And does not this thought of Jesus—the Rock following us in our wilderness way-fall in with our collect for to-day? The that trust in Him, Ps. xl. 1, 2. multiplying mercy, Ps. lxxxi. 16. passing to glory, Ps. xxvii. 5, 6. of that spiritual Rock that followed that Rock was Christ."

Protector of all Increasing and The guide in "They drank them: and

Fifth Sunday after Trinity.

"THE GOVERNOR."

Learn, Matt. ii. 3-6. Passages to be referred to, -Gen. xlv.; Ps. lxxxix. 1-37; Micah v. 1-7;

Phil. ii. 5-11.

OUR thoughts are directed to-day, by the subject of our collect, to the governance of the Lord; and the title therefore which at once suggests itself for our study is one found only in St Matthew's gospel, chap. ii. 6—Governor.

It is connected with all the promises of the kingdom made to the Jewish people. See what Micah said, chap. v. 2. Look at the word by Isaiah, chap. ix. 6, 7. And consider what Jacob had said by the Spirit a very long time before, Gen. xlix. 10. The Scriptures all taught the Jews concerning the coming of Christ as the Governor, John v. 39. But what a different effect did it have on people. The worldly were only troubled at the thought, Matt. ii. 3; those who, perhaps, knew it from the Bible could point others to Jesus, though they would not go to Him themselves, Matt. ii. 4-6; while those who

were very far off were brought to rejoice in the ruling power of Jesus, Matt. ii. 10, 11.

To enter into this title of our Lord we shall illustrate it by a reference to the history of Joseph (Gen. xlii.-xlv.), who seems in a very remarkable manner to typify the governorship of Jesus, that position which he holds in the kingdom with the Father, 1 Cor. xv. 23-28; cf. Rev. iii. 21. Consider

1. His betrayal. He was the beloved of His Father, John iii. 16; Rom. viii. 32. He was hated by His brethren without a cause, John xv. 25; Matt. v. 11. Sent by His Heb. x. 7, He sought to recover Gen. xxxvii. 2; Phil. ii. 15, 16. to destroy Him, Acts iii. 14, 15. and sold, Matt. xxvi. 15, 56. umph for a time, Ps. xxii. 1.

Father to them, them from sin, They conspire He is betrayed His enemies tri

2. His exaltation. In humiliation Joseph trusted in God, Gen. xxxix. 23. He honoured God, Gen. xxxix. 9, xli. 16. He did what he could for his distressed fellows, Gen. xl. 6, 7. And this led to his exaltation, Gen. lxi. 12, 40, 41-"See, I have set thee over all the land." See Ps. ii. 6-8; Phil. ii. 5-11, "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him." Thus Jesus is Governor; all power is His, Matt. xxviii. 18. He is able to destroy, Rev. vi. 16; able to bless, Heb. vii. 25.

3. His conduct to His brethren. roughly at first, Matt. xv. 23, 24.

He speaks

He proves

their character by trials to know their change of feeling towards Himself, John xv. 15. He then makes himself known in private communion (Gen. xlv. 1), and shows abundant love and blessing (Gen. xlv. 18-20), 1 Cor. iii. 22, 23; John xiv. 1, 2. Egypt was a different place to the brethren through the governorship of Joseph. How blessed to realise the governorship of Jesus, Matt. xi. 27. All is in His hands, Ps. lxxxix. 18; Col. i. 16. need not fear, Ps. xlvi.

His brethren. therefore,

Sixth Sunday after Trinity.

"THE HOPE OF GLORY."

Learn, Col. iii. 1-4. Passages to be referred to,Exod. xxxiii. 18, xxxiv. 8; Mark ix. 1-10; 2 Cor. iii.; Col. iii. 1-4.

WHEN we speak of glory, we mean that surpassing excellence which belongs to certain things. There is an earthly glory, after which all the great ones upon earth are thirsting, Dan. iv. 30. It is only of a transitory character, 1 Pet. i. 24. It is by its influence that Satan would draw many a soul astray, Matt. iv. 8; 2 Tim. iv. 10. But there is also a heavenly glory for which God's people look, Ps. lxxiii. 24. It is real and unfading in its character, 1 Pet. iv. 13, v. 1, 10. Of this it is said, "Christ in you the hope of glory," Col. i. 27.

To understand this title, we shall try to learn something

I. About the glory. How can we describe it? We know that it is procured for, Heb. ii. 10, and given to His people by Jesus, John xvii. 22. It is so great that present afflictions are not worthy to be compared with it, Rom. viii. 18;

G