they imitate the zeal of Peter, the energy of the two sons of Zebedee, the constancy of James, and the readiness of all, when they left their several occupations, and obeyed the call which summoned them.

LECTURE LXXX.

MIRACLES OF JESUS ASCRIBED TO BEELZEBUB.
ENCOURAGEMENT OF THOSE WHO DO THE
WILL OF GOD.

MARK iii. 20—35.

20. And the multitude cometh together again, so that Matt. xii. they could not so much as eat bread.

22-50. Luke xi.

21. And when his friends heard of it, they went out to 14-26. lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

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

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

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.

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

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.

In this condescending manner does our Lord refute the inventions by which his divinity was assailed. The scribes came down into the country where he was at present sojourning, and gave the explanation of his miracles which had been adopted at Jerusalem. He hath Beelzebub on his side, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. What, says the Lord, shall the author of evil bring the remedy of evil? Shall the kingdom of Satan subvert itself? Satan is like a powerful king: he has his captives in hold, and whoever would rescue them from his dominion, must first subdue and bind him, and then he may enter his house and spoil his goods. If, therefore, I do this, if I deliver men from the unclean spirits which enthrall them, you may be assured that I have an authority independent of that which they obey, and superior to it. And ye have an indisputable proof that "the kingdom of God is come upon you.'

Then follow the consequences of blaspheming against the Holy Ghost, by ascribing his works to Satan. It brings the offenders in danger of eternal damnation. Because it excludes them from the only refuge by which eternal damnation can be avoided. They must cease to revile the Holy Ghost, before they can be benefited by the Holy Ghost. Whereas they assert, that the Spirit which was with Christ, and by which he wrought, was an unclean spirit.

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

29. But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost

hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damna

tion:

30. Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.

31. There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.

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, brethren?

or my

34. And he looked round 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.

Many reasons might induce the mother and brethren of our Lord to dissuade him from the course he was pursuing. It appeared before, that they said, He is beside himself. They knew not the purpose for which he came into the world, and they perceived that he was incurring the enmity of the chief priests and elders. They "wist not that he must be about his Father's business." But he would not "give place to them, no not for an hour." He was doing the will of God. And he is led, by the occasion, to pronounce a solemn blessing on all who live with a like design. For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

of

It is strange that this should be so uncommon. We might imagine that it would be the purpose all, in their respective stations and circumstances, to do the will of Him who made them. We might suppose that all, at least, to whom He is revealed, must set this object before themselves. But expe

rience shows the contrary. Few consider, in their ordinary habits, or in the business of their lives, what is the will of God, instead of considering the prospect of worldly advantage, the inclinations of their own hearts, or the practice of others.

Great, however, is the encouragement which these words convey. Jesus looked round on those which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! Now those who sat about him were those who had been convinced by his miracles, and were learning truth from his doctrines. In this they were doing the will of God. Compared with the rest of their countrymen, they were in the condition of those who now make the gospel not only the religion which they profess, but the rule which they follow; who "hear the word of God, and keep it." And these are exposed to various trials, and have many difficulties in their way.

Here, then, is their consolation. The Saviour of the world, the Son of God, has a tender concern for them; looks upon them in the light of the nearest relationship: and will assist their weakness and confirm their strength, with the regard of a son and the affection of a brother. With this assurance, how confidently may they depend upon him, and address him in their prayers! And what a dignity is thus attached to them! Whether that dignity be acknowledged by their fellow-men or not,-it commonly is, for consistent adherence to the will of God commands respect,-whatever be their condition here, they are united in close alliance with Him who is "God over all, blessed for ever."

A time, however, will arrive hereafter, when

the value of this alliance will be more universally recognized. Who that looks forward to the reality of a judgment to come, will not desire that in that day Christ Jesus should acknowledge them as his own?-should say of them, Behold my mother and my brethren! But we cannot assume such relationship then, merely because we shall then need it. We must establish our title to it now. And that title is, that we do the will of God. No other claim will avail, not even such as might seem most clear and undeniable. And this is the will of God, "that we believe on him whom he hath sent."

LECTURE LXXXI.

PARABLE OF THE SOWER.

MARK iv. 1-20.

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

2. And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

1 See John vi. 29.