Gospels. I have endeavoured to produce something which may be useful to heads of families in the conduct of family prayers, something which may assist those who visit the poor and desire to read to them, and something which may aid all readers of the Bible in the private study of God's Word. In pursuance of this three-fold object, I have adhered steadily to the leading principles with which I began. I have dwelt principally on the things needful to salvation. I have purposely avoided all topics of minor importance. I have spoken plainly on all subjects, and have striven to say nothing which all may not understand. I cannot expect that the work will satisfy all who want some book to read at family prayers. In fact I know, from communications which I have received, that some think the expositions too long. The views of the heads of families as to the length of their family prayers are so exceedingly various that it would be impossible to please one class without displeasing others. In some households the family prayers are so short and hurried, that I should despair of writing anything suitable to the master's wants. In such households a few verses of Scripture, read slowly and reverently, would probably be more useful than any commentary at all. As for those who find four pages too much to read at one time, and yet desire to read my Expository Thoughts, I can only suggest that they have an easy remedy in their own hands. They have only to leave out one or two divisions in each exposition, and they will find it as short as they please. In preparing for publication this volume on St. Mark, I have looked through all those Commentaries mentioned in my Preface to the volume on St. Matthew, which throw any light on St. Mark.* After careful examination, I feel obliged to say, that, in my humble judgment, very few commentators, whether ancient or modern, seem to give this Gospel the attention it deserves. It has been too often treated as a mere abridgement of St. Matthew. This view of it I believe to be an entire mistake. The only large separate Commentary on St. Mark that I have been able to meet with, is a remarkable work consisting of 1666 folio pages, by George Petter, Vicar of Brede, in the county of Sussex, published in the year 1661. It is a work which from its scarcity, price, and size, is much less known than it deserves. The greater part of the impression is said to have perished in the great fire of London. Some account of this book may not be uninteresting to some readers. Petter's Commentary was originally preached by him in the form of expository lectures to his own congregation. He began to preach on it, June 7th, 1618, and continued preaching on it most Sundays with very little intermission till May 28th, 1643. The dates of each sermon are given on the margin. The doctrine of this remarkable book is excellent,-Protestant, evangelical, and spiritual. The learning of the author * It is needless to repeat their names. must also have been not inconsiderable, if we may judge by the number and variety of his quotations. His faults of style and composition are the faults of the day in which he lived, and must therefore be charitably judged. But for laborious investigation of the meaning of every word, for patient discussion of every question bearing on the text, for fulness of matter, for real thoughtfulness, and for continual practical application, there is no work on St. Mark which, in my opinion, bears comparison with Petter's. Like Goliah's sword, "there is none like it." I now send forth these "Expository Thoughts on St. Mark" with an earnest prayer that it may please God to use the volume for His glory. It has been written under the pressure of many public duties, and amidst many interruptions. No one is more conscious of its defects than myself. But I can honestly say, that my chief desire, if I know anything of my heart, in this and all my writings, is to lead my readers to Christ and faith in Him, to repentance and holiness, to the Bible and to prayer. If these are the results of this volume in any one case, the labour I have bestowed upon it will be more than repaid. Helmingham Rectory, MARK. 13-21. Ordination of the twelve apostles,-Christ's 18-20. The man that had been possessed with the devil sent home to his friends 21-34. The woman with an issue of blood healed 35-43. The ruler's daughter raised to life 14-29. John the Baptist put to death by Herod 30-34. The apostles' return from preaching,-the importance of rest,-Christ's compassion. 122 35-46. The multitude fed with five loaves and two Christ walking on the water 14-21. Warning against false doctrine,-slowness to understand in disciples 22-26. The blind man at Bethsaida healed 34-38. Necessity of self-denial,-—value of the soul, The boy with an unclean spirit healed. 30-37. The crucifixion predicted,-humility enforced 184 38-50. A tolerant spirit enjoined, the necessity of |