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CONTENTS.

ST. MARK'S GOSPEL.

SECTION IV. The Errors of the Pharisees.-Ch. vii. viii. 1–26.

Jesus vindicates his disciples, and charges the Pharisees with annulling the

commandment of God by their tradition. Nothing pollutes the man but

vice. A demon expelled from the daughter of a Syrophenician woman of

great faith. The cure of one deaf and dumb. Four thousand men fed in

the desert. A sign in the sky refused to the Pharisees. The disciples

cautioned against their doctrine under the name of leaven, which they, in-

terpreting literally, misunderstood. A blind man cured,
168

SECTION V. The transfiguration.-Ch. viii. 27, etc. ix. x. 1–31.

The opinions of the people concerning Jesus. Peter avows him to be the

Messiah. Jesus foretells his own death and resurrection. Rebukes Peter,

who was scandalized at the mention of death. Warns his followers to pre-

pare for suffering. Is transfigured. Acquaints them who the Elijah was

that should come. Cures a dumb demoniac. Humility the road to emi-

nence in his reign. The services of those not to be rejected who did not

accompany the apostles. No service done for Jesus shall be unrewarded.

The dangers of offences and snares. The marriage tie may not be loosed

at the pleasure of either party. The people encouraged to bring children

to Jesus. What must be done to obtain eternal life. Riches a great ob-

struction in the way to the kingdom. The reward of those who abandon

any thing for Jesus,

SECTION VI. The Entry into Jerusalem.-Ch. x. 32, etc. xi. xii. 1-12.
Jesus, on the road to Jerusalem, foretells his death and resurrection. Is ap-
plied to, by the sons of Zebedee, for the chief honors in his reign. He

THE Conception and birth of John the Baptist announced from heaven to his
father Zacharias in the temple. Zacharias doubting, receives for a sign

SECTION VII. The Transfiguration.-Ch. ix. 18, etc. v.
Different opinions concerning Jesus. Peter acknowledges him to be the Mes-
siah. Jesus foretells his own death and resurrection. All who would be

SECTION VIII. The Character of the Pharisees.—Ch. xi. xii.

Jesus gives his disciples a model of prayer-enjoins importunity—cures a

dumb demoniac-refutes the plea of the Pharisees, that by the aid of de-

mons he expelled demons-points out the true happiness of man.

the only sign that would be granted to that generation: their obduracy

and folly contrasted to the penitence of the Ninevites and the Queen of

Sheba's love of wisdom. A Pharisee, at whose house Jesus dines, scan-

dalized at his not washing his hands before dinner. Jesus reproaches the

Scribes and Pharisees, with being more solicitous about cleansing the out-

side than the inside; with exactness in things of little moment, whilst

they neglected things of the greatest; with affecting pre-eminence in every

thing; with hypocrisy; with imposing burdens on others, from which

they kept themselves free; with persecuting the prophets when living,

and pretending to honor them when dead; with obstructing the people's

entry into the kingdom of God. He warns his disciples of their danger-

ous doctrine-fortifies them against the dread of their power-reminds them

of the care of Providence-and of the greatness of their future recompense.

The danger of apostacy; and of detracting from the Holy Spirit. Warn-

ing against covetousness, from the example of a rich fool who exulted in

his stores, and knew not that he had not a day to live against anxiety.

Incitements to vigilance and activity. The doctrine of Jesus the occasion

of contention and division. Men attentive and judicious in temporal affairs,

often careless and injudicious in spiritual concerns,

SECTION IX. The Nature of the Kingdom.-Ch. xiii. xiv.

Sudden and violent deaths not evidences of greater guilt in individuals, but

general warnings to reformation. The similitude of the barren fig-tree.

An infirm woman cured on the Sabbath. The similitude of the grain of

mustard-seed; and of the leaven. Salvation demands our utmost vigilance

and exertion. In spite of Herod's designs upon him, Jesus would go about

safely for a short time, and then finish his course at Jerusalem. His lamen-

tation over that impenitent and devoted city. A dropsical man cured in a

Pharisee's house on the Sabbath. A warning against forwardness and

vanity. Admonition to entertain the needy rather than the wealthy.

Parable of the supper to which the invited refused to come. The neces-

sity of deliberation before we engage in the Messiah's service, illustrated

from the example of a prudent builder, and of a king at war,

SECTION X. Parables.-Ch. xv. xvi.

The lost sheep. The lost drachma. The prodigal son. The unjust but

provident steward. The use men make of temporal things here, marks

their fitness for the trust of spiritual things hereafter. Admonitions against

avarice; hypocrisy; reliance on the judgment of men; against divorce.

The utmost exertion requisite to secure a place in the kingdom of heaven.

The rich man and Lazarus,

SECTION XI. Instructions and Warnings.-Ch. xvii. xviii. xix. 1—27.

Nothing more dangerous than to insnare. The method of treating an offend-
ing brother. The power of faith. Obedience to the Creator, gives no

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