surprised at the sudden departure of Elias, and could not comprehend what the Scribes meant by affirming that he must appear before the Messiah would erect his empire. They, therefore, after long debating among themselves, asked their Master, "Why say the Scribes that Elias must first come?" To which Jesus answered, that Elias should truly come first, according to the prediction of Malachi, and restore all things: but at the same time, he assured them that Elias was already come, and described the treatment he had met with from that stiff-necked people; giving them to understand that he spake of John the Baptist. "But I say unto you, that Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed; likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist."-Matt. xvii. 12, 13.

CHAPTER XVII.

OUR SAVIOUR RELIEVES A YOUTH TORTURED WITH A DUMB SPIRIT -CONFORMS CHEERFULLY TO THE CUSTOM OF THE COUNTRY, BY PAYING THE TRIBUTE-REPROVES THE PRIDE OF HIS DISCIPLES, AND DELIVERS SOME EXCELLENT MORAL PRECEPTS.

WHEN Our Lord approached the descent of the mountain, accompanied by his three disciples, he saw a great multitude surrounding the nine, who continued in the plain, and the Scribes disputing with them. The people seeing Jesus coming down from the mountain, ran to him, and saluted him with particular reverence. After which Jesus asked the Scribes, what was the subject of their debate with his disciples? To which one of the multitude answered, "Master,. I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit: and wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him and he foameth and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away; and I spake to thy disciples, that they should cast him out; and they could not." -Mark ix. 17, 18.

This answer being made by one of the multitude, and not by the Scribes, to whom the ques

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tion was directed, indicates that they had been disputing with the disciples on their not being able to cure this afflicted youth: perhaps their making this unsuccessful attempt had given the Scribes occasion to boast that a devil was at length found, which neither they nor their master were able to conquer. This seems to be indicated by the manner in which our Saviour addressed himself to these arrogant rulers. "O faithless generation," says he, "how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you?" Will no miracles ever be able to convince you? Must I always bear with your infidelity? You have surely seen sufficient demonstrations of my power, notwithstanding ye still discover the most criminal infidelity?" After speaking in this manner to the Scribes, he turned himself to the father of the young man, and said, "Bring thy son hither." But no sooner was he brought in sight of his deliverer, than the evil spirit attacked him, as it were, with double fury: "The spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed, foaming."-Mark ix. 20.

Jesus could easily have prevented this attack: but he permitted it, that the minds of the spectators might be impressed with a more lively idea of this youth's distress. And for the same reason probably it was, that he asked the father, how long he had

been in this deplorable condition? To which the afflicted parent answered, "Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire and into the waters, to destroy him; but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.Mark ix. 21, 22.

The inability of our Lord's disciples to cast out this spirit, had greatly discouraged the afflicted father; and the exquisite torture of his son, and the remembrance of its long continuance, so dispirited him, that he began to fear this possession was even too great for the power of Jesus himself, as the Scribes had probably before affirmed; and therefore could not help expressing his doubts and fears. But Jesus, to make him sensible of his mistake, said to him," If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." On which the father cried out, with tears, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." The vehement manner in which he spake causing the crowd to gather from every quarter, "Jesus rebuked the foul spirit;" saying unto him, "Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him."-Mark ix. 25.

No sooner was the powerful exit pronounced, than the spirit, with an hideous howling, and convulsing the suffering patient in the most deplorable manner, came out, leaving the youth sense

less and without motion; till Jesus, taking him by the hand, restored him to life, and delivered him, perfectly recovered, to his father.

The nine disciples, during this whole transaction, remained silent. They were doubtless mortified to think that they had lost, by some fault of their own, the power of working miracles lately conferred upon them by their Master; and for this reason were afraid to speak to him in the presence of the multitude. But when they came into the house, they desired Jesus to inform them why they failed in their attempt to heal that remarkable youth? To which Jesus answered, "Because of your unbelief." But to encourage them he described the efficacy of the faith of miracles. 66 If ye have faith as a grain of mustard-seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove: and nothing shall be impossible unto you."-Matt. xvii. 20. Nothing shall be too great for you to accomplish, when the glory of God and the good of the church are concerned, provided you have a proper degree of faith; even yonder mountain, which bids defiance to the storm, and smiles at the attacks of its mingled horrors, shall, at your command, leave its firm basis, and remove to another place.

The expulsion of the dumb spirit seems to have