to make them sensible of their condition and their wants, and to oblige them to put their whole confidence in thee.

Sect. III. — The Blind Man cured.

" 22. f And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him."

Jesus employs all means to make us apprehend this truth. That all human nature is, through sin, become blind as to the things of God. It was in order to cure it that he united himself thereto by his incarnation, and that he has, as it were, touched it with his person and divine substance so closely as to make with it but one and the same person. This cure advances in proportion as Christ unites himself to any particular soul by faith and charity. Our heart is like a blind person, which we must frequently present to Christ, that he may touch it with his in- visible hand. Charity ought to imitate him in ap-

118 ST. MARK.

plying itself to enlighten those who are ignorant of their own blindness, and do not desire to be cured of it.

** 23. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town ; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought."

The humility, wisdom, and power of the word in- carnate, concur to the curing of our blindness. Ig- norance of the truth, or spiritual blindness, is gene- rally both the daughter and mother of pride. A man must manage those prudently whom he designs to cure of this blindness, taking them aside in private in order to make them sensible thereof, how public soever it may be. The hand of our blessed Saviour is an emblem of his healing grace, and of the con- duct of his ministers. He here uses it to three pur- poses : — 1. That he may be a guide to this blind man whilst he continues blind. 2. That he may apply the remedy to him. 3. That he may give him imposition of hands. — A man may imitate Christ herein, 1. By treating the person spiritually blind with a charitable mildness before his cure. 2. By applying to him the remedy of evangelical truths with a great deal of discretion. 3. By praying, and doing good offices for him.

" 24. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. 25. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up ; and he was restored, and saw every man clearly."

The cure of our blindness is only begun here on earth : for our understanding has some degrees of darkness which will not be dispersed until we come

X CHAPTER VIII. 119

to heaven. This cure requires abundance of patience ; because the light of truth does not often enter all at once into the soul. God would have men learn the greatness of the evil, the necessity of his grace, and the difficulty of the cure, from the delay of his light, and the several degrees thereof through which they must pass. It is one of the duties of a pastor and spiritual director, to study this gradual progression, and not to leave the patient until he is perfectly cured.

" 26. And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town."

When man shall be perfectly cured of his blind- ness, he will praise God in the eternal silence of his house. Let us begin the sacrifice of thanksgiving here below. Retirement of one sort or another is, as it were, necessary after conversion. When a man has once received the knowledge of the truth, he must long meditate upon it in private, feed on it in silence, and let it take deep root in his heart before he speaks of it. There is an eagerness to impart it to others, which does not proceed from God, and may be pre- judicial to beginners.

Sect. IV. — The Passion foretold, St. Peter re- buked.

" 27. ^ And Jesus went out and his disciples into the towns of Cesarea Philippi ; and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am ?"

None but Jesus can speak of himself without dan- ger. It is very advantageous to discourse of his mysteries in journies and in common conversations.

120 ST. MARK.

It is neither out of ignorance, nor curiosity, nor want of other discourse, that Christ speaks on this subject ; but, on the contrary, from a knowledge of the differ- ent opinions men had concerning him, and from a de- sire to satisfy their curiosity by the truth, and to avoid by means of holy instructions the loss of time which usually attends travelling.

'* 28. And they answered, John the Baptist : but some say, Elias ; and others. One of the prophets."

The world is blind as to every thing which relates to Christ. It is not by leaving our understanding to its own conjectures that we discover Christ and his truths, but by consulting the Scriptures. Ex- treme blindness this, that men should be willing to trust to themselves in this matter without the least proof or evidence, rather than depend on Christ, who declares it himself, proves it by miracles, and con- firms it by prophecies.

" 29. And he saith unto them. But whom say ye that I am ? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ."

The true knowledge of the mysteries of Christ is not to be found, but only among the disciples of the truth and the light. Out of his school, there is nothing but uncertainty or falsehood. O Jesus ! Thou art the Christ, that is, the Anointed of the Lord, sent to save the world ; anointed with the Di- vinity itself, that thou mayest communicate part of thy unction to thy members. Render me faithful to this grace in always following the Spirit of the divine adoption.

" 30. And he charged them that they should tell no man of him."

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Pride gives men the curiosity to know what the world says of them : Christ plainly shows that he is very far from it, since he will not as yet be known. Truths have their proper time of discovery : let us not anticipate it. It was necessary that Jesus Christ should himself bear witness to his divinity before Pilate, and be the first martyr thereof, to merit for his disciples the grace to follow his example, and to bear the same witness by their martyrdom. Until then, it was their part to be silent.

" 31. % And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again."

Christ here gives an abridgment of the mvsteries of his death and resurrection. It was necessary to establish the belief of his divinity before he proposed that of the mystery of the cross. To human under- standing, these seem to contradict one another; but it is on this very account that his sufferings are more amiable to us, and that this mystery is more a mys- tery of faith. Let us be heartily willing to suffer, to be rejected of the world, and to be crucified with Christ, if we desire to rise with him.

" 32. And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him."

Corrupt reason often finds somewhat amiss in the divine conduct. It is always deceived, when it will needs concern itself to judge thereof and to rectify it. A pardonable error this in St. Peter, who had not yet seen the world subjected to God by the cross of Christ, but intolerable in those who fully know the -wonders and power of it. Let mv reason, Vol. II. F "57

122 ST. MARK.

O my God, with an entire submission, continually adore the infinitely wise contrivances of thy sovereign reason.

" 33. But when he had turned about, and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying. Get thee behind me, Satan : for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men."

Human sentiments are always opposite to the ways of God. Whoever opposes the love of the cross, is a satan. Reason, left to itself, is incapable of re- ceiving the mysteries of faith. Christ looks on his disciples whilst he speaks to St. Peter, to let them know that this lesson concerns them all, and us as well as them. How dangerous a counsellor is na- tural tenderness in the affairs of salvation ! Men think to preserve nature, to please a friend, and to use a penitent gently, by sparing them in what is troublesome and grievous; and so they ruin them by a fatal kindness.

" 34. f And when he had called the people unto him, with his disciples also, he said unto them. Who- soever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

Self-denial is the abridgment of the morality of the gospel, which concerns every body, and consists in renouncing not only some external things, but the old man entirely; namely, whatever is irregular and corrupt in the understanding, judgment, memory, will, and affections, and whatever is therein opposite to Jesus Christ, his cross, and his gospel. There is no manner of privilege, no difference in the least, be- twixt the pastors and the flock, in relation to the cross and evangelical self-denial. It is for this very

CHAPTER VIII. 123

reason that Christ joins the people with his disciples ; and, as it were, to justify his conduct towards St. Peter by the most fundamental part of the gospel.

" 35. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it."

The love of this present life is contrary to salva- tion ; a man must lose his life for the sake of Christ in order to find it again in him. The whole tenor of the gospel teaches us, that the contempt of this mortal life is a necessary means to obtain that which is immortal: but how few are convinced by it? It is not only before tyrants that we ought to wean our- selves from the love of life; but much more, while we are in the midst of the conveniencies and satisfac- tions of it. The martyrs had only a few days or hours to fight against it, in the sight of torments and death : but Christians, during their whole life, are to maintain their ground against the allurements of pleasure.

" 36. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?'*

All gain is loss when a man does not save his soul. He who possesses all things without God, has no- thing. No man is so foolish, as to be willing to purchase an empire at the price of his life ; and yet the world is full of those pretenders to wisdom, who give up their salvation and an immortal life for a vain pleasure, a handful of money, or an inch of land. How much are the greatest conquerors to be pitied, if, whilst intoxicated with their victories and conquests they ravage and lay waste the earth, their own souls F 2

124 ST. MARK.

are laid waste by sin and passion, and destroyed to all eternity.

" 37. Or what sliall a man give in exchange for his souir

A man has but one soul ; and when that is once damned, there is no recovery. Fatal and dreadful experience this, when, after having enjoyed pleasures, riches, and empires a few years, men find, by losing all in a moment, that all is nothing, and that what- ever they possessed here is altogether unprofitable for the other life.

" 38. Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father, with the holy angels."

Men are often too forward rather than otherwise, highly to commend truth amongst those who love and honour it : but to bear witness to it before those who do not favour it at all, is a thing more rare than can be imagined. We do not sufficiently dread this terrible threatening. We may flatter ourselves if we please here below, and by trivial reasons excuse ourselves from giving testimony to the word of Christ, and to himself in his servants: the day of the Lord will disperse all those clouds with which we cover ourselves, and expose to open view the base interests which we shall have preferred to those of God and of his church.

CHAPTER IX. 125

CHAPTER IX.

Sect. I. — The Transfiguration, The coming of Elias,

" 1. And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power."

God never promises any thing but he gives an earnest of it even in this life. Christ, by a foretaste of his glory, confirms the belief of his incarnation, strengthens the hope of the resurrection and eternal life, awakens the love of truth, takes off the scandal of the cross, and encourages to the practice of self- denial, and all Christian perfection, wherein he had just now instructed his disciples.

" 2. ^ And after six days, Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves : and he was transfigured before them."

After the six days of this present life, the eternal Sabbath begins upon the holy mountain of heaven; where Christ entire, consisting of the Head and all the members, of Jesus and the church, shall be per- fectly transfigured in glory. O mountain of Sion, city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem, church of the fitst-born who are written in heaven, when will it be that we shall approach thee ! When will that glorious transfiguration be accomplished, which shall change this mortal body, and fashion it like unto the glorious body of our blessed Saviour !

126 ST. MARK.

" 3. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow ; so as no fuller on earth can white them."

The saints in the state of eternity shall become all shining; they shall be nothing but light and bright- ness there, both in body and soul, and that without changing their nature. In order to our bearing in our body one day the image of Christ, as the hea- venly and spiritual man, we must now bear in it the image of him as the man of mortification and repen- tance. A true Christian, a true penitent, is, as it were, the fuller of his own flesh, which he takes the greatest pains to cleanse and whiten by mortification, and works of repentance. But what is this purity which giace works in our bodies here on earth, in comparison of that which glory shall work in them in heaven ?

" 4. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses : and they were talking with Jesus."

The truth which the prophets attested, published, and honoured with their blood, shall in heaven be in its full light and triumph. Charity, which the law pointed at, longed for, and regulated, shall be there in its fulness and kingdom. There is a perfect agree- ment betwixt the law and the prophets, betwixt the gospel and the apostles. Every thing in them all, tends to make Jesus Christ known, and God in and by Jesus Christ, to form by faith and charity his mystical body on earth, and to conduct it