decent respect by attending certain forms, just as the Pharisee appeared to be civil to our Lord by asking Him to dinner; but in this outward appearance of decency, we shall be wanting in that true devotion which is the fruit of real love. It is very important therefore to remember, that a right understanding of our great sinfulness before God is the only sure groundwork of a true spiritual affection to Christ.

QUESTIONS.

What are my secret thoughts concerning my sinfulness in God's sight? Am I satisfied with myself, because I know many persons who are greater sinners than I am?

While I attend the worship of God, am I satisfied that I have done all that is needful, although I may have been very cold and careless, and wandering in my thoughts?

2. The character of the woman who shewed her feeling of gratitude to our Lord is given as a contrast to that of Simon: and Jesus himself shewed the importance of following her example, assuring her that her sins were forgiven, and by bidding her depart in peace. Though she was a great sinner, she was fully convinced of the sinfulness of her heart, and of the condemnation she deserved from God. It was a sense of the greatness of her sins which made her seek Christ; (Matt. xi. 28.) and when she knew Him to be the Saviour who should save His people from their sins (Matt. i. 21.), she found in Him the forgiveness of that great debt which she felt so burthensome. This made her heart swell with love toward Him for so great a benefit (1 John iv. 19.); and this love would not be satisfied without expressing itself in every way the poor sinner could think of. It must be the same with the sinner now. They that have a right understanding of what is really offen

sive to God, will not suppose that, because they have not lost their character before men, therefore their sin is of little amount; but, knowing that God looks to the heart, they will feel the heaviness of His displeasure for the sin and the foulness they discover in themselves and having no excuse to offer, and nothing to make amends for their sins (as the men in the parable had nothing to pay with) they will seek the salvation of Christ, pointed out in the Gospel. Whoever comes to Him in this state of mind, will certainly be received. (John vi. 37.) Such persons will be taught that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth them from all their sin; and that there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. (1John i. 7. Rom. viii. 1.) The happiness of finding this applicable to themselves, produces that affection which makes all their conduct, in some way or another, give proof of their love to Christ.

QUESTIONS.

Do I consider myself a sinner, not because my neighbours see bad condnct in me, but because my heart is not naturally disposed to love and obey God?

Do I for this reason consider myself a great sinner? And do I feel the value of what Christ has done to save me from so great a debt of sin?

Is my gratitude plainly shewn by the streugth of my affection for Christ, and for everything connected with His religion?

VII. HEADS FOR PRAYER.

1. Pray for such a conviction of sin, as may prevent you from that self-satisfaction which makes you think lightly of your own offences before God.

2. Confess yourself to be a great sinner in God's sight.

3. Ask to have a right understandiug and true feeling of the mercy of Christ in dying on the cross for your sins.

4. Pray that you may be able to shew your love and gratitude for such mercy, by every means that lies within your reach.

VIII. THE PRAYER.

[1] Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all them that are penitent; create and make in me a new and contrite heart, that I may be truly convinced of my sins, and sincerely lament them; and that acknowledging my wretchedness, I may never be deceived into a state of self-satisfaction, and so think more lightly of my offences. [2] I acknowledge and bewail my many sins and offences, which from time to time I have committed, by thought,word, and deed, against thee O God, provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against me; I do earnestly repent and am heartily sorry for these my misdoings. [3] Have mercy upon me, most merciful Father; to Thee it belongeth to have mercy. Teach me rightly to understand and truly to feel thy great mercy in giving thy Son our Saviour, Jesus Christ to die for me; and thy great mercy, O Saviour, in bearing my sins upon the cross. [4] Give me the Holy Spirit, that through His grace I may love Thee, according to the measure of such love as thou hast shewn to me: and impress upon me that due sense of all Thy mercies, that my heart may be unfeignedly thankful, and that I may shew forth Thy praise, not only with my lips, but in my life, by giving myself up to thy service, and by walking before Thee in holiness and righteousness, all my days, through Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour. AMEN.

Our Father, &c.

SIXTIETH 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 SCRIPTURES.

Read St. Luke's Gospel, chap. viii. verse 1 to 3, and St. Mark's Gospel, chap. iii. verse 20 and 21.

III. THE MEANINGS;

or sense of some words as used in this portion. Luke viii. verse

3. ministered unto means here supported.

After what happened at Nain, which has been told in the five last portions), our Lord set out from that place, and took a second journey all about Galilee, in the same manner as he had once before done. (See Matt. iv. 23, twenty-eighth portion, vol. i. p. 233). He travelled through all the cities and villages, and wherever he went he preached the gospel to the people, telling them the good news, that the time of the kingdom of God's grace was come. The twelve persons

whom he had chosen to be his apostles (see portion fifty-one, p. 77), were with him in this journey; and also several women, upon whom he had shewn his merciful power, either by casting out evil spirits from them, or by curing them of some diseases which had afflicted them. One of these women was Mary, who was also called Magdalene, from Magdala, the town where she had dwelt (Matt. xv. 39): she had been more than commonly under the power of Satan, and had been possessed by seven of the evil spirits which obey him, (Matt. xii. 44, 45; see vol. i. p. 124, 223); from which Jesus had delivered her. Another of the women who travelled upon this occasion with our Lord, was Joanna; whose husband named Chuza was a principal officer under Herod, who governed that part of the country. [Some people have thought that Chuza was the nobleman at Capernaum, whose sick son Jesus had cured while he was in Cana. (John iv. 46-53; see portion twenty-four, vol. i. p. 204.) We hear of this same Mary and Joanna, among the persons who told the apostles of our Lord's resurrection, Luke xxiv. 10.] Another of the women with our Lord was named Susanna, and there were a good many more. These women paid the necessary expenses attending our Lord's journey out of their own property.

When Jesus had returned to Capernaum, the people began crowding again to hear him, in such great numbers that, as he was always ready to teach them, he and his apostles could not find time even to take their necessary meals. His relations, who were settled in Capernaum (see portion twentieth, vol. i. p. 160, 218), heard of his