THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT.-Matt. xi. 2-10.

Circumstances.-John, imprisoned by Herod, (ch. xiv. 3.) had completed his work, and was waiting the close of his life; Our Saviour's raising the widow's son at Nain, had spread his fame throughout all Judea, and John takes the opportunity of making his disciples better acquainted with the character and mission of Christ. See Luke vii. 16-19.

Chief Lessons,-The character of our Saviour's ministry, viz. the preaching the Gospel to the poor, accompanied with miraculous evidence; and the character of John the Baptist's ministry, described by our Saviour as preparatory to his own. Secondary Lessons.—We should be always seeking to grow in knowledge of heavenly things. Many who cannot deny the evidences of Christianity, are "offended" at the lowliness and humility which it enjoins and requires.

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

Verse 2.-Some have thought that John himself was giving way to doubts about Christ, on account of his being neglected and imprisoned; but there is no ground for this opinion. We may rather consider that, having completed his preparatory preaching, he wished his disciples to follow Christ, having himself foretold such a result; See John iii, 26-30.

Verse 3.-"He that should come," a common title for the Messiah, Luke xix. 38.; Matt. iii. 11.; xxi. 9.

Verses 4, 5.-See Christ's answer, as in John x. 26. Such wonderful works had been forefold of the Messiah, Isaiah xxxv. 4, 5, 6.; xlii. 6, 7. and spoken of as the works of God, Ps. cxlvi. 8. This also was especially characteristic of Christ's preaching, that whilst the Pharisees looked down with scorn on all but their own sect, (especially the poor, as for instance John vii. 48, 49.) He mingled freely with the poor and lowly and sought to save them. This also had been forefold, Is. xxix. 19; xli. 17; lxi. 1; Ps. lxxii. 12, 13; Zech. xi. 7. The Jews accordingly expected the Messiah to work miracles, and were forced to acknowledge that those which our Saviour wrought were worthy of the Messiah; see John iii. 2; iv. 29; vii. 31; xi. 47; but because He came in a lowly humble state they would not, as a nation, believe this evidence. Note, that we may be convinced without being converted; men may know the truth and yet hate it, to their greater

condemnation.

Verse 6. That is, who shall not take offence at my humble appearance and so reject my claims.

Verses 7-10.-John in his popularity bore witness to Christ, Christ bears witness to John in prison and neglected. Our Saviour never forgets or disowns his servants, however the world may despise them. See John's character drawn by contrast; not wavering, timorous and time-serving, speaking smooth things, Isaiah xxx. 10. prophesying falsely Jer. v. 31 or trembling like a reed,-not selfish, pampered and luxurious, Is. lvi. 10-12, choosing his portion among the good things of this life; but a bold, zealous, faithful, steadfast, and self-denying minister, heralding his Lord and Master, Isaiah xl. 3.; Mal. iii. 1; iv. 5.

APPLICATION.

We know that Christianity is from God, do we act up to our knowledge? Do we seek to imitate our Master's lowly spirit?

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT.-John i. 19-28.

Circumstances. This was John's second testimony to Christ, given during his ministry in Bethabara, on the Eastern side of Jordan, and to a deputation (probably from the Sanhedrim) sent to enquire into his pretensions and character. Chief Lesson. The character and office of John the Baptist, as the forerunner of Christ.

Secondary Lessons.-Many will ask about religion from mere curiosity, without any intention of obeying the truth. The more we know of Christ's glory, the less we shall think of ourselves.

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

Verse 19." Record"-Witness or testimony. John's office expressly was to bear testimony to Christ's Messiahship, see verses 7, 8.

Verse 21.-"Elias"-Elijah; the Jews expected Elijah to appear personally before Christ came, Malachi iv. 5. John corrects their mistake by denying that he was Elijah himself, whilst yet we know from our Saviour's own words, Matt. xi. 14, xvii. 12, 13, that the prophecy referred to John the Baptist, as coming in the spirit of Elijah, Luke i. 17. Both John and Elijah were noted for their bold reproofs of sin, the particular character of their ministry being to awaken careless sinners, and so bring them to return to God. "That prophet,” probably meaning the prophet foretold by Moses, Deut. xviii. 15-18. We learn from chap. vii. 40-41, that the Jews distinguished this prophet from the Christ, as 'some said, this is the Prophet; others said, this is the Christ." Thus many could say, as in chap. vi. 14, without believing in Christ's Messiahship.

Verse 22.-"What sayest thou of thyself?" This question may suggest many useful reflections, for it is difficult to know our own characters. We are apt to magnify our good deeds, and either to extenuate, or altogether forget our faults. Let us use David's prayer, Ps. cxxxix. 23.

Verse 23.-"Esaias"-Isaiah, chap. xl. 3-5. The image is that of a herald, going before a king to make preparations for him, or pioneers sent before an army to remove obstacles and difficulties. So was John's preaching fitted to prepare the Jews for our Saviour's ministry, by convincing them of sin, and alarming them, removing their prejudices, breaking down their carelessness. We trace the effects of his preaching in the early disciples of Christ, verses 35, 37, 40, as well as afterwards, Acts xix. 2, 3.

Verses 24, 25.-The Sadducees were careless about rites and ceremonies, so did not join in this deputation, though some of them came to hear John preach, Matt. iii. 7.

Verse 26.-John admitted that he had changed the rite of admission into the church, from circumcision to baptism, but referred, as his authority, to Christ the Messiah, who, he told them, was actually come.

Verse 27..-" After me,” in point of time; "before me," in point of honour and glory. See John's estimate of himself. We are too ready to compare ourselves with our fellow creatures, and so feed our pride; let us look more at our Saviour, that will keep us humble. Job xlii. 5, 6. An Eastern gentleman never goes out without a servant, and if he comes to a piece of soft turf, he takes off his sandals, and the servant carries them.

APPLICATION.

What think we of ourselves?

How do we treat Christ's ministers? How do we receive their message?

CHRISTMAS DAY.-John i. 1-14.

Circumstances.-This is the introduction to St. John's Gospel, and appointed by the Church for this day as containing the Evangelist's clear and indisputable testimony to the divinity of Christ, and also John the Baptist's testimony to the same truth, delivered probably in Jerusalem.

Chief Lessons.-The divinity of Christ, shewn by his self-existence from eternity-his creative power-and his redeeming grace; and the humanity of Christ dwelling in mortal flesh with men.

Secondary Lessons.-All that man has of corporeal or spiritual life is from God. Man is a fallen creature, and spiritually dark, unable to understand Divine truth, unwilling to receive it. Receiving God's gift of redemption through Christ, man becomes again the Son of God. John the Baptist (a type herein of all ministers) came to bear witness to, i. e., to preach Christ.

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

Verses 1-3.-Notice the distinct personality of the Son of God, called by this apostle, "the Word," because, as our words are the medium by which we communicate with others, so it is through Christ that God is made known to us in his perfections, glory, and attributes. This truth of the Trinity in Unity is beyond our comprehension, but so are numberless natural truths around us, which no one thinks of doubting; for example, the law of gravitation, the nature of light, the union of soul and body in man, &c.

Verses 4-5.-Man after the fall became "dead in sins," Eph. ii. 1-5, and dark in ignorance, Prov. iv. 19; Acts xxvi. 18; Rom. i. 21; Eph. iv. 18. Christ brings life, and light, eternal life, (Rom. vi. 23), and spiritual light, (2 Cor. iv. 4. "The darkness"-Unconverted men. These do not comprehend the Gospel, 1 Cor. ii. 14; but the fault is their own, see our Saviour's words, chap. v. 40. Verses 6-8.- -"John" means, beloved of the Lord. See here the mission and office of John the Baptist, sent from God to bear witness of Christ, that is, to proclaim Christ's nature and the object of his coming, verse 29. John the Evangelist was likewise to bear witness of Christ, 1 John i. 1, 2. See how careful God's people are, that no honour belonging to Him should be given to them; compare 1 Cor. xv. 10.

Verse 9.-Not that every man receives spiritual light, but that whoever does so, receives it from God; so verse 7, does not mean that all did believe. Verse 10,-See Mark xi. 28; 1 Cor. ii. 14.; 1 John iii. 1.

Verse 11.-"His own," the Jews, who were peculiarly God's chosen people, but who, as a nation, rejected Christ.

Verse 12, 13.-See here the privileges of the true believer, he is God's adopted son, Gal. iv. 5-7; Ephes. i. 5; and note that his salvation comes, not by outward privileges nor by man's will, it is God's free gift. Titus iii. 5.

Verse 14.—“His glory"-Referring probably to two events, the baptism, Matt. iii. 16, 17, and the transfiguration, Matt. xvii. 2-7; 2 Peter i. 17, 18. Also, though Christ was mean and despised in the eyes of the proud Pharisees, He was glorious in the eyes of all who believed on Him, whilst his miracles declared both his power and his love.

APPLICATION.

Christ comes to us-by his word, his ministers, his providence-do we reject Him? "What think ye of Christ"-Is He your Saviour?

T

SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY.-Matt. i. 18-25.

Circumstances.-This portion of the Gospel narrative probably comes in order after Mary's visit to Elizabeth, (Luke i. 39, 40, 56), but before the birth of John the Baptist, (Luke i. 57); the place, Bethlehem.

Chief Lessons.-The miraculous conception and Divine Nature of Christ. God with us, to pardon and to bless us, is the foundation of the Christian's hope.

Secondary Lesson.--The lowly station in which our Saviour chose to appear, an example to us to be content with our place and possessions, whatever they may be.

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

Verse 18.-Refer to Luke i. 26-35, where we have the account of Gabriel's visit to Mary, foretelling the event here recorded and pointing to the cause, the Divine Power of the Holy Spirit, whose especial office it is to give spiritual life. Mary and Joseph were both of the tribe of Judah, and the family of David; the genealogy of Joseph is given in this chapter verses 2, 16; that of Mary in Luke iii. 23-38. See the argument based on this fact by St. Paul, Heb. vii. 11—19, shewing our Lord's Priesthood to be anterior and superior to the Levitical one.

We see here the Royal family of David reduced to humble circumstances, but their genealogy strictly preserved.

Joseph was a carpenter, Matt. xiii. 55, and our Saviour probably worked with him when young, Mark vi. 3. His humility as to station in life may teach us 1st. That the poor in this world may be rich in faith. 2nd. That labour is no disgrace; and may also serve to typify that state of mind in which we must receive the Gospel, a deep sense of spiritual poverty; see Isaiah lvii. 15.; lxvi. 2.; Luke i. 53.; Matt. v. 3.

Verse 20.-We must not now expect miraculous providences, but we are bound to expect and pray for God's guidance through life; let us use David's prayer, Ps. cxliii. 8, and trust to the promise, Is. xxx. 21.

Verse 21.-Christ saves us from the power of sin. From the punishment He saves us by having borne it for us, Isaiah liii. 4—6.; 2 Cor. v. 21.; Col. ii. 14; 1 Peter ii. 24, 25.; Ephes. i. 7.; Heb. vii. 26, 27, 28. He saves us from the power of sin, Rom. vi. 14., by giving us the Holy Spirit, John xvi. 7, to teach us, John xiv. 26. ; xvi. 13.-to strengthen us, Ephes. iii. 16.-to help us in our prayers, Rom. viii. 26.—to work in us all holiness and heavenly graces, Gal. v. 16, 22, 23.

Verses 22, 23.-See Is. vii. 14.

"Emmanuel," see Is. viii. 8.; ix. 6, 7. " With us" on earth, bearing our sorrows, partaking in our infirmities,—with us, shedding light and happiness on our hearts, cheering us in death, (Ps. xxiii. 4.) and owning us at the last day—with us and we with him, for ever in heaven, John xvii. 24; 1 Thess. iv. 17.

APPLICATION.

Do we wish to be saved from our sins?

Do we really desire that Christ should dwell in our hearts?

The Lecture.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL APPRECIATED BY THE WORKING

CLASSES.

A Lecture delivered to the Members of the "Church of England Sunday School Institute," by the REV. C. MARSHALL, Incumbent of Sydenham, July 18, 1849.