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instances we shall find it necessary to read thus a whole Epistle for this purpose. When we have gained a clear and comprehensive idea of the view there propounded, we must proceed to investigate what the same writer has stated on the point in question in other distinct treatises. This further examination will enable us to clear up many little difficulties, harmonize seeming discrepancies, and combine the whole into an intelligent and unambiguous statement. Our next care will be to compare the sentiments of other writers in the same inspired volume, living at the same or remote periods, with the view laid down, and modify, fill up, or illustrate the outline which we have already drawn. Nor let this be thought too arduous a method of scrutiny, for the trouble is more than compensated for, by the comprehensive grasp we thus obtain of the doctrines of Christ's religion; and when once by God's help we are fully established, it is a rock which no scepticism can undermine, and no cavils successfully oppugn. To give an illustration of this principle. We desire to know whether Christ died for all men, or only for his sheep-that little flock who will eventually be saved. We take, as our starting point, our blessed Lord's own statement in St. John, "For God so loved the world," &c. This excludes no man from partaking of the benefits of Christ's death: God gave his Son for the world, and the door to salvation is open for whosoever believeth on Him. We find, as we proceed with the enquiry, similar declarations recorded by the same writer; and in examining the Epistles of the same author, this truth appears quite as evident. (See 1 John ii. 1, 2.) We then compare the sentiments of another writer-St. Paul-and the same view of the atonement is observable, as Rom. v. 6. 2 Cor. v. 14. But we find other statements in the same writers, which do not seem to run parallel with this notion, as Rom. viii. 29., and ix. 22, 23., and also John xvii. 2, 6. Are we then to suppose that Christ's sacrifice is represented in one part of Scripture as offered for all, in another for some only; or will other passages throw some further light on the subject, and reconcile the inconsistency? We find such a passage, 1 Tim. iv. 10. God who is

the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe." Comparing this with the two declarations noted above, there is no doubt left on the serious mind that Christ's sacrifice being offered up for all, he is in will, purpose, and power, the Saviour proclaimed and set forth for all men; but as the benefit of that sacrifice is applied only to the true and sincere believer, he is in fact, and in an especial manner, the Saviour only of such.

Oh! how much error would be avoided, how many snares of the evil one escaped from, how much more unanimity among Christians, did all endeavour prayerfully, carefully, and humbly, to study and compare these Scriptures of truth, the LIVING ORACLES, as they would then be indeed proved of the Spirit of God.

BIBLE CLASSES.

QUESTIONS ON ST. MARK Ï.

1. Shew that we should not regard our own ease in serving God and our neighbour. (2—4.)

(Rom. xv. 2, 3.) 2. Shew that we ought to help the weak and afflicted. (3) (Acts xx. 35. Rom. xv. 1.) 3. Shew that the houses of the Jews had flat roofs. (4.) (Deut. xxii. 8. Acts x. 9.)

4. How may faith be "seen"? (5.)

(James ii. 18-22.)

5. Prove that sin is the cause of sickness.

(Gen. iii. 17-19. 1 Cor. xi. 30.)

6. Shew that the pardon of sin is often connected in Scripture with the healing of sickness.

(Ps. ciii. 3. Is. xxxiii. 24. James v. 15.)

7. Shew that forgiveness of sins is an attribute of

God. (7.)

(Ex. xxxiv. 6, 7. Is. xliii. 25. Micah vii. 18.)

8. Prove that faith is necessary in order to obtain forgiveness of sins.

(Rom. iii. 25. Acts xiii. 38, 39.)

9. Shew that our faith will benefit others as well as ourselves. (5.)

(James v. 14, 15. 1 John v. 14—16.) 10. Prove that Christ knew the hearts of men. (6—8.) (John ii. 25. Acts i. 24.)

11. Shew that Christ can "forgive sins."

(Acts v. 1 Tim. i. 13-16.)

12. Shew that when God commands he gives power, to those who are made willing, to obey. (9-11.)

13. Shew that works. (12.)

(Luke vi. 10. 2 Cor. iii. 5. Phil. ii. 13.)

we ought to glorify God for all his

14. What other name had Levi? (14.)

(Psalm ciii. 1-5. cv. 1-5. Col. iii. 17.)

(Matt. ix. 9.)

(Matt. x. 3.)

15. What was Levi's occupation?

16. Which of the apostles seems to have been his brother?

(Compare v. 14. with iii. 18.)

17. Shew that Christians should be hospitable. (15.)

(Rom. xii. 13. Heb. xiii. 2.)

18. Shew that we should not despise any man's company.

(Rom. xii. 16. compare Isaiah lxv. 5.) 19. Prove the duty of shunning the society of open sinners.

(1 Cor. v. 9-13. xv. 33. 2 Cor. vi. 14—18.)

20. For whom was Christ's salvation especially intended? (17.)

(1 Tim. i. 15. compare Rom. iv. 5. v. 8.) 21. Who are those who are prepared to come to Christ for salvation?

(Gal. ii. 19, 20.) 22. Prove that Christ is the "Bridegroom" of his Church. (19.)

(John iii. 29. Eph. v. 25-27. Rev. xix. 7. xxi. 2—9.) 23. What kind of bottles were used by the Jews? (22.) (Joshua ix. 4. Ps. cxix. 83.)

24. Shew that Christians ought to make allowance for the weakness of their brethren.

(Rom. xiv. 1, &c. xv. 1.) 25. Prove that the Jews were allowed to pluck ears of corn from a neighbour's field. (23.)

(Deut. xxiii. 25.) 26. Shew the severity of the old Law respecting the Sabbath. (24.)

(Ex. xxxi. 14, 15. xxxv. 2, 3. Num. xv. 32-36.) 27. Prove that we must search the Scriptures in order to understand God's will perfectly. (25, 26.)

(Is. viii. 20. John v. 39. 1 Cor. x. 11. 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17.) 28. Prove that Abiathar was not High Priest at this time, but was so afterwards. (26.)

(1 Sam. xxi. 1. 1 Kings ii. 26, 27.) 29. What was the "shew-bread"? and by whom might it be eaten?

(Lev. xxiv. 5-9.)

30. What practical lesson may we draw from David's eating the holy bread without sin?

(Matt. xii. 7. compare Hosea vi. 6.)

Also Ex. xxiii. 12. xxxi. 13.
Deut. v. 14. Ez. xx. 12.)

31. Shew that the Sabbath was made for man. (27.) (Compare Gen. i. 26, with ii. 3.

32. Prove that the Christian Sabbath is the Lord's Day. (28.)

(Rev. i. 10.)

"FORGIVE US-AS WE FORGIVE.”

ALMOST every child is taught to offer, night and morning, the Lord's prayer, but many perhaps do so without knowing for what they are praying. That short prayer comprehends a great deal.

Let us take one petition, and examine it: "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Does every child reflect that when he offers that prayer, he asks God to treat him as he has treated his brothers and sisters, his schoolmates and companions! Have you been unkind,

given blow for blow, or word for word, then your prayer implies a petition that God will not forgive your sins, but punish you as you deserve, that he will bring every act and word into remembrance, and give to each its due reward. Let me tell you how a teacher once taught her scholars to understand and to offer this prayer.

This teacher had twelve small scholars, they were none of them over ten years of age, and none under five. She had taught them all the Lord's prayer, and every morning and night as she opened and closed her school, all these children knelt and offered with her this prayer. But one day as she was observing these children while at play, she saw them shew unkind and unforgiving dispositions, and the thought came to her mind, that for them to pray that God would forgive them as they forgive others, was to pray for punishment rather than for mercy.

She had often tried to explain to them the meaning of their prayer, but now she must devise some way to make them feel it. She said nothing then, but when the time came for closing the school, and offering their prayer, she gathered them around her as she was accustomed to do, and asked them the usual question, "Have you been good girls to day?"

They stopped, and thought if they had whispered, if they had recited well, if they had come in season, and then with very good-natured faces they all answered, "Yes, we have not whispered, and have recited well." The mark for good behaviour was put down, for all that was true.

"And now you are all ready to offer your prayer?” "Yes, we can say it all."

'And you are ready to offer that one petition, 'Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors?' Remember what I have told you about it. Remember what it means. Think if, through all this day, you have done as you would be done by; if you have fully forgiven all the unkind treatment which you may have received; think of all that you have done, and then tell me if you are willing to offer that petition."

The expression of every face was altered in a moment, tears started from the eyes of some, and all were crim

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