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mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

21. Howbeit, this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

It is instructive here to see what the disciples wanted. Vigorous, strenuous, effectual faith. Faith they possessed: they had left all, and followed the calling of the Messiah. But it was not such faith as they required: faith which can overcome all obstacles and temptations; faith which can wrestle with God in prayer and supplication; faith which can come boldly to the throne of grace; faith of which afterwards St. James understood the real value, when he wrote, "Let a man ask in faith, nothing wavering." Such faith, we are here warned, can only be produced and preserved in the heart by prayer and fasting: by persevering habits of earnest devotion, and by abstraction from worldly thoughts, desires, and pleasures.

It is not sufficiently observed, that what all want, is FAITH. Not to cast out devils, but to subdue evil inclinations, and overcome evil practices. If men had faith as a grain of mustard seed, (ever so little, but still having life in it,) they would not be turned aside, as they are, by the slightest difficulties and temptations. How few deny or doubt that God created the world--that Christ appeared in human nature to redeem mankind-that he will come again to judge the quick and the dead! Yet how few live as if they did believe this! Whilst they practise what the Creator has forbidden, what Christ came to redeem them from, what they ac

knowledge that he will judge them for.

Because

it is not all belief that reaches and influences the heart; and because other things, things of this world, intervene, and keep out of our thoughts a belief in God, and Christ, and life everlasting.

What then we want, is a livelier faith in things which we do believe, and do acknowledge; a livelier, a more abiding faith: such a faith as shall make us act in conformity with it; such a faith as the apos tles had when they said to the cripple at the gate of the temple, "In the name of Jesus of Nazareth rise up and walk:" and such a faith as they had not, when on this occasion they could not cure this lunatic: such a faith as Peter had, when in the pas sage lately under our consideration, he leaped down into the sea to meet his Lord, fully trusting in his power to save him; and such a faith as afterwards he had not, when finding the waves boisterous, he gave way to fear, and "began to sink." What we need is, such a full reliance upon all that God has revealed to us in his word, as shall make us live by that word; make us think by it, hope by it, fear by it, trust by it, speak by it, act by it. When we reflect how far we are from really living by that word, which yet we know to be God's word, and profess to follow, we must perceive that what we require is, faith-faith that is constantly present, and lively in its exercise that if we had faith as a grain of mustard seed, the exceedingly vast objects of that faith must have a visible and perpetual influence upon every thought and action.

It is through faith that the Christian is enabled to "run with patience the race which is set before

him," and to oppose the enemies of his salvation. Are we endangered by sinful example? Faith represents the example of those who have resisted sin of Noah, and Lot, and Joseph, exceptions to the wickedness by which they were surrounded. Are we endangered by the corrupt maxims which prevail in the world? Faith brings to our mind the opposite maxims which abound in the word of God. Are we endangered by the pleasures of this present time? Faith brings before our eyes the joy unspeakable and full of glory which the heart of man cannot rightly conceive, but which God has prepared for them that love Him. Faith recalls to our thoughts the peace of God which passeth all understanding, which arises from a sense of reconciliation with Him. Faith whispers, shall I give up comfort like this, for mean and temporary gratifications? Are we restrained from a conscientious practice by the thoughts, or words, or scorn of others? Faith raises our hearts to Him that is above, whose thoughts are not as man's thoughts, and who never judges that any man can love him too fervently, or serve him too faithfully. Are we assailed by the corruptions of our hearts, which suggest to us the pleasures of sin? Faith declares that such "pleasures are but for a season," and will be followed by misery which knows no end. Are we tempted by the secrecy of sin? Faith assures us that the eye of God sees every where. Does sin promise gain or advantage? Faith asks the fearful question, "What shall it profit a man, if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul ?”

Therefore, if we had faith as a grain of mustard seed, we should be able to make progress in our religious course, as the apostle says all Christians ought to do: "walking by faith, and not by sight;" considering things eternal, not things temporal, and "having our conversation in heaven."

22. And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of

men:

23. And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.

24. And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute-money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

25. He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? Of their own children, or of strangers?

26. Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.

27. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

This is an example of the manner in which the precept may be obeyed, which we read in the sermon on the mount: "If any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also." The Christian spirit inclines a man to waive his own privileges, rather than occasion offences or dispute.

The tribute was paid for the use of the sanctuary: therefore it was paid to the King of heaven. The

Son of that King could not be required to pay tribute, according to the known maxim, that kings of the earth take not tribute of their own children. Notwithstanding, said our Lord, lest we should of fend them, give unto them for me and thee.

This is the spirit which was recommended by St. Paul, when disputes had arisen among the early Christians, (1 Cor. vi. 7.) "Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? Why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?" 66 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity seeketh not her

own."

"Let us, therefore, follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."

LECTURE XLIV.

HUMILITY RECOMMENDED.-DANGER OF CAUS

ING WEAK BRETHREN TO OFFEND.

MATT. Xviii. 1—14.

1. At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Mark ix. Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

2. And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in

the midst of them,

3. And said, Verily I say unto you, except ye be comverted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

33-42. Luke ix. 46-48.

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