GLOSSARY.-V. 23. Ask. There is a difference between these two words in the original. And the first seems to mean, Ask nothing; Enquire to have doubts and difficulties removed. The second, pray, or beg for grace and mercy.-V. 25. Proverbs, or parables, margin. For its meaning see verse 29.

GENERAL REMARK.-Christ at one time speaks obscurely, at another plainly, to his disciples. He makes his words plain as they are able to bear them. If we are sincerely serving him, we may be sure that he will teach us as we can bear it. When he speaks obscurely to us in his word, let us wait patiently until we can understand it; when he speaks plainly, let us say, with the disciples, Now, we are sure that thou knowest all things; by this we believe that thou camest forth from God."

SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION DAY.

GENESIS XXI. 22-34.-Abraham's sojourn at Beer-sheba. QUESTIONS.-Verse 22. Who was Abimelech? (See xxvi. 1.) Had Abraham known him before? (xx. 1, 2.) What opinion had he of his country? (xx. 11.) Had he shewn himself, however, to be an upright man? (xx. 14.) Did Abimelech think that God was with Abraham?-V. 23. What did he wish him to swear?-V. 24. Did Abraham promise?-V. 25. What cause of complaint had be against Abimelech ?-V. 26. Did Abimelech know any thing about it? May we not think from his character that he would have set all to rights if he had?-V. 27. After this was settled, what did they do? Was it right in Abraham to make a covenant with a Philistine?—Though he was one, he was an upright and honest man, and there was nothing against his forming a covenant with such.-V. 31. What did they call the name of the place? Why so? -V. 32. Whither did Abimelech return? Where probably did he go? (See xx. 2.) How was Beer-sheba situated with regard to Gerar?-To the south.-V. 33. What further did Abraham do at Gerar? What was this grove for? Whom did he there pray to? Does not this shew that God was in his thoughts in what he was doing? Would it not be likely that God would be with him (v. 22) when he thus sought him?

GLOSSARY.-V. 22. Abimelech seems to have been a common name of these kings, as Pharaoh of the Egyptians.-V. 23. Abimelech had invited Abraham to continue in his land. (xx. 15.)-V. 25. Wells of water were dug in different places for the cattle, because of the drought.-V. 26. Wot. Knew.-V. 31. Beer-sheba. (Margin.) The well of the oath.

GENERAL REMARK.-It was said of Abraham, "God is with VOL. IV.

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thee in all that thou doest." It was seen by others, because God prospered and blessed him. And why was he with him? The answer is in the 33rd verse of this chapter. He made religion the great business of his life. He gave up his heart to serve God, and God blessed his servant. If we would have God with us, we must serve and fear him. "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to

you."

AFTERNOON LESSON.

JOHN XV. 26, 27. xvi. 1—4.—The Office of the Comforter. QUESTIONS.-Verse 26. Whom does Christ promise to send them from the Father? When was he to come? What does he call him? What was he to do for them? What do you mean by "testify"? How would he testify of Christ ?-By proving the truth of his mission. Why is he called the Spirit of truth? (See xvi. 13. and 1 John v. 6.) To whom would he testify of Christ? (xvi. 8.) -V. 27. Were the disciples also to bear witness or testify of their Master? Of what were they to testify? Of what in particular? (Acts i. 22.) By whose power were they enabled to do this? (Acts i. 8.)-xvi. 1. Why had he spoken of these things to them? What things were they? (xv. 20, 21.) What did he mean by offended?-Discouraged by these difficulties from his service.-V. 2. What particularly would the Jews do to them? Tell me the names of any whom they killed. Did Paul think that he was doing God service when he persecuted the disciples? (Acts xxvi. 9.) If the Jews had earnestly desired to know what was right, would not God have taught them? Why did they do all these things against Christ's religion? (xv. 21. and verse 3.)

GLOSSARY.-V. 26. Comforter, or, as we mentioned before, the Pleader or Advocate of Christ's cause against the world.-xvi. 1. Offended, or scandalized. Find these persecutions to raise stumbling blocks in the way, which had not been foreseen or calculated upon. GENERAL REMARK.-Christ told his disciples, by word of mouth, that they might expect to meet with difficulties, persecution, affliction, mockery, and scorn. But being forewarned concerning them, they would be forearmed. Christ tells us, by his written word, that through much tribulation of one kind and another we must enter into the kingdom of heaven. Let us not, then, be dismayed by the prospect; for he says, also, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

WHIT-SUNDAY.

GENESIS xxii. 1-19.—Abraham goes to offer up Isaac.

QUESTIONS.-Verse 1. What is meant by God tempting Abraham? He made trial or proof of his faith.-V. 2. What does he desire him to do? Was not this a hard and strange request? Was not Isaac the child of promise? Would this, then, if Abraham obeyed, be a full proof of his faith ?-V. 3. Did Abraham immediately obey? Where was he to go to? Where was Mount Moriah ?-It was a continued chain of mountains, one of which was Mount Sion. V. 4. How long were they going? Would Abraham have time, if he pleased to repent of his determination ?-V. 5. Did he go alone with his son to the place?-V. 6. What did Isaac carry? What may we believe this was a type of? (John xix. 17.)-V. 7. What did Isaac ask his father? Did he then know that he was to be offered up ?V. 8. What reply did his father make?-V. 9. What preparations did Abraham make for the sacrifice?-V. 10. Did he intend directly to slay his son? Did not this shew his readiness to obey? Does St. Paul speak of him as being really offered up? (Heb. xi. 17, 19.) -Vv. 11, 12. What suddenly stayed his hand? Why was he not to hurt Isaac? What had God seen in him?-V. 13. What did Abraham see near him? What did he do with it?-V. 14. What did Abraham call the name of the place? Why so?-V. 15. Did the angel speak to Abraham again?—Vv. 16, 17. Why was Abraham to be blessed?-V. 17. Relate the blessing. What is meant by "foreseeing the gate of his enemies"?-Conquering and overpowering them.-V. 18. Why were all nations to be blessed in him? What does David say about the blessing of obedience? (Ps. xix. 11.)V. 19. Where did Abraham return to?

GLOSSARY.-V. 2. Moriah. See 2 Chron. iii. 1.-V. 9. Isaac appears, from this, to have given up his life willingly, as Christ did. -V. 14. Jehovah-jireh, (margin). The Lord will see, or provide, that is, for those who obey him.-V. 16. By myself. See Heb. vi. 13.

GENERAL REMARK.-We cannot conceive a greater trial of a man's faith than this. He was to slay his son, a thing which nature shudders at-his only son-beloved, and the child of promise-but, without a murmur, he obeys, rises up early in the morning, and sets out for the place. It could not be the hope of the reward which influenced him; for all would be extinguished if Isaac died. It was simply because he feared and loved God better than every thing that he obeyed. And his blessing was multiplied in consequence. Let us ever remember that the path to blessing is through obedience.

AFTERNOON LESSON.

JOHN xiv. 15-31.-Christ comforts his Disciples in the prospect of his departure.

QUESTIONS.-Verse 15. How does Christ tell his disciples to shew their love to him?-V. 16. What does he promise to pray to his Father for?-V. 17. Who was this Comforter? Why could not the world receive him? Who does he mean by the "world” ?—— V. 18. How would Christ come to them again? Does he not promise to be with them to the end of the world? (Matt. xxviii. 20.) Explain from verse 16 what he meant ?-V. 19. Who would not see him after a little while? What did he refer to by this little while? Would his disciples see him? How would they see him?-By faith, and the working of his Holy Spirit on their hearts.-V. 20. After his ascension into heaven, what would they know ?-V. 21. Who does Christ here say loved him? What blessings does he promise to such ?-V. 22. What question did Judas put to him?—V. 23. How does our Saviour answer him? What then did he mean by manifesting himself to him?-Shewing him his love, and abiding with him spiritually.-V. 24. Do we love Christ, if we do not keep his saying? How, then, may we try ourselves whether we love him or no?-V. 26. What would the Comforter do for them when he came?-V. 27. Now Christ was going away, what did he leave with them? What kind of peace does the world give?—A false, hollow, quickly-passing, unsubstantial peace. What kind of peace would he give? A true, real-abiding, solid peace.-V. 29. Why had he told them of these things?-V. 30. Why would he not talk much with them in future? Who was the Prince of this world? When was he coming?-When the soldiers came to take and crucify him. (See Luke xxii. 53.)

GLOSSARY.-V. 18. Comfortless, (margin,) orphans. The Spirit was therefore a comforter, as well as an advocate and a teacher.V. 22. Judas thought that Christ would manifest himself in glory to the world.-V. 28. My Father, &c. See Athanasian Creed: 66 'Equal to the Father as touching his godhead, and inferior to the Father as touching his manhood."

GENERAL REMARK.-" He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me." "He that loveth me not, keepeth not my sayings." How simple the test; how true the result! Do we seek for a proof that we love him, it is to be found in our obedience. Do we fancy that we love him, and are disobedient, we can remain no longer in doubt when this is applied.

TRINITY SUNDAY.

GENESIS Xxiii.-Sarah's Death and Burial.

QUESTIONS.-Verses 1, 2. How old was Sarah when she died? Supposing she came into Canaan at 65 years of age, how long had she been there? Where did she die ?-V. 3. When Abraham had mourned for her, whom did he speak to?-V. 4. What request did he make of them? What does he call himself? Did he then possess the land which God had promised him ?-V. 6. What answer did the Hittites make? Was it not kind in them thus freely to offer a burying-place?-V. 9. What did Abraham wish instead of this?-V. 8. Whom did he ask it of?-Vv. 11, 12. When Ephron came, what offer did he make?-V. 12. What did Abraham's bowing himself down shew?-His respect for them and humility.-V. 13. Does he wish to purchase the land?-V. 15. What is the price agreed for it? How much was a shekel? (See Glossary.)-V. 17. What was the land given in exchange for it? Does not this transaction shew Abraham's honourable character? Should we not, if we are Christians, endeavour to be upright and honest in all our dealings?-V. 19. Where did Abraham now bury Sarah? Have we heard of Mamre before, and when? (xviii. 1.)—V. 20. Did this burying-place become, henceforth, Abraham's own possession ?

GLOSSARY.-V. 2. Kirjath-arba. The city of Arba, a great man among the Anakims, (Josh. xiv. 15.) called, perhaps from this time, Hebron.-Vv. 4, 6. How differently Abraham speaks of himself to what the Hittites do!-V. 15. It is not clear, in these early times, what the shekel was worth. It weighed probably about half an ounce, and would be half-a-crown of our money.-V. 16. Money was not stamped according to its value, as now, but taken by weight.

GENERAL REMARK.—If our religion be real, it will be seen as much in the common affairs of life as in our actual worship of God. Abraham's fear of God accompanied him in this dealing with Ephron as much as in his directly religious duties. It led him to be upright, and disinterested, and honest. We must not confine our religion to the closet and the church; but it must live in all that we do and say, and be seen in all our little dealings with our friends and companions, and school-fellows.

AFTERNOON LESSON.

JOHN iii. 1-16.-Christ speaks with Nicodemus on the New Birth. QUESTIONS.-Verse 1. Who was this that came to Christ? Of what sect was he? What station did he hold among the Jews ?→→→ V. 2. When did he come? Why did he come by night? What had Christ's miracles made him feel? But though he felt that Christ was come from God, had he become his disciple?-V. 3.