He then asked "what was their opinion," to which, Simon Peter, for himself and the rest answered and said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." It was on this occasion that Jesus gave Simon the surname of Peter, or the Rock, declaring that on his confession, which was stable as a rock, the Christian church would be founded, and that the portals of the grave which the Jews were accustomed to call "the gates of hell," should not triumph over it. At the same time he strictly charged the disciples not to proclaim the fact of his being the Messiah until he had risen from the dead. Finding the faith of the Apostles so well founded, Jesus began to inform them more particularly of the cruel sufferings and shameful death he had to endure. Hitherto they had persuaded themselves that Christ's kingdom would be a temporal monarchy; and it was with great reluctance that they abandoned their expectations of wealth and power. Peter was so surprised at this sudden discovery that he angrily exclaimed," Be it far from thee, Lord; this shall not be unto thee." Jesus severely rebuked him and shewed that he was but a novice in the doctrines of man's redemption. He then explained the true nature of his kingdom, saying, "If any man will come after me, let him deny

himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it, and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here which shall not taste of death till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom."

The promised manifestation of Christ's glory was made six days afterwards to three of his disciples, whom Jesus led for the purpose to an exceeding high mountain, generally supposed to be Mount Tabor. Here whilst he was at prayer, he was suddenly transfigured before them; a lustre greater than that of the sun shone upon his face, his garments became of a more brilliant whiteness than the undriven snow; Moses and Elias in all the splendour of their glorified state appeared, conversing with him of his sufferings and of his subsequent triumph over death and the grave. During this extraordinary scene the three Apostles were thrown into a kind of trance by amazement; at length Simon Peter exclaimed "Lord,

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it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make: here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he was yet speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud was heard to proclaim "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." The disciples were so amazed that they fell prostrate on the ground, and remained there in a kind of stupor, until they were raised up by their gracious Master, whom they found alone and in his usual dress and appearance.

As they descended from the mountain, Jesus charged his companions not to mention this wondrous manifestation until he should have risen from the dead, and though they as yet could scarcely be brought to believe what he had told them of his sufferings and death, they faithfully kept the secret until after the resurrection. When they came down into the plain they found a great multitude, amongst whom were several of the Pharisees waiting for them, and disputing with the disciples whom Jesus had left behind. Before our Lord could investigate the controversy a man pressed through the crowd, and besought him to assist his son, who was terribly tormented by a dumb dæmon that threw him some

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times into the fire and sometimes into the water. The unhappy father added that he had brought his son to the disciples, who were unable to afford him any relief. Jesus reproached his followers for their want of faith, and ordered the child to be brought before him. When the sufferer came, the dæmon, before the eyes of all, threw him into the most dreadful agonies and convulsions, upon which Jesus said to father, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with: tears, Lord, I believe; help, thou mine unbelief." Jesus then rebuked the evil spirit, expelled him from the patient, and restored the child in sound health to his parents. He then informed the disciples that their failure in working miracles was owing to their want of faith, and their neglect of the duties of prayer and fasting.

Though our Lord had now 'frequently warned his disciples of his approaching crucifixion, they could not banish their notions of his personal reign on earth, and even began to dispute about the disposal of the dignities in his future kingdom. Their dispute continued until they reached Capernaum, where the collectors of the capitation tax levied by the Romans enquired of the disciples whether their master paid

tribute? This tax had been levied unjustly by the emperors, in opposition to the treaties originally made between the Jews and the Romans, and hence our Lord plainly intimated that he paid the demand not because it was equitable, but to avoid giving offence. He said to Peter, "What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take 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 me and thee."

The coin thus miraculously provided was a silver stater, equal to about half a crown of our money. The tax was connected with a kind of registration, and hence Jesus paid it at Capernaum, which he had made his principal residence after leaving Nazareth, and Peter probably had given his name to the collector also. There was no use in paying for the rest of the apostles, who were enrolled at other places.

After the tribute was paid, Jesus enquired of his disciples what had been the subject of their conver