must count the cost.

is great," there is plenty of corn standing in the field, but there are few reapers to cut it down; and if not gathered into barns now, it will decay, and perish. There are thousands of souls longing for living bread, though they know it not, and ready to receive the glad tidings of the kingdom; but there are wanting men to show them the way that leads to it. Go, therefore, He says, your way; but you "I send you forth as lambs among wolves," helpless in yourselves, as lambs surrounded by fierce wolves: but strong in the strength of your blessed Master, whose strength is made perfect in weakness. He told them when they entered into a house, to wish that house-what an Eastern salaam is still-the possession of the inestimable blessing of peace-" Peace be to this house." If they were accepted, they were to be satisfied with such fare as might be set before them. Make yourselves more than worthy of that fare by telling them of that living bread that cometh down from heaven. If they will not have you, then let them know that they have turned away from their house a great and precious opportunity of receiving the highest good, and that they will have to answer for what they have done at the judgment-seat of Christ and show them that you feel their loss and your rejection by wiping, according to Eastern manners, the very dust of that city from off the soles of your feet, that it may remain, as it were, a testimony against them. Jesus states that comparative privileges create comparative responsibility. Sodom did not enjoy the mercies that Chorazin had; this city, again, was denied the mercies that Capernaum had, and Capernaum had not the privileges that we have. It seems as if national responsibility were not forgotten at the judgment-seat of Christ-it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom-or, perhaps, it means the inhabitants of Sodom, than for that city which has had much greater light, but has criminally and culpably rejected it. But does not this teach us that at a judgment-day there will be retribution? We read here of comparative penalty, and that com

parative penalty indicates that there is a place of punishment as well as a place of reward, when the great drama of this world shall be closed, and all shall be gathered before the great White Throne to receive according to the deeds done in the body, whether they be good, or whether they be evil!

"The seventy returned again with joy ;" and stated that the commission they had received from Him had been carried fully into action, and, as Christ predicted, the very devils were subject to them through the name of Him who had sent them. But He bids them rejoice, not on account of great gifts and great power; but because they were assured of their everlasting acceptance in the sight of God, for their names were written in heaven. "In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit." This is one of the occasions on which we read of Jesus expressing joy. What He thanked God the Father for on this occasion was, that He had hid the simplest truths from the philosophers, who believed they were wise in this world, and that He had made them known to peasants and poor people, despised as being stupid and ignorant, and likened here to babes in the kingdom of God. How often does a very great philosopher perplex himself about needless and unprofitable questions which his genius starts, but has not power to lay; while a humble, illiterate Christian receives the truth just as that truth is made known, and feels its divine origin as he derives nourishment, and support, and consolation from it. He does not trouble his mind about many a perplexing inquiry which the wise men of this world start. The more one knows, the more one sees remaining to be known; but too often the unsanctified inquirer is hastily led by the very light that he has, to plunge into perplexities he is unable to explain; instead of waiting, like a babe in the kingdom of heaven, to know hereafter what Christ has promised he shall know, though he know it not now. God has revealed in his holy Word enough to enlighten, and sanctify, and save, and comfort, but He has not inspired a word