Did they endure severe persecutions? What character were they to maintain, and what is the meaning of these terms? 17. What caution is here given? Repeat. 18. What more should be done to them? Did such things really occur to them, and where? (See Acts iv. 5-30: v. 26-28, &c.) Did they meet this cheerfully, and why? LESSON XIX The Apostles commissioned. MATT. X. 19-42. 19. What should they do when actually delivered up? Repeat. What is meant by their taking no thought? What was promised them in their defence? What do we pray for in the sixth petition? 20. Why was this gift so important in vindicating their religion before the great? Why does not this encourage men to teach or preach now without preparation? What is God? 17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. 18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak, for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. 1 21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father, the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 21. What trials should they suffer? What is the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell? 22. Would they receive any favour in the world? How would there be great temptation to give up their work? What is here said on this point for encouragement? What benefits do believers receive from Christ at their death? 23. What course were they to take under persecution? What is meant by this direction? What encouragement is here given them? What coming is here referred to, and when did it occur? (Ch. xvii. See Mark ix. 1, 2.) 24, 25. What further motive does He give them to endure? Who was Beelzebub? (2 Kings i, 2, 3, Matt. ix. 34: xii. 24.) Who was "the master of the house?" 26. Why should they not fear? What comfort under afflictions is here suggested? What comfort is it in sacrifices for Christ's cause, that the truth will at length prevail? (Ps. xxxvii. 6.) 27. What does He further direct? How did He teach them "in darkness." How were they to speak in light, and on the house-tops? 28. Were they to fear death? 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he nat endureth to the end shall be saved. 23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. 24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the ser vant as his lord: if they have called the master of the house Beelzebub how much more shall they call them of his household ? 26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. 27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the house-tops. 28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in bell. Why were they not to fear it, and where does men's power end? Why were they to fear God, and Him only? What becomes of those who do not fear God? Why will soul and body be cast into hell? (John v. 28, 29. Dan. xii. 2.) What doth every sin deserve? 29-31. What are they here referred to ? What are God's works of Providence? What doth the preface to the Lord's Prayer teach us? Does God's care extend to our smallest interest, and how is this proved from His care of the fowls? What makes even a child's salvation so important? 32. What further motive to endurance did He here use? What is here meant by confess? Why is a public profession required yet, even if it cost our lives? What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of Redemption? How will Christ confess such firm disciples? 33. How will He treat those who deny Him before men? What is meant by "denying Him before men?" How may this be done by not professing Him, as well as by dishonouring the profession? 34, 35. Would Christ's religion produce strife among men? What was predicted of Him? (Isa. ix. 6: xi. 4.) 36. How is the natural hatred toward Christ and the Gospel stronger than the natural love for kindred? 20 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not all on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. 32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I con fess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth; I came not te send peace, but a sword. 35 For I'am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother. in-law. 26 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. What does this show us of the heart's natural enmity against God? (See Micah vii. 6.) 37 How is our love for Christ to be stronger than our leve for kindred? What rule is here laid down? How strong must be our love to God? What is the sum of the Ten Commandments? What does Christ refer to, by calling self-denial the cross? (Luke xxiii. 26.) What doth God require of us that we may escape His wrath and curse due to us for sin? What is the duty which God requireth of man? 40-42. What is the authority given in these closing words? How is Christ one with His Church and people? What is promised to those who help the cause of Christ for His sake? What is meant by receiving a Prophet in the name of a Prophet? What notice will be taken of the smallest kindness done to a disciple for Christ's sake? When shall the reward be given? (Matt. xxv. 34-40.) 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake. shall find it. 40 Ile that receivet vou, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me, receivetn nim na sent me. 41 He tha. receives a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive a propnet s rewer: anf he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a rignteous man, anall receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones, a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily, I say unto you be shall in no wise lose his reward. LESSON XX. John the Baptist in Prison sends disciples to Jesus. MATT. XI. 1—15. Where do these next three chapters belong, in the order of events? Ans. After Chapter viii. What is the next item in Matthew's narrative, and where does it belong in the order of events? (5 44.) Ans. These records belong after the Sermon on the Mount. (See §§ 42, 43, and ch. viii.) OBSERVE.-Verse 1 connects with Chapter xiv., (§ 63.) and verse 2 begins the record of back events. (See the Harmony.) The third circuit in Galilee is here announced, and the proper continuation is at Chapter xiv. 1, which see. 2. Who sent to Christ? What John was this, and why did he send? How had he got in prison, and when? (Ch. xiv. 3-5.) About how long had he been in prison? (Ans. About a year.) What works were these which John heard of? (See Ch. viii. and Luke vii.) Whom did John send? 3. What inquiry was made of Christ? What prophecy is here referred to ? Did John know that Jesus was the Messiah, and why did he send? Was John predicted by Malachi? What feeling is here expressed? 4. What answer did Jesus give? For whom was this given? What proofs did He refer them to, that He was the Messiah? CHAPTER XI. 1 AND It came to pass when Jesus had made an end of commanding bis twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their Aities. 2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? 4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are |