Morning Thoughts IN PROSE AND VERSE ON PORTIONS OF THE SUCCESSIVE CHAPTERS IN THE GOSPEL OF ST. MARK. BY THE AUTHOR OF MORNING THOUGHTS on THE GOSPEL of ST. MATTHEW. Second Edition. LONDON: Printed by Ellerton and Henderson, AND SOLD BY HATCHARD AND SON, PICCADILLY; SEELEY T. CADELL, STRAND; AND HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND PATERNOSTER ROW. 1828. CO. a MORNING THOUGHTS ON SINGLE VERSES IN THE GOSPEL OF ST. MARK. CHAP. I. VER. 27. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. THE instructions of human teachers may, as to certain points, resemble those of the Saviour of the world. Like his, they may breathe the spirit of gentleness and love. The reasoning may, like his, be both simple and profound. Their exhortations may be B at once just, fervent, and affectionate. But every human lesson must labour, at least, under the one incurable defect of possessing little or no "authority" over the conscience of the hearer. Every man is justified in canvassing the statements of every other man, and in rejecting all which he cannot bring to square with his own concẹptions of right and duty. Under these circumstances, how difficult is it to decide, among poor fallible creatures, who shall be the learner and who the teacher! Hence arose the perplexities of the ancients as to the nature of the real good;' with regard to which a heathen writer refers to three hundred distinct opinions. When their hearts suggested the inquiry "who will shew us any good, there was none to reply, "Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance |