Christ came to redeem them from, what they acknowledge that he will judge them for. Because it is not all belief that reaches and influences the heart; and because other things, things of this world, intervene, and keep out of our thoughts what we believe concerning God, and Christ, and life everlasting.

What then we need, is a livelier faith in things which we do believe and do acknowledge: a livelier, a more abiding faith: such a faith as shall make us act in conformity with it; such a faith as the apostles had when they said to the cripple at the gate of the temple, "In the name of Jesus of Nazareth rise up and walk :" and such a faith as they had not, when on this occasion they failed to cure the lunatic: such a faith as Peter had, when in the passage lately under our consideration, he leaped down into the sea to meet his Lord, fully trusting in his power to save him; and such a faith as afterwards he had not, when finding the waves boisterous, he yielded to fear, and " began to sink." 3 What we need, is such a full reliance upon all that God has revealed to us in his word, as shall make us live by that word; make us think by it, hope by it, fear by it, trust by it, speak by it, act by it. When we reflect how far we are from really living in accordance with that word, which yet we know to be God's word, and profess to follow, we must perceive that what we require is faith-faith that is constantly present, and lively in its exercise: that if we had faith as a grain of mustard seed, the exceedingly vast objects of that faith must have a visible and perpetual influence upon every thought and action.

2 Acts iii. 6.

Ch. xv. 30.

It is through faith that the Christian is enabled to "run with patience the race which is set before him," and to oppose the enemies of his salvation. Are we endangered by sinful example? Faith represents the example of those who have resisted sin of Noah, and Lot, and Joseph, exceptions to the wickedness by which they were surrounded. Are we endangered by the corrupt maxims which prevail in the world? Faith brings to our mind the opposite maxims which abound in the word of God. Are we endangered by the pleasures of this present time? Faith brings before our eyes the joy unspeakable and full of glory which the heart of man cannot rightly conceive, but which God has prepared for them that love Him. Faith recalls to our thoughts the peace of God which passeth all understanding, which arises from a sense of reconciliation with him. Faith whispers, Shall I give up comfort like this, for mean and temporary gratifications? Perhaps we are restrained from a conscientious practice by the thoughts, or words, or scorn of others. Faith raises our hearts to Him that is above, whose thoughts are not as man's thoughts, and who never judges that any man can love him too fervently, or serve him too faithfully. If we are assailed by the corruption of our hearts, which suggest to us the pleasures of sin; Faith declares that such "6 pleasures are but for a season," and will be followed by misery which knows no end. If we are tempted by the secrecy of sin, Faith assures us that the eye of God sees every where. When sin promises gain or advantage, Faith asks the fearful question, "What shall it profit a man,

if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul?"

Therefore, if we had faith as a grain of mustard seed, we should be able to make progress in our religious course, as the apostle says all Christians ought to do: "walking by faith and not by sight;" considering things eternal, not things temporal, and "having our conversation in heaven."

And as we are here told what is most wanting to us, so are we also told how what is wanting may be acquired. It is told in our Lord's words, This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. This power of faith is only attained by earnest supplication to Him whose gift it is; and by such abstinence from all things hurtful to piety and virtue, that our flesh being subdued to the Spirit, we may habitually "set our affections on things above, not on things of the earth." "For if we live after the flesh," the rule will seek and govern us; but "if we through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body," nothing shall be impossible to us: faith will become to us "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

4 Heb. xi. 1.

LECTURE LXXVII.

TRIBUTE MONEY PAID.

MATT. xvii. 22-27.

22. And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of

men.

23. And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.

They could not but be exceeding sorry, when they heard such things. But their sorrow was the greater, because they knew nothing yet of the counsels of God, and were not aware that the redemption of the world was to be purchased by these sufferings. The evangelists Mark and Luke both tell us, "that they understood not that saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not, and they were afraid to ask him."1 All therefore that they saw, was the disappointment of their hopes. They "trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel." But they knew not the nature of that redemption: knew not that Christ "ought to suffer these things," that the prophecies concerning him might be fulfilled," and to enter into his glory.' And yet he had repeatedly told them what he now again declares thus plainly.

2

1 Mark ix. 30. Luke ix. 43.

2 Luke xxiv. 21.

3 Ib. 26.

So difficult it is to free ourselves from the notions which we have early imbibed, and which are maintained by those around us. So easy is it, on the other hand, to cherish error, and believe it to be truth. And then, "if the light that is in us be darkness, how great is that darkness !"

24. And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

25. He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

26. Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.

27. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and tahe up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for thee and me.

The tribute was paid for the use of the temple: therefore it was paid to the King of heaven. The Son of that King could not be required to pay tribute, according to the accustomed rule, that kings of the earth take not tribute from their own children. But this claim of exemption depended on the fact, that Jesus was the Son of God. And this great truth was not generally received. The Pharisees had said to him, contemptuously, "Where is thy Father?" 5 And when he declared to them, that he proceeded forth and came from God," and that "He and his Father are one:" they "took up stones to stone him, because that he, being a man, made * Ch. vi. 23. 5 John viii. 19.

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