Vol. 2

CHAPTER X.ISTthrough this earnest desire, they act at last as if itwere so. It is hut a bad disposition for prayer, tobegin it with prescribing to God what he ought togive us." 36. And he said unto them, What would yethat I should do for you ?"He knew better than they that which was intheirhearts; but it was proper that they should discoverit themselves, in the presence of the rest, to the endthat all might be instructed and set right. He seemsdisposed to grant them every thing,they may have such trust and confidence inon purpose thathim, asto dissemble and hide nothing from hira.o" 37. They said unto him, Grant unto us thatwe may sit,one on thy right hand, and the other onthy left hand, in thy glory."How little does man know wherein the kingdomof Christ consists, and the ways which lead thereto IWho is there who does not perceive in his heartsome degree at least of this irregular desire? It isinjustice and pride to covetthat which does not belongto us ; and it is the spirit of the world. Theremen think of nothing but how to place themselves,without troubling themselves at all to consider whetherthey injure others, or whether they deserve thatwhich they desire. Ambition supplies the place ofmerit; and every thing is just when it is advantageous." 38. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know notwhat ye ask : can ye drink of the cup that 1 drinkof? and be baptized with the baptism that I ambaptized with?"Ambition is blind, and often knows neither whatit does, nor what it desires; because it professes to