respect, ask such questions as may be likely to improve them in knowledge and grace.

Let those children, whose genius is most promising and most admired, learn from the blessed Jesus to behave themselves in an humble and submissive manner to all their elders and especially to their parents; for though he was the Lord of all, yet was he subject not only to Mary his real mother, but to Joseph, though only supposed to be his father. Such children may well hope that the grace of God will still be upon them; and, growing in wisdom as they do in stature, they will also advance in favour with God and men, and be the darlings of heaven as well as of earth.

And, oh, that the greatest and wisest of us, those of the longest standing and of the most eminent stations in the church, might learn of this admirable and divine child; that, always remembering our relation to God, and ever intent on learning his will and promoting his glory, we might, with humble acquiescence, accommodate ourselves to all the disposals of his providence! How easily could he, who discovered such early marks of a sublime genius and a lively wit, have relished the most elegant delights of science and have eclipsed all the most celebrated poets, orators, and philosophers of that learned and polite age! But he laid all those views aside, that he might pursue the duties of that humble rank of life which his heavenly Father's infinite wisdom had assigned him; and joined, as it would seem, to assist in maintaining himself and his parents too by the daily labour of his hands. Let us learn from hence, that it is the truest greatness of soul to know our own place and office, and to deny ourselves those amusements of the mind, as well as those gratifications of the senses, which are inconsistent with the proper services of our different relations and callings.

PART II.

MATTHEW III. IV. V. VII. VIII. 1-4, 14-17. IX. 2-8.-MARK I. II. 1—22.—LUKE III. 1— 23, IV. V.

IN WHICH IS CONTAINED THE PERIOD OF EIGHTEEN MONTHS, FROM THE BEGINNING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST'S PREACHING, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR TWENTY-SIX, TO THE END OF THE FIRST YEAR'S PREACHING OF OUR LORD, IN THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR TWENTY-EIGHT.

SECTION I.

JOHN i. 1-18.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light. That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me; for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.