it.

Is it, then, a secret to the world? Yes; unconverted men cannot know it, because it is spiri

tually discerned.*

the knowledge of it?

Who, then, are favoured with

The secret of the Lord is

with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant.† 12. What did our Lord further say respecting the anointing that had taken place? "For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial." Why did our Lord say this? To justify the conduct of Mary, as both seasonable and acceptable. What made it so seasonable? The fact that our Lord's burial was at hand; and the custom, among the Jews, of anointing the body, as a preparation for interment. And what made it so acceptable? The love which prompted her to this act of generosity. Is it likely that she knew of the near approach of the Lord's death, and meant this as significant of what was to happen? Perhaps not. Why then did Jesus say, "she did it for my burial"? To teach us, that nothing happens without design; though we may not always perceive the connexion of one event with another.

13. Did our Lord put special honour upon this woman for what she had done? Yes; he said, that the memory of it should be preserved and widely spread. How did he express that idea? "Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this

* 1 Cor. ii. 14. + Psalm xxv. 14.

woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her." Why was the incident to be thus perpetuated? To serve as an example and encouragement to all future saints. To what are we encouraged by her example? To every act by which we can testify our love to Christ. Will our acts of love to him be recorded? Yes; they will be written in a book of remembrance before the Lord.*

14. Did not our Lord's high commendation of Mary convey reproof to the disciples, who had found fault with her? Yes.

Judas Iscariot.

Which of them felt offended? What is the disposition of mind, that makes reproof insupportable? Pride. How did Judas resent the mortification inflicted on his pride? He rose up, left the house, and went hastily into the city. What city? Jerusalem. What did he do there? He "went unto the chief priests." 15. What was his business with the chief priests? To betray Christ. What prompted him to betray Christ? Malice. What is malice? A mingled feeling of anger and bitter hatred. How did he

make his wicked proposal to the chief priests? He said unto them, "What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?" How was it, that in the height of his indignation, he did not offer to give him into their hands without a bribe? Because covetousness was the master-passion of his soul. How did the chief-priests receive his proposal? "They covenanted with him for thirty pieces of sil

Mal. iii. 16.

ver."

What is the meaning of " they covenanted with him"? They agreed to give him so much. When "pieces of silver" are mentioned in Scripture, what coin is to be understood? The shekel. What was the value of a shekel in English money? See xvii. 24. To what then would thirty shekels For what was that sum

amount? To £3 15s.

commonly paid? For the redemption of a captive slave. How is this transaction predicted in the Old Testament? So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver: a goodly price that I was prized at of them.*

16. When this wicked agreement had been made, what did Judas do? "From that time he sought opportunity to betray him." What is it to betray a person? To deliver him secretly into the hands of his enemies. Did he need to seek opportunity for that?-could he not effect it at any time? It was necessary to do it in the absence of the multitude.† Why so? Because the people would have been shocked at such treachery, and would have interposed to prevent it. Is it not a sign of awful wickedness when men seek opportunities to commit sin? Yes. What ought we to seek opportunities to do? To glorify God, and do good to our fellow-creatures.

17. What day is here mentioned? the feast of unleavened bread." leavened bread? See xix. 1.

"The first day of

What is unWhen did the Jews