Andrew, yet aptly describes the nature of the employment which he intended for them. When they afterwards went out into the world, and preached what their Master was now preaching, repent and believe the gospel: "repent, and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins: they cast as it were their nets into the sea, that they might take those who" were ordained unto eternal life." Sometimes their own success astonished them. As when the same Simon addressed his countrymen on the day of Pentecost, and " they that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."3 And sometimes "they toiled all night, and took nothing." As when on the preaching of Paul thirty years afterwards, at Jerusalem, the Jews, who heard him, "cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air, and lifted up their voices and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live."4 When "the Lord opens the heart" of those who hear, the success is great and sure. His Spirit attended his words on this occasion. Simon and Andrew were moved by them.

18. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

19. And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.

20. And straightway he called them: and they left their

3 Acts ii. 41.

4

Acts xxii. 22, 23.

5

See Acts xvi. 14.

father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

21. And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. 22. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

(Luke iv. 33-37.)

23. And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

24. Saying, 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.

Scripture tells us thus much of the world of spirits that there are angels interested in the salvation of man, and others in his ruin. Some rejoice in the repentance of a sinner: and "desire to look into the things" concerning his redemption. These, on the other hand, are grieved at the appearance of our Lord. They express a consciousness of our Lord's power, and of the design with which he came into the world. As in Matt. viii. 29, they exclaim, "What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?" So here the unclean spirit cried out, saying, Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

He was indeed come to destroy them. "For this was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." And the power which he exercised over these evil spirits, was the first indication of that great purpose of his coming.

E E

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

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

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.

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

This then must be our comfort, when we reflect upon a subject so awful and mysterious as the power of the evil spirit in the world. The same Scripture which reveals the extent of that power to us, also reveals to us one who came to break and subdue it. There is the power of Satan; there is the power of those who belong to his company: but there is one greater than these, more ready to bless than they to injure, more able to save than they to destroy. With authority commandeth he the unclean spirits, and they obey him. All those who have united themselves to him, and by a true and living faith have entrusted themselves to his care, may read without alarm what in this and other parts of Scripture is related of the power of evil spirits. "Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?" For "greater is He that is with us, than he that is in the world." Only let us remember, that as there is one adversary, Satan, the author of sin; so there is one preserver, he who came to "save his people from their sins." Those who witnessed his power, and were also sensible of the misery which it would relieve, took advantage of

it; "they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils." We, our children, and our families, have already been brought unto him. By baptism we were enrolled among his people. Let us remain with him, "not faithless, but believing," to be healed of present sin, and to be delivered from future danger. "Save, Lord, or we perish."

LECTURE LXXVI.

MANY SICK PERSONS HEALED.-A LEPER
RECEIVES A CURE.

MARK. i. 29-45.

(Matt. viii. 14-23. Luke iv. 38-44.)

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

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

31. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

Gladly would this woman minister to him, who had restored her health, and to those who had told

him of her. So it will be the desire and purpose of all who enjoy spiritual life through the gospel, to serve the author and giver of that inestimable blessing. They may still do so. They serve him, when they obey him. They serve him most acceptably, when they minister to the comforts of those who are dear to him. And those are dear to him, who follow his precepts. For whosoever "shall do the will of God, the same is his brother, and sister, and mother."

32. And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto kim 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.'

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

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.

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

(Matt. viii. 2-4. Luke v. 12-15.)

40. And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

'It was not his purpose now to be proclaimed at all, otherwise than by his works (see v. 43, 44 :) still less to be proclaimed by evil spirits.