V. THE REPETITION. Now read again the Scriptures, See No. II. VI. THE APPLICATION. 1. The disciples made a great mistake, and misapplied the word Christ spoke. It was because their minds were occupied in such a way, that they supposed he must mean what they fancied. Many similar mistakes are made in applying the word which the Spirit of Christ has written; and from just the same cause. People frequently read the Bible, while their minds are already occupied with certain thoughts upon the subjects or doctrines of which they read; and when this is the case, the least word which seems to suit their own notions is taken at once in that sense. A proper recollection of what the disciples had already seen and heard from Christ would have prevented this mistake, and have led them to take his words in the right way and so also a right application of the general sense of those parts of Scripture, which are plain and impossible to be mistaken, will have the same effect now, in guiding us into the true meaning of any particular passage which may be expressed in a less clear manner. There is however another point that requires attention: it was when the disciples were considering their own neglect about bread, that the word leaven seemed to apply to that neglect; though in reality his warning had nothing at all to do with it. Here we see the effect of conscience in catching hold of every word, and applying it according to our own secret feeling regarding our spiritual case (see page 40.) This happens alike in great as in small matters; and many mistakes concerning texts in Scripture, which much distress the minds of some (and are often obstinately maintained in spite of explanation), may be found to arise more from the confusion produced by a feeling of conscience which such texts happen to touch, than from real difficulty in understanding them. QUESTIONS. Are there any texts or passages of Scripture which puzzle me, and concerning which I have an opinion of my own, contrary to the general opinion of christians? Does my opinion about such texts suit with the general meaning of Scripture? Have I diligently examined the subject, with a view to ascertain this? 2. Our Lord here calls false doctrines leaven. We have already seen that he compared the spiritual principle of christian life to the same thing, in a particular parable. (Matt. xiii. 33. vol. ii., page 232.) Just as the truth when received into the heart will work its way into every part of it, will influence all the affections, and be found in every motive of the conduct; so also the effect of any false doctrine (whether leading to hypocrisy like that of the Pharisees, or to unbelief like that of the Sadducees, or to worldliness like that of Herod) will presently influence all our motives, and be shewn in every part of the conduct. This spreading effect of error in matters of religion should make us very careful in applying the warning of our Lord to ourselves. Ve should take heed and beware of false doctrine from a wholesome dread of the leaven-like manner in which the receiving of one important error in religion spreads itself, and hinders the proper working of other truths which we may believe, and at last finds its way into every branch of faith and practice. The only means of preventing this evil is constantly to compare our opinions with the Scriptures, in a teachable spirit and with humble and earnest prayer for divine direction; and to be watchful over ourselves, that we do not take our religious opinions according to any set of persons who profess them, but according to the word of God alone. QUESTIONS. Am I watchful over myself, with regard to the religious opinions which I hold? Do I compare them with Scripture? Or, do I receive them because they are the doctrines which certain people profess? VII. HEADS FOR PRAYER. 1. Ask for wisdom in receiving the word of God, and patience in examining it, in order to form your opinions of truth. 2. Pray to have the light of truth always before you, that you may not be carried into error by any false doctrine. VIII. THE PRAYER. (1) Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; grant that I may so wisely hear them, read, mark, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy word I may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. (2) Merciful Lord, I beseech thee to cast thy bright beams of light upon me, that being enlightened with the doctrines of thy holy word I may walk in the light of thy truth; and that I may not be like a child carried away with every wind of vain doctrine, but may be established in the truth of thy holy Gospel, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN. Our Father, &c. NINETY-SEVENTH PORTION. I. BEGINNING PRAYER. MAY GOD, for the sake of JESUS CHRIST, give me the HOLY SPIRIT, that I may understand this portion of his Holy Word, and profit by it. AMEN. II. THE SCRIPTURE. Read St. Mark's Gospel, chap. viii, ver. 22 to 26. III. THE MEANINGS; or sense of some words as used in this portion. MARK Viii. Verse 25. restored means here completely cured IV. THE EXPLANATION The warning (mentioned in the last portion) as to the danger of false doctrines, was probably spoken by our Lord in conversation with his disciples, as they walked from the place where they had landed toward Bethsaida on the eastern side of the lake. There they now arrived; and Jesus soon becoming known, some of the people came to him leading a blind man, whom they earnestly entreated him to touch, in order that he might thereby be cured of his blindness. Jesus took this blind man by the hand, and walked with him out of the town to some less public place beyond the houses. And upon this occasion He saw fit to make use of the same means in curing the blind man, as he had employed in healing the deaf and tongue-tied man at the same place a short time before (see Mark vii. 32-37, p. 152.) Putting some of his own spittle on the man's eyes, and touching them with his hands, He asked the man if he saw anything. The man opened his eyes, and looking about him said that he could see some men; but that he could only find out the difference between their appearance and the appearance of trees, because they seemed to be moving about. From this answer of the man we may understand, that Jesus had as yet only given him the power of seeing, by taking away whatever defect there was in his eyes: but that, as far as concerns actual sight, he was like new-born infants, who are unable to use the power so as to see things correctly until they have got the habit of employing their eyes some time for the purposes of sight. Jesus however was pleased afterward to complete the cure. He laid his hands upon the man's eyes again, and then told him to look. The man immediately opened his eyes, and looking about him, found that he could see every person near him, as clearly and as well as those who had always had the use of their eyes. Our Lord then told him to go home, but not in returning to pass through the town from which he had led him, nor to talk of the wonderful cure he had received to any of the townspeople (see page 152, and Matt. xii. 16-21. vol. ii., page 72.) V. THE REPETITION. Now read again the Scripture, See No II. VI. THE APPLICATION. 1. We seldom consider all the wonderful power which was shewn in the miracles which Christ performed: but the manner in which he gave sight to this blind man may lead us to reflect upon this subject more fully. It is one thing to have a perfect limb, and quite another thing to know |