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Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmAs en commenpant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la derniire page qui comporte una telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaticra sur la derniire image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols -^ signifie "A SUIVRE ". le symbols V signifie "FIN ". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre film^s A des taux de reduction diff6rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour itre reproduit en un seul clichA, il est film6 A partir de Tangle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droits, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nicessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m^thode. 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 LIFE OP CHSIST. \] IT Cfi-iifuU. T>ie JiWjs,.,l //, i'>Hmth . % . . '"■"' '"''" t<^uch.'d but the //cm ./• ■W5»! THE LIFE Ol- OUR BI.F.SSED LORD AND SAVIOUR JE8U8 CHRIST. TO WHICH IS ADDEB AN EXHORTATION TO CHRISTIANS TO IMITATE THE EXAMPLE OF OUR REDEEMER, AS DISPLAYED IN HIS LIKB AND D0CTRTNB8. . > BY THE REV. JOHN FLEETWOOD, D.D. 'M-MMMMMMhMM^i V HALIFAX : *^ED AN^>»^LISHED BY WILLIAM MILNKR, ' •'' it\^flEAPSIDK. ;.„- '.MacccxLVi. PREFACE. Thk first and great object that should most materially engage the attention of mankind is, the pursuit of that knowledge, which tends to promote their welfare, while on this transitory stage of life, and their eternal happiness in that which is to come. No measures whatever can be taken to effect this, but the most earnest endeavours to make themselves perfectly acquainted with, and strictly to follow the example of our Bx^kssed Rkdkkmkb, the great Captain of our Sufferings— the Preserver of our souls from death to life everlasting— the grand Pattern of Sanctity, Humility, Meekness, and Charity— the King of Glory— the Guiding-star to Righteousness— and who, as he himself expresses it, is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. As therefore, in our Blessed Redeemer only rests the whole of our eternal salvation, let him only engross our most serious attention ; and let the example of his Apos- tles, who have sealed their faith with their hlood, inspire us with resolution, and make us emulous to be accounted voluntary Servants of Christ, who condescended to suffer an ignominious death, to c' ^ ug from our sins, that we might escape the punishmei uue to our manifold offences. In seriously perusing the Life and Transactions of the great Redeemer of Mankind, we shaU there find those balmy sweets, those silid comforts, which, if properly at- tended to, will promote our felicity here, and secure us eter- nal happiness hereafter. If we endeavour to pursue the Divine System laid down by our blessed Saviour, there is no reason to doubt but our Obedience will be crowned with that Reward, vl PRRFACE. i»hich lie hath been pleased to pron.iae to aU tl.ose who mUUte his glorious Example. Our Lord himae^f tIL t,! that if we are ppor in spirit, we Bhall gain the kingdom o He.^^en-if we mourn here we shall bo coniforte.l-if we mnger and thirst after Righteousness, wo shall be filled it 18 from these assurances, that St. Augustine says. •« The happmess of this life consists in the Holy Uhost. iithout which we cannot come to tho knowledge of God. All trua kimwledge. virtue, and perfection, that a Christian can desire, or attain to. are contained in the doctrines and TrmT." °' "''' *'°''°"' Redeemer; who teaches ub t^.at Righteousness and Holiness consist in the inward Purity of tho Mind, not in the outward Show of Works- in a conscience void of offence; not in the pompous ap- pluuse Of men-in humility; not in ostentaiion-in con- tempt-not m pursuit of worldly honours ; and he further teaches us to love our enemies as well as our friends. Here aTon? VH" "'*"~ °' *'"' '""'• ^' *»•"«""« ^° Christ alone ; and how we ought not to glory but in Him. Here we read also of the certainty of Salvation, the forgiveness of Bins, the resurrection of the body, and of life eternal. We most certainly hope, that the perusal of this Work will produce that effect for which it is so happily adapted namely, the promotion of the cause of Christianity, and making mankind wise unto salvation. A serious attention to the Dmne transactions contained in this history wiU hll the mind with awful, though pleasing ideas ; banish every doubt; confirm the reader in the most sublime truths and flU his soul with divine ecstacies. * We shall only further observe, that in the execution of this performance, we have endeavoured to improve the un- del-standing and warm the heart ; to inspire the mind with gratitude for the astonishing love of a dying Saviour, and cNcite the soul to embrace his kind invitations of forgivenew of happiness, and of peace. * THE LIFE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST ** ■>^-^*^ V ^ •V^^ .^s^,,.^^ CHAPTER I. PRESAGE OF THE BIRTH O" r-UDic, IHK.LH Oi. CHRIST. PREDICTION OP THE BLhSbED VlttGIN BY THE ANGEL. VISITATION :Li:;Trr"""»'=-""-''- ■"''™- De7I^'J;ll!;' """ ^'?\r P^^aps ever will, h»p. wmer^f Th ""'«''»''> display the wisdom Jd J".«er of the Great Jehovah, than the glori.us 8 THE LIFE OF OUR LOUD our most serious regard. ^^^"^ *^"e most buildinTfn A r ^'"^''"gs* to an immense fabric or earth." ^ ^^ branches, and filled the the Gentiles, and peoXf Wl* ^^^^^ selves together affainst thlr a gathered them- anointed f for Ih? doct^^^^^^ his wisdom of the former / ""^ confounded the the latter." "^^ ^°^ overcame the folly of we'lhTirfiWa^ :t: '' ^ ^^r^^^^^- ^--*or. «•'! nna tliat .* lew arrived at perfection at ■^SjTi^ualJSt*^ AND SAVIOLE JKSUS CHRIST. 9 once This observation is amply confirmed bv the vanous productbns in the natSral, and changi in the moral world. The Supreme Being, who con" ducts all his operations according to his infinite wisdom, appears to have retained the same max m of men The dmne mind and will were not re- aZn '''^Tu^'''^\^' ^'"'^ i» their clearest evi. dence and fullest splendour. The dawn, hi a sd l ritual, as well as in a natural sense, pre'ceSed the meridian glory ; the former revelation was biU a y^e or earnest of the latter, and in comparison with It intricate and mysterious. The all gracious God, as lo seemed best to his unerring wisdom, was pleased, by decrees to onpn and unfold his glorious councils fand^mai byTe" grees, a tamed to the knowledge of the grUt plan of salvation, and the means used by its great Author to promote and establish it. ^umor Je^f L**""^- -^^^"^ the incarnation of the blessed Jesus, an opinion prevailed among the pious part «Ln^ 7' that the Great Jehovth would conde- person ^u^Med^^^^^'^^^'^ '"™" ^°^'°^"^ the same. Th dictions of th with the ut character, God, in his to mankind. Relying o the devout time appointed raised Messiah ..„„^ and therefore are sai them in the pre- described, [he person, 'ointed by .1 councils jrophecies, iiagined the that the pro- liis appearance, " waited night and 10 THE LIPE OP OUR r,ORD day for the consolation of Uvm] " ti.« at that time erievonX ««« J » ^"®*® people, power, and coSlm^n*!^ oppressed by the Roman Iibert;;L wTr^ellTtr^"?^^^^ *^«»«- tyrannical oppreMow wS\ 5 themselves on their desire. But this oSi nf*i, ® '"''** solicitous neral deliverer eS°i *''? W'oach of age- country of th^Jews'for^,^^ *»^*" the with so mZ cru„tri««' ?r^^^ learned me^^iZsSH 7k ^'"P"*^* ^»* *he lation of the oTdSl^ Heathens, and the trans- prince would aoDear in T- i J "Pmion that a Jvould dispel tKiita „*^ *'''"° •"""»«». *ho Jews from the ]£>,Z vol '«""»"'*' ^«'"« "•« 10 Daniel the pronhet with * ?° ''?'' "PPeared fs to the period rfthe Me siah-rfll" '"'"'•"^'^'"^ his transaetions in this 1„ ™ „S,d'"£k" ""' " Ziicharias, a pious oriL IhJi u ' "" *«"' «» his office before God In A- \* ««» executing ("hich was to bu™ teceL then tr "' ^''- """^ temple of the Lord) to HsI^ tLt ' T!J"'," ""« spring f«.m him aid hU wU hLV?i!'''.'u''°'''? wUlj^ being thef^rn^ro'JTXtn^TJS^ knfwtim to' b?o7 htv'^T "•* '"«"' ^o-gh he judge the subjeotlf hr^sl^'ri'T T'" "»' covered a miitnw. nf &" Ti ' *"'* ">ewfore dis- nuxtuie of fear and surprise ; but the AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRFST. n SBiial ambassador cheered his desponding soul with this kind address : « Fear not, Zacharias, for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John." That he waited, day and night, for the consolation of Israel, he well knew, which is all we can under- stand by his prayer being heard ; for it was unna- tural for him to think that he and his wife Eliza- beth, who were advanced in years, should have a son ; nay he intimates his doubts concerning it in these words : « Whereby shall I know this, for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years." Besides he was a priest of the course of Abiafa, whose particular oifice was to pray in behalf of the people, for public and national blessings ; so that it is very reasonable to think, that on all occasions of public worship, he prayed most earnestly for the accomplishment of the prophecies relative to the appearance of the long expected Messiah, who was promised as a general blessing to all the nations of the earth. That this was the great subject of his prayer appears from the delaration of Oabriel : the prayer thou hast directed with sincerity to an Almighty ear, concerning the coming of the Mes- siah, « is heard : and behold thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son," who shall prepare the way for the mighty Redeemer of Israel. The old priest, indeed, was as much astonished at the subject of the mission, as he was at the appearance of the messenger ; and esteeming it impossible that his wife, thus advanced in years, should conceive a son, weakly demanded a sign to confirm his belief, in the fulfilment of the promise, though he knew tlie authority of the angel was derived from the God of Truth. But as it is the lot of humanity to err, Zacharias had, for that time, forgot that no- 12 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD thing was impossible to Omnipotence, as well as that It was not the first time that the aeed were caused to conceive, and bear a child. The least reflection would have reminded him, that Sarah conceived, and bare Isaac, when she was,far ai vanced m years ; and that Samuel was born of a woman, who had been long reputed, and even called barren. liis curiosity was, indeed, gratified, but in a man- ner that carried with it, at once, a confirmation of the promise, and a punishment of his unbelief. As he had verbally testified his doubt of the fulfilment ot the prediction of the angel, he was punished with the loss of his speech, which was to continue to the very day, in which the prediction should be accom- plished ; "Behold, thou Shalt be dumb, and pot able to speak, until the day that those things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, wluch shall be fulfilled in their season." Zacharias soon received an awful testimony of the divinity of the mission of Gabriel, who was no sooner departed, than he was struck dumb ; for when he came to pray in the course of his ofiice, during the oblation of his incense, he could not utter a word, and was under the necessity of mak- ing signs to the people ; that an angel had appeared uuto hira m the temple, and that he was deprived ot the faculty of speech, as a punishment for his doubting the fulfilment of an event of which he had been foretold concerning him. Soon after Zacharias departed to his own house, (the days of his ministration being accomplished) his wife Elizabeth, according to the prediction of the angel, conceived ; and retired into a private place, where she lived five months in the uninter- rupted exercises of piety, devotion, and cortempla- AND SAVIOUR JESUS CIIUI?T. i3 n, that Sara,h tion on the mysterious providences of the Almighty audhisaraazinggoodnesstothe sinful children of men! When Elizabeth was advanced six months in her pregnancy, the same heavenly ambassador was sent to a poor Virgin, called Mary, who lived in obscurity in Nazareth, under the care of Joseph, to whom she was espoused. This man and woman were both lineally descended from the house of David, from whose loins it was foretold the great Messiah should spring. This Virgin being ordained by the Most High to be the mother of the great Saviour of the world, was saluted by the angel in most respectable terms : "Hail ! thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee : blessed art thou among women !" Such an address, from so exalted a Being, greatly alarmed the meek and humble virgin, to allay whose fear, and encourage whose heart, the angel related in most rapturous terms, the subject of his embassy, which was to assure her, Tiiat she was chosen by God to the greatest honour which could be con- ferred on a mortal, and which would perpetuato her memory ; an honour no less than that of being mother of the promised and long expected Messiah, who upon earth should be called Jesus, because he should save his people from their sins, be the re- storer of human nature, and the procuring cause of eternal bliss to sinners, who had forfeited the favour, and incurred the resentment of an offended Ciod : but that this divine person in heaven was considered as the Son of the Most High God ; to whom should be given by his Almighty Father, the throne of David his earthly Father, on which he should preside, and on which, being the whole church of Christ, the house of Jacob, the spiritual Israel, or the kingdom of the Messiah, should con- ♦'"MO for ever aiiH evf*. 14 TIIK LIFE OF OUIl LORD T Jl »«to°«hed Virgin, unmindful likewise, that Isaiah had long since prophesied, « That a virgin should conceive and bear a son,'*' thought her vir Ri ? insurmountable barrier to thi fulfilment nlv«rlS^P T' ««P«°ia"ya« such an event had n£,v> V?f "^^""^ ^^^"^''^^ «f *h« angel an ex- planation of the manner in which such 1 circiun- stance could be effected. circum- This desire by no means implies she did not re- niember, that with God all things were po^ We but only serves to prove the weakness of C ap! - l^s^T^ ""^ '^^ ^"^ *^^"^' o"^ ^^^ diffidence a?d sense of her own unworthiness on the other. uJa^ ""^! ' ^'^^^'^fo'e* perceiving the goodness of of h^Zri'^",,' notwithstanding fome little proof LfedTn i^^*^"T *°^ ^^"'^^«« ^f «'ght, vouch, saled an immediate answer to her inquiry. «The ofle hT.w'^^ "P^"**^^^' an^dth^^powt: A .?.'Sn®«* shall cover thee ;» or, in other words, this miraculous event shall be brought about don of ?i« '^ '^" Holy Spirit, and wonderful exer- tion of the power of the Most High. As thv onn cepuon is effected by the immedi'at; interpluon which s&hff:'"'' '' "Therefore that holy thing ^f GoV" Tn . T ""^^^^l' .*t^" ^« «^"^d the Son sLe th« h ?^''"' ^^"^ ^^'^^ in the glorious mes- sage, the heavenly messenger observed to her that nr^ w P^*®? bairenness, was above six months pregnant, assigning this incontestible argument for the miraculous incident : "For with God nothn' shall be impossible." "uwun^ feaI*''wPiX?u''°^^.''^"**^^d all her doubts and fears, but filled her with inexpressible joy, so that she even anticipated the pron^sed felicit7? for sl^ AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 15 with the rest of the daughters of Jacob had loner l^r^^^i^t^t "^ ^"^"g ^^^^^'ted by God to be thf honoured Mother of the Saviour of Israel .and therefore, oa her being assured that such happiness was destined her by the great Disposer of all eveniB she thus expressed her reliance on the fuffi mem of the divme promise, and perfect acquiescence in the ftr? "^.*\" ^'"^'S**'^ •• " »«fa«^d the hatdlaid of the Lord, be ,t unto me according to thy w "d - out for the mountainous country of Judea, though at a very remote distance from Nazareth, in order to rejoice with cousin Elizabeth, in the joyful news she had received from the angel concSi he, The rapture and delight which filled the minds of Mary, Joseph, and Elizabeth, on the ocSn of this salutation, can alone be Expressed by the a? fecung description recorded by the Evangelist Luke who 18 peculiar for the beauty of hLTve and elegance of his expression. ^ ^ ' Mo K 5^*"SJ^8' writes, that the salutation of Mary had such an effect upon Elizabeth, tha? ou ?an«^T°#"^.'^" miraculous event which had be" [hit th« h J"'^-°' •^">''" *^*P«^ 'Within her, and that the being inspired with a holy delight on the approachingprospect of the nativitj of our Saviour exclaimed with rapture, "And whence L thbto m:V' 'Nlr'i^.t^'^*"^^ ^^^^ should come to me ? Nor did her ecstasy cease with this token ot humility and joy on the important event in the encrwhlh ^''t,'^^ evinced Wt prophetic ?nflu- ence, which, while it amazed the blessed Virein could not fail of establishing her belief in wha?te angel had foretold ; for shelepeated the very words Vi?r «bY *^r°Sl' ^° Wb salutationofYhehot Virgin, "Blessed art thou among women," together 16 THE LIKK OF Ol'R LORD r the 8un ; and meTshaTrwiiTd '"llf " '"S* " tioM shall c»U him blesMdi^hA ""',?'"»• b"Si^' trSe'i:f,'7 T ""1 -^'-^ttir^oi those kDowi,w„rdr.'SL ."*?'/! ^''PfeBwd in T.ord," &c ' " **"'' '^''* ™»8°'fy the Having thus confirmed herself hv thSi. „■ : ■ Judea about three months. * "sided in bro%M forth he^s^rthr °'*^':i'^' ^'^^-*^ waf tSrhistleleh" and"'^"' "■? "«!'' P"-' out into prai^anHap'ture rrf ''''"'^ ^';°''« works nf r«^ »"u idpiure at the marvellous a.lnd hiJ;: ' '" '*"""' "•"<■•'• ''^'•"'"I'ed aU . and « Blessed is tended with so nmi^r extrln;^^"'*' ^'''^' ^^ «»• Indeed these inciSeL t!!« '^"^?,">' circumstances, 'niration ; that he wh^ Z to ^il l? ".^ ^""''•**^ "^• the might;^ Saviour of 11x1,1 ^t" '^! ^^^emnner of entrance on Jife in u^ ob«inr« 7^^ ""' '»»''« ^is but with particularTokensonrV""''"^" «»*"««»•. in order to attract th«!?. ^ ''''^°"'* *^^ ''^aven '"en, and exdto the r IT'T""" *^^ *"« <^«"ntrv. tion of the people for ?h5 ""^^ ^''^^ '*»^ P^^Parn- ^viio was iufto apX '^^ "*" '^« ^eiiah, b"dy ; for .ieh was M i ^' ^"*'* "^ '"^"d and tl'x-ough the bleLnr«f '^e to^^^^^^^ constitution, J'ved tdlaear the thirl thv« "/.^^*"^«> that he PiU^lic ministry LZtnth^?''^^'''.''^^' ^i»e»i»« country of Juderteif^f i"^""^*"'* »»« ^°»^ort« ^acharias, reUtinX ht f.*^^^^^^ «^ '^^^ g««d oW V'ophet of the HiSt for tf 'H' "j" ^"«** ^^»« t le face of the Lofd tl'm^n. k '*^^^' «*» ^^^O'e tlie knowledge of^liLlff^?"" ^'^ ^^^'^^ ^o give '••i««ion of tifeix liS 3,'^^^'" "« P«<^Pie> by the re- our God, whereby the^^"fl^ mercies of V'Mted us, togive St t/.?f "*/'''*'" ^'^ high hath -nd in the shfd^w of ielth r '^2' ^^' ^° ^^^'^"^ss, w^y of peace." ^*"'' *^ Smde our feet in the i'f'lts?tithla w^^^^ ^"'"^ ^" matrimonial *;^, when shortly Xr her . T^^^^'x* ^^"*« ^^^»"- ciiscovered evidenfst.rTf n. '*' '^ ^^"^'^^^^ «he 00 ^^gn^ of pregnancy ; nay, so far ggi'iiilBp,..- 18 THE LIFE OF OUR L0K1) Ir. n If was he wrought on by circumstancea, that heabso- lutely resolved on a dissolution of the mam^a.e • but previous to such a rigorous procedurerS- tiomng her concerning the same, she, to wip'e TffZ cl:.\Tr''^'- °^V""*^'^ ^^^'^^ *« him th^e part"? culars of the vision from the angel, and the extra- EHzab'eTh "'"' ''"'' ''^^ '^''^"''^ Zacharia^ Ind seSt^^'-*"^'"^ *^'? ingenuous declaration, Jo^ tSt this'S? r*'"".'^'.""*^ suggested to' him tnat this might be a device, concerted bv the friends of Mary, to exempt her from that dis/mce howeve^"h* *"1"^* ^^^'^'^^ ^» Buch pSe : however, he resolved to execute his purpose as nri- vately as possible, without assigning ScaCfor^he sS.^^V'^ ""'^f their constitution, would hive su^ected her to the penalty of death. Hut, on cooler reflection, he called to mind the sovereign power of Omnip'otence ; for whTch rea! ture of things m general, h er vindication mieht be evl^rof •^- .•"' »r thought himself S by every tie of justice and duty, to nreserve h«r nh/ racier inviolable; though, ^s heTas a just man" Sons srllTr "^''^^^ '''^' l^-XeZrl iustfffhim^f /^•"*'*\PP^*^ *« him sufficient to justify him m retammg her in his house. While he was thus ruminating on this particular event, he was overtaken with a^leasing^Ser! and received a communication from abL, which fully revealed the cause and manner of Mary's KnTi: tP'"«ihis doubts, and encourag^ed AND SAVfOUR JE8U8 CHRFST. JJ) The aged Joseph complied with the voice of he». ven most cheerfully ; fol: „« sooner did he morn 5 ^r" i'Pr*'"' **•»" he arose from hia c"uch a..d obeyed the commands of the MoJt Hi^^h hv relaUng to his wife his bein, asrurfd of ^er im ^ cence, and immediately restored her to former irZf^ ^^ ""^^^^^^ ^ ^^"^ *h« "tanner of this ex- hL «if ^T T"^ ^® discovered in her a remarka- ble chastity of heart, entirely conformable to so niystenous an operation, and knew her not, till she had brought forth the great Redeemer of Israel Thus was fulfilled thit which was Tretold^y iho prophets, and particularly the prediction of it^ah" teh ason "?rr^{/'^*^ ^^'■^«'" should bring bear * I?'"" ^ u^^.' * ^"•^'» «hall conceive, and wWh I • ' .*"^ '^^" ^*" his name Immanuel '» which, being interpreted, is, God with us. isa v i. AsaKL APPRARINO TO ZACIAUJA . I f 20 fHE LIFE OF OUR LOUD CHAPTKR II. GENERAL DECREE FOR TAXATION PUBLISHED. IlIKTH OF CHR.ST. DECLARATION QV THE SAME TO THE OK rHHT^'Tv ^^^^^^^'S'ON AND PRESENTATION THE «rrj ^""^ ''^"'''=- "^"^ ^^«^ M'^'^ OF IIIE EAST WORSHIP THE HOLY CHILD. FLIGHT OF JOSEPH INTO EGYPT. MASSACRE OF INFANTS AT BETHLEHEM. DEATH OF HEROD. RETURN OF JOSEPH OUT OF EGYPi;. «^iUKN OF Augustus Caesar, the Roman emperor, havinff at itelCr'r '''? ^«' * geLral'taxatTo?; o'n' pire, king Herod, m consequence ve his des^tntfrom «/eS^^^^^^ '"^^^ whom it was foretold « t" tf ^'*^'*'?"' concerning families „f .he^'TS' be CA"^ '/» *" /" .'^^ reason fop our Lord'. -nT... r . , ' * further institntion, we may J^SS *'''''."'''' ""» J«"«l» to its rules, as he i^^fe„''^ f l??^"* adherence better eovenaut ; Ihioh cIm "f^lf- another and f"lly, than by confZi°L .TI . ' ^ '^'"^^^ '""'^ »asof divine iniunSfn?''?* »«««">«*, which to admission inrthe forme; '**"'»"' "«»'^'«' fiib^™ ^rwurj:rr/i:ar^ """ --^ p.-, and pa,i„g ifve'XS/t^err'wlt AND SAVIOIR JISCS CHRIST. 23 offering, which, from the poorer sort, consisted of a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons, a cere- mony in commemoration of the divine mercy in sparing the firstborn in Israel, when those of Egypt, both men and beast, were destroyed : his parents having tarried at Bethlehem till the days of Mary'a purification were accomplished, brought the child Jesus to Jerusalem, and there presented him in the temple to the Lord, in the manner just described, with the offering allowed to the lower order of peo- ple ; a repeated instance of the- exact obedience of the immaculate Jesus, to the ceremonial law, as well as the poverty of his parents, though descended from a royal house. During the representation of the holy Infant, there entered the temple a pious and venerable old man, named Simeon, who, with all the devout, had " waited day and night for the consolation of Israel," and to whom it had been revealed by the Spirit of Truth, that he should not depart this mortal life, till he had seen the Lord of Life and salvation. Accordingly it was signified to him by the Holy Spirit, at whose instance he came at the precise time, into the temple, that the child there presented was the long expected Messiah, even the Redeemer of Israel. In an ecstasy of joy he embraced the heavenly Infant in his arms, and broke out into this rhapsody, « Lord, now lettest thou thy servant de- part m peace, according to thy word : for mine eyes have seen thy salvation : which thou hast prepared before the face of all people ; a light to lighten the (jrentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." Luke n. 29. The exultation of Simeon astonished the parents of our Lord ; not as unworthy the divine subject of It, to which are due strains superior either to mea 26 THE LIFE OP OUR LORD i'i tnoTjg^ that the eh-r;^ ''^^^^^ --'« certain siah, thofgh he wL%S,:^^ *h« promised Mea- Ma^y his mother"'Terold tiJTu ?'^^^ fall and rising ag^in of many Inl^^il' '''• '^^ *^« words, this is the stumblinr, M ? ^ **''' '"*^**>er fence, which it wL W ^ ^I ^''.^ ^"^ ^^''^ of of- Jaid ii Zion, tZJS^Zlf ^^ ?°^ ^^«"^d be jnany in Jsriel ; f^t Wh 1T''k? *^" ^^" ^^ his birth, and his abipnf «f V ^'"™^'® "^^ner of despised and rejected oft "^'" '?^'*^' ^^ »>««ame risiig again 0?^" who rha'l/relv ' 'T' ''' *^^ and submit to his government ^ "" ^^^ '"^^"^^^^ cer^nTtht 01" s[lt''^t '" ^^^^^ ^P>--« eon- the order of pritts and thtr ''""^ ^« ^«« «f cited above, whTlehrlif^" uttered the words the Lord, in thfoffice of hi/r'?- '"« *5." ^^^^^ to evangelist, who redtes in fn ".•*'?• ^"*' ^« 'he representation of oTblessedTo^^"^"' T'""''' *^« head, it appears little mnrl 1 *^' '^ ^'^^""^ «« ^^at Others affirm he waSon'n ^T'"'"^^' of the most famous Hniel^h *^'' ^"'*^ * ^^«<^'P^e under whom thTapostle P». 1 ""^^^^ ^^ Gamaliel, while he was attemotinf t" ^^V?"«ated, and tha that passage int^pAt^jT, I' ^'^ ^^^^ virgin shall conceive anih^ *'^^' ^^^^^d a vealed to him that h««h ^T^ ^ '°"'" ^' ^as re- the promise?Meslh '^^^^^^t' ^'^^ mortal eyes, the child and his mothpr- IV' ^^ '"« beholding out into that wdl Cl' h^ *'^^ *^^P'«, he brokf "ot be, forSimon tL jtr^.^"''^^««^^^^ years after the death'ofChS and'itf '^^'^"^ hrmed by Eusebius tli^thl' *' ^^® ^^^n af- years oldWn hel f ^^"^1? ' '"'' '^^ *>' iie&ides It is remarkable AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 27 tliat the Almighty at that time was pleased to reveal his designs with respect to the Messiah, not to the great, the wise, and the learned, but to the poor, and illiterate, such as Joseph a carpenter, Zacharias an ordinary priest, and a company of shepherds ; therefore, as the point is not settled, we presume to offer it as our opinion, that this old man, to whom (jod was pleased to make so extraordinary a revela- tion, concerning the Saviour of the world, was a plain man, rather eminent for the goodness of his heart, than the knowledge of his head, and who l)os8es8ed more piety and devotion, than learning and earthly pomp. A certain good prophetess, called Anna, who had a long time waited for the redemption of Israel, entering the temple, at the instant in which Simeon exulted in the birth of the heavenly Infant, and finding that he was the promised Messiah, likewise jomed with him in praising God, and went forth and declared the glad tidings of salvation, to all the laithful in those party. Having, in every respect, complied with the ceremonies and rites contained in the law of Moses ; Joseph and Mary, with the child Jesus, entered into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. They did not, however long abide there, for having adjusted their affairs, they returned again to Bethlehem, the place of our Lord's nativity. This step seems to have been pursued in conse- quence of their opinion, that it was necessary, in order to his being acknowledged the Messiah, sent of God, that he should reside some time in the place of his birth. Whatever was their motive for removal, it was evident from scripture, that while they were in Bethlehem, with their Son, certain eastern philosophers, called Magi, or Wise men, 28 Tins LlVli av OUR lord I ' i ifli 'J «eeTCto j:raTerr/*'^^PP--^ they had Jews, decIarirgXV Sa^err ''V'^ '^''"^ «^^^' quarter, and M^re come M n T- ^^V'' '^^ir own due to his dignity ^^^ ^""* *h« adorations learnetreSf,^4s^^^^^ trh'^^"'^^ ^^ '^^ appeared in the east Soml'^^ f ^ '^ '^''^ '« ha^« . <>^- God, others an a„.el slV "^ '' ^^« **^e SP'rit ininous appearance To T ^ ''T^*' ^'^^rs a lu- and glory. Some m^n f! "^ ^^^ ^'^^'^ ©^ ^i^ evidencesfrom ReveTatSn h ""''^ *^.^^°^^' «^ 'he how these ealrn Ma^^^^^^^^ Jedge that the Jews lino" /fr^^^,?' ^"^^ ^"o w- that, therefore on rhl o^*"*^*^ '^® Messiah, and in the firmam;nt? how Tev'T ?! *^" "«^ «*"^ pointed out the b rth oLi. ^ '^'^"J^ apprehend it r-H Thelearnedtl^^^^^^^^^^ I- m answer to these on«lfla u "® Christian cause, of the approach of ?heMi''-K'T.» *^^'^« «Pi«ion prevailed all over tw'n^ ' ^^ingdom had long profanehistory, by stt;^t;,Sitt\^^^^^^ ^ the MessiXtorrat"'^^^ expectaSst liim recorded inTheir own? P^'^P^ecies concerning bians, from the manv nrnnK °^"^«^ ' ^^^ '^e Am? niade to AbrahaTTfi''"' ?^.'^l^°^^ >'»Port, pie retained tradUiinal kn.^ fj<^^n that those peo- AND SAVIOUR JESUS CUDIST. 29 prophet. " There shall come a' star out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall arise out of Israel, &c." which every impartial reader must acknowledge rather refers to the appearance of the Messiah, than any other incident whatever. The other eastern nations derived their expecta- tions of the Messiah from their commercial connec- tions with the Jews and Arabians, but more espe- cially from the Jews, who being scattered over the whole country of the east, spread their religion wherever they went, which occasioned several llo- njan Historians to take notice of the prevalence of tiiat opinion. Nay, the expectation of the Messiah being born in Judea, was strongly impressed on the minds of the followers of Zoroaster, who reformed the reli- gion of the Persians, being servant to the prophet Daniel, and particularly favoured with revelations concerning the Messiah. From these considerations, it evidently appears that this opinion prevailed throughout the east, and that the Magi might with great reason, on the ap- pearance of the star, repair to Jerusalem, in quest ot the promised Saviour of Israel. But to leave this subject, as not immediately ap- pertaining to our purpose, the whole city of Jeru- salem was alarmed at the unexpected arrival of the eastern Magi ; an event which much perplexed the tyrant Herod, whose ambitious mind maintained the utmost aversion to the very thought of a rival or competitor, and consequently could not brook a report that favoured the news of the birth of the King of the Jews. Disguising, however, his principle, he received the Magi with seeming respect, attended to the de- sign oi their errand with affected complacency, and 80 THE LIKK OF OLR LORD «?l^?n^^'^''''T^^^'^^^^'«"™n>one^» a general coun- & ThlT^'V.^ '^''^- ""^'''^ Christ shourbe shall rule my people Israel." Mat if k tI^ 1 rant king, in consequence of tbfreuhLZ^t' *^' preme council of tie nation, dlrro^ the M^d'w fhet^ dZneV f^ ".'h °1' '""""""^ *" anriem'p'ro word tha/h! ^"i^S ^"' *h^ ^'h"^^^ to «end h m fnr^^.'/^'^ was mere pretence, and vile hypocrisy • X,ZZ erel'^i^^^"^^ !?' » """P°'»l P°i» i vtiy'^j^rUir'^^'' ■""•" «"*• "»' ■» *«'.::! tility , he declined accompanyinc the wi«P ml« • AND sAvrorn jesus chuist. 31 fiave secretly informed him of the abode of the Messiah, or actually destroyed both the child and his parents 1 in reality, he acted as if the event gave him no concern, and in a manner wholly different from the general expectation of the people. However, the Magi, having obtained the intelli- gence they sought in Jerusalem, set forward, under the guidance of the same star that conducted them from their own country, but had left them on their arrival in Judea, which was the cause of their di> recting their course to the capital, in order to seek that information, which by the desertion of the star, became requisite. Thus we find that the design of the Almighty, in directing the eastern Magi to the capital of Judea, was, that the whole nation might be made acquainted with the cause of their journey. Accordingly, they had no sooner proceeded from Jerusalem, on their way *o Bethlehem, than their kind conductor again appeared, went before them to their very city, and fixed on the habitation of the Heavenly Infant. Guided by this celestial conduc- tor, they entered the house, and prostrating them- selves at the sacred feet of their spiritual king, pre- sented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Having thus accomplished the design of the expedition, they proposed according to promise, returning to Jerusalem ; but being diverted from that intention by a dream, in which they were warned by God of Herod's design, they pursued ano- ther course, towards their own country, and by those means defeated his malicious purpose. 32 THE ijiK (»r oiju Lono eaBternMLflo hit '"!'''"%'" directing thc-se' niJy other vervS,l?r'i* ■"'•^ '^^"' P'-""'»'«d we Bhail mention ""P""'»"* ^'^'S"'. «>me of which tioi\CGe„SeTfr„1»S^' ""'^'''" ^"P*"'- well J exc ted fA th»l- ."'*,'' '" """ "•™'. "« guh.e 1 J:;lil'4l ™-':,;f^ ™™ the .0. Baa. heard anTLen^nlTv' ^ Particulars thej had to the MesS " *,! '""«'''"" "' J"-J«a. relative w..ea aftenvardr'pLlllrt&Af^pffi AND SAVIOUR JE8DS CHRIST. S8 The expedition of the wise men was the cause of the answer of the sanedriin, in which it was unanim- ously declared to be the opinion of all the Jewish Rabbles, then living, that according to ancient pro- phecies, Bethlehem was the place appointed by the Almighty, to give birth to the promised Messiah. It also contributed to another valuable purpose, in that the offerings of the wise men procured a sub- sistence for the holy family in Egypt, whither they were soon after warned to fiy, in order to escape the vengeance of the enraged king ; for no sooner had the wise men departed from Bethlehem, than Joseph was warned by a heavenly messenger, of the barbarous purpose of Herod, and commanded to fly mto Egypt, with the young child and his mo- ther. Joseph, in obedience to the almighty command, rose that very night, and fled into Egypt, "and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be ful- filled wh,;ch was spoken of the Lord by the prophet : out of Egypt have I called my son." This prophecy, which IS quoted from Hosea, seems originally to refer to the Israelites ; though the Evangelist's reference will be amply justified, by considering that the Egyptian captivity alludes to their subjec- tion of the Israelites to great hardships, and their deliverance from the same, by an almighty hand. Now, as the departure of the holy family into Egypt was in obedience to the divine command, in order to protect the infant from the incensed Herod the application of the prophet, « Out of Egypt have I called my eon," appears very just as well as ele- gant. The king of Judea long waited, with the most earnest expectation, the return of the wise men, anxious to glut his full resentment on the in- nocent Jesus ; m, from their long delay, he began * 84 TUB LIFE OF OUR LORD J. to suspect a delusion, and tliat his designs were Proiide ^"""^^ extraordiuai^ interposition of At length, irritated by disappointment, he resol- ved to accomplish by cruelty, a resolution he could not effect by art, and accordingly issued ordei-s to a large party of soldiers to go throughout Bethle- u.l *"u.,*l'^ neighbouring villages, and massacre all the children they could find therein, that were two years old, and under ; thinking that the infant Jesus, whom us a prince, he both envied and dreaded, Avould fall in the general slaughter. But the heavenly missionary was sheltered from above: nor was the relentless king permitted to impede the designs of an Almighty Creator. However, the cities through which the soldiers carried their destructive sword, exhibited such scenes of horror and distress, as could not fail to tlii-iii every soul not entirely lost to humanity. No AND SAVIOUE JESUS CFIRIST. 35 sound was lieard but the piercing cries of parents, the groans of expiring babes, and a general impre- cation of vengeance on the mercDnss tvrant. But he did aot long survive the cruei decree, beintr swept away by a nauseous disease, to answer for Wm conduct at the bar of a tremendous judge. No description can paint the horror pf such a scene of relentless cruelty in a more glaring liuht. than the verse quoted by the evangelist Matthew from the prophet Jeremiah, « Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, m Rama there was a voice heard, lamenta- tions and weeping, and great mourning. Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted because they were not." This prophecy must not be understood literally, but descriptively, or as a figure, used to display the horror of the scene, as tlierc applied by the evangelist, in which accep- tation it has a peculiar beauty ; representing Ra- chel, the beloved wife of Jacob, buried many years ago m the fields of BethleheiD, awakened by the cries of slaughtered children, bursting even the chains of death, and lamenting the hapless fate of the murdered innocents which surrounded her. Ihe tyrant Herod being thus cut from off the tace ot the earth, Joseph was warned by a heavenly messenger to return to the land of Israel. The good old man obeyed the Almighty command, and appears to have had a great desire of residing in 1 f^f'u ""^7 probably in Bethlehem ; butlilar- ing that ilerod was succeeded in his throne, by his son Archelaus, and fearing that he might pursue the barbarous design of his father, he directed his course another way : but being warned again by a heavenly mission, he retired into Galilee, tlfen under the government of a mUd and benevolent prince. 36 THE LIFE OP OUR LORD called Antepag, and took his habitation at Nazar- eth, where the particular circumstances which at- tended the birth of the blessed Jesus were not generally known. — The evangelist affirms that Jo- seph, with the infant and his mother, resided iu Nazareth, where the holy Jesus spent his youth, " That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, He shall be called a Nazarene." The advocates for infidelity, whose notice the smallest inaccuracy in the sacred scriptures has not escaped, have not failed to observe that the evan- gelist refers to what he cannot justify from any of the prophetical writings, in which there are no such words to be found, as, " He shall be called a Naza- rene.*' But be it known, that the evangelist may, with justice, be vindicated from impropriety, by reminding these sceptics, that though the very words are not to be found, the allusion is just, and conse- quently the application. This expression refers to t!\e general contempt and ridicule in which the Is- raelites held the Galileans, and especially the Na- zarenes, who were even despised by the Galileans themselves, insomuch that the word Nazarene be- came a terra of reproach. Now as the prophets in general foretold the dis- grace and infamy through which the blessed Jesus should pass, they consequently foretold he should be called a Nazarene, or exposed to every token of contempt and ridicule, of which this appellation, aX that time, was a remarkable instance. It is evident that our Lord's residence at Naza- reth tended, iu a remarkable manner, to the fulfil- ment of those prophecies, because in the course of his public ministry, he was frequently reproached with the same, and his countrymen often urged it as a reason for their disregard of his doctrine. ii I 1 AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 87 But ns the stubbornness of unbelief will never ad- mit of conviction, we have therefore added these remarks, to confirm the faith of the Chriatiau, ra- ther than couviuce the obistinate infidel. CHAPTER III. ler, to the fulfil- 8TATE OF OUR LORD's CHILDHOOD AND PRIVATE LIFE. HIS ARGUAIENT WITH THE JEWISH DOC- TORS. MISSION, CHARACTER, AND DOCTRINE OP THE BAPTIST. BAPTISM OP CHRIST, AND VISIBLE DESCENT OF THE SPIRIT ON THAT SOLEMNITY. The precise circumstances of our Lord's childhood and lite, previous to his public ministry, cannot ba ascertained from the writings of any of the evan- gelists, which can only be relied on as authentic. AU we can gather from those inspired men is, that 38 TUB LIFE OF OUR LOUD I thefacultiesof h.8 mind were enlarged in proportion to he growth of his body, insomuch that he arrived at the very perfection of heavenly wisdom. advantage of a finished education ; and he seems to mrep!'r.'''^'i "' ?'^"' j»«truction than what his parents gave him, m conformity to the Jewish laws But supernatural abilities amply compensated fo^ ?nt«n '"""J:-^^ "^t!*"*^ acquirements, and he gave nstances in his earliest years, of amazing penetra! tion and consumraata wisdom. According to the Mosaic institution, his parents rrv.;; iV"* "Pi^ ^^"""''^^^"^ 5 «°d ^^^n ^e ar film f lt\^^^ ""^^ ^""^^'^ y^^^«' c^^-'ed him with them to that city, in order that he might early im- ll^V^h tTT ""^ ^^^'«'^» *"^ ^'^t"^- I« this place the holy Jesus tarried without the knowledge, and consequently the consent of his parents, who departed with the rest that were going towards Cxahlee, and thinking that he was |one^ forward with some of their relations or acquaintance,Xy shouir *h'^^'"»'"«y» not doubting but' they should overtake him on the road, or meet him at the place where they had appointed to lodge. But on their arrival, not finding the child in the village, search for three days, found him in the temple, sit- ting among the learned doctors, who were am.-Ued of h^s Z'rS^"" ""x ^'f q»««tions, and the pertinence utmost they could expect from one of his tender years, and mean education. AND SAVIOUR JKSUS CHRIST. 39 These doctors, or expounders of the law amonff the Jews, always taught the people publicly on three great festivals ; and it was on one of those public occasions, that the blessed Jesus gave such manifest TL rf. '' '''^^'''^ ^^^ penetration as astonished all beholders, many of whom thought he must be something more than human. As, according to his own declaration, he was employed in his father's business, it is natural to think, in the course of hia disputes, he modestly corrected some of the errors which the Jewish doctors then taught, and which were repugnant to the plan of that religion he came iir"''^ .'"^ t^^^^'^'' T^'^ ^«»^dSr of his pa- rents a. finding him m such sublime employment, w ?^f ^'i^'^ f.^Pr^^sion ; though his pious mother, notwithstanding the pleasure which the discovery S'k-^'^,''''"*^ "^* ^^^'P ^^^°^^i"g the concern which his absence, without their knowledge, had occasioned them, by addressing him thus, « Son 40 THK LIFE OF OUR LORD r|t :| why hast thou dealt thug with us ? Behold thy fa- ther and I have sought thee sorrowing." To this question he rephed, that their surprisf at his ab! senting himself without their knowledge w^s ground- less and absurd as they might have been Lured from his extraordinary birth, and the wonderful c7r- cumstances attending it, that his Father was no less human 'nt"''^'? ^"^ '^ ^^^^'^^ ' ^^'^^ '»« «««"«ne force of^thi^'!f^r*! ^'^ ""* ^^'^'^y d'«<^«'« tl^e thrr comi^W,2T"'"^ remonstrance, his pious mo- tner comra tted his words to memory, andf together h^m tolht'"^ ^"^'t,"'' JoyfuIly%etu:.neitth Hv?^ •Ji.i^P''^.'" *^^elhng at Nazareth, where he lived with them m dutiful subjection, and thereby cS£^ r''" ^^'"P.'^ ^•^^ ^'>« imitation of afl ence o ;h "^ ^'' ?"'^'"^^ ^«""d *« ^^^'d obedi- ence to then- parents, since the Son of God himself when on earth has set them the pattern7practT8hi every branch of filial duty to his'earthi; ^aremT^ some imrr • """^'"f ^ "^ *^^« lowly state for inlnalll ''"''H^ '''""'* ^^ ^^^''^ ^<^-^^^<:ed both qualities ifH,^"^'*?f"'' ' ^"^ ^^ ^"« extraordinary S i ^h' ^"^^«*^d,t''« ^'^gard and admiration of all wiio either saw or heard him Being happily free from 'those inordinate dis- quietudes and desires, which disturb and^d stiaS mortals m general, he was always in temper cJm comb£rn'"' T'' '' ^ P^^'-"^ cou7t:nai^" combined to prove the strength of his faculties and the goodness of his disposition. He ^^s also an excellent orator, being endowed with a mosfnerv" AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 41 0U8 and persuasive elocution, insomuch that his hearers, frequently astonished at the substance and manner of his address, would suddenly cry out, « Never man spake like this man." Notwithstand- ing our Lord was sent upon earth, to execute his heavenly Father's will, yet during the time in which he lived thus humbly with his parents, he conde- scended to work with his father at his trade of a carpenter, and therefore he left us a shining exam- ple of industry. Thus obscurely did the blessed Jesus live till the time of his public ministry : nor did he show any miracles, or perform any actions, to distinguish him from the rest of mankind. As this is the whole account we could collect from sacred history, concerning the childhood and private life of the blessed Jesus the Saviour of mankind, we must content ourselves therewith, not seeking to inddlge a curiosity which such silence seems to forbid as sinful and impertinent. Many peopb of more speculation than piety, may be induced to inquire the cause which prevented the evangelist giving us an exact detail of the trans- actions of our Saviour's life, from the twelfth year of his age till the time of his public ministrv. To such we answer that the design of the inspired writers being to instruct, rather than to amuse, they consulted our interest, more than our humour and caprice : and that, therefore, the wisdom of God, by whose inspiration they wrote, demands our admiration, in that they passed over less important parts of our Saviour's life, which would have swelled their gospels to an enormous bulk, fit only lor the perusal of the studious, and those persona who have much vacant time ; whereas the four gos- pels, as they are written, make only a small volume, 42 •THK LIFE OF OUR LORD Which is convenient for carriage, for reading, for «ie memory to retain, as well as adapted, ?; t h e KitwTrH-^''" style to the meanest ca^aciks! notwithstandrng which, they contain all the im- portant transactions of our Saviour's life, such as h^ i'^l^ ''^^^*? *^ ^'^ mediatorial office, the tS« V. if uT'"^' ^^"^^^ ^'^« *<> ^«a«l» «« those «ung8 which belong to our eternal peace and hap. piness ; o instruct us in his heavenly doctrines, L our prophet ; to offer himself a sacrifice upon the dLath ^LT'i -P"^'; * r^ *^ "^"^^^ ^^^ «»5ains of ^t^'irl'ad^ofTifcS^^^^ ^"^^ ^^^^-°' - 8ea?.nri'''''°''«*rl!r^^«^«' ««» ^^ of no real con- sequence, since, « These are written that ye might andZ tV'"-"' ^' *''^. ?^"''«*' *^^« son'of (fod and that behevmg, ye might have life through his : During the obscurestate of our blessed Redeemer mn^ r ' Z*"^ ^™P^^^*' Augustus died in Cam- pania, after a long reign of near forty years, to the general regret of the whole Roman empire He aTerv diff ''' A^ '^^^erius his step-son, a'^nce of rPP^lloi p ^."'Pf ^^^N ^n the second year of his reign, recalled Rufus from the government of Judea, and sent Valerius Gracchus to succeed him. After reigning eleven years, Gracchus was reed ed and rdTs'ntv'^ ^^"*'"^ ^'^^^^' ^ P^-- lesemblfng, Clous, cruel, and covetous. ^ Soon after Pontius Pilate was appointed to the government of Judea, John the Baptist began to ^v\eforeT"""^^'^^' preparing 'our Sali't^'s h^lt t "' according as was appointed, « The baptism of repentance for the remission of sius " AND SAVlonU JESUS CHIUST. 43 Sacred history has not informed us of the manner in which the Baptist spent the former part of his hfe ; but according to ancient tradition, Elizabeth hearing of Herod's barbarous massacre of the infants of Betiilehem, tied into the wilderness to secure the infant John from the relentless cruelty of that in- human monster, and therefore nurtured him with all the tenderness of an affectionate mother. John the Baptist was about eighteen months old when his mother fled with him into the wilderness, within forty days after which she died. His aged father Zacharias, ivhen he afterwards officiated in the temple, was slain by the command of Herod, for refusing to discover the place of his son's abode. The intended harbinger of the blessed Jesus being thus deprived of his earthly parents, the Father of the fatherless took compassion on him, and sent an angel to defend and support him, till he had attained to a sufficient age and strength to pro- vide for himself. It appears, from the account of the evangelist, that he dwelt in the desert till the time of his pub- lic ministry, resembling the ancient prophet Elijah, in the meanness of his clothing, and plainness of his diet. His dress was composed of camel's hair, his food the spontaneous productions of the wilderness, such as locusts and wild honey, and his drink the pure water of some crystal spring. His course of life was, indeed, admirably adapted to the doctrine of repentance, which he preached, as well as to en- gage the attention of his hearers ; so that it appears highly reasonable, that those people who waited the coming of the Messiah, with earnest expectation, should fiock to him, anxious to hear what he had to deliver concerning him. - He proved very successful in his ministry, as he 44 TlIK LIFE OP OUR LORD grees and m-oZZZZl a?\'> P''''^""^ "^'^^ de- sins, were^ baXd in ^^*'' ^"*"' ^''"^«''««^ 'heir whatever the Sen."'^-K'/"^ submitted to obtain an inheSrhffiTlnl "' T^'^^'y *« of which he canrS decl^ri ^l'""' ^''««PP»oach verts were many of th^?-* f^^ongnt liis con- whom confeTse7tlr elnV'r;r^ '71'''' ««"^« «^ tized in Jordan. ' ^ "^^''^ ^'^^e^^'se bap. «ioL of wr>wf. itt &rr^^^^^ '-^^ii opi- very astonishing, that th^v Vil li ®'*^"" *' '^^o knew they expend «,lv«ri "'''"' ^'P'''*"}' «» •>» being of .L eeK Atelh r "" """I""' «' '''^'' derived from a m srepreJe toti, ^ •• f'''/" •""« passages : " Thus ValJh L " ".' "'° f<'vi„g the sun for a n^ht . ^""' ^"'■''' ">"> givetfi of the moon JltL^, ^"h »'"' "'« orjinance" who divide ,.l.e:."tL^,S "«'" '•y '"Sht i roar: the Lord of «!« if h- "''™'' "'"''«'* ordinances depart from I ^f " "'""°- "' "'<>se then the seed ^f W. " Uo"""! 'rh tl>e Lord, Wng a nation bef «-e me! for ever "t, °"'"'- ,'™'" Lord, if the Iimv*,, „ .'• "''"' ^a 1 1 the the foundafo for l,fer.lf»: '"', "J^"™""-!' »'"1 I will also cast off e seed of T '1 "f '""'^»"'. they have done, saithlheTLd .•"''' ^"^ "" """ them th'ef<„&!rf vTn« ".','? "™B»-. »lled dren of AbraS yrhaSe Pit"' "' ""! "•"'■ , i^oiiiapa tiie i'liansees and Sad- 'ji AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 45 diiceei applied to John for baptism, thinking by that means to avoid the dftnger they might incur, from being tlie avowed enemies of tiie Messiah, whom they expected to come in all the pomp of rovahy, and to maintain his superiority by force of arms. The Baptist, who was no stranger to these hypo- critical sects, well knowing their application to him arose from sinister views, severely reprimanded them in general ; " O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come ? Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance." deceivei-s, hypocrites, whence have you obtained knowledge of the approaching event I am destined by God to make known ? Whence have you sense of the impending judgment of the Almighty I 1 have plainly told you the only method of avoiding it, by a sincere repentance, which can only be evinced by the conformity of the heart and life to the word and will of God. " And begin not to say within yourselves, we have Abraham to our Fa- ther : for I say unto you, that God is able of those stones to raise up children unto Abraham." Deceive not yourselves with a vain presumption that eternal blessings are yours, merely on account of your li- neal descent fi-ora Abraham ; such pretence will avail you nothing ; for to partake of the pi-omises made to that Father of the faithful alone, spiritually considered, you must show forth some resemblance of his faith and piety. The Almighty Creator, who formed our first pa- rent out of the dust, and caused Sarah to bear a son unto Abraham when they were both well stricken in years, can, by virtue of his Omnipotence, raise up children unto that faithful patriarch, even from these very stones ; children, indeed, who by the in- 46 THE LH'K OP OUR LORD thwlopoorUc Hfib '';«'7"™'S expectations of teliees to descent oJZ„, ■ . "" "'*"■ Pre- Wru and searched™ 'e,, of « '" I'Vr'' "'! moil. He went fRwh^., j * ^ "'® ehildren of viction ana i^te. .'X':'':^"' ')i«^ -- j"d«.»e„., :^fhrA^ ^^..nraTia^r'ti^ /'■« >» you coiitiuue in your sins i, „„1. .i- ' ""'.'•«f'"'« eertiunly fall upon y™ ' ""P^"'''''*.' ™"' will euitttga"s.irdr;2ro7^' r '"s "»"- ™'- blessed Jesus • itttvuT I *"'•"■"'"'«■ of the Jewish pSiiea wluVhi'i *'l ™''J' •'"'"»' "» vau.l, ,S ri:,:;^twa'°d:u^sa„7r "'''>?'" prayers, fastingr, &c whiJ^Tif !!./"'"""'""'' « proper SDiiir ,iwi % not performed with "prove the pride a&oc^ ;t' ir^l""' '^l' Pharisees, tlian liis do,.t,.i„r. F . ® **"''«^ "'"l start dan'used trjl" h 'cn've^eTflhe'lf T S^g'i w'll'rnr',"' ''^"'"«' -" -"W -ey- recfrve^tireVap" i"': r''"'''.^''* ''"""^ B,ptis{ mai-ner, aifdnreacht /,;,," *''f ™?' '"bmi^ive Indeed, throughout the whole of his miuistraUon. AND SAVIOUR JKSUS CIIUrST. 47 he happily adapted \m diHcourses to the circum- Btaiices a:id capacitiea of the various people he ad- < ressud ; and took every pioua lueana to prepare tlioiu lor the reception of the promised Messiah, who was shortly to appear amongst them iu the glori- ous character of the Saviour and Redeemer of Israel. Ihus, by a life of inHexible virtue, discoui-sea nervous and pathetic, exhortations sincere and fer- vent, and rebukes honest and courageous, the Bap- tist became renowned throughout the region of Ju- dra. Such was the admiration of the people at his Jito and doctnne, that from tiie vision of his father Zacharias m tlie temple, the arrival of the Magi at Jerusalem, the prophecies of Simeon, the discourses ot Herod, circumstances recent in their memories, they began to conjecture that John might be the promise .\ Messiah, and were ever ready to pronounce liim the lledeemer of Israel ; so that had he as- pired to worldly dignity, he might, for a time, have Bhone in all the giandeur of human pomp, and cUiimed a regard superior to any of the sons of men. IJut pious m principle, and humble in heart, lie could not arrogate honours of which he was con- scious of h.8 un worthiness : and therefore honestly undeceived Ins credulous followersby assuringthem. hat so lar from being the glorious person promised he was only Ins forerunner ; and that such was hia mferiority, that he was unworthy of his doing his most menial offices. "But one mightier than I come h, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy touuloose." Lukeiii. 16. ^ During the time of the Baptist's continuance at JJethabaja, the blessed Jesus left his retirement at JNazareth, and previous to his public ministry, re- Daired to the banks of the river Jordan, where John ftas executing his commission from above, in order 48 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD to be there baptized by him. We cannot impute this conduct of our Lord, to any necessity there was for his conforming to the institution of baptism ; for purity needs no cleansing. It is therefore evi- dent, that Ins motive was to add a sanction to that ordinance, forever after appointed to be the initia- tmg rite of Christianity. « Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." It appears that John immediately, as it were by a prophetic revelation, knew the Saviour of the world : for we find from the evangelist, that he ac- knowledged his superiority, and declined the office. I have need to be baptized of thee, and coraest thou to me 1" Our Lord's answer, though short, 18 very full and expressive. « Suffer it to be so now for thus It becometh u& to fulfill all righteousness." As if he had said, Regard not the precedence at this time, but perform thy office : for it is necessary that we should, in the minutest point, conform to the dmne will, by which this institution was enjoined. The remonstrance removed the objection of John, and he baptized the immaculate Jesus in the river Jordan, in the /u-eaence of numerous spec- tatora. *^ i\.' I AND SAVIOUR JESU8 CHIUST. 49 nni^Tl^" *'? ceremony was performed, as he needed he wlnV" "^''-T "'"^"^ ^^""" «" the occaHion, lie went up straightway out of the water, and eel- JilfATn.- w^^T^'\''*" *^^"""'' fervently adu..88ed hsHnW^<^ •**'•'?■' ^^"^ '^" abundant"" effusion >f ft«9 lioy bpirit, as he was :. v entering on his pub- the end of which was the salvation of mr.nkind. UnJ !.7•'''•^'^^^*' ^^*'''^' h^" ^^^»««t ^a« granted : and an immediate attestation of the di ine pleasure Sle^v' ''"'''' ''V ^''^y --"<1 l^mf aTan Uie form o^ ^^r^'^'"? f''^"^ the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, and pronouncing these woids, Vle.sed '°Jfr^'^"'!^^"/.^° ^^om I am well lofXH' ^'fV'^"''^""S his peculiar approbation fee as /r^^^^^ '^r''- ^V^' "P^thet « beloved," as pell as his standmg m that relation to him in a man- teailed, ,« com,uon,^.he Sons of God. The voice re- K 50 THE LIFB OF OUR LORD •embled not a human sound ; but was loud and awful, like the tUundera of heaven, in order to Btrike with reverence the surrounding multitude, and publicly declaimed the holy misttion of the pro- mised Messiah. The blessed Jesus was called in the Old Testa- ment the Son of God, but was on this occasion, de- clared by the Almighty himself, to be the long ex- pected Deliverer of Israel. Thus all who were present at this marvellous descent of the Holy Spi- rit were amply convinced of the divine misnion of our blessed Lord, by an infallible testimony from above : this being the star that was to come out of Jacob, and the sceptre that was to rise out of Israel, the Shiloh, foretold by the patriardi Jacob, the Great Prophet, by Moses, Holy One, by David, the Prince of Peace, by Isaiah, and the Son of Man. But this remarkable event tended much more to the glory of the Messiah, than all those prophecies, as It was, in some measure, a real display of what they could only picture in the dark. f| ,ORD ut wfts loud and von, in order to ludiiij^ multitude, isHiuu of the pro- n the Old Testa - this occaHion, de- o be the lung ex- UB all who were ; of the Holy Spi- divine mission of } testimony from 18 to come out of rise out of Israel, iarch Jacob, the One, by David, and the Son of sd much more to jhose prophecies, display of what AND SAVIOUR JESim CIiniST. CHAPTER IV. 51 COMMKNCRMKNT OP OUR SAVIOUR's MINISTRY. Hlg TEMPTATION IN THE WILDERNESS. DEPUTATION OP THE SANHEDRIM TO JOHN THE BAPTIST. FIRST MIRACLE WROUGHT BY THE BLESSED JESUS. The great Redeemer having thu3 complied with the institution of baptism, and received a most convinc- ing testimony of his heavenly Father's approbation, by the miraculous descent and effusion of the Holy Wiost upon him, while praying on the banks of Jordan, in the presence of a multitude of spectators, entered on his public ministry, at the age of thirty the j' ^'^^'^'^^^'^S '® '^® ^"^'°™ ^^ ^^^ P^'Jests among It was apprehended by the people, that, as he had just begun his public office, he would repair to Je- I rusalem, the seat of power and grandeur, in order 52 THE LIKK OP OUR LORD to display to the mighfy and the learned, his mira- culous abilities and effulgent glories. But averse to human parade, the heavenly-minded Jesus preferred solitude to the noise and hurry of mortal life : he therefore retired into the wilder- ness, in order to prepare himself, by fasting, medi- tation, prayer, and sustaining temptation, for the important work on which he was entering, the sal- vation of mankind. To promote this grand design, the evangelist writes, that his retirement ijito the wilderness was m consequence of the immediate direction of the divme Spirit. Though solitude itself is melancholy, the blessed Jesus added to the dismal scene, by re' tiring on a barren spot, surrounded by high and chaof^ ™°"°^*^"®' *"^ formingra dark and gloomy In this wild and dreary situation the great Re- deemer, as Moses and Elijah had done before him, fasted forty days and forty nights, maintained an mcessant communion with his heavenly Father di- gested the doctrine he was about to deliver, and the obedience he came to perform : and by a total ab- stinence from food for forty days and forty nights, evinced the divinity of his mission, or, in other words, proved that he was a teacher from God. But the melancholy solitude of a desert, and the anxiety of hunger and thirst, were but a small part of our Saviour's sufferings in the wilderness : Satan, that implacable foe to mankind, was permitted to buffet him with the most insinuating wiles, and assail him with the most alluring temptatioi , in order to attempt the defeat of heaven's most graci- ous designs, and keep mankind under the dreadful dominion of sin and death. The enemies of revelation have not failed to re- AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 53 n, the evangelist maintained an not failed to re- present this event in a most ludicrous manner : if any, therefore, should demand why God permitted his only Son, the Saviour of the world, to be tempted by the devil, whose power was deemed to be restrained, we reply as follows : One cause of the Redeemer's being suffered to be tempted, was, that he, being personally acquainted with the wiles of Satan, might become a faithful and compassionate high-priest, know how to succour his people in time of adversity, and pity them when they fell into temptations. That in order to be a shining pattern of every virtue, and also a wise and valiant General, the ble8sed Redeemer underwent all the difficulties and trials . nding his service, that we, being animated by h • rious example, might not sink under the preb.-:ui\j and troubles which God, for our good, should be pleased to lay upon us. The Saviour of the world hath not only been ex- posed to poverty and ridicule, but also to the most trymg temptations of Satan ; that as the Captain of our salvation has undergone the same, we ought not to faint when we are tempted, but, like him, be able to withstand the fiery darts of the devil. It doubtless appears highly proper, in order that our blessed Lord and Master might both enter upon, and prosecute his ministry, with more glory to him- self, and advantage to mankind ; that he should previously overcome the most subtile arts of that deceiver, who, under the mask of a serpent, seduced our first parents, and involved them and their pos- terity in one common ruin. The peculiar devices used by the serpent to tre- pan the Son of God, during the time of his fasting, are not recorded in holy writ, and consequently cannot be ascertained. 54 THB LIFB OF OUB LORD m But at the expiration of the forty day, when the blessed Jesus had endured the keenest hunger, the tempter, to make proof of the divinity of his mission, insolently demanded, why he bore the sensations of hunger, since, if he was the Son of God, he must have power to change even the stones of that dreary wilderness into bread ; and by so marvellous a transmutation he might have the satisfaction of knowing the truth of what was said concerning him at his baptism 1 But our blessed Saviour repelled this device, by citing the words of Moses, which implied, that God, whenever it seemed good in his sight, could, by ex- traordinary means, provide for the support of the human race. *' Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." Luke iv. 4. Satan, being defeated in this effort, carried him to the top of a very high mountain, and thinking to gain upon his ambition, showed him a bright view of all the kingdoms of the world, with their allur- ing glories, promising him universal empire over the whole, if he would bow down and yield to him the honour of the benefaction. But observe his accursed pride and arrogance in promising that which is the gift of God alone, uni- versal empire over the earth ; and requiring what was due to none but the Supreme, religious homage. This blasphemy as well as insolence, incited the blessed Jesus to exert his divine authority, and command him in a peremptory manner, to desist, citing his special injunction from sacred writ, *' Thou shalt w(ft*ship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Thus repelled, he repeated the attempt, and having carried our Lord through the air, placed him on the pinnacle of a temple, and, by a tauut of insolence, urged him to prove tho AND SAVIOUR JESU8 CHRIST. 55 iner, to desist, truth of his mission, by casting himself down from thence, citing, aa an encourasrement to comply with his desire, a text from the Psalms. « If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written, he shall give his angels charge concerning thee, and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time tliou dash thy foot againet a stone." Matt. iv. 6. But our Saviour soon baffled this attempt, by another apt quotation from scripture, « Thou shalt not tempt tho Lord thy God." Matt. iv. 7. Thou shalt not provoke the Lord, either by disobeying his command, or by an impertinent curiosity to know more concering his mind and will, than he is pleased to reveal. Thus baffled in all his art and devices, by the wisdom and power of the Son of God, he departed from him for a season, and a host of celestial spirits, dispatched from the regions of bliss, came and min- istered refresliment to him, after his victory over the great enemy and deceiver of mankind. Hence, notwithstanding the ridicule of the infidel. Christians may derive great encouragement to fight manfully against the flesh, the world, and the devil, under the banner of the great Captain of their sal- vation, who is ever ready to supply them with spi- ritual armour, to sustain the combat with that in- veterate and subtle foe, whose devices he has expe- rienced, being in every respect tempted like them. During the time of our Saviour's retirement in the wilderness, his faithful harbinger the Baptist, being assured, from the miraculous descent of the Holy Spirit, and other concurring testimonies, that Jesus was the promised and long expected Messiah, continued publishing his mission to the multitude ; so that the rulers in Jerusalem received information of the surprising events that happened in Beth&ba- • 'Buf il ty i M ti » JI » > »»i»Wt» • ■ 56 THE LIFE OP OUR LORD ■' !f ra, beyond Jordan, before they saw the blessed Jesus, m confl^-mation of whose mission and doc- trine they were effected. Prompted by curiosity, they dispatched a deputa- tion of priests and Levites to the Baptist, tS de- nand of him, who this wondrous person was ; whe- ther he was the Messiah, or EvL ; or that pro- phet who was to rise from tlie dead and precede the Messiah, the powerful prince so earnestly expected by the whole nation of Israel. The Baptist frankly replied, that he was not the Messiah whom they expected, nor Elias, who, a they vainly thought, would personali;r appear ainongs them, nor any other prophet risen from the dead : but at the same time hinted to them that though he was not Elias himself, yet ho was that person spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, and of ciieth m the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the otGod?>\tll^" the desert a highly for .The priests and Levites, not sufficiently gratified by this reply of the Baptist, demanded of' him why he assumed the power of baptizing the people if he was neither the Messiah, no'r EliJs, nor anfof tl: ancient prophets risen from the dead ? To this de- nlolf. r''"""'"^' ^ ^"'^""^ *^^Pt^^^» *« «how the necessity of repentance, but my baptism is only that of water, and wholly ineffectual in itself to tlfe remission of sins : but that washing, foretold by Zacharias, 18 of most sovereign effecf; it is not my province, but solely that of" the Messiah, who U actually upon earth, and among you, though ve iiah' f K ' ']''' ^"'"^^- ^'^^*^ ^"^^^^^ is so far exalted beyond me m power and dimiity, that I am not w.rthy to do himthe meanest ofHcci AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 57 irsou was : whe- The day after the departure of the priests and Levites Irom Bethabara, our blessed Lord left the wilderness, and repaired thither himself, while John was yet baptizing and preaching the doctrine 01 repentance. The Baptist, as his grand business was to direct all persons to the Messiah, for life and salvation, ia and through him, embraced this seasonable oppor- tunity of pointing him out to the multitude. « Be- Jiold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins oi the world." Lest tue attending crowd should surmise, that it had been previously concerted be- tween Jesus and John that the former should as- sume, and the latter give him the appellation of the i\lessiah, he publicly and solemnly declared, that he was equally with them ignorant of the pretensions ot Jesus to that high character, till he saw the miraculous descent of the Holy Ghost, and heard iiim pronounce in the most awful manner, the Son of God. « And John bare record, saying, 1 saw the bpu-it descending from heaven, like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not : but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit de- scendmg and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw I and bare record, that this is the Sou of God." John 1. 32, 33, 34. I u^l^T S^P*ist having made this public declaration. the Messiah left Bethabara, but returned the day following ; and John happening to stand with two ot his followers on the bank of the river Jordan, pointed to him as he passed, and in a pious rapture repeated what John had addressed to the multitude the preceding day, « Behold the Lamb of God." It IS hence imagined, that these two disciples, or fol- 58 TUB LIFE OF OUR LORD ( . lowers of the Baptist, were absent at the time of the descent of the Holy Ghost, and for that reason this method was taken of pointing out to thera the venerable person of the promised Redeemer of the world. Animated with an ardent desire of hearing, as well as seeing this extraordinary person, they left John, and followed Jesus, who, conscious of their design, turned about, and with the utmost aflFability, gave them an iu/itation to the place of his resi- dence. The evangelist John informs us, that one of these disciples was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter ; and it is conjectured, from his silence, that himself was the other ; for it is remarkable, that in his writings, he studiously conceals his own name. Be that as it will, it is abundantly evident, that the testimony of the Baptist, added to the tokens he had from the blessed Jesus, in the course of his converse with him, amply satisfied Andrew that he was in- deed the promised Messiah, the Saviour and Re- deemer of lost and miserable sinners. Andrew soon after found his brother Peter, and brought him to our blessed Lord, who immediately called him by his name, telling him, that he should afterwards be called Cephas, (which signifies a rock) from his firm resolution of mind, and also because he should contribute towards the foundation of the Christian church. Some time after, Jesus casually met with Philip, an inhabitant of the town of Bethsaida, and said to him, *' follow me." Philip immediately obeyed the divine command, having heard of the character and mission of our blessed Saviour. It is supposed that this disciple was present at the miraculous descent of the Holy Spirit on our Lord at his baptism, which being admitted, his ready compliance with his call is no matter of admiration. AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 59 i of hearing, as lerson, they left nscious of their itmost affability, a,ce of his resi- 8 us, that one of •other of Simon his silence, that larkable, that in } his own name, vident, that the le tokens he had ) of his converse ;hat he was in- aviour and Re- 8. her Peter, and ho immediately , that he should signifies a rock) nd also because iindation of the let with Philip, ida, and said to tely obeyed the e character and is supposed that iculous descent baptism, which ae with his call Philip meeting with Nathaniel, an inhabitant of Cana, a town in Galilee, informed him of the actual coming of the long expected Messiah, that great Deliverer of Israel, spoken of by Moses, and the ancient prophets ; " Jesus of Nazareth the Son of Joseph." Nathaniel was assured, from the predic- tions concerning the Messiah, that he was to be descended from the line of David, and born in the city of Bethlehem, and therefore discovered an amazement at his being called Jesus of Nazareth ; *' Can any good thing come out of Nazareth ;" Can that most contemptible of places, Nazareth, be sup- posed to have given birth to the mighty Saviour, the Prince of Peace, especially as it was expressly foretold by the prophet, that he was to be born in Bethlehem, the city of David ? Notwithstanding the improbability of such an event, Nathaniel listened to Philip, and determined on an examination of the person who he said was the promised Messiah. Accordingly, under his di- rection, he repaired to the blessed Jesus, who know- ing his character, saluted him on his approach, with this honourable appellation : " An Israelite, indeed, in whom there is no guile." Nathaniel, amazed at our Lord's pertinent ad- dress, as he had never before seen him, asked by what means he obtained such precise knowledge of him ? Our Loid replied, he had seen him under the fig-tree. Probably Nathaniel had been praying under the fijj-tree, and been overheard by our Lord, who, from the substance of his prayer, thus con- cluded his character ; for when the blessed Jesus informed him that he gave him that character on accountof whathad passed underthe fig-tree, Natha- niel perceived that he knew not only what passed ut a distance, but had access to the inmost tlioughta 60 THK LIFE OF OUR LORD U of t]ie heart, a property not alloted to mortals ; and therefore exchiimed with rapture, " llabbi, thou art the Son of God, thcu art the kinj? of Israel !'* Our Saviour then told him, he should hereafter have much stronger testimonials of the divinity of liis mission, when he should be eye-witness to what the old patriarch Jacob had before seon in a vision, the angels of li^y *°*i ^^^^^We amongst niiradi i :r' ^^ J«»'»«h1«'», be wrought several , nuracles m the presence of tiie common people, in 68 THE UVK OV OUR LOUD order to confirm the doctrincH ho delivered, and prove the divinity of hin inisHion. As thore had not been any miracles wrought amongst thorn for a considerable time, though many wercj recorded in their Hacred books, they beheld our bloHSretold by the ancient prophets- For wise reasons, however, he did not publicly discover that he waB tho Great Prophet, as he knew that the faith of numbers was yet but weak, and that many would desert his cause, when they found he was opposed by the Sanhedrim, or great council of the nation, and did not set up a worldly kingdom, as they thought the expected Messiah was to do. liut the n»iraclea wrought by the holy Jesus did not excite tho wonder and astonishment of the common and illirerato class of the people aUnu. Nicodemus, a principal person among them, im- partially reflecting on liis yondrous works, astonish- ing in their nature, so demonstrative in their proof, so salutary in their eftect, so happily adapted to contirmations of his doctrines, and perfectly agree- able to the attributes of the Deity, as well as the pi'edictious of the ancient prophets, concerning the ]\iessiah, '* the Son of righteousness, who was to rise with healing in hia wings ;" was perfectly as- sui'ed that nothing le^s than Omnipotence itself could produce such wonders ; and thence, like many others of his countrymen, concluded that Jesus wa9 of a truth the Son, and sent of God, which last term is the meaning of the word Messiah. But scruples still arose in his mind, when on the other hand, he considered the obscurity of his birth, and tiie meanness of his appearance, so difierent from AND SAVJOUR JESUS CHRIST. lelivered, and 67 the exalted notions of the people of the Jews always entertained concerning this powerful Prince, who was to erect his throne in the mighty city of Jeru- salem, and subject to hi« dominion all the states and kingdoms of the earth. To obviate, therefore these scruples, and solve these perplexing doubts, JNicodemus resolved on an interview with the bles- seo Jesus ; but choosing to conceal his visit frora tne other members of the Sanhedrim, who were greatly averse to his person and doctrine, he chose tlio night, as most convenient for that purpose His salutation of the mighty Redeemer of Israel was thus : « Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God ; for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, exceptGod be with him." Johniii. 2. Kabbi, I am sufficiently convinced that f - art miinediately sent as a teacher from on hi ■ or nothing less than Power Divine could enable thee to perform the miracles which thou hast wrou^rht m the presence of multitudes. But this salutation by no means implies, that Nicodemus thought Jesus the great promised Messiah, even the Redeemer of Israel ; nor could he obtain that knowledge till it was revealed to him by the blessed spirit of God. We may observe, that our Saviour, waving all formality and circumlot'jtion, which tend to no real proht, nnmediately preaches to this disguised Rab- bi, the hrst great doctrine of Christianity, Regene- ration : « Verily, veriiy, I say unto thee, except a p'"^!?.> x?^" ^^*'"' '^^ ^^""°' ^®® *^® kingdom of / u 1 ^^^^^^^^w^uS I declare unto thee, as a truth ot the last importance ; verily, verily, unless a man be regenerated in the spirit of his mind, have his win and aflTections transferred from earthly to spi- ritual objects, he cannot see the kmgdom of God, Which 18 holy and spiritual iu its nature and enjov- meuts. •' ^ 68 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD ■^i This was a mysterious system to the Ilabbi, whose religious views extended no farther than rites and ceremonies, and were bounded by time and space ; besides, he thought the very position of our Lord an absurdity in terms. " How can a man be born when he is old ? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born ?" Our Lord re- plies to this question, " Except a man be born of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." The regeneration which I preach unto you, is not of a natural, but of a spiritual na- ture ; unless a man embraces the Christian religion and doctrines, whose initiating ordinance is baptism, he cannot be the subject of divine glory : which consists not in earthly splendour, and the gratifica- tion of the meaner passions, but in an exemption from whatever is earthly, sensual, and sinful, and the prosecution of whatever is heavenly, holy, and spiritual. « That which is born of the flesh, is flesh ; and that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again.** Wonder not at my doctrine of regenera- tion, which is designed to inform you, that you de- rive no excellence from your boasted descent from Abraham ; as such you are merely earthly, subject to sins and infirmities of every kind : as well as to show that you must undergo a spiritual mental re- generation, a renovation of the heart, which changes the whole man, and fits you for the participation of heavenly blessedness. This important work is likewise spiritual in its operation, unseen by mortal eyes, being wrought on the mind or heart of man, by the powerful influence of the Holy Spirit, which changes his nature, and with respect to eternal things, makes him another, a new creature. " The wind bloweth where it AND SAVIOUE JESUS CHRIST. (^0 Hsteth, and thou nearest the sound thereof, but canKt not tell whence it cometh, and whither it go- eth : so IS every one that is born of the Spirit." Notwithstanding this explanation of our blessed Jesus Nicodemus was so prepossessed with parti- Hl.t.v towards the Jews, who on account of their al- hanee to Abraham, thought they were the people of God entitled to lieaven, and consequently, in no need of this new operation of the mind, called re- generation, that he again demanded, "How can these thing, be r The Divine Instructor then re" proves his dulness and misapprehension of what he iiad so clearly explained, and propounded to him especi.-»Jly as he was himself a teaclier of the people! and one of the great council of the nation. « Art 1.2 ^' ™^''r f ^'.'^^^' ^"^ ^^»«^^«t not these things ? Ihe doctrines I deliver are not fiction and mere surmise, but founded on eternal truth, immediately revealed from God, and consistent with t le will of heaven. I am witness to the same, and therefore affirm that such testimony is sufficient to render them valid. But your prejudices still pre- vail, nor can your unbelief be conquered by all the arguments I can advance. « We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen ; and ye receive not our witness." If ye thus reject the first principles of the Chris- tian religion, such as the necessity of regeneration, or the influence of the Spirit of God upoS the hear? u n u"' . ""'^^ y^ ^^^^«ve the sublimer truths I shall hereafter deliver concerning the kingdom of trod, or state of the saints in glory 1 If I inform you of spiritual transactions in this lower world, and ye believe not, how can ye believe if I tell you of those things which relate solely to another, an heavenly state ? But to confirm your belief in what ■ I m 70 THE LIPE OF OUR LOliO a ■; I have tlelivered, know that my usauii^d knowle(!ii;«» of these things is derived liorati.e Vntberoi Lip;iii.. the God of Truth, by whom I am vested with gitfcis superior to any of the ancient prophets. No man Vath ascen^lsd the regions of immortauty, but ho who descended from thence, even, *' The Son of man," consequoatly . io mavi but the Son of man cua, with truth and certaiiity, reveal the immediate will of the Father, who h in heave?.. Your great lawgiver, Moses, ascended aot there. Mount Sina; V as^the -ummit of his elevation ; whereas the Son o ipan, who was in heaven, and came down from tiieace, with a divine commit .ion to sinful mortals, had the most clear and convincing proofs of the will of his Almighty Father, penetrated into the designs of infinite wisdom aud grace, and conse- quently must be higher than any other prophet, being in a peculiar sense, the Prophet of the most high God. This divine Preacher, who spake as no man ever spake, likewise labours to eradicate the favourite principle of the Jews, I mean that of confining all blessings, temporal and eternal, to their own nation and people ; as well as to show the vanity of their expecting the appearance of the Messiah, in pomp and magnificence. To effect this glorious design he lays open to the Rabbi, that it was agreeable both to the doctrines of Moses, as well as the will of God, that the Re- deemer, in this state of mortality, should be exposed to poverty and distress of every kind : that his con- quests were not to be of a temporal nature, but over the hearts and wills of mankind : that his throne was not to be established in ^h*- earthly, but hea- venly Jerusalem, previous to ^ L ch he was to shed his blood, as, by virtue of i-"-^ same, all of every AND SAVIOUR JESUS CJIRFST. 71 e, all of every nation and kingdom, throughout the earth, might pass into the heavenly world, and there, once for ever, provided they relied on his merits, and conformed their lives to the doctrines he preached, enjoy the summit of bliss, which, throufi^h his sufferings, was provided for them by God himself, to all eternity. This is the sum and substance of Christianity ; this is the sum and substance of what our blessed Lord preached to Nicodemus, that great ruler and teacher of the Jews ; a sermon comprehending the \vIiole of what is necessary to be taught ; notwith- standing religion is at this day rent to pieces by sectaries, each of whom invent some new fangled doctrine, suggested by ignorance or presumption, or both united. That God Almighty, the Father, out of his un- supplicated, unmerited grace and mercy to the sin- ful race of men, sent his only begotten Son to pur- chase eternal life through the effusion of his own blood, for all of every nation and kingdom through- out the earth, who should believe in him ; that is, who should believe in the divinity of his mission, and the doctrines he taught, and, in consequence of tliat faith, conform, as far as the infirmities of sinful nature will permit, to the rules of his gospel." '• Only let your conversation be as becometh the gospel of Christ." Condemnation justly passed on all transgressors of the law of God, (which are all mankind) can alone be averted according to the divine institution, the propriety of which it is the height of impiety and presumption to call in ques- tion, by faith in the blessed Jesus, such a faith as we have just explained, " He that belie veth on him is not condemned ; but he that believeth not is con- demned already, because he hath not believed iu the name of the only begotten Son of God." 72 TUB LIFE OF OUR LORD * n It appears, from the future conduct of Nicode- mus, that instead of supposing Jesus to be only a teacher come from God, he was fully convinced that he was the Messiah, the Redeemer of Israel : fo?' he afterwards constantly espoused his cause in die great council of the nation ; and when his country- men put him to an ignominious death, he, together with Joseph of Arimathea, buried him, when all others had forsaken him. The time of the passover at Jerusalem being ex- pired, Jesus, together with his disciples, withdrew into the remote parts of Judea, where he continued a considerable time, preaching the kingdom of God, and baptizing the new converts. John the Baptist being also, at the same time, baptizing in the river Enon, a dispute arose between his disciples and certain Jews, concerning the preference of the bap- tism of Jesus. Being unable to decide the point, they referred it to the opinion cf John ; on which the pioua Bap- ;.i ii AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 73 im, when all es, withdrew tist immediately declared, that he was only the har- binger of the great Messiah, who baptized not only with water, but with the Holy Spirit ; adding that his own ministry was on the decline, as the beauty of the morning star, the harbinger of the sun, de- creases, when that fountain of light but dawns in the chambers of the east. The Baptist likewise mentioned to his disciples and hearers many circumstances, tending to prove the divinity of the mission of the holy Jesus, and the important design of his incarnation. " He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life, but he that believeth not the Son shall not see life ; but the wrath of God abideth on him." The Baptist, having publicly preached the great doctrine of salvation, through faith in Jesus, de- parted from the wilderness of Judea, where he had continued a considerable time, and went into Galilee, often repairing to the court of Herod, who esteemed, or affected to esteem, both his preaching and person. But John being faithful in his ministry, could not fail to remonstrate on the injustice and impiety of a known practice of Herod, which was, his cohabiting withHerodias, his brother Philip's wife ; and thereby incurring the displeasure of that ambitious woman, he was, at her instance, cast into prison, and there reserved for future destruction. Whilst these things happened in Galiled, our blessed Lord continued preaching in the wilderness, whither great numbers resorted, attracted by curi- osity to see the miracles which fame reported he daily wrought. The success of his ministry exci- ting the envy of the hypocritical tribe o( Pharisees, our blessed Lord thought proper to retire into Ga- lilee, in order to promote the design of his mission in those parts. 74 THE LIKK OF Oim LORD f" f^:8 coarse of his journey, being weary with travelling in so warm a country, and excessiv y thirHty, he sat down in Samaria by a celebrated well given by the old patriarch Jacob to his son Joseph,' while his disciples were gone to the city to procure provisions. While the humble Jesus was sitting by the well- side, a woman, a native of the country, came with her pitcher to fetch water ; and our Lord requested of her to give him to drink. The appearance of Jesus astonished the woman, because she knew him to be a Jew, and the Samaritans were held in the utmost contempt by those people, who, indeed, ar- rogated a preference to all nations upon earth. But though she knew him to be a Jew, she knew not that he was the Son of God, full of grace and truth, divested of hu'.ian prejudices, and th« very essence of humility and every virtue. As Am design of his mission and incarnation was to promote the real luippiness of mankind, he embraced every por- tunity of enforcing iiis salutary doctrines, and tnere- fore, >'hough his thirst was extreme, he delayed its gratification, in order to iniurni this woman, though of an i'lfamous character, of the means by which Hhe might obta: living water, or, in other words, rernaj 'ife. / the be method to effect thispur- juse, he gave her to understand, that had she nowu the character of the supplicant, she would have ea- gpvly satisfied h^s desire, rid been retaliated bv a gift the most invaluable, even liting water, issuing' from the well of eternal salvation. ° The woman, tiling his words in th.-> common ac- ceptation, i •'ginii r that he sujreesteu his p* werof supplying h w water flowii, ^ from a pt^netual spring, whi ., that parched climate, uj.peared impossible, demanded of him if was vested witli AND SAVIOUR JESUS rilRFST. 75 n power sui)erior to tlieir father Jacob, who duf» this well, drnnk out of it with his family, and left it for the benefit of posterity. The Saviour and friend of mankind, still benign in his purpose towards this poor sinner, replied, " That all who drank of the water of Jacob's well would thirst again, being but a temporary allay of a desire incident to human nature ; whereas those who drank of the water which he was ready to dis- pense, should never thirst ; because tiiat water flowed from the inexh rible Fountain of Divine Grace, and could not be drained but with immen- sity itself." Though this great Preacher of Israel, by a simple and natural allegory, displayed the power of divine grace, the woman, ignorant of the allusion and meaning of the blessed Jesus, desired of him that wate? that she might not thirst in future, nor have O' RMon to come to Jacob's well daily for water. T<» show her the nature of sin, and thereby cre- ate m her soul desires after the water of life, the ble ed J 8U8, by some pertinent questions and re- pl ^vii ;ed his knowledge of her infamous course of lu^ fl' I by that means convinced her that he acted uiiuti an influence more than human. To evade, however, the present subject of discourse, which filled her with a degree of awe and fear, she proposed to his disc sion a case long warm' con- tested between the Je\v^^ and Samaritans ; W .luther mount Gerizim or tl city of Jerusalem was di - stined by God, as the cace peculiarly set apart for religious worship, i Our 'lessed Lord replied to this insignificaat question, that it was n<>t the place, but the manner in wh' h adoration v\. offered to the Fath* of spirits, that rendered such worship accepta-ie; observing, tlmt God a spirit j an Tff3 7R TUE LIFE OF OUR LORD K thai/ that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John iv. 24. in consequence of this reply to her, which ap- parently referred to things spiritual and eternal, she niformed the blessed Jesus of her expectation of the arnval of tho promised Messiah, who should punctually inform theni concerning these points, so Jong uudecisively contested. Our Lord, embracing the opportunity of preach- ing himself to this poor woman as the Saviour of smners, replied, without hesitation, "Ithatsrcak unto thee am he." While Jesus continued talking with the woman, his di-iples returned, and approached him at the very time when he told the woman that he was the Messiah. Though they were astonished at his condescension in .-nversing with an inhabitant of isjimaria, and even of instructing her in the doc- trines of religion none presumed to ask him why ho conversed with one who was an enomy to the Jews, and the worship in the temple of Jerusalem, iiut the woman, hearing Jesus call himself the Messiah, left her pitcher, and ran into the city to publish the glad tidings. That the great Deliverer ot mankind was then sitting by the well of Jacob, and had told her all the secret transactions of her life. Ihis report astonished the Samaritans, and, at the same time, roused their curiosity to see a person foretold by Moses and the prophets, and ot whose appearance there was then so universal an expectation. The disciples, on their return, set before their Master the provision they had purchased ; but he wholly absorbed in meditation, refused the refresh- ment so highly requisite, telling them he had « Meat to eat that they knew nothing of." This unexpect- ANIJ SAVIOltR JKSU8 CHRIST. 77 1, who should ese poiutS) bo pfl nnswor surprised his disciples, who, understand- ing his words in their natural sense, asked one ano- ther, whether any person had, during tlieir ahsence, supplied him with provisions 1 But Jesus soon ex- plained tlie mystery, by telling them that he did not moan natural, but spiritual food ; that to exe- cute the coinmission he had received from his Fa- ther, was far better to him than meat or drink ; and the satisfaction he was going to receive from tha conversion of the Samaritans, much greater than any sensual enjoyments. Many of the Samarifans were now near Jesus, who lifting up his eyes, and seeing the ways crowd- ed with people coming to him from the city, stretched out his benevolent hand towards them, and addressed his disciples in the following man- ner : " Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest 1 Behold, I say unto you. Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields ; for they are white already to harvest." John iv. 35. Be- hold yonder multitudes, how they are thronging to hojir the word, which has only a few minutes been sown in their hearts ! It is not, therefore, always necessary to wait with patience for the effect ; for it sometimes immediately follows the cause. To pUher this spiritual harvest, and finish the work of liitn that sent me, is my proper food : adding, for the encouragement of his disciples. As you have laboured with me in this harvest of souls, so shall you participate in the great recompense of eternal rewards : " He that reapeth I'eceiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal ; that both he that soweth, and he that i*eapeth may rejoice together." John iv. 36. Many of the people hiu. been so affected at the words of the woman, that they were fully persuaded 78 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD Jesus could be no other than the great Messiah ; accordingly, their first request was that he would deign to take up his residence in their city. The compassionate Redeemer of the human race so far complied, as to stay with them two days, an inter- val which he spent in preaching to them the king- dom of God ; so that the greatest part of the city embraced the doctrine of the gospel, and at his de- parture said unto the woman, *' Now we believe, not because of thy saying ; for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world." John iv. 42. Having accomplished his gracious design in Sa- maria, Jesus continued his journey to Galilee, to exercise his ministry, and preach there the kingdom of God ; telling his disciples, that the time was now accomplished which had been predetermined by Omnipotence, for erecting the happy kingdom of the Prince of Peace. Our Lord had performed several miracles at Jerusalem during the passover, at which the inha- bitants of Galilee were present. His preaching was, therefore, at first attended with great success, for they listened attentively to his doctrine, and received it with particular kindness and courtesy ; especially the people of Caua, where he had turned the water into wine. During his residence in that city, a nobleman of Capernaum came to him, requesting, with great humility and reverence, that he would lorae down and heal his son, who was at the point of death. Our blessed Saviour readily complied with the lat- ter part of this request ; but to remove a prejudice they had conceived, that it was necessary to be personally present in order to restore the sick per- son to health j he refused to go down to Capernaum, AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 79 dismissing tlie father wifch this assurance, that his son was resured o health : " Go thy way, thy son hveth." John iv. 50. The nobleman obeyed the word of Jesus, and immediately departed for his own house ; ut before his arrival he was met by his servants with the joyful news that his son was recovered. On this tlie father inquired at what time they perceived an alteration for the better ; and from their answer was satisfied, that immedi- ately after the words were spoken by the blessed Jesus, the fever left him^ and he was recovered in a miraculous manner. This amazing instance of his power and goodness abundantly convinced the nobleman and his family, that Jesus was the true Messiah, the great Prophet so long promised to the world. ^1) \n\ 80 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD ,i! After some stay in the city and neighbourhood of Cana, Jesus went to Nazareth, where lie had spent the greatest part of his youth, and, as his constant custom was, went to the synagogue on the sabbath-day, and read that celebrated prediction of the Messiah, in the prophet Isaiah : « The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor ; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovo ing of sight to the blind ; to set at liberty them that are bruised ; to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." Luke iv. 18, 19. It should be remembered, that our blessed Savi- our read this passage in the original Hebrew, which was then a dead language ; and, as he had never been taught letters, could do it only by inspiration from above. But ho did more ; he explained the passage with such strength of reason, and beauty of expression, that the inhabitants of Nazareth, who well knew he had never been initiated into the rudiments of learning, heard him with astonish- ment. But as he performed no miracle in their city, they were offended at him. Perhaps they thought V .e place of his residence should have been his peculiar care ; and, as he could, with a single word, heal the sick at a distance, not a single per- son in Nazareth should have been afflicted with any kind of disease. That they really entertained sentiments of this kind, seems plain, from our Sa- viour's own words : « Ye will surely say to me, Physician, heal thyself : whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country ;" —evidently alluding to the great and benevolent miracle he had wrought on the nobleman's son. ^ But the holy Jesus, by enumerating the miracles Elijah had done in behalf of the widow of Sarepta, I AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 81 who was a heathen, and the inhabitant of an idola- trous city, in the time of famine, when many widows m Israel perished with hunger ; and of Naaman, the Syrian, who was cured of his leprosy by the prophet Elisha, when numbers of Jews, afflicted with the same loathsome disease, were suffered to ontinue in their uncleanness : sufficiently proved that the prophets had, on some extraordinary occa- oions, wrought miracles in favour of those whom the Israelites, from a fond conceit of their being the peculiar favourites of heaven, judged unworthy of such marks of particular favour. The council were so incensed at this reply, that forgetting the sanctity of the sabbath, they hurried him through the streets, « to the brow of the hill whereon their city was built," intending to cast him headlong dovyn the precipice; but the Son of God defeated their cruel mtentions, by miraculously confounding their sight, and withdrawing from the fury of these wretched people. from our Sa- 66 83 THE LIFE OP OUR LORD CHAPTER Vr. il m OUR LORD PROCEEDS TO CAPERNAUM. ADDS TO THE NUMBER OP HIS FOLLOWERS. PROCLAIMS THE GOSPEL IN GALILEE. PREACHES TO A NUMEROUS AUDIENCE, HIS WELL KNOWN AND EXCELLENT DIS- COURSE UPON THE MOUNT. I"rf.il!lj' ?^'"'' Wieved by the cruel Nazarenes, depar ed from them and visited Capernaum, the capital Of Gahlee, (being built on the borders of the Lake of Gennesaret,) which was a place highly convenient for his design ; for, besides the nuLl ous inhabitants of that city, the trading towns on the Lake were crowded with strangers, who, after Sr^Jrif f^ '^''''^T^ ^^, *^^ S««P^^ P^^a^'hed by the ^reat Redeemer of mankind, would not fail to spread, ^itation"''^''*''" ''"°*'^''' '^' ^^™' tidiigs AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 83 Though it was expedient that he should spend a considerahle time in preaching and working mira- cles, to confirm his mission, and instruct his disci- ples in the doctrine they were afterwards to pub- lish to the whole world, this could not be done at Jerusalem, the residence of the Scribes and Piia- risees, whose ambition would never have suffered so celebrated a teacher as Jesus to reside among them : these countries were, therefore, the only places where he could, for any time, take up his residence, and instruct the people in such a manner as to answer the great intention of his coming into the world. If any should inquire, why he chose Capernaum in preference to all the other places situated on the Lake of Gennesaret ? we reply, because he was certain of being favourably received by the inha- bitants of that city. He had gained the friendship of the principal family, by restoring to health a favourite child,'^ who, to all human appearance, was just sinking into the chambers of the grave. Nor was this family the only friends he had in that city ; so stupendous a miracle could not fail of pro- curing the love and esteem of all the relations of that noble family : besides, so benevolent and sur- prising a miracle must have greatly conciliated the respect of all the inhabitants of Capernaum, who could not be ignorant of so remarkable an event. And accordingly our Saviour spent h&re, and in other places bordering on the Lake, a great part of the time of his pubU.c life ; so that the inhabit- ants of these parts enjoyed & considerable share of the blessed coroj'aiij' and divine instructions of the Son of God. It may not be remiss, in this place, to give a short description jf the celebrated Lake, called in the 84 TllK l.M'K OF OMIl LORD III it H 1 W ' j i Old TestaiTiGtit, the Sea of Chinnereth ; in the Now it has throe different appeUatioiiH, beinj? called the sea of Cialileo, from the provinco of Galileo in ge- neral ; the Sea of Tiberius, from a city of that name on its western Hhore ; and the Lake of (ien- nesaret, from a particnlar tract of Galilee, extend- ing a considerable way along its western side. According to Josephus, it is a hnndred fnrlonj^s in length, and forty in breadth. The bottom is of gmvel, which renders the waters both of a good colour and taste. It is softer than either fountain or river water ; and, at the same tisne, so cold that it will not grow warm, though exposed to the rays of the sun in the very hottest season of the year. The river Jordan runs through the midst of it, which stocks it with a great variety of fish, of a peculiar form and flavour, not found in any other place. The countries surrounding this Lake were largo, fertile, and populous, especially the two Galilees, which, according to Josephus, had a great numy towns, and a multitude of villages, the least of which contained fifteen hundred souls. On the ea,st side were the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, (Jadara, and Hippon ; on the west, Capernaum, Tiberias, and Taricheffi. And, from all these advantages, it was a common saying among the Jews, that God loved the Sea of Galilee above all other seas. An observation strictly just, if to these we add its greatest advantage, namely, that this sea, above all others, was frequently honoured with the divine pre- sence of the great Redeemer of mankind, while he dwelt at Capernaum, and even once after he arose from the dead. While Jesus tarried at Capernaum, he usually taught in the synagogues on the sabbath- day, AND SAVIOim JKflUfl CHIU3T. l]r> prcncliinp: with Hueh energy of power, as jjreatly astouiHlied tho whole con>rfe|»ation. Ho did not liowevop, ooiiHtantly confuie hiinsolf to that city,' tho adjacent country was often blossod with hi^^ pjcHPnce, and cheered with the heavenly words of inH mouth. In one of the neighbouring villages, he called bunon and Andrew, wIjo were following their occu- pation of fiHhing on the Lake, to accompany him. J hoHo diHciploH, who had before been ac((uainted with hnn, readily obeyed the heavenly mandate, and followed the Saviour of the world. Soon after hoHawJameH and John, who were also finhing on the Lake, and called them also. Nor did they he- Hitjito to follow tho great Jledeemer of mankind : and, from their ready compliance, there is reaHou to believe that they, as well as Simon and Andrew- were acquainted with Jesus at Jordan ; unless we suppose, Min-h im far from being improbable, that their readmesL' n.oceeded from the secret energy ot Ins p(nv«r upon their minds. But however this be, tile four disciples accompani-d our blessed Sa- viour to Capernaum, and soon afte/ to different parts oi Galilee. How long our Lord was uu tl h lourney cannot be determined ; all the evangt U 4? have mentioned, 18, that he wrought a great number of miracles on diseased persona ; and that the fame of these won- dertui works drew people from Galilee, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond Jordan. Nor was the know- ledge ol these miracles concealed from the heathens, particularly the inhabitants of Syria ; for they also brought their sick to Galilee to be healed by him. tonsequently, the time our blessed Saviour spent in tnese tours must have been considerable, though the evangelists have said very little concerning it. If 86 THE LIFE OP OUR LORD ■II But whatever time was spent in these benevolent actions, the prodigious multitudes, which flocked to him from every quarter, moved his compassion towards those who were bewildered in the darkness of ignorance, and determined him to preach to them *' the words of eternal life." For this blessed purpose, he ascended a moun- tain in that neighbourhood ; and placing himself on an eminence, from whence he could be heard by throngs of people attending him, he inculcated, in an amazingly pathetic manner, the most import- ant points of religion. But, alas ! they were coldly received, bec?.use many of them were directly op- posite to the standing precepts delivered by the Scribes and Pharisees. Surely, these people, who had seen the blessed Jesus perform so many bene- volent actions to the poor, the diseased, and the maimed, might have entertained a more favourable opinion of his doctrine, and known that so compas- sionate and powerful a person must have been ac- tuated by the Spirit of God, and consequently, that the doctrine he taught was really divine. He opened his excellent sermon with the doctrine of happiness, a subject which the teachers of wisdom have always considered as the principal object in morals, and employed their utmost abilities to con- vey a clear idea of it to their disciples, but differed very remarkably with regard to the particulai'S in v/hioh it consisted. — The Jews were, in general, persuaded that the enjoyments of sense were the sovereign good. Riches, coDquest, liberty, mirth, fame, revenge, and other things of the same kind, afiforded them such pleasures, that they wished for no better in the Messiah's kingdom, which they all considered as a secular one ; and that a goldeuy instead of a sceptre of righteousnesgj would have AND SAVTOUR JESUS CIIRfST. 87 been the sceptre of Ids kingdom. Nay, some of the disciples themselves retained, for some time, the like kind of notion, till they were convmeed of their mistake, by the spirit, word, and conduct, of their divine Master. Our Lord and blaster, therefore to show his hearers in general, and his disciples in particular, tlie giossness of their error, declared that the high- est happiness of man consisted in the favour and image of God ; that these will make a man unspeak- ably happy, even in tribulation and persecution . In possessing these, the soul hath peace and joy., and a lively hope of eternal rest ; without these, no situation, however pleasant, no wealth, however abundant, no station, however exalted, can afford any solid or permanent satisfaction of mind. He therefore addressed them in the following, or simi- lar manner : You congratulate the rich and the great ; but " happy are the poor in spirit ;" those humble souls that, deeply conscious of their igno- rance and guilt, can quietly yield to divine teach- ings and divine disposals ; for however they may be despised and trampled on by men, " theirs is tlie kingdom of heaven." You admire the gay and jovial part of maukind, and please yourselves with the hopes of joy and festivity ; But I say unto you, Happy are they that now mourn under a penitent sense of their sins, for they shall ere long be com- ' lovted with the discoveries of God's forgiving love, and be cheered with the reviving rays of his ever- lasting favour. The truth of this heavenly aphorism is very evi- dent ; for what has so great a power to turn the feet of the sons of men into the path of vii'tue, as sanctified affliction ? Has it not a natural tendency to give mankind a distaste to the pleasures of the 88 THE LIFE OF OUR LOHJ^ H I world, and convince them they are nothinjf more than Taniti/ and vexation of spirit ; ftnd,"conse- quently, to demonstrate that they must seek for liappiness in things more solid and pernmnent than any m this vale of tears ? The Holy Spirit then awakens the most serious thought^ in the mind • con poses it into a grave and settl Ifrune very different from the levity inspired hy prosperity gives It a fellow-feeling of the sorrows of othera • and makes it throughly sensible of the danger of departnig from God, the source and centre of allit- joys. Nor are the passionate happy ; but, on the con- trary, the meek ; those who have by the graci of Ood subdued their tempers, can patiently bear pro- vocation, and are strangers to that destructiv ^ j - sion, envy The meek shall inherit the choicest blessmgs of the presr ,t life ; for, indeed, they prin-. eipally flow from that benevolent and heavenly tem- per of mind. Meekness consists in the moderation ot our passions, which renders a person lovely and venerable m the eyes of his fellow-mortals ; and thence he possesses the sincere esteem of the up- right ; while the passionate and envious man is considered as despicable, though adorned with the robe of honour, and dignified with the most ample ^ possessions. « Blessed are the meek : for they shall inherit the earth." ^ Men, through vanity and blindness, considerthoso as happy who enjoy the pleasures of this life, by noting in luxury and excess. But this is far froiii being the case ; on the contrary, those are the truly happy who have the most vehement desire after tho salvation of God, and enjoy much of his love. For they, by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, shall ob- tain every thing they desire ; shall bo happy hero V t AND SAVIOl II JE9U9 CIIRfST. 89 in the practice of righteousness ; and ufter this ' inaitoiy lilo is ended, shall ,e received into the blissful mansions of the Imavenly Canaan " Bi i- sed are they that hunger anti tit-rst after righte- ouHuess : for they shall be filled." Forgiveness, not resentment, for injuner done,ia ire of a ice when .-.pecially to lercilul shall chis life : for I a real spring of happiness ; and th humane and beneficent disposidoi they cun perform a benevolent acti. their fellow-mortals in distress. Th see themselves recompensed even they shall find, after many days, the bread they have "ist upon the waters of affliction returning tenfo to their bosoms. And surely nothing can surpr he pleasure felt by a generous mind at having relieved a brothe* when pressed beneath a 1 ;id of misfortunes ; the pleasure is p'odlike ; it is divine. "Blessed are the merciful ; lor taey shall obtain mercy." Permanent delight is totally inconsistent with sensuality, which is a subjection to the appetite : it is the portion of those who have mortified their carnal appetites, to enjoy an inward purity of mind. With what delight do we behold the glories of the sun, and contemplate the beautiful scenes of nature that surround us ? But what pronortion has this to the ineffable delights th"t mv fill the minds of those who behold th ^ great creator himself, who called the whole universe ^ ora nothing, and still supports it with the word . his power ? " Blessed are the pure in heart ; for they shall see God." T' tyrants and conquerors of earth, who disturb the peace of mankind, are far from being happy ; it falls to the share of those who love their fellow- creatures, and do all in their power to promote peace and harmony among the children of men. *- "Vvi ^V. "' ■^^- IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 5< /. /. f/. *3- 1.0 I.I 1.25 If 1^ 1.4 IIIIIM 122 1.6 V] /2 y: ^ VAC o yvm M Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 d?. 90 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD For they imitate the perfection of their maker, and therefore will be acknowledged by him for his chil- dren, and participate of his happiness. « Blessed are the peacemakers ; for they shall be called the children of God." Nor does happiness consist in liberty and ease, if those privileges are purchased at the expense of truth and righteousness. Those who have suffered the severest trial that human nature is capable of sustaining, from purity of heart and for conscience sake, shall be honoured with the highest reward in the blissful mansions of eternity. « Blessed are tliey which are persecuted for righteousness sake ; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." > Contentment is not to be expected from the ap- plause of the world : but will be the portion of those who are falsely reviled for righteousness sake, and share in the affronts offered to God himself, if they suffer in a Christian spirit ; for by these persecu- tions the prophets of all ages have been distin- gu'shed. « Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad ; for great is your reward inhaaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Matt. v. 11, 12. These are the declarations with regard to happi- ness, made by the Son of God ; and surely wo may believe the woids of him who came down from heaven : and who, in compassion to our infirmities, took upon himself our nature ; and, to redeem us from the power of sin and death, offered himself a sacrifice on the cross, and thereby opened to us the gates of eternal life. Having shown in what true happiness consisted, our Saviour addressed himself to his disciples, and AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. dl exi)1ained their duty, as the teachers appointed to conduct others in the paths that lead to eternal felicity ; and excited them to diligence in dispens- ing the salutary influences of their doctrine and example, that their hearers might honour and praise the great Creator of heaven and earth, who had been so kind to the children of men. As his definition of happiness was very different f»om what the Jews were accustomed to hear from the Scribes and Pharisees, he thought proper if declare that he was not come to destroy the mora\ precepts contained in the law or the prophets, but to fulfil or confirm them. Nothing is so steadfast as the eternal truths of morality ; the heavens may pass away, and thf whole frame of nature be dissolved, but the rule of righteousness shall remain immutable and im- mortal. And, therefore, he ordered his disciples, on the severest penalties, to enforce, both by preaching and example, the strict observation of all the moral precepts contained in the sacred writings, and that in a much greater latitude than they were taken by the teachers of Ismel. And, in consideration of the frailties of human nature, taught them that excellent form of prayer, which has been used by Christians of most denominations to this very day ; Our Father, &c. If earthly parents are called fathers, the Almighti has the best title from every creature, and particu. larly from men, being the Father of their spirits, the former of their bodies, and the continual pre- server of both. Nor is this all : he is our father in a still higher sense, as he regenerates us, and stamps his image upon our minds : so that, partaking of his nature, we become his cliildren, 92 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD ami, therefore, we can with a holy bolduesa call IJun by the title of that relation. In the former fiense, God is the father of all his creatures, whether t^ood or bad ; but in the latter, he is the father >nly of the righteous. Father is the most magni- ficent title invented by philosophers or poets, in honour of their gods : it conveys the most lovely Idea possible to be conceived by the human breast. As It 18 used by mankind in general, it marks the essential cliaracter of the true God, namely, that he 18 the first cause of all things, or the author of their being: and, at the same time, conveys a strong idea of the tender love he bears to his crea- tures, whom he nourishes with an affection, and protects with a watchfulness, infinitely superior to that of an earthly parent. The name of father also teacnes us, that we owe our being to God, points out his goodness and mercy in upholding us, and expresses his power in giving us the things we ask. Nor is this all ; we are likewise taught to give our Maker the title of father, that our sense ot the tender relation in which he stands to us may be confirmed : our faith in his power and goodness strengthened : our hopes of obtaining what we ask in prayer cherished : and our desire of obeying and imitating him quickened : for reason aided by grace teaches us that it is disgraceful in children to degenerate from their parents, and that they cannot commit a greater crime than to disobey the commands of an indulgent father. Lastly, we are commanded to call him father in the plural number, (and that even in our secret addresses to the throne of grace,) to put us in mind that we are all brethren, the children of one com- mon parent, and that we ought to love one another with sincerity, as we pray not for ourselves only, but for all the human race. AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. QQ Which art in heaven. These words do not sun pose the presence of God to be confined he ^J .there upon earth, and from false gods, which are especial manifestations of his presence tTsuTIf ^^LT^I '"^ '"™'' *»<' imitated, thy works be In. • ' ^ *?''" «^®** * ather of the universe ■enabled to imiZthe angeUof^lTt L^'.ir^ '"' ™oere, univez.al, and oSa*;;t'otditl'rth'; 94 THE LIFE OF Ol'R LORD divine commands, as those blessed beings do in glory. Give us this day our daily bread. Give ua, from time to time, wholesome and proper food, that we may be enabled to worship thee with cheerfulness and vigour. And forgive us our debts as we J or git e our debtors. The Almighty, as supreme governor of the universe, has a right to support his government, by punishing those who transgress his laws. The suffering of punishment, therefore, is a debt which sinners owe to the divine justice ; so that when we ask God in prayer to forgive our debts, we beg that he would be mercifully pleased to remit the punish- ment of all our sins, particularly the pains of hell ; and that, laying aside his displeasure, he would re- ceive us into favour, and bless us with life eternal. In this petition, therefore, we confess our sin^, and express the sense we have of their guilt ; namely, that they deserve death ; and sure nothing can be more proper than such a confession in our address to God ; because humility, and a sense of our own un worthiness, when we ask favours of the Almighty, whether spiritual or temporal, leave a tendency to give us a proper sense of the goodness of God in bestowing them upon us. The terms of this petition are worthy of our notice ; "Forgive us only as we forgive." We must forgive others, if we hope ourselves to be for- given : and are permitted to crave from God such forgiveness only as we grant to others ; so that if we do not forgive even our enemies, we seriously and solemnly implore the Almighty to condemn us to the punishment of eternal death. How remark- ably careful, therefore, should men be to have their hearts purged from all rancour and malice, before AND SAVroUR JESUS CHRIST. 95 id, that we heerfulness ^orghe our governor of overnment, laws. The debt \vhich at when we we beg that the punish- ins of hell ; e would re- life eternal, ar sin", and t ; namely, hing can be r address to of our own e Almighty, tendency to 3 of God in rthy of our ;ive." We 38 to be for- m God such s ; 80 that ive seriously condemn us ow remark- have their lice, before they venture into the temple of the Almighty, to offer up their prayers to the throne of grace ! And lead us not into temptation^ but deliver us from evil. Whenever we are tempted, O thou that helpest our infirmities, suffer us not to *« enter into temptation," to be overcome, or suffer loss thereby ; but make a way for us to escape, so that we may be more than conquerors, through thy love, over sin and all the consequences of it. « But deliver us," by some means, from the evil : either by re- moving the temptation, or increasing our strength to resist it. This petition teaches us to preserve a sense of our own inability to repel and overcome the solicitations of the world, and of the necessity there 18 of our receiving assistance from above, both to regulate our passions, and enable us to prosecute a religious life. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Because the goverment of the universe is thine for ever, and thou alone poasessest the power of creating and upholding all things ; and because the glory of thine infinite per- fections remains eternally with thee ; therefore all men ought to hallow thy name, submit themselves to thy government, and perform thy will. And in a humble sense of their dependence, seek from thee the supply of their wants, the pardon of their sms, and the kind protection of thy providence. This is emphatically called the Lord's Prayer, because delivered by the Son of God himself : and, therefore, we should do well to understand it tho- roughly, that when we enter the temple of the liord, and address him in solemn prayer, we may have hopes that he will grant our petitions. And, above all, not to harbour in our breasts the least envy or malice against any who may have offended 96 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD ua ; for it is only on a supposition that we have forgiven others, that we have the least reason to hope for obtaining forgiveness from the great Creator. The divine Preacher proceeded to consider the great duty of fasting, in which he directed them not to follow the hypocrites in disfiguring their faces, and in clothing themselves in the melancholy weeds of sorrow, but to be chiefly solicitous to appear be- fore God as one that truly fasteth. Then will the Almighty, who constantly surrounds us, and is acquainted even with the most secret thoughts of our hearts, openly bestow upon us the blessings which he hath promised to a true penitent, whose mortification, contrition, and humility, he can dis- cern, witliout the external appearances of sorrow and repentance. It must, however, be remembered, that our blessed Saviour is here speaking of private fasting, and to this alone his directions are to be applied : for when we are called upon to mourn over public sins or calamities, it ought to be per- formed in the most public manner. Heavenly mindedness was the next thing incul- cated by the blessed Jesus ; and this he recom- mended with a peculiar earnestness, because the Jewish doctors ware, in general, strangers to this grace, in which he was desirous his followers should be clothed, as being the most excellent ornament for a teacher of righteousness. — This is strenuously recommended by our blessed Saviour, by showing the deformity of its opposite, covetousness, which has only perishable things for its object. *' Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, AND SAVIOUR JE8DS CHRIST. 97 and where thieves do not break through and Bteal .vsteis , and even, at best, can remain onlv f„r a short 8ene8 of years ; whereas, those hiid up in iC en are permanent, subject to no accidentia dwUl lead to « a crown of glory that fadeth not nwTv oternal m the heavens." Nor let any man be s^o oohsh as to think he can place his heart on the Impp.ness of a future Jife, ihen his treasure" are deposited m this vale of misery ; for wherever are etr^nd^r.-^ "'",!• 'r «-«^--eth,Tere Id bo!hlelv7nl'''''"!^^T^^'"/ '^ ^^« P«««'We to be both heavenly mmded and covetous at the same time, he assured them that this was fuH as absurd oerve two masters of opposite characters. « No he one^'nH? *^?,"^^«;«™ ' for either he will hate the one, and love the other ; or else he will hold to he o,,e and despise the other. Ye cannot serve Ud and mammon." Mat. vi. 24. lo strengthen this doctrine, he added a few nlain X e^r'oT^oT""^ ^'/'^ ^'^'^ perfe'cIT,"!"? caret' ?L?^^' providence, in which his tender S I r.^« f'^f"? ""^^^^f ^^ ^'^ ^''^^^^r^^ shines ^Mtu a remarkable lustre, demonstrating the wise fur JTv "L""r ''^" «^ *^« ^^'^y to "'1 the cTea birl , ?/' ^'^"^ u ^^" ^^«"'°^ them to observe the l^ncls of the an-, the lilies, and even the grass of he 98 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD field ; leading his most illiterate hearers to form a more elevated and extensive idea of the divine go- vernment than the philosophers had attained ; who, though they allowed in general tiiat the world was governed by God, had very confused notions of his provid nee with regard toevery individual creature and action. He taught them, tliat the Almighty Father of the whole was the guardian and protec- tor of every being in the universe ; that every ac- tion is subject to his will, and nothing left to the blind determination of chance. And if our lives be according to the divine will, we have surely no reason to be anxious about the necessaries of life. "Behold," says the blessed Jesus, " the fowls of the air ; for they sow not, nei- ther do they reap, nor gather into barns ; yet your heavenly father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they I'* Mat. vi. 26. Are not the fowls of the air, who have no concern for future wants, fed and nourished by the beneficent hand of your heavenly father ? and can ye think that man shall be destitute of his tender care ? " And why take ye thought for raiment ? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow ? they toil not, neither do they spin. And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these." Mat. vi. 28, 29. Consider the lilies that so finely adorn the adjacent fields ; how beautiful their form ! How lively their colours ! how fragrant their scent ! the productions of art but faintly imitate them. Even Solomon himself, dressed in his splendid robes of royalty, was but meanly adorned in comparison of these. And surely, if Omnipotence thus beauti- fully clothe the various productions of the fields, whose duration is remarkably transient and uncer- tain, you have not the least reason to doubt but he AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 99 will bless your honest endeavnnro ««^ j Our Lord then prohibited all rash and unchari- teble censure, euher with regard to the charactm oi othera in general, or their actions in parUcnlar™ tes^ m doing so, both God and man J^t the in-' ZJir^'f^^ charitably, says the meek an"i benevolent Redeemer of the human race, and are Went Cl '"■* 1'"'^°" *^«'- «'»"«. "0^ y™r Heavenly lather, and man, wUI deal with you after the same manner. But if you always put the hr^h- liSlTT "T'^ """o"' aidLenotS: ea with a feehng of your brother's infirmities nn, show any mercy in the opinions yrTrm^f Us char«,ter and actions, no mercy wul be shown jo^ 100 TUB LIFE UF OUR LORD either from Omnipotence, or the sodm of men. God will inflict on you the punishment you deserve, and the world will be sure to retaliate the injury. " Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged : and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Mat. vii. 1, 2. The blessed Jesus, in his pious discourse, charged them to inculcate an entire reformation in them- selves, a particular absolutely necessary in those whose office it is to reprove and reform their bre- thren. And surely, nothing can be more prepos- terous, than to condemn in others what we practice ourselves ; or to set up for reformers of the world, when we ourselves are contaminated with the most enormous vices. With what countenance can we undertake to rebuke others, when we are ourselves plunged in the most detestable pollutions 1 Well might the Redeemer of the world say, J' Thou hypo- crite, first cast out the beam oui of thine own eye ; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brothers eye." Mat. vii. 4. These are the important points of doctrine recom- mended by the infallible Preacher, as necessary to the teachers of the gospel of peace ; but it is not enough that they know and practice the several branches of their duty ; they ought to use every possible means of spreading these blessed truths to the ecd of the earth, not shrinking from any cross or hardship that may be in the path of duty, nor shunning to declare the whole counsel of God. For whether men will hear or not, they must be faith- fully warned by those watchmen who are appointed by the Lord to sound the gospel trumpet. Yet Christian caution should be observed by such as fear and love the Lord Jesus, in teaching others the AND SAVIOUR JESC/S CHRIST. JQI would not fail to ansX'Ut wSuesL ".'"•'*'' them whatever they desired A A^T^l «nd give for this i, r r^a'n/Jh"; tro^Ct^-'V^t t^iT.' How clear a rule of dutv is thiH f an^ », * ^ ^' and^do aa you would be done by. il the «me ^ni •J"'"? enforced these heavenly DrecoDtn h.^, Sun' LTf 'Z'S7 ,'■"•"''"' ""p-S^'o";.?; ^S?TSa3S9#^ rr;b-hr«n"^-'S*HM^^^ et^'l^e^f.t'""''""^?'"'-^'^^'^-'-^- sL thi fl ? '5° "^y """""K " '» be found that 5«1yt m"rrif' •.•" "^"^ *"'"«» "»' have a ten- JMies, chastity, sobriety. And with regard to th» 102 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD /! gate, it receives none that are puffed up with the gh)ry of this life ; none that are elated with pride ; none that are indulging in luxury ; it does not ad- mit those that love riches, or are encumbered with the goods of this world. None can pass through it but those who renounce all worldly lusts, and are i-esolved to forsake all sin. There is, however, no reasoii lor us to despair of entering through this heavenly portal ; if we sincerely endeavour, the assistance of the Holy Spirit will be freely given us; and we shall safely pass through (he strait gate, and pursue our journey with ease along the narrow path, till we arrive at the blissful mansions of the lieavenly Canaan. But lest evil minded men, under the mask of pi- ety and religion, should endeavour to draw them from the paths of righteousness, our blessed Savi- our cautioned his disciples to beware of such per- sons, and carefully make the strictest scrutiny into their lives and doctrines. Our Lord closed his sermon with the parable of the house built on different foundations ; intimat- ing, that the bare knowledge, or the simple hearing, of the divinest lessons of tho truth ever delivered, nay, even the belief of these instructions, without llie practice of them, is of no manner of importance. AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. When Will the happy time come in which pro- fessing Christians shall form themselves on these important maxims of their great Master ! When shall they be known to be his disciples, by the can- dour of their sentiments, the equity of their conduct, and the beneficence of their actions as well as by the articles of their faith, and the forms of their worship ! The way of life, which our blessed Redeemer has marked out lor us in such precepts as the above, may indeed to corrupt nature appear rugged and narrow, and the gate strait through which we are to pass : but lot us encourage ourselves against all tne (lithculties, by considering that immortal life aud glory to which they infallibly lead. Then shall we doubtless, prefer the most painful way of piety ana virtue, though with yet fewer companions than we might reasonably expect, to all those flowery and frequented paths of vice, which go down to the ctiambers of death. 104 TlIK LIFK OK OUU LORD CHAPTER VII. Oiril BLKSSKD LOUD CI/RKS TIIK LEPROSY AND PAL- SY—CASTS OUT A DliVIL.— SUCCOURS TIIR MO- THKR-IN-LAW OF PKTliR ; AND AITKRWARhS PUR- SUES HIS JOURNKY THROUail THE COUNTRY OF UALILKtC. TlIK great Preacher of Israel, having finished IiIh exoelleiit tliscoui'se, came down from tjio mountain, surrounded by a ninltitude of people, who iiad listen- ed with asionisluncnt to the doctrines he delivered, which were soon conUrmed by divers miiaclca. A It'IKr met him in his way to Capernaum, and being, doubtless, acquainted with the wondrous works ho hnd already perfonnod, threw himself, with great humility, before the Son of God, using this remark- able expression, "Lord if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." The species of leprosy common among the Jews, and other eastern nations, was equally nauseous and infectious ; but this was so far from preventing the blessed Jesus from approaching so loathsome an object, that it increased his pity ; he even touch- ed him ; but instead of being polluted himself, the leper was instantly cleansed, and he departed glo- rifying God. / The evangelist adds, that Jesus forbade him to tell any person what had been done, but repair im- mediately to the priest, and ofter the gift command- ed by Moses. Having performed the cure on the leper, our blessed Lord proceeded to Capernaum ; but, as ho entei*ed the ciry, he was met by a Roman centurion, wlio represented to him, in the most pathetic man- AND BAVIOIJR JKSUa CHRIST. 105 commaud- iier, the deplorable condieion of his servant, who was ffrievouHly afHictod with the palsy. The com- passionate Redeemer of the world lintened atten- tively to his complaint, and immediately assured hun he would come and heal him. The centurion thou^Mit this too great a condescension to one who was not of the seed of Jacob, and therefore told him tliiit he did not mean he should give himself the trouble of going to his house, as this was an honour he hud not the least reason to expect, he being cou- hdent that his word alone would be sufficient ; dis- eases and devils being as much subject to his com- mands as his soldiers were to him. Our Lord was amazed at these words. Not that he was ignorant of the centurion's faith, or the basis on which it was built; he well knew the thoughts of his heart long before he uttered his request ; but he was filled with admiration at the exalted idea the Roman officer had conceived of his power ; and to make his faith the more conspicu- ous, he gave it the praise it so justly deserved. Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great taith, no, not in Israel." Mat. viii. 10. This centurion, doubtless, relied upon the mira- cle Jesus had before wrought upon the nobleman's son ; but the excellency and peculiarity of it con- sisted in applying the most grand ideas of the di- vine power of Jesus, who, according to outward ap- pearance, was only one of the sons of men. This exalted faith induced the blessed Jesus to declare the gracious iutentions of his Almighty Fa- ther with regard to the Gentiles ; namely, that he would as readily accept their faith as that of the Jews, and place them with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdt)m of heaven, while those who boasted of being the offspring of these great patri- 106 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD archs, but fell far short of the Heathens in faith, should be excluded from the blissful seats of Para- dise. *' And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into utter darkness ; there shall be weep> ing and gnashing of teeth," Mat. viii. 11, 12. Having thus addressed the multitude, the blessed Jesus turned himself to the centurion, and said,, " Go thy way : and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee." Though the idea thou hast con- ceived of my power is just, though remarkably great, as a reward for thy faith, I grant the petition thou hast asked of me, And, the evangelist adds, his ser- tant was healed in the self same hour. Mat. vhi. 13. On the succeeding sabbath, our Saviour went into the Jewish synagogue at C Mernaura, and taught the people, delivering his instructions in so grace- ful and elegant a manner, that they wei*e all aston- ished : and, to increase their admiration, one of the congregation, possessed with an unclean spirit, cried out in a terrible manner,. " Let us alone ; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth ? Art thou come to destroy us ? 1 know thee who thoi' art, the Holy One of God." Mark. i. 24. But the blessed Jesus, who wanted the testimony of no such confessors, commanded him to keep si- lence, and immediately come out of the man ; which command the evil spirit instantly obeyed, to the great surprise and astonishment of all the spectators. The enemies of the gospel have always endea- voured to depreciate our Saviour's miracles, pretend- ing that uo more is meant by a person possessed of the devil than that he was afflicted with some loath- some disease ; and that because sepulchres were AND SAVIOUR JE8US CHUIST. 107 considered as polluted places, and, therefore, when- ever any melancholy person frequented them, they were said to be possessed with unclean spirits. Tliey add, that it will be difficult to assign a reason \shy demons were at this time, more numerous in Judea than any other country. To the first of these objections, namely, that the demoniacs were in reality nothing more than per- sons afflicted with some loathsome disease, we reply, it is evidently false ; the evangelist having taken care to be very particular on this head. « They brought unto him," (says he) « all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy ; and he healed them," Mut. iv. 24. " He gave to the apostles power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness, and all manner of disease." Mat. x. 1. And, accord- ingly, " he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils." Mark i. 34. It is therefore evident, that those said to be pos- sessed with unclean spirits were diff'erent from those which had diseases. Let ua therefore pass to the second objection, and see whether we cannot give a satisfactory reason why demons were at this time more numerous in Judea than in any other country. That there were evil spirits of this kind, is abun- dantly evident from the holy scriptures, the sacred penmen having taken care to acquaint us with their origin and fall, their names and number, their go- vernment and orders, their malicious designs and employments, with several other particulars. So that no one can doubt of the existence of demons, who believes these holy oracles to be the word of God. And it is equally evident, both from sacred 108 TIIK l.ll'IC 01' UUU I.OltD and |nH)rtino history, tliat boforo our Saviour'i ad- Vtiiit gr«mt lUunbutM of iiitiii woru punHuiMud with tlioHO ovil npiritH. Tho Hutli iM, tlioMo auRolrt of darknoHa liad, at tluM tiiuo, taken puHMoHHioit of ho Inv^v a Hliaro of tlio world, tliur, tlioy bogaii to rival iho Almighty in hitt worKhip ; and, thtMoloro, ono rod of tho incar- nation of till) Son of (5od was, •♦ that ho niiglit do- bti'oy tho \vork8 o( the dvvil." And honco wo may easily MO tlio reamin why onmipotorjoo autt'cruii the»o apostate (tpirita to a|tpoar ho frequently in Judea at tho time of our Saviour'H nunintry, namuly, that U»e Son of (Jod nuglit, in a more Bignal manner, trinnpli over all tho powei-H of darknewH, and con- vince mankind ilmt he was ti'uly the Saviour of the world. Uiit to i-etnrn. Tho fame of his miracle was Roon spiTad over the neighbouring country. He had beiora healed the sick, and done nuiny other wonderful thingH ; but to command with authority tlie unoleiiu spi* its to quit their i-esidence, and to see these cnenu.'s to mankind readily obey his voice, tilled men with astoniMhment, and abundantly conviuoed iheui tliat ho was filled with the spirit of God. It has been asked, why the devil, who, it is plain from the text, knew our Saviour to be the Sou of God, should put it into the heart of Judas to betray him, since this was the proper method of accom- plishing tlie redemption of mankind 1 But the an- swer to this is obvious and easy. The devil, doubt- less, knew Jesus to be the Messiah ; but he was ignorant of the mystery of man's redemption. And tlierefore, though he was not ignorant of his divinity, yet he might be so fai* infatuated as to iliink, that by destroying his humanity he should *Nn SAVIOUR jmvn nlnn^r. 100 ihXm tlio n;rmt .iuHiKn of Omnipotence. For l.ow- rr,llti.',«'7'"r" ""'[ Ty ""'•^'"'•« '"^ intellectual iacultum to b«, yot tlio won.ierlul work of rnan'« m junption by t ,0 doatl. of (Jhrint, waH a rn^Zy l.a o nn.to undorntandinK crould coinprd.eud, till Uo\ luinwilf waH ^Atnimd to reveal it Having performed tliiH aMtoniHliir.jf miracle in i\w «ynaKOK„e, our Loru, (Luke IV. Mi,) to Ultimate hin authority over all 1 rebellious sinners. « Before him wint the pes- tilence, and burning diseases went forth at his feet." 1 lie tame of these miracles was sc.on spread through the city ; and as soon as the sabbath was over, which ended at the setting of the sun, the whole city was gathered together about Peter's house, and with them great numbers of Bick per- sons, and those posHessed with devils. The sicht of so many human objects in distress excited the pity of this heavenly Physician ; so that he imme- diately healed them all. And thus was the prophecy of Isaiah iulfilled ; " Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sickness." But the vast concourse of people that now ga- tl ored round him in Capernaum began to be trou- blesome, and he retired into a desert, whither the it .' f'F.i n^'§ ^^ 1 no THE LIFE OF OUR LORD the multitude soon followed him, and entreated him never to depart from them. But as this requpft was inconsistent with the design of his mission, he, for the first time, refused their request, "and preached in the synagogues of Galilee." Luke iv. 44. CHAPTER VIII, I:' U V i \ JESUS CONFIRMS HIS MISSION BY PRODUCING A MI- RACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISHES — CURING THE LEPROSY A SECOND TIME — APPEASING THE BOIS- TEROUS WAVES — CASTING DEVILS OUT OF DIVERS PERSONS GRIEVOUSLY POSSESSED. Our blessed Lord, having spread his doctrine thi'oughout Galilee, returned to Capernaum, fol- lowed by such numbers of people that he found it necessary to step into Peter's ship j from whence Sir ill i AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. Ill he taught the multitude, who stood on tb* shore hstening, with great attentiou, to hin doctrine, Having concluded his discourse, he turned him- tLl f™"""., ^^r* ^^"'""^ *""» to launch out further from the shore, and let down his net. On which the discip e told him of the unsuccessful 1"?^°!, f^ ^'^^ '*''®" ^"""g **i« whole night ; but flil ' ^' ^1 '^^"^^' in obedience to his command, make one trial more. Nor had he any cause to re- pent ; for the net was no sooner in the lake, than they found it so full of large fishes, that it ias in danger of breaking. The success, after such fruitless toil, astonished T'A ?; *^' ^*"J°^ **''''° a* 'h« ^eet of Jesus, cried 1 *A» S"""^ ^"'"' ™®' ^"^ ^ a™ a sinful man, O Lord. He was conscious of the many sins he had been guUty of, and therefore afraid of being in the company of so divine a person, lest some offence chastise ""^ «*P08ed him to more than the ordinary But the benevolent Redeemer of mankind re- moved his fears, by telling him, that from thence- forth the employment of him and his companions should be far more noble ; they should catch men ; that is they should turn them from the crooked paths of miquity to the straight road leading to the heavenly mansions. ** This miracle was considered by the disciples as a plainer maufestation of bis being tlie Son of God. tlian those they had seen him perform on the sick in the city and neighbourhood of Capernaum. It was a received opinion among the Jews, that all good men, by prayers, and laying their hands on tne sick, were able to cure certain diseases, and even to cast out devils ; but that the creatures iii- nabiting the elements of air or water were subject i^ ' ? n. t m "h ^Jt' 112 TUB LIFE OF OUR 1 ORD only to the coramands of Omnipotence himself : consequently, the power shown by our blessed Savi- our, 01. this occasion, undeniably proved him to be divine. And, accordingly, this demonstration of his power rendered these disciples for the future absolutely devoted to his will ; and in the greatness '»f their admiration they abandoned every thing, and followed the Saviour of the world. The disci|)les being thus attached to their divine Master, followed him through the cities of Galilee, where, according to the usual custom, he preached the gospel of the kingdom of God, and confirmed the doctrines he delivered with astonishing miracles. In one of the cities through which he passed, he found " a man full of leprosy, who seeing Jesus, fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." Luke v. 12. It was the custom in Judea for the priests to ba- nish from society those who were afflicted with a contagious leprosy. The disease of this person, therefore, was of a less pestilential kind, as he was suffered to enjoy the conversation of men. His case, however, excited the pity of the compassionate Jesus, who immediately cleansed him, ordered him to repair to Jerusalem, and, after showing himself to the priest, offer the gifts commanded by Moses : giving him the same admonition he had done to others, namely, not to tell any man what he had done for him. But the blessing he had received was so great and unexpected, that, instead of con- cealing, he published every where the great things Jesus had done for him ; which brought such crowds to the Son of God, that he was obliged to retire from Capernaum into the wilderness, to re- fresh his body with rest, and his spirit with prayer atid meditation. AND SAVIOUR JRSUS CHRIST. 113 The geiiorahty of commentators suppose that this leper, and the other mentioned in the foreffoine chapter, are one and the same person ; but this ia a mistake. Ihe former was cured in the fields, the latter m the city. After cleansing the first Jesus went to Capernaum, and healed the centu- non 8 servant ; but after curing the latter, he re- tned mto the wilderness, to shun the prodigious crowds, which soon gathered round him, froin the epers publishing every where the miracle Jesus had wrouglit for him. If the curious should inquire why our blessed baviour so oiten commanded the people to conceal ns iiuracles ; we answer them-his modesty and humihty would not suffer that his worlcs should iiave the least appearance of ostentation, nor the Jews to have the least pretence for accusing him of seeking his own glory. Nor was it proper, at this tune, to irritate too greatly the scribes and phari. sees. He well knew, that in a certain determinate space of time they would bring about what had been determined by Providence concerning him. In the meantime, "lie was to work the works of Jam that sent him while it was day," (John ix 4 ) and to propagate his gospel with the greater faci- lity, both among the Jews and Gentiles ; which could not have been so conveniently performed, if tlie greatness of his miracles had once provoked tne mahce and envy of his enemies to exert their ut- most power against him. He hl^ewise knew the mad capricious humour of the multitude, and had reason to apprehend « that they would come and take him 77\\ S '"^^ *? "".^^'^ ^"™ * ^'"g'" (John vi. 15,) Lt ^ n»iracle8 had been blazed abroad, before ne aad sufficiently instructed them m the spiritual nature of his kingdom, and that his throne was not 00 a ]]4 THR LIFE OF OtJR LORD i to \m #ftebkc,lied in the ean. 'y, but in the heavenly, Jeruwiiefn. From tliofif instances, we see that *he blessed Jesus did not, v. ithout sufficient reason, desire his niiniclea to be concenlcd. The fame of this single miracle, being spread througii the neighbouring countries, brought such multitudes of people to Capernaum, that, as we have already observed, he was obliged to retire into a solitary part of the neighbouring wilderness. Nor could he long enjoy the repose of the tranquillity he sought, even in this thirsty waste ; the people soon discovered the place of his retreat, and flocked to him from every quarter. Our blessed Lord, finding all his endeavours to conceal himself in the desert would be in vain, ordered his disciples to accompany him to the other nde of the lake ; upon which a certain scribe, who happened to be present, declax'ed he would follow him : but Jesus, who well knew that his desire was only to gain the profits and advantages of an earthly kingdom, which he supposed the Messiah would establish, told him. If he intended nothing more by following him than to improve his worldly wealth, he would find himself wretchedly mistaken. " The foxes have holes," saith the blessed Jesus to this teacher of Israel, "and the birds of the air have nests : but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head." Mat. viii. '20. The title Son of Man, is a name by which the Messiah is c.Ued in the prophecy concerning him, recorded by the prophet Daniel, (vii. 13,) where his universal dominion is desci'ibed ; and thex'e- fore, when applied to our great Redeemer, denotes his human natui'e, and at the same time, conveys an idea of f' m glorious kingdom, over which he f)- AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 115 savours to e, conveys was in ins nature to preside. But as it was also the nun)e by which the old prophets were called, Irora the contempt in which they were held by their countrymen, it is used on several occasions to express the deep humiliation of the Son of God. The disciples having prepared the ship, took on board their master, and departed for the other side of the lake, attended by many boats full of people, who were deRW-Mus of hearing his heavenly dis- courses, and oi being spectators of his astonishing works. But Jesus, being fatigued with the labours of the day, set himself down at the stern of the ship, and fell asleep. The weather, which had till now been calm and serene, suddenly changed. A terrible storm came on, and the rising waves dashed impetuously against tlie ship, threatening every moment to bury them all in the bowels of the de-p. The darkness of the mght increased the horrors of the tempest. Now they were carried on the top of the mountainous wave, and seemed to touch the skies ; then plunged to the bottom of the deep, while the foaming bil- lows roared horribly above them. In vain the disciples exerted their utmost strength : the storm still continued to increase, and baffled all the efforts of human strength. The waves broke over the ship, the waters rushed in, and she began to sink. All hopes of escaping were v.mished ; despair seized every individual ; and tiiey were on ihe brink of perishing, when they ran '■ us, cryiiig out, " Master, Master, we perish 1" Their vehement cries roused him from his sleep. He raised his hand, so often employed in acts of mercy and benevolence, and, with a stern and awful voice, rebuked the boisterous element. The Mj [V ^ 116 THE LIFE OF OUR LOUD j , ti >>: raging sea instantly obeyed his command. The serial torrent stopped short in its impetuous course, and became silent as the grave, wliile the moun- tainous waves sunk at once into their beds, and the surface of the deep became as smooth as po- lished marble. The disciples had before seen their great Master perform many miracles ; and therefore had abund- ant reason to rely wholly on his power and good- ness. They should have considered that he who could, by his wo»'d, restore the sick, and bring the inhabitants of the sea to their nets, could with the same ease have supported them on the surface of the deep, had the ship sunk beneath them, and car- ried them safe to the place whither they were going. But they seemed to have forgotten the power of their Master ; and, when human assist- ance failed, to have abandoned all hopes of life. The blessed Jesus, therefore, very justly rebuked them : " Why are ye fearful, ye of little faith l" Why should ye doubt of my power to protect you 1 The voyage was undertaken at my command, and therefore you should have been confident that I would not suffer you to perish in it. It is indeed strange that the disciples should have been so remarkably terrified during the Btorm, and after it to make this remarkable reflec- tion : " what manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him !" Mat. viii. 27. But it should be remembered, that the terror of the storm had deprived them of all presence of mind ; so that they did not recollect the divine power of their master during the fury of the tem- yput ; aad the transition from a terrible storm, to the most perfect calm, was so quick and astonishing, that they probably uttered this reflection before the coufueion in their minds was over. AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRI3T. 117 Soon after the storm was allayed, they arrived in the country of Garlara ; and on their landing, two men possessed with devils came from the tombs to meet Jesus. One of them, who was more furious than the other, had been often bound with chains and fetters, but to no purpose, being always broken with great fury ; so that no man attempted further to restrain him. Being therefore at liberty, he shunned the society of men, wandering day and night in desert places among the sepulchres or ca- verns where the dead were deposited, crying and making the most dismal complaints, and cutting himself with stones. The disciples were terrified at the approach of these furious mortals ; but Jesus soon dissipated their fears, commanding, while the men were at a distance, the devils to come out of them. The hea- venly mandate was no sooner given, than they fell on their faces, crying out, « What have I to do with thee Jesus, thou Son of the most high God ?" (Mark V. 7.) "Art thou come hither to torment us before the time ?" (Mat. viii. 2.9.) « I abjure thee by God, that thou torment me not!" (Mark v. 7.) The apostate spirits well knew the power of the Son of God, and trembled lest he should immediately cast them into the torments prepared for them, and not suffer them to continue roving through the earth till the day of judgment, when they should be con- demned to eternal punishment in the sight of the whole creation. Jesus being willing that the torments suffered by these miserable men should be known before he healed them, asked one of the devils his name : who answered, « Legion, for we are many," (Mark V. 9.) begging at the same time, that he would not command them to repair into the deep, or bottom- Ill <(.»«tl.C^.^jK,„jisifc -M»^ . 118 THE LIFE OF OUR LOUD nv less pit, but suffer them to enter a herd of swine, feeding at a distance. How subtile are the wilea of the devil ! The power of the Son of God he knew was not to be re- si8t*?d : but he could not help nvying the benevo- lent miracles he had wrought for the sons of men ; and was t'erefore willing to prevent, as much as possible, their good effects on the miserable people of this country. This was the true reason why he begged leave to enter the herd of swine : he knew if he could obtain that permission, he could destroy them ; and this he hoped would render our blessed Saviour odious to the wicked inhabitants of Gadara. Though Jesus well knew his crafty design, yet he permitted the devils to enter the swine, tliat his disciples, and others who were with him, might be fully convinced these unhappy persons were really possessed by apostate spirits ; and at the same time give them a terrible instance of their power, when free from all restraint. The divine permission was no sooner granted, than the spectators beheld, at a distance, the tor- ments these poor creatures suffered ; with what amazing rapidity they ran to the confines of the lake, leaped from the precipices into the Bea, " and perished in the waters." While the persons, who a moment before were raving and cut- ting themselves in the moat shocking manner, be- came at once meek and composed, having recovered entirely the exercise of their reason. The keepers of the herd, terrified at this aston- ishing miracle, ran into the city publishing, in every part, the cure of the men possessed with the devils, and the destruction of the swuio. The surprising report threw the inhabii ants into AND SAVIOUR JKSUS CHRIST. 11.9 the greatest coiiHternation ; they left the city to bo spectators ol' so wonderful an event ; but when they saw the men who had been possesHod, sitting at the feetofJesu», decently clothed, and in their right njinds, their fear was increased. For knowing they liad trespassed in keeping the swine, which was contrary to the law of Moses, they dreaded a more severe punishment : and being ignorant of the good- ness of Jesus, though he had given tliein so remark- able a proof of it in the cure of these wretched mortals, they besought liiin that he would leave their country. There piv.v ailed a custom among the Heathens, when any ilhistrious hero had delivered his coun-' try from its enemies, or from any other great evil, to erect lofty columns to his memory ; his statue was seen in every place ; alters blazed to his glory ; they honoured him with the high appellation of Saviour; and thought nothing, not even divine hon- ours, too great to confer upon him. But when Christ had removed a monster from the Gadarenes, more formidable and fearful than any in heathen history, even a legion of devils, and rendered the way, by which no man could pass before, secure from danger ; instead of being received by them as a Saviour, and as a God, with the acclamations aud hosannas of the people, he was besought to de- part out of their coasts. Stupid people ! they had, indeed, lost their herd of swine ; but surely the valuable gift they had received, in two of their countrymen and fellow creatures being delivered from the tyranny of Satan, was better than the cattle on a thousand hills, and merited, at least, their thanks and acknowledgment. The stupid request of the Gadarenes was, how- ever, complied with by the blessed J esus, who, euter- I'JI) Tin: i.iKK OK oirii i.okd ;ii ing tho sliij), n'fnnied to the country from whence he came, leaving them a valuable pledgeof hialove, and us a noble pattern of perseverance in well-doing, oven when our kindnesses are condemned, or re- quited with injuries. He would not suffer the per- sona dispossessed to accompany him, though they earnestly requested it ; but ordered them to stay in their own country, as a standing monument both of hispower and goodness, " Go home to thy friends," said the compassionate Jesus to one of them, " and tell them how great things tho Lord hath done for tliee,and hath lind compassion on thee." Markv, 10. From this remarkable story, we must surely see the most apparent reason to adore the good provi- dence of God, which restrains tiie malignant spirits of hell from spreading thoae desolations among beasts and men, which would otherwise quickly turn the earth into a wilderness, or rather into a chaos. But what matter of joy to reflect, that all their fury is under a divine control, and that tliey cannot hurt even the meanest animal without permission from above. Wo see here a legion of devils trembling before the Son of God, confessing his aapevwr power, howl- ing as it were in their chains, and entreating the delay of tiieir torments. And can human pride stand before him, and rebellious mortals triuuiph over him ? Happy souls that are listed under his banners I Thoy shall share the victories of ilie great Captain of their Saltation^ and the God of peace shall bniife Satan under their feci shortlij. But O how wretched were these Gadarenes, who preferred tlieir sicine to tiieir souls, and besought him to depart out of their coast, who was their de- fence and thiiir glonj ! xM.iy divine grace preserve us from a temper like theirs ! And may those AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 121 of US, who have ourselves experienced the re- storing power of Chrut and his gospel, be engaged to adhere to our great Benefactor, and gratefully to decote those powers to his service, which he had rescued from dishonour, miHchief, and ruin. We cannot but remark in this place, that we have here a luller display of the tyranny and power of the devil than in any other part of scripture j and, therefore, we may oppose it to the loose scoffs, and recommend it to the serious attention of those infidels and thoughtless sinners, who, like the pha- risees and sadduceesof old, when exhorted to aban- don their evil courses, from a consideration of tho power ol Satan, and the dread of eternal torments, made a mock of both, esteeming them nothing more than religious fables, calculated to keep an ignorant world 111 awe. But with regard to themselves, they vainly think their minds too well furnished with wisdom, and their discernment too penetrating, to believe any thing of the flames of the bottomless pit, and the malice of the prince who sways tho sceptre of that horrid place; esteeming him a more mild and generous governor than he is repre- fiented in this miracle. But could they be persua- ded to attend seriously to the miserable spectacle drawn by the evangelists of a wretched mortal, na- ked, dwelling in tombs, crying out day and night, cutting himself with stones, furious, fierce, destruc- tive ; surely their scoffs and idle mockeries would be changed into compassion, and a watchful caro of themselves. This certainly common prudenco would dictate. But if they will deride, and still disbelieve, a short space of time, perhaps a single moment, will convince them of their fatal erro"- ; and dreadful experience force them to ackuowledi;o the greatuess of the tyranny, the bitterness and ma- ' «i '*■- ; ^-- * 122 THE \AVi: OF OUU LOUD lice of this prince of darkness agjiinst the souls of men. May that blindness of mind, and obduracy of heart, be removed, that so they may know and ac- knowledge the salvation of God, even Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life ! CHAPTER IX. ■■ ! • f OUR LORD PROCEEDS IN ACTS OF MERCY AND BENE- VOLENCE. ADDS MATTTHEW TO THE NUMBER OF HIS DISCIPLES. — CASTS OUT AN EVIL SPIRIT. — PAS- SES AGAIN THROUGH GALILEE — SELECTS TWELVE FROM AMONG HIS DISCIPLES, AS HIS CONSTANT FOLLOWERS AND COMPANIONS, AND ADDRESSES MULTITUDES IN AN EXCELLENT DISCOURSE. The arrival of our Saviour and his disciples at Capernaum, a city of Galilee, was no sooner pub- h AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 128 lished, than such throngs of people were gathered together, that the house could not contain them, nor even the court before it. He, however, preached the words of eternal life to the listening audience, among whom were many pliarisees and doctors of the law, who, from the fame of his miracles, were come from all quarters to hear him. He not only addressed them in the most nervous and pathetic manner, in order to inculcate the doc- trines he delivered ; but also performed such aston- ishing miracles as ought to have removed all then* scruples with regard to the truth of liis mission. Among other instances hegaveof hisdivinepower, was that of restoring a man to perfect health, who had long been afflicted with the palsy, and was re- duced by that terrible disease to the most melan- choly condition, being unable to move any member of his body, but seemed rather an emaciated car- cass than a man. This miserable object was brought in his bed by four persons, who being unable to en- ter by the door, on account of the multitude, cai- ried him to the top of the house, which, like the other roofs in that country, was flat, and had a battlement round, according to the direction given by Moses. Deut. xxii. 8. On these roofs there was a kind of trap-door, by which they came out of the houses upon the rools, where they spent a considerable part of the day. It was also common to have a flight of stairs from the garden to the roof : and by these the persons seemed to have carried the sick of the palsy ; but finding the door fastened, forced it open, and uncov- ered the roof, and through the opening let down, by ropes, the sick of the palsy, lying on his bed, into the midst of tiie company, before J esus ; who seeing the faith of the friends of this aflBicted person, had )/ .1, 1 i I 1 1' 124 THE LIFK OF OUR LORD i: i) I compassion on him, and spake aloud, « Sou, be of good cheer ; thy sins are forgiven thee." The scribes taking offence at this saying, cried out, This man speaketh blasphemy ; for he appro- priates that to himself, which is solely the province of Omnipotence. « Who can forgive sins, but God only V They were ignorant that the person who uttered such gracious words was the Son of God ; and consequently had the power of forgiving the sins of the human race. But our Lord, who had recourse to the most se- cret recesses of the heart, and was willing to show them that he was really endued with the spirit of God, said to them, « Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts ? For whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy. Thy sins be forgiven thee ; or to say. Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk !" These were questions beyond the abilities of the liauehty scribes to answer, and, therefore, they held their peace. The blessed Jesus then added, that the miracle he was going to perform would sufficiently demonstrate that he had not usurped what did not, in the strictest manner, belong to him. And turn- ing himself from those bigoted teachers of Israel towards the sick of the palsy, he said unto liim,' Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine own house." Mat. ix. 6. Nor was this divine mandate any sooner given, than the man was restored to his former health and strength; and, to the astonishment of all present rose took up his bed, and departed to his own house,' glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw this great work, expressed the highest degree ol surprise, mixed with admiration, for the great hon- our the almighty had conferred on human nature. Ihey glorified God, who had given such nower unto men." ^ i/i I »»»-«*1htr** ir-'-r,VA» .»f "">ush tt SAit "!" «"••»« "n-i Pl.ar.wl miracle, y^ft.evtiirenn.';?'" cunfounded at ,!,«' ble d.ea. tha^^'J' I^'j^rS;.""" "'•"- people. w!t: tr ulV"! "IS " """"""'» of eva.,geli8.8 have wt told i^- |.„, ,, ^^.^^ "'» like tl,e rest, calculari t„ . ' ' y"'' '■""•'"ess, t^reotmJkiTd '"""""^ «'« eternal ,vel.' His discourse beini? endp/l !.«»-* city; and in his wai^aTMaHh '«*"^"; \ ,1 1 If Our Lord replied to this artful question, that the sick only had need of a pljyBician, and desired them to reflect seriously on the prophet lloaea's declara- tion ; " I will have mercy and not sacrifice." The turningHinnersintothepathsofrij^hteousness, which is the highest act of benevolence, is far more ac- ceptable to the Almighty, than all the ceremonies of the law of Moses, so highly magnitied by your fraternity ; who, on many occasions, observe them at the expense of charity ; adding, " 1 am not come to call the righteous," as you arrogantly imagine yourselves to be, " but sinners to repentance." The chief object of my attentoin is the conversion of sinners. This answer, however satisfactory to an unpre- judiced person, was far from being so to the scribes and pharisees, who, joining with some of John's disciples then present, returned to Matthew's house, and demanded of Jesus, why his disciples wholly neglected to fast, a duty often performed both by the rulers of Israel, and the disciples of John ? To this the blessed Jesus replied, it is not a proper season for the friends of the bridegroom to fast and afflict themselves, while they enjoy his company : "but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then they shall fast." The various calamities and afflictions that shall attend them, after the departure of their Mas- ter, shall cause them to fast, which they shall re- peat as often as the circumstances of distress and danger, with which they will be surrounded, shall require. And added, that to have obliged his dis- ciples to observe the precepts of frequent absti- nence, at a tima when he was employing them to preach the gospel, by which all the legal ceremo- cies of the law were to be abolished, would have AND SAVIOUR JKSD8 CIIR/ST. 127 been as absurd a8 to sew a piece of nexv cloth uDon a rotten garment, which would only make the ren" theworne; or to put new wine iuto old leathern bottles, winch, on the first fermentation of teH quor, would burst. Indicating, that infant v rtuo must not nnmediately be put to the g^ea^st I als exercis: "'' be destroyed by the s^e verity of 2 During this controversy between our Lord and he haughty scribes and phuri.ees in uZhe^ bouse Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came run inng to him, ui all the agonies of gntf • and^In th« presence of the whole company, itil oV the g ound before bun, beseech „g that he would come and heal US daughtei^ who lay at the point of death When did the beneficent Jesus deny his gracious assistance to tho.e who implored it of hla He mmediately arose, and followed the ruler towarda nle T"' ^"^7""^«^ ^y ^ great multitude ofTeo- ^ B.rt l^^f'' ^""Tf "*■ ''''''^ «« Sre^' * miracle. But as he passed through the streets, a woman ^ had for twelve years been afflicted with an Is-' sue or flux of blood, and had spent her whole sub- stance on physicians to no purpose, " came behhid h.m, and touched the hem of his g irment ; for she SaU h '" 'T^V^ ^ '"'-^^ ^"^ *-^»^ l-« clothes 1 shall be well." Nor was she deceived : for no ooner hud she touched the border of the ga me„? of tie Son of God, than "her issue of bloc^ dried stiength, and otlier agreeable sensations that ac- company such sudden changes from painful diseases to^perlect health, that thetH, l)(>ron> nlio put. tlioiii iiifti pnu'tico ; niid, iiIuuwmI with ilio opinion tliiH womuii liiui tMitritiuneii both of hiH powor nnd j^fHuhioHM, would not, hy any inounH, MuHor \l to pftMM unupplMn*l«H(ion for tho fnllor njunifoHtiition of thi* wonmn't faith, iuol that Uo uuprUi hiivo un »)pportuuity of ui- •tnictinK mul oonihtrtinij her. itiH ili.M'ipU»s hoinjj; ij^nornnt of whiit had pawed, weiv NUipris<nehod me I" Thoy did not (Uxtin^nish botwoon tho Hpiritual and oorporoal touch, ikh* know that Huoh oflicaciouH vir- tue had Rono out of thv'ir MuHtor. JtHUH, howovor, porsiatud in knowinj; who it was that had (h)no the thing; and tho wonuiu, tindinur it in vain to conceal her aotit)n any h»n;xor, caino to him tremhhnjr, and toKl him all. IVHiaps tho uncloanntHH of her dia- tompor was tho roavson of her fear, thinking ho would bo olfondod. ovon at hor touchioi,' tho horn of his garment. But tho Divine Physician, far from being ansiry, spako tt> hor m tho kindest nninnor, and com- n>onded hor faith, on which account he had con- sented to heal hor plague ; " Daughter, bo of good ot)mlort ; thy fai»,ii liaih nnido tlieo whole." Mat. ix *>'> Such a miijiculous incident must, doubtless, have greatly sti-eugthenod tho ruler's faith ; for, behold, a virtue, little inferior to that of raising the dead, issues fixim the border of Christ'sgarmont, and heals a disease, which, for the .space of twelve years, had baffled all tho precept* of tho healing art, and defi- ed the power of medicine. Indeed, the faith of this rulor had givat uced of the strongest confirmation ; AND HAVIOJMl JKHVH (•HMr,T. \2'J for nowH wjiH hvimifht liim *i.«< i • i ■ «n.l ,(,.h,HH crpsn ; a,„l with Imt all Iuh jovh d eoiiif<»i(H uer« find lt..f i . .' ^ """ 'I";; i.i. ,i„u«i„„.. „i,„„i,i h:,.:r, ::,''"'• ''"""'"'"« f„iV",. '"" " '"K •" ll"i i"lor'» houHe, lie f„„nd it rtvld ;;""" "'7,"P'.'1'» «f « l.it'iiH |,„i-«,„'8 death, II oM ill , '"""I'T'"'" *" 'ife eternal. J)„t " 1' I'sscd JiKiis used th« wm-d with remnrl-l.l. will, T "" "'" P""'"' "f "'" ki'iR of terrors "|,'jeci the chamber where the damsel was biug, 130 THK LIFE OP OUR LORD NK but Buffered none to follow him, except Peter, .IjunoH, and John ; together witli the father and luothor of the danisel. rrobably his reason for suffering those only to be speetatorH of bo stupen- dous a work, was, that they nnght havo an oppor- tunity of examining the wiiolo transaction in the most careful manner, and bo thence enabled, after- wards, to report it upon tho fullest conviction, and with every circumstance of credibility. Tho blessed Jesus now approached the body, took her by tho hand, and, with a gentle voice, said, Maid, arhe. The heavenly connnand was instantly obeyed ; tho damsel arose, aa from a sleep, and with all the appearance of health and vigour ; for Jesus commanded to give her some- thing to eat ; a plain proof that she did not appear in the weak and languishing condition of a person worn out wit!i disease, or even like one who had fainted away ; a circumstance that abundantly proves the greavness and perfection of the miracle. It is therefore no wonder that her parents should be aston shed at so stupendous a work, the fame of which was soon spread thix^ugh all the neighbour- ing country ; though Jesus, wlio was in every sense above praise, and therefore never courted it, liad strictly charged them that they should tell no man what was done. These instances of power did the blessed Jesus display, to convince the world, that those who die in him are not dead ; and that he hath the keys of life and death. Those also of the present age, who believe that the soul sleeps with the body till the resurrection, would do well to consider the expres- sion of the evangelist, " Her spirit came again," Luke yii. 55 ; which sufficiently shows, that the soul exists separately, when tlie body is laid in the chambers of the grave. "According to your faith be it unto ™?" MaMv' SnTl rno ® ""^ ^L* 'P^^*'^' «"iritual food they so greatly wanted, both while their Master continued iiere below, and after his ascension to the right Hand of power. ° Having ordained them to their respective offices, he sent them out by two and two, into the most distant parts of Judea, to preach the glad tidings of the gospel, and prepare the way for their Master, the great Shepherd of Israel. And that nothing "kP! ^e wanting to render their preaching accept- able to the people, and confirm the important doc- • trines they delivered, he invested them with full power to cure all diseases, cast out devils, and even to raise the dead. Perhaps the number of the twelve apostles was fixed upon, rather than any other, to show that God mtended, by their ministry, to gather together the scattered remnant of the twelve tribes of Israel. f.?i^';S«BnR»..i. "fpm AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 135 But be that as it may, these twelve apostles con- Btantly continued with hira frora the time of their election, till he offered himself a sacrifice on the cross for the sins of mankind, never departing from him, unless by his own appointment. All these persons being illiterate Galileans, and at first destitute f)f the qualifications necessary to the discharge of their duty, integrity alone except- ed, were the most unlikely persons in the world to confound the wisdom of the wise, baffle the power of the mighty, overturn the many false religions which then flourished every where under the pro- tection of the civil government ; and, in short, to reform t^ie manners of mankind, then universally coiTupted. Had the choice of instruments for so grand an undertaking been committed to human prudence, such, doubtless, would have been chosen, as were remarkable for learning, strong reasoning, and prevailing eloquence. But, behold, the wisdom of God, infinitely superior to that of man, acted very differently ; for the treasure of the gospel was com- mitted to earthern vessels, that the excellency of its power might in all countries appear to be of God. Accordingly the religion which these illiterate Galileans taught through the world, exhibited a far juster notion of things than the Grecian and Roman philosophers were able to attain, though their lives were spent in study and contemplation. Hence by its own intrinsic splendour, as well as by the ex- ternal glory of the miracles that accompanied it, this religion sufficiently appeared to be wholly ori- ginal and divine. Besides its truth and dignity were sufficiently attested by the remarkable success that attended it. It was received every where by the bulk of ■ 1 ' 11 135 TUB LIFE OK- OUR LORD Its hi "'I ''r *"«^^"«^ *??'»*"««' »« something they had hitherto been seeking in vain ; while he maxims and precepts of tJie philosoph^raBerdcun spread farther than their respective schooTs. It was therefore, with the highest wisdom th:it the foundations of the church were laid in ?he hours of a few illiterate fishern.en : for t del; [ strated, with irrenistibJe evidence, that tlieimme « fabric was at hrst raised, and in «till sustained, ot A][mightr ' ^"''^^ ^^ '^'' ^^""^ "^ *'^« After appointing the twelve apostles, he came down from the mountain, and was joyful y received hfm Tn T''T''' "' ,P^^P'^ "•'" ^-- wLtlngfor him n the plain, and pressed to touch him •well knowing, that if they could only touch the bo'rders of Ins garment, they should be healed of whatever rei :rwL\'h7v""" ^^'^•*^' "^^'•- ^ -ffiS nnflT. ^-tr^ ""^''^ continually waiting for him and were willing to accompany him, even into e remotest corners of the wilderness. Ihe preaching and miracles of our Lord were attended to, not by the low and vulgar only but persons of the first rank and chf, acter came from distant parts of the country to convexse w th hnn hear his doctrine, and be spectators of his wonderful works. It therefore evidently appears out the ti uth ot his doctrine and miracles. After healmg all the sick among the multitude he turned towards his disciples, and de ivered h preLie^r r ""^'.f ^ ^^^^ ^'-^ he hidrt: preached to them on tiie mountain ; but in the thl^ f. he only pronounced blessings whereas in the latter, he added curses also ; and in tliis ^Ha- AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 137 eipally it differs from that recorded by St. Matthew. I shall therefore only select a few passages, from the sermon now delivered, as I have given a larger paraphrase on the former. " Woe unto you that are rich ! for ye have re- ceived your consolation." Luke vi. 24. Riches considered in themselves, by no means render us the objects of the Almighty's hatred, unless accom- panied with those views which too often flow from an opulent fortune ; as luxury, covetousness, and the like. The woe, therefore, is here denounced against such only as are contaminated with these vices ; for those who make a proper use of their wealth, and possess the virtues which should ac- company affluence, have no share in the malediction. « Woe unto you that are full ! for ye shall hun- ger." The pain ye shall sufler in a future life shall be sharp and excruciating. The opportunities you have neglected of doing good to your afflicted bre- thren m this life, shall then be remembered with the most poignant grief, and bewailed with the most bitter lamentations. " Woe unto you that laugh now ! for ye shall mourn and weep." The malediction of our blessed baviour is not inconsistent with the apostle's pre- cept, which commands Christians always to rejoice. Neither is the mirth, against which the woe is here denounced, to be understood of that constant cheer- tiilness of temper which arises in the breast of true thristians, from the comfortable and cheerful doc- trine with which they are enUghteued by the gos- pel, the assurance they have of reconciliation with *J0d and the hope they have of everlasting life, and the pleasure they enjoy in the practice of the duties of religion ; but it relates to that turbulent carnal mirth, that excessive levity and vanity of "p^HgH SM 'tl', ^H^H ^rn^Hj 'i' ^^^B WB^^a '-^#HI 1^1 *^ WM ^Jdt U 188 TUB MFIt OP OUR LORD I ipirit, which arises not from any solid foundation, but from sensual pleasures, or those vain amuse- ments of life in which the giddy and the pay con- trive to spend their time ; that sort of mirth which dissipates thought, leaves no time for consideration, and gives them an utter aversion to all serious re- flection. Torsons who constantly indulge them- selves in this kind of mirth, shall weep and mourn eternally when they are excluded from the joys of heaven, and banished for ever from the pre- sence of God, by the light of whose countenance all the righteous are enlivened, and made trans- oendantly happy. " Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you ! for so did their fathers to the false prophets." Woe unto you, if by propagating such doctrines as encourage men in sin, you shall gain to yourselves the applause and flattery of the generality of men ; for thus in old times did the false prophets and deceivers, who, accommodating their doctrines to the lusts and passions of men, gained iAeir applause ; but incurred the wrath and displeasure of a just and all-seeing God. Our Lord here represents those as miserable who are rich and full, joi/ous and applauded ; not that this is universally the case, but because pros- perous circumstances are so frequently a sweet poison, and affliction a healing though bitter medi- cine. Let the thought reconcile us to adversity^ and awaken our caution when the world smiles upon us ; when a plentiful table is spread before us, and our cup runneth over ; when our spirits are gay and sprightly ; or when we hear, what to cor- rupt nature is too harmonious music, that of our cvn praise from men. Oh that we may secure, what is of infinitely greater importance, the prait4 AND SAVIOUR JKAUS CliaiHT. 139 • nf our heavenly Matter, hy a constant regard to these his precepts ! CHAPTER X. CONTINUATION OF OUR LORD'S GLOKIOUS DOCTRINES, BENEFICENT ACTS, AND ASTONJSMINO MIRACLES, WROUGHT IN CONFIRMATION OF THE DIVINITY OP HIS MISSION, AND THE EXTENDING HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM. The divine preacher havinjf closed this excellent Bermon, he repaired, to Capernaum, and was met by certain messengerp from a centurion, desiring him to come and heal a servant, who was dear to him, and ready to die. Tliis centuritm, from the account given of him by the Evangelist, seems to have been a proselyte to the i I ft ■4 f ■Jlr" j 140 TUB I.1FK 01' OUU LORD all ooca8i,.n. V;. ? • ^ .'•''' •''^"»"> «lu.8„„,H,t •me persons having delivered tl.«,-.. «, returned fo tht, i,^.. ° "«;i'vtrea tneir messaffe, was condemnrd -i Oh thnt^l '; '''^'V ""^^^'i-f may not another day ,.^^1! ^^i 7 1 ^''''^"''' notwithstandin SAVIOUR JBSUS CHRIST. 149 I he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." The propriety of thig remark will appear, when it i8 considered, that though the Baptist excelled all the prophets that were before him, yet the least inspired person in the kingdom of heaven, the least apostle or preacher of the gospel, was greater than he ; because by constantly attending on Jesus, they were much better acquainted with his character, disposition, and doctrine, than the Baptist, who had only seen him transiently ; wherefore, in respect of their personal knowledge of the Messiah, the apos- tles greatly excelled the Baptist. They were also employed, not in making preparation for the Mes- siah's kingdom, but in erecting it ; and consequently greater than the Baptist, with regard to the dignity of their office. Moreover, by having the gift of miracles, and the like, conferred on them, for that office, they were far superior to him with regard to illumination. They were so fully possessed by the Spirit, that on all occasions they could declare the will of God infallibly, being, as it were, living ora- cles ; and having been the subjects of ancient pro- phecies, that had long been expected by the people of God. Having thus shown the greatness of the Baptist's character, and wherein he was surpassed by the disciples, our blessed Saviour took occasion from thence to blame the perverseness of the age, in re- jecting both his own and the Baptist's testimony. It seems that the s'^ribes and pharisees, seeing their pretended mortifications eclipsed by the real austerity of the Baptist, impudently affirmed, that his living in the deserts, his shunning the company of men, the coarseness of his clothing, the abstemi- ousness of his diet, and the other severities he ' r \m TIIK l.llfR OK ouit I.OIU) ^i- l'«r John o«,n« .loithor rAtin« ,,or dri. kC • 1 ul' On tii> otl.or liund, tl.oy wo.,1,1 not lintmi to tlio !?';;:; H.t:!:;'rr '^^t^' '^y ^^'"•"•'^' '"-'«^ " HpoH. ,,on, thongi, tl,«y woll know that li« olmorvo »»«kt.| i« 8om,„..,, ,„„1 «.„„ |,i,„ K.rfoi n . o^ i >■ u^!.. 1 ', '"' ^'J'""- """"• i"f»n> tolorablo lor thn land .,f So.lo,,,, In tl « , v oiin(lir„„Mif,, than for thoo." Mat xi "I ^o I laving .liMU»nnr,Mi tliono jn.IffniontH on 'tl,,, riHo. v..nlv woniM : .» (N.rn., „nto n.o. all y. tl, t al r nnl aro l.oavy la.lon, an " Sr Mat!!^;!:^;:: "^^^ '^•"^ '-^ ^"^^- - Tins atlootin^ invitation nnmt Pntraw tho most BH..0U8 attention an,l |mrticular m^ard f c vX "...0 o l„s ,„..,«,.., or tho afl\!ctiona o nm n -r w'hon, al now;' •>' hoavon an.l earth is given ; ovon ho n-ho HhaU ;;-o .n the cIoud« of hAven t'o Ju.l.o all tho inlTa! "t UHof the earth, and even bv those words ho '•f I' Ininsolf delivered ; it \h this w.n.derfuT V^h^ vl.o .peaks, .leelarin,!, at once his Rreat wil i umZ ;» i;^»co,vo, and hin own Huprenu) power to ^ve7Z hcM^'illnn? 'If ''7 "^."^^ P*'^^^"^ our accepting this iontll . ,1 *"''' '•'' "•^'^**^' ^^''^'' the most affec- mute tendorne.8, not tho great, tho happy, and V ?Zr «:,,":?' ''T jnorry-hearted, or thlf^^uHof 1 i;i..r "'^"t»"^ labour, and are heavy laden," ^11 that aro under bondage of «in and sorrow ; and Hj ,.i- hi y '^'■^ '^^Hl l-: J.')3 TIIK LIVK OF OUn LOUD ?. liaimv r, >..- / "" * "'o" •" rciic <.r thorn tinm to live, und ■„ f, ■ ' ' '"' '""■» ■"" " "'">■■« t leiu rest tn^h *i. • ' , ^^ "* ""» ^^''j<> ffave I'is I Sl°ts,™e ™1 ,17"' yV'T""" '"'"'""S for Jmn, and thence to h« 1, .... ^^ ^"^^ ^"'^ «l>ey rest, thus freelv iiioi.,«.,l ,„ ' ^ '""" *"<='' aocompa,>ied l>i,„ t„ his housH dt,. ^ ■"v.tat,„„, He had not contitmed o. ''a the It™!" "«"• 'vomaii, who had latelv \Mi°,r u' ^^^'""' « .Lose of vivtuo, ;Cd 1. r"? KiL"!""" 'f W » deep eonvLion of hortrLtti;;:^ "^4 AND 8AVI0UII JESUS CHRfST. J. 53 the Obligation nlie owed to the Saviour of mankind for hriufrxufr her to a HeoHe of M.om, «hed suoh m.an t. .es of tearn, that th.y trickh,d dow , on 1^^" w nch aecon nff to the cuHtom of the country were ined ll^! fT ''^V'' , ^"f '."«^"»'» «»'e immediately wiped them off with the hairn of her head, kissed ttm !•! ; /''" ^'"' ^^'^"' '^"'"^•^'<'"' '^"d anointed Wl"thar~er"""^'" """ *'^^' '^^•""^''^ -^^' It vvaa a custom, amoncf the inhabitants of the nast to pour frnftrant oIIh on the heads of such jruestsas they n.tonded particularly to honour, while hey sat at meat ; and probably the woman^a' orlgi! lui nitent.on was to ancm.t Jesus in the usual man- ne But being exceediuKly humbled on account .7 r'^' ^•'V"r> "''" ""'^"'^ »^' Pr««"'ne to take tl.at freed.)m with l.irn, and ther.-fore poured it on us feet, to express at once the greatness of her love, and the profoundness of her huiuijify. The Pharisee, who had attentively* observed tho woman, concluded from thence, that our Saviour conhl not be a prophet. « This man," (said the Pharisee to himself.) - if ho were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth hiin ; for she is a sinner." Luke vii 39 liut though Simon spoke this only in his heart' bis thoughts were not concealed from the great Redeemer of mankind, who, to convince them that be was a prophet, and that he knew not only the characters of men, but even the secret thoughts of their hearts, immediately conversed with him on the very subject he had been revolving in his mind. He did not, mdeed, expose him before the company, by relating what he had said in secret ; but, with remarkable delicacy, pointed out to Simon alone tho 111; '.rii m \M TIIK l.rKIC 01" OUH LORD I "i f ii J ,. MurmnamhUmvHH of lim tliouRlitH. *♦ Simon," (iinid tlm blivtwMl .JoHiiH,) " I havo wmiowluit to my to thre. Tliojo WHH A mu'tuiii oroditor, who hud two tlobtorn ; tlie ono «)wi««l «vo liiindnMl ]m\w, andtho mlior (iffy. Antl wlioti they hnd notliinjf to imy, ho frnnkly forgave thoni both. 'I'oll mo, th.Toforo, which of thfin will lovo him most t" Simon anii. wpred und Haid, " I Hupposo that iw to whom iie for- pivo moHt." And Iio naid unto him, "Thou haBt rl«htly jud^od." And thon imnuMliately ho appliod thm Rhort pnrahio to the subject of iho woman, on which the phariHoo hnd ho unjustly roasoned with himself. " Simon," (oonlinued our Saviour,) « HoeHt thou this wonian ? 1 entered into thino house, thou Raveat mo no water for my feet : but she hath waKhed luy feet with tears, and wiped them witii the huira of her head. Thou gavost nie no kiss : but thia woman, since tlie time I camo in, hath not cejised to kiHS my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint : but thin woman hath anointed my feet with ointment." J.uke vii. 44, &c. This woman's kind services were in no danger of losing their i-eward from the blessed Jesus, who possessed the softer and finer feelings of hunuin nature in their utmost perfection. Accordingly ho added, in pursuance to so kind an invitation he had before made to weary and heavy laden sinners, " Wherefore I say unto thee, llor sins, which are many, ai-e forgiven ; for she loved much : but U) whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little." Luke vii. 47. The blessed Jesus having thus commended the conduct of the woman to the company, and rebuked, with gi-eat delicacy, the unjust suspicious of Simon, turned himself to the woman, and, in the kindest manner, assm-od her, that tier sins were forgiren. ^ AND HAVIOUIl JKHUH CliniST. 155 Hut flio powor lionHHumod in forKivlnj^ninn, greatly offendod tlio ,J«.wh, who, not b«injA. — REPROOF OF TIl^E SUPERSTITION OF THE JKWa, m CONDEMNING THE PERFORMANCE OP NF.CKSSARY WORKS ON THE SADBATH-DAY. — AFTER DOING MANY ACTS OF MERCY AND WONDER, OUR Iir.ESRRD LORD IS VISITED BY HIS MOTHER AND HIS BRETHREN, AND MAKFJ3 A SPIRITUAL REFLEC- TION ON THAT INCIDENT. Omr Tiord had no sooner entered the ancient city of Jerusalem, so long famous for being the dwelling 156 THE LIFR OF OUIl LORD ( ' place of the MoHt High, than he repaired to the public bath or pool, enMed, in the Hebrew tongue, Behesda^ that is, The House of Mercy ^ on account of the Miracles wrought there, by the sahitary ef- fects of the water, at certain seasons. Thit* bath was surrounded by five porches, or cloisters, in which those who frequented the place were shel- tered both from the heat and cold ; and were par- ticularly serviceable to the diseased and infirm, w!io crowded thither to find relief in their afiiie- tions. These porches were now filled with a "great multitude of impotent folks, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water ; whosoever then first, after the troubling of the water, stepped in, was made whole of whatsoever disease he had." John v. 3, 4. Such is the account of this miraculous pool, given us by St. John the Evangelist. Many controversies have arisen concerning the place, the time, and the nature of the pool : questions which will, perhaps, never be answered, because the pool of Bethesda is not mentioned by any of the Jewish historians. The time when the miraculous effect took place is not precisely determined ; but it is almost uni- versally agreed, that it could not be long before the coming of our Saviour ; and that the miracle was intended to lead us to the Son of God. For the gift of prophecy and of miracles had ceased among the Jews for above four hundred years ; and therefore to raise in them a more ardent desire for the coming of the Messiah, and to induce them to be more cir- cumspect in observing the signs of his coming, God was pleased to favour them with this remarkable sign at Bethesda. And as the descendants of Jacob, "sm^^^mmm AND SAVIOUR JESUS CnRFST. 157 1 to the f tongue, account utary ef- 'hih bath Hters, ill ;re shel- ere par- 1 infirm, iir afliiiu- " great withered, an angel do], and aftei the le wholo ,4. )1, given oversies and the perhaps, hesda is ans. 3k place lost uni- fore the icle was the gift long the lerefore coming lore cir- ng, God arkablo [■ Jacob, in the last times, were not only very obnoxious to the irruptionn and tyranny of the Gentiles, but had wholly lost their liberty ; so God favoured them with this eminent token of his lavour, this won- derful pool, that they ini^ht not dospuir of the pro- mises made to their forefathers being fulfilled. The pool was situated near the Gate of Victims, which were figures of the i)ropitiatory sacrifice of Chi'ist, that tliey might be convinced God Vud v t a regard to the posterity of Abraham, md tiio worship which he himself had establish d . nnd might thus support themselves with the pleasing hope of the coming of the Messiah, the great iigai of the covenant, to his temple. And as this miracle of the angel descending from heaven began when the coming of the Messiah was at hand, to advise them of the speedy and near approach of that promised salvation ; so Christ entered these porches, which were situated without the temple, and performed the miracle we shall presently relate, to vindicate what was the true intent of this gift of healing, namely, to lead men to himself, the fountain opened for sin and unclean- ness : and the watei*s were troubled only at this certain season of the passover, or at other stated periods, and one only healed each time the angel descended, to show them at once the weakness of the law, and the great difference between that and the gospel dispensation ; and to teach tliem not to rest satisfied with the corporal benefit only, as in the ministration of an angel, but to reflect atten- tively on the promises of the Messiah's aifproaching advent. Having made these necessary remarks relative to the celebrated pool of Bethesda, we shall now return to the blessed Jesus, who thought proper to visit the porches of Bethesda, now crowded with persons labouring under various diseases. Hi J m ' ii ' • I' 111 I \M\ riiR r.ii'K oi- oii« i,«iu> if Amonjf thorn, (»l»jootM <.f ,,ltv wtin ono wlio luifl iHlmuivil iiiulor liJN inllnnity iiu \vh« thmi tlili-ty luid »lKht ,Vf nr«. Tho loiiKth ttiul Krt.rtfiir.HH of tliJH iiwui'h nHIietum, wliioli wnro w«»!l known to tlio Soixif Uod WOltl ,«umoitMlt ro rxoito lMHtcMl(lt.lM1onip.lMMiot|, III,,! make liiiii t\u} Imppy ol.joot (i «l«'nu.iiMfiato ilmt IiiM powor t.f lituiliiiK wuH liiHMitolv Hnpoiiortotho »jinutivo virtut* of H,o watiUH ; xvhilo tlu. roMt woi-o BUtfoml to t'tMiiniii iu th«>ir nlHiotioii. Uiui not tMir 1,01(1 ut, iIiih linio ivp^orod luiy of (lipiu (»> In hUIi, ho would not huvo uctod oontmry t«> tho K«Muu«l nocount which tho ovanpiH7 ; whomw tho nick in tho doistoi-s of Hothomhk woro no njoro no than tho othor 810k thiN.u^hont tho whole ooiuitrv, whom ho couhi hftvo ourod with a Hin^le word of liia mouUi, had ho bt»on ploased to uttor it. Our conipavSsiouHto Lord now approached the mail whom ho hmi Hin^led out as tho porHon on wliom to manifest hin power ; he a»kod hint whether ho was desirous of being made whole l-a (luestion winch must mduoe the man to declare publicly his me ancholy case, in the hearing of the nmltitude, »nd consequently i-ender the miracle more oonspi. cuoua. Ami as this was done on the sabbath-day, our blessed Savituir seenus to have wrought it to rouse the sons of Jacob fi..ni their lethargy, and ctmvmco the inhabitjuits of Jerusalem that tho Ion-' expected Messiah was uow come, ami *' had actually visited his peopl»>." "^ This disti-esaed mortal, beholding Jesus with a sorrowful eouuteuauce, aud uudewtaudiug that ho .1" limit, wlioii ll,„ watw i, ir, ,,1,1,, ,; . ' ' ' ""' tli.1 niml ■ l„,t „|,,|,, I ,,,„„.''"'' «".I"" 111" int.. .low!, h.,f;,ro ,„:"'" j„i:: 7""»k. ;"■''' -i- ...,,,,„„.. iNut 111- w,» . n „r t ; """";"'"r"''-"'l liim ;-™oni.w.i:,r/;;rz "■«» y "...ii. ii. J „„/ Zlr morn? l"*" ."" iz '":".!;: ""'"°' ""^ "«"< ".• Vi- ^^''^niis! '""V "«8 ued on the sabbat i-dav to duv « ii timt mado mo wholft fh.* «... r ' lo J'fty, « llo right. '^ '° ^^ '*">' '^''"5 but what i« truJy I i 1^ i; iA I Im « truth of his mission, but that he was actually invested with the 00 1^ \ l' ; '<1 • i i- i 'i\ • ■i.i' 162 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD power of raising the dead, he desired them to re- niember the undoubted instances he had abeady given of it, in restoring the daughter of Jairus, and the widow's son of Nain, to life : and consequently, that he could, on any future occasion, exert the same power : " Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God ; and they that- hear shall live.— For as the Father hath life 'in himself, 80 hath he given to the Son to have life in himself ; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man." John v. 25, &c. The blessed Jesus added to this, Be not surprised at the power of raising a few individuals from the dead, and the authority of inflicting punishment on a num iv of the human race ; I. have a far greater power committed to me, even that of raising all the sous of Adam at the last day, and of judging and rewarding every one of them according to his works. " Marvel not at this : for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in their graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth ; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life ; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." John v. 28, 29. The great day of retribution will distinguish be- tween the good and the evil ; for the tremendous Judge has been privy to all the actions of the sons of men, from the beginning to the end of time : nor has he any interest to pursue, or any inclination to satisfy, different from those of his heavenly Fa- ther. " And my judgment is just ; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." John v. 30. Nothing could more evince the character of our AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 163 Lord, than these assertions ; though he did not re- quire his hearers to believe them merely on his own testimony ; he appealed to that of John, who was a burning and a shining light, and in whom, for a time, they greatly rejoiced, because the prophetic spirit, which had so long ceased in Israel, was re- vived in that holy man. Nay, he appealed to a much greater testimony than that of John, even that of the God of Jacob himself, who was continually bearing witness to the truth of his mission, by the many miracles he empowered him to perform ; and who, at his baptism, had, with an audible sound from the courts of heaven, declared him to be his beloved Son ; a sound which multitudes of people had heard, and probably even some of those to whom he was now speaking. The Jews had long expected the Messiah ; but they had expected him to appear as a temporal prince, who would not only restore the former lustre of the throne of David, but infinitely augment it, and even place it over all the kingdoms of the earth. And hence they were unwilling to acknowledge Jesus for their Messiah, notwithstanding the proofs of his mission were so undeniable, because they must, in so doing, have abandoned all their grand ideas of a temporal kingdom. Our blessed Saviour, therefore, desired them to consult their own Scrip- tures, particularly the writings of the prophets, where they would find the character of the Messiah displayed, and be fully convinced they were all ful- filled in his person. He also gave them to understand, that the proofs of his mission were as full and clear as possible, being supported by the actions of his life, which in all things agreed with his doctrine ; for he never sought the applause of men, or assumed secular ! r if 164 THE LIKK or OITR LORO Y power, but waa always innocent and humble, though he well knew that these virtues made liim ripear little in the eyes of those wlio had no id<*a of ;?. spi- ritual kindom, but expected the Messiiih would ap- pear in all the pomp of secular authority. In short, the fatal infidelity of the Jtwa was prm- fiipally owing to their pride. They had I >ng rilled til s uiindsof the people with grand ideas t)t the ^|lor/ jUid power of ibe Messiah's kingdom ; they had re presented Li? ua r r)ote?it prince, who was to appear at once adorned wi li aH the ensigns of power ; and theii'fore to hii,v • sv.civhed that august character to a mere tejiclitr o. righteousness, destitute even of the ordinal'^' advantages of birth, fortune, and eru- dition, would have been so plain a confession of their ignorance of tho Scriptures, as must have expose^? them to the ridicule and contempt of the whole people. Our blessed Saviour added, that he himself phould not only be their own accuser to the God of Jacob for their infidelity ; but Moses, their great Jegislator, in whom they trusted, would join in that unwelcome office ; for by denying him to be the Messiah, they denied the writings of that prophet. " For had ye," added he, " believed Moses, ye would have believed me ; for he wrote of me ; but if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words V* John v. 46, 47. Thus did the blessed Jesus assert himself to be the Son of God, the great Judge of the whole earth, and the Messiah promised by the prophets : and at the same time gave them such convincing proofs of his being sent from God, tliat nothing could be said against them. Convincing as these proofs were, yet they did iv)« in the least abate Mie malice of the Scribes a'«^ AND SAVroUR JESUS CHRIST. for the 165 ^jiaru ^« -j^ for tlie very next sabbath, upon his dis- c pies iKuMdnj; a fow ears of corn as they paHsed through the fields, and eating the grain after rub- bing it out in their hands, they again exclaimed against tiiia violation of the sabbath. But our bles- sed Savioia- soon convinced them of their error, by allowing both from the exampio of David, and the con&iant practice of their own priests, who never omitted tlio necessary works of the temple on tho sabbatii-day, tiuit works of necessity were often permitted, even though they broke a ritual com- mand ; that acts of mercy were the most acceptable services to God, of any whatever ; that it was in- verting the order of things, to suppose that « man was made for the sabbatii, and not the sabbath for the benefit of man." Adding, tiiat if the service of the temple should be said to claim a particular dis- pensation from the law of the sabbath, he and his disciples, whose business of promoting the salvation of mankind was of equal importance, might justly claim the same exemption ; as they were carryin<^ on a much nobler work than the priests wlio at^ tended on the service of the temple. Thus did cur blessed Saviour prove, that works of mercy should not be left undone, though attended with the viola- tion of some of the most sacred institutions of the ceremonial law. Soon after this dispute with the Scribes and Pharisees, our blessed Saviour entered one of the synagogues of Jerusalem on the sabbath-day, and found there a man whose right hand was withered. The Pharisees, who observed the compassionate Jesus advance towards the man, did not doubt but he \yould heal him ; and therefore watched him at- tentively, that they might have something to accuse him with to ttie people. Their hypocrisy was ar- fp :f r 1 f ' fi .' 1 1'' S I*' i 1^ «• f i _,^- 166 TUB LIFR OK OIHl LOUD i ^ rivod to that onnrnioiKs pitch, that they determined to injure hia r(>i>ntution, hy ro|ir<>Monting him as a fliibbath-bronkfi', if ho dared to heal the man, while they thenis('lv«'s wore profaning it by an action which would liavo polluted any day ; namely, of seeking an opportunity of destroying a porHon who had never injured thenj, butdone many good actions for iho 8ons« of Jacob, and waa continually labouring for their eternal welfare. The Saviour of the world waa not unapprised of these malicious intenti(UJH. Ho know their designs, and detiod their impotent power, by informing them of the benevolent action he designed, though he well Icuow they would exert every art they were mastora of, in order to put him to death. Therefore, when our Saviour ordered the man to show himself to the whole congregation, in order to excite their pity, those hypocritical teachers de- clared in the strongest terms, the unlawfulness of his performing even such benelicent actions on tlio sabbath ; " Is it lawful to hoaloii the sabbath-day ?" They did not, however, ask this question with an intention to hinder him from performing the mira- cle. No, they had a veiy different intention than that of accusing him. For they hoped he would have declared openly that such actions were lawful ; or at least, make no reply to their demands, which they would have construed into an acknowledgment of what they asserted. Nor did our Lord fail to expose their malice and superstition ; and accordingly asked them " Is it lawful on the sabbath-day, to do good, or to do evil I to save life, or to destroy it ?" Luke iv. 9. Is it not more lawful for me on the sabbath- day, to save men's lives, tlian for you to seek my death without tlie least provocation I This severe rebuke would AND SAVIOUri JfCHLM CII11I8T. 167 »» ndinit of no uiiHwer, and tlioroforo timy ** held their I>('!ico," protonding not u, undorHtaiid IiIh moaning. No fhnroforo nuido iiho of an argument, which stu- pidity ilHolf could not fail of uiidurHtandinj;, and whi(^h ail thoartHof Hicho hypocritical HopluHtH were unaldo to annwor. « What man," Haid th« hloHHod JosiiH, *' hIuiII tlu«ro he amon^ you, that hIuiII have niio bh(M^p, and if it fall into a pit on the Habbath- (liiy, will ho not lay hold on it, and lift it out i How much thou \h a man hotter than a Hhecj) { Whcro- foro it is lawful to do well on the Habbath-dav. Mat. xii. 11, 12. ^ Tho fornior qu(!Htion t,h(!y protended not to un- derstand, and thondoro held their peace, but this argument om«ctually Hilenced thorn, though they wore dotormined not ho convinced. This uncou- qnerablo obntinacy grieved the Hpirit of the meek, tlio benevolent Jusus, who beheld them with anger, that, if possiblo, an impreHsion might be made, either on them or the HpectatorH. But at tho Hamo timo that he testified his dis- l)loa8uro towards tho PhariseoH, ho uttered words of comfort to the lame man, bidding him stretch forth his hand ; and ho no sooner obeyed the di- vine command, than " it was restored whole as the other." This astonishing work, performed in tho midst of a congregation, many of whom, doubtless, knew the man while he laboured under his infirmity, and iu presence of his most inveterate enemies, must cer- tainly have had a great effect on the minds of the people, especially as they saw it had effectually si- lenced tho Pharisees, who had nothing to offer, cither against the miracle itself, or the reasonings and power of him who had performed it. But though these whited sepulchres, as our bles- I ' I I' Iff 1(18 Till? MPR ,>r OHR LORD sell Saviour jus 'y itrmt » iiem, were Bilencod by luH argiiineiitH, muX ahtouisluid at \\'w miracles, yet they wero 8o i'W from nbaiuloninj^ their malicioua intuiitiuriH, that thoy joinod thoir invoterato ono- miert, the Ilcrodi.ins, or SadtJucoea, in order to con- sult how ihoy uii|;ht «leMtroy hnn ; hj knowiujj; that if ho continued his })reachiii!i(, and working of miracles, the |»eoplo would wholiy follow him, and their owr. power soon become contoujptiblo. Jusus, however, thou/^ht proper to prevent their malicious designs, by retirinj; into Clahlee, and there pursuing his heue\olent purposes. Tlrld retreat could not however conceal him from the nmltitude, who Hocked to him from all quarters, bringinj5 with them the sick and maimed, who were all healed and sent away in peace. Some of his disciples, however, who still enter- tained the popular opinion, that the Messiah would establish his kingdom by force, and bear down all opposition, were extremely mortified fo find their Master retreat from so weak an enenij. But had they read with attention the prophecy of Isaiah, they would have ki.owu that this was one part v lu- Messiah's character. " Behold my Servant, whom I havo chosen ; my Beloved, in wl <)ra my .soul is well pleased ; I wi" nutmv spirit i on him. and ho shall show judgmen o the Gentiles. He si*all not strive nor cry : neither shall any man hear his voice m the streets. A brnia^d reed shall he not br«ak, and smoking flax shall he not quehoh, till he dend forth judgment unto victory. A nd in Ins liiime shall the Gentiles trust." Mat. xii. 18, S:.v. Though there are several sma^' variat'ons between this prophecy, as quoted by St. la lew, and the original, in the book of Isaiah y die sense in both places is tho same. And we cauaot help ob- AND 8AV10UU JE8UH CHRIST. l(;<) ■erving, that there w in thiH prophecy an evident differeiH'o between the pubhcntion of the Jewiuh religion by Moses, ai 1 the Christian relij^ion of ChiiBt. The doctrine of Biilvation, an taught by MoHCB, extended only to the single nation of the JewB ; whereas that publislied by the Messiah, ex- tended to every nation and people under heaven. — Accordingly, our blessed Saviour, by retiring into Galilee, fulfilled the first part <»f this famous pro- -1.^ ^ £e t t lilt .4 . --■ .M pliecy : " He shall show judgment to 'he Gentiles for the evang( list tells us, great multitudeK -ame to him from beyond Jordan, and from Syi.a, about Tyre and Sidon. Being now returned into Galilee, there was brought unto him ;, blind and dumb man, possessed with a devil ; but Jesus with a Hingle word, cast out the evil h >irit, and restored the noble faculties of sight and i-peecli. A miracle so surprising could not fail of a fonisliinGT the numerous spectators, who no ' seemed cc^viuci 1> that the person endued with Bucii remarkabit: powei, could be no other than the " lessiah. The rharif'^'s, whf ere ome thither from Je- rusalem, filled with 1 at le ing him perform so many miracles, impious' iHherted, contrary to the conviction o^" their own nimds, that they were w ought by he power ui Beelzebub, the prince of tliu devils. So blasphemous a declaration could ot be sup- nosed to escape a censure from the Soi. of God, ho, addressing himself both to them a. the peo- ', dtnionhtrated the absurdity of ''e c: umny, by ii' argument drawn from the cou' ic i att'uirs ui life. '• i .very kingdom," said the blessed Jesus, " uivided ajj;ainBt itself, is brought to desolation ; aiid every city or house divided again-, itself, shall not stand. * iw^ 170 TIIK U\li OK ouii |.y,t„ I* ' r II ) I'lTuiiao VDur iKvi, .. """'"I. It 18 malic n l«l«.l.«...l "„ „ ;"*""",'"," '"'" •"•""•"•"'I nf it. »"-"}i"K all ll^ ". , U . 1 ''•"'""' "'■ '■'"'• '""' -'"■ vi.1.^1 ..i..i„:. ;•; V t;^:^:::; rii'r '"■ ",° •"• ..« .m„ i.:i„„,„„„. A,i, i ;. '.."a :, r,","'^/;,";'7 "f l>ub ciwi „ui ,luvil« l,v ..1.., .. I , y """'Izii. work «m»t«|. n, 1 . • ^^"' >"" »''^. "«' '»«» who the,, and tpr 1 r;> Tr^'' *"'"'^''- *'-> tl.orcforo, ^huH I,, vou, ju .o„ V|, ^''f *!, Vm^^'^t^, iLshod. ' "^ »'M>"eted, ,H going to be estat Hut ajininst (ho SonofniHii Mn« i ATtvat, may bo l<>r.riv^„ ;"^"',^^"'J^''"'".V' »'«^ever more evident proolt cfwni' •'"""" '^'"""K^'' ""^^ of voiir sins ., 1 ,n . ^ """ '"•'>' «<>»vinco you oi- etenuU h o. A , .o T ' • ^""^'"^^^^ ^''« """^^''^ Sou of .nan Hhu i bn • Tl " '^''"'"*^'' ^^'•«'" ^he rower of o o V M ' . '"'" '''" ^^"'"^^^ '*^' ^''^ showered fi) SAViot/H ji:mi;s ciimiht. 171 Ghmi y a r.rn,,,,^. that l.i^ .if(« a.id nnVftrloM pn,. 1^ rop" 't of UH no ^mitnr n.nu.Hof ooiivit-ti.. i will '>" ;|»rord,M : hut yo,. Khali ho p,„,iKlu.l f„r it, ho H. th.H world ..n<| in that which in to conu.. " W| ' !„ ««a.MHt tho Holy (ihostHhHil not ho nn'^ivo, unto ....... And whoMo<,vo..Hp,.„IcoM, a word a^ui Ht th« HlM.ikoth aj^an.H tho ll.dy (ihoHt, it Mhaji not ho <<'ra.ven h„„, n.iM.or in thin world noitho ' tl « woild tf Ahraha.n their great |5;.^!iS^ ieisons of 8uoh nicorn^'iblo inclinations certainly I I' I 172 THE LIFK OP OUR LORD merited no inrlulprence ; and, accordingly, Jesus told them they should have no other sign given them but what they every day beheld, the sign of the prophet Jonas, who, by living three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, was a type of the bon of God, who should continue three days and three nights m the chambers of the tomb. Addinrr, that the Nmevites repented at the preaching of the prophet Jonas ; and the queen of the South under- took a long journey to Jerusalem, to hear the wisdom ot .Solomon : but they refused to attend to the docinnesof an infinitely greater prophet than Jonns, or listen to one much wiser than Solomon. Con- cluaing his discourse with a very apposite parable, tending to show the great danger of resisting conviction,, and breaking through resolutions, as such actions tended entirely to render men more obdurate and abandoned than before. During this dispute with the Pharisees, Jesus was informed that his mother and brethren, or kinsmen were without, desiring to speak to him • upon which the blessed Jesus stretched out his hands towards his disciple, and said, " Behold mv mother and my brethren ! for whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same 18 my brother, sister, and mother." Mat. xii 4') 50. This glorious truth should be stamped on tlie' minds of all believers, as it shows that every one, of what nation or kindred soever, who is brought into subjection to the will of God, is allied to the blessed Jesus, and entitled to the salvation of God. AND SAVIOUR JP.RUS CUIUST. CHAPTER ? III. 173 ANGEL APPEARING TO JOSEPH. OUR LORD DELIVERS MANY REMARKABLE PARABLES, AND EXPLAINS SEVERAL OF THEM.— RETURNS TO NAZARETH, AND COMMISSIONS THLi TWELVE APOS- TLES, WHOM HE HAD BEFORE SELECTED AS HIS CONSTANT ATTENDANTS AND FOLLOWERS, TO DIS- PERSE AND PREACH THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD, IN DIVERS PLACES.— CIRCUMSTANCES OP THE DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. The miraculous power of our blessed Lord, both in performing the most astonishing acts, and con- futing the most learned of the Pharisaical tribe, who endeavoured to oppose his mission and doctrine, brought together so great a multitude, that he repaired to the sea side ; and for the better instructing tlie people, entered into a ship, and the wiiole mui- It:' 51 • 4 174 THE LIFE OP OUR LORD blesfid t! ^ "'" striking similitude, the heai^rs l„r*r''?r'"' ">« "'ff-"-™' kinds of particularly so in pj! .-^ ^"'"*^^ "^*'«"«' ^»d i' *i/iv,uid,riy so m I'alestine, as we learn fi.nr« ^v.^ rdTtT,'".;^'"""'"^ "f'^" «>« Eastern ^rite^ oy using this manner of teaehina fnJflii^^ *u * pheeies concerning the Messiah r^!f ! ^f"" method of iustrur-Mrm ,-f k ? 5' ^^^^'"*K to his should oLi hk ' %i • ^'"^ ^''^^^^^^ "that he thii 1 Xh hid r^''"' 7 '" P^"^^^^« ' «"d utter that the mysteries of til if- ^^'^''^^'"''^ »» wonder fienerallvVho ? . . J^mgdom of heaven are m Clear, pUm, a.id express terms, but sometimes I , AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. I75 heightened and enlivened hv *h^ jjv- tiful parables. Si.nXdes of thf 1'-''f ^^ ^"^"- deed, the most simp^ lethoVof /""t^'"' ^'°- best accommodated to tTie aonrli ' '"^^ ^"^ vulgar and unlearned, LdveryTatH^ "^ ^^« bered, understood, and applied IT. ''^"^"'■ they are the finest v«;i TP"®^- 4* *^^« *'''*me time- means of cor -llThe pLT'Tf ' .""' ^^'^ ^^-^^ disciple asked whvieLS^^^^^ bein„. finished, his To w^neh he a^S d "^^^^^^^^^ you to know the mvsterie<, of fS^ ^ ^ »'''^° "°*o bnt to them it is noS,? \^ "^'"^u^"' of heaven, to him shall heal,^„.^'7T' ,* ""u ^^^soever hath ance: but whosoeve^ bath'n^r"^"^'"°^'^*^"°^- taken away even that hi iL. ' S-T ^"'" "''^" ^« to them in parables . itol \. therefore speak I and hearing hey hear norn P 'f"?-^^" "^* ' stand.- M^t vHi n T<: ''^'[^''^J? they Utader- You, my bclovid d; • f ' u^ ^^ ^^^ ^ad said, docile tJmpe and ar? 'IV''^" "'" of a humble resort to mf/or ^struction nH^ X' "'^ V^^""^' ^^^ tl>e trutl.c. I deliver 7 '.''"? *^^ explanation of ^.e, that tLtt^dlSa" :'rrje"° ''r'r veil in which if if ' *^""^^'" «'i'"e through the guide vou to fh 'f ^»'^^y«d, and the shadow will self-c'oS eVph:ri'r l^o"""^ ''?.' P^^"'^' *'-« o^n preiudice?thTt ?h' ^^''^ ".? bo bHnded by their underUd aThin/niaX"^ r"^^^^^^^ ^^"^ "«^ preach in parabir«^n?f 1/ delivered ; to them I gospel, uiCsudl mt t *^' P"* '^•"''^^ «^ the * iaer such metaphorical robes as wili for '''I U6 THE LIFE 0-p OUR LORD ever conceal them from persons of their temper. They have, therefore, brought upon themselves this blindness, that in seeing they see not ; and this wil- ful deafness, that in hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. The blessed Jesus added, that there wasno reason for their being surprised at what he had told them, as it had long before been predicted by the prophet Isaiah. " By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand : and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive. For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed ; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and he \r with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them." Mat. xiii. 14, 15. There is some variation in the words, as quoted by tli9 evangelist, and those found in Isaiah, but the im- port of both is the same, and may be paraphrased in the foUowiu}; manner : ' The sons of Jacob shall indeed, hear the doctrines of the gospel, but not understaal them ; and see the miracles by which these doctrines are confirmed, without perceiving them to be wrought by the finger of God : not becaus^e the evidences i)roduced by the Messiah are insufficent, but because the corruption of their hearts will not suffer them to exannue and weigh these evidences ; for the sins of this people have hardened their hearts ; their pride and vanity have shut their ears, and their hypocrisy and bigoted adherence to traditions and forced interpretations of the law and the prophets have closed their eyes, lest th^i brilliant rays of truth shouid strike their sight with irresistible force, and the powerful voice of divine Wisdom force their attention, and com- mand their assenr. ; being unwilling to be directed A.VB SIVIOUB JBSB5 CHRIST. m t'eat.rcrnl;'^"'^— «'•"='' '-d to the he fldrlprl ♦!? f Pnviie^e his disciples enjoved and your eare, for they hear iw v„ •%*''* ' *h^ye hear, anThavt^^^r tSt-.-''^ SritoT^rue'V^^"''-"^-^^^^^^^ Hett':ord:ofXtrctr'"A''/''»f*'^ -ts a\"3 tr^^?'^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ i"- 11'/ 1 a jfi r 178 THE LIFK OF OUR LOUP , ■ I !l i ! gepB. " When any one hearetli the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart ; this is he which received seed by the way-side." Mat. xiii. 1.9. We must not suppose that the devil has the power of robbing hearers of their knowledge, by an immediate act of his own, because he is said to catch away the words sown in their hearts ; but by the opportunities they give the deceiver of man- kind for exerting his strong temptations, and pai'- ticularly those which liave a relation to their com- merce with men : a circumstance that could not escape the observation of St. Luke, who tells us, that the seed was trodden down, or destroyed, by their own headstrong lusts, which, like so many birds pinched with hunger, devoured the seed im- planted hi their minds. The rocky ground represents those hearers, wI>o so far received the word into their hearts, that it discovers itself by good resolutions formed on slight conviction, which are, perhaps, accompanied with a partial reformation of some sins, and the tempo- rary practice of some virtues. But the word has not sunk deep enough in their minds to remain constantly there ; its abode with thera is only for a season ; and, therefore, when persecution ariseth for the sake of the gospel, and such hearers are exposed to tribulations of any kind, the blade, which sprung up quickly, withers, for want of being watered with the streams of piety and virtue, like the vegetable productions of the earth, when de- prived of the enlivening rains and dews of heaven, and a want of earth to contain this balmy fluid, when the rays of the sun dart in full vigour upon th eiu. *« But he that received the seed in stony ■iW^' AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 179 places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it ; yet hath he not root iu himself, but dureth for a while ; for when tribula- tion and persecution nriseth, because of the word by and by he is offended." Mat. xiii. 20, 2i. ' The ground encumbered with thorns, which sprung up with the seed, and choked it, represents all those who receive the word into their hearts- but who suffer the cares of this world to spring up, which will, sooner or later, destroy whatever good resolutions are raised by the word. The cares of the world are compared to thorns, not only because of their pernicious tendency in choking the word, but because they cannot be eradicated without great pain and difficulty. In this parable, the hearers of this denomination are dist.;.^ :.?d from those who receive the seed on stony ground, not so much by the effect of the word upon their minds, as by the different, cr.uses of unfruit- fuliiess in each ; for in both tho t eed sprang up but brought forth no fruit. Those represented by the stony ground have no depth of soil ; those h^ the thorny ground are choked by the carew of this world, by the deceitfulness of riches, and tfc ^^ 1, -e of pleasures, which sooner or later, will stifle h:> ipopressions of the word : by which means thej :*t last become as unfruitful as the former. But botli are distinguished from those hearers represented by the seed sown by the highway-side, that they receive the word, and in some measure obey its precepts. Whereas, the first never retained the word at all, hearing without attention : or if they do attend, forget it immediately. « He also that received seed among the thorns, is he that heareth the word ; and the cares of this world, and the aeceitfuluess of riches, choke the word, and he be- comcth unfruitful." Mat. xiii, 2\ 'ill if 5 IRO TUB LII'K OF 0«m I.OUI) In oppoBition to theao unpvoKtablo henr(5rR of tlio word, others are roprcHrntcMl, uh hearing; the word attentively, underHtandinj; it clearly, and troaHur- ing it up with j^reat cure. ThoHO are convinced of the truths delivered, and practiue them, though contrary to their prejudiceH, and opposite to their inclinations. All those bring forth, some an hun> dred fold, some sixty, and some thirty, in propor- tion to the different degrees of strength in which they possess the graces necessary to the prutitable hearing the word of rightoouHness. Having ended this interpretation of the parable of the sower, he continued his discourse to his dis- ciples, explaining to thoni, by the similitude of a lighted bwnp, the use they were expected to make of all the excellent instructions they had and should receive from him. Their understanding, he told them, was to illuminate the world, as a brilliant lamp, placed in the centre of an apartment, en- lightens the whole. He added, that though sonio of the doctrines of the gospel were then concealed from the people, because of their i)reju put under a bushel, or under a bed, and not to be set on a candlestick ? For there is nothing hid which shall not be manifested ; neither was any thing kept seci'et, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear." Mark iv Ol 0») 0'{ But as it was a matter of great im))ortauce that the disciples wlio were to publibh the goB[)cl m^^ AND HAVfOI/lt JKHt/S (;«;•;<•. IBl throughout tho wh()h. world Khoiil.l linton with the cIo«eHt atto.itioii to hin H.,r.no.N, ho reumtod his ruImonitiouH ; addiiifl;. that their proKent nrivilofres a.ul fu uro rowardn Hhouhl ho hoth proportioned to tho hdehty and oaro with which thoy discharcod tho important truHt coinniitf^ul to thmn. « Tako hoed what y(, hoar ; with what inoaHuro yo meto. t Hhall bo inoaHurod to you ; and unto you that hoar shall more bo given." Mark iv. 24 llavmg explained thoHc parables to his disciples, ho turned hnnse f to the multitude on tho shore Zt^ , 'l^'"' «n'io'tring accent, delivered the paiable of the enemy sowing tares among tho wheat ; an< on their first appearance astonishing tlio husbandman's servants, who knew tho field had been Howed w.tli good seed ; and in order to free the wheat Ironi such injuri<.us plants, proi osed to root theni up. JJut tins tho husbandman absolutely refused, lest by extirpating the one, they injured he other ; adding, that he would take care it the tune of harvest, to give orders to his nmpors, that hey should hrst gather tho tares into bundles, and burn them, and afterwards carry the wheat to the . granaries. « The king.lo.n (,f heaven," said the blessed Jesus, « is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field : but while tho men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. Ihit when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared tho uros also. So the servants of the householder cume, and said unto him, Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field ? from whence then has it ares} lo said unto them, An enemy hath done tms. Ihe servants said unto him, Wilt thou thea tliat we go and gather them up? But he said, J>lay : lest, while yo gather up the tares, ye root .^1 t 182 THE LIFE OF OUU LORD up also the wheat with them. Let both grow toge- ther until the harvest; and in the time of harvent 1 will say to the reapers, Gather ye together firbt the tares, and bind thorn in bundles to burn them • but gather the wheat into my barn." Mat. iv. 25, &e. ' This parable of tares being ended, he spake ano- ther, concerning the seed which sprung up secretly, representing the gradual progress of the gospel among the sons of men. He informed them, under this similitude, that the husbandman does not, by any efHcacy of his, cause the seed he casts into the ground to grow, but leaves it to be nourished by tho teeming virtues of the soil, and the enlivening rays of the sun : in the same manner Jesus and his apostles, having taught men the doctrine of true religion, were not by any miraculous force to constrain the wills, much less by the terrors of fire nnd sword, to interpose xm-Mv in the promotion of it ; but suffer It to spread vy the secret influences of the Holy bpirit, Ud . ;;i/.ained its full effect. And as the husbandman, e r>mot by the most diligent observa- tion, perceive the corn in his field extending its di- mensions as it grows ; so the ministers of Christ were not, at the first planting of the gospel, to expect to see It make a sudden progress through the world. 1 he ministers of religion must not, however, from hence imagine, that religion will flourish without their carefully and importunately pressing its pre- cepts upon the minds of their hearers. The para- ble was spoken to inform the Jews in particular, that neither the Messiah nor his servants would employ force to establish the kingdom of God, as they vamly expected the Messiah would have done : and to prevent the disciples from fainting, when they saw that an immediate and i-apid success did not AND S.VVIOUa JUaUA CHRIST. Ittend their labours. '• i^o is the I'ingdora of God, A8 if a man Bhould cast seed iaco the ground, aad should isUiop and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up he knoweth not huw. For the earth brini^nth forth fruit of herself: first tho blade, thon the ear, after that the full corn in tlie ear. But when tiie fruit was brought forth, immediately he putt< th in tiio sickle, because the harvest is come." Mark iv. '^(», Hcc. The next parable" he spake to the multitude was that of the mustard- -ned, which, though very small vn, becomos, in Palestine, aud other parts when 8 01 h( iiiust, a full spir 'ing tree. Intimating to his audience, under this b ' tude, that notwithstand- ing the gospel would st appear contemptible, (H tho ignominy tlovviu^^ from the cruc xion of its Author, the stri -tness of its precepts, tho weak- ness of the persons by whom it was preached, and the small number and mean condition of those who received it ; yet being founded on truth itself, it would increase to an astonishing magnitude, filling the whole earth, and affording spiritual nourishment to persons of ail nations, who should enjoy all the privileges of the Messiah's kingdom equally with the Jews. And surely a more proper parable could not have been uttered, to encourage his disciples to persevere in the work of the ministi'y, notwi^hstaru- ing it would in the beginning be oppostu by the learned, the rich, and the powerful. " The k\^ dom of heaven is like to a gi-ain of raustard-see' .vhich a man took and sowed in his field. Which indeed is the least of all seed ; but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, aud becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof," Mat. xiii. 31, 32. Our blessed Saviour concluded his discourse to IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I ■^ 1^ III 2.2 Hf 1^ 12.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 -< 6" - ► V] <^ •c^l /. % ^/ '^ V /A ^'> v y Photographic Sdences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 '^'i^'^ ^ 184 THE LIFE OF OUll LORD I 'I the minds of particular persons. « The kinudom of Sfdirr/'^" ""to leaven, ^hich a woman I'ook and FaS!K^'"''''^V.*'"^ employed in his heavenly lconIti^TT-'-^'\''''''^r ^°** »^^«thren came a they teared that the continued fatigue of oreachini would injure his health ; and wereTeZre dtir? hrmsdf'^''Wu?'Th: H? ''T'/^^* ""' mighrrefS Himseii. ijut the blessed Jesus, who was hpvp^. weary of domggood, answered his nrLTparent as before ; « My mother and my breth3 are these which ^hear the word of God/and do TtrLuk: ♦„i!'^^* approaching, Jesus dismissed the multi- tude, and returned to the house, in CaptrZm HJiere he abode and there explained to h^^SlTs the parable of the tares in the field. ThXsblnd man, said the blessed Saviour is t ,« tsnn «? neve in thnst, who obey ihe precepts of the sosnel and are supported by the influences of the HolJ »y assuming the robes of virtue and relirion • v2 they «11 not feU, sooner or later, to Sy "hem clouiing. At the same tmie, however sincerely we AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 135 my wish to see the church freed from her corrup- ted members, we must not extirpate them by fT"ce ttroTtlie WW I' -'T' Wearances/weafsJ destroy the wheat, or sound members. We must leave this distinction to the awful day whenVhfi ?ll\ Messiah will descend to judgmltTfor then ^^^^^^ SrT."-i?^"^i^^ ''' wickercastTntot;! ments, that wi 1 never have an end ; but theriffhte- ous received into life eternal, where they "ffil ttr^'^t-'xif 43^^^ ^" ^"-^ '"^''^^ «^ '^- ^- Our Lord, on this occasion, delivered the narablfl of the treasure hid in the field, and of the S of promote the diligence, z^al, and resolution, of h^ disciples, in searching into and teaching these grea? and important truths, in which the dory of God IndltetThr '-.rJ^' T^ «« «»uth7oncerned: And surely the similitudes, both of the treasure and pearl, are very naturally used to signify Z "3 • tt SV'^''°?:'°>^ *" who^ossess ftTand But that th«T' • '/' ™"'" P^"^'«"« *h»» rubies. iJut that the disciples must expect that the Chris- XL "Th^/'"!l'.rf^* «'. * -^^^^^ multitude of people ; the good blended with the bad, in such a manner that it would be difficult to separi?e them* enSatpf wl ^IF ^'°^' ^^^^ ^"^ ^^^^ ^hich wire Stitrs^g^r:^--^^ ble^" L^llTh- !?'''• T' ^tV^'S *^°^«^«d these Para- and'unnn fh • "^''^'P^''^ '^ *^^^ Understood them ? adlS^th J '' ^f ^fing in the affirmative, he aduad, that every teacher of the gospel ought to re- 186 THE LIFK OF OUR LORD semble a person whose house was completely fur- nished, and brought '^ forth out of his treasure things new and old." Soon after, Jesus left Capernaum, and repaired to Nazareth where he had been brought up, and preached in the synagogue the glad tidings of the kingdom of God ; but his townsmen, though aston- ished at his doctrine, could not overcome the preju- dices they had conceived against him, on account of the meanness of his family, and thence refused to own him for the Messiah. Our Saviour, finding them the same incorrigible persons as when he vi- sited them before, departed from them, and taught in the neighbouring villages. They, in common with all the Jews, were strangers to the true cha- racter of the Messiah, whom they considered as a temporal prince ; and therefore could not bear that a person so mean as Jesus appeared to be, should perform works peculiar to that idol of their vanity, a glorious triumphant secular Messiah. While our Lord resided in the neighbourhood of Nazareth, he sent out his disciples to preach in dif- ferent parts of Galilee, p ad to proclaim the glad tidings, that God was then going to establish the kingdom of the Messiah, wherein he would be wor- shipped in spirit and in truth. And in order that they might confirm the doctrines they delivered, and prove that they had received their commission from the Son of God, they were endowed with the power of working miracles. How long they continued their preaching cannot be known, but it is reasonable to think they spent a considerable time in it, preaching in several parts of Judea. The miracles which the apostles wrought raised the expectations of men higher than ever ; the peo- ple were astonished to see the disciples of Jesus . !l ■s^'- ■• AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 1«7 perform so many miracles ; and then concluded, that our Saviour must be greater than any of the old prophets, who could not transmit the power they enjoyed to any other. This extraordinary circum- stance could not fail of spreading his fame through the whole country ; it oven reached the ears of Herod the Tetrarch, who, fearing a person of such extraordinary abilities, was very uneasy, which some of his courtiers observing, endeavoured to re- move, telling him, that one of the old prophets was risen from the dead ; but this did not satisfy him, and he declared that he believed it was John the Baptist risen from the dead ; " And he said unto his servants. This is John the Baptist ; he is risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him." Mat. xiv. 2. The evangelists having on this account mentioned John the Baptist, inform us that Herod had put him to death : but when this happened is ^ ncertain. It has already been observed, that Herod had cast John into prison for his boldness in reproving him for the adulterous commerce in which he lived wit!i his brother's wife. The sacred writers have not told us how long he continued in prison ; but it is plain from his two disciples, who came from him to our Saviour, that his followers did not forsake him in his melancholy condition. Nay, Herod him- self both respected and feared him, knowing that he was highly and deservedly beloved by the people ; he consulted him often, and in many things followed his advice. But Herodias, his brother's wife, with whom he lived in so shameful a manner, being con- tinually uneasy, lest Herod should be prevailed upon to set him at liberty, sought all opportunities to de- stroy him : and at last an incident happened, which enabled her to accomplish her intention. I \m TUK LIKli OF OUR LOUD Tlio king, having on his birth-day made a great feast for his frienda, she sent her daugliter Salome, wliom she had by Philip, her lawful husband, into the saloon, to dance before t!;e king and his guests, lier performance was remarkably elegant, and so charmed Herod, that he promised with au oath to give her whatever she a^ked. Having obtained so remarkable a promise, she ran to her mother, desiring to know what she should ask ? and was instructed by that wicked woman, to require the head of John the Baptist. Her raother't, desire, doubtless, surprised Salome, as she could not po88i!)ly see the use of asking what would be of no service to her. But Herodias would take no dcniial, peremptorily insisting on her demanding the head of the Baptist. Accordingly, she returned to Herod, saying « I will that thou give me, by and by, in a charger, the head of John the Baptist." So cruel a request thrilled every breast ; the gaiety of the king was vanished : he was vexed and confounded. But being unwilling to appear either rash, fickle, or false, before a company of the first persons of his kingdom for rank and character, he commanded the head to be given her ; not one of the guests having the courage to speak a single word in behalf of an innocent man, or attempt to divert Herod from his mad purpose, though he gave them an opportunity of doing it, by signifying to them that he performed his oath merely out of re- gard to the company. Thus Herod, through a mis- placed regard to his oath and his guests, committed a most unjust and cruel action : un action that will for ever br^nd his memory with dishonour, and render his very name detestable to the latest pos- terity. Soon after the command wajs given, the head of AND SAVIOUR JUiSUS CHRIST. ino that vciiprablo prophet, whose rebukes had struck ilerod with awe in his luoHest moments, and whose exhortiitioiiH hud often Hiarined his guilty con- Bcience, was brought, palo and bloody, in a charger, and given to the daughter of lierodias, hi the pre- sence of all the gueMtH. The young lady eagerly received the bloody pro- Bent, and carried it to her mother, who enjoyed the whole pleasure of revenge, and feasted her eyes with the sight of her enemy's head, now silent and harmless. But she could not silence the name of the Baptist ; it became louder, filling the earth and heavens, and publishing to every people and nation tiiis woman's baseness and adultery. Thus fell that great and good man, John the Bap- tist, who was proclaimed, .by our blessed Saviour li.inself, to be " more than a prophet." Josephua tells us, that his whole crime consisted in exhorting 190 THE LIFE OP OUll LOUD the Jews to the love and practice of virtue ; and in the first place to piety, justice, and regeneration, or newness of life ; and not by the abstinence from this or that particular sin, but by an habitujil purity of mind and body. It may not be improper, on this occasion, to hint, that the history of this birth-day, transiiiitted ^o posterity m the scriptures, stands a perpetual bea- con, to warn the great, the gay, and the young, to beware of dissolute mirth. Admonished by so fatal an example, they should be careful to maintain, in the midst of their cheerfulness, an habitual recol- lection of spirit, lest reason, at any time ".nervated by the pleasures of sense, should slacken the rein of wisdom, or let it drop, though only for a moment ; because their headstrong passions, ever impatient of oontrol, may catch the opportunity, and rush with them into follies, whose consequences will be uu- epeakably, perhaps eternally, bitter. AND SAVroUR JESU« CHRIST. 191 CHAPTER XIV. OUR LORD ADDS TO THE CONFIRMATION OF HIS MIS- SION AND DOCTRINE, BY WORKING A MIRACLK IN THE WILDERNESS OF BETHSAIDA.— THE PEOPI E STRUCK WITH THE POWER AND ORACIO OF THE BLESSED JESUS, PROPOSE TO RAISE HI3I TO THE EARTHLY DIGNITY OP KING.--PETEU BY MEANS OF HIS BLESSED MASTER, PERFORMS A MIRACLE IN WALKING UPON THE SEA.— OUR LORD'S IM- PROVEMENT OF THE MIRACLES WROUGHT IN THE WILDERNESS, INTRODUCE^ IN A DISCOURSE DE- LIVERED IN THE SYNAGOGUE OP CAPERNAUM. lo n*^'l^*P*®® ^^^^ ^^ alarmed at the cruel fate of !h!* .JP ^®*' "^^^^^ memory they highly revered, that they returned from their mission, and assisted in performmg the last offices to the body of their m i 1 192 THR LI PR OF OKU LOUD old master, many of the apostles ImvinR boon ori- K nally dmcplea of John. Ah soon as tl.e«o pio^ h m «TlT Tr\ l^'^y '^^'•^"•^^'^ *» •'^«"«> «"d told nim all that had happened. 1 JM*" °°'"l>»«8'?'"^to Master, on hearing this mo- lancho y news, retired with them by sea into a de^rt plac^ belonging to Bethsaida, that by retimnJnt meditation, and prayer, they might be refreshed ^me'th^'f '"' '^"'^' 'P"''^' '^'^^^ 5 «^»^ «' the same tn e, leave an example t« us, that we should often retire fiv>m the noise and luu'ry of the wor d, v4 Fathi;!'" '""' ^-vent prayers to our hea-' But the multitude attended so closely, that their departure was not long concealed ; and^great nun bers of people repaired to the place where they sm - seW^. IT^f li! f'''^^'' l»ad secluded U.e.n- Belves. Struck with the greatness of his miracles on those that were sick, and anxious to hear mo,^ instructions from the mouth of so divine a L7ev, no difficulties were too great for them to surmount nor any p ace too retired for them to peneS, n search of their admired preacher. „ni!if ""^ *t« beneficent Saviour of the world re- gardless of their pious esteem. He saw them, he cZlZr^ ''"^' compassion" towards them,' be- multhud!^ T" ^V^'-i ""' ^'^^'°« ^ ^hephird : mu titudes of people without a pastor, a large har- vest without labourers ; motives abundantly suffi- cient to excite compassion in the Son of God. Ihe situation of those numerous .hrongs of neo- pie scattered abroad, without a guide whl out a X*^r \ ' ^\^ ^"^^ of defenceSshee; w^^^^^^ Tttn? '^P^1f ^ "^ ^"^""^ them from the jaws of the infernal wolf, was truly deplorable ; the bles. Bed Jesus, therefore, that g(,od shepherd who came AND SAVloifll JKMI'S CimilST. l.O.T to lay .lown Inn l.fo for tl.o «l,oep, whh moved with P y towaiv s tluMu ; the Hun.e pify which broi.Kh .... from tho c.,.urt8 of heaven/foJ. the sake of his Umt and wa..denn« jheep i„ the doHert, now hrouRht tV^n : ""'""r'"'*' I'«"P'«, ^vhom he instructed in the doctrmHH of eternal life ; and with his usual goodne«8, healed all the flick anwuig them Intentionally «lev()ted to toachiuK and healing; the people ; our blessed Saviour did not perceivS the day to wear away, and that the Rreatest part of it was already .pent : but his disciples, too anxious about the things of this world, thought proper to adv se hun ot it ; as if the Son of God wanted di" rections from man. The day. said the disciples, is now far advance.!, and the place a solitnry desert! where neither food nor lodging can be procured : ij would therefore be convenient to dismiss the people hat they may repair to the townsor villages, on the bojv^ers of tl^e w Iderness, and provide themselves wi 1. food and lodging, for they have nothing to eat. but our Lord prevented that trouble, by- telline them there was no necessity for sending the peoplS away to procure victuals for themselves, as they night satisfy the hunger of the multitude, by giving them to eat. And at the same time to prove^wha? opinion his disciples entertained of his powr ad- di;es8ed himself to Philip, who was well icq. .iated b;i:tTtrs^u;^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^" - ^-^ Pliihp, astonished at the seeming impossibility of KmalfJ:,r?'^ ^'' ^ great /mul^tude, /ith In andfn;.^"?.^* V^y^ which he knew was their a swPrpH r^ "'^.**'^^^'^"*«^ *»•« Master's power, uotluffiir.^f"'''.^"^^'!^ pennyworth of bread is 66 „ '111 i .«■ 194 TUB LIKE OF OUR LORD Our blessed Saviour might uow have put the snino questici to Philip, that he did on another occuKion, Have I been so long time with you, and yet haat thou not known me, Philip ?" John xvi. 9. Hast thou beheld so cnnuy miracles, and art still ignorant that 1 can supply food, not only for this people, but loraU the sons of men, and lor the cattle upon a thousand hills ? ^ But he contented himself with answerinir, « Give ye them to eat." The twelve, not yet comprehend- ing the design of their Master, repeated the objec- tion of Phihp : but added, that they were willing to expend their whole stock, in order to procure as large a supply as possible, « Shall we go, (said they) and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, that tney may eat i" But this was by no means the design of their great Master, who, instead of making a direct an • swer to their question, asked them, "How many loaves have ye ?" How much provision can be found anaong this multitude ? Go and see. Ihe disciples obeyed the command of their Mas- ter ; and Andrew soon returned to inform him, that the whole stock amounted to no more than five bar- ley loaves and two fishes ; a quantity so inconsider- able, that It scarcely deserved notice. What are they, said this disciple, among so many ? What, indeed, would they have been among such a multi- tude of people, if they had not been distributed by the creating hand of the Son of God. t Jesus, notwithstanding the smallnessof the num- ber, ordered them to be brought to him ; and im- mediately coinmanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, with which the place abounded, directing his disciples at the same time to range them in a regular order, by hundreds and fifties in a company, AND SAVIOUR JKHU8 CAimST. J 05 each company forming a long square, containiuir a ight be more easily ascertained, and the people tlie more regularly served. p«"pjo In obedience to his command, the people sat down in he manner they were ordered, big with exoeo tation of what this uncommon preparSim, porK ed : while the great Master of the bauquerlod ready to supply the necessities of all hiXesto a banquet, where, though they had no canopy, bu? the azure sky, no table, but the verdant turlfwhere then- food was only coarse barley bread, and drLd Sainl^H • ' f ""!S ^"'^ "'^^'^ from'a bubbHng tountam, yet displayed more real grandeur, by the presence of the divine Master of if, than the C' east of gorgeous Ahasuerus, or the splendid enter- tainment of the imperious Nebuchadnezzai. .nH « if •^'i'*l^.^?'"« ^*'^^' Jesus took the loaves aud hshes into h,a hands, in sight of all the people! that tliey might be convinced of the small quantity tlZT\'^^' ''"''^ **^"° ^^^^'^ them, and tha^ P^wer LT L'rr'i" ?-^t^ ^y ^^ Bu^ernatural Cd'naH, ^ \T^ ''^'''^ ^^^ constantly sua- Eani * ' «T^^ °r ^^^y "^"^tiply ^««e five loaves and two fishes ; for, as the Psalmist elegantly observes, « He openeth his hand, and fiUelh aU hmgslivmg witii ..lenteousness." 'Accord ngly he looked up to heaven, returned thanks to Godf ^1^ liberal giver of al good things, for his infinite bene! E hv h- •''''°/^"^*^ **° h^*"' "^ 'e"eviqg man- about ?^ ' T^'il^' particularly for that he was CbtrL ?*'''''''" .™ ^^ h^^^i°g' that these hve barley oaves and two fishes we?e multiplied "ito a quantity sufficient to supply the wants of five tl * Mi 196 THE MI'E OK Oiru I-OIID thouBand men, besides women and children, who, on the most favourable snppoHition, must amount to an equal number. " And Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thaiilcH, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down ; and likewise of the fishes, as much as they would." John vi. 11. Thus did the compassionate and powerful Re- deemer feed at least ten thousand people with five barley loaves and two imall fishes, giving a magni- ficent proof, both of his power and goodness. For after all had eaten to satisfy, they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces of meat — a much larger quantity than was at first set before our lord to divide. Miraculous works ! But what is too hard for God! What is impossible to Omnipotence ! Strange perverseness of the sons of men, that after such manifestations of Almighty power, they should in- credulously doubt, or impiously distrust the works of the Son of God; as the extraordinary circum- stances attending them, must convince the most hardened sinner, that they were the elfect of God's unlimited power and goodness. The literal account of this miracle, as recorded by the several evangelists, is very plain, as well as circumstantial ; and it is remarkable, that the place and time tended to magnify its greatness. The place was a desert, where there was no possibility of pro- curing any sustenance. Had he doie this mighty work in any of the towns or villages round about, the Pharisees in those days, and the infidels in ours might have objected, that he had received secretly some fiupplies ; but this, in the present case, was impossible. The time was the evening : the people had been all the day fasting, and consequently were iren, who, I; Koiount to the loaves, bributed to that were » much OS verful Re- 9 with live ^ a magni- uess. For : up twelve it — a much re our lord ) hard for ) ! Strange after such should in- the worlds ■y circum- > the most St of God's s recorded , as well as ,t the place The place lity of pro- lis mighty und about, els in ours 3d secretly case, was the people ently were AND SAVroua JE8US CHRIST. 19/ ready for their meal ; had it been dune in the rrA'^'^.™'^'^'^^^ '^^^' either that the pJo! pie had been just refreshed, or were not hun/rT- consequentay the miracle not great. But the Se khd tT "*^'^K '^™^^^^ affobeciiors of Z ^A^L^r^-^^^y'^'l^ * possibility of doubt, tha? M can furnish a table in the wilderness.'* We should learn from this mighty miracle to re- member, That it is God Almighty who evfrv year blesses mankind with plentiful supplies o7eve?; thing necessary ; who, agreeable to the enph^ ^^ It who maketh ,t very plenteous, who watereth her furrows, and sendeth rain into he little valley" ^ereof, who maketh it soft with showers, and bles! seth the mcrease of it : who crowneth the year wUh t f ??"'n* ^?'^^ ^'t ^^^"^« d^«P ^'^tness fmaS nd ±' '''""m" '*^if^ 'f^ "^"^' that they laugg bounfvi'iiT ^''!t .^^"^ficent hand and liberal thanlfu?nl "^ F '^u' ^'"^''^ ^"d «^^>™ ^» their rrnU i?^ . f '*'' ^'^'^^^^^ inattentively we may behold th,s mighty work of Omnipotence; it is no ess a miracle, that he should every day support and Id wi?hi« ?° '^^' ^Y''' «^^°"^^ ^''^ fi^« thou! ^^Za « ^''T^ ^""^ *^« fishes : for what pro- portion does five thousand bear to those myriads of men, ^ho are daily fed from the fruits of the earth • tcrZl"T^'^ :'^''} '' ^^"^"^^ * "^'racle with Le S How ^"u' ^u^ ^^"^^^' ^y *h« blessing of with ;il /""H^ V^^ ^^^^ ««^" ^heu compared rudbrtPh?^''^. \'' carried out in handfula and brought home m sheaves : and who can tell by lorkfl: • ^h^°''^ '^ ^^"^"y wonderful in all her works, as m this particular ; and the divinity, to ao ii '» H »^ i] 'I 198 THE LIFE OP OUR LORD attentive observer, equally visible in those regular productions, as in miraculous supplies afforded ; equally seen in the wine produced from the mois- ture of the earth filtered through the branches of the vine, as in that instantaneously made from water, at the marriage in Cana ; equally seen in the corn, gradually ripened, and made into bread for the support of mankind, as in the bread miraculously blessed in the support of the five thousand. But the constant repetition of these surprising opera- tions renders them common, and being common, they are less observed. Our heavenly Father, there- fore, condescends to deviate from the common order of things to rouse and awaken our attention. But if we are dead and utterly inattentive to the work of God in nature, where we see the divine magni- ficence and bounty so visible, so richly displayed, there is too much reason to fear, that outward mi- racles will not now awaken us. We are, however, apt to deceive ourselves in this respect, and are' often led to conclude, that had we been present at 80 stupendous a miracle as that we are contemplat- ing, we should have adored the divine hand that wrought it, and never have forsaken the blessed Jesus.— But, alas ! if all the displays of God's di- vme power in the works of creation ; if all the evi- deuces of his Omnipotence, if the continual supplies of his bounty, and the most legible characters of his adorable love written upon all the creatures ot his hand, will not elevate our grateful and rejoic- ing hearts to him, there is great reason to fear, that had we seen the blessed Jesus feed five thousand men with five barley loaves and two small fishes j had we ourselves been partakers of this miraculous banquet, we should have acted like many who really enjoyed these privileges, and have turned AND SAVroUR JESUS CHRIST. 1.09 Z7e with hrm.» '" '^'' "^'°-^^' "^"^ -"-^ "« ♦l,«^^iv^ '^^T.V ^^^ P^^P'^' ^*^«° they had seen ^Loil "'■ ""^ *^^ ^J''^^ P"=^*'°^™ «« stupendous a riT^^rr,*'.'""^^"*^ above measure ;. and, in he height of their transport, purposed to take him by force, and make him a king, concluding that h^ must then assume the title of the Messiah, whose connng they had so long earnestly expected, anl ptjfriiSr'^^" ^^^^ ^^P-^«^ ^^^ ^-^« of tern. But our Lord, well knowing the intention of the multitude, and the inclination of his disciples to 8 cond them, ordered the latter to repau: immedi- ately to their boat, and sail to Bethsaida, where he ent away the former. They Would, it seems, gladly have detained the people, with ihom they fully agreed m sentiments ; and even lingered till he constrained them to get into the boat ; to fully were ley still possessed, that their master was to take Uie rems of government, and become a powerful nnice over the house of Jacob. The people suffered the disciples to depart without go wUh theT"*"^^' *^ *^^^ ^"^ ^^""^ ''^^"^ ^'^ °o* Perhaps they imagined he was sending them away to piwide such things as they had need of in the expedition. Nor did they refuse to disperse when he cuinmanded them,propo8ingtoreturnia the morning. as we hnd they actually did. ^' Having thus sent the disciples and the multitude away, Jesus repaired himself to the summit of a moiuitam, spending the evening in heavenly eon- U^mpUtious and ardent prayei-s to his Almighty i^ut the disciples meeting with a contrary wind, it ' 200 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD could not continue their course to Bethsaida, which lay about two leagues to the northward of the desert mountain, vhere the multitudes were miraculously fed. They, however, did all in their power to land as near that city as possible, and were tossed up and down all night by the tempest : so that at the conclusion of the fourth watch, or five o'clock in the morning, they were above a league from the shore. Their divine Master beheld from the mountain, the dilemma m which they were j but they were Ignorant of his presence, though he was now coming to their relief. From hence we should learn, when the stormy billows of affliction assault, and seem ready to overwhelm us, not to despair of relief ; A ui ^^^^^'^^ ®^ei'y particular of our distress, and hath not forgotten to be gracious, but will surely hear our distress, and work our deliverance in a manner altogether unexpected. He often calms the storm ot affliction that surrounds us, and com- mands the bellowing waves of distress to subside. Human wisdom, indeed, is often at a loss : it can discover no hopes of deliverance, nor see any way to escape ; but he can easily effect the one, or point out the other. ^ Such was the state of these disciples : they were tossed by boisterous waves, and opposed in their course by the rapid currenc of the wind, so that all Hopes oi reaching the place intended were vanished ; when, behold their heavenly Master, to assist them m this distressful situation, comes to them, walking on the foaming surface of the sea. Their Lord's approach filled them with astonishment ; they took him for one of the apostate spirits, and shrieked for lear. 1 heir terrors, however, were soon removed ; tlieir great and affectionate Mast . talked to thera, AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 201 with the sound of whose voice they were perfectly acquainted. « Be of good cheer (said the blessed Jesus) it is I, be not afraid." Peter, a man of a warm and forward temper, beholding Jesus walking on the sea, was exceedingly amazed, and conceived the strongest desire of being enabled to perform so wonderful an action. Accordingly, without the least reflection, he immediately begged that his Master would bid him come to him on the water. He did not doubt but that Jesus would gratify his request, as it sufficiently intimated that he would readily undertake any thing, however difficult, at the command of his Saviour. But it appeared, that his faith was too weak to support him to that height of obedience to which he would have willingly soared. To convince this forward disciple of the weakness of his faith, and render him more diffident of his own strength, our blessed Saviour granted Peter his request, he ordered him to come to him upon the water. Peter joyfully obeyed his divine Master ; he left the boat, and walked on the surface of the sea. But the wind increasing, made a dreadful noise, and the boisterous waves at the same time threatened every moment to overwhelm him. His faith now staggered, his presence of mind forsook him ; he forgot that his Saviour was at hand ; and in pro- portion as his faith decreased, the waters yielded, and he sunk. In this extremity he loooked around for his Master; and on the very brink of being swallowed up, cried, « Lord, save me !" His cry was not disregarded by his compassionate Saviour ; " He stretched forth his hand and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt ?" Mat. xiv. 31. 202 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD Peter was convinced, before he left the ship, that it was Jesus who was corning to thera on the water: nor did he even doubt it when he was sinking, beca se he then implored his assistance. But when he found the storm increase, and the billows rage more horribly than before, his fears sujrgested, that either his Master would be unable or unwilling to support him amidst the frightful blasts of the tempest. His fears were therefore both unreasonable and culpable ; unreasonable, because tho same power that had enabled hira to walk on the surface of the deep, was abundantly sufficient to support him there, notwithstanding all the horrors of the storm ; cul- pable, because he considered his Master as unable to preserve him, or that he paid no regard to his promise ; for Jesus had virtually promised hira his assistance, when he granted his petition. This cir- cumstance should teach us not to be presumptuous 111 AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 203 ship, that he water: sinking, But when ows rage i/?gested, unwilling ts of the lable and ne power ce of the im there, 'm ; cul- s unable rd to his \ him his This eir- mptnous and self-sufficient ; not to rush on danger, and fly in the face of opposition, unless there is a necessity for so doing. We should never refuse to undertake any action, however difficult, when the cause of Christ calls upon us ; or abandon the paths of vir- tue from a fear of the resentment of the children of this world ; but we should, at the same time, be careful not to go farther than necessity obliges us, lest, like Peter, we repent our own temerity. This miracle alarmed the disciples, for though they had so very lately seen the miracle of the five loaves, they did not seem to have before formed a proper idea of his power ; but being now fully con- vinced that he could be no other than the expected Messiah, they " came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth, thou art the Son of God." Mat. xiv. 33. Our Saviour seems to have confirmed this miracle, by working another ; for the evangelists tell us that he had no sooner entered into the ship, and hushed the horrors of the storm, than they arrived at the place whither they were going. — '* Then they willingly received him into the ship ; and immedi- ately the ship was at the laud whither they went :" John vi. 21. When our Lord disembarked, the inhabitants of the neighbouring country ran to him, bringing with them all those that were sick, and they were all healed. It must be remembered, that though Jesus ordinarily resided in the neighbourhood of Caper- naum, yet he had been absent ever since his visiting Nazareth ; and therefore it is natural to think, that the inhabitants, on his return, would not omit the opportunity of bringing their sick in such crowds, that it was impossible for Jesus to bestow particular attention on each of them ; and this was the reason for their beseeching him, " that they might only 204 THE LIFE OP OUR LORD touch the hem of his garment : and as many as touched were made perfectly whole." Mat. xiv. 36. The virtue of that power by which he wrought these thiiifrs, lay not in liis garment, for then the Holdiers who seized him at his crucifixion, might have wrought the same miracle, but it was because Jesus willed it to be so. It was now the acceptable time, the day of salvation, foretold by Isaiah, and i^nrist s volition was sufficient to remove any dis- temper whatsoever. It has been mentioned, that our blessed Saviour, after miraculously feeding the people, ordered them to disperse and retire to their places of abode. Ihe former con.mand they obeyed, but instead of complying with the latter, they stayed in the neighbourhood of the desert mountain; and observ- ing that no boat had come thither since the disciples lett their Master, they concluded that Jesus still continued in that place, and had no design of leaving his attendants. Hence they were persuaded, that though Jesus had modestly declined the honour of being made a king, he would accept it the next day • especially as they might fancy his disciples were dispatched to the other side, with no other intention than to prepare every thing necessary for that pur- pose. Hopes like these animated them to continue m this sohtarywilderness, and takeup theb lodgings in the caverns of the rocks and mountains, notwith- standing their difficulties were greatly increased by the raging of the storm. ^ But no sooner did the cheering rays of light appear, than the multitude left their retreat, and searched for Jesus in every part of the mountain, to tiie sumniit of which they had seen him retire! binding their search in vain, they concluded that he must have departed for the other side, in some AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 20.5 boat belonging to Tiberius, which had been forced by the storm to take shelter in a creek at the foot of the mountain. Accordingly, they repaired to Ca- pernaum, where they found him in the synagogue teachmg the people ; and could not help asking him with some surprise, « Kabbi, when earnest thou hither.'* John vi. 25. To this question our Lord replied, that they did not peek him because they were convinced by his imracles of the truth of his mission, but because they hoped to be continually fed in the same mira- calous manner as before. « Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye seek me, not because ye saw the mini- « f !, ,?"* *!«cause ye did eat the loaves, and were tilled. Ihese are the views which induce you lo lollow me ; but ye are entirely mistaken ; for the happiness does not consist in the meat that perisheth, iior is it that sort of meat ye must expect to receive trom the Messiah. Mere animal food, which please and delight the body only, are not the gifts he came down from hea- ven to bestow : it is the meat that endureth to ever- lasting life, divine knowledge and grace, which, by invigorating all the faculties of the soul, make it at once incorruptible and immortal ; neither ought ye to follow the Son of man with no other intention than to obtain the meat that perisheth ; but in hopes of being rewarded with the meat that endur- eth to everlasting life ; « Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, Which the Son of man shall giveuntoyou ; for him hath God the Father sealed.'* John vi. 27. The Jews, who were accustomed to the meta- phorr of meat and drink, as they are frequently tound in the writhigs of tlieir own prophets to ti 206 TIIK I.IPR OP OUR LOUD signify wisdom and knowledge, might have easily understood what our blesned Saviour meant by the meat " enduring to ovrrlasting life." They however, entirely mistook him ; inuigining that he spake of some delicious healthful animal food, which would have i^endered them immortal, and which was only to be procured under the government of their great Messiah. It is thereore no wonder that his exhortation should so greatly affect them, that they asked him what they should do to erect the Messiah's kingdom, and obtain that excellent meat which he said God had authorized him to give to his followers. The Jews were elated with the prospect of the mighty empire the promised Messiah was to establish, tind. doubtless, expected, that Jesus would have bidden them first to rise against tho Romans, vindicate their own liberties, and thou establish in every country, by the terror of fire and sword, the authority of that powerful prince so louj^ promised to the Jewish nation. To convince them, therefore, of their mistixke, and inform them what God had really required of them, towards erecting the Messiah's kingdom, Jesus told them, that they should believe on the persons sent to them from the God of Jacob ; but at this answer they werd exceedingly offended. They were persuaded thai he could not be the Messiah, promised by the pro- phets, who took no care to erect a temporal kingdom. And some of them, more audacious than the rest, had the confidence to tell him that since he as- sumed the character of the Messiah, and required them to believe in him as such, notwithstanding his character was entirely different from the great deliverer described in the sacred writings, it was necessary tliat he should pe;*forra some greater miracles than either Moses or any of the old pro- AND SAVIOUR J|;SU» CHRIST. 207 pheta, ifhewas (Ie»irouH of convincinir them that they ouKht to believe him the long promised Mes- «iah. « Ihey said therefore unto him, What siiru Hhoweat thou then, that ^^o may me, and beheve tliee« What dost thou work ? Our fathers did eat manna m the desert ; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to oat. ' John vi. 30. By extolling the miracles of the manna, by callinff It broad from heaven, and by ioHinuating that this miracle waswroughtby Moses, thoJewsendeavoured to depreciate both ChriHt's misHJon and his miracles of the loaves. They considerod \m miracles as a sin- gle meal of terrestrial food, at which not above nine or ten thousand had been fed ; whereas Moses had supported the whole Jewish nation, duriii^r the space of forty years in the wilderness, by celeHtiai food, lo this objection the blessed Jesus replied, « Verily verily, I say unto you, Moses pave you not that bread from heaven ; but my Father giveth you that true bread from heaven." John vi. 32. Moses did not give you the manna that fell around the camp in the wilderness, nor did it descend from heaven ; it was formed in the regions of the air, by the omnipotent hand of the God of Jacob. Bu.*; by the miracles of the loaves, my heavenly Father hath typified the true, the spiritual, the heavenly f i u-^^ **® himself giveth to the sons of men, and of which the manna was only a symbolic repre- seiitation ; the food that sustained the Israelites in he wilderness was sufficient only for a single nation, but this is for all the children of men. Many of the Jews, who listened with pleasure to his doctnne, and having heard him describe the properties of the celestial bread, were animated with an earnest desire of being always fed with it. Lord (said they) evermore give us this bread." 208 tHF. LIFE OF OUR LOUD T'^ which Jesus answered, ' I am the bread of life : He that cometh to me shall , ver hun;;er ; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.'* John vi. 35. Having made this answer to those who listened attentively to his doctrine, he returned himself to such as had lieard him with prejudice, and took every advantage of wresting his words. You asked me, said he, to show you a sign that ye may see and believe me to be the true Messiah. Surely you have seen it ; you have seen my character and mission in the many miracles I have performed ; miracles abundantly sulticient to convince you that I am really the Messiah so often promised by the ancient prophets, so long expected by the whole Jewish nation. But notwithstanding all these proofs, your hearts are still hardened ; you expect a temporal prince who shall raise the Jewish king- dom above all the empires ot the earth : and be- cause 1 do not affect the authority and pomp of an earthly monarch, you reject me as an impostor. Your infidelity, therefore, does not proceed from want of evidence, as you vainly pretend, but from the perverseness of your own dispositions, which perhaps may in time be overcome ; for all those that the Father hath given me, however obstinate they may be for a season, will at last believe on the Son of God. Nor will I ever reject any who may at anytime come tome, however low t^ic'r circumstances may be, however vile they may ^\>- pear in their own eyes, or however greatly •;. ei. ^'iolence against my doctrines may have been ex- erted. I came down from heaven not to act ac- cording to the common method of human passions, w» 'jh excite men to return evil for evil, but to leai /'t'v there j to try all possible means to bring AND SAVIOUR JESUS CIIRFST. 1(1 of life : ; and he JoliD 209 }* > listened iniself to and took IS. You it ye may 1. Surely aeter and rfornied ; I you that id by the le whole a,ll these 3U expect lish king> and be- •mp of an impostor. Bed from but from IS, which all those obstinate elieve ou any who low t',< > them to repontanco ; and lead them in the straiirht paths of virtue, which terminate at the mans on^ of the heavenly Canaan. mansions It is the fixed determination of my Father to bestow eternal life ou all who truly believe in me • and therer.r,3 I .vili raise them up at the lasJ d^y. * As the pvosp. ot of the greatest part of the Jews extend.d no farther thanSemporri privileges and ;!k.' :r ' ?* " "^ '*'**"^®' **»at they were offended w« .h ''r'T ; ?T''^^^y ^' »>'« affirming that he was the bread of life and that he came down from heaven Was not this man, said they, born int" the world like other mortals ? And are we not ac° quainted with h.s parents f How then can he pre- tend to come down irora heaven ? But these degrading thoughts could not escape the censure of h,m, to whom notliing is a secret you need not, said the blessed Jesus, Sbject to mV birth and tue meanness of my relations, nor consi- der hero as inconsistent with my heavenly extrac- hon ; for w nie you believe your teachers who hTve TnH fi.?f ""^'^'^"P*^^ '^'^ «'^«l«««f Omnipotence! alnniT' T'"^' ^"^* '^'^ ^*'° expectations of a temporal kmgdom, you cannot believe on me. No mn can beheve on the Son of God, unless he bo persuaded by the Father. You need not be sur! prised at this ; for however ye imagine that all men. with a.?rr"f .''^ '^'^ ^^'^^^ ^'" fl^k to him leot ^ f ^ ?^f .'*'4»«««» and become the willing sub- mpfn» V"* itmgdom, without any extraordinary Entl^'T^T' '^^ prophets plainly foretold "^ t^rih-'^ • IV^7 ^r"^''^ ^^** °»^" shall enjoy manner h"^''^ lu^ l^'^''^ ''' * *'^^ °^«r« «°»i«e"t m nr«L7'"^^ ^^ Messiah's kingdom, than under any preceding dispensation ; conscvuh, booHUMo tbiit privilo^o JH couHucmI to tho Sou ulono ; but tiiatyou aro to bo taught by tl>o Spirit t»t' (iod, wbatnvor is I'tujuiHito for your oturuai iut«'i*(mt in and by uu?, who uui thu way, tho truth, and tho Uto. Having thuH asHortod tho dignity of hirt nuHHion, and duuionstrated that it really bolongcd to liini, the bloHMbd JoHUHoxauiiiU)d tho eonipariHon butwocu hiui rovidod for their fathert) in tho howling wildorneHH. Tho manna, Hatd ho, which your fathers ato in tli» duHort, oould nut pro- Horvo them from temporal death ; but tho bread which euniH down from heaven wilt render men im- mortal. ** 1 am tho living bread whiuli uamo down from heaven : if any nuiti cat of this broad ho Mhall live for ever. And the bread, that 1 will give in n»y ttewh, which I will give for tlio lifo of tho world." John vi. 51. Though tho divine Toaoher, on this occiiaion, irado UHO uf iio other expretiuiona than what the Jews had boon uccuHtomed to inter])ret in n figura- tive seuHO ; yet so great was tlu;ir perversenehH, that they connidered them au Hpokeu literally, and were aHtonished beyond nieaaure at what lie could mean, by Maying he would give them " his Hesh to eat." Jesus, however, knowing how unreasonable his hearers were, did not think proper to explaiu himself more particularly at this time. But per- sistiug in the same figurative manner of cxpressiou, lie repeated and aiUrmed more earnestly what he had before asserted. Except, said he, ye be en- tirely united to mo by a hearty practice aud belief of my doctrine, partake of the merit of that sacri- fice whicii 1 shall oiler for tho sins of tlie worliij AND MWIOKIl JICHOS CHRIST. 211 114 miHRinn. oontmuo iii tlio cointniiiiidii of my roliKion, and ro- (M'lVH H|Hntu,,| nouriKlinn.nt, hy tlio uontiniial parti- oipath.ii oi thoHo inHuiiM of Kmeo which I Nhall pur- cluiHO tor you hy my (huith, yo can novcr oiitor the hn\yy nianHioim of «t..rnity, « WhoMo oatoth my fleMh and drinkoth my hlcxni, hath eternal life ; anil I mil raise hiui up at the lant day. I<'or n>y fletth IB meat indeed, and my blood in drink hideod." John VI. H.hn. Tl)i» M the broa«l which came down from heaven ; a kind of bread inflnitely miperior to that of manna, both in ltd natiu'e and I'lHcucy. It m different in itn nature from manna, beoauHo it im not to be eaten, as your tathorM did that foo«l in the wilderneHH ; they ate " manna and are dt«ad." It in diftorent in its t'ttcct, bocauHo ho that ♦' eateth of thiu broad uhall hve for ever." Theae particulars Johuh upake in the hearinjr of all the people, who atttmdcd the public worHhip, in the bynuKoguo of Cajiernaum ; and thoujfh moMt of the metuphorn wore very easy to be understood, yet they could not comprehend what he meant, by "eating IiIh floKh, and drinking his blood : a thinir not only prohibited by the law of Moses, but also repugnant to the custom of civilized nations." Many, therefore, who had followed him, consi- dered It as inconsiHtent, and absolutely absurd, liut Jesus answered, Are you offended, because 1 told you my flesh is bread ; that it came down from Iiwiyen ; and that you must, in order to have eUr- iial life, eat my flesh, and drink my blood I But what if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up bodily into heaven ; from whence he was sent by liiu hea- venly I ather ? You will then surely be persuaded tliat I really came from heaven : and, at the same time bo convinced, that you cannot eat my flesh in a corporeal maimer. ■ Ik 212 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD I never meant that you should understand the expressions literally ; my flesh in that case, would be of no advantage to the children of men. The metaphor was only used to vindicate that you must believe in the doctrines which I preach : for the revealing of which I was sent into the world by my heavenly Father, in form like one of you. My doctrines may, perhaps, be ineffectual to some of you, because you are desirous of perverting it, and from thence to form a pretence for forsaking me, I well knew the secret recesses of every heart ; and therefore told you, that no man can believe on me, except it was given him of my father. The self-sufficient, self-righteous Jews were so offended at this discourse, that many of them, who had hitherto been our Saviour's disciples, went out of the synagogue and never more came to hear him. They found that all their pleasing views of worldly grandeur, and an extensive kingdom could have nothing more than an ideal foundation if they ac- knowledged Jesus to be the Messiah. But as they were unwilling to abandon all their favourite hopes of power, they refused to own him for the great Redeemer of Israel they had so long expected. When the Jews were departed, Jesus turned himself to his disciples, and with a look of ineffable sweetness, said to them, *' Will ye also go away V To this Peter answered, " Lord, to whom shall we go 1 Thou hast the words of eternal life ! And we believe, and are sure, that thou art that Christ the Son of the living God." John vi. 68, 69. Peter, in this reply, alluded to our Lord's declara- tion of himself, in which he says, that he was the bi'ead of life, founding his faith in him as the Mes- siah. But Jesus, to convince him that he was not igno- AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 213 rant of the most secret thought of the heart, not afraid that his enemies should be companions of his most retired actions, told him, that one of the twelve was a wicked man, and would be guilty of the vilest action. The prediction of Jesus was punctually verified when Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve chosen disciples, basely betrayed his great Lord, and Master. i. went out :j il II 214 THE LIFK OF OUR LORD CHAPTER XV. PHARISAICAL SUPERSTITION SEVERELY REPRIMANDED. THE GREAT REDEEMER CONTINUES TO DISPLAY HIS POWER AND BENEVOLENCE IN THE RELIEF OK SEVERAL OBJECTS OF AFFLICTION. GUARDS HIS DISCIPLES AGAINST THE PREVAILING ERRORS AND FALLACIES OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES. PROCEEDS ON THE WORK OF HIS HEAVENLY FA- THER. The season of the grand passover approaching, Jesus went up to Jerusalem to attend that solemnity. But the Jews, being offended at his discourse in tlie synagogue of Capernaum, made an attempt upon his life. Our Lord, therefore, finding it impossible to remain at Jerusalem in safety, departed from that city, and retired into Galilee. The Pharisees were sensible they could not per- AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 215 petrate their malicious designs upon him on that occasion ; they therefore followed him, hoping; to find something by which they might accuHe him ; and at length ventured to attack him for permitting his disciples to eat with unwashed hands, because, in so doing, they transgressed the tradition of the elders. Moses had, indeed, required external cleanliness as a part of tJieir religion : but it was only to sig- nify how careful the servants of the Almighty should be to purify themselves from all uncleanness both of flesh and spirit. These ceremonial institutions were, in process of time, prodigiously nmltiplied, and the pharisees who pretended to observe every tittle of the law, considered it as a notorious offence to eat bread with unwashed hands, though at the same time, they suffered the more weighty precepts of the law to be neglected and forgotten. To expose the absurdity of such superstitious customs, our Saviour applied to them words of the prophet Isaiah, « This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me." Adding that all their worship was in vain, and displeasing to the Almighty, while they praised themselves, and imposed upon others the frivolous precepts of man*s invention, and at the same time neglected the eter- nal rules of righteousness: and to remove all ob- jections that might be brought against this imputa- tion of gross profaneness in the pharisees, be sup- ported it by a very remarkable instance. God, said the Saviour of the world, hath com- manded children to honour their parents and to maintain ihem, when reduced to poverty by sickness, age, or misfortunes, promising life to such as obey this precept, and threatening death to those who disregard it. But notwithstanding the peremptory 1 t '; f a - ii :; *.'. 21() THE 1.1 FK or OUR LORD commaiKlinent of Omnipotence, you teach, that it is a more sacred duty to enrich the temple, thuu to nourish their parents reduced to the utmost neces- sity, pretending that what ia offered to the great Parent of tlie IJniverse is nuich better bestowed, than what is given to the support of our earthly parents ; making the interest of God absolutely dif- ferent from that of his creatures.— Nay, ye teach, that it is no breach of the commandment for a man to suffer his parents to perish, pi-ovided he has given what ought to nourish them, to the temple of Jeru- salem. Thus have you concealed, under the cloak of piety, the most horrid, the most unnatural crime any person can commit. Having thus reproved the pharisees, he called the multitude to him, and desired them to reflect on the absurdity of the precepts inculcated by the scribes. Tliese hypocrites, said he, solicitous about trifles, neglected the great duties of morality, wliich are of eternal obligation. They shudder with horror at unwashed hands, but are perfectly easy under the guilt of a polluted conscience, though they nuist be sensible that « not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man : but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." Mat. xv. 11. The haughty pharisees were highly offended at his speaking in a degrading manner of their tradi- tions. And the apostles, who would gladly have reconciled their Master and the pharisees insinu- ated to Jesus, that he ought to have acted in ano- ther manner. To which cur Saviour answered, " Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up." Mat. xv. 13. As if he had said you have not cause to fear their anger, as both they and their doctrine shall perish together, for neither of them came from God. Adding, " Let AND SAVIOUR JKSUa CHRIST. 2ir tri"'" ""'J""' «»mprel.ondi„g thi. doc mue, aesired tlioir Master ti> oxiiluii, it M'hi, „„, b,mour complied with, aud .Lowed to „ that .ueat, 01 n an, or render hiin polluted in the si ^ht of th^ S. '.L tr '""' '? ""^-i '» '--. » ^^^^ «p- positJoa to the coramaudinont of God • and t^vL ceeded out ot the mouth of a man cornea from hia heart, and really polluteth hia mind. 1 lese doctrines of truth could not fail of irritif. ;ng the phuriaees, aa they tend.,d to str p them of and lenderod thernselvea so venerable in the evea of the vulgar ; and therefore their plots were le/el! led agamat lua reputation and life. Jesus to avoid their malice, retired to the v«rv i» lor tne sun ot the hrmament, when he riaeth in Imhlr"^"'" a bridegroom' cometh out of hU vT * ?"^ ^^ ^ «'*°* rejoiceth to run hia courao " or a certam woman of Canaan having hearTof lim, detenn.ned to implore hia aaaiatance^ She wag udeed one oi the moat abject sort of Gent ilea a ut Ltwkhln;?"*' ^^f ^".'^' "«^ «^«» convera^ition ; m notwithstanding all these discouraging circum- * M iJiH fi 1- 1 " ' 1 i i * t 1 218 TIIR I.IFK OF OUR LORD H Btances, rIio threw herself as a humble petitioner, on the benevolent mercies of the Son of (iod. Strong necessity urged her on ; grief and insupcr* able distress caused her to be importunate. Alas ! unhappy parent ! her only daughter, her beloved child had an uucleau spirit, " was grievously vexed with a devil." When her case was so urgent, and her woes so poignant, who can wonder that she was so importu- nate, and would take no refusal from this divine Person ; who, she knew, was able to deliver her ? Accordingly she came ; she fell at his feet, she be- Bought him, she cried, saying, '* Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David," have mercy. I plead no merits ; as a worthless, suffering wretch, I en- treat only the bowels of thy mercy ; I entreat it, for 1 believe thee to bo the son of David, the pro- mised Messiah, the much desired Saviour of the world ; have mercy on me, for the case of my child, ftiHl her distresses, are my own ; " My daughter is grievously vexed with a devil." Mat. xv. 22. is it not, at the first view, astonishing that such a petitioner should be rejected ; and rejected by a bountiful and merciful Redeemer, who kindly in- vited all that were heavy laden to come to him ; who promised never to cast out any that would come, and whose business it was " to g^. about doing good V* We, however, find ho answered this woman not a word : he did not, in appearance, take the least notice, either of her or her distresses. But this Bilence did not intimidate her : she cried, she still besought, she still importunately pressed her peti- tion ; so that the very disciples were moved with her cries, and became her advocates. They them- Belves, though Jews, besought their Master to dis- petitioner, I of God. d insiipor- te. Alas ! er beloved iisly vexed 3r woea so [) imporfu- his divine liver her? Jt, she be- rcy on me, . I plend :ch, I en- entreat it, I, the pro- >ur of the 'my child, aughter is 99 that such jcted by a kindly in- 3 to him ; lat would bout doing iroman not I the least But this I, she still 1 her peti- oved with :iey them- ter to dis- AND SAVroUH JBSUS CIIRrST. 219 miss tins petitioner, to grant her request, and to send her away. But JesuH soon silenced them, by an answer agreeable to their own prejudices. " I am not sent (Haid he) but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." To this the disciples readily assented ; and as they had a high opinion of the Jews' prero- gative, were so well satisfied with the answer, that wo hear them pleading no more for this lost, this miserable Gentile. But this Hoothed not her griefs ; it was her own cau^je, and what is immediately our own concern animates us to the most zealous application. Some- what encouraged that she was the subject of dis- course between our Lord and his disciples, she ven- tured to approach the Saviour of th« world, though she well know that the law actually forbade such an intercouise ; yet she came, hIio worshipped « this Son of David," she confesKed again his divinity, and prayed, saying. Lord help me. The compassionate Saviour now condescended to speak to her, but with words seemingly sufficient to have discouraged every farther attempt ; nay, to have filled her with bitter dislike to his person, though she had conceived such high, and noble no- tions of his liiercy and favour : " It is not meet (said he) to take the children's bread, and cast it to dogs." Mat. XV. 26. It is not justice to deprive the Jews, who are the children of the covenant, the descendants of Abraham, of any part of those bles- sings which I came into the world to bestow, espe- cially to you, who are aliens and strangers from the commonwealth of Israel. This answer, though severe, could not shake her humility, nor overcome her patience ; she meekly answered, " Truthj Lord j yet the dogs eat of the ^i! I i 320 THE LIFIi OF OUIl LOKO crumbs which fall from their Master's table." Mat. XV. 27. Let me enjoy that kindness which the dogs of any family are not denied ; from the plenty of miraculous cures, which thou beatowest on the Jews, drop tiiis one to me who am a poor distressed hea- then : for they will suffer no greater loss by it, than the children of a family do by the crumbs which are cast to the do^s. Our Lord having put the woman's faith to a very severe trial, and being convinced that she possessed a just notion of his power and goodness, as well as of her own unworthiness, wrought, with pleasure, the cure she solicited in behalf of her daughter ; and, at the same time, gave her faith the praises it HO justly deserved.— " Oh ! woman, great is thy faith ; be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour." Mat. XV. 28. After performing this miracle, Jesus retuined to the sea of Galilee, through the region of Decapolis. In this country, a man was brought to him who was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech. Objects in distress were always treated with benevolence by tho holy Jesus ; but as the people now thronged about him, in expectation that he would soon esta- blish his kingdom, he thought proper to take the man, with his relations, aside from the multitude ; after which he put his fingers in his ears, and touched his tongue, that the deaf man, who could not be instructed by language, might know from whence all his benefits flowed, lie then " looked up to heaven, and sighed, and said unto him, Eph- phatha, that is, Be opened. And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. And he charged them that they should tell no man." Mark vii. 34, 35, 30'. AND SAVIOUn JESUS CHRIST. 221 Tint notwithHtondinK they were enjoined to bo- cr«cy, the man, or his relations, published it in every part of the country, doubtleHs thinking they could not be too IuvihIi in the praises of so great a Henclactor : pspecialiy as the modesty with which he had performed the euro abundantly dtmonstrated tliat his Hole view was the benefit of ti»o human race. This rumour gathered the multifude all round him in Decapolis ; for the fame of his mira- cles was extended to every corner of the country. Ho therefore, to avoid the prodigious crowds of peopio, retired into a desert mountain, near the sea of (ialilee. But the solitary retreats of the wilder- ness were unable to conceal the beticficent Saviour of mankind. Tliey soon discovered his retreat, and brought to him from all quarters the sick, the lame, the dumb, the blind, ai-d the mained. Tlie sight ot so many objects in distress, so excited the com- passion of the Son of God, that he graciously re- leased them from all their complaints. Miracles like these could not fail of astonishing the spectators, especially those performed upon the dumb : for it must be remembered that he not only conferred on those the faculty of liearing, and pronouncing arti- culate sounds, but conveyed at once into their minds the whole language of the country ; they were in- stantly acquainted with all the words it contained, their sigiiitications, their forms, their poweiw, and their use : at the same time they enjoyed the habit of speaking it botli fluently and copiously. This was surely enough to demonstrate to the most stupid, that such works could have been effected by nothing less than infinite power. « The multitude wondered, w-hen they saw the dumb to speak, the mained to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blinc- to see : and they glorified the God of Israel." Mat. xv. 31. I 222 TIIR LU'R OF OUR LORD The various works performed by tlie blessed Re- deemer detained the multitude in the desert with him three days, during which time they consumed all the provisions they had brought into tliis soli- tary place. But Jesus would not send them away fasting, lest any who had followed him so far from their habitation should faint in their return. Ac- cordingly, he again exerted his heavenly power to feed the multitude a second time in the wilderness. It is highly worthy of our notice, the great wisdom of our blessed Saviour, in choosing to spend so great a part of the time he executed his public ministry in the wilderness, and solitary places. He did not seek the applauses of men, but the eternal salvation of their souls ; and therefore often delivered his doctrines in the silent retreats thereof : in conse- quence of which he was followed by such only as had dispositions adapted for profiting by his instruc- tions. It could not be supposed that many of indifferent dispositions would accompany him into solitudes, where they were to sustain the inconve- niences of hunger for several days successively, and be at the same time exposed to all the inclemencies of the weather. Those only who were desirous of instructions, could therefore, be expected to follow the blessed Jesus into these retired parts ; and on those, doubtless, his doctrines distilled like dew, and like the small rain upon the tender herb. Happy mortals, who thus exchanged the shallow and frothy stream of folly, for the deep and salutary rivers of eternal wisdom : who left the noise and bustle of covetous bigoted people, for the calm instructions of the Son of God ; and exchanged the perishing bread of this world for the bread of life, the bread that came down from heaven ! After feeding the multitude miraculously, Jesus AND 9AVF0UR JI ,08 CHRIST. retirea into a district, called Dalmanutlm, a p.irt of he territory of Magdala. Here he wjta viaited by the Pharisees who having heard that he had a second irae fed the multitude miraculously, were fearful that the common people would aeknowledge h.m for the MeBsiah : and therefore deterrait.ed openly and pubhcly to confute his pretentions to that character. In order to do this they boldly demanded of him a sign from heaven ; for it must be remembered, that the Jews expected the Messiah would make Ins first public appearance in the clouds of heaven and m a glorious manner establish a temporal king- dom. This opinion was founded on the followiuo- prophecy of Daniel, which they understood liter"- a ly ; 1 saw in the night visions, and behold, one like the son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought lum near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom that all people, nations, and Jtnguages, should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away ; and his kingdom, that which shall not be destroyed." Daniel vii. 13, 14. It is therefore evident, that the pharisees by desiring Jesus to show them a sign from heaven, raeant that he should demonstrate himself to be the Messiah by coming in a visible and miraculous manner from heaven, and wresting with great pomp the sceptre of David from the hands of the Romans, it the minds of the pharisees had been open to conviction, the proofs which Jesus was daily giving them, would have been more than sufficient to estab- ish the truths of his mission, and demonstrate that he was the long expected Messiah. But they were not desirous of being convinced ; HI If ^1 'I :)i 224 THE LIFR OF OUR LOUD nud to that alono, and not to want of evidence, or of capacity in tliotnsolvoB, it was owinj;;, that they refused to acknowledge our Saviour to bo the person foretold by the prophets. Their disposition was absolutely incorrigible ; so that Jesus sighed in spirit, and declared that the sign they sought should never be given them ; and that the only sign they were to expect was that of the prophet Jonas, on the miracle of his own resurrection ; a sign, indeed, much greater than any shown by the ancient pro- phets ; and consequently a sign which demonstrated that JeHUS was far superior to them all. ** A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign, and tt)»re shall be no sign given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. Mat. xvi, 4. Having thus removed the impertinent curiosity of the Pharisees, he departed with his disciples and entered into a ship : and as they sailed, he cautioned them <;o beware of thopharisees and sadducees, which he termed leaven, from its pernicious influence in filling the minds of men with pride, and other irre- gular passions : but these hypocrites chiefly insisted on the observation of the frivolous traditions, but neglected the true principles of pioty, and hence filled the minds of their disciples with a high opinion of their own sanctity. But the disciples having forgotten to take bread with them, understood that he intended to caution them against procuring it from the heathens or Samaritans. They were so stupid as not to know that tiieir Master who had fed above ten thousand people with five loavoH, was also capable of pro- viding for them m their necessities. On his landing at Bethaaida, they brought unto liim a blind man, desiring that he would heal him : Jesus accordingly took the man by the hand and ince, or of :^hat they he peraon ition was sighed in ^ht ehould sign they Jonas, on n, indeed, cient pro- lunstrnted A wicked sign, and le sign of iriosity of liples and cautioned jes, which fluence in ther irre- y insisted tions, but iid hence ;h opinion ike bread :o caution a,thens of t to know thousand e of pro- ight unto leal him : mud and AND HAVIOUft JE8US CHRIST. 005 convey .„ IZTZ indiSC o7'hr '"" *" J^m then put hi, h«,d.T."a unon him ^.T" and infidelity, ereX dlLSK i:''''i""P™"«'"=«' world • »na .{,1. ? <"»P'««ed the Savour of the wom , and this perhaps, wa« the raunn -!..,» rrinitrat«ii;sf-i:2^^ m U u r] 226 TIUC LIFK, or Oim LORii CHAPTER XVI. TH^4 BLKSSRD JKSOS DKLKOATRS A SPECIAL POVVKll TO PKTEIl, ONK OF 1118 D1HC1PLF08. PIlONOUNCrs TH2i FINAL JUDGMENT OK THE WORLD, AND !S AFTEllWAllDS TRANSFIOIIIIED I'PON THE MOUNT. Jesus having displayed hia power and goodness iu restoring the man to sight, departed from Bcthsaida, and retired to the territory of Cesarea Philippi, where being desirous of proving in some measure the faith of the apostles, ho asked them, saying, « Whom do men say that I, the Son of man, ani ?" In answer to this question the disciples replied, « Some say that thou art John the Baptist ; some Elias ; others Jeremias, or one of the prophets.' Mat. xvi. ID. The people in general mistook the character of our Saviour, because he did not assume that outward AND SAVIOUil JKSUa CHlllST. 2'2r L POVVKIl 3N0ltNCi;S , AND IS MO UM. odness iu tethsjvida, >pi, where 5 the faith kVhom do inswcr to gay that I ; others t. xvi. 1.'). racter of I; outward pomp and grandeur with which they suppoaed the Messiah would be adorned. Jesus was therefore desiroua of knowing what idea liis disciples formed of his character, aa thoy had long enjoyed the benefit of his doctrines and miracles j and accordingly asked thera, What they themHjves underHtood him to be< lo this queation Simon Peter replied. "Ihou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.'' mu. ^*I""I''''*''"''*'^^®^8*^^^^''« title • telling Peter. 1 hat God alone had revealed the secret to him. And in allusion to his surname, Peter, which sig- nihes Rock, our Saviour promised that he should have a principal hand in establishing his kingdom ; and that the Christian Church bIhkiW be erected on his labours, as on a solid foundation, never to be destroyed. " And 1 Bay unto thee, That thou art 1 eter, and upon this rock 1 will build my church : and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I xvill give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of 'leaven : and whatsoever thou shalt bind ou earth sha 1 be bound in heaven : and whatsoever thou Shalt h)08e on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Mat xvi. 18, 19. Having delegated this power to Peter, our Savi- our strictly forbade his disciples to tell any man that he was the Messiah ; because it had been decreed m the courts of heaven, that he should be rejected by the rulers of Israel as a false Christ, and suffer the pams of death. Circumstances which could not tail of givmg his followers great offence, as they did not yet understand the true nature of his kingdom ; and therefore he thought proper to let every man torra a judgment of his mission, from his doctrines *f l"*'*?*'^®*' *"*^ ""' assume publicly the character Tif ^®^^^ ^^^^^ such great disadvantages. ino foregoing diacourses had, doubtless, filled 228 THE LIFE OP OUR LOUD the apostles' minds with lofty imaginations, and therefore our Saviour thought proper to acquaint them with his sufferinjjjs, in order to check any fond expectations of temporal power. Peter, however, was greatly displeased to hear his Master talk of dying at Jerusalem, when he had just before accepted the title of Messiah. Accordingly, he re- buked him for the expression, which ho was so bold as to think unguarded. But Jesus, turning himself about, said unto Peter, " Get thee behind me, Satan ; thou art an offence unto me : for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." Mat. xvi. 23. Peter's conduct in this respect, arising from an immoderate attachment to sensual objects, our Sa- viour thought proper to declare publicly, that all who intended to sharo with him in the glory of the heavenly Canaan, must deny themselves ; that is, they must be always ready to renounce every worldly pleasure, and even life itself, when the cause of religion required it : ho also told them that in this life they must expect to meet with troubles and disappointments ; and that whoever intended to be his disciple, must " take up his cross daily, and follow him. Thus did the blessed Jesus fully explain to his disciples the true nature of his kingdom ; and at the same time intimated, that tl^ough they had already undergone many afflictions, yet they must expect still more, and greater, which they must sustain with equal fortitude, following their Master io the footsteps of their afflictions. This duty however hard, was absolutely necessary ; because, by losing their temporal life, they would gain that which was eternal ; "for whosoever will save his life, shall lose it : but whosoever will lose his life for my AND SAVIOUR JRSUS CHIlfST. 229 sake, the same shall save it." Luke ix 04 u p«^ give .n eKcl,«.ge for hi. «,m... Mat xvi 26 ""^ ui losing their eternal reward. «Who8oev«P herefoi^ shall be ashamed of me, and of my words' 1 "half 1T„' '?' ''"'"J generation7of ht Cometh n1^«? *"' ?*° if a«hamed, when he thim lt'"fi '^'^ "",^"^^ **^ his disciples, he informed n hTs ow ilf/r'^ ":?' "PP^*^^ *« J"d«« th« world Irraved T„ hthT'"^ "°°^**'""' »>»* niagnificently Sf ^^ ?°*^ I"* **^" *nake even U.e 'sun tS Snf; ?Tf ^ '? *^'« *^^"^ °»a°°«r» the great Judge attended by the whole celestial host, will if; t-'if t» u;u) ttitt MKK Of OUU lOHtt *MU»mHMul r»H»n» ln»«ivnii with n hIhuiI, wllli Hi« voln« «!' tho iiroluiUK««l. luul with ih« iiump ofCJod," (I Th0tt.lv. l(».) m»Uh»g h»'Kvt»n, «»»i'lh, hihI IipII, to iH'Mottuii. 'rh« (loH«i of nil ootiiihlitM, mul nil tlntoM^ will h?mr Iho ti'»»int»utlou« owll. " !lfti'l« I ihn living, i\\W\[ with joy, t^xultuMho M|n»i'onoh of ()innl|M»t«iimn ; or woUi»«l with lii»»x|nt»wttlltlo hoi'i'or, noiuf U|» t.h« luottt nlt»iH'lun oi'lptt, aiul wv«»hII «'hHiii(p»l hi i% iiioinpitt, In th0 twlnUllnn of an (nyo I TI»o iliMul !>«•«««»* forth fnnu thnli* nmvoH, »nulV«»llow o»oh otlun" In olono IM'ownHioul Hc»hohl Ihit, nh I nuthlnn onn hiihohi, iiothinx oiiii ht»ur hix |»iim«HHH« 1 T\w houviMm «lt»)mvt Uko a Mn^>ll n>lllnu lt»»i»lf togothri- t l"lvt»M»taini4 imkI UIiikh, to nvoUl tho f«o«i of hlo» that nUlvth on tho tltronn, tho |>i'©w>uoo of tho Latuh, vm\\ hoiioiith troinhlluK mountaiott, m«hI pluiij^o Into naming i'Ivoi-m ! Hut it«ltht>i* luoutUaiuH noi' thuninu; rlvrw will ihivotn' tluuu, for thov aro raUtnl hnnuu'tal. Hohold him Ihon, for all imint bohold him ! vwu hUoyo, whow unthiuUtng hand tlitivo hin naila at diilvary ; nor hmvon nor «>arth oxint ; i«tar« aiol moo aiti vanlMlnHl, imt th«y nhonltl darUon tho prooostthni ; tmuo tho oinuMtlHion of UoHtiM, and now Iiim glory oxtlnmnNlicH tho i«un 1 lio 1 holl. with what rolnotanoo conio forth to Bontonop ! Lo 1 two worldn to ho Indgi^d, and tho thiinl an aswiMtant upoctator ! Ihdiold ! with what hoauty, with what holdnoM», with what joy, wHuo spring forward towardH tho jndgniont h« at. Sw, on thy wi«h tho «»\tinctitHi of thoir boiug ! fain wonid thoy tly, hue cannot ; inipoliod by n force, hy atrong hocoh- nity, they haston to tho place of jndgniont : ai th<»y ndVjuice, tiio aight of the tribunal from afar atrikos AHU M.\vintrrt .hhmiiw iHiiiMf. TM ihmu with iinw (,„ili \u iliM iiiiil t{itlli«r iMinid Mm tJinnut hyr IlKMiwiimli. In iliM iiMiiiiiliMiM fh'n nth'i'iMOMi, |iim,t. ,.{' iJio (.iirili, lly Hn,iiit«| (J 11} in iniiii* l)tu>lnNit iiinliliiitl l•|•|oloin^f iJiMt. (JHulHy ol'/^».in'nil r.»f,i'ilMili(wi iMjoiiio «i«t, «iliniiliiii^ iiinlodiiiiiM r.uii//»<, itiid w UMl Vh'M Mlmll Imi tllllMVII I iHUi'imliuii, Mini vii'Mm pxiillnd to ij I'oiM iin hi rh j,„nt of hot Im loiir: wlinii Mio iiifiluiuijom of Pn.vid 10 |iiiMiii««ln of (•not* MJiitll ' uiin«vt«llp»l, (Jim |fim of tlin Aloii«li»,y viii- jIh'ivMmI (,|,o ciiui.,,!, oi' chn^fc ,„in,liawMl by IiIm blood, rloiifcd IVoni liof liii<|iiH,oiN iiMunlMifM, ami I'V.'i-y iliiii^ wliiidi .dr..iid..i,li, liaolMliod lor ovoi-, lloliold ! tho booi(M aioopomMl, mII , , , . , -. . -ioiino pt'ocda •Ml, uiid ovfi-y imiividiial tlllod wIMi awlul jrh(.mj«H of vii-tm, do Mio ri«litpoiiH Miami at Uod*M trihunal I tlioir Jookrt m«- loiin, and uxproMHivo (d" hopoH tnll of innnortality I (hi thouilKo' hand, tim witil(((d, rooloiimliMj at the nnuumbntiKso of thuir paHt livuM, torrillod with tiu* hiuwi' appndmnHionM (»f what Im to conio, hang down thi'ii' doj.ujtod InnidH, and winh to hido tlmni- Holvij* in thu fathoniloMH abyHH, but all in vaiti ; tliero m iio encaping nor nppoaluw from thia tribunal I , , a ■i I': TIIK LIl'U OF OUR LOKD Behold ! with mercy shining in his countananee, the king invites the righteous to take possession of the kingdom prepared for them from the beginning of the world ; but frowns of anger, drive the wick- ed to punishment which shall have no end, no alleviation, no remission ? What horror ! what despair must seize these wretched souls, when they see destruction at hand, and feel the unspeakable torment of an awakened conscience I Now they seek for death but find it not ; would gladly be righteous, but it is too late I The happy land of promise, formed by the hand of the Almighty, large, bcaujiful, and pleasant, a proper habitation for his people, and long expected by them as tlieir country, now appears. Here all the righteous are assembled, forming one vast, one happy society, even the kingdom, the city of God. Here Omnipotence manifests himself in a peculiai* manner to his servants, wipes away all tears from off their faces, and adorns them with the beauties of immortality. Here they drink a plenitude of joys from the crystal river, proceeding out of the throne of God, and of the Lamb, and eat of the fruit of the tree of life. Here there shall be no death, nor sorrow, nor crying ; neither shall there be any more pain. Happy day ! happy place ! and happy people ! Imagmation faints with the fatigue of stretching itself to comprehend tlie vast, the unmeasurable thought 1 And this doctrine of Christ being appointed the Universal Judge, might appear incredible at that time, on account of his humiliation, he told them, that some who heard him speak should not taste of death, till they saw him coming in his kmgdom. « Verily I say unto you, there be some row, nor ^^ SAnoUR JESUS ciiursT. 033 examp e of mv now«r inS: T ^ ^* , *" eminent -inful genera^ou^ '' """'^'"^ ^° ^^^ °»«° of this se 'thXt J^^^^^^^^ «^e, all things are g)S8,ble to h,m that believeth." On which the father cried out with tears, « Lord, I believe, help thou mme unbelief." The vehement manner iS Which he spake causing the crowd to gather from every quarter " Jesus rebuked the foul spirit ; (saymg unto him) Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I in^n'f * »'®Tj>r^r° «"* ""^ ^^^ a°d enter no mire into him." Mark ix. 25„ thi!^lf!'!?^^'^'''?u**'^P^^^^f"^ ^""'^ pronounced, than the devil, w,th a hideous howling, convulsed n«!! tT,"?^ P**'^?* in the most deplorable man- himVn V '"'^ *f^'"^ '^'^ ^y *^ hand, restored to his father^" delivered him perfectly recovered remiTnri"''f^'''''P^^!' ^"""S *»"*« whole transaction, thbk ?hl *f "'; T^^y ^^"^ doubtless mortified to thmk that they had lost, by some fault of their own, ml^r*' ?^ T""*^'"^ miracles, lately conferred werLf '^ ?^ '^^'T ^^'''''' *"d f^^this reason mnuM^**^ ^ ^^^^^ *« him in the presence of the multitude. But when they came into the house, ney desired Jesus to inform them, why they failed m their attempt to heal that remarkable youth ? fm THE LIFE OF OUR LORD To which Jesus answered, " Because of your u»- belief." But to encourage them, he described the eflBcacy of the faith of miracles. « If ye l»ve faith as a grain of mustard-seed, ye shall say unto this mountain. Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove : and nothing shall be impossible unto you." Mat. xvii. 29. Nothing shall be too great for you to accomplish, when the glory of God, and the good of the Church are concerned, pro- vided you have a proper degree of faith ; even yonder mountain, which bids defiance to the stoinn, and smiles at the attacks of its mingled horrors, shall, at your command, leave its firm basis, and remove to another place. The expulsion of the dumb spirit seems to have astonished the disciples more than any other they had seen their master perform ; so that our Savi- our found it necessary to moderate their high ad- miration of his works by again predicting his own death, and retiring for a time into the unfrequented parts of Galilee. But they could not comprehend how the Messiah, who was to abide for ever, and was come to deliver , others from the stroke of death, should himself ' fall by the hand of that universal destroyer. And because he spake of rising again the third day, they could not conceive the reason for his dying at all, and for his laying so short a time in the cham- bers of the grave. Though they were alarmed at this declaration, they remembered that he had often inculcated this doctrine, and reprimanded Peter for being unwil- ling to hear it. After a short tour through the desert part of Galilee, Jesus returned into Capernaum, the place of his general residence. Soon after his arrival, AND SAVIOUR JE8US CHRIST. 241 Whether hia Master would pay the tribute ? That sSfthi7"'^ hadnro„riid that JeBusMuld satisfy their demand ; but on a more mature con- sideration feared to ask him concerning hspavTn; ^ taxes on any pretence whatever. * ^^^ Jesus was, however, no stranger to what had happened, and the fear of Peter to ask him • aid therefore turned the discourse to this subL't Sy saying unto him, "What thinkest tLu, sTraon ? innute ? Of their own children, or of stranirers « Peter saith unto him, of strangers. Jesus S unto him, thr „,e the children free ;» iSuatin^ thac he waP . .If the Son of the grearK^nrto whom heav.^, earth and sea belong, he had no right to pay tribute to any monarch whatever be^ cause he held nothing byl derived right ' Ur, If we suppose this contribution was made for the service and reparation of the temple, he meant that he was himself the Son of that Omnltent Being to whom the tribute was paid, he 3d hava .lustly excused himself. But the ble'ssed Je us wla S hTm ^h / • * ^""u^ ^'^^ * ""« ^"^ * hook, tell- inme ,?n hi!" f^.T"*^ ^^ *« «'«* fi«h that came up he should find a piece of money equal to he sum demanded of them both. " NotwithTt^n^ n'd ::'. "' t'f «^^"^ ^^^»"' ^- thou ; the «"t colthn'?*''^^'^^^^^^^ "P^h^ ««hthat first thou sh^f. '<, / ""^'^^ *''°" ^^^^ «P^"^d his mouth give it S* 1*^,;^ * ?'"*^t"^ '^^"^y^ that take and gjve It unto them, for thee and me." Mat. xvii 27 Pay^'gtKibutJ;'" -*--^--y method'Jf the mirlclr werl T^^'i '" ,* "', '"^""^'' because miraclf , were of such a kind as could not de- 243 THE LIFR OP OUR LORD nionatrate that he was the Son of the great monarch worshippod in the temj)le, and who rules the uni- verse. In the very manner therefore, of paying this tribute, he showed Peter that lie was free from all taxes ; and at the satne time gave this useful lesson to his followers, that when their property is aftected only in a small degree, it is better to recede a little from their just right than to offend their brethren, or disturb the state, by obstinately insist- ing on it. Notwithstanding our blessed Saviour had lately foretold his own sufferings and death, and though these melancholy accounts had greatly afflicted the minds of 'his disciples, yet their grief was of no long continuance ; for within a few days they for- got the predictions of their Master, and disputed with each other about the chief posts of honour and profit in the Messiah's kingdom. This debate was overheard by the blessed Jesus, though he did not mention it till after the tax gatherers were retired, when he asked them, what they were disputing about on the way I This question rendered them all silent. They were fearful of discovering the cause that had given rise to the debate, as they knew it would draw on thera a reprimand from their Master. Jesus, perceiving that they still continued silent, sat down, and ordered them to stand round him, and attend to what he was going to deliver. Tf any man, said the Saviour of the world, is ambitious of being the greatest person in my kingdom, let him endeavour to obtain that dig- nity by preferring others in honour, and doing to thera all the good offices in his power. " If any man desire to be first, the same shaU be last of all, and servant of all." Mark ix. 35. The disciples were now convinced, that it was ia AND SAVlOUtt JliSUS CHRIST. 243 lf.'ll^. ?"''f/ **'** '"^^j^*^* «^ *»>« del>«^'e that had happened ou the way ; and accordingly they dre^ Xcl "hldT/"'*''' deainnghim tolLdeiXt which had o ten given occasion todinpntea: '» Wiio en r St V -' r'T'''' *^- '""gdom of het? ernu atio^fin r-"-^^- • '^''*"^' *« ^heck'the^e foolish « Terilt I "L ? '"''^ • ^"^ «"'^ ""*» them, veiily, J say unto y(,u, except ye be converted nto the kingdom of hraven." Mat xviii 3 Tin nd'broth^^f ^^' ^ ''' powe^i/dwlne'gra^e; and brought to a due sense of the vanitv of all To^:^'JT'T'''^ '''^''' and honours, and bi- Tm Zl '^"'^ ^T'^^' '" «P^"*' y« «''^1' be so far ve Imll^;"''"^ "*^ greatest in my kingdom, that 8ha lie 17ZT'- f \''^'''' B"t whosoever has Dlaln • '** ''"^ *''^ «***">" '" ^hich God d.vl.fJ f . ""?' ""^^^^^^^^ ^'''» meekness all the .tirato.^'"'*'T'* ^««-«--r contrary to his own man k ."n' T"* P''^^"'*' *^^'**^^'' *« i"'ra«eJf, that man is really the greatest in my kinedom *' Who S7't^"''"' ^''^^ l^-'ble'hi„.sKthiB mtb ve.!'' Mat""i1i.7"''"' '"^ '" '^"«'^°* ^^ ^-*- ahli^h^Y'""'"' to demonstrate how truW accent- Almighty, took the child in his arms, declarino- at whoever humbled themselves, 1 ke a S totlal^ '^'7'^ ^"'^'^"^^^ t« tJ^^ir fellow creatures greu dav If '*" '"T ^'"^"^^'^ ^^^^^^ themTthe f ese worthv'^'n.-""''? 'TT^^y '^ ^hey performed It aZlv^ ^/*'«"«/n obedience to hi^ commands. *", me sons ol Zebedee, were principally con- 244 THE IJFK OF OUIl U)FID cemed in this debate ; for wo find that John en- deavoured to divert it, by telling his Muster, they had seen one casting out devils in his name, and had forbidden him, because he did not join himself to their companv. To which Jesus replied, that they should not have forbidden him, since he must have entertained very high notions of their Mas- ter's power, at seeing the devils leave the bodies of them on mentioning the name of Jesus. " Forbid him not ; for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me." Mark ix. 39. You should, added the blessed Jesus, consider that every one who does not persecute us, is our friend ; and that the ejection of devils in my name will advance my reputation, and promote my inter- est, even though exorcist, and the devils themselvea should design the contrary. He also told his dis- ciples that the least degree of respect showed him by any one, even though it should be no more than the giving a cup of cold water to his thirsty disci- ples, is acceptable to him, and should not fail of meeting with an adequate reward. " For whoso- ever shall give you a cup of water to drink, in my name, because you belong to Christ, verily, I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward." Maik ix. 41. But on the other hand, the least discouragement given to his disciples in the propagation of the gos- pel, come from what quarter it will, shall be pu- nished with the greatest severity. *' And whoso- ever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in roe, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the se»}." Mark ix. 42. From this saying, Jesus inferrod, that it was iiat John en* Master, they B Oiune, and t join himself replied, that lince he must f their Mas- the bodies of IS. " Forbid :h shall do a speak evil of iND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 245 more advantaj^eous to deny ourselves ♦Ha h;„i * enjoyments of this world/aX part wUh et?v nng, hoivever precious, represented by a hand T. were appointed to sow the seei"lf\'i^^e atdT ^ SSrS' SS-' wis Sr^j ™»«le"ce ; and "tliat theiranmlsdo alw*™ blessed Saviour did not mean by this exoressZ has rZ,r'l "''° P''""'"^" 'ho """ties o?Sn' thJLtTf 'k? ™"°°™ »' '■'' Almighty Father, for anne U i.r "'*'"'''"'.« ''e "otonly gave his hiiher K l/ten^Tf f "!! ^"'"adalsolem was lost • S J , '*''' *"'* 'o "a™ *»' which " tat , and would share in the joy which he«. IJ! 246 TUB LIFE OK OUR LORD > venly boinga are filled with on their recovery." " How thiiiU ye I if a man have a hundred slioep, and one of thorn be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth info the mountains and seeUeth that which is gone astray ? And if so be that he find it, Verily I say untoyou,herejoicefh more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish." Mat. xviii. 12, 13, 14. Having thus addressed the offending party, ho turned himself towards his disciples, and gave them instructions with regard to the offended. " If thy brothershall trespass against thee, Go andtell himhis fault between thee and him alone : if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he «imll neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church : but if he neg- lect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." Mat. xviii. 15, 16, 17. Try every possible measure to reclaim thy brother, ^nd in order to effect this, represent his fault to him privately. If this rebuke have the desired effect, thou hast brought him back to the paths which lead to happiness : but, if this gentle method fail, two or more grave persons should join in the rebuke, that he may be convinced of the injury he has done thee. If he still remain obstinate, tell his offence to the church, whose sentence will sufficiently show that thou hast done thy duty, and that he alone is to blame. But if he is so hardened^is not to be affected by the censure of the church, he is from theneelortli to be treated as the Pharisees treat the Heathens and Publicans : namely, as an incorrigible sinner, AND SAVIOUR JBSU9 CUIirST. 247 whose company and conversation, beinR contagious, ouglit to be shunned by all who have any love for virtue and religion. ^ Our Saviour now confers the special power which he conhned to Peter on all \m dLciplea. « Verilv sinlf h«T ^'?'- T''^^«°«^«r ye shall bind on earth! shall be boutid in heaven : and whatHooverye shall xv^H T« '%!^'/-'"'^ be loosed in heaven/ Mat. XV HI. J«. Ihat IB, yo have free power to preach remission of sins through faith in the gospel, and reF-jitance unto life, and such decree will remain belCw!" *'''"'' ""^ ''''^" ' *^^^"«'^ P^''"*^'^ ^'^'^ But, on the other hand, if the offending brother contmue impenitent after all the methods above described arc tried, his guilt is bound the faster upou hiiu ; because, by the precepts of the gospel, none but penitents can obtain pardon. Our blessed Saviour also added, as an encourage- meut to good men, that if they continued earnest lu theu; endeavour to bring sinners to repentance, and offered up their prayers to the Almighty for assistance he would always grant their petitions, provided they were agreeable to the wise ends of his providence. "Again I say unto you. That if iwo you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them ot my leather which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered togr^her in my name, there am I m the midst of them." Mat. xviii. 19, 20. 1 eter had before heard his master speak of the doctrme of frequent forgiveness, and imagined that wnat lie had now so strongly inculcated might prove dangerous to society j and therefore thought it hia auty to offer his objections, "Lord (said he) how on shall my brother sin against me and I forgive I . I 248 TIIK LIPK OK OITR LORD him ! till seven times ?" Mat. xviii. 21. He thonglit It a strange doctrine which ohlij^ed hir.i to forj^ive offences seven times repeatetl ; l,ut our bloHsed Saviour told him that he was very greatly mlBtaken ; that he never intended to limit forgivenesH t<»aevon times, but that it ought to be extended wen to seventy times sevwu. This exoeileut moral precept he enforced by the parable of the two servants, debtors to one lord ; morder to show thenecoHsity of forgiving the gr-ateMt injuries in every case whore the offending party is sensible of his fault and promises amendment ; be- cause on this condition alone, our heavenly Father will forgive our offences. "Therefore (said the blessed Jesna) is the kinddom of heaven likened to a certain king that would take account of his ser- vants." God is the great King and Sovereign of all creatures, and all are accountable to him, as servants to a master. He will reckon with all : and happy are they who live sensible of this important truth. When he had begun to reckon, one servant was brought unto him who owed him an immense debt, ten thousand talents, a debt much greater than he was able to pay. His lord, therefore, commanded nira, agreeable to the custom of those times, to be sold for a slave, and "his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made." The servant, convinced of the justice of the sen- tence, and knowing he had nothing to hope for, but from the mercy and clemency of his lord, fell down m the most humble manner, and importunately besought him, saying, *'Lord have patience with, me, and I will pay thee all." The master, moved with compassion towards him, accepted of his humihation : and to make his happiness complete, loosed him from the sentence jiflicted, and freely AND SAVIOUR JKSU8 CIIUI8T. 249 forgave him the enormous debt: an obligation Burely iufticient to have melted the hardest heart into gratitude towards his lord, and the tenderest aymputhy towards any of his brethren in distress. But, alas ! who is acquainted with the human heart I This very servant went out from the presence of hiH conipassionuto lord, and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred pence : a poor, inconsiderable debt in compariaon of what he had himself owed his lord. But behold the base inhumanity of this servant : he laid hands on the poor debtor, seizing him vio- lently by the throat, and saying, « Pay me that thou owest. His fellow servant fell down at his feet, even as he had just before done at the feet of his iord, and besought him in the very same worda he himself had so lately used, « Have patience with me, and 1 will pay thee all." Such a similarity of circumstances one would have thought must have affected his stony heart, brought to ren mbrauco his own late distress, and melted his soul into the like generous compassion which had flowed sosweetly from his lord to him. But his conduct was the very reverse : he would have no patience, he would show no pity ; he went and cast the unhappy debtor into prison till he should pay the debt. His fellow-servants, when they saw what wis done, were exceedingly afUicted, and came and told their lord the whole trannactiou. Upon which he summoned the unmerciful servant to appear before niuj ; and filled with indignation and abhorrence, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, how per' jrse 18 thy behaviour, how ungrateful and base thy pro- ceeding : « I forgave thee all the debt," Ihat enormoud debt thou owest me : " because thou clesiredst me :" 1 was moved to clemency uud iii 250 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD I eompassion by thy entreaties and distress, and *' shouldst not thou also have had cuinposiiiou on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee V Shouldst not thou much rather have forgiven him, tvho was thy fellow servant, and o ^ed thee »jo small a sum, when I, thy king and lord, had forgiven thee so immense a debt. Having thus expostulated with him, his wrath was kindled, and he <' delivered him to the tor* mentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise (added the Son of 6<> 1) shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." Mat. xviii. 34, iiS. And surely this awful threatening ought to strike the minds of fierce and implacable men with terror. For whatever they may think, it will certainly, in its full extent, be inflicted upon all who refuse to obey the dictutes of divine mercy, and forgive not only their fellow- servants, but every brother in Christ, who through weakness or inadvertence may have done tliem an injury «iither in person or property. 1' I AND SAVIOUR JKSUS Chltldt. CHAPTER XVIII. 9ftl OUR BLESSED LORD ATTENDS FOR THE FOURTH TIMR THE CliLKUUATlON OF THE PASSOVER AT JERU- SALEM. HARANGUES THE MULTITUDE AT THE SOLEMN PEAST OF TABERNACLES. EXEMPTS THE WOMAN DETECTED IN ADULTERY FROM THE PUN- ISHMENT ANNEXED BY THE .lEWS TO THAT CRIME. ESCAPES FROM THE SNARES LAID FOR HIM BY THE INVETERATE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES. The great Redeemer having promoted bis Father's work in Galilee, departed into Judea, passing through the country beyond Jordan, that the Jews who inhabited those distant parts, might enjoy the unspeakable benefits of his discourses and miracle.s. After sowing the seeds of eternal life, and publishing tlie glad tidings of salvation in those remote coun tries, he repaired to Jeiusalem to celebrate tho 252 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD fourth passover ; but the malignity of the scribes and pliarisees was so great, that he stayed but a short tune in the capital ; and then returned into Galilee, where the multitude again resorted unto him, and he again instructed them in the paths that lead to everlasting life. The feast of the tademacles now drew on, at which all the males of the Jowish nation, capable of travel- Jmg, repaired to Jerusalem, and dwelt in the taber- nacles or booths made of tiie boughs of trees, in commemoration; of their fathers having no other habitation, during their forty years sojourning in the wilderness. To this feast some of the kins- men of the blessed Jesus desired he would accom- pany them, and there show himself openly to the whole nation of the Jews. They did not them- selves believe that he was the great prophet so long expected ; and therefore condemned the method he pursued in his public ministry as altogether ab- They could not conceive what reasons he had for spending so much of his time in the deserts, and remote corners of the kmgdom, while he professed so public a character as that of the Redeemer of Israel. Jerusalem, the seat of power, was, in their opinion, much the properest place for him to deliver his doctrines, and work his miracles in the most public manner possible, before the great and learned men of the nation, whose decision in his favour would have great weight in increasing the number ot his disciples, and inducing the whole nation to own him for the Messiah. « Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works that inou. doest. For there is no man that doth any thing m secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things show thyself to the Anu bAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 253 world. For neither did his brethr'?n believe m him." John vii. 3, 4, 5. Our Lord well knew the rancorous prejudice of the mliabitants of Jerusalem ; and therefore did not think proper to reside among them any longer than was absolutely necessary. They had more thai! once attempted his Ufe, and therefore very little hopes remained that they would believe his mira- cles, or embrace his doctrine ; but on the contrary. the greatest reason to think they would destroy him, it possi ble, before he had finished the work whi« he came into the world to perform. « My time (said the Saviour to these unbelievmg relations) is not yet come ; but your time is always ready. « The world cannot hate you : but me it hateth, because I testify ol It, that the works thereof are evil Go ye up unto this feast, for my time is not yet full come.^' John VII. 6, 7, 8. As if he had said, It is not proper for me to go before the feast begins ; but you may retire to the capital whenever you pleaso : The Jews are your friends, you have done nothing to displease them : but the purity of the doctrines 1 have preached to them, and the freedom with which I have reproved their hypocrisy, and other enormous crimes, have provoked their malice to the utmost height ; and therefore as the time of my sufferings is not yet come, it is not prudent for me to go so soon to Jerusalem. There was also another reason why our blessed Saviour refused to accompany these relations to the feast of tabernacles : the roads were crowded with people, and these gathering round him, and accom- panying him to Jerusalem, would doubtless have gjven fresh offence to his enemies, and in a great measure have prevented his miracles and doctrines iiom having tiie desired effect. He therefore choose ■itf , til 254 THK LIPK OP OUR LORD to continue in Galileo till the crowds were all gone up to Jerusalem, when he followed, as it were, in secret, neither preaching nor working miracles by the way ; so that no crowd attended him to the feast. As Jesus did not go up openly to Jerusalem, so neither did he on his arrival, repair to the temple, and there preach openly to the people. This gave occasion to several disputes among the Jews with regard to his character. Some alHrmed that he was a true prophet ; and that his absenting himself from the feast could be owing only to accident : while others as confidently asserted, that he only deceived th^ people, and paid no regard to the institutions they had received from heaven. But about the middle of the feast, Jesus appeared openly in the temple and taught the people, deliv- ering his doctrines with such strength of reason and elegance of expression, that his very enemies were astonished, knowing that he had never eojoyed the advantage of a learned education. " Now about the midst of the feast, Jesus went up into the tem- ple, and taught. And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweththisman letters, haviugnever learned?" John vii. 14, 15. To which the great Redeemer of mankind replied, my doctrine was not produced by human wisdom : the sages of the world were not ray instructors : I received it from heaven, it is the doctrine of the Almighty, whose messenger I am. *• My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me." John vii. 16. Nor can he who is desirous of practising the doc- trines I deliver, if he will lay aside his prejudices, and sincerely desire to be taught of God, be at a loss to know from whom my doctrines are derived : because he will eaaiiy discern whether they are AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 255 conformable to the will of man, or of God. It is no ditticulty to discover an impostor, because all his precepts W.11 tend to advance his iwn interest and gratify his pride. Whereas all the doctrines deirv- dorv rff ?, *77^«P^>^t '''^ve no other end than the R ory t God, however contrary they may prove to himse 1. « He tlut speaketh of imn/elf, LZl\t own glory : but he that seeketh his glory that sen? ll^'ThT vllr ^"' "^ "-iglL/sness is in Our Lord was upbraided with impiety by some the Jews, because he had healed on the SabS winch they pretended was a violation of the law of Moses, and consequently what no prophet would be ?h« f fu . f" ''"'''^'; *^ ''^"^•''' ^»"^ «^^i»"r told thr «'„ ^T^J" *^'^^ »"i^^J»t pretend to renounce he authority of Moses and his law, they made no ruple of violating the most sacred of his precepts^ they had resolved to put him to death directly contrary to every law of G<.d and man; and in order execute t l.eir detestable scheme, were laying plota agaiuHt his life. ^ ° *^ The people replied, « Thou hast a devil, who goeth about to kill thee." To wh-'ch Jesus answered! iho%lhrff "i "»"''^?l^«^ «° extraordinary kind on 10 babbath-day, which you think inconsistent with U character of a pious man; and therefore wonder it 1, '^T ^^ cucumc.sion, and yr>u make no scru- dVv L^r T^^ '''"^ ceremony on the Sabbath- day, because it is a precept both of Moses and the athers. Since, therefore, ye think yourselves bound to dispense with the strict observance of the Sab- Dath m order to form a ceremonial precept, car. you be angry with me, because in order to fulfil the M 256 THK LIFE OP OUR LORD great end of all tlie divine law, I have cured a man who was infirm in all his members, and even with far less bodily labour than you perfoi>m the ceremony of circumcision ? Consider, therefore, the nature of the thing ; divest yourselves of your prejudices, and the superstitious opinions taught by your elders, and judge impartially. *" Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision, (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers) and ye on the Sabbath-day circumcise a man." If a man on the Sabbath-day receive cir- cumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken, are ye angry at me because I have made a man every whit whole on the Sabbath-day ? "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." John vii. 22, 23, 24. Notwithstanding the strength of this argument, several of our blessed Saviour's inveterate enemies asked, with sarcastical surprise, if the boldness of Jesus, and the silence of the rulers, proceeded from their being convinced that he was the Messiah, and at the same time, to deride his pretensions to that high character, said that they were acquainted both with his parents and relations ; but that no man when Christ appeared, would be able to tell from whence he came, founding their opinion on these words of the prophet Isaiah, " Who shall declare his generation V Isaiah liii. 8 ; to which the blessed Jesus answered, that their knowing his parents and relations was no reason against his having the pro- phetical character of the Messiah. Adding, I am not come of myself, but sent from heaven by God, who has uttered nothing by his servants the prophets concerning the Messiah, but what is true, and will all be fulfilled in me ; but ye are totally ignorant of his gracious perfections, and gracious councils, and have uo inclination to obey his just commands. AND SAVIOLTIl JKSUS CHRIST. 257 \()u are leaily i^rnomut of what the prophets have delivered coneerninj; the Messiah ; for, had you understood their predictions, you would have kuown that one of his principal characters is to understand the periections and will of God more fully, and ex- plain them to the sons of men more clearly than any other messenger ever before sent from the Most High. And would you attentively consider the doctrines I deliver, you would soon perceive tins character remarkably fulfilled in me, and be convinced that 1 came from the Almighty God of Jacob. This defence, however powerful, and his reasons, however solid, were I'ar from disarming his enemies of their malice : for some of them were desirous of apprehending him : but Providence would not suf- fer any to lay hands on him, because the time of his sufferings was not yet come. Many of the people, however, convinced by the powerful miracles ho had lately wrought, and the unanswerable reasons he had advanced ia support of his character, believed on him, and affirmed publicly in the temple, that he was the Messiah. '< And many of the people believed on him and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man liutli done ?" John vii. ;}1. The scribes and pharisees were highly provoked at this attachment of the <;ommon people to Jesus ; and accordingly, on the last and great day of the least, they met in council, and sent several officers to apprehend him, and bring him before them. Jesus, during these transactions in the council, coutnmed in the temple teaching the people. My inimstry, said he to the multitude, is drawing near Its period ; and therefore you should, during the shoit time it has to last, be very careful to im- V I' il Tim r.fFE 01' OUR I.OIID prove every opportunity of hearing the v^orJ : vou Hhould ioten with the greatest af.tentior) taoverv discourse ; tlm( your minds may he stored with tiie truths of the Ahnighty, btfore 1 return tu my Fa- ther; for after my deparfura, you sa ill earnestly wwh for tho samo cpportuuitius of seeing im>. and hearing my instrnotions, but shnll never obtaitj them, '« Yet a little while aat 1 w,tii you, and thnu 1 go unto wim that sent mo. Ye nhaU seek me and hhdW not hnd me ; and where I am, tliiiher y- can- :■ jf; con?e." John vii. 3;j, ^4. iho Jews, vv/jo did not understand that our hl^s>H^iX l^rtv'our alluded to his own death, resurrec- tion, a, jd asoeision to the right hand ui tho Majesty on hs^^li, whither their sins would not permit them to to low him, wondered at this doctruu', and ima- gmed that he intended to leave Judea, nnd preach to tlieir brethren dinpersed among the Gentiles. Jiut tliia supposition was not suflicient : because if lie did go and preach among the Gentiles, they thought It was not impossible for them to follow him thither. « Then said the Jews among them- selves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find urn? Will he go unto the dibperse.l among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles I What manner of saying is this that he said. Ye shall seek me, and shall not hud me : and where I am, thither ye cannot come." John vii. 35, 36". While the Divine Teacher was thus instructing the people m the temple, the water from Siloam n;a8 brought in, according to the appointment of the prophets Haggai and Zuchariah, part of which they drank with loud acciamatioi.s, in commemo- ration of the mercy showed to their fathers, who were relieved by a stream which miraculeci.^y flowed from a rock, and relieved a whole nation . L .a ready AND SAVIOUH JKHU.1 CUIIIAT. 259 0%'v : you fi) every I with tile ' my Fa- earnestly tn'.\ and r obtaia and thnn k me and V > . can- our that rcsurrec- I Majesty tiit them and inia- d preach Gentiles, ecause if les, they follow \g them- not find [long the manner seek me, lither ye itructing 1 Siloam ment of [)f which mmemo- irs, who y flowed .a ready to perish with tliirst in a dreary and sandy fKiured outas r, accompanying it wi waste ; •offering -V w.o «lraiglity, accompanying it with their prayers, for the former or latter rain to fall in its season ; the whole congregation singing the following pas- sage, « With joy shall we draw water out of the wells of salvation." Isaiah xii. 3. It was the custom of our Saviour, to deliver moral instructions, in allusion to any occurrences that happened ; and he accordingly took this opportu- nity of inviting, in the most affectionate manner, all who were desirous of knowledge or happiness, to come to him and drink, alluding to the ceremony they were then performing. And to encourage all such as were desirous of believing in him, he pro- mised them the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which he represented under the similitude of a river flowing out of their belly. « In the last, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink. lie that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of livine water." John vii. 37, 38. During this discourse to the people, the officers from the council came to apprehend him ; but hear- ing the topic he was discussing was a very singular one, and he seemed to deliver his discourse with remarkable fervour, their curiosity induced them to listen some time to his discourse before they laid hands on him. But the eloquent manner in which he delivered his subject melted away their rage ; the sweetness of his pronunciation, and the plainness and perspicuity of his discourse elucidated the beau- ties of truth, and caused them to shine before the understanding, with their native lustre. Accordingly nis very enemies, who were come from the council W' I I ' ^) ''^* 2G0 THR LIFK OP OUU LORD oti purpose to appreliend liim, wero astonisliod ; the greatness of the subject, made as it were visible by the Divine Speaker, filled their understandinpf : the warmth and tenderness with which he delivered himself, penetrated their hearts ; they felt new emotions, and being overwhelmed with the greatness of their admiration, were fixed in silence and aston- ishment ; they condemned themselves for having undertaken the office, and soon returned to the rulers of Israel witi)out performing it. If our Lord had pleaded for his life before the officers of the council, who were sent to apprehend him, the success of his eloquence, even in that case, had been truly wonderful : but in the case before us, it was surely superior to all praise ; for in a discourse addressed to others, and even on a spiri- tual subject, it disarmed a band of inveterate enemies, and made them his friends. Nor were the officers the only persons affected by his discourse, for many of them declared that he must be one of the old prophets ; and others, that he was no other than the Messiah himself. Some, iiowever, led away with the common mistake that he was born at Nazareth, asked with disdain , \{ the Messiah was to come out of Galilee ? And whether they would acknowledge a Galilean for the Messiaii, when the scripture had absolutely declared, that he was to be born in Bethlehem, the native town of his father David ? " M^ary of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said. Of a truth this is the Prophet. Others said, This is the Christ. But some said. Shall Christ come out of Galilee ? Hath not the scriptures said, That Christ coineth of the seed of David, and out of the town of Beth- lehem, where David waa." John vii. 40, 41, 42. Such were the dissensions on this subject ; that AND SAVIOIMI .IRSUS CirRIST. 261 some of his enemies, knowiiifr that the officers wero Kent to apprehend him, tiir(!.itened to lay hands on him ; but the Ahni^rhty would not suffer them to execute their wicked design. « And some of them would have taken him, but no man laid hands ou him." John vii. 44» Tlie officers now returned to the council, and were asked, why they had not brou«,'ht Josua of Nazareth? When the. officers answered, '' Never man spake like this man." This reply enraged the council, who reviled them for presuminjiT to entertain a favourable opinion of onewhom they had pronounced an impostor. It is strange, said they, that you, who are not ignorant of our sentiments concerning this person, should entertain a favourable idea of him. Have any persons of rank, or celebrated for their knowledge of the laws, believed on him « Are not his followers the very dregs of the people, who are totally ignorant of ail the prophecies concerning the Messiah. These officers made no answer to these railing ac- cusaionsof their masters ; but Nicodemua, a mem- ber of the council, arraigned their conduct in a very poignant manner, "Does our law (says he) condemn any man before he has been heard ?'' They had before condemned their officers for being ignorant of the law, when it appeared they were themselves tar more ignorant in pretending to condemn a per- son before they had proved him guilty. They were acting directly contr;iry to the fundamental prin- ciples of the law of equity, at the time they boasted of their profound knowledge of its precepts. Incensed at this reprimand of Nicodemus, they asked him with an air of disdain and surprise, if he was also one of those mean persons who had joined together to support the pretences of a Gallilean ; : I 262 Tlin TIFE OF OUll LOaD thouf',:, til' irci'i^tures Imd plainly said, that Beth- lehem was the place of the Messiah's nativity : addiag, that if he refused to listen to them, he should 80011 be convinced that the great Prophet mentioned by Moses was not to be born »n Galilee. " Art thou also of Galilee ? Se:: . ,, .mc. lujk : for out of Gali- lee ariseth no prophet." John vii. 52. Having made this reply to Nicodemus, the council broke up, and Jesus, who well knew their nialiciuus intentions, retired to the Mount of Olives, where lie spent the night with his disciples. Our blessed Lord, early the following morning, returned to the temple, and again taught the people. The scribes and pharisees now determined to render him odious to the multitude, or obnoxious to the Roman governor ; therefore placed before him a ■woman that had b'en ^aken in the act of adu^*ery, desiring his opinion what punishment she tu^iit to to suffer. " This woman (said they to Jesus) was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Mcjses in the law commanded us that sueli should be stoned ; but what sayest ti.ou ?" John viii. 4. 5. Had our Lord disapproved the uentence of tlie law, they woulu doubtless have represented him to the multitude as a per.' n who contradicted Moses, and fas red ,-> ' ultery which ( uld not have failed of rendciiiig him odious to the people. On the other hand, had he ordered her to be stoned, it would have affo it i a plausibi > pretence f >r accusing him to the Kotnan governor, as a person who stirrei' up the people to rebellion, tlie Romans having nov taken the power of life a ad death into their ow hands. But Jesus, who ,11 ew their mai cious inten tions, mude them » auo»*er, but "stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground iS though he heard them not." John viii. 6. A?f the World :" as if he had s id, L an the spiritual sun, that dispels the darkness of ignorance and sup'^rsti- tion, in which the minds of m< » aie immorseu and enlightens the r ths that lead to ^^ternal life, nor ahall any who iollow me ever be involvt; a dark- m^ ■^ 4^mtnt*jt^Lj 2()4 TMK MFR OK oril l.oRD "688. " I H.n fho Litjlit of til-. VVorl.I; ho that becuuse he bouHt..! of hi.ns, If. To which they.lat' ^ine that I call myself the f.i.ht of tho WorM f n a principle ot pri.ie and faKschoo,! ; that tit e us l be ong8 to me : nor would you yourselves refuse o acknowledge it, did you know from wLt an h ritv I received my conuniBsion, and to whom Xn I ye are totally ..n.orunt ; and therefore judge ic- because ' T'Z'' fPPearance, and coninll^ L because do not destroy those who oppose mv iWv iiff """i i'^ '""■^''' «' ^'^^ MessialiCmhi 18 very different from your mistaken notions ; ho is -AlriT; '"'^"f"' the children of u.t^ true for r r '""'T^ ^'^ ™^"^"^^' >'^* "^3^ record is tiue,for I know whence I came, and whith. r I go ; but ye cannot tell whence 1 come, and She John vm. 14, 15. He added, that if he should wou d": ?2T°" '"i""'^^f^^^'' ^^- condemns In i^" tha? f;r: ' ^'^ ' ?^ "'^^ «'"-' ^^^ ' 1 atnei tliat sent me." John viii. 16 ana shown that his judgment was just, he proceeded to the tiutii ot Ina mission. Yuu cannot, said he, AND «Avi()(ni .TKSirs riiursT, 265 justly complain, even if I should punisli you for your uribehef, because you are, by ^our own laws' commanded to believe the tostin.ouy of two wit- nesseH that my misaiou evide.uly in true. F„r the actions of my life, which are perfectly agreeable to the character of a mensenger from heaven, bear «ufficient witness of me, and the Father by the miracles he hath enablef ye ««" con. tinue m your unbe..- ", "you shall die in your«i„8." Tn whM V'^*' """' ^^ '-' P"^'«"" ''« pretended to be To which Jesu8 answered, "Even tho same that I said unto you from the be^innin^, (that i«, at the beginnrng of this discourse) tho liT.ht of the world.- nf vnl!^' 1 ! l^''^ '""""^ ^•^'"S^" ^« «*y' a"d to judge In n !•"•'' on '"'^ ^^""^8 which I have heard of hhn." uoiin vni. 21). This discourse however plain it may appear, was not understood by the perverse Jews ; thev did not perceive « that he spoke to them of the Father." But Jesus told them, that when they had crucified him, they would be convinced, by the miracles accompanying that awful hour the resurrection from the dead, the effusion of the Holy Spirit on his dis- ciples, and the destruction of the Jewish nation, who he was, and the Father that sent him. *'Wheii ye have lifted up the Son of Man, then shall ye knr.w that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself ; but Joh^viii 2l[ '^"^^'' "'''' ' *^^^^ '^'^'^^ *'""8'-" He added, tliat though he should be crucified as a malefactor, that punishment would not be i.ifiicted on mm, as a consequence of his being deserted by nis lather : because he would never leave him iii any period of his misery, or even at the hour of death, as he had always acted agreeable to his will. Ihese words induced many of the people to believe m to be the Messiah. Perhaps by - lifting him up, they did not understand his crucifixion, but his ascension to the throne of David; and hence Lupposed that he now entertained sentiments wortliy of the Messiah, and were therefore ready to ' "1! tl il ft' itr.i atja THK UV\i OV WVU l.<»H!> i ! tolil thrm. (litK irUiov |.oi««ov.MN.,l in ^\^t^ ho\M ix\u\ lU'HotUHMir (ho uoihI. ihov Mioul.l ill m»liiv. hn,i,>nu. n« .Ii^o.j»loM. hnvo n (itlo to (hut hononmhh» jippoN iHHou. 1.0 t.illv iiH(,uo(.Mi in ovoi>v.N.«M.'inoof' Iho |^»»»^>ol. au.i not only (Vo«mI (Von. ih,> whivoiv oC NJn »iul u»i onn.vj« ilohvrml hy Moklh. '• If y.' ooniinno in niv wonl (hon nro yo my loH in.lor.l : nml vi, Mhnll Iv.um (ho trnth. iin.l (ho (i-n(h Nhiill umko yon livo. • ,Iohn viii. l\\, IVX ^ Tho JowH on honvimr Inni innndon (hn(. (hoy HhouUl ho nuuh> (Voo, mmworo.I, •• \\ o j,,, Al.nihuni'H M«MMl, nn.l xvtMN> novor in h,ui(hiKo (o nnv niiin." nn«»|HMor(ion. \( (f.k.M. litonilly. wuK.ihNohii'olvfalM.s tho wholo ntvMon, at (hiU vory Hino. h.-jn^x '<> hon.hiuo to (J»o Ivonnin.s ; uov wno thrir Hiio.'ii.MMjiny Mlnin- Jjoix to Hliivory, having mov.mvIv I'.Ii (ho Imn.l oC tymnny, hoth in ^ypt. ANHyiin/nml Mnhyhui. Tho cx|nvM.Hi,»n, thoi'oCoro. nuiHt ho (nkon in »i nu^npho. rioal Ht>nso, (,» Mijniry npiritnal Ix.n.hino : it, w«h a fivodom in rospoot of lvli^ri.,n whirh (hoy n.ov nKMoit- «>«l. I hoy numiK. that (hry xvon» tho doMCMMhoilM of ilhisd'ionsaiu'oNtorM; uii.l, .hu-ini: tho vvoiMt «.f linu-M, hndpros.^r o.lmMitiinontHufr.-hKioiuindKt.v, „.„f, >vor(hy of (ho pos(.»rity of Ahrnhain ; nor hiol il... liottOHt porsooiKion of (ho AMnvnan Mukm hooii u.hU> to eoinpol (hoin (o (.mhracn (ho ioh)'ion of tho lioiKhniM. In vvH\HH'i of tmlh. " wn wpj.,, nov.-r in hoiuhjio to any man : how myvnt thou, yo Hhull ho In answor to (ho (piostion, Josns (ohi thorn, (hat those mIio pivo thomsolv.'H up to a vioiouM t'onrHo..f Iito, and to tho KratilioHtionM of thoir Hinfiil appotiloM, were abaohUoly hUivoh, and how fur thoy might Olio. ^nu MWKtmt ^^^\n\\n ctiHiMr. •Jdu tli'»ni'V.i dim »»|ij»r.||«|lu»l, i(, WtlH llMiiliiiltclli iMI illMMt «<» ••ou..l.lni«, " Voi'ilv, vtMllv, I w»v iniio y.Mi, wl»... H.mViM" OOlitllliMnlli Mill Itt Ih,. mU'viiMl, ol' wli»." AimI MX H wlliVli mW.Uil llM tlMMIU'Mll ol' lIlM iMIIllI lii« M»iwl»>i''w lM,vttni', oi< tuxmiii til' lUilill MimiHHi of llgMtttllllMMI lly In \\\o I.Mtilly J MM my l''nl,lir.i' omii, wIumi Im |iUMtMi«N lu.ii>H Willi lliiiinnll', h, Ih liMiiiily Iliii|> Uoynii I'lKti imlniitl, himI iiIihmi ymi in lliiMtii,y (iiiMur Ml ni'o hi li II u imini,] oil nvt% oi lliK imdviMily .Inrn.mjiini, wiiliuiil, il'm ImiMl.tl ol ImiiiK riMiinVfil. I \v»i|| liiiiiw lliiil, yi iilllinul M.MlMi, lliii Mnril ii|' Ahmlliiiii, jmi I •n«', Mm oir*i(iiliig oC .Sal.Mii ; foi- imiii (ll'M y <»'' y (II "I I lo li ironwol'iliiMlfiiyiiii^ inn, In riiimn I niiiiiiii u (. 'mi, «n 1 I M 07<> TIIK 1,1 it; ok our l,()lll> makoR it Iiin study and delight to obey liia com- mandments, liut j-^- reject the revelations and precepts of the Almighty, delivered by me, who came down from heaven, for no other reason than because ye are not the children of God. " He that is of CJod, lieareth God's words ; ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.'' John viii. 47. The Jews, still attached to their lineal descent, replied, that his calling the descendanty of Abraham the children of the devil, was a sufficient proof that he was either n very profligate wretch himself, or instigated by some evil spirit. But Jesus told tliem lie was neither made nor actuated by an evil spirit. On the contrary, he honoured his Father by speaking the words of truth, which he had sent him to deliver: and therefore they dishonoured him by calling him by so opprobrious a title, adding that ho did n(>t however, court their applause, nor fear thoir re- proaches ; though there was one concerned to vindicate his honour, and severely punish all who should dare to attack it. Our Lord, having declared his mighty and divine power, asserts the happy effects of faith and obedi- ence to the gospel. " Verily, verily, 1 say uritoyou, if a man keep my sayings, he shall never see death." John viii. 51. On this declaration, the Jews ciied out, now we sufficiently know that thou art posses- sed with a devil ; for the most righteous persons that ever flourished among the sons of men are dead : Abraham, and the prophets, and other holy men, are laid in the chanibers of the dust : and yet thou hast tlie inipudedce and folly to affirm, that whoever keeps thy piecept.s shall never die. Thou surely canst not tlunk, nor pretend to be more in favour with the Ahnighty than Abraham and the prophets were, wiio, though the strictest observers AM) SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 273 of the divine precepts, could not obtain the privi- lege of being themselves exempt from the stroiie of death, much less lor their followers. "Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets j and thou sayest, if a man keep my sayings, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead ? and the prophets are dead : whom makest thou thyself?" John viii. 52, 5.*5. in reply to this impertinent query, the Messiah returned, if I should attempt to speak in praise of myself, you will call it vain and foolish, and like the piiarisees, tell me, "Thou bearest record of thyself: thy record is not true." Instead, therefore, of giv- ing you a full description of my dignity, I shall only inform you that it is ray Father who speaketh hon- ourably of me, by the many miracles he enabies me to perform. And surely this may be suliicient to convince you of w'.i.),t I have promised for my disciples ; especially .\ k-.i I tell you that my Father is no other than tho Aluiighty God of Jacob, whom all the descendants of Abraham pretend to worship. But though you vainly boast of worshiping my Father as your God, you are ignorant of hivr : you neither form just conceptions of hun, uoi w(,i ship 1 im in the manner you ought. Your kuowledg Vaid r.ctions, therefore, give the lie to your profession ; but on the contrary, I entertain proper ideas of him, and obey his precepts. You, may perhaps, construe this (lecluration as proceeding from vanity ; but if I should say I do not form adequate conceptions of him, or acknowledge him as he deserves, I should be a liar like unto you. Even your father Abraham , of whom you so highly boast, earnestly desired i> ^ #^ 1% J/ /^ °w Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 • -* 278 THE LIFE OP OUR LORD to illam,„«te the blinded unde«w„dine of ml„ W ,h?> ','■*'' ^•«"™ »P"B«nted h"f now" to the de»rX H,8 raising partieular persons from death m,H^^ * beginning of his triumph over aeath, anid a demonstrat on of his ahilir» .„ .. phsh a general resurrection Y and in 1^ w«?d r ' enr.ngallpromiscuon.ly, whoapjued ^WiT^Jh^J^'i' teCttX'^™rr.?d'"'B£^^^^^^^ from this digresjion ' •^"P™"'""*- Battoretm'n intothi"Clt"He^Z't^L^^^'S»»fhi»-^ clay of the sniitl. .„?l • ground, and made b J/man' ;T.h'h:l^:a"n"d '^d uIT "'A*-' utn" IttT' h' «"°'V?''^«h is.tyt'Srp?:: -^S3'Le":erg:^*"iK!'rr''"'' lod^rs: 7r Kete-f-= ««aae use of on this occasion, were so far from AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. the multi- rnified that 'kind, with id salutary p the bh'nd Is doatrine f of men, I power to I authority » a partial out devils atan, and sons from nph over to accom* «'ord, his 1, showed Id, but to jIy,at,or when the is of his course to to return scorning nd made is of the im, Go, nterpre- )re, and • hat our ned this 1 means, lankind r from 279 being likely to effect the cure, that they seemed properly adapted to produce a quite contrary effect We must, therefore, conclude, that they were lutended to direct our attention to higher mysteries, and show us, as in aglass, that it is the effect of the same divine power who at first created man out of the du6t of the earth, and gave sight to his eyes, that now restores and regenerates lapsed mankind, and opens the eyes closed with the black cement of sin. This person seems to have known the power of the liedeemer, or at least to have been informed by some person near him, who Jesus was, the fame oi whose miracles had been published in every corner of Judea. Indeed, we cannot otherwise account for the implicit tud ready obedience paid hun by the blind man, who was so amply rewarded for his faith and confidence, by receiving the inva- luable gift of sight. This miraculous operation could not fail of pro- ducing a general curiosity, and surprise, and inducing those who had seen this blind man in his dark and deplorable condition, to be very particular in their inquiries into the means of so singular a miracle. It was doubtless thesubject of general conversation: and It is natural to think that it should also have proved the means of a general conversion : but, as too frequently happens, a perverse curiosity pre- vented us salutary effects upon theirsouls. Unbelief, and hardness of heart, led some of them even to doubt of the plainest fact ; a fact the most evident and indisputable, and plainly the work of superna- tural power, while others persecuted at once both the object, and the Author of it ! *' The neighbours, therefore, and they which had before seen him, that he was blind, said. Is aot this he that sat and 2H0 Tiire iJi'ifi OK oiju i,oiin l>Wd ? Some suid, tiua is \w : otliera said lio is iJke hun : but ho wild, J am ho." John ix. », ii. Iho man, tranBuorted with gratitude aiul joy, and perc5eivin« his neighbours to doubt of tiie identity ot his por«on, proohiimod him««lf to be tlie vt»ry «ame, whom thoy lately saw bo|(j{in.if in total Thou art his disciple ; but we are Moses' disciples. We know that Orod spake unto Moses : as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is." John ix. 28, 29, This poor man incensed at their unbelief and hardness of heart, replied, It is very strans^e that you should not acknowledge the divine mission of a Teacher who performs such astonishing miracles; for common sense sufficiently declares, that God never assists impostors in working miracles : and accordingly there cannot be a single example found since the creation of the world, of any such persons opening the eyes of one born blind. My opinion, therefore is, that if this man had not been sent by God, he could not work any miracles at all. "The man answered and said unto them. Why, herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners, but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doth his will, him he heareth. Since the world began, was it not lieard, that any man opened the eyes of one that was bom blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.'' John ix. 30. &c. The honest mar 's »rgi .,; i, though plain, were powerful and fouk.Jc-i L.p^ . truths they could not deny. They all owned that " God heareth not sin- ners : they all knew that God had heard Jesus, by the miracle he had wrought, which was a fact proved beyond any possibihty of doubt, and was such as \ ill l*V*i»-»i<» l» »» y*ft ***"f •284 TIIK LIPE OF OUR LORD I never man performed ; it therefore undeniably fol- lowed, that Jesus was not a sinner, but sent from Ood, smce otherwise he could do nothing. The Pharisees were not ignorant that this argu- ment was conclusive ; they felt its whole force, and well knew that it could not be resitted. Ac2ord- mgly, they did not attempt to answer it, but had recourse to punishment and abusive language. Ihou wicked, illiterate, impudent mortal, said they, whose understanding is still as blind as thy body lately was, and who wast born under the heaviest punishment of sin, dost thou pretend to instruct in a matter of this kind, the guides of the people, and those who have rendered themselves eminent for their knowledge in the law I « Thou wast altogether born m sin, and dost thou teach us 1" John ix. 34. After their presumptuous taunts, the Evangelist adds, that "they cast him out ;" that is, they passed on him the sentence of excommunication, which was the highest punishmentthey had power to inflict. But though he was cut off from the Jewish society, the Almighty thought pi-oper to unite him to one,' where no unjust sentence can ever be passed, nop any member be ever separated, during a ioyful eternity. ' ^ The presumption of the pharisees should teach us to contemplate the various arts and subtle endeavours of all the adversaries and enemies of the gospel and crossof Christ ; and not be surprised to find them, though in diflTerent shapes, employed against ourselves. If we zealously embrace the truth of Christ, as well as against those who are not afraid to confess before all men the glory of him who hath opened their eyes. It is impossible that the world should love those who boldly declare that its works are evil. Let us not, therefore, be 'J .» > . T^^ ^ ' j * " "*** " ^' i AND SAVIOUR JK.SU8 ClIIirST. S85 shaken when we come to experience it, but learn from this blmd man, freely and openly to confess the taith, and to declare the power of that God, who has brought us from darkness to this marvellous light, and turned our feet into the way of peace. The feast of dedication now drew near. This solemnity mis not appointed by Moses, but by that heroic perlor.uer, Judas Maccabeus, in commemo- ration of Ins having cleansed the temple, and re- stored Its worship, after both had been polluted bv Antiochua Epiphanes. ^ Althoufrh tliisfeaatwasmerelyofhumaninstitution, Jesus determined to be present at it, even thouyh ho knew that farther attempts would be made a^aittHt his life, His public ministry was, indeed now drawing near its period : and therefore the blessed Jesus would not omit any apportunity of preaching to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and of doing good to the children of men. Nor did he now, as he had formerly done, travel privately to the capital, but openly declared his intentions of going to Jerusalem, and set forward on his journey "With great courat,'e and resolution. The road from Galilee to Jerusalem lay through Samaria, and the inhabitants were those which entertained the most inveterate hatred against all who worshipped in Jerusalem. Jesus, being no strangerto this disposition of the Samaritans, thought proper to send n^essengers before him, that they might, against his arrival, find reception for him in one of the villages. The prejudiced Samaritans, nuding the intention of his journey was to worship jn the temple at Jerusalem, refused to receive either him or his disciples into their houses. The messengei-s, being thus disappointed, re- turned to Jesus, and gave him an account of all that 286 TlIK LIFK or OUR LOUD had passed ; at which James and Joha were so exceedingly incensed, that they pn)po8ed to their Master to call for fire from heaven, in order to destroy such inhospitable wretches ; alleging in excuse for such violent piH)ceeding8, the example of the prophet Elijah, " Lord wilt thou, that we command fire to come down from heaven and con- sume them, even as Elias did ? Luke ix. 54. Our Lord, desirous of displaying an example of humility on every occasion, sharply rebuked them for entertaining so unbecoming a resentment for this offence. " Ye know not (said he) what manner of spirit ye are of." Ye are ignorant of the sin- fulness of the disposition ye have now expressed ; nor do ye consider the difference of times, per- sons, and dispensation. The severity exercised by Elijah on the men who came from Ahab to apprehend him, was a just reproof to an idolatrous king and people ; very proper for the times, and very agreeable to the characters, both of the prophet who gave it, and of the offenders to whom it was given ; and at the same time not unsuitable to the Mosaic dispensa- tion. But the gospel breathed a very different spirit ; and the intention of the Messiah's coming into the world was not to destroy, but to save the lives of the children of men. Ye wise of this world, who reject saving know- ledge, behold here an instance of patience, under a real and unprovoked injury, which you cannot pa- rallel among all your boasted heroes of antiquity ! An instance of patience which expressed infinite sweetness of disposition, and should be imitated by all the human race, especially those who call them- selves the disciples of Christ. Being denied reception by the inhospitable inha- AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 287 bitants of this Samaritan village, Jesus, attended by his disciples, directed his way towards another ; and as they travelled, a certain man said unto him, " Lord, I will follow thee, whithersoever thou goest." But Jesus, to whom the secret purposes of all hearts were open, knowing he only desired the riches and honours of the Messiah's kingdom, thought proper to make him sensible of his mistake ; and accordingly said to him, " Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head." Luke ix. 68. I am so far from boasting of a temporal kingdom, and the power and pomp attending it, that 1 have not even the accommodations provided by nature for the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air. They have safe and secure retreats ; but the Son of Man is destitute of an habitation. Jesus, in the course of his wandering, met with one who had formerly been his disciple, and ordered him to disengage himself from all worldly employ- ments, and to follow him ; but he was desirous of excusing himself for the present, under the pretence that he was bound by the ties of gratitude to con- tinue with his aged father, till death had put a pe- riod to his existence, and he had laid his remains in the sepulchre of his ancestors. " T ord (said he) suffer me first to go and bury my fatl w ," To which Jesus aaswerrd, " Let the dead bury their dead ; but go thou and preach the kingdom of God." Luke ix. 60. Let those that are immersed in worldly affairs, follow the aflfairs of the world ; but those who have embraced the doctrines of the gos- pel, do every thing in their power to spread the glad tidings of salvation in every corner of the earth. A third person offered to follow him, provided ho 288 THE LIFB OF OUR LOIin ivould give him the liberty to return to his house, and take leave of his family : hurt Jesus told him, that he should not suffer any domestic affairs to in- terfere with tlie care of his salvation ; that the calls of religion were too preHsing to admit of the least delay or excuse whatever ; and that all who set themselves to seek the welfare of their bouIs, should pursue the work assiduously, without looking care- lessly around them, as if they were regardless of the work they had undertaken to perform. «* No man having put his hand to the plough, and look- ing back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Luke ix. As our blessed Saviour's ministry was, from this time, til! its final period, to be confined to Judea, and the countries beyond Jordan, it was necesBfiry that some harbinger should be sent into every town and village he was to visit to prepare his way. Accordingly, he called his seventy disciples unto hina, and after instructing them in the duties of their mission, and the particulars they were to ob- serve hi their journey, he sent them into different parts of the country, to those particular places whither he himself intended to follow them, and preach the doctrine of the gospel to the inhabitants. Our Lord, according to his own declaration, dis- patched these disciples on the same important mes- sage as he had done the twelve before. The harvest was plenteous in Judea and Perea, as well as in Galilee, and the labourers also few ; and being never more to preach in Chorazin, Beth saida, and Capernaum, the cities wherein he had usually resided, he could not help reflecting on tiie reception he had met with from the inhabitants of those cities. He foresaw the terrible consequences that would flow from their rejecting his doctrine, A^fn flAVlOUK JK8W« CUKIHT. 289 nnd the many kind offerH lie liml made them. He WHH gneved for their obstinacy : and in the over- Howiug tenderneas of his bouI, he lamented the hardueHs of their hearts. " Woe (said he) unto thoe, Chorazin, woo unto thoe, Beth.saida : for if the mighty works had been done in Tyro and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But It shall bo more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of Judgment, than for you. And thou Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell." Luke x. 13, 14, 15. To which our Saviour added, as some consolation to his dis- ciples, « He that heareth you, heareth me : and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me." Luke X. lU. Such a token of heavenly regard, could not fail of comforting the seventy, and alleviating their minds when thinking of the ill usage they expected to meet with during the course of their mission. Ihey well knew that the preaching of Christ him- Belf had been often despised, and often unsuccess- ful, with respect to many of his hearers ; and therefore, they had not the least reason to expect that they should find a more welcome reception than their Master. The btiventy disciples, having received their in- structions, and the power of working miracles from the Messiah, departed to execute their important commission iu the cities and villages of Judea and Perea. And after visiting the several places, pub- lishing the glad tidings of salvation, and working many miracles in confirmation of their mission, they returned to their Master with great joy, saying ; Lord, even the devils are subject to us. through thy name!" 66 X I 290 THR L!FK OP OUR LORD From this appeal it seems that they knew not the extent of their delegated power : and were pleas- ingly surprised to find the apostate spirits tremble at their command. To which their great Master replied, " I beheld Satan aa lightning fall from heaven." You will be no longer astonished that the devils are subject to the power I have given you, when I tell you that their prince is not able to stand before me : and, accordingly, when I first came into the world, in order to destroy him and his works, I saw him, with the swiftness of the lightning's flash, fall from heaven. Adding, iu order to increase their joy, and prove that he really had cast Satan down fronj the seats of heaven, that he would enlarge their power. " Behold (says he) I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy : and nothing shall by any means hurt you." Luke X. 19. Lest they shoisld exult beyond measure in the honour thus conferred on them, which was merely temporary, our Lord adds, " Notwithstanding, in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you ; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." Luke x. 20. Nor could the blessed Jesus reflect on the un- searchable wisdom and goodness of the divine dis- pensations to mankind, without feeling extraordi- nary joy ; so that his beneficent heart overflowed with strains of gratitude ; " 1 thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed tbem unto babes : even so. Father, for it so seemed good in thy sight." Luke x. 21. ^ When the disciples had executed their commis- sions, Jesus left Samaria, and retired into Judea, and AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 2.01 in the way was met by a certain lawyer, or scribe, whobeingdesiraus of knowing whether the doctrines pi-^ached by Jesus were the same with those before delivered by Moses, asked him, What he should do to inherit eternal life ? It is really amazing that any mortal should ask a question like this, with a view to tempt, not to be instructed ! This was, however, the case ; but the blessed Jesus, though no stranger t'j the most secret thoughts of the heart, did not reply, as he had before done to the Phari- sees. " Why temptest thou me, thou pocrite V* lie turned the scribe's weapons agamst himself ; what, said he, is written in the law, of which thou professest thyself a teacher, " How readest thou V* That law will teach thee what thou munt do to be saved ! and happy will it be for thee, if thou com- pliest with its precepts. The scribe answered, it is there written, " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with ail thy strength, and with all thy mind ; and thy neighbour as thyself." Luke x. 27. Our Lord then shows the strength and spiritu- ality of tlie law. *• Thou hast answered right ; this do, and thou shalt live." Per form these commands, and thou hast fulfilled the duties of an Israelite : for on these two commaudmeuts, hang all the law and the prophets. Where is the man that can fulfil the law 1 The lawyer, who in ail probability expc^^id no such answer, being conscious of his defects, and, conse- quently, of the impossibility of obtaining eternal lite on these conditions, was willing, as the sacred historian informs us, " to justify himself f ' was willing to stifle the rising suggestions of his own conscience, and at the same time, to make a show of his own devotion ; and in order to this, he said I I , 1 1 . . ! .lW. li lHI W »ilim i .J 2.02 TUB LIFE OF OUR LOUD ti to Jesua, " And who is my neighbour !'* A ques- tion very natural to be asked by a bigotted Jew, whose narrow notions led him to despise all who were not of his own fold ; all who were not the na- tural descendants of his father Abraham. To remove their obstinate attachment to their own principles, open their hearts to a more gener- ous and noble way of thinking, and show them the only foundation of true love, and the extensive re- lation they, and all mankind stand in to each other, our Saviour delivered the following most beautiful and instructive parable. A certain person in his journey from Jerusalem to Jericho, had the' misfortune to fall into the hands of robbers, who, not content with taking his money, stripped him of his raiment, beat him in a deplora- ble manner, and left him for dead. — While he con- tinued in this miserable condition, utterly incapa- ble of assisting himself, a certain priest happened to travel the same road ; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Le^ vite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side." So little compassion had those ministers of religion for a brother in the most deplorable circumstances of distress, that they continued their journey, without offering to assist so miserable an object, notwith- standing their sacred c) aracters obliged them to perform, on every occasion, the tender offices of charHy and compassion. It was a brother, a de- scendant of Abraham in distress ; and, therefore, those hypocrites could offer no reasons to palliate their inhumanity. Their stony hearts could behold theaffecting object of an unfortunate Israelite, lying in the road naked and cruelly wounded, without being the least affected with his distress. AND SAVIOUR JESUS CIIRTST. 293 Though these teachers of religion were hypo- crites, and wholly destitute of grace and charity, compassion glowed in the heart of a Samaritan, who, coming to the spot where this helpless object lay, ran to him : and though he found him to be a person of a different nation, and one who professed a religion opposite to his own, yet the hatred which had been instilled into his miud from his earliest years, and every objection arising from the ani- mosity subsisting between the Jews and Samaritans, were immediately silenced by the tender sensation of pity, awakened by the sight of such complicated distress ; his bowels yearned towards the miserable object ; though a Jew, he flew to him, and assisted him in the most tender manner. It was the custom in these eastern countries for travellers to carry their provisions with them : so that this compassionate Samaritan was enabled, though in a desert, to give the wounded man a little wine to recruit his spirits. He nlso bound up hia wounds, pouring into them wine and oil, placed him on his own beast, and walked himself on foot to sup- port him. In this manner he conducted him to an inn, took care of him during the night ; and in the morning, when business called him to pursue his journey, recommended him to the care of the host, left what money he could spare, and desired that nothing might be denied him ; for whatever was expended he would repay at his return. Having finished the parable, Jesus turned him- self to the lawgiver, and asked him, " Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves V* The lawyer, struck with the truth and evidence of the case, re- plied, without the least hesitation, " He that showed mercy on him." Upon which Jesus replied, " Go m i fi l ii i Hi y t ^i Xl i n iiiw >«» n i | t i < Bn il> iHi n i w. fc maummf^mn^mnm n wi jr .»< «■««»?«•- «?.!a 294 THE LIFE OK OUR LORD thou and do likewise." Perform all the good ac- tions in thy power, extend thy kindness to every one, who stands in need of thy assistance, whether he be an Israelite, an Heathen, or a Samaritan. Consider every man as thy neighbour in respect to works of charity, and make no inquiry with regard to his country or religion, but only with regard to Ills circumstances. On examination of the particulars of this beauti- tul parable, we shall find that it is composed in the ftnest manner to work the conviction designed ; so that the lawyer, however desirous of considering those of the Jewish religion only as his neighbours. It was impossible for him to do it on this occasion! ine Jews had long considered the favours of a Sa- maritan as a more detestable abomination than the eating of swme's flesh ; yet, notwithstanding this prepossession, the lawyer was obliged toacknowledge that neither the priest nor the Levite, but the tra- velling Samaritan, by discharging the great office of humanity to the Jew in distress, was truly his neighbour, that the like humanity was due from any Israelite to a Samaritan in the like distressed cir- cumstances; and, consequently, that men are neighbours, without any regard to country, kindred, language, or religion. ' Mankind are intimately connected by their com- mon wants, and their common weaknesses. Provi- dence has formed them in such a manner, that they cannot subsist without the assistance of each other • and, consequently, the relation subsisting between' tnem is as extensive as their natures, and their obligations to assist each other hy mutual good otfaces as strong as the necessities of every indivi- dual. Our blessed Saviour has, therefore, by this admirable pai-able, shown tha; .he heart is the seat AND SAVIOUR JfiSUS CHRIST. 295 of genuine grace, and that good principles will ever produce good actions. CHAPTER XX. THE HUMBLE JESUS RESIDES WITH MARTHA AND MARY, TWO OBSCURE WOMEN OF BETHANY. IM- PROVES A CIRCUMSTANCE WHICH OCCURRED AX THE FEAST OF DEDICATION. PRESCRIBES A MODE OF PRAYER TO HIS DISCIPLES AND FUTURE FOLLOWERS. AND RE-V131TS SOME OF THE PHA- RISAICAL TRIBE. The feast of the dedication approaching, Jesua turned his course towards Jerusalem, and in the evening came to the house of Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus, at Bethany. Martha was desirous of expressing her regard for the divine guest, by providing for him and his disciples the best entertainment in her power. But her sister, who was of a more contemplative disposition, sat quietly at the feet of Jesus, listening with the ut- most attention to his doctrine. For the great Re- deemer of mankind never omitted any opportunity of declaring the gracious offers of the Almighty, and his unspeakable love for the children of men. Martha, being greatly fatigued with the burthen of the service, complained to Jesus of the little care Mary took to assist her. " Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone 1 Bid her therefore that she help me." Luke x. 40.^ But Martha's offeciousness incurred our Lord's reproof, who commended Mary for her attentive application to his doctrine. "Martha, Martha, f 296 THE LIFK OF OUR LORD .1, thou art careful, and troubled about many thlmrs • but one thrng is needful. And Mary hath choSn it '''Lurr 4^^^^ ''^" "^' '' ''''''' *"*y ^-« When Jesus repaired to Jerusalem, to celebrate the feast ot dedication, he was informed that the beggar he had restored to sight at the feast of ta- bernacles was, by the council, cast out of the syna- gogue. This mforraation excited the pity of the bon of God ; and he resolved to make him fall S « n''^^l'"1 the suffering person, and said to linn, Dost thou believe on tlie Sou of God f Ho answered and said Who is he, Lord, that I migl.t hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with !h^;« A"^ *!? T'u' ^^'^' ' ^^^^«^«- And he wor- shipped him." John ix, 35, &c. We have hinted, that the beggar was thoroughly < nvmced the person who opened his eyes wis a messenger from heaven, it is, therefore, no wonder «mt as soon as he knew Jesus was the person who liad performed so great a work, he readily believed him to be the Son of God. ^ relieved Our Saviour, having thus given the poor man o^rLTlu^ ^'' Messiahshi?, directedTs^K course to the people, and said unto them. « For judgment I am come into this world : thit thev which see not, might see ; and that they which see might be made bUnd." John ix. 39. /he meanfng of oar Saviour, though he alluded to the blind man d:LT:iT "? ''^"«' l"^«»^ *« repreinrthe design of his coming, but the effect it would have wh.f o.,""'""^.' «^ ?^". •' «« it would demonstrate seLed 'A?'h*"n^''P"'**^? every person pos- sessed. Ihe humble, tne docile and the ho- AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 297 nest, though they were immenied in the night of darkness, with regard to religion and the knowledge of the scriptures, should be enlightened bv his com- ing, as the blind man had enjoyed the invaluable gift of sight from his hands : but those who were wise, learned, and enlightened in their own opinion, should appear in their true character, absolutely ignorant, foolish and blind. The pharisees, who happened to be present, when he spake these words to the people, imagined that he intended to throw a reflection on their sect, which the common people from their skill in the law, held in great veneration. Accordingly, they asked him, with disdain, *^ Are we blind also I" Dost thou place us, who are teachers, and have taken such pains to acquire the knowledge of the scriptures, on a level with the vulgar I To which Jesus answered, " If ye were blind ye should have no sin ; but now ye say, We see, therefore your sin remaineth." If ye had not enjoyed the facul- ties and opportunities of discerning the proofs of my mission, you might have been considered as blind. But as ye are superior to the vulgar, in point of learning, and at the same time your hearts averse from acknowledging, the truth, your en- lightened understanding will only aggravate your guilt. Having condemned the obstinacy and prejudice of the sect, in rejecting the most evident tokens of the divinity r f his mission, he continued the re- proof, by describing the characters of a true, and false teacher. It was our Lord's custom always to allude to objects before him ; and being now in the uuter court of the temple, near the sheep, which were there exposed to sale, for sacrifice, he com- pared the teachers among the Jews to shepherds, I km V 1*1 298 THE LIFE OF OUB LORD and the people to sheep ; a metaphor often used by the old prophets. He considered two kinds of bad shepherds or teachers : the one, who, instead of entering in by the door to lead the flocks to the richest pastures, entered some other way, with an intention only to kill, to steal, and to destroy ; the other, who thoui^h they entered by the door to feed their flocks, with the disposition of hirelings, yet when the wolf appeared, they deserted the sheep, having no love for any but themselves. By the former, he plainly alluded to the pharisees, who had cast the man born blind out of the synagogue for no other laason, than because he would not act contrary to the dictates of his conscience, and agree with them in declaring Jesus to be an impostor. But though they had cast him out of the church, Christ received him into his, which is the true church, the spiritual inclosure, where the sheep go in and out, and find pasture. To illustrate the allusion, it should be observed, that the sheep which were brought to be sold, were inclosed in little folds, within the outer court of the temple ; so that the shepherd himself could not enter, till the porter had opened the door. And from this circumstance, the following parabolical discourse may be easily understood. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door of the sheep-fold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." John x. 1. Believe me, that whosoever in any age of the church assumed the office of a teacher without a commission from me, was a thief and a robber : and in the present age he is no better who assumes that office without my commission, and particularly without believing on me. " But he that entereth in by the door, is the shepherd of the sheep. To him AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 299 the porter openeth ; and the sheep hear his voice : and he calleth his own uheep by name, and leadeth them out : and when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the eheep follow him : they know his voice." Jolm x. 2, 3, 4. The doctrine here inculoated in, tliat good men are obedient to the itistruct.ioiis of ti'ue and faithful teachers : and that in every case, show them their duty with the greatest plainness, not concealing it, because it be disagreeable to their inclinations. On the contrary, " A stranger tl^iey will not follow, but will flee from him ; for they know not the voice of strangers " John x. 5- The people of God will not hearken to impostors and false teachers, but flee from them like sheep from the voice of a stran- ger ; for they can easily distinguish them from the messengers of God, by their fruits, their doctrines, and their lives. Thus did the great Redeemer of mankind, by this instructive parabolical discourse, explain to the pharisees the difference between true and false teachers ; but they being ignorant of his meaning, he added, by way of explication, " Verily, verily I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep." I am not only the door, by which the shepherds must enter, but I am also the door of the sheep : it is by me that men enter into the spiritual inclo- sure of the church. " All that ever came before me : all those, who in former times assumed the characters of teachers of religion, without commis- sion from me, are thieves and robbers ; but the sheep did not hear them." John. x. 8. " I am the door," through which alone any one can come acceptably unto God. *' By me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and cut, and find pasture." If any man believeth on I ^11 800 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD we, he shall become a true member of the church of God upon earth, and shall from time to time, receive such instructions as shall nourish his soul unto eternal life. Our blessed Saviour seems to change the image, in the last particular ; and in- stead of the outer court of the temple, where the sheep were kept, represented an inclosure, where the cattle were fed. 1 -n ^**!, *^'®*^ *'"™®*** "®*» ^»* fo*" *o steal, and to kill, and to destroy : I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abun- dantly. John X. 10. You may easily know that 1 am neither a thief nor a robber, by considering that the intention of such is only to steal, to kill, and to destroy the flock. They assume the cha- racters of teachers, who have received their commissions from heaven, for no other reason than to promote their own interest, at the expense of the souls of men : but I am come merely te give you lite, and even much more abundantly than it was given by Moses, in the dispensation of the Nor am la hireling shepherd, appointed by the owner to take care of the flock ; I urn the good shepherd, promised by the prophets ; the true proprietor of the sheep. This is sufficiently evi- dent from my laying down my life for the satbty of the flock. Whereas a hireling, who proposes nothing but his own interest, when he sees the wolf approaching, deserts the sheep ; his whole care is tor his own safety, and therefore he will not expose himself to any danger on their account ; so that the wolf, without resistance, tears some to pieces, and disperses the rest. I am the good shepherd : the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep, ^iit he that 18 a hireling, and not the shepherd, I ■»*■ =V»e-**# iV ■!■».« AND SAVIOUR JK8US CHRIST. 301 whose own the sheep are not, neeth the wolf com- ing, and leaveth the aheep, and fleeth ; and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling dceth because he is an hireling;, and careth not for the sheep. John ix. 11, 12, 13. And as I am the good shepherd, and so earnest in tending ihem, so 1 know every particular sheepi am able to claim it, in whose possession soever it be, and know every thing relating to the sheep. I know the circumstances wherein they are placed, am well acquainted with their wants, and can judge what assistance they stand in need of. Be- sides I love them all with the greatest sincerity, and approve of their obedience to me, because, though it be imperfect, it is sincere. For they have just notions of my dignity and character : they know that I am their shepherd and Saviour sent from God ; and that I am able to feed them with knowledge ; deliver them from the punishment of sin, and bestow on them eternal life, and procure them a place in the blissful mansions of my Father's kingdom. " I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.'' John x. 14. And this mutual knowledge and love of each other is like that subsisting between me and my Father. *' As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father : and I lay down my life for the sheep." John x. 15. I will give a convincing proof of the love I bear the sheep ; I will lay down my life for them ; an instjince of regard that will never be given by any hireling. But 1 have other sheep, besides these of the seed of Abraham ; numbers of my flock are among the Gentiles. These also I must bring into my church, and they must cheerfully submit to my laws. 'seat m THK LIFE OP OUn LORD 'J, These shall be then but ti « visible church, and they ■ilAll know me, shall distinguish my voice from that of a stranger, and though consisting of Jews and Gentiles, yet shall they have but oiie shepherd to feed and govern them : for the middle wall of the partition shall be broken down. " And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold : them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice ; and thoi-e shall be one fold, and one shepherd." John X. 16. And because I lay down my h'fe to save tlio world, therefore my heavenly Father loveth me. But though I lay down my life, I will take it again ; for I will in due time rise from the dead. T do not, however, either lay down my life, or rise from the dead, without the appointment of the Almighty. I act in both according to the divine wisdom, and agreeable to the will of my heavenly Father. *' Therefore doth my heavenly Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take ijt agam. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself : I have the power to lay it down : and 1 have power to take it again. This command- ment have I received of my Father." John x. 17, 18. Various were the effects produced by this dis- course upon the minds of the Jews. Some of them cried out that he was mad, or possessed with a (' wil, and that it was the highest folly to hear ^..ui ; while others, who judged more impartially of I'im and his doctrine, declared that his discourbes were not those of a lunatic, nor his miracles the works of a devil : asking those who were enemies to Je- •'iTH, if they imagined any devil was able to confer I. ^ i'to^Mltv of sight on one that was bom blind ? . :<, vfu-: a division, therefore, again among the M < AND AAVIOUR JRHUS CHRIST. SOS Jews for these sayings. And many of them oaid. He hath a devil, and is mad : why hear ye him 1 Others said. These are not the works uf him that hatha devil can a devil open the eyes of the blind." Joh!. X. ]9, '0, 21. Soon after, as Jesus was standing in Solomon *8 porcli, tha Jews came to him, desiring that h« \- '(Uldtell them plainly wlietherhe was the expected Messiah, or not ? But JesuH, knowing that they did not ask this quention for information, but to gain an opportunity of accusing him to the Romans, as a seditious person, who endeavoured to deceive the people, by pretending to be the great Son of David, promised by the prophets, in order to usurp the kingdom, told them, that they must form a judgment of him from his actions. *' I told you, and ye brlieved not : the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.'* John x. 25, 26. Your unbelief is the eJRTect of your attachment to this world, being unwilling to receive the doctrine of the kingdom of heaven : because you must then renounce all your fond hopes of temporal power and advantages. But, on the contrary, those who are of a meek and humble disposition, and their minrls free from worldly passions, easily perceive the truth of my doctrine and miracles ; and consequently are rea- dily disposed to become my disciples. Nor shall such persons lose their reward ; for I will willingly receive them, and make them partakers of eternal life in my Father's kingdom. And however assi- duous malicious men may be, in endeavouring to hinder men from believinr on me, they shall never be ctble to effect their purpose, though assisted by all the powers oi darkness. For my heavenly Fa- not TIIK MFK or Oim I.OHD i:' ther, who htttli tlt( A\ than • greater them all ; nor is any ablo to contend witli him : and this powerful, this Ahniiigty Being and I are one in power. " My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life ; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my han(K My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all ; and no man is ablo to pluck them out of my Father's' ha d. I and my Father are one." John x, 27, &c. The Jews wore so incensed at this declaration, which they considered as blasphemous, that thoy took up stones to cast at him, m conformity to the law, which commands all blasphemers to be stoned. But Jesus asked them, which of the beneficent miracles he had wrought, in confirmation of his mission, deserved such treatment ? " Many good works have I showed you from my Father ; for which of those works do ye stono me ?" As if he had said, I have fed the hungry in the desert, I have healed the lame, I have cleansed the lepers, I have cured the sick, I have given night to the blind, I have cast out devils, and 1 have raised the dead : for which of these works are ye going to stone me ? Do these miracles indicate that the Author of them is an impostor ? Or can you be so stupid as to think that the Almighty would suffer any person to perform such works, with no other intention than to deceive the human race ? The Jews answered, we are far from thinking that thou deservest punishment for any good work thou hast done in favour of the afflicted and distressed : the punishment is intended to chastise thee for thy blasphemous speeches ; for thou, though a weak mortal, the being of a day, like ourselves, arro- gantly asaumest the power and majesty of the Most AND SAVrOtJR JKHUS CIIUIHT. S05 Iliffli, and by cliiiminj; tho incoinmunicablo nttri- \niieH of tlio Doity, in;ike»t tliyMilf (iocj. « For n g<»o(l work wo Htono thon not : btit for blafiphoiny, jukI bocauHo that thou, being a man, inakcbt thynolf (iod." J(din X. :j;{. JosuH rfi|)li«Ml, havo not the BcriptnroH oxproHHly oalhid thoso ifodtty and tho mm of God, who woro (jonimisHionod to K<)V((rn (Jod'H poopio, on account of their highoflico, and the innpiration of tho Spirit, which waB, thon^di nparin/irly, IjcHtowed up«)n them ? Can you, therefore, iniputo to that person whonj the Ahniijhty had Hanctificd and went into tho world to Have loHt ninnkind, and pay the price of redemp- tion for all the houh of men ; can you, I Hay, im- pute blanphemy unto him, for takinjf on hiniKclf the title of the Son of (iod ? If my own aHHortion ho not sufficient to convince you of my porHonal difjnity, you muHt Burely think that tho many mira- defi I have wrought abundantly prove that they are tho works of the Most High, as Onmipotence alone could perform them ; and, therefore, that the Father and I are ho united, that whatever I Hay or do, iH approved of by tho Almighty. " Is it not written in your law, I Haid, Ye are gods ? If ho called them gods, upon whom the word of God came, and tlie scripture cnnnot be broken, say y« of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest ; because I said, 1 am the Son of God ? If 1 do not tho works of my Father, believe mo not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe tho works : that ye may know and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him." John x. 34, &c. But this reply, instead of satisfying the Jews, rather tended to enrage them tho more : and Johuh, Hi.fiiug it was of no consequence to reason with so (;6 u , I, 1 : ■lit! I nil J.^.;'!l':.'l.^"*l'l',l^^^J!e■MBaJ rxa* 306 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD ^i headstrong a people, rendered himself invisible, and by that means escaped from them.—" There- fore they sought njain to take him : but he escaped out of their hands." John x. 39. The feast of the dedication being now over, Jesus departed from Jerusalem, and retired into the parts of Parea beyond Jordan. Here his ministry was attended with great success ; for the inhabitants of the country, remembering what had been told them, by John the Baptist, concerning Jesus, and being sensible that the doctrine and miracles of our blessed Saviour were fully equal to what the Baptist had foretold, firmly believed him to be the Messiah. According to this supposition, which seems the most agreeable to reason, the inhabitants of those countries enjoyed the doctrines and miracles of tbo Son of God for a very considerable time. But however this be, the Evangelist tells us, that while he was executing his ministry, beyond Jordan, he happened to pray publicly with such fervency, that one of his disciples, who was exceedingly affected, both with the matter and manner of his address, begged he would teach them to pray. "And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." Luke xi. L Soon after our blessed Saviour happened to cast out a devil, when some, who were present, ascribed the miracle to Beelzebub ; " And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb : and it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake : and the people wondered. But some of them said, he casteth out devils through Beelzebub, the chief of the devils." Luke xi. U, 15. However strange AND SAVIOUR JESUS CUBIST. 307 this argument may seem, and however weak and absurd it must appear to impartial judges, yet it had a considerable effect on illiterate persons, es- pecially on those whose prejudices and interests it favoured. The pharisees pretended, that as Jesus had all along been at great pains to oppose the tra- ditions which most of the teachers of that age con- sidered as the essentials of religion, and the principal branches of piety, they concluded that he must be a very wicked person. They nho supposed that a false prophet had the power of working signs and wonders ; and thence concluded, that our Saviour performed all his miracles by the assistauce of evil spirits ; with an intention to turn the people from the worship of the true God. Another pretended reason for ascribing his miracles to evil spirits was, that the demons them- selves, when they departed out of the persons possessed, honoured him with the title of the Mes- siah . Their arguments, though so evidently founded on falsehood, contributed largely to the infidelity of the Jews, and however we may be surprised that such weak reasons should have any effect, consi- dering what multitudes were witnesses of the many miracles the blessed Jesus performed on the sick of all sorts : on the blind, the deaf, the dumb, the maimed, the lame, on paralytics, lunatics, demo- niacs, and other miserable objects ; nay, on the dead, whom he raised again to life ; on the winds and the seas : in a word, on every part of nature ; yet experience hath abundantly convinced us, that these, and their own superstitious opinions, fixed that headstrong people in their infidelity. Though part of the multitude were content with ascribing this miracle to the power of evil spirits, It 1: } .; ! t 11 H' jJK;i»iiuji..jim.vH 808 THE LIFE OP OUR LORD u A others went still farther, desiring him to prove himself the Messiah, by giving them a sign from heaven. But Jesus knowing their thoughts, refused to grant them this request ; telling them that they were a wicked race of mortals, and discovered a very nerverae disposition, by seeking, after so many miracles had been performed, a sign from heaven ; and therefore that no greater sign should be given them than the sign of the prophet Jonas. " This is an evil generation : they seek a sign ; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet." Luke xi. 29. ,^v , ** No man (added the Saviour of the world) when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it into a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light." No man, endued with the spirit of God, concealeth the blessed gift ; but holdeth forth the glorious doctrines of salvation, as it were Uke a candle, that the light of the same may shine upon the souls of men, who hear them. « The light of the body is the eye : therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body is full of light : but when thine eye is evil thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore, that the light which is in thee be not darkness." Luke xi. 34, &c. Take care therefore, that thy soul is so completely enlightened by the spirit, that the emanation of light be not in the least interrupted by any evil passion, or affection ; that all the faculties of the soul may be as much enlightened and assisted, as the members of the body are by the bright shining of a candle. " If thy whole body therefore be full of light, havnig no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.'' Luke xi. 36. AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 303 Thus did our blessed Saviour prove the trufh .f sonings of hia malicious enemies. And when he h»d kind accept; ri„'vru;tio:^^^^^^^^^^^^^ -- With an insidious design, accompanieHhe pSee to lis house and sat down to meat, but without 'jrZ^lli':,^r^^ obserT^dX* the thoughts of this bigotted pharisee, said to him Your sect are remarlcably careful ti keep eve^v' thing clean that touches your food, lest, by eatfn J[?^ your body should be pollited : button ake no pains to clean your minds from the pollutions of raS covetousness. and wickedness. You must Zely also the soul ; and can you imagine the Almiffhtv who requires purity of body, beSause itis thTWk of his hands, will not^also insist upon a greater du- rity ot soul, which is undoubtedly the^J^r noWer part of human nature ? Instead, therefore, of that ye"rdoTnT""'"f '' T^^"^ ^-^ haifd; wht' je sit down to meat, ye should be careful to apolv Str '";*^" .«^^^' ^""'y «^ <'harity ; a du^ that will render it impossible for any external thmgs to defile you, but iJill be at all tZsloZt cleaVX'lf •h'^^'V ;,; ^^^ ^« y*^ Pharisees ma^e Clean the outside of the cup and the platter • but out mak« h T u- u^?' °^.*^^ '^*' ^^»«h is with- ^.veaTmtnf « WK-^'' ''"^^^ ^^««^ ^"^ rather give alms of such things as ye have, and, behold ail things are dean mito you." Luke xi. 39, Tc' )i i ^J ij^iki 310 THE LIFE OF OUR LOUD I t But the Pharisees, obstinate aud perverae, with- stood every means made use of by the benign Re- deemer of mankind to conquer their prejudices, and bring them to the knowledge of the truth ; and therefore our blessed Saviour treated them, on this occasion, with a kind and wholesome severity, denouncing against them the most dreadful woes, fur regarding so zealously the ceremonial parts of religion, and at the same time utterly neglecting the very precepts of their own religion. — "Woe unto you, pharisees, for ye lithe mint and rue, and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God ; these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Woe unto you, pharisees, for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets. Woe unto you scribes and pharisees, hypocrites : for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them." Luke xi. 42, &c. A certain lawyer, who sat at the table, thinking that this rebuke, though levelled principally against the scribes and pharisees, affected his order also, was greatly displeased. But Jesus, who had never any regard to the persona of men, despised his re- sentment, and told him freely what he thought of their character. " Woe unto you also, ye lawyei-s; for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers." Luke xi. 39. You pervert in a very erroneous manner, the interpretation of scrip- ture for no other reason than to favour the tradi- tion of the elders, and by that means lay so heavy a burden on the shoulders of the descendants of Jacob, that neither you nor they will touch with one of their fingers. AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 911 The blessed Jesus also condemned them for building the sepulchre of the prophets, whom their fathers had murdered : because they did not do it from the respect which they had for the memory of these holy men, but from a secret approbation of their fathers' actions ; as too evidently appeared from their whole conduct. " Woe unto you : for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed thera. Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers : for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres. There- fore also, said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute : that the blood of all the pro- phets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, might be required of this generation : from the blood of Abel, unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple : verily, 1 say unto you, it shall be required of this generation." Luke xi. 47, &c. Our Lord also reproved the lawyers for filling the minds of the people with notions founded on wrong interpretations of Scripture, whereby they were prejudiced against the gospel ; not being con- tented with rejecting it themselves, but took care to hinder others from receiving it. — '* Woe unto you, lawyers : for ye have taken away the key of know- ledge : ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered." Luke xi. 52. Such honest reprimands highly provoked the pharisee and his guests. They were conscious of being guilty of the crimes laid to their charge, but unwilling the people should think them guiky ; and therefore, out of revenge, urged him to speak on a variety of topics, hoping they should be able, by those means, to find occasion of rendering him ob- r % ii »*'»il*^" TMR l.IFR or OtTR LORD noxious either to the government, or the multitude. ** And aH he said these things unto them, the scribes and tlie phariHees began to urge him vehemently, and provoke him to speak of many things ; laying wiiit for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth that they might accuse him/' Luke xi. 53, 54. 1 !' CilAPTEll XXI. I U EXPLANATION OP THE ORIGIN AND OPINIONS OF THE DIFFERENT SECTS AMONGST THE .TKWS. OUR LOUD TEACHES THE MULTITUDE BY PLAIN DISCOURSE, AND ALSO BY PARABLES. Having undertaken to write the life of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we cannot omit a distinct account of the different sects of the Jews, a people with whom lie was most intimately con- cerned, both as an elucidation of many circum- stances, as well as verification of many things, fore- told, concerning the Messiah. Josephus reckons four principal sects among the Jews ; namely, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, called also the Herodians, the Essenians, and tLe Galileans. The Evangelists mention only two, the Pharisees and Sadducees. The rise of the phariseea is unknown. They claim, indeed, the celebrated Hillel for their foun- der, as he is by some supposed to have lived during the pontificate of Jonathan, about a hundred and fifty years before the birth of Christ : but others, with more reason, suppose that he was contempo- rary with the famous Someas, who lived about the time of Herod, long before whom the sect of the AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 3IS phariseeH was in high repute. It is therefore pro- bttble. that they claim Hillel rather as an ornament, than as the author of their sect. One of the most famous tenets of the pharisees was that of an oral tradition handed down from Moses, and to which they attributed the same divine authority as to the sacred books. This beine strenu- ously opposed by the Sadducees and Samaritans, rendered these equally detested by them. But none more incurred their hatred than the blessed Jesus, who embraced every occasion of reproving them, for the unjustifiable preferrence they gave this pretended tradition to the written word of God, and for condemning those as apostates worthy of death who did not pay the same, or even a greater regard to the former than to the latter. Another tenet they embraced, in opposition to the Sadducees, was, that of the existence of angels, the immortality of the soul, the resurrection of the dead, and future rewards. But with regard to the last, they excluded all who were notoriously wicked from having any share in the pleasures of eternity ; supposing, that as soon as death had put a period to their existence, their souls were conveyed into everlasting punishments. A third tenet was, that all things were subject to fate, or as some expressed it, to the heavens, except the fear of God. It is not easy to conceive what they meant by this : Josephus, indeed, will have it, That they designed to reconcile the fatality or pre- destination of the Essenians, with the free will of the Sadducees. If so, this is not the only absurdity, or even con- tradiction, which they held : but a certain learned prelate seems to have proved, that they attributed all to fate, or to that chain of causes to which tha I 1 814 Tllli LM'K OP OUR LORD Creator hud subjected all thiiiKs from the beRinninR; among which the influence of the heavenly bodies waa considered as the principal. I'his Beema to be hinted at by St. James, in the beginning of his epistle to the new converts, where he explodes that Pharisaical leaven by the most beautiful opposition of the immutability of God, the ^'iver of all good, to the mutability of the planets, which according to that notion, must necessarily vary their aspects from a malign to a benevolent ono, and the con- trary, even by their natural motions and change of position. This tenet of the pharisoes was, therefore, a new source of dislike to the doctrines delivered by the blessed Jesus, as these affirm that men are the authors of their own unbelief, disobedience, and obstinacy ; and, consequently, answerable for that, and all the train of evils these vices draw after them. » . , But the most distinguished character of the pha- risees, and that which rendered them most obnoxi- ous to the just censures of our blessed Saviour, was, their supererogatory attachment to the cere- monial law, their frequent washings, fastings, and prayings, their giving alms publicly, seeking for proselytes, scrupulous tithings, affected gravity of dress, gesture, and mortified looks : their building the tombs of the prophets, to tell the world that they were more righteous than their ancestors, who murdered them, though they were themselves plotting the death of one greater than all the pro- phets : their over scrupulous observance of the sabbath, to the exclusion of the works of the great- est charity, and many others of the like nature ; while they were wholly negligent of the moral and eternal law of mercy and justice ; of charity, hu- mility, and the like indispensable virtues. AND AAVIOUR JKRU8 CHHIHT. 315 Tlio very best of them contented tliemielvefi with abHtaining from the actual committing any onor< mouH act, while they indulged tiiemstjlvoH in the ninst wiukod though ta and desires. Nay, Home, more hardened in thoir vice.s, made no Hcruple not only of covering but deutroying poor widows' hoiiHOH ; of committing the viletit oppreHHions, in- juHtices, and cruel ticH, and of eticouraging thcHO enormities in their followers, under the speoious clouk of religion and sanctity. Well, therefore, might the great Redeemer of mankind compare them to whited sepulchres, beautiful indeed witliout, but within full of rottenness and corruption. The last erroneous opinion we shall mention of the pharisees, common iud'ted to all the other Hects, but more exactly conformable to their haughty, rapaci(>us and cruel temper, was, their expectation ttf a glorious, a citnquering Messmh, who was to bring the whole world under the Jewish yoke ; so that there was scarce an inhabitant of JeruKalem, however mean, that did not expect to be made a governor of some opulent provhice under that wonderful prince. How unlikely was it, then, that the preaching of the meek, the humble Jesus, whose doctrine breathed nothing but humility, peace, sin- cerity, contempt of the world, an univei>8al love and beneficence, should ever be reliKhed by that proud, that covetous, that hypocritical sect, or even by the rest of the people, while these, their teachers, so strenuously opposed it ? The sect of the Sadducees is said to have been founded by one Saddoc, a disciple of Antigonus of Socho. Their chief tenet was, that our serving God ought to be free either from slavish fear of punishment, or from selfish hope )f reward ; that it should be disinterested, and flow only from the 816 TIIR LIFR OP OUR LOUD pure love and fear of the Supreme Bein^. They added, that God was the only immaterial Being ; in consequence of which they denied the existence of tile an<,'el8, or any spiritual substances, except the Almighty himself. It is therefore no wonder, that the Sadducees should take every opportunity of opposing and ridiculing the doctrine of the resur- rection. Another of their tenets, equally opposite to the Pharisees, and to the doctrine of Christ, was, that man was constituted absolute master of all his ac- tions, and stood in no need of any assistance, to choose or act : for this reason they were always very severe in their sentences, when they sat as judges. They rejected all the pretended oral tra- ditions of the Pharisees, admitting only the texts of the sacred books, and preferred those of Moses to all the rest of the inspired writings. They are charged with some other erroneous te- nets, by Josephus and the Talmudists ; but those ali'eady mentioned are abundantly sufficient for the purpose. The notion of a future life, universal judgment, eternal rewards and punishments to men, whom a contrary doctrine had long soothed into luxury, and an overgrown fondness for tempo- ral happiness, which they considered as the only reward for their obedience, must of necessity, ap- pear strange and frightful ; and as such could not fail of meeting with the strongest opposition from them ; especially if we add what Josephus observes, that they were in general men of the greatest quality and opulence, and consequently too apt to prefer the pleasures and grandeur of this life to those of another. The sect of the Galileans, or Gaulonites, so called from Judas the Galilean or Gaulonite, appeared - •»»«f SK^S^.^ j|ft-»(««'. To excite their negligence of the things of this life, he placed before them in the strongest light an example of the bewitching influence of wealth, in the parable of the rich glutton, who was cut off in the midst of his projects, and became a remarkable example of the folly of amassing the goods of this life without having any regard to the commands of the Almighty.— This wretched man, forgetting his own mortality, made preparations for a long and luxurious life, pleaHing himself with the thoughts of possessing an inexhauHtible fund of sensual enjoy- ments. But, alas, while he was providing reposi- tories for his riches, the inexorable king of terrors seized him, and that very night hurried him before the awful tribunal of Omnipotence. " And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a cer- tiiin rich man brought, forth plentifully : And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits I And he said, This will I do : 1 will pull down my barns, and build greater ; and there will I bestow all my fruits ; and my goods. And I will say to my soul. Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for niany years ; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him. Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee : then whose shall those things be, which thou hast pro- vided." Luke xii. 16, &c. How solemn the appeal ! while he lay waking on his bed in anxious solicitude, \vhat he should do with his abundance, while his heart was dilated with the hopes of a variety of pleasures and indul- gences : in that very moment the golden dream vanishes at once ; all his thoughts perish ; and, ia mmm ■MM r\'ji TMK I.Ih'IC or OUR I.t>l»l> ; I! i tlioir HU»a«l, a horrid uocount Mtaniwhiiii in tlu' faw ; li HtMMU! of judKinont |»rMNoi»tH itHi08er of all events ! Without his assistance, all our promises of security are vain and foolish ; he will surely render all our labours abortive : and in a moment, when we think ourbelvos secure, the summons shall arrive, swift as the forky lightning's flash, convey us to the boundless regions of eternity, and present us, clothed in all our guilt, before the just, the mighty Author of our being 1 This awakening parable exhibits a striking pic- ture of the egregious folly of those, who live only for themselves ; laying up treasures for sensual en- joyments, but neglect the grace of God, and tho immense ti'easure of salvation laid up in Jesus Christ. k AND HAVroifU .IKHtlH (MIHIir. •JO*, Having; MpokMii thin purabin, our Koivl proomnhid t(» niiition Win iliMoiplfN ncaiiiNt iiiixiouH mnm for thn tliiiiii;H of tliiH worlil ; IVoni acoiiNiilonition, l\u\t tlio I'aio of (iod'H providnico oxtoiulM to ov^i'y part ol tlio on)al,i(»ii. Tim fowln of lioavoti aio foil l>y In 4 iMMiiity, ami tlio lilioH thai adorn tlio valUty am Mippliml with rain from tlio nIoudM of lioavoii : If, tiicinfons Maid t.Iio I»I«»mmo«1 Jomum, Oinnipotoiico w» niiroliilly providon for tho infmior paitH of tlio crnatioii, tlio cliildroii of inoii liavo mindy roamm to rely on Iijh bounty, and dtipond for HubHiMtonoo on Inn inunjiliil hand. Ho adch-d, that m (Jod had <|imtin«d thuin to ov«rla«tinj< happinnnM in a fnturo life, lio would unroly provido for thoni all tlio no- coHBarioH of tho proHent. '• Fear not, little flock ; for it Ih your fathor'M ji;ood pioannro U) ^ivo you tho kiiij^doin." At tho Hann^ tinio ho j^avo liiit diHoiploH anotlier pruROfit, poculiarly oaionlatod f»v tlioMo tiinoH in which tho profoHsion of tho {r,(tH]m\ rxpoK«'(l nion to tho Iohh of thoir HuljHtanjMj. ♦* Soil that yo liavo, and ^ivo ahuH : provide yourMolvoH hiij^H which wax not old, a troaHuro in tho lieavonn that failcth not, where no thiof a|)|>roachoth, noithor niotli corrupUith ; for whore your troanjiro Ih, tliovo will your heart bo alHo." l^nko xii. .'J.'I, M. Having thun recotnniendod to them tho diHon- Kiv^einontof thoir aflV^ctiouH from tho things of thii world, ho exhorted thorn to labour after improvo- nionts iu grace. " Lot your loinn be girdod about, and your lights burning ; and ye your>iolvo« like unto men tlua wait for their lord, when he will voturn from the wedding ; that when ho comotli 'Mid knockoth, they may open unto him inimedi- utoly," Luke xii. .'jr*, .'HI. This wan Hpoken in aliui^ion to tho cuHtomsof tho east, where aiu;iently great entertaininontH were *i .1 mm -i 3J6 TIIK MKK 01' OUU l.OKO mado ill tho ovoninjr ; and on these oooasionii »er- vaiita demonBtratod thoir dilinenoo by wfttoluiiff, and keeping their loinH girded, and their lam|m burning, that they inight bo ready, on the HiHt kni)ok of their niftster, to open tho door. lUi wrh it uncommon for the muster, in order to reward 8uch a servant, to order him refreahinent, an iiih ai'I'kaiianck. I'lciiTiNKNri.Y hk* I'l.lKS TO an KJNOHANT qUICHTION ANI» I NI'KllKN (JK <:oN('KllNIN(» TIIK OAl.ll.KANH. TKAOIIKH IIV I'AllA- III, KH. IIKI.I levies A IMHTIIICHHKI) WdMaN ', ANir IM WAIINKI) TO OKI'AIIT TIIIC T'OUNI'llV, IN OIlDKIl TO KKCAI'li TIIIC HKHKNTMICNT UK IIKIIOII. Tun (Jroat Proachor of iHraol having dt?liver<'«l tlioHo Naliitary adoioiiitionH to \m diHoipioH an. — And when yo hoo tho Houtli wind blow, yo say, there will bo heat ; and it coinoth to pawH. Yo hypocritoM, ye can dia- vnvn tho face of tho Hky, and of tiie eartli ; but how is it that ye do not discorn this time 1" Luku xii. 54, &c. The prediction of the Son of Man coming to punish the Jews for thoir rebellion and infidelity, delivered under the similitude of one who cometh HGcretly and unexpectedly to plunder a house, was* a loud call to a national ro[)entance. In order, therefore, to improve that prediction, he exhorted them to a speedy reformation ; telling them that the least degree of reflection would bo HutHciont to point out to thoni tho boat methods thoy could pos- "«i 32B TUB i.inc or orii lord ■ibiy inalu* usci of tor uvertiti^ thti iiii|>()iiiling JihIi^- ineiitH of tile Alini^lity ; illimtrutin^ what hohnrl said, hy \\\o iiinii.sliiiuMitstMMiiuioiily iiiHicttid on llm muu wild roi'iiscH to iiiaki^ ropHrHtioii tor ilio in- juries he liHH (i(»iiu hiH iifi^hbour. *' Vv h(ui thou goe8t with tliiiio ."tlverHiiry to thu iiiaj^JHtrato, nn thou art in tho way, ^ive diiiK;i!n<;u, that thoM uiayeHt be delivc'rcd I'nini him ; loHt hu hale th«;o to the judge, and the jnd^e didivurthee to the ofliwr, and the ottioer oaHt thee into priHon. 1 tell thee, thou shalt not part thence, till tliou haHt paid the very last mito." Luko xii. 58, !i\). Some of hiM heareru thought proper to contirm this doctrine, by Kivin^ wtuit they conHidored aHau exam|)le of it. There wore prenunt at that Hoasttu Home that told him of the GalileanB, whose blood Pilate hud mingled with their 8iicritie«H ; thinking, that Providence, for Home extraordinary crime, had suffered these Galileans to be murdered at the altar. But our Lord showed them the error of their opinion and inference conoerniug this point, it being no indication that these Galileans were greater sinners than their countrytnen, because they had suffered so severe a calamity, and at the same time exhorted them to improve such instancesof calamity, as incitements to their own repentance ; assuring them, that if they neglected so salutary a work, they should all likewise perish. " And Jesus ans- wering, said unto them, Suppose ye that these Ga- lileans were shiners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things ? 1 tell you, nay : but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Luke xiii. 2, &c. He illustrated this doctrine, by putting them in mind of the eighteen persons, on whom the tower AND RAVKUJK JK,Hi;s Cimi5T. 329 of Siloftin foil, Hhowing tliom, by Uhh iimtonoe, the folly of uiterprotiiiK tho (iinpeiiHations of I'rovi.lciioe in that nmniior ; for thouKh thi^ oalan.ity nemnnd to flow unmodmtoly from tho hun.i of iioil, yet, in all probability, it hud involved people who were ren.arkablo for their piety and goodneBH. "(»r thoHoeighteeuupon whom the tower of Siloam fell, and slew them : think ye that they were HinnorJ above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem { I tell you, nay : but, except ye repent, ye Blmll all likewiae periHh." Luko xiii. 4, 5. To rouse them from their indolence, and to induce them to seek the aid of God's grace and Spirit, ho addeu the parable of the fig-tree, which the master ot the vineyard, rfter finding it thrf^e years barren, ordered to be destroyed j but was spared one year longer, at the earnest solicitation of the gardener A certain man had a fig-tree planted in his vine- yard and he came and sought fruit thereon, and lound none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, those throe years I come seeking truit on this fig-tree, and find none: out it down ; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering, wild unto him, lord, lot it al«me this year also, till I Hha 1 dig about it, and dung it ; and if it bear fruit, well ; and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down." Luke xiii. G, &c. By tbi.s parable our blessed Saviour represented the goodness of the Almighty toward the Jews, in choosing them for his people, giving them the out- ward dispensations of religion, and informing them , ® "nprovements he expected they should make of these advantages, and the punishments he would inflict upon them, in case they slighted such benevolent offers, lie also represented by it, in a very beautiful manner, the unbounded mercies of (' i:! ill ti • M 3.10 TIIK l.H'K 01" OVn LORD tho Almighty in HjmrinK tliom at tho int«roo«Hir>n of luH Son, und RlvinR tluMU a fartlior tinioof trial, anil r»till groatur ao coimtry of I'oroa, ho obMorvi'il, while ho whh nn«aching in ono of tho »yna>jojtno«, on tho Habbath day, a wonum, 'vho, during? tho »paceof elghteiMi yoarn, hail beon unablo to Htantl npriKlit. A dannlUor of l8raol, laboiu'inK under HO terrible a diHordor, oouid not fail of at- trantinj,; tho oK«w. bowed d(mn with an inlirmity, waH by tho all-poworfnl word of tho Son of Ctod, i^estored to her natnral healtji, and ro- turned to her house nprij?ht and f»dl of vigour. Such a diHolay of divine power and goodness. iiiHtead of exciting the gratitude, ho highly oflVinhil the nmster of tho synngoijue, that he openly testifu-il hisMlii^ploasure, and reproved tho people as mili- baih-breakerH, beciiUHe tln'y oame on that day tolm healed. " There are nix days, (said this Hurly rultt«d ruhT havo thoii^iit othrrwiso, had not h'm roHNon boeii bliiidml by bin MU|>nr«fition " Tho Lord thou iiiiHWofod biin.mxl Maid, 1'bou hyponrit«, doth not «Mi(di ono <»f you on tho wibbafh d/iy, Iooho hilt ox or hiH asM from tlin Mhil!, and loai(;«d f<»r all thw florious thinijn that worn doiH' by hinj." LuUo xiii. lA, &i«. Vvoux tliin iuHtanco wo may form houio idoa of thn |)ftrnictou-4 «'n'cntH of KupcrMtifion, which Ih ('apabjo of extln|4ninliinK roasoii, IxuiiHhinjf eompaHHion,and of oradicMtinjr tho most j'HKnntial principloHand foel- itigH of tho human ra»«. Our Lord iiavin>( reproved the Hunerntition of tho ruler of tho Hynaj^o/^uo, and obHorvjui^ tho acelama- tioHM of tho ppopUs ho rofli'cted with fijloam to on the roanon and truth wliich no otfj-ctually nnpportnd his kingdom. For hi repoated tho parablen of tho f^raiu of muHtard-»e«'d and of the leaven, to hIjow tho efficaciouH operutionu of tho gonpol ujmn tho mindn of the children of men. and itH rapid prop;rt>HH throu|;h tlio world, notwitlmtunding all thu oppoHi- tion of its hivoterate enemies. The great Redeemer having now planted tho needs of tho goHpol in tho country of Perea, oroHKctl the Jordan, and travelled by slow journoyB towards JeruHalom, preaching the gospel in every villag*;, and declaring tlie glad tidings of salvation to all tho inhabitants of thoHo countrius. 4h ( _ m 83) TIIR I.IPK OV Otlll I.OItl) 1 1. .(; Whilo lie WAR tliim InlmuriiiK for tlio milvalinii of tnankiiui, ont^of thu povHoim wlionooompaiiiml liiin« aHkod liiin, •* Lovil, urn tlmro fmv tiiut bo mwvA V hi hU prolmbility thn {mu'hoii who piM>|wm(ul lliiH qtioHtioii, hiul lit>urml and tliu loavon ; and liift notiooH of tlio kingdom of the MuHHiah, boing thoHo that wvro thou vntoi'tainud by the Jewtt, in Kuncrni, lie nioant a temporal salvation. Dut JnHUs* to aonvinco him that ho nover intondcd to oreot a Hecuiar kingdom, anawurod the qtiestion in a Hpiritual mannor, and told him, That a HUiall nnmhur only of tho Jowh would be saved ; exhorting th«m to embrace tho ufTurs of nuM'oy bofore it waM too late, for that many, aftur the period of thuir trial waH uonuludod, and their Mtate finally and irrovorHibly dotHrmined, Hhould earnoHtly detdre these benevitlent otVorN, but Hhould bo denied their ru((U0Ht. " Strive to entor in at tho strait gate : for many, \ say unto you, will seek to enter in, and Hhall not be able. VVliou unce tho Master of the Iiouno 'ih risen up and hath shut to tho door, and ye begin to stanU8 b.»h«v,our pass witbr.ut a prop.a-ai.imHdver. «.on ; m wind, ho ob^u'ved, that pri.io Ron "mUy j>xpo«eH a per«on to many affronts, and that luunU }' 18 tie mirest inothod of gaininfr roHpoct. *« When I ou art bidden Haid he) of any ,nan\o a wedding" «t no down ,n tho nphest roo,„ ; lost a more ho- mrablo man than thou be bidden of bin, : and ho t .at bade thee and bun, come ai.d Hay to thoe, (Jive t MS man place ; and thou begin with shame to take the loweHt room But, when th(,u art bi.lden. m, H .d s, down .« the loweat room ; that when he that budo thee Cometh, he may Hay unto thee, Friend, go up Inj^ber : then shalt thou have worKhit, in the I)re8once of them that sit at meat with theL-For whcHoever exaltetli himself shall be abased • and xil }? &r"^^''^'* ^"mself Bhall be exalted." Lulce Jt^T *l'"«„»^'^''^««'^d the guests in general, he cUI not thy fnends, nor thy brethren, neither thy k nsmen, nor thy rich neighbours ; lest they alsJ d thee again, and a recompenco be made thee. .a L^^"* T "»»•*««* Vf^ast, call the poor, the '•aimc^, the lame, and the blind." Luke xiv! 12. . lie very careful not to limit thy hospitality to bounty. And thou shalt be blessed ; for they nonln *'f :;"'!''"«« thee; for thou shalt be recom- puised at the resurrection of the just." Luke xiv. One of the Pharisees, ravished with the delight- 1 piospec of the happiness good men enjoyed in t !f rf,"'^ ^1"^'^"' ''"^d «"*' « Blessed is he i"Jt shall eat bread in the kingdom of (j„d." TlirC MIMC OK Ollll I.OHIJ HleHNpd iH lio, who bein« iuliuitt«(l into lh« hnppy ivHioMH of P»u'«i«li»o, Mliivll wnjoy tl>« convorwitiou of tho inluibitHiitM of thoKo hoavenly oountrk^M ; um those Hpirltuiil ivpaHtii tumi ro^iilo iviul invi«onit.o hiM mind boyoiul oxpi'twMion. In unHwnr to whuih our bloMHi^«i Siivioui' tloliv«u'«Ml tho prti'uhlo of tho nmrrlaK'o Hiipp«^r, rr«N«»nt'mK l>.v tho invitation (»f tho unoMtH, tJio «h)otrn»o of tho K<»Mp«l, and tho mic- OOHM thoHO hnnffieont invitations to tho Kr^al. iyaMt of \mi\vu whould inoet with ainonn tho JowhI foro- teUinn, that tliooKh it wa« attrnchMl with ovory in- viting oinMiiOHtancMs thoy wjmiM diHdainfnll.y vojoot it, and pivfnr tho ploaMurtm of a toinporal »»xi«tMnco to thoHo »)f an oternal Htato : whiU tho (i«ntil«'H, with tl»o Kieati'Kt chtMnfulnuHi*, woultl onibraoo tlio bonelloont (dVor, and thorelty bo propainul to wit down with Abraham, lMaao,and.laoob, in tho happy inanHiouH of tlio kingdom of heaven. Hut aH tluH parable was aftorwarils Bookon l)y our blouHed Ha- viour in tho templo, wo Hliall defer our obHorvationa on it, till wo oomo to tho history where it wa» again delivored. When JcBUH departed tho phariseo^H house, Rreat multitudes of people thronged to him, to hear his doctrine : but mintook the true intention of it, ex- pecting ho was goin^ to oHtablish the MeHsiah's throne in JoruHaloin, and render all tho nations of the world tributary to his power. The benevolent Jesus, therefore, took this opportunity to umleoeivo them, and to declare in tho plainest ternjs, that his kingdom was not of this world ; and consequently that those who expected, by following him, to obtain temporal advantages, would find themsolveswretch- edly mistaken ; as, on the contrary, ids disciples roust expect to be persecuted from city to city, and hated of all men for his name's sake : though it was ANH H.WIOIMl JKHIIH (;ilUINr im miniiito for tlumn wli„ would l.« hiMtnm follownn topwier In» H«rvl«H to tli» rldi««, «ra,„hMir. ,um not, tlwit tli«y \uv<\ nnich hrnr, r«Mp„ct mid viiI.h, for tlm .!,„ir«Ht ol,,*n,r,H of tl.«i|. uffmitionH. tl..,„ forhioi. If any iimii „o.ii« t,,, ,„„, ,„„l l.^u, „of, IHh father, ttud morhor, and wifn n„.l cl,ild,.«„, and broth...,, ml H Hfo,.« yo,i and iiin ow., |if« al^o, l,„ cannot I,., n,y diHrt.plo. And vvl,o«oovor docn not hM»r Iijh And in o,-d..r to indnnn tl,o,i, to wni(,r|, thm dor- trmoattontivdy in tl,<.ir niindN. in, Hnndatod it w,t, tm> opi»m.to .,uHf.«, tlnit of m. nntl.iokinfc bmldor, and tlmt of a ranlj warrior. Tlio fo,.,i,.ut«d th« coHt ; and thu hittor Viulumd U> tl.o dilomnia of hoii,^ inKl«»rio„Hly dfdoatiid, or [ntnmly H.n.in^ for poano, provion« to tho hattl... mvn.^raHh y (Je.darwd war iH.fo.-o h« had cooHiilorod tl.n HfnmKth of hJH own and tho emi.ny'H arinv. So ikew,H« whommvru'hoboof yon (ad(led .JeM.,;) that fornakoth not all that he hath, hu cannot be ,oy diHciplo." Lulce xiv. Xi. ^ The publicans and MinnorH, rouned by the alarm- nifl: docti'ine of our Lord, Iistone: Ok' (Mill I.OUD Thitt iiutVH ^'natly diHplouiiod the oldor Hdii ; lin yMiH wry ungi^, uiul rufuHed t»> ^o in, upon which hiH tHthoroHiiiu out und oiiti'euttid him ; hut ho rr triuiHgrcHSfd I at any time thy coniiniiodment, and yut thou novor guvu.st mo a kid, that i ini^ht umko merry with my friond^ : but ua »oon uh thin thy Hon wuM como, which hath devoured thy living \%ith luirhtlK, thou liuMt killed fur him the fatted calf." Luko XV. '21), &e. IIIh father, with the most amiable oondr oendin^ tentlornoHH, replio..1 h.^ portion of «ood8 to himself, that he mi«ht L. his own mas- ter, and under no confinement or restricion, ho w.i8 unwilling to remain under the obedience of the d.vine precept; he was desirous of having a free use of things m Paradise, and by the devil's insti- j,Mtion attected a wretched independency, which caused him to bre,vli the divine command, and eat ot the forbidden tree, to obtain the knowledge of i^'ooil and evil. ° Thus he lost for himself, and his posterity, the M.bbtance put at first into his possession : but his i. Hvenly fiuher on his, and his posterity's return, .H(. 1 provided such grace and compassion for them, tli.'it tiiey may be re-instated in their former place n.1.1 iayour. And the same grace not being granted to the higher order of intellectual beings, the fallen hpintfi, is the cause of their murmuring against God and man, represented by the answer of their elder brother in this parable ; for it is conjectured by TJ!^ I'^V^^ ^y^""^ originailv i)ropo8ed for man tlirough Christ, in case of his fall, was the principal occasion of the rebellion of the apostate angels. ^ Others, secondly, with a much greater show of I'lobabiiity, expound this parable of the two people, 3K) TIIK l-ll-'R OP OUR I.OUIJ tlie Jews ana Goutilea, an«l who have both ono Father, even (lod. And while they both contiimod in their Fath«n''8 lunwo, tlie true church, tljey wanted for nothing ; there was phMity of food fbr the soul, there was abundance eiumKh for them botli. But the latter, n^prt^sonted by the youuRor brother, possessed of his hharo of knowledge, wont into a strange country, loft (iod « and spent his fiub- BtiMice, the evidence and knowlodRo of the Ahni^hty, foil into idolatry, and wasted all he had in riotouH livinc ; all his knowledge of God, in the loose and absurd ceremonies <»f idolatry. Then behold a mighty famine arose in that land, the worship ol the true tJod was banished the country. In this dreadful d«'artli aud hunger, ho joined himself to the devil, and worked all « uncleanness with greediness." But finding nothing to satisfy his spiritual hunger, this prodigal, long estranged froui his father, reflecting on his spiritual famine, and his own severe wants, humbly confessed his faultn, returned to his offended father, was re-admitted into favour, and blessed with the privileges of the gospel. But the elder brother, the Jewish churcli, daily employed in the field of legal ceremonies, and who had long groaned under the yoke of the law, seeing the Gentiles received into the covenant of the gospel, obt»in th<> remission of sins, and the hopes of everlasting life ; murmured against the benevolent t ts of the Almighty. God, however, out of his great compassion, pleaded pathetically the cause with the elder bro- ther, offered him all things, upon supposition of lus continuing in his obedience, and declared that he liad delivered the nations from the heavy yoke of ,'he ceremonial law. Tlius the parable has a very clear and elegant exponitiou ; the murmuring ot AND SAVIOUR JICSUS CIIIirST. 547 the elder brother ih explained to ua without the IciiHt (liHiculty ; and m the offence of receiviiij;; the (Jentiles to pardon and peace through Johub Christ, was HO great a Btumbling-block to the Jews, it is natural to imagine, that our Saviour intended to obviate a!id remove it by this excellent parable. It is, however, evident, both from the context and the occasion of delivenng it, that the third in- terpretation is the first iti debign and importance. The publicans and sinners drew near to hear Jesus. This gave occasion to the nmrmuring among the Pharisees ; aiid upon their nmrmuring, our Saviour doiiverod this and two other parables, to show, that 11" they would resemble God, and the celestial host, tlioy should, instead of murmuring, rejoice at see- ing sinners willing to embrace the doctrines of the gospel ; because there is joy in the presence of Ciod luid his angels over one sinner that repenteth, more than ovar ninety and nine just persons ti»at " need no ropentence." The obstinacy and malicious temper of the pharisees, who opposed every good doctrine, made a deep impression on the spirit of the blessed Jesus : ho did not, therefore, content himself barely with justifying his receiving sinners, in order to their being justified and saved through him, but, in the presence of the scribes and phari- soes, turned himself to his disciples, and delivered the parable of the artful steward, as an instance of the improvements made by the children of this world, in embracing every opportunity and advan- tage for improving their interests. " There was, (suid he) a certain rich man, which had a steward, and the same was accused unto him, that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, how is it that I hear this of thee ? Give an account of thy stewardKhip : for thou uiuyest be no longer steward." Luke xvi. 1, "2. it 343 THE LIFE or OUR LOIin This repriinami of his lord, and inward conviction of his own conscience, that the accusation was just, induced him to reflect on his own ill management of his lord's affairs, and in what manner he should support himself when he should be discharged from his service. " What shall I do ? (said he) for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship ; I can- not dig, to beg I am ashamed." Luke xvi. 3. la this manner he deliberated with himself, and at last resolved on the following expedient, in order to make himself friends, who would succour him in his distress. " I am resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses ; so he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said uuto the first, how much owest thou unto my lord ? and he said an hundred measures of oil. And he said uuto him, take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then said he to another. And how much owest thou 1 And he said an hundred mea- sures of wheat. And he said unto him take thy bill, and write fourscore." Luke xvi. 4, &c. To illustrate this parable, we beg leave to ob- serve, that the riches and trade of the Jews origin- ally consisted principally iu the produce of the earth : they were, if we may be allowed the expres- sion, a nation of farmers and shepherds ; so tluit all their wealth arose from the produce of their flocks and herds, and the fruits of the earth ; their corn, their wine, and their oil. Thus the &*teward, to secure the friendship of his lord's tenants, bound them to him under a lasting obligation ; and his master, when he heard of the proceedings of his steward, commended him, not because he had acted honestly, but because he had acted wisely : he commended the art and address AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 349 rd conviction irds : so that he had shown m procuring a future subsistence ; he commended the prudence and ingenuity he had used with regard to his own private interest, and t.) dehver hhn from future poverty and distress. hot the children of this world (added our Savi- our) are m their generation wiser than the children otiiglit. Ihey are more prudent and careful, more anxious and circumspect to secure their pos- sessions of this world, than tlie children of light are to secure in the next an eternal inheritance.— And I say unto you, make y(»urselves friends of the inamjnon of unrigliteousncss : that when v<) fail tliey may receive you into everlasting habitaiions." Luke xvi. 9. This advice of our Saviour is worthy our most serious attention : the best use we can make of our riches being to employ them in promotin,fr the sal- vation ol others. For if we use our abilities and interests in turning sinners from the evil of their ways ; if we spend our wealth in this excellentser- vice, we shall conciliate the goodwill of our hea- venly Father, who will greatly rejoice at the con- version of sinners, and with open arras receive us into the mansions of felicity. But this is not the whole application our Saviour made of this parable. He added that if we made use of our riches in the manner he recommended, we should be received into those everlasting habi- tations, where all the friends of virtue and reli«non reside ; because by our own fidelity in managing^tiie small trust of temporal advantages committed to our care, we show ourselves worthy and capable of a much greater trust in heavenly employments, liut if, on the contrary, we do not apply our riches to the glory of God, and the good of mankind, we bhall be for ever banished from the abode of the ♦j.-pi* 3.50 THE LIFE OF OCR LORD ■ if blessed ; becaase in behaving unfaithfully in the small trust committed to ua here, ve render our- selves both unworthy and incapable of a share in this everlasting inheritance. " He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much : and he that is unjust in the least, is unjust also in much. If, therefore, ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches 1 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own ?" Luke xvi. 10, &c. And if, while ye are God's stewards and servants, ye desert your trust, and become slaves to the de- sire of riches, you can expect no other than to be called to a strict account of your stewardship ; co- vetousness being as absolutely inconsistent with a true concern for the cause of Christ, as it is for a man to undertake at one and at the same time, to serve two masters of contrary dispositions, and op- posite interests. " No servant can serve two mas- ters ; for either he will hate the one, and love the other ; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon." Luke xvi. 13. Such is the parable, and such is our Lord's ap- plication of it, from whence the main intention and design of it are very evident. It was intended to incite us to a zealous concern for our future and eternal state, by making a due use of the means of grace, and working out our own salvation with fear and trembling, yet remembering that it is God who worketh in us both to will and to do of his own good pleasure. And if we thus employ our spiritual ta- lents, we shall joyfully stand at the right hand of the great Judge of all the earth, and receive from him AND SAVIOtm JESUS CHRIST. 351 fully in the render our- f a share in ,t is faithful 1 much : and just also in n faithful in nmit to your ire not been 's, who shall iuke xvi. 10, a public testimony of our faith and love : « Come, ye blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom vrel pared for you, from the beginning of the world : for I was an hungered and ye gave me meat, I was thirsty and ye gave drink : I was a stranger and ye took me in ; naked and ye clothed me : I was mk and ye visited me : I was in prison and ye came unto me." And thus shall we have made ourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteous- ness, and be received into everlasting habitations. m \ a.vi TiiM i.ir'K or mm f.oih) (IIAPTI'WI MX IV. JKSITS UKIUIKKS TIIK tNSOLKNT DKIUSION OF Till. FIIAHISKKS. DKSCUinKS, HY A PAHAIU.K, Till, natiiiikof kijtuhk ukwauds and i'unishmkn ts : and knfoucics tiiic docnilnk ok mutual fou- uk.auancl:. TnK doctrines lately doliverod by our Lord, bciiiR HO repuj^imut to the nvaricioua principles of tho plmriHcea, tlioy attended to the doctrine of our Sa- viour witli regard to the true use of riches, and tho impossibility of men Hervinj; (rod and manunon, bat at the same time they derided him as a vision' ary speculatist, who despised the pleasures of tliin world, f(jr no other reason, than because he was not able to procure them. It is therefore, v; wonder that men, who had shown such a cor'acation of AM) RAVIOlia JFMIH fMai.Vr. r,3 UON OF Till H.o cry w„rMfc .liH,K,«itionH, hIk,,,!,] rec.ivo u Hlmrp '-'' «!"' *r.mj tho ,ne,,k and humble Jchus : accord- ...K y ho t(,ld then, that they made iud,^e« of Ommpotonce, to whom all thingi are naked -d expoHed, and who judges of things, not by eir nppearances but according to truth ; it is, there' ore, n<> wonder that he often abhors both%orfion. nnd thmgsthat are held by men in thehiXst estunafon : « For that which is highly eVt"enu d anjoug men, ,s abomination in theHight^,f God.- ll.is affected sanctity, while the mind is unre- i^vvod, IS an abomination to the God of purity and tu.tl. Jesus Chnst detested hypocrisy, and fre- El a ^''?r^W of publica.is\nd^Hin"o r wr f '^"' ?"'^^"^*«" 5 the Mosaic dispen- «.itun, which made a difference between men "ctnne of repentance ; and the goHpel dispensa- a,ctn\h'rr" '"'' repenting tinLrs, ZZt lusti ictiou, then oommencod. " The law and tlm Tlunk not that 1 mean to destroy, but to fulfil '"w^>« abrogated, the leant of hi. precept, ought not 354 TrrR LIKK OP OUR LORD , ^1 to be neglected. *' 1 1 is easier for heaven and earth to ptifin, than one tittle of the law to fail." Luke xvi. 17. After treating of these particulars, he proceeded to consider the love of ploasui'e, so highly valued by the Pharisees, whose lust discovered itself by their frequent divorces, a practice which our bles- sed Saviour justly condenaied : " Whosoever put- teth away his witie, and nmrrieth another, commit- teth adultery : and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from hor husband, coramitteth adultery." Luke xvi. 18. These reasons are clear and unanswerable ; but the Pharisees, stupifted and intoxicated with sen- sual pleasures, were deaf to every argument, how powerful soever, provided it was levelled against their lusts. In order to illustrate this truth, con- firm his assertion, and rouse these hypocritical rulers from their lethargy, he delivered the awak- ening history of the rich man and the beggar. " There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptu- ously every day. And there was a certaiu beggar, named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table : moreover," so great was his afHiction, so exquisite his distress, that " the dogs came and licked his gores." Thus af- flicted in life, the Almighty, at last, released him ; " the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom." Nor could the rich man's wealth exempt him from the stroke of death : " the rich man also died, and was buried." But beliold now the great, the awful change ! " In hell he lifted up his eyes, being in tormente, and seeth Abraham afar off, and" the late despised and af- ^Nn SAVIOUR JKSUS CIIHIST. 85A flicted « /.nzarus in hh boHom." I,, his neom of pain and dmtrosa he cried to Abraham IdBSlv ^d'&r^* ''"^' *'t"°"^^ ^^'^^ P'*^ onZ and J^H«f ;l * J i" ^- '^'' ^'"^ «^«° *»^® Jeaat degree of tlf\ 5*''/^ '*'»'P'"» ''•^ "*P «f J»« fi"«or in water *^Si r^Abrir '''^'' '^'^"'«"' was'intlmbre! La?aru8 ^^.1 ' ^'T "f '"'^^ ^° »"«» "^d send wa^er airl^nni T^ *^'P '''** *'P *>^ *>" Anger in that thou in thy lifetiretceireds't t1r;'go'rtrn'r ;:::^fortrandT"^^?^ things ; bilt'l'^h^S coimorted, and thou art tormented. And besides all t ns, between us and you, there is a gmt S fixed : so that they which would pass fr5m helice to you cannot; neither can they pass to us that would come from thence." Lulce xvi. 24;&c! Ihe miserable wretch, finding it impossible lo procure any relief to him'self, w^ desiZTof pre- S"^-!^''""^''!^^^^^^^^"- f«>"» the like ds- her that thf '^"^ ?/' "^ P"*^' *^««' t»>«^efore, fa- ?(Ses8 „?t T.""^'"" '^^'^"^ ^« °*«^ '"to the bot- ceSnt/nf ./'*-^ "'y ^^*''"' ^'^ Abraham, the Took "o/m1J?^ immortality of the soul, froi the S^emlll T'' ^°^ ***^ prophets, if they will give To whtr'th^ *-""^l^*« peruse Wm attentiv^e l^! bookso?vr? ""T?^^^ «^J"^' ^«P»i^^' that the nta^H r r^ '^^' P'°P^»"*« ^*d been ineffectual Bu i?CJ^ ^'V^tr^ ^^"^^ ^^ «« t« hi« brethren^ pearfdZh *"^^^'^'^ from the dead, and ap- peared to them, they would certainly repent, and (56 •rai<: LIFE OF OUR LORD ! i i embTJiL-e tliose offers of salvation they haW8 to whom our Saviour spoke, were remarkable m- staucea of this truth : they were fully assured, that another Larazus was, by the power of Christ, raised from the dea»?, after he had lain several daysm the tomb ; a fact which they were sc ''ar from being able to disprove, that they attempted to kill Laza- rus, as if, by thia wicVed action, they could have destroy i hia evidence Nay, they still had a more lively p. of in the rt^arrectioi of Jesus himselt, which they were so far from being able to deny, that they hnhed the soldiers to spread that sense- less tale, thai his discip'.s came bv night, and stole him away while they slept. So true were Abra ham's words, that they -aI . believe not Moses au- the prophets, whir'' testirv of Christ, and hi" etet nal redemption, wu Idn be persuadefUhough one rose from the dead There is not a more awakening ai i alarming example than this parable, through th. hole gos- pel : it is drawn in such lively colours, that nany, A^fD SAVIOUll JESUS CIIIUST. 3.57 in all asfea of the church, have considered it not as a parable, but as a real history : but however thiH be, the important truths delivered in it are equally clear, and equally certain. They are designed t<> describe the difference between this state and a fu- ture, between the children of this world, and the children of light ; the former having had their portion of happiness here, but that of the latter being reserved to a glorioub one hereafter. Jesus Christ shews us the pc 1 of all the pros- perity of the wicked, and of all the calamities with wlii'?h good men may be exercised, and what avail- eth tiie luxurit . of life, or the magnificence of bu- rial, to a wretch tormented in llames ? Surely the fierceness of those flames would be proportionable < > the luxury in which he had formerly lived, and tfa J sense of h . torment be heightened by the deli- cacy he hid once indulged. May those unhappy peraons, wfio place their happiness and glory in beinp )thed in purple and fine linen, and faring sumi aously f^ver • day, take warning from ono gre...er tha ose anri the prophets, from one that came from u. df d to enforce it, that they pass not into that piac torment ! Ha- ing thus reprimanded the Pharisees, he took o_ oasiou to speak of affronts and offences, described their evil nature, and their ('-eadful punishment. It IS impossible, said he, " o.^ that offences will come : but woe unto him throut !. vvhom they come I It were better Whim that ami. istone werehai> ed about his neck, and he cas int(^ the ea, than that ne should offend one of these little ones." Luke xvii. , 2. That is, the childn n of G. i, the followers f tile Lamb, must inf>"t with disgrace, reviling, and persecution here but woe unto tliose who vile and persecute them, they haa ' etter underg. the H I 1 ■,■'1 n m 1 "i si i ii ■ ■} 358 TIIK MFK OF OUR LOUD wont of t< ' ipoial judgmoiita thau tho awful one that shall t imue. He Bpake also affainnt a qtmrrolaomo temper in servantH, esiHJcially ii» tho ininiiitorH and teaoluiH of religion, prescribeil a Hoauonable and prudent reprehenHion of tho fault, acoonipauiod with forgive- jitms on tho part of tho person injured, aH tho hint means of dinarniing tho t4Mnptation that may arise fi-om thence. " Take hood to yourselves ; if thy brother trespass agaioHt thee, rebuke him ; and if he repent, for^'ivo him. And if he trospaHS against thee seven tinioH in a day, and seven timos in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent : thou uhult forgive him." Luke xvii. 3, 4. It should be observed, that this discourse on for- giveneHs, uttered at a tim- when tho I'iiarisees had just accused him falsely, by calling him a falno teacher, sufficiently pro ves how truly he forgave thoui all the peraonal injuries they ha«l committed against him ; and should be a powerful roc oin- laondation of that amiable disposition, which loaiin to the forgiveness of injuries. But however beautiful these discourses of our Saviour appear when examined with attention, tlxy seem to have staggorod the faith of his disciples and followers : perhaps they still imagined hat Iki would shortly erect a temporal kingdom, anrt Huffloiont f<.r overcomlnjt all tmnptAtlonn, evun tli<»8e wliioli Hoorii an difHiMilt to be conquered rm tlio pluckinjf up tvmn, And pUnting them in the ocoan. " If vo havfl fuiih m » ^rain of niuntard- m>ud, yo niiijlit miy unto this nycaniowj trno, IWi tliou plucked up l>y tlio rootN, and bn thou phmted Ju tho Hea, and it nhould obey you." Luko xvii. U. PI t ClIAI»TI*:il XXV. OUR LORD IS AIM'LIi:i) TO l,V IlKllALI' Ol-' Ku^i LAZARUS. CUUKH TKN I'liRSONH OF TMK 1,/61'RO.SY IN SAMARIA, AND IIKSTORKH LAZARUS TO LIFK. Soon after our blessed Saviour b d fmished thofto diBcourHes, one of his friondH, naaied Lazarus, fell Kick at B«tlmiiy ; a village about two inileH from tlio countries buyonJ Jordan, whore Jukui* wa« now 4 fj i> y 860 TflR l.iriZ OF OUR LOUD preaching tlio gospel. The Hiaters of Lnzarua, finding hiu BicknoHH wasuf a dangoroim kind, thought proper to Hend an arcount of it to Johus ; beinj^ lirmly perHuadod that ho who had cured ho many Htrangert), would readily conio and give health to one whom he h)vod in ho tendcsr a- niannor. Lord, Baid they ; hehoUl ho whom thou lovest is Hick ; they did not add, C'onio down and heal liim, make haste and wave him from the grave ; it was Kulii cient for them to relate their necessitioa to their Lord, who was both able and willing to help them from their diHtresH. " When JesuH heard that, ho said, This sickness is not unto death." This declaration of the beiu;- volent Jesus being carried to the HisterH of Lazarus, must strangely burpriso them, and exercise both their's and his disciples' faith ; since it is probable that before the messenger arrived at Bethany, La- zarus had expireil. Soon after, Jesus ptwitively assured his disciples that Lazarus was dead. The evangelist in the beginning of this account tells us tinit Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus ; and also that after he had received this message, ho abode two days in the same place where he was. HIh dcHign in this might be to in- timate, that his lingering ho long after the messai^'e came, did not proceed from a want of concern for his friends, but happened according to the counsel of his own wisdom. For the lengtii of time which Lazarus lay in the grave, put his death beyond all possibility of doubt, removed every suspicion of fraud, and eonstupiently afforded Jesus a lit oppor- tunity of displaying the love he bore to Lazarus, as well as his own divine power in his undoubted re- surrection from thodead. His sisters, indeed, were by his means kept a while in painful anxiety, on AND SAVIOUR JKSU8 CHRIST. 361 account of thei.^ brcher's life, and at last pierced by the sorrowB of seeing him die ; yet they , .u„t surely tunk themselves abundantly recompe/sed by the evidence, accordnig to the Gospel, L,n this Hstonislnng miraci., as well as by the inexpressb e surprise o joy they felt, when they again received their brother from the dead, disciples. Let us go into Judea again. John xi. 7, His disciples were astonished at this proposal, and his recollection of his late danger in that country alarmed them, « Master," said they, « the Jews Jf again ? Wilt thou hazard thy life among those who desire nothing more than ti find any opportu! mty oi killing thee i « Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day i If any man walk u he day he stumbleth not,' because ^he seeth tie ght of the world ; but if a man walk in the night John xT ilrlo. '^ '''"'^ ^' "" ^'°'*' '" *"'"•'' By this he intended to Inform his disciples, that UH^^whohved by faith, and acted under the in. S^ r"" •^^'^'« Jf^ivin« «PU-it, could not stumble ; whereas, those who f(»llowed the direc- tions of unenhglitened reason were liable to per- petual error. *^ Jesus, having removed their groundless appre- hen«ions, and strengthened their faith, thit ho might clearly explain to them the cause of his going eeT"*'Vhf r^'^' ^"^''^^ ^^^^'^ ^>"«""^"f i, ?Hf . ^'««'P^*^«' understanding his discourse iVi "\rfl!.'*"^.""*^' "L«^'d» i* he sleep, he an probability is recovering. It would be, theio- m ¥ 862 TUB i.iFK or OUR J^oiin foro, highly uiiaeBBoimble in na, to take two rlayn* journey only to awako him out of hi« »loep. Thun they discovered their fears and hinted to their MaHter, that it would be far safer to continue wluu-o they were, than to take a iiazerdous journey into Judea. They were, however, mistaken ; for the EvaiiRO- list informs us, that he Hpako of hiw deatli ; but they thought he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Jesus, therefore, to remove any doubt, said plainly to them, — ♦' Lazarus in dead. And 1 am glad, for your sakea, that 1 was not there, (to the intent ye may believe.") 1 am glad for your sake.s that I was not in .ludea beft»re he died ; for had I been there, and restored him to his health, your faith in me, as the Moasiah, umst have wanted the great confirmation it shall now receive, by your beholding me raise him iigain from the dead. Having thus given his disciples a proof of his divioe knowledge, and of the designs of Providoiioo in the death of Lazarus, our blessed Saviour addiMl, Nevertheless let us go unto him. Thus Jesus, who could have raised Lazarus without opening his li|w, or ri& ng from his seat, leaves his ])lace of retire- ment beyond Jordan, and takes a journey into Judea, where the Jews lately attempted to kill him ; because his being present in person, and rairtinj^ Lazarus again to life before so many witnesses ut Bethany, where he died, and was so well known, would be the means of bringing the men of tluit place, as well as others who should hear of it even in future ages, to receive the doctrine of re- surrection to eternal life : an admirable proof of which, and as an emblem of it, ho gave them this great miracle. Jesus having thus declared his resolution of re- AND BAVIOUIl JK.SUH CIIIUST. 363 >]utioii of 10- tunuiig into Judoa, Thonma, concoivinj? nothing hm than doatruction horn mucIi h jourm-y, yet un- willing to foiHake liin MaHtor, Haid', Let us uIho go, that wo may die witli him. Let um not fornako our MftHter in this dangeious journey, but Hccoin|»ftny lum iuto Judca, that if the Jews, whcme inveteracy we re all well acM|uainted with, Hhould takeaway niK^ue, we may aUo rxpiro with him. Theiournoy to Judca beinj{ tlum regolved on, Je8U8 departed with his diHciploH, and in hi« way to Uethany pasHed through Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there niet him ten men thut \vore h-pers, which Ktoodafar ott : and they lifted up their voicen, and naid, JesuH, Maater, have mercy on uh. And when ho saw them, ho Kaid unto them, Go, hWw yourselves unto the priOHtH. And it camn to paws tliat as they went they were eleaiiHcd." Luko xvii. 1'2, Sec. Among these miserable objects, one of tl. im was a native of tho country ; who perceiving that his cure was completed, came back, praining God f(.r the great, mercy he had recoivfd. lie had before kept at a distance from our Saviour, but bting now se!,8iblo that he was entirely clean, he approached Ins bene actor, that all mfght have an opportunity of behoUhng the miracle ; and fell on his face at his eet, thanking him, in the mont humble manner, for im condescension in healing him of so terrible a (iisease. Jesus, in order to intimate that those who are enlightened with the knowledge of the truth ought at least to have shewn as great sense of piety unci gratitude as this Samaritan, asked, « Wei4 tliere not ten cleansed i but where are the nine ? mere are not found that returned to give glory to 1,0(1, save this stranger." Luke xvii. 17. Jesus and his disciples now continued their j(,ur- 8G4 ruR i.irre ok our loud uoy towards Betlmny, whore he waH informed hy Bume of the inhubitaiitH of that villuf^e, that Lazarus was not only dead^ as he had foretold, hut had now lain in the ^rave four days. The aiilicted siHturs were overwliehned with sorrow : so that many of the Jews from JoruHalum came to comfort them concerninji; their brother. It seems tlie news of our Lord's cominf; had reached Bethany before he arrived at the villaf^o ; for Martha the sister of La^sarus, beinj^ informed of his aproach, went out and met Itim ; but Mary, who was of a more melancholy and contemplative disposition, Mxt still in the house. No sooner was she come into the presence of Jesus, than in an ex- cess of grinf she poured forth her comphiint : " Lord," said she, " if thou hudst been here ray br(>t;her hud not died," If thou hadst complied witli tli'» mossajje wo sent tlioo, I well know that thy interest with heaven had prevailed : my bro- ther had been cured of his disease, and preservd i'rom the chambers of the grave. Martha, doubtless, entertained a high opinion of our Saviour's power : she believed that death did not dare to approach his presence ; and conse quently, if Jesus had arrived at Betliany before her brother's dissolution, ho had not fallen a victim to the king of terrors. But she imagined it was not in his power to heal the sick at a distance ; though, at the same time, she seemed to have some dark and imperfect hopes that our blessed Lord would still do soniethiug for her. "But I know," said she, " that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask ol God, God will give it thee." She thought that Jesus could obtain whatsoever he desired by prayer ; ami therefore did not foimd her hopes on his power, but on the power of (JJod through his intorcesaioii. AND BAVlO(;il JK8US CHRIST. 305 bl.« .lotibtloflfl, know that the great Uedoeraer of iimr.kuul had raiwod the daughter of Jairus, and the wuJow H Hon at Nain, from the dead : but seeius to have cr.nnidered liur brother's rcHurrectioii as ['"id. inore d.mcult ; probably because he had been Joufjer dead. But JeHiiH, Avho was willing to encourajre this im- |)or «et iaith of Martha, auawored, " Thy brother Hliall riHH agaui." Ah thtwi wordw were delivered 111 an indefiiuto senne, with regard to time, MartJia understood them only an an argument of connola- tmn, drawn from the general retmrrection, and ac- cordn.gly answered, «1 know that he shall rise a«aiM at the reHurrection of the last day." She was innly perHuaded of that important article of the thnstuin faith, the roHurrection of the dead ; at ut wlueh unportant hour she believed her brother would rise trom the dunt. And here «he seems to have terimnated all lier hopes, not thinking that the Son of Cod would call her brother from the s t;ep ot death. Jesus, therefore, to instruct her in tlie great truth, replied, "1 am the resurrection au(i tho hfe. I am the author of the resurrection, the fountain and gi .er of that life they shall then ivreive, and therefore can, with the same ease, [uiso the dead now, as at the lust day. " ile that t^eli'„'veth 11' me, though he were dead, yet shall he live ; and whosoever liveth, and believeth in me. sliail n-ver die. Believest thou this ?" To which Martha answered, Yea, Lord, I believe that thou at the Christ, the Sou. of God, which should come H to tho world. 1 V.he/« diat thou art the true Messiah, so long promised by the prophets, and therefore believe tlu-i tiv^u ait capable of perform- in,? every instance of power that thou aiti)ka8ed to ci;mu. * 11' 360 TIIIC I.M-li: OP OtTR LORD ^ Martha, now leavinja; Jemw, ran and called her BiHtoi', aeoordiiijf to Iuh order. Mary no nooner heard that Johus was como, than Hhe iminodiately left her Jewish coniforterH, who increaBed the weight of her grief, and flow to her Saviour. The Jews, who snH|){?cted whe was going to weep over the grave of her brother, followed her to that great I'rophet who was going to remove all her sorrows. Thu8 the Jow8, who came from Jerusaletn to com- fort the two monrnful siaters, were brou^^ht to the grave of Lazarus, and made wituossea of iiis resur- rection. As soon as Mary approached the great Redeemer of mankind, she fell prostrate at his feet, and in a flood of tears poured out her complaint : " Lord if thou liadst been here, my brother had not died." No wonder the compassionate Jesus was moved at ao aft'eoting a scene : on this side btood Martha, pouring forth a flood of tears ; at his feet lay the atteotionate Mary, weeping and lamenting her dear departed brother ; while the Jews who came to comfort the attiicted sisters, unable to confine their grief, joined the common mourning, and mixed their friendly tears, in witness of their lovo for the departed Lazarus, and in testimony to the justice of the sisters' grief, for the loss of so amiable, so deserving a brother. Jesus could not behold tlie affliction of these two sisters, and their friends, without having a share in it himself ; his heart was melted at the mournful scenoj — " he groaned iu spirit, and was troubled." To remove the doubts and fears of these pious women, he askad them, where they had buried La- zarus I not that he was ignorant where the body of the deceased was laid : he who knew that he was dead when so far distant from him, and could raise ANo SAVIOUR jK8.;.s cuni.vr. 3C7 «vvered,<* Lord, o<>.rrd 1 "'\tLt "'7n*°- t«> prove that he wan not only so bit a nl' 1 ^^'^^ passionate man anrl t.. ui. ^ '. "' * '"OHt com- dorate, and directed t>^^. "''""^» ^^'^n not immo- I'e -an going to £ve the n T"" *? '^' *'™« *»>«' divinity: *^ ^ "'*" "^^^^ »"»Pi« proof of hi» torpretod thi« dXn'S.e rC^;', ^'"l" '»" or, according to their wal . p • / '^'"'^^ Vantage ; I'e imdsnfteJed 1 n> to fi^.lJ"'^^'"^' f»'«.V fancied for no other reason k^^ wL^'bTf' '' '^'*^^' power and affection to ret ,r»- V'T "^^^^ «^ tlie miracle, Paidto hav« T ^*""- ^"^ thinJcinir man, at the Cst If 1.1 "? *'""^' " " *'•« ^iind tl.e former in questbn bpr^'':\'^'' -^^''^''^^^ ;; winch opened trJeyrof'i;: bhnd' . '^'^ ^'^>'» ^'ur Lord, reffardlPHB .<• *i • K.ievi„g fo,t ,„ |,KeT„f''',, "'";■• 'l""'"™, but "«» ol their intidelirT" , '"""''^ """1 ^'"'d- At h« cominKl^> the' '!':"'?''''-•''■•« "ftlie dead. " Lord, by S u„e f «" .H £. "-":» ««, Mi S III 3(^8 Tiirc i.irn OF ovn r.oan but JimuH ^avo htir n Holcniii rnproof, to toauli hor that tliuro wuh iiothiiifi; inipoHHiblo with (iod ; Hud that thu powoi' of the Ahnif(hty in not to ho circuin- Hcrihod within the narrow lN>undMof human ruaHon. '' Said 1 not unto thoo, that if tliou wouldHt buhevu thou HhouhlHt Hou tho ^lopy of Cjod f ' i. o. lluvo hut faith and 1 will dinphiy hufoi-u tho(^ the power of Onniipotonco. Tile ohjinslionH of Martha hein^ thuH obviated, nho, with tho rost, waited the ^reat event in HikMice ; and in purHuantre of the eonunand of the Son of (iiod, took away tho Htono from tho place whore tho dead wan laid. Johuh had, o:i many oeeaHions, pub- licly app(^*llod to Iuh own uiiracloH, aH the proofs of his nuHuion, thoufj^h he did not (generally make a formal addrosa to his l"'ather before he worked thoHo miracles. Hut bein^ now to raibo Lazaruu fronj the dead, ho prayed for his resurrection, to convinue tln» Hpectators that it could not be effected without an innnu'idiate interposition of the Divine power. " Father," said he, '' 1 thank theo that thou hast heard nie, and 1 know that th(Mi heai-est me always ; but because of the f»eople which stand by 1 said it, that they may belit-vc tliat thou has sent me." John xi. 14, Ac. I entertain no dotibtof thy Mmpowerinuf me to do this miracle, and therefore did not pray for my own sake ; I well know that thou hearest me always. 1 prayed for the sake of the people, to convince them tlmt thou lovfcst me, hast sent mo, and art ci»ntinuaHv with me. After returning thanks to his l''ather for this op- portunity of displaying his jjlory, " he cried with H loud voice, Liizarus, come forth !" This loud and otHcaciouH call of the Son of (JJoda«vaknned the dead ; the breathless clay was instantly re-ani- mated ; and he who hud laiu tV^ur days in the tuiub to toaeli lior AND NAVlOini j|,;.SJm niRIST. .%'9 with a i.ai.UM I ■ • ^'^''" '''"« '"'""'^ ttl'<»ut Oi. the o ho h nrbv "r^ ."' ^""'•'*^">' ^«'*^- "'111 laudled hiir. ..... /.^ '"» ^ V**''® ^V"« came near f'e truth of tlu/, to h" //rr""'*^ «^ P»'"^'"« '-rd'B behaviour «.^l^«:eaI^hT•"' I" ^^"'' «»« upbraiding, word, eitC^^h ' i ?'^ ""' ""^*^ «f triu,„ph or exu ati;,r^' a± ir '"" i? ""'^ fi"," were the only w rH« , T " ""*^ '^"' '""» ^^«H in thiH a« on Til f. ^ ^'^""^ recorded. Ho gg * , a pattern of perfect huniiiitv aud vm ) i 370 THR 1,1 FK or OL'a LORD modesty. Such was the astonishing w rk wrought by the Son of God at Bethany : and in the resur- rection of Lazarus, thus corrupted, and thus rai ed by the powerful call of Jesus, we have a striking emblem, and a glorious earnest, of the resun-ection of our bodies from the grave at the last day, vv^itu the same powerful mandate, which spoke Luzarus again into being, shall collect the scattered particles of our bodies, and raise them to immortality. Such an extraordinary [)ower displayed befoe the face of a multitude, and near to Jerusal' lu, even overcame the prejudices of some of the most obstinate among tliem. Many believed that Jeaua could be no other than the great Messiah, so 1< nj^ promised ; though others, who still expected a tem- poral prince, and therefore unwilling to acknowledge jhiii. for their Saviour, wer filled with indignation, |>r*rt/.i;alarly the chief priests and elders. But this rsimeie, as well as all the rest he had wrought in cornrraation of his mission, was too evident to be deuied ; and, therefore, they pretended that this whole intention was to establish a new sect in reli- gion, which would both endanger their church and nation. "Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we ? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him ; and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. John xi. 47, &c. The common people astonished at his miracles, will, if we do not take care to prevent it, certainly set him up for the Messiah ; and the Romans under pretence of a rebellion, will deprive us botli of our liberty and religion. Accordingly, tliey came to a resolution to put him to death. This rtbolution was not, however, unanimous ; for Ni- AND BAVrou i JESUS CHRIST. 371 codemus, Joseph of Ariraathea, md other d'.ciDle. of our Saviour, then members of the coml urC the inju .t,ce of what they proposed t^ do W fhe con«,derat,o„ of In, miracfes and innoceic^^B ' Umphas, the high-priest, from a prin i, L- man pohcj , told them, that the nature o' Z ment often q, red certain acts of iny. Tn order to nrocure the safety of the stat « Ye know nutf.mg at all, nor consider that it .« cxpedi! ent for ub that one man should die for the Xt 4M0 '*"^ "''^' "'^'^^^ P™»» not." J«K; ♦ T^^f*"!' '''"^ *^"» determined to put Jesua to death dtab. rated for the fu. e only n^n die best met',ods of effecting it ; and, ui all prob^"l f agreed to issue a proclamation, promising a reward hand7^Fr^hr'' """'^ '^"'^' him Into thdr fiands. For this reason, our blessed Saviour did tl"!^^ ^%"? to Jerusalem, though he was within bordT™ nfl'* ' n ' """"^ to Ephraim, acity on the borders of the wilderness, where he abode iith his d^ciples, being unwilling to go too far into the oountry, because the passover, at which he was to suffer, was now at hand. 1/1 ^. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 2.5 1^ 12.2 1 2.0 1.8 m I U I L6 ^ cy^ Photographic Sdences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 873-4503 .^ ^\r y :i>^ N> *% .V "O^ ..-^ ^■' '0 f/. ^A '^ 'in 372 THB LIFE OF OUR LORD CHAPTER XXVI. THE GREAT PROPHET OP ISRAEL FORETELS THK RUIN OF THE JEWISH STATE, AND ENFORCES MANY IMPORTANT DOCTRINES BY PARABLES. — HE BLES- SETH THE CHILDREN, AS EMBLEMS OF THE HEA- VENLY AND CHRISTIAN TEMPER AND DISPOSITION, While the blessed Jesus remained in retirement on the borders of the wilderness, he was desired by some of the Pharisees, to inform them when the Messiah's kingdom would commence. Nor was their anxiety on that account a matter of surprise ; for as they entertained very exalted notions of his coming in pomp and magnificence, it was natural for them to be very desirous of having his empire speedily erected. But our Saviour, to correct this mistaken notion, told them, that the Messiah's kingdom did not consist in any external forms of AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 373 1. L, 'tCtfX nS for thlf'^i !«'«"-• or that place foi .^7 i^i ," •" «*'' '" *■» been preached aWdv.^f'^T,?' *^'"^' *» " h** his .postlert„d'^'„t™T"hv ^ ^^ ^J,"" ""» notwith observation N -.u' ™? '"'' "cometU here- .r ?o rer^f L beSd^.h.^f '5*^ '«'/^.I'» i» within yoo." Lutoxvu 2^0** '""S''""' "^ G««» hiSltu dtcS' '"/?''?"«-«. he tumed the people, prophecStL'!!'' '." *^ bearing of aU i»h state ; wK, ^„.S .^^''■"S'''!'''' «' «••« Jew- civil, WMUiIcW^fS l". ?k' .""* "'■S'''"' »»d passion were Sr„'. .* ^eesuse love and com- I rStrnedThTd P"w? !"' T ^"'"•"'« •""Pe--. manner rmlghttndl, the ~S'''T''* '"'""'^ » of his hearer, ul: , , reformation and profit to .h« fi^r d^st" ,1" ™l r "■" ^"'' '"^'"■^■' tress; when thev «h„. jj • '"' *" "mversal dig- personal preS of th. iS^^T'^'^ "'"^ '«' «>« but wonld' be"rn.^d*Crls°t "^^C'd""" 0.' r s:; Tmi:. t 'i n^ F'-- "'*« ^^^" xvii 99 i ' *°^ ^® s^all not see it." Luke there! goUt afteX ^°"' ?'* ''«'« ' «'> "^o -Hc«rr..'fcr/rjtS;e^:i ,t(3f rg!S% M'jm ' ^, mt% .-■*^.* «.«.«^_, »,^ _ I ■'4 374 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven ; so shall also the Son of Man be in his day. But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation." Luke xvii. 23, &e. The coming of the Son of Man shall be sudden and unexpected. He will come in his own strength, and with great power ; he will throw down all op- position, destroy his enemies with swift destruction, and establish his religion and government upon the face of the earth, as suddenly as lightning darts from one part of heaven tc the other. But before these things come to pass, he must suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. Notwithstanding this sudden destruction and calamity that was to overwhelm the Jews, he told them, their stupidity would be equal to that of the old world, at the time of the deluge, or that of Sodom, before the city was destroyed : " And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of tho Son of Man. They did eat, they drank, they mar- ried wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark ; and the flood came and destroved them all. Likewise also, aa it was in the days of Lot ; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded, but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and des- troyed them all : even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be upon the house top, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away ; and he that is in the field, let him likewise not re- turn back. Remember Lot's wife.'* Luke xvii. 26. A more proper example than that of Lot's wife could not have been produced ; for if any of his AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 375 hearers, through an immoderate love of the world, should be prevailed on, in order to save their goods, after they were admonished from heaven of thei^ danger, by the signs which prognosticated the des- truction of Jerusalem ; or if any of them, through want o faith, should think that the calamUies pT dieted to fall on the nation would not either be so great or so sudden as he had declared, and did not use the precaution of a speedy flight ; they might «nH nf "tV^"^*' ""'h ^'^ "^*"^P^« "^oth Of their L and of their punishment. He added, that those ^vho were anxiously desirous of preserving l"f^ om an attachment to its pleasures and vanities sliould lose it ; whereas those who were wiUini? to ay down their lives in his cause, should presfr-?; l,em eterna ly. - Whosoever shall seek to Zve Hs life, shall lose it ; and whosoever shaU lose bis life, snail preserve it." Luke xvii. 33. Having foretold the destruction of Jerusalem, our blessed Saviour spake the following parable, in order to excite them to a constant perfeverance S fn r* ^^ "°* *^ ^^ ^^^"^y a»d faint in their n.nds. There was in a city,' said the Saviour o^ la' nrTnl? ^ ^A ""^'^ ^''°« governed by atheist!- leJigion, and, being very powerful, did not regard Jhat was said of him by any man'; so tSa Th^ iteZr r\l '"^"'"^^^ "^'"'^y ^y P^BBion or mterest. In the same city was also a widow, who able?o".' f"!?'^' '' T''^''' "^« absoSy u„: able to defend herself from injuries, or procure abHirr^l^ had received li thisTpIo! lable B tuation she had recourse to the unfust judge, m order to obtain satisfaction for someC pressive wrong she had lately received : but the judge was so abandoned to pleasure, that he refused, I n7(» Tiir. 1,1 r If, OP oiiu i.otio for A tlm«, to linteii to hor requont ; lio would tint give himiielf the tmublo to oxniniiie hor rjiho, thouRli tho crying itijuMtico ploiidod io powerfully for tills dUtrewioti widow. She wuh r.ot, however, intimidated l)y his rcfuRwl ; bIio iiictmBiintly iinpor- tunod him, tillt by ropwatod repreHeiitatioiiM of her diatreiin, she filled h\n mind with mioh diRpleHHing ideftH, that he was obliged to do her justice, merely to fi-ee himself from hor importunity. " Though," Httid he to himHolf, •• I fear not (Jod, nor regard man, yet, becauHe this widow troubletli me, 1 will avenge her, lest by her continual coining, she weary me." Tiuke xvii. 4, r». The 8(»ntiment conveyed by our blessed Saviour in this parable is very beautiful. We hence learn, that the cries of the afflicted will, by being iuce». santly repeated, make an impression even on the stony hearts of wicked men, who glory in their impiety, and laugh at all the precepts of justice, virtue, and religion : and, therefore, cannot fail of being i^egarded by the benevolent Father <»f the universe, who listens to tho petititms of his faithfid servants, and pours on their heads tho choicest of his blessings. " Hoar," said the blessed Jesus, '* what the un- just judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them ? 1 tell you, tlmt he will avenge them speedily." Luke xviii. (», &c. As if he had said, If this judge, though destitute of the fear either of Cod or man, was thus promoted to espouF-e the cause of the widow, shall not a righ- teous God, the Father of his people, avenge, on the wicked, the many evils they have done unto thein, though he bear long with them '\ Certainly he will, and that iu a most awful maimer. AND SAVIOUit JVAtm ciittinr. 377 Ltem n^th ^ !*'"' "Pr'"^*'^* »•« placed the cha- «'"*"7'r i ""d had he bU iM-^eHlToTTy I'M would have acted pronerlv «(:.»! »» -ii^* ;• I tlmnk ,l,«e that I a^mT Xl «li. cr in?' «' a. i l^L^'12 "'" "•'".V '/''« «"»» »f »ll ,; * possess. Luke xvni. 11, 12. Having thus commended him«elf tn (i.ui i.- •W), perhai)B to transgress suiiio of (|,« wtightier 'is i,l 378 THR LIFK OF OUR LORD matters of tlie law, judgment, justice, and truth, and to devour the houses of distressed widows and helpless orphans. But how different was the beha- viour of the humble Publican ! Impressed with a deep sense of his own guilt and unwovthmess, he would not even enter the courts of the temple ; but stood afar off, and smote upon his breast, and, m the bitterness of his soul, earnestly implored the mercy of Omnipotence. "And the Publican, standing afar oif, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, say- ing, God be merciful to me a sinner." Luke xvm. 13. , . Specious as the Pharisee's behaviour may seem, his prayer was an abomination to the Lord ; while the poor Publican, who confessed his guilt, and implored mercy, was justified in the sight of God, rather than this arrogant boaster. This parable sufficiently indicates, that all the sons of men stand in need of mercy. Both the strict Pharisee, and the despised Publican, with the whole race of mankind, are sinners ; and conse- quently all must implore pardon of their gracious Creator. We must all ascend to the house of God, and there pour forth our prayers before the throne of grace : for there he has promised ever to be present, to grant the petitions of all who ask m sincerity and truth, through the Son of his love. These parables were spoken in the town of Ephraira ; and during his continuance in that city, the Pharisees asked him, Whether he thought it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause 1 Our Saviour had twice before declared his opinion on this particular, once in Galilee, and once in Perea : it is therefore probable that the Pharisees were not ignorant of his sentiments, and 4- AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRISr 378 thnt tliey asked that question then, to find an op- portunity of incensing the people against him, well knowing that the Israelites held the liberty which the law gave them of divorcing their wives, as one of their chief privileges. But however that be, Jesus was far from fearing the popular resentment, and accordingly declared a third time against arbi- trary divorces. The Pharisees then asked him, wliy they were commanded by Moses to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away 1 in- sinuating, that Moses was so tender of their happi- ness, that he gave them liberty of putting away tlieir wives, when they saw occasion. To which Jesus answered, Because of the hardness of your hearts, Moses suffered you to put away your wives ; but from the beginning it was not so. As divorce was not permitted in the state of innocence, so neither shall it be under the gospel dispensation, unless in case of adultery or fornication. " And I say unto you. Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for foniication, and shall marry ano- ther, committcth adultery : and whoso marrieth her which is put away, doth commit adultery." Matt. xix. 9. The disciples were greatly surprised at their Master's decision ; and though they held their peace while the Pharisees were present, yet they did not fail to ask him the reason on which he founded his determination, w>'en they were returned home. " And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matte:- ; and he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery." Mark x. 12. 1 , I: "I I sno Tim i.iFR or OUR i.onn The pmotiee of unlimited divorces, which pre- vailed among the Jews, gave great enoouragemont to family quarrels, were very deatruotive to happi- noHB, and hindered the educatian of their common oir^pring. J)eHidoH, it greatly tended to make their oiiildi'en lose that reverence for them that m due to parents, as it was hardly possible for the children to avoid engaging in the quarrel. Our Lord's pro- hibition, therefore, of divorces, is founded on the Htrongest reasons, and greatly tend to promote the welfare of society. Our Saviour having, in the course of his ministry, performed innumerable cures, in different parts of the country, several persons, who earnestly desired that his blessing might rest upon their offspring, ns well as themselves, brought their children to him, desiring that he would put his hands upon them and bless them. The disciples, however, mistaking the intention, were angry with the per- sons, and rebuked them for endeavouring to give this trouble to their Master. But Jesus uo sooner saw it, than he was greatly displeased with his disciples, and ordered them not to hinder parents fi-om bringing their children to him. " Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God." Luke xvii. 16. Such are those in a spiritnal light, who are brought to a sense of their sins, are humbled for them in the sight of God, and depend on Christ aloue for ^ulvatiuu. AND lAVJOim JWJU8 CIIHI8T. an I (•HAl'TEU XXVII. m illK l.AIUli.,K OP TIIK VINKYAHI).-|.HKI)ir. DOM. ""'' ''"''•^•'^'>«NC« IN ,„H KINU- the laiL Pvr^f i ^ ?'""^*'' "«' appieliendit.K .k • I i I! 38: THE MFK 01' OUR I.OaD ,'! eraotioiiB of complacency mingled with tender com- pasaion, who had maintained so honourable a cha- racter in such an elevated station of life, and wrh under such concern about another world ; yet at the same time, amidst all these hopeful circum- stances, was governed still by a secret fondness for the possessions he enjoyed in this. To convince the young ruler of his inordinate love of the world, Jesus called him to sell all that he had, and give the money to the poor, and then promised him an infinitely more excellent treasure in heuven. But this requirement filled him with sorrow, that he could not obtain eternal life on more easy terms. This melancholy instance of the pernicious influ- ence of riches over the minds of the children of men, induced our blessed Saviour to caution his disciples against fixing their minds on things of such frightful tendency, by shewing how very dif- ficult it was for a rich man to procure an habita- tion in the regions of eternal happiness. " Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved 1 But Jesua beheld them, and said unto them. With men this is impossible ; but with God all things are possible." Mat. xix. 23. If man be not assisted by the grace of God, it will be impossible for him to obtain the happy re- wards of the kingdom of heaven ; but, by the assist- ance of grace, which the Almighty never refuses to those who seek it with their whole heart, it is very possible. AND SAVIOUR JRSUS CIIUIRT. 8U3 IhiB answer of the ble88ecl Johus waa however far from satisfying his disciples, who had doubtlesH, often reflected with pleasure on tlie high posts they were to enjoy In their Mjwter's kinKdom. Peter seems particularly .(. have been disappoinied ; and therefore addressed his Master, in the name of the rest, begging him to remember ♦hat his apostles had actually done what the young man had refused. Ihey had abandoned their relations, their friendH. their possessions, and their employments, on his account ; and therefore desired to know what re- ward they were to expect for these instances of their obedience ? To which Jesus replied, that they should not fail of a reward, even in this life : for iranaediately after his resurrection, when he ascended to his Father, and entered on his media- torial office, they should be advanced to the honour of judging the twelve tribes of Israel ; that is. of '. "*^. **;? c^'U'^ch of Christ, which they were to Plant in different parts of the earth ; and after this life, to a proportionat3 degree of glory in heaven. Veriiy 1 say unto you, That ye which have fol- lowed me in the regeneration, when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Mat xix. 28. Uaviii^r given this answer to Peter, he next men- Uoued tlie rewards his other disciples should re- ceive, both in this world and that which is to come. Ihey, said he, who have forsaken all for my sake, Bhall be no losers in the end : their benevolent gather, who intends to give them possessions in the peavenly Canaan, will not fail to support them dur- ing their long and painful journey to that happy country, and raise them up friends, who shall asbist ineui With those necessaries they might have ex- 1 ii ^i 304 TlIK LIFE OF OUR LORO pected from their relations had they not left them for my sake. Divine Providence will take care they have every thing valuable that can be given them by their relations, or they could desire from large possessions. They shall, indeed, be fed with the bread of sorrow, but this shall produce joys to which all the earthly pleasures bear no proportion ; and, in the end, obtain everlasting life. They shall leave this vale of tears, with all its pains and sor- rows, behind tliem, and fly to the bosom of their Almighty Father, the fountain of life and joy, where they shall be infinitely rewarded for all the suffer- ing they have undergone for his sake in this world. Things shall then be reversed, and those who have been reviled and contemned on earth for the sake of the gospel, shall be exalted to honom-, glory, and immortality ; while the others shall l)e consigned to eternal infamy. " But many that aie first shall be last, and the last shall be first." Mat. xix. 30. ' These words seem also to have been spoken to keep the disciples humble ; for in all probability they at first understood, the promise of their sitting on twelve thrones in a literal sense ; as they were ready to construe every expression to a temporal kingdom, which they still expected their Master would erect upon earth. Our blessed Saviour, therefore, to remove all thoughts they might enter- tain of this kind, told them, that though he had described the rewards they were to expect for the ready obedience they had shown to his commands, and the pains they were to take in propagating the gospel among the children of men : yet those re- wards were spiritual, and not confined to the Jews alone, but extended also to the Gentiles, who, in AND SAVFOini JKSi;s CHRIST. 305 To excite their ardent pressinz forwarri In foWi lie unto a man that is an householder, who we,^? nevlS '"Zrri^ *'i '"'" '"bou^™ into hU :„1 .tt~r;i^:; rj.tiir;r ™;f r ' went their way. And he weutTat/Xut tl e sktl^ verh'hoZTe"' *1 "''«"'«'• A-" "bou '1 JasthavewronahfW u ^''"^®' ^^^'"g' these a-ihearnrel? "t^'^J^^^^ borne the burden ^^ -1 01 the day. But he answered one of theiu. 't-^.iSft-'*'V^-'iP» tnwteva 386 TlIK MKE OF OUR LORD ■9 ;i and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong : didst thou not agree with me for a penny \ take that thine is, and go thy way : I will give unto this last even aj uutothee: Isitnot lawful for me to do what I will with mine own % Is thine eye evil because I am good \ So the last shall be first, and the hrst last: iov many be called but few chosen." Mat. xx. 1, J, 3 &c ' Sucii is the parable of the householder, as deli- vered by our Saviour : and from the applications he has made of it, it will not be difficult to interpret it. The dispensations of religion, which God gave to mankind, in different parts of the world, are re- presented by the vineyard.-The Jews, who were early members of the true church, and obhged to obey the law of Moses, are tlie labourers which the householder hired early in the morning. The Gen- tiles who were converted at several times, by the various interpositions of providence, to the know- ledKC and worship of the true God, are the labourers hired at the third, sixth, and ninth hours. And the invitation given at the eleventh hour, implies the calling of persons in the eve of life, to the know- ledge of the gospel. The law of Moses was a heavy voke ; and therefore the obedience of it precept's was very elegantly represented, by bear ng the heat and burden of the whole day But the proselyted Gentiles paid obedience only to some Particular precepts of the law ; bore but Parto i veiffht ; and were therefore represented by those who were hired at the third, sixth, and ninth hours while those heathens, who regulated their c^^^^^^^^^ by the law of nature only, and esteemed the wor^ of iustice, piety, temperance, and charity, as the r llTe du /, ai^ beautifully represented as labour- Tng only one hour, in the cool of the evening. k I AND SAVroUR JESUS CHIUST. nsz When the evening was come, and each labourer an'e uaTS j'fr^"' they' were all .itZZ an equal tooting ; these rewards beinir the nrivi- T'. ^"^^ ^^^^ntages of the gospel. She jZs who had borne the grievous yoke of the MoJc Te rr^%^- circu.nstance7tt';ewr^^dU fa?:,^ uuder 4r sevL^dl^ti^^^^^^^^ '^^^^^^'^ '^^^^ hi ^a""^ .^''^^'''^' '"'^^ a^l its blessings, was wtCan^Th'^ '■' '''''''' g-eeof Go^ rod without any thing m men to merit it ; besides it was offered promiscuously to all, whether Xd or bad and embraced by persons'of all chi^Ls Ihe conclusion of the parable deserves 0^1^ ^ ention ; we should often meditate upon it, and take care to make our calling and election sure contrued h?'-^^^ ^"'^''"^ *^'^«« discourses; he thTTf '** •'''"''"^^ *«^ards Jerusalem, where the chief priests and elders, soon after the^;surrec! reward T"'' ''''''^ ^ Proclamation promisTng a rewaid to any one who should apprehend him In all probability this was the reasoS^why the di^' .pes were astonished at the alacrity of oC Lord h m tlirr^'"™7' ^'"'^ '^''y tl»emselves followed "ra trembling. Jesus, therefore, thought proper to repeat the prophecies concerning hi^ suffSs P t h^'^'o'f 1' *^^' .though the' Jews shoulj should ^ ^^*^'. ^/' ^"«*^*d «^ weakening, it rS' .?'^***";"^^'*^'' especially as he would ri^e again, the thud day, from\he dead. Behold, 'il mil ann Tur, i.iKK OP oun m>RW «o izn up to .I..r.»»l«m, and uU things tlmt «r« K they «nd and applunl it m a pro, e ^« . hiif thov were ho ignorant in tne bcnp tl.t si !;;'«» hid torn them •, neither knew the, ''■"C'^r'of tSeTe^'^o ignorant that the, .„»,ed the one on ta l^g ,. ^^^ :;„':LltW"-"vrthrone», iuSgingthe tr.he..f '' This race, ever since our Saviour's ''■'•'ffiK"* IhiB "*"• ^' , hiah uot ons of his liing- tion, had ~°«»7'yi'g,3i merits also, becawe ulreof the honour .'^V'?. "(l^,^ 'J'e^ S tliev desired to share with him in glory, asKs" ' ".i'Slfo/ tl^upX " shali d^ini. or, and .« .• « J AND gAVIOUn JKflus CHRIST. 389 baptized with the baptiani that I am baptized witli V* Milt. XX. 22. The two disciplefl, ravished with tho proKnect of tiie dignity they were aapiring after, replied with(H.t lieHitation, that they were both able and willing to share any hardHhip their Master iniKht meet with in the way to the kinp:doni. To which lie annwerrd! that they should certainly fil.are with him in Imh troubles and afflictions ; but that they had asked a favour which was not his to give. "You shall drink, indeed, of my cup, and be baptized with tho baptism that I am baptized with ; but to sit on my nght hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but It shall be given unto them for whom it is prepared of my Father." Mat. XX. 23. ^ ^ This ambitious request of the two brothers raised the indignation of the rest of the disciples, who thinking themselves equally deserving the principal posts in the Messiah^s kingdom, were highly of. leiidad at tho arrogance of the sons of Zebedee. Jesus, therefore, in order to restore harmony among his diKciples, told them that his kingdom w-as very ^r liem, and they that are great, exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you? b,^ I Wver will be great among you, let hd be 'y^r n 1 ster ; and whosoever will be chief among you, itZ *\^'T '^•■^.''"' • "^"" *« ^'>« Son of ina, aultnl ^" !>« ""^"«^«re., by the standard of modern prejudices, they . c, . think they see, something quite inconsistent with the gravity and dignity of the person, pretending '■'^ 'je king of the Jews, when Christ is represented €;. i^inr in triumph into Jerusalem, sitting on an AND SAVIOUR JKSU9 CHRIST. 307 iiBS. IJut liowever contemptible an ass, or a inmi ridiDg on that creature may be at present, it was not HO from the beginning. In many countries, and particularly in Judea, persons of the highest dis- tinction UHually rode upon asses. The governors of Israe' aie dt+cribed in the song of Deborah, as "riding on white asnes. Judges v. 10. And the lliirty suus of Jair, who was judge and prince over Isr.u i twenty-two years, are said to ride on thirty iwa-colts. Judges x. 4. And another judge is re- corded to have had forty sons, and thirty nephews, that rode on seventy ass-colts." Judges xii. 14. It may, however, be asked, supposing it was an usual thing to ride upon an ass, why should this practice be mentioned in relation to the Messiah, as a mark of distinction i Might not the prophet, upon this Hupposition, as well have said, lie shall come walking ou foot { and would he not have been as well known by one character ub by the other ? Besides, if we turn to the book of Zachariah, where this prophecy is to be found, we shall see the per- son there described to be a King, a just King, and cue having salvation ; and what is there in this character of riding on the back of an ass that is peculiar to a King, to a just King, and to one who was to bring salvation and deliverance to his people I These questions, however difficult they may at first sight appear, are easily answered, not by con- siiering tht state and condition of kings in general, tat that peculiar to the King of Israel, on which the propriety of this character is founded. If we look into the history of the rise and fall of nations, we shall generally find, that their pros- perity and success were proportioned to the force and ability of their leaders. — But with the Jews, ii rr <» " I 1 S m\ Tiiif. t.irrt, or oiiK 1,01111 who, (Volil mIiivum ill I'liO'p^ ••'M'lVliin u nowt«i I'lil pnu- |>I«S (h« mini w(iM vri'v iliU'oriMil. 'I lio hvt*i n\ui m'tmttmt, ol' ilu'ir liiiiKw, lunl \u> wlio , in hiioIIioi* »UMMimU, ol' tlH'ii- n\\\\\\'H : •' 'I'Ih^ |MMiplo {myn lio) «ot not tlio Itiiiil ill poHMKKMioii by tlii'ii' own hwoimI, iinl- tliiM' «liii tlioif own lu'iii Nivu tlinit : Imt tliy rlj^lit liiiiiil, uii*l tliiiio arm, iiikI tlio li|{lit of llty ooiiiitnit- Hooo, liomiiMi thou hiuUt a i'avoiir iiiilo thoiii/' IV :m sliv. M, ,S(o. WhtMi wo road ihoNo ami othor Mimilar paNHiigoM, wo t\Vi\ n|it to nmnllto tliom to tlio pioty and dovu- tioii (d' tli<« rmdmiMt, to ooiiHidor timm only hn iw- knowlotlji{inontH of (iod'H i^oimral pi'ovidoiioo in tlio allaii'M (d' ilio world, and liomio aro apt to ovorlooU, oi< not milUoiontly oonnidot', tlio liiHtorioal truth (hoy oonttdii. It in tnio, Indood, (hat all huooiimh In tho utrlntoMt H(*nMo Hhonid ho aHcrihcMl to (iiod ; that it \h ho who givotli victory unto ItingM : hut ho ^onoially iniiliOM UHo (d' natural imniiiH, and it Ih no olVonoo to IiIh providonco, that kin^H lint tlmir thouNamlM of hofmi and foot, to mMMirti thoniHolvoK and tli(noufili to croato a conlhlomio in thoniHolvoM. K«)r (iod had takon tho dofonctt of Im- raol up»m hiiUMolf ; and wluumvor tho p(M»plo took it out fltt-trop, which from itw fnh»o«H of Iojivoh proiuiHii.l ahunthinoo of fruit. 'IIiIh iiivitiiiK «.bjn«t iu.lucod hill) to upprouch it, in rxprrlatiuii of liiuhnK ^\\^^^, for ho wiiH hungry, and tht> houhoii for gatluirinK thorn wuH not y«t arrivo«l ; hut on hin ooiiiuiu Ut tho triMs h«) found it to ho nuill)' Imrroii ; upon which tho hU'MKtMl .Iosum wiid to it, •* lot no liuit grow on tlioo honooforwjird forovrr." Mat. .\ki. l!>. Thin tuition whitdi wan purolv tunhUMiiatu-al, and prr all tho ad van- tatfOH it thiMi onjoyod, Iiiih, by tho i>niMnii>H ol rov.v hition, hoon roproHoiitod as nn action unbocuimni; the llcdoonior (»f mankind, liut if they had lully ooimiiUn-ed its intention, they would hftvo heoucon- viiioed, that, like tlio ro»t of hin miraolen, it wa» done witli a Kraoious intention : to awaken Ihh countrymen from their lethargy, and, by repent- ance, prevent the total ruin of their church and nation. „ ,. . .^ ., ,. Being di«appointed in not finding fruit on thehK'- tree, our bleased Saviour pursued Ins journey to Jerusalem ; and, on bin arrival, went HtraiglUway to the temple, the outer ci)urt of which he fimnd full of merchandiHO. A 8iK»»t like thm vexed h.s meek and righteous soul, so that ho drove them all (Mit of the templo, overturned the tables ol tho money changers, and tlu^ seats of them that sold doves, and would not suffer any vesHol to bo car- ried throuffh the temple, saying unto them, It xh written, My house shall be called the houKo «>f prayer, but ye have made it a den oi thieves. Mat. xxii. 1 3. „ ,, , . St. Jerome considers this as one of tho greatest of all our Saviour's miraclcH. And it must )o owned that the cireumstancew are very extruordi- AND HWIOVH JKHifM ni||f'«T. 40ti mry : that onn mnu Hh.Mil.l luuU'vtnU^m f,ol' that Hnrrou.HhMl mL. 1 . *'•"* "«»'l't"»*"H talio no notice of tliin 'HHol the fact, and, at tho Hun.o tin.o, ho in.prov« HH nnraclo to our Hpiritual ad vftnt««o,'aH to Z\vo byuccoprniK hiH«raco, tho power of thin n,i« J g o y wo ,„ay bo nafe under tho shadow of Im A I- «hty wn.KH, wJnIe he takoH fearful veu^tuitw,- on tciiary purpoweH. ' Haying dJsptrKed thiH venal tribe, the neonle Ct ;h?v"''^'•^''"*'"*^/'^ the Hon of God : 8o 11 iTae 1 **^ '^V^'^"^"' *'*'*•" ^^''^i' '^aw tho many "Hiaculoua cures hu performed, proclaimed him to ■!JI f i 4(H) TMR lAVK ov oirii I.OllH l)« the greftt Sim of David, the long oxpootod Mos- Such behaviour not a little inceuRoa tlm 1 nan- Boea ; but they iVMire«l the people, and therefore^ only asked him, if he hoard w'liattho children saidl insinuating, that ho ought to rebuko them, and not BulVor thorn tlum to load him with the higheHt praises. But Josuh, iuHtead of giving a direct unavver to their (piestion, repeated a pawHuge out of the eighth Psalm. "Have ye never read, (said the blesHed JeHUs) Out of the mouth of babeH and BUcklingH hast thou ordained strength ?" Ciivinj; tluim to understand, that the meanest of (iod's works have boeu made instrumental iu spreading his praise. . u » • The evening being now come, Jesus, with bin disciples, left the city, and retired to liethany, where his benevolent miracle in raising LazaruH from the dead, had procureil him nuuiy friendH, among whom he was always in safety. The next morning as they were returning to Jerusalem, the disciples were astonished at beliolding the fig- tree that had been, but the morning before declared barren, " dried up from the roots :" they had, in all probability, forgotten what our Saviour had said to this fig-tree, till its dry and withered aspect brought it again to their memory. Peter, on see- ing this astonishing phenomenon, said unto JesuR, " Master, behold the lig-trte which thou cursedHt is withered away 1" To which Jesus answered, that whoever had faith in the Almighty, or tho- roughly believed in his miracles, should be able to do much greater things than the withering of the fig-tree. " And Jesus answering, saith unto them, have faith in Cod. For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say uuto this mountain, be thou ANn HAVioifii jmvH criiusT. 407 n-niovj'd ; nnd bo tlum euHt ititc» tlm Moa, inid nlmll not (i«)ul)t ill Imh Ill-art, hut hIiuII ImjIIovji that tlioHo thiiiKH whi.-li hu Hailli Kliuli cnuw tci iuimh, lin oliall liavo wliatHoover lio Haitli." Mark xi. '22, 'J.'J. Our Lord addod, that whatmrnvj^r thuy Hhonid rmIc hy faith, thoy Hhoiild rucuivt, ; aii bo wrouKlit boioro tliu moiin ot mm. TliiM v«»u.o waR evidently prntnrnat.irftl, rn^orn- blitiK tlinii(k,r III Ionidotb for ov«.r : and bow nayoHt tHou, Hio Son of man muHt bo lift(.d up T' Jobn XII. lU. Our Lord, in aiiHwor, told tlioiii, tbat tboy K lould Hoon bo doprivod of bin proHonoo and mira- c 08 ; and, tbcroforo, tbey would do well to liHten attentively to bin procopfw, limily boliovo tbo doe- tniH.« be d«)livoi'ed, and wiHoly improve tboni to tiioir otornal advjintaf^o ; for otborwino tboy would I'o Boon overtaken witb npiritual blindnoHH, and rendered inoapablo of inberiting tbe promiHos of the gOHpel. Tbat while tbey enjoye ' tbe benefit of "»9 pveacbing and miracloB, wbicb Hufficiontly i (i ^ 410 THK LII'K 01' OUIl U)lll> proveil the truth of his mission from the Most Ilijzh, they sh.Hild holiovo on huu ; for by that mmm ah.ne they could hecoino the cliiidren of God " Yet a Uttle while in the li'^ht with you ; walk while ye have the Ught, loHt darkuoHH couio UDOii vou ; for he that walkotli in darknesH knoweth not whither he i^oeth. While ye have hght, hehovo in the li«ht, that ye may bo the children of light. John xii. H5, Ac. . . , , .• i llaviiiK tluw addroHKcd the multitude, he retired privately from JeruHalem, probably to Dothany. But, notwithBtandiuK the many miracles our great Kedeemor had wrouRht in the presence of theno perverse and stitf-necke.l pooplo, the generality ..t them refused to own him for the Messiah ; be.n« filled with the vain expectations ot a tempora prince, who was to rule over all tho kiuKdouis ot [he earth, and place his throne m .lerusu e.n. Some, indeed, even of tho rulers, believed cm liini, though they thought it prudent to conceal their faith, lest they should, like the blind man, be ox. communicated, or put out of the synasoguo valuinK the good opinion of men above the approbation ot *^' NeSeless, to inspire such as believed on him with courage, he cried in the temple, "H« 'f believeth on me, believeth not me, but on lum tha sent me." He that acknowledges the divinity o my mission, acknowledges the power and grace ol God, on whose special errand I am thus seat. Adding, he that seeth the miracles I perform, seetli the operations of that Omnipotent Power by which I act. I am the Sun of righteousness, whose bearn dispel the darkness of ignorance in which the som of men are involved, and am come to deliver a^l who believe ou me out of that palpable darkness. ANO HAVKUm JI"SIIH CUIIIST. 411 Vou miiHt not, howpviT, oxpoct, that I will ai pre- Ruiit fixocuto my judi^nuMit upon thoHo who rtil'uHe to embrace the doctrines of the goHpel ; for I am not come to conrhmin and punish, but to Have the worhl, and conH(M|u«ntly to try every j^entlo and wiiininjj; method to reclaim tlie wicked from the error of their wayH, and turn their feet into the imths of life and Halvation. Tiiey uhall not, liow- evcr escape unpunished, who neglect the iuHtructiona and otferH of Halvation now nnido to them ; for the doctrincH I have pn-achod Hhall bear witneHH a^aintit tlicm at the awful tril)unal of the laHt day ; and aa it liiiH jiKU'ravated their hiu, ao it bhali tlien lieighion tlit'ir puniHhment. While JeBUM wan thun j^reaching in the temple, a deputation of pricHtH and elders was aent from the Hupreme council, to awk him concHU-ning the nature of tlie authority by which he actt^d, wliothor it was a prophet, priest, or kinj;, aH no other pen ?" Mat. xxi. 24, &c. This question puzzled the priests. They consi- dored, on the one hand, that if it was from God, it would oblige them to acknowledge the authority of Jesus. John having, more than once publicly de- clared him to be the Messiah : and on the other, if they peremptorily denied the authority of Johu, 11 'i i I >l I 111 I I 412 TUB I.IFK OF OUR LORD they would be in danger of being stoned by the people, who, in general, considered him as a pro- phet. They, therefore, thought it the most eligible method to answer, that they could not tell fi*oni whence John's baptism was. Thus, by declining to answer the question asked them by Jesus, they left him at liberty to decline giving the council the satisfaction they had sent to demand. At the same time they plainly confessed, that they were unable to pass any opinion on John the Baptist, notwithstanding he claimed the cha< racter of a messenger from God, and they had sent to examine his pretensions. — This was, in effect, to aciinowledge that they were incapable of judging of any prophet whatsoever. Well, therefore, might the blessed Jesus say, " Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things." You have no right to ask, nince you have confessed you are unable to judge : and, therefore, I shall not satisfy your im- pertinent inquiry. But because this deputation had said that they were ignorant from whence the baptism of John was, our blessed Saviour sharply rebuked them, conveying his reproof in the parable of the two sons commanded to work in their father's vineyard, and asking their opinion of the two, made them condemn themselves. " A certain man (said he) had two sons, and he came to the first and said. Son, go work to-day in my vineyard." But this ungracious youth very roughly answered the kind command of his father, and without the least preface or appellation of respect, answered, " I will not." However, after reflecting on the impropriety and indecency of such behaviour to his kind and indulgent father, he re- pented of what he had done, and went to work ia 3^1 'XnD saviour JESUS CHRIST. 413 the vineyard. The father havinjr met with so sliarp a reply from the former son, had recourse to the other, and m the same manner ordered him to work that day in his vinevard. This son was very different from the former, and, m a very dutiful manner, said, « I go. Sir." But notwithstanding his seeming obedience, he de- layed to do as his father desired ; he did not so to Mwk m the vineyard. The temper and behaviour ot his second son were exactly conformable to that ot the Pharisees. They gave the Almighty the most honourable titles, and professed the utmost zealtor his service, in their prayers and praise ; but at the same time refused to do any part of the work that he enjoined them. In the character of the other son, the dispositions of the publicans and harlots is well described. They neither professed or promised to do the will of their Creator : but when they came to reflect seriously on their con- duct, and the offers of mercy which were so kindly inade them, they submitted to our Saviour, and, lu consequence of their faith, amended their lives Having thus finished the parables, our Lord asked the pharisees, « Whether of them twain did fiilT" ?J, h5« Father ? They say unto him, The nrst. iiiey did not immediately perceive, that by this answer they condemned themselves, till our baviour made a just application of the parable, in this sharp but just rebuke, « Verily, I say mito .vou, that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed mm not, nor entered into your Father's vineyard, though, like the second son, promised in the most H«r and candid manner ; " but the pnblicans and the harlots believed him," repented of their former fhsobedieiice, and entered into the vineyard. act very cau- tiously, and endeavour, if possible, to catch some hasty expression from him, that thLy might reSr h.m odious to the people, and procurelmeS against him that might serve as a basis for a per? secution. Accordingly, they sent «ome of their disciples to him, with orders to feign themselves CZ'aIJ ^ "'^i^t^if d the greatest veneration for the divme law, and dreaded nothing more than ho doing any thing inconsistent with ite precepts : and under this specious cloak of hypocrisy, to beg hKs determination of an affair that had long laiS Itr-r ^ n^''' consciences ; namely, the payin<. This question was, it seems, furiously debated in our Saviour's time ; one Judas, a native of Galilee having inspired the people with a notion that taxes to a foreign power were absolutely unlawful- A con Z\'? •? f.?"^ ^J" *^^ worldly-minded Jews, c ass nlll''^ *f ^"^'' especially among the lowe^ anion/.? *^^y.f«re must have many parti/^na among the multitude that then surrounded the Son was nnfi; i,^^ P"^'*'' therefore, imagined that it r?m?r- \^'^ Prf"" *^ ^^"^« the r>oint without i-f ?. lV"^i^™'^l^'*^"'''''^"« ^ »«"»e«f the parties : bplL r f '^^ ;* ""^ ^^^^"^ t^ m the taxes, they beheved that the people, in whJse hearing thj i J 11 u w 420 THE LIFE OP OCR LORD queBtion was proposed, would be incensed against him, not only as a base pretender, who, on be.ng attacked, publicly renounced the character of the Messiah, which he had assumed among his friends, but also as a flatterer of princes, and the betrayer of his country, one who taught a doctnne inconsis t- ent with the known privileges of the people of God . but if he should affirm that it was unlawful to pay tribute, they determined to inform the governor who they hoped would punish him, as a tormer of sedition. Highly elated with their Project, hey accordingly came ; and after passing an encommm on the truth of his mission, his courage and impar- tialitv thev proposed this famous question : Mas- ter "said they, « we know that thou art true, and carest lor no man : for thou ^egarde^t not Uie per- son of men, but teachest the way of God in tru h Tell us, therefore, what thinkest thou. Is it lavv.^ul to give tribute to C«sar or not?' Mark xu. 14 But the blessed Jesus saw their secret intentions, and accordingly called them hypocrites to signity, that though they made conscience, and a regard for the di?ine will, their pretence for Proposmg ^^^ question, he saw through the thm veil tha au. cealed their design from the eyes of mortals, and knew that their intention was to ensnare hira. He however, did not decline answering their question, but previously desired to see a piece of the tribute money. The piece was accordingly produced, and proved to be coined by the Romai.. Upon which our blessed Saviour answered then. since this money bears the image of Csesar it s his ; and, by making use of it, you acknowledge hi» authority'. Butat the same time that you discharge vour duty to the civil magistrate, you should never forget the duty you owe to your God ; but reraeni- AND SAVFOWR JESUS CnillST. 421 ber, that as you bear the image of the great, the omnipotent King, you are his subjects, and ought to pay hnn the tribute of yourselves, serviug hiui to the very utmost of your power. The Pharisees and their followers, under a pre- ence of religion, often justified sedition ; but the llerodians, m order to ingratiate themselves with t he reignmg powers, made them a compliment of their consciences, complying with whatever they en- joined however opposite their commands might be to the divine law Our Lord, therefore, adapted his answer to them both, exhorting them in their re- gards tn God and the magistrate, to give each his due , there being no inconsistency between their rights, when their rights only are insisted on. Ho unexpected an answer quite disconcerted, and 6. enced these crafty enemies. They were aston- islied, both at his having discovered their design, and his wisdom in avoiding the snare they had so artfully laid for him. « When they had heard wpTh'"^ '' » 7. niarvelled, and left him, and went their way." Mat. xxii. 22. Thougli our Lord thus wisely obviated their cratty designs, enemies came against him from every quarter. The Sudducees, who denied tlie doctrine of a future state, together with the existence of angels and spirits, first roturned to the charge ; proposing to him their strongest argument against the resurrection, which they deduced from the law given by Moses, with regard to marriage. « Mas- ter (said they) Moses wrote unto us. If any man's eftht'v't^.? ""'^,' ""^ ^^ ^^^ witho'liSl! raise up seed unto his brother. There were wi r^ri'/T"- ?'"*^'"" > *°^ '^^ fi'«* took a wife, 5uid died without children. And the second 42 o> TIIK I.IFR or 01)11 I.OUU took her to wife, ftiul ho died childloHH. And the thinl took iuu* ; aiul in liku inanuor tlio Hovon uIho. And thoy loft no ehildron, and died. LuHt of all the woman diod also. Therefore in the reHurroc- tion, whoHe wife of thoni is alio 'i for bovon had her to wife." liuko XX. 2M, &,e. The SaddueoeH, who beliovod the soul to bo no- thing more than a refined matter, wore perHuaded that if there was any fntviro Htato it nniHt roHeniblo the present ; and that being in that hUxUi material and mortal, the luunan race could not be eoiitinucd, nor the individuaJH rendered lm|)py without tlio ploaRurosand conveniencoHof marriiigu. And honco considered it as a neeeasary con.se,'s of Mokoh. "Now," Haid our hlcHHcd Saviour, " that tlm dead are raiwid, ovun Mohoh nhowcd at tho huHJi, wlmn ho caik'd tho Lord tlio (iodof Abraham, and tho (iod of Inaac, and tho (Jod of .Jacob. For lio in not a (iod of tho dead, lint of tho living : for ull livy unto him." Luko xx. :;7, :m. Ah if ho had Raid, tho Ahni;,dily cannot projn.'rly bo calidd (Jod, unlcsH ho ban iih people, an(l tho Lord of tho livinj;. Since, therefore, Mohoh called him tho (Jod of Abraham, tho (Jod of Isaac, and the (Jod of Jacob, lon^' after theHo venerable patri- arcij.s were dead, tlio relation denoted by tho word of (jod Htill Hub.sisted between them ; con.sequently they were not annihilated as you i»ret(!nd, but aro f;till in b(!in<;, and continue to bo thoBorvantH of tho Most High. Thi8ar<,'ament efl'ectually silenced the SadducecB, mid agreeably burpriHed tho people, to boo the ob- jection liitherto thought impregnable totally abo- lished, and tho sect they had long abominated fully confuted. "And when tho multitude heard thin, tliey were astonibhed at his doctrine." Mat. xxii. Nor could even the Pharisees refrain from giving the Saviour of inaukiud tho praise due to his super- -. ■«! 3CW.4I, H, WjQ. ,t^ J -Si .„,„-.- . I i. i I f III 434 THE LIPK OF OVn LORD lativo wisdom ; for one of tlio Smbcs desired him to give his opinion on a question often debated among their teachers : namely, whieh was the great commandment of the law I The true reason for proposing this question was to try wliether ho was as well acquainted with the sacred hiw, and the debates that had arisen on different parts of it, m he was in deriving arguments from the inspired writers, to destroy the tenets of those who denied a future state. In order to understand tlie question proposed to our blessed Saviour, by the Scribe, it is necessary to observe that some of the most learned Rabbies had declared, that the law of sacrifices was the great commandment ; some that it was the law of cir- cumcision ; and others that the law of meats and washings had merited that title. Our blessed Saviour, however, shewed that thoy were all mistaken ? and that the great command- ment of the law is the duty of piety ; and particu- larly mentioned that comprehensive summary of it, given by Moses ; " Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord : and thou slialt love the Lord thy God with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first command- ment." Mark xii. 29, 30. The first and chief commandment U to give God our hearts. The divine Being is so transcendently amiable in himself, and hath by the innumerable benefits conferred upon us, such a title to our utmost affection, that no obligation bears any proportion to that of loving him. The honour assigned to this precept proves, that piety is the noblest act of tha human mind ; and that the chief ingredient in piety is love, founded on a clear and extensive view of the divine perfections, a permanent sense of his AND SAVIOUR JESUS CnRFST. 425 benefits, and a deep conviction of his beinir the So- vereign good, otir ,,ortion and our happiness. But .t 18 cBsen tml to love, that there be a delight in contemplat.ng the beauty «f the object beloved, whether that beauty be matter of seiLrion or re- flee ion ; that wo frequently, and with pleasure re- fleet on the benehtH conferred on us by the object of our affections ; that we have a strong desire of pleasmg him, great fear of doing any thing to of- end hun, and a sensible joy in thinking we aro be- loved m return. Hence the duties of devotion, prayer, and praise, are the most natural and genu- ine exercises of the love of God. Nor is thin virtue nf oTfi ""7 '1"^'^ affection, as the continual bent ot all the aftections and powers of the soul ; conse- quently, to love God is as much as possible to direct the whole soul towards him, and to exercise all its laculties on him as its chief object Accordingly, the love of God'is described in Bcripture by the several operations of the mind, «a follomug hard after God," namelv. by i...ense con- templation, a sense of his perfe.ciuns, gratitude for 1U8 benefits, trust in his g.mdness, attachment to ms service, resignation to his providence, the obov- ing us commands, admiration, hope, fear, joy, &c. not because it consists iu any of those singly but m them altogether : for to content ourselves with arfl'lTP''^^'''.*^^ supreme Being, is not to be affected towards h.m, in the manner we ought to be, and which his perfections cluim. \Jl2''V^^^''7^V'^}^'^ precept are, « Tliou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with H Lt7 .f* » ' V'^ ^'^^ ^'^ ^^y ™'»d» ana ^'ith all thy fao? uf ' ^Y ;'' ^"'^ *^« J«»>^ ^'^rc^ of all thy n.^.f l^* 1- ?^^ tl^erefore, no idol whatsoever mnst paitake ot the love and worship that is due to him. I ; 426 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD Bui tne beauty and excellency of this state of mind is best seen in its effects : for the worship and obe- dience flowing from such an universal bent of the Boul towards God, is as much superior to the wor- ship and obedience arising from partial considera- tions, as the brightness of the sun is to any picture that cau be drawn of that luminary. For example, if we look upon God only as a stern lawgiver, who can and will punish our rebellion, it may indeed force an awe and dread of him, and as much obedience to his laws as we think will satisfy him, but can never produce that constancy in our duty, that delight in it, and that earnestness to per- form it in its utmost extent, which are produced and maintained in the mind by the sacred fire of divine love, or by the bent of the whole soul turned towards God as a reconciled father ; a frame the raost excellent that can be conceived, and the most to be desired, because it constitutes the highest perfection, and real happiness of the creature. Again, this commandment requires us to fear God ; and certainly we cannot love the Lord our God, unless we fear and reverence him : for as the love, so the fear of God, is the sum of all the com- mandments, and indeed the substance of all reli- gion. Prayer and praise are the tribute and hom- age of religion ; by the one we acknowledge our dependence upon God ; by the other we confess that all our blessings and comforts are from him. Such therefore, as neither pray to God nor praise him, cannot be said to have a God ; for they ac- knowledge none, but are Gods to themselves ; and as the love and fear of God are often used in scrip- ture for his whole worship and service, so is thia invocation of his name ; " Pour out thy fury upon the heathen, and upon the families that have not *^. AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 427 called upon thy name ;" that is, those who do not worship or serve hira. But to return. Our blessed Saviour having thus answered the question put to hira by the Scribe, added, that the second commandment was that' which cjjoined the love of our neighbour. This had, indeed, no relation to the lawyer's question coMcei'uing the first commandment ; yet our bles- sed Lord thought proper to shew him which was the second, probably because the men of his sect did not acknowledge the importance and precedency ot love to these neighbours, or because these were remarkably deficient in the practice of it, as Jesus nmselt had often fo-uid in their attempts to kill nra. « And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." This principle of love to God will be also fruitful of every good work. It will make us really per- form the duties of ail relations in which we stand. And because love worketli no ill to his neighbour* therefore it is the fuiliUing of the law ; for it will prompt us to a cheerful and ready performance of every office, whether of justice or charity, that we owe to our neighbour. All the best things we cafi do, if destitute of this principle, will appear to be either the effect of hypocrisy, or done to procure the esteem of men. Without love a narrowness of soul will shut us up within ourselves, and make all we do to others only as a sort of merchandize, trad- ing for our own advantage. It is love only that opens our hearts to consider other persons, and to Jove tliern on their own account, or rather on account 01 (jrod, who is love. Those who possess such a temper of mind have a constant calm within, and are not disturbed with passion, jealousy, envy, or ill-nature. They observe M' /■) m 428 THE LIFE OP OUR LOUD ^/ i i and rejoice in the happiness of others ; they are glad to see them easy, and share with thera in their joy and felicity : not fretting or complaining, tiiough they enjoy less than their neighbours. It is true, love has a very different effect ; for the same temper will render many so considerate of the misfortunes of others, as to sympathize with them in their distress, and be greatly affected with such objects of compassion as it is not in their power to assist. But there is a real pleasure even in this compassion, as it melts us to the greatest tenderness, and proves us to be men and Christians. The good man, by the overflowing of his love, is sure that he is a favourite with his Maker, because he loves his neighbour. His soul dwells at ease ; there is sweetness in all his thoughts and wishes. This makes him clear in all his views of every kind, and renders him grateful to all around him. This charitable temper also maintains in him a constant disposition for prayer. A charitable man, who has had occasion to forbear and forgive others, and to return good for evil, dares, with an humble assurance, to lay claim to mercy and pardon, through the merits alone of his blessed Redeemer. But we return to the Scribe, who was astonished at the justness of our Saviour's decisions, and an- swered, That he had determined rightly, since there is but one Supreme God, whom we must all adore ; and if we love him above all temporal things, and our neighbour as ourselves, we worship him more acceptably than if we sacrifice to him all the cattle upon a thousand hills. Our blessed Lord highly applauded the piety and wisdom of this reflection, by declaring that the person who made it was not far from the kingdom of God. AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 429 As the Pharisees, during the course of our Savi- our s ministry, had proposed to him many difficult questions, with intent to prove his prophetical gifts, he now in his turn, thought proper to make a trial of their skill in the sacred writings. For this pur- pose, he asked their opinion of a difficulty concern- ing the Messiah's pedigree. « What think ye of Christ ? Whose son is he ? They say unto him, the Son of David," Mat. xxii. 42. « I know, an- swered Jesus, you say Christ is the Son of David ; but how can you support your opinion, or render it consistent with the words of David I who himself calls him Lord : and how is he his Son 1" It seems the Jewish doctor did not imagine that their Mes- siah would be ' J^ed with any perfections greater than those itu .^ht be enjoyed by human nature ; for though they called him the Son of God, they had no notion that he had a divine power from hea- ven, and therefore, could not pretend to solve the difficulty. The latter question, however, might have con- vinced them of their error ; for if the Messiah was only to be a secular prince, as they supposed, and to rule over the men of his own time, he never could have been called Lord, by persona who died beffre he was born ; far less would so mighty a prmce ^ David, who was also his progenitor, have conferred on him that title. Since, therefore, his kingdom shall comprehend the men of all countries and times, past, present, and to come ; the doctors, it they had thought accurately upon the subject, should have expected in their Messiah, a king dif- ferent from all other kings. Besides, he is to sit at God's right hand, « till all his enemies are made his footstc*)l." Sucli pe- inent replies, and solid reasoning gave Jfi i ' 430 THE LIFE OF OUK LORD the people an high opinion of his wisdom; and shewed them how far superior he was to their most renowned Rabbies, whose arguments, to prove their opinions and answers to the objections which were raised against him, were, in general, very weak and trifling. Nay, his foes themselves, from the re- peated proofs they had received of the prodigious depth of his understanding, were impressed with such an opinion of his wisdom, that tiiey judged it impossible to entangle him in his talk. Accord- ingly, they left off attempting it, and from that day forth troubled him no more with their insidious questions. But having mentioned the final conquest and destruction of his enemies, who were to be made his footstool, agreeable to the prediction of the royal Psalmist, he turned towards his disciples ; and in the hearing of the multitude, solemnly cautioned them to beware of the Scribes and Pharisees ; in- sinuating thereby who the enemies were whose destruction he had mentioned. " The Scribes and the Pharisees," said he, *' sit in Moses' seat. All, therefore, whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do : but do not ye after their works ; for they say and do not." Mat. xxiii. 2, 3. While they teach the doctrines betore delivered by Moses, observe all they say ; but by no means imitate their practices ; for they impose many pre- cepts on their disciples, which they never perform themselves. *' For they bind heavy burdens, and f^rievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men." Mat. xxxiii. 4, 5. The difficult precepts they impose ou others are never regarded by thesse hypocrites, and any good arisees ; m- AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 431 action they may happen to perforin ia vitiated by the principle from whence it proceeds. They do it only with a view to gain popuhir apphiuse, and not from a regard to God, far less from a love of good- ness. They are proud and arrogant to excess, as is plain from their affected gravity in their clothes ; from the anxiety they discover lest they should not obtain the principal seats in the public assemblies, and from their affecting to be saluted in the street with the sounding titles of Rabbi, and father. '• They make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments. And love the up- permost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi." Mat. xxiii. 5, G, 7. The word Rabbi signifies, properly, great, and was given to those men who had rendered them- selves remarkable for the extent of their learning ; it is therefore no wonder that the proud and super- cilious Pharisees were so fond of a title which so highly complimented their understandings, and gave them great authority with their disciples. But the followers of the blessed Jesus were to decline this title ; because the thing signified by it belonging solely to their Master, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and be- cause they owed no part of their knowledge to themselves, but derived it entirely from him who came down from heaven. '•' Rut be not ye called Habbi : for one is your Master, even Christ, and ail ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth ; for one is your Father which is in hea- ven." Mat. xxiii. 8, 9. Life, with all its blessings comes from God, and men wholly depend upon him; all praise and thankfulness, therefore, should ulti- mately be referred to him ; so that if any one ^ ■11 1 ' I ill i bill 493 TIIR LIFE OF OUU LORD teacheth rightly, not the teacher, but the wisdom of the Ahuighty, ia to be praised, which exerts and communicates itself by him. Nor were the disciples of our blessed Saviour to accept of the title of master or leader, which the Jewish Doctors also courted, because in pomt of commission and inspiration, they were all equal, neither had they any title to rule the consciences of men except by virtue of the inspiration, which they had received from the Master, to whom alone the prerogative of infallibility belonged. *' Neither be ye called masters ; for one is your Master even Christ." Mat. xxiii. 10. . . . ^ , The divine Teacher, however, did not intend by this to intimate, that it was sinful to call men by the stations that they hsld in the world ; he only intended to reprove the simplicity of the common people, who loaded their teachers with praises, and forgot to ascribe any thing to God ; and to root out of the minds of his apostles the Pharisaical vanity, which decked itself with honour, belonging solely to the Creator of the Universe. Accordingly, that he might instil into their hearts humility to dispose them to do good offices to one another, as occasion otfered, he assured them it was the only road to true greatness ; for by assuming what did »ot pro- perly belong to them, they should be despised both by God and men. Whereas those who did not dis- dain to perform the meanest offices of love to their brethren, should enjoy a high degree of the diviue The above discourses greatly incensed the Scribes and Pharisees, as they were pronounced in the hearing of many of that order ; it is therefore no wonder that they watched every opportunity to de- etroy him, but this was not a tune to put their r, aa occasiou AND SAVIOUR JE»V» ClfKIgT. 433 bloody designs in execution : the peonlc net tr.n S :^:^^''^^'^'^^' t..^uH;ni^vi:,ent sermon he Jl ^'*'''"'" ' '^'"^ "« t'"'« '^asthe last lecessaiy that he should use mme soveritv a« nil 4d;tC:^:';;^^^^ the personil inJ.,!.:!^ 1 , "' ""* ''" ac««unt ot ^l-t'reXlSt; tr!'- '^^ -^^'^"* and power to recommeml ?f "" ''"'^^''^^ "'^'^''"^ '» t^''''- to have beertTiemLlvi'^f'"^'' ""' *^'« I^^«I''«' and duty it enio Uh .T^ ^ '^."'""« examples if every every muikauVcS T ''•^''"^'•ary, they abused puriLTo^^l^^^^^^^^^ all the vereand sanctified aspect thev w.I^ ? • ^'^' placable, lewd, covetoSd ^Sr^P"'' 'T instead of beiii a- r*.f-.,.. *^f^Pa<5»0U8. J n a word, deserved the^^^^^^^^^^^ *»»«^«' wickedness by the great^fermU Tn/ant^^ ^'^^^ you, Scribes and PhariseeH ht? ** )^''^ ""*** up thekiuffdoiTi nf hi '^^^V*''''*^»J for ye shut nSther golryou^^^^^^^^^^^ ^*^» ^ ^«r ye and Pharisees, hCcrites*- Z^* "»^ W «eribes Iwuses, and for fnif ' ^ ^? '^^'''^"'^ widows' therefore ye shall receltlT °*^^" ^""« P^-^^^^ > Woe unU>^you7 Scribes Ind n. «^^^*^\^»'»"ation: for ye compass sV/ S f i * ^'^"^«»» hypocrites ; andf when Ks Lade vrll' T^' ^^"^ ^^^^«^^^*« the child of htll th ' ^ "^'''! *•"" t»^'"t'oId more n, &c ^'^^ '^^" yourselves.- AUt. xxiii! The punishment yo^u shall «utf.r will be terribly v;'l !■; s «94 TiiK Mi'w or (Hill i.«nu» severe, booaiwo you have givon a wrouK intcrprn. tation of the ancient prophooieH conoonuuK tl.« MeHHiah, and .lono all tliat ik in your power to un- (lor the i»oople ivoux ropontinn o1 thoirninM, an.l bn- lievinn tlio KOHpt.1 ; btuMiuH,. you havo conuiutl.Ml the Ki'OHHOHt ini.,uitioR, and un.lor tho doaU o» i«l.- irion have dnvoui-ed tho Hulmianco ND SAVIOUR JKSUS CMIIFRT. 437 Havinpf thus laid before them their lit-inous guilt ami dreadful puniHhment, ho was, at tlie thought ot the ualainitios which were soon to fall upon them, exceedniKly moved, and his breast filled with sen- .^ations of pity, to such a deprreo, tliat, unable to contam hunself, he brake forth into tears, bewail- ing; the hard lot of tiie city of Jerusalem ; for as Its inhabitants had more deeply imbrued their liands m the blood of the prophets, they were to drink more deeply of the punishment due to such crimes. « O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that kill- t'st the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would i have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her win|>8, and ye would not I Be- hold, your house is left unto you debolate." Mat. xyiii. 37, &c. This benevolent, as well as pathetic exclamation of our blessed Lord, cannot fail to excite in the pious mind the warmest emotions of lov -, to the gracious Saviour of mankind, as well as pity for that once chosen but since degenerate race. How often had the Almighty called upon them to return trom their evil way, before he sent his only, begotten bon into the world ? How often, how emphatically did the compassionate Jesus intreat ihera to era- brace the merciful terms now offered them by the Almighty ; and with what unconquerable obstinacy did they refuse the benevolt iit offers, and resist the most winning expressions of the divine love ! By the word house, our blessed Saviour meant the temple, which was from that time to be left unto them desolate ; the glory of the Lord, which Hag^ai had prophesied should fill the second house, was now depaiting from it. Adding, "I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall 438 TUB MPK OV OUR LORD Buy. IMesfied is he that cometh in the name of tlm Lord." Mat. xxiii. 'M- A« if he had Haul, aayo have killed tlu prophetB and por8ecuted me, whom the Father hath sent from the c FROM A TRULY liKNKVO- LKNT MOTIVE. I'RKDK'TS TIIK DEMOLITION OF THK MAONIKICKNT TKMI'M.; AT JERUSALEM, AND DELI- VKRH SKVKRAL iNHTttUCTIVK PARABLES. Jksus, the infallible preacher of f)|^iu'.ou8ne88, liavinjf thus exposed tlie secret )mcticeh< of the Scribes and Pljariaees, repaired v ah hi,j cJ :)ciple8 into the court of the women callea uus t» aaury, from several chests being fixed to the iiars of the portico surrounding the court, for rieceiving the ott'erings of those who came to worship in the tem- ple. While he continued in this court, " he beheld liow the people cast money into the treasury : and many that were rich cast in much. And *here came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them. Verily I say luito you, that this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury. For all they did cast in of their abundance, but she cf her want did cast in all she had, even all her living." Markxii. 41, &c. Though the offering given by this poor widow was in itself very small, yet in proportion to the K(^ocls of life she enjoyed, it was remarkably large ; ior it was all she had, even all her living. In or- der, therefore, to encourage charity, and to shew them that it is the disposition of die mind, not the magnificence of the off'ering, that attached the re- gard of the Almighty, the Son of God applauded this poor widow, as having given more in propor- 410 TJIR LIFE OF OUR LORD S f i i| if! tion, than any of the rich. Their offerings, tliongh great in respect of her's, were but a small part of their estates, whereas her offering was her wliole stock. And from this passage of the gospel we should learn, that the poor, who in appearance are denied the means of doing charitable ofllces, are encouraged to do all they can. For how small soever the gift may be, the Almighty, who beholds the heart, values it, not according to what it is in itself, but according to the disposition with which it is given. On the other hand, we should learn from hence, that it is not enough for the rich, that they exceed the poor in the gifts of charity ; they should bestow hi proportion to the fortune : and they would do well to remember, that a little given, where a little only is left, appears a much nobler offering, in the sight of the Almighty, and discovers a more bene- volent and humane temper of mind, than sums much larger bestowed out of a plentiful abundance. The disciples now remember that their Master, at the conclusion of his pathetic lamentation over Jerusalem, had declared that the temple should not any more be favoured with his presence, till they should say, " Blessed is lie that cometh iu the name of the Lord." A resolution of this kind could not fail of greatly surprising his disciples ; and therefore, as lie was departing from th. t sacred structure, they desired liim to observe the beauty of the building, insinu- ating, that the^ thought it strange he should inti- mate an intention of leaving it desolate ; that so glorious a fabric, celebrated in every corner of the earth, was not to be deserted rashly : and that they should think themselves supremely happy, when he, as the Messiah and descendant of David, iumeth iu the AND SAVFOirn JRSUS CliniST. 44] their Master were thl r» • "^ '''«<:>Pl<». "itU bottom of the vaHev ?„ ' ■"'^!"'^'' ''?'" ^""" "'« nether ami .l,»rlf , "' ^™'y eonipacted to- inat noble edifice rai'f 5 "neither on the\sabbath. day when you shall think it unlawful. « For then shall be great tribulation, such as xvas not since the Bha'irbe'^'Tlt -'''' ^ ^'if *'™^' -' -"ve tells nffh^f, '' confirmed by what Josephus ^^^^:^^:^^ ^^^^- *-"^-^ *^--nd fnhabiLnt f t"" '^''f^ ^' shortened, none of the nhabitants of Jerusalem and Judea, of whom he taarn o^H- '^T^' "fP^ ^^«*-^*'- '' - -n! rplTt • K ^h^ch losephus tells us, that the quar- rels which raged during the sieg.e, were so fierce and obstmate, that both within the wails of Jeru'a vToleKnr """* m the neighbouring country, the desclation^''^'/";' ?"*J""".'^ ^"^"« ^f ^'^"«'-- «'"i longer 1 ' '''f^ ^'^"^ . ^^^ ""^^ continued much ZIa ! ^^""^^ "'''''"" ^^ '•'^ Je^« had been to- tan^ destroyed according to our Lord\s prediction. 6akp ™i: f T '^^r'^ '^^^•^"'•' " ^■'^rthe elect^H sake, whura he hath chosen, he hath shortened the i I I M III i I' V 446 THE LIFE OF OCR LORD days." By the '?lect, are meant Huch of tUe .i jwa as had embraced the doctrines of the gOM'«l, J\nd particularly those who were brought m 'Mib toe believing Gentiles. As it is natural, in time of trouble, to loo:, with eajrer expectation for n, deliverer, ourbleacv^d baviour cautioned his discir >K ^ not to U&wn to any pretences of that kind, as many false Chriats would anae, and deceive ',;reat numbers of the p.^ople. A prediction that was fiUly accomplished, durii>g the terrsok me%e of Jernsalem by the Roraanis : bo Josep^us teii'* ns, that many arose, pretending to be the Uem'nh, blasting that they would deliver the na- tion icr. aii 15,3 enemies. And the multitude al- ways o{> prone to listen to deceivers, wno promise temporal advantages, giving credit to those deceiv- ers, became more obstinate in their opposition to the Romans, and thereby rendered theu- destruc- tion tise more severe and inevitable. And what still increased the infatuation ot the people, was their performing wonderful things during the war ; and accordingly Josephus calls them magicians and socerers. Hence we seethe propriety of the caution given by the Son of UoU, who foretold that "they should shew great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it were possible, they would deceive the very elect. But take heed ; be- hold, I have foretold you all things." And as the partizans of the false Christs might pretend that the Messiah was concealed a while tor fear of the Romans, and the weaker sort of Chris- tians, without this warning, have imagined that Christ was actually returned to deliver the nation in its extremity, and to punish their enemies, who now so cruelly oppressed them, and that he would shew himself as soon as it was proper, tl^^ biessea AND HAVIOl'R JV.HVH nillfRT. 447 JesuB thought proper to caution them against this particular : « Wherefore, if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert, «o not forth : be- hold, he is in the secret chambers, believe it not For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shmeth even unto the west ; so shall also the com- ing of the Son of Man be." Mat. xxiv. 2fi, &c. The coming of the Son of Man sliall be like light- nmg, swift and destructive. JJut he will not come personally, his servants only shall come, tho Roman armies, who, by his command, shall destroy tnis nation, as eagles devour their prey. Having thus given them a particular account of the various circumstances which should precede the destruction of Jerusalem, ho next described that catastrophe itself, in all the pomp of language and imagery made use of by the ancient prophets, when they foretold the destructir.n of cities and kingdoms. « But in those days, after that tribula- tion, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light : and the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be sha- ken." Mark xiii. 24, &c. « And, upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring : men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth." Luke xxl. 25, &c. By these lofty and figurative expresions, the de- caying of all the glory, excellency and prosperity of the nation, and the introduction of universal sad- ness, misery and confusion are beautifully described. The roaring of the sea and the waves may justly be considered as metaphorical, as the signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars are plainly so, and by the powers of heaven are meant the whole Jewish i :Uj- polity, government, laws and religion, which were If I 448 TFin LIFE OF OUtt LORD the work of heaven : these, our Lord tells us, should be shaken, or rather utterly dissolved. As the disciples had, in conformity to the repeated questions of the j)hariaees, during his ministry, asked what should be the slj^n of his coming ; our blessed Saviour told them, tliat after the tribulation of those days, when the sun should be darkened, and all the enemies of the Messiah should mourn, they should see the accomplishment of what Daniel foretold, by the figurative expression of the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven : for they should behold the signal punishment executed on the Jewish nation by the Ronian armies sent for that purpose, and by the decree and permission of heaven. <' Then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven : and then shall all the tribes of thu earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory." Mat. xxiv. 30. Then were the followers of Christ to be delivered from the oppression under which they had long groaned, and openly honoured before the whole earth ; and on this may true believers rest : be- oause it is founded on eternal truth. " Verily, I say unto you. This generation shall not pass, til' all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." Mat. xxiv. 34, 35. Whoever shall compare the prediction of our Saviour with the history efopephus wrote of the war, cannot fail of being struck with the wisdom of Christ, and acknowledging that his prediction was truly di- vine ; for as the Jewish, nation was at that time in the most flourishing stave, the event here foretold appeared altogether improbable. Besides the cir- cumstances of the destruction are very numerous AND SAVIOI-R JESUS CIIIUST. 440 )a8S away. Jind surprisin-ly groat : and the whole delivered without any ambiguity. 1 1 is therefore a prophecy of such a land, as could never have been uttered by any impostor, and consequently the person who delivered ,t was acquainted with the secJet counc la of heaven, and was truly divine. Many cavillers against tlie Christian religion have asked, why Christ should order his disciples not to ! ih ITp '"'^^"" '''' '^''y ^'-^^ '"^ eniompassed w.th the Roman army, when it would then be im- possible for them to make their escape ? But ner- soiis, before they propose such questions, would do well to read attentively the history Josephus has TnZ 'Jl "^ 'fiT '""i"''.^ calamities^ because they would there find a solution to the difficultv. That historian te Is us, that Cestius Galhis surrounded the city with his army, and at the time when he could easily have taken the city, suddenly withdrew IS forces without any apparent reason. He adds tha as soon as the siege was raised, many eminent persons fled from it, as from a sinking ship. In all probability many of these were Christians, who being warned by this prophecy of theirgreat Master, saved hemselvc^ by flight as he had directed. Thus we see vhafc frivolous objections are made by the free- t^nnkers ot our age against the truth of the sacred wr tings, and how easily they are answered. Having thus beautifully, but awfully described tl s importan and striking event, the blessed Jesus assured ins disciples, that, it would be very unex- pected, and thence urged the necessity of a watch- ful vigilance, lest they should be surprised, and have a share m those calamities. « But as the days loie (tor ye know not when the Master of the house ^'0 2 F ! i 450 TUP. MKR OF OUR I-OKI> Cometh :r.t » ..c lUHlnij^h^ or at the cock crowing, > w tho ii-.>rnin>?) lest, comui^' snddenlyj he find ou sleeping." Mark xiii. 35, 06. It wis natural, as men wore to undergo, at the destruction of Jesusalein, nearly the same miseries, and as tho passions which its approach would raise in their minds were siiir' ; which will hap- pen at the destruction ot the world and the general judgment ; it was natural, 1 say, for our blessed baviour, on this occasion, to put his disciples m mind of that judgment, and to exhort them to thetaithiul discharge of their duty, from the consideration of the suddenness of his coming, to call every mdivi- dual to account after death : " Therefore be ye alsu ready ; for in such an hour as you think not, the Son of Man cometli. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his T.ord hath made ruler over his household, to give th ra meat in due season >. Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord, wh 1 : comet'i, shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you. That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. Mat. xxiv. 44, &c. As if he had said, you, who are the ministei? of religion, ought to be particu- larly attentive in discharging the i. portant trust committed to youi caro ; you are the stewards ui whom are intrusted the whole household of the church ; fd yon would > well to remember, that your exau.t>le will have a great effect upon the minds of those employed under you. It is your duty to be vru acquainted with the stores ot th(^ evangelical truths, and to anderstanu iiow they may be applied to the best advantaj^e ; you should ^3 also careful to kuow the ch -racters of the ditfereiit persons under your d -ectiors, that you may be .ble to give every one ot le his portion meat m due season ; and if 1 hu . .u thus erapl yed at my AND SAVIOC/It .IKSIJS CHIUST. 4,'jJ c'>min;^ I will reward voi. wif), th<. jovsoCny ki.u- dura, even a« an earthly master hL'to Js 1 1 ku^^ j,r marks of roHpect on «^uch servants as have bee J remarkab y faxthful in any important trust. tru^tcTol' "*'''' ''"'J'' '^^"^ «»- "^t trn; to the vTchTt over" ?;?" ' '^,^"" P^'""^' your office, and watcn not over the souls committed to your care ir^dfZ: ""*^ >'-V-^«xpectedIy, and'mJceTou dicadft^l examples of mine anger, by the severe punishments which f will inflict uion^you -But and if that evil servant choii • i • , Lord .K.IpvofiVk- • "^^' ""^y ^" his heart, my h^^rl 1 ^ ^'« «"»"'ng' and sha uegin to smite day when he lookah not for him, and in an liour ^ Loinf . -"T ''' '- ^"^ «»^^» -* ^^ "- "r' th Xll hr ^"^P'^^^'^'» ^iththe hypocrites of ^H^ft! ' ^''7'^^iy ^^''''"^^^^ *h« f»t>"'« «tate of fhi „" 'i ".^'''■'^ passed to the consideration E! T.^' '*^i* *'^ distributed in their utmost ufes to . vi ' ' '^ ". ' ^' '' ^^ animating his disci-, peso a vigorous .sc^^arge of their duty ; and by the s nking represenuu on of the last judgnLt he has here given, must greatly tend to rou^e the consc^ noes of men from^heir lethargy , and c^,n8i! kinl'r '^'^" ?^ }^^ngdom of heaven, the gospel- knltm nf''^' last dispensation .f'it, wlfen^he the U 1 ^TV^ ^*^'"& '''' '« s^^all^ ved up in XV"f*^T.^^^^«^^» behkenedunto en virgins ^hotook their lamps, and went forth to mISe Bndegroom. And fiv. >f them were wise, rmd five mn ^ij[^^. 4:) \o T/n; Mi'K OP ouu i.oun > & fjl of thetn were fooHsli. They that were foolish took, indeed tholr hunps, l)ut put no oil in their vesseU, while the winf' as an instance of their prudence and foresight, tcx k both their lamps, and oil in their vesBoJH, knowing that it was uncertain when the bridegroom would arrive, and that they might in all probability, wait long for hiw coming. Nor were th^ y mistaken ; for the bridegroom did not come so Boun as they expected. And while he tarried they all slumbered and slept ; and at midnight there was a gn-at cry made, liehold, the bridegroom coraeth, go ye out to meet him ; upon which all those vir- gins arose and trimmed their lamps, and the foolish eaid unto the wise, Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. Put the wise answered, saying, Not BO, lest thevo be not enough for us and you ; but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom camo ; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door wa shut. Afterwards, also, came the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us. But he from within answered and sail unto them, Verily, I say unto you, I know you not. " Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day, nor the hour, wherein the Son of man cometh." Mat. XXV. 6, 7, &c. In order to understand this parable, we must re- member, that it alludes to eastern people. It was usual with them for the bridegroom to bring his bride home in the evening, sooner or later, as cir- cumstances might happen ; and that they might be received properly at his house, his female acquaii t ance, especially those of the younger sort, were in- vited to come and wait with lamps, till some of his retinue, dispatched before the rest, informed them tliat he was near at hand ; upon which they trim- jh..^i AND SAviouii jKsirs ciinrsr. 453 I 8 was the Keiioml munber appointed ti wait on The weakness of dm f r { ■ '"P"™""" a™ve8. h^ tretino ^T''""? ^^"^^"' themselv'eVwi h of whiei, ii\ L ^'f,"" ."^ ^'^»ne grace, the fruit lo 1 T« ^ f '' ^:""''' ^'''^o^* t»»« supply of oil an r.?r''^'^^ extinguished ; thatfaithf v^itl ou 1. ound hoJ.nes., w.li be of no consequence, take he dZ^^ themselves with a sufficiint quknt' t^ wo ks ofZ/'T'^^ '^ ^'^P'^J' i« *^'«'r lives the Zul !l ff ^"^^ ^''^"f^'- ^^"1« al^ tliose virgins ough differently Bupphed, waiting the co mint of cS^^^^^^ ^^"r'^?^ anhlept' 'thaf i: the hTDocHte' ^S r^T*^ *"^ '^^^' '^^ ^'"^'^re and deatlr ^anH ^f -f .u'^^T" ^""Sethev in the sleep of Sber hfth " ^. the bridegroom delays his coming, wumber m the chambers of the dust. ^ ihe Jews have a tradition, that Christ coming to 454 Tirii: LIFE OF OUR LORD jud;;ment will be at midnight, which agrees with that particular in the parable, "at midnijiht there was a cry made, go ye out to meet liim." JJut however this be, whether he will come at midnight, or in the morning, it will bo awfully sudden and alarming. The great cry will be heard to the end <»f the earth ! the trumpet shall sound, and the iisighty archangera voice pierce even the bowels of the earth, and the depths of the ocean. *' Behold, the bridegroom coraetli, go ye out to meet him." The graves, both earthly and watery, must sur- render their clayey tenants, and all will then begin to think how they may prepare themselves to tind admittancL^ to the marriage supper of the Lamb. " Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.'' But the foolish soon perceived their folly : their lamps were gone out, totally extinguished ; and they had no oil to support the flame : in like manner the hypocrite's hope shall perish. But the wise were in a njueh hapj)ier condition ; they had oil in their vessels suflicient for themselves, but none to spare ; for, when the foohsh virgins would have procured some from them, they denied their request, fearing there would not be enough for both. They are here beautifully represented nominal and sincere Christians. The former having only the bare lamp of a profession, and who have not been solicitous to gain the oil of divine grace, by a constant use of the means assigned, will fare like the foolish virgins. While the latter, whose hearts are stocked with divine oil, will, like the wise vir- gins, enter into the joy of their Lord. But the foolish, going to purchase oil, missed the bridegroom, and behold '* the door wan shut " They at last, however, reached the gate, and with great importunity cried, " Lojd, Lord, open unto AND SAVIOUR JRSUS CIIIiFST. 4nn iii »> us. ' But he answered, and said, « Verily, I aav unto you I know , ou r->t.» As you denied me on earth, i (]eny you now ; depart from me, I know .v(.u not: how justly, therefore, did our blessed .baviourhid us ail atch, that we may be found midy whenever he cv./neth ; or commands, by the kinjr ot terrors, our attendance before his judgment f-aat. Let us not refuse this kind invitation, of lunug constantly prepared to meet the heavenly hvideirvoom : let us fill our lamps with oil, that we may bo ready to follow our great Master into the liappy mansions of the heavenly Canaan. But, as this duty was of the utmost importance, our blessed Saviour, to show us more clearly the natm-e and use of Christian watchfulness, to which lie exhorts us at the conclusion of the parable of llie ten virguis, he added another, wherein he re- I'vosented the different characters, of a faithful and slothful servant, and the difference of their future Hccejitation. This parable, like the former, is intended to stir us up to a zealous preparation for the coming of our Lord, by diligence in the discharge of our duty, :"Hl by a careful imi)rovenient of our souls in holi- ness ; and at the same time to expose the vain pre- tonces of hypocrites, and to demonstrate, that fair speeches and outward form, without the power of ,1,'oUlmess, will be of no service in the last day of accounts. "^ The Son of man, said he, may with respect to his hnal coming to judge the world, be likened, « Unto a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one ; to every man according to his s<;veral ab.lities : and straightway took his ir)urnev." Mat. XXV. 14, 1.5. ^ M 45 () Till!; MPR 01' OUIt LORD ImniediHtely on his iDuater's dopartnre he that had received tho five talents lost no time hut went and traded with the same, and his increase was eqnal to his industry and application ; he made them other five talents. He that did receive two talents did the same, and had e<|ual success. But ho that received one, very uiddio the conduct of liis fellow- servants, went his way, digj;ed in the earth, and hid his lord s money, idle, useless, un- employed, and unimproved. After a long time, and at an hour when they did not expect it, the lord of those servants returned, called them hefore him, and ordered them to give an account of their several trusts. Upon which ho that had received live talents, as a proof of his fidelity, produced other five talents, saying, « Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents, behold I have gained besides them five talents more." Mat. xxv. 20. His lord, highly applauding his industry and fidelity, said to him, " Well done, thou good and faithful servant ; thou hast been faithful over a few tilings, I will make thee ruler over many things ; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Mat. xxv. 21. In like manner also, he that had received two talents declared he had gained two other ; upon which he was honoured with the same applause, and admitted into the same joy with his fellow-ser- vant ; their master having regard to the industry and fidelity of his servants, not to the number of the talents only, but the greatness of their increase. After this, he that had received the one talent came, and with a shameful falsehood, to excuse his vile indolence, said, " Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strewe ingof tooth... Maf xxv.'"" fe'^P'^ """ «»-'- bv ou ' blettrr-'" "' "'"^ "''™'^' »" delivered enforce if «ll 7l,r ^ ,>"''' ""^ "le motives that lord and MaVter. .heTuuLri'Sve'lf'" """ we faithfully ae(|uit ourselves of this proha- 458 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD ^m tionary charge, we shall receive far greater in- stances of God's confidence and favour ; but if we are remiss and negligent, we must expect to feel his resentment and displeasure. A time will come, and how near it may be none of ns can tell, when our great Master will demand a particular account of every talent he hath com- mitted to our care. This time may, indeed, be at a distance ; for it is uncertain when the king of terrors will receive the awful warrant to terminate our existence here below : yet it will certainly come, and our eternal happiness or misery depends upon it ; so that we should have it continually in our thoughts, and engrave it, as with the point of a diamond, on the tables of our hearts. We learn from this instructive parable, that in- finite wisdom hath intrusted men with different ta- lon ts, and adjusted to them the various purposes of human lite. But though tlie gifts of men are unequal, none can, with justice, complain ; since whatever is bestowed, be it more or less, is a favour entirely unmerited. ^ach then should be thankful, nnd satisfied with his portion ; and instead of envying the more liberal endowments of others, apply himself to the improve- ment of his own. And it should be attentively ob- served, that the dilHciilty of tlie task is in propor- tion to the number of talents committed to eacli. Ho who had received five, was to gain other five ; and he who had received two, was to account for other two. Surely then, we have no reason to complam if our Master has laid on us a lighter burden, a more easy and less service, than what he has on others. Esppcially as our interest, in the favour of the Al- mighty, does not depend on the number of our ta- ! <«>* - .j: AMD SAviouii JESUS ciiitrsT. 4,55 tl.is Swfl i! ♦ *' """ ""' ■""■•'•'' '''"is" of ..s reason ,„d understandin/,: d L™ s^o ,K rules nfT.^: "^'' ,'" """>"" '■■">" «!'>-■■" proper our XineT^'^^f,?'' ^'^ ■»"'-'' »"■* ^l^" r«rsu f «. 3r dett t^etC" SI" '^r ?^'^ deiNHnri.'nn, ^ 1 ^7'*«o"5 tliat file weakest un- ts^:^"^ diie'r '"::,'",'" ""p"^ ' --•■ - < veiy one, all ?iavo sufficient to conduct 4C0 THE LIFE OF OlHl LORD through the several stages of life, if they will use but proper diligence and application. Uut regard must be had to all the means for cultivating those gifts of nature and grace, such as all opportunities of instruction, the ministry, and ordinances of reli- gion, the reproofs and examples of good men, the occasions offered, and the abilities given for the exercise of virtue. All these are talents, or gifts of God, deposited with us, to be diligently made use of, and for which we are accountable to him. We shall therefore proceed to show what duty is required from us, in the improvement of these ta- lents. It is here supposed, that these talents are improvable, or otherwise tliey would be of no use or value ; and indeed we are boimd by the com- mand of God, who has threatened to inHict severe penalties, if we neglect to improve them. And if they are not improved, they will not continue long with us, but be lost ; the finest parts and capacities, without proper culture, will make but a mean and contemptible figure. No knowledge can be pre- served, without use and exercise, and the same holds with regard to moral accomplishments. It requires great care and attention to form a virtuous habit, but much more to preserve it in its vigour. Unless we co-operate with the motions of God's grace, and cultivate it by use and application, its impressions will gradually wear out, and be lost. " The spirit of God will not always strive with man." He gives us a stock to manage, equal to the service he expects from us ; but if we are slothful and negligent, and will not apply it to the purposes for which it was given, he will recal the useless gilt. " Take from him (says he) the talent, and give it to him that hath ten talents." Let us, therefore, diligently improve every talent ^Nn SAVIOUR JKSIJS nin}%T. 4fil ieverv talent connnitted to us, because tliiH will be required of IKS, in the day of accounts, and if not improved, will be immediately taken from uh. What this improve- ment implies, and how we may discharge this duty, IS an inquiry of the nearcBt concern to us. The proper improvement of all (Jod'8 gifts is the em- ploying them so, as may best promote his glory. Ihis is the end the Almighty has proposed in our creation ; in all the powers he hath endued us with, and in all the aids of grace he has vouchsafed us. Whatever other improvements we make of them will not profit us, nor be admitted as any proof of our fidelity, in the day of reckoning. We may cultivate our understanding by learning and study, and extend our knowledge through all the subjects oi human inquiry ; but if our end be only to gratify our curiosity or our vanity, we are not servnig God, but ourselves : we may increase our l)ortion of God's outwa-, I gifts, but if we only apply them to enlarge our oui; t--, renicnccs, we are not making the improvements :,'jr Master expects ; we may take pleasure in our knowledge and fortune, rejoice in them as our portion mtd instruxoear, in our present situation ; but we mustfcJil' ^flinembei-, liiat m our reckoning with God, all th^ne n-mrove- meuts of our capacities, and abilities, will I , udJed to our account- And the only use God will admit us to set in balance of our debt to him, is to employ them as means of increasing and multiplying our virtues, or as instruments of exercising them in the work ot piety and religion. From hence we may infer, that there will be de- grees of future gk.ry and happiness, proportioned <• our eminence in the divine life, and the service »e have done to the cause of Christ. Dreadful will be hib case, who has squandered i I] i. 402 THE LIFK OF OUR I.OUD away the stock itself, suffered his gifts to perish for want of use ; or by abusing them to the service of sill, has provoked the Almighty to take them from him. How shall the prodigal recal the fortune he has spent, and appease the anger of his Judge ? The terrors of the Lord may justly affright him ; but it should not extinguish his endeavours in despair. He has lost many excellent talents ; but he who gave can restore. Indeed, the most circumspect piety will, in the great day of accounts, want much to be forgiven ; and must expect his reward from the mercy of his Judge, not from the merit of his service. Let us then do all in our power to bring forth fruits meet fur repentance. For though the awful day of the Lord may be at a great distance, yet the time allotted us to prepare for it is limited by the short space of human life. The night of death cometh, when no man can work. To-day, therefore, while it is called to-day, let us be diligent in the work of the Lord, correct our errors, and finish what is imperfect, that we may obtain his approbaaon, and make our calling and election sure. We shall now proceed to the third parable deli- vered at the same time by the blessed Jesus, namely, that of the last judgment. " When the Son of man (said he) shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory. And before him shall be gathered all nations ; and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats ; and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left." Mat. xxv. 31. It is common, in the Old Testament, to com- pare good men to sheep, on account of their inuo- P.^^^" AND SAVIOUR JIOSUS CMRIST. 4G3 i of their iuuo- cence and UKefulnoss ; aud wicked men to goats, for tlieir exorbitant lusts. Our blessed Saviour, how- ever, does not pursue the allegory farther, but describes the remaining, and indeed the greatest part of this awful scene in terms perfectly simple • so that though the sense be profound, it is obvious. Here the judgment of all nations, Gentiles as well as Christians, is exhibited : and the particulars on which these awful trials are to proceed, displayed by the great Judge himself. Here we learn, that we shall be condemned or acquitted, according as we have neglected or per- formed works of charity ; works which ilow from the great principles of faith and piety, and Ahich the very Heathens are, by the light of nature, in- vited to perform, liut we must not understand, tiiat such works merited this favour from the Judge • no, all who are acquitted at that da>, whether Hea- thens or Christians, shall be acquitted solely on account of the righteousness of Christ, the true, the only meritorious cause. Good men can at best but consider their present state as a banishment from their native country. A state in which they are often exposed to innumer- able temptations, to persecutions, to poverty, to reproach, to contempt. But the consideration that ihey are travelling towards the heavenly Jerusalem, a city prepared for them, when the foundations of tlie world were laid, will be abundantly sufficient to su}.port their spirits, and render them more than conquerors. The glory laid up for them in the mansions of eternity, and which the great Judge will, at the awful day of accounts, confer upon them will animate them to bear the violences of their op- pressors, and even defy the malice of men and aovils. Nay, they will behold with contempt the 1 'SV' ■3! ■ : y j 4P4 THK LIFE <>J" OUIl LORD itji flourishinj:^ prosperity ot the wicked, and look i. i'- ward to that glorious and immortal crown, which will be given them by their great Redeemer. " Tlum shall the King say unto them on his ri<;at hand, Come, ye blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was an hungred, and yo gave me meat : 1 was thirsty, uad ye gave me drink : I was a st. ^n- ger, and ye took me in : naked, and ye clothed me : I was sick, and yo visited me : 1 was in prison, and yo came unto me." Mat. xxv. 34, &c. The enraptured and amazed soul shall then ask, with great reverence and humility, when they per- formed these services ? as they never saw him in want, and therefore could not assist him. " Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee ? or thirsty, and gave theo diiuk ? when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in ? or naked, and clothed thee ? '1' when saw we thee si' ' and in prison, and cam ir>!N> theo ? And the King shall answer, and ;hem. Verily, I say unto you, inasmuch as done it unto one of the least of these my i, ye have done it unto me." Mat. xxv. 37, sa ya JKi.v; brethi < &c. This is truly astonishing ! The united wisdom of men and angels could never have discovered a more proper method to convey an idea of the warmth and force of the divine benevolence to the sous of men, or offer a more forcible motive to charity, than that the Son of God should, from his seat of judgment, ij) presence of the whole race of mankind, and all the hosts of blessed spirits from the courts of heaven, declare that all good offices done to the afflicted are done to himself. During the time of his dwelling with human nature in this vale of tears, he suffered unspeakable injuries and afflictions : AND SA FOUR JESUS r HRIST. of the iudgme, l™u ^"" T"" "» "'"'»•"'* oautiou agdm,, ,, ""''' P™™ "'« "««' sol«">" anfo-^ahe dutf „7ct"? *'l","^ "" "■<> P^'f"' Uie offiZ „f„r ". T''*'' " ''«« beenasked wl,y notice tok^rfXV,;!^ are mentioned, and Z Judge hiSf .ml !u"' P'^'y 5 'hoagh the charity so hiKhir.^n Zi?°''fu-''''" "'" """"'^ "^ tliose wiio ask thit"?.. f*** '" ""' P^^^le ! But member that «i.,v^ f T' ^""'^ ^» "^U «» «- paSy'- Dfetv'^ f/rt*!?*^ *'?*"'^ <""""" ^b^'B' se- ducing ciaritf- »nH h °"^""'' '"'*' »'» y« P™- -id ^rapTt" .-/'irr ^^% *-" "-"y -" can be trulv h«,Ii i . ® coneidere.., that lio man tho.e%t;l T'cnTeirtt'"\"'*™''T"« benevolence in • /wi ;. °"^f ^"^ utly, Le must love piety, ortheliri' J^' 't"! ."^i-' '»- God : /of C6 love of God, is nothing IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 4 A 4f> fJ^"^6 1/ /.^ % 1.0 I.I 1.25 1^ PIM 21 22 1.8 U III 1.6 V] <^ /a /. ^ ^>^ ^^^ '^^ /J. 0} Photographic Sciences Corporation v d V 4^ ^ A \ o^ r^U %'' 73 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 <^ i/.. > 466 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD I regard we cherish towards God, ou account of his perfections. Piety and charity heing thus essentially connected together, it was abundantly sufficient to examine the conduct of men, with regard to either of those graces. In the parable, the iniquity is represented as turning upon the duties of charity, perhaps be- cause in this branch of goodness there is less room for self-deceit than in the other. It is common for hypocrites, by a pretended zeal in the externals of religion, to make specious pretences to extraordi- nary piety, and at the same time are totalUy defi- cient in charity ; are covetous, unjust, rapacious, and proud, and consequently destitute of all love for their Creator. But none can assume the ap- pearance of charity, but by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, relieving the distressed, and performing other benevolent offices to their bre- thren. The work of charity may, indeed, in some parti- cular cases, flow from other principles than those of a pious and benevolent disposition, as from vanity, or even views of interest ; but then it should be remembered, that a common degree of hypocrisy will hardly engage men to undertake them ; they are by far too weighty duties, to be sustained by those false principles, and therefore are seldom counterfeited. Consequently, wherever a genuine, extensive, and permanent charity is found, we may conclude, that there the love of God reigns in per- fection. Hence we learn that all pretences to goodness, without a principle of grace wrought in the heart, avails nothing in point of eternal salvation. At the same time, if we consider it in its full light, it will give us no reason to think well of ourselves, if we AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 467 are wanting in our duty to God ; and that we should not only be chavitable, but grateful also, just, temperate, and blameless in all our dealings with mankind. For we should remember, that the duty we owe to the Almighty is no other than what is due to men in the like circumstances, and which it would be unjust in us to neglect. It consists in dispositions and actions, the same in kind, but dif- ferent in degree, proportionate to the perfection of the object. He who loves and admires holiness, justice, and truth in men, cannot but love those perfections in God, that is, he must love God : so likewise, he that is truly grateful to any earthly benefactor, cannot be ungrateful to one from whose bounty he receives all the good things he enjoys ; and since ingratitude in men is nothing more than forgetting the benefit received, and the benefactor who conferred the fa- vour ; how can we acquit ourselves from the charge of ingratitude to God, if we forget the obligations we lie under to him, and are at no pains to return him thanks ; that is, if we wholly neglect the eX' ternal and internal exercises of devotion. Since, therefore, the duty we owe to God is the same in kind with that we owe to man in like cir- cumstances, it will undeniably follow, that true morality can never exist where piety is wanting ; and that those who pretend to morality, and are destitute of piety, render themselves ridiculous. The awful Judge himself has told us, that after he has passed the happy sentence on the righteous, he will pronounce the following sentence of condemna- tion upon the wicked : " Depart from me, ye cur- sed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels ; for I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat : I was thirsty, and ye gave me no 460 Tnic urw rvF orn T.oim I >f: 1« I I' ilrhik : 1 wan a Mtrnngor, ami y*> took mo not in : nakwd, antluMl nio not : m!<'I(, and in prinon, and yo vwitiid me n(»t. 'rii«n hIuiU tlmy alno aiiHwni* him, iiaylnn, Lord, wIimii i»aw w« tlnnj an linnnnrod, or ftthlrHt, or a Mtninnor, w nakod, or MJck, or in i)riM«m, and did n(»t miniHtor nnto thon « Tlntn xliall ho annwor thorn Maying, Vorily, I nay unto you, iinvMmutdi an yo did it not to ono of tho loaHt of th«M«, yo did It not to mo." Mat. xxv. 41, &.«. It \h ronnu'kal)l«s that onr hloMMod Saviour hau tohl u«, that tho flro of holl wan n«»t prwparrni for tho wlokod, hut for t; ; a ntato of oonsununato folioity waa forniod for tho hnman raeo, at tho tinio thoy wore croate tttlaolc him, wliilu liu wan Hurroundod by Urn fol- loworn in tho duytinio ; hut in ull |irobtthr!uy, had ho hidgod within tho city, tluiy would hav« apnru- hundtid him duiing tlio darlinohtt and Hilunue of tho ni^ht. When our bleHned Sav'.jur had finished th»iie prahloH, ho ucMud a whiut atjcount of hiH own death, ni order to fortify Iuh dinciploH agaiuHt tho gruateMt trial tliey had yet nint with : namely, tho MuHoringa of thoir Manter. " And it came to paMtt, when Jo- HUH had ilnlHhod all thuMo Hayinj^n, ho ttaid unto hin diHciploH, Y« kn«iw that after two davH in tho fuaNt of tho paHHovor, and tho Hon of man im betrayed to bo cruciliod. Then aHHombltd togother tho chief piiuHtH, and iheHeiiboB, and tho eidorwof the poopio, unto tho palace of the high-pi-ioat, who wa» called CaiaphttH, and couMultod that thoy might take Jcmus bv Bubtilty, and kill him. Jiut they auid, Not on tlio ieaHt day, loHt there be an uproar among the people." Mat. xxvi, I, &c. When tho evening approached, our bluuscd Savi- 470 TIIIC 1,1 1'K 01' OUll LOUD our, with luH (liHciples, repaired to Bethany, and entered the houHo of Simon the Leper, probably one who had experienced the healing etfiuacy of hi» power. But while he eat at meat, a woman, who had also, doubtleHerpetuated in the peculiar love his great Master bore him, and was now re- clining on bis bosom, asked him, who among tho diuciples could be guilty of so detestable a crime ? Jesus told him that the person to whom he should give the sop, when he had dipped it, was he who should betray him. Accordingly, as soon as he had dipped the sop in the dieh, he gave it to Juda.^ Ificariot, saying to him, at the saane time, " what thou doest, do quickly." Judas received the sop, without knowing any tiling of what his Master had told the beloved dis- ciple : nor did any of the disciples, excppt St. John, entertain the least suspicion that Judas was the person who would betray their Master. The innocent disciples were, indeed, so deeply affected with this declaration, that one of them should betray him, that they did not remark the words of Jesus to this apostate disciple : but con- tinued to ask him, who was the person that should be guilty of so unnatural a crime ? Willing, at last, to satisfy their importunity, the blessed Jesus declared, that the person who dipped his hand with him in the dish, should betray him. This it the eleven was a joyful declaration, but confounding in the highest degree to Judas. Impudent as he was, it struck him speechless, pointing him out plainly, and displaying the foulness of his heart. While Judas continued mute with confusion, the blessed Jesus declared that his death should be brought about according to the decrees of heaven, though that would not, in the least, mitigate the crime of the person who betrayed him ; adding, " It had been good for that man if he had not been born." Judas having now recovered himself a little, asserted his innocence by a question which implied 47« TIIR LIFH OF OUIl I.OIID A denial of tho cImi'p;o. Uut hi» MaHterHoon (tilencHl him, hy positively aitirininp; tiiat ho really waB the person. As vnrioua conjocturoH have heen formed con- cerning tho niotivoH which induced the perfidioim Judan cruelly to doliver up liiH innocent Master into tho handH of Iub enomioa, it niuy not bo im- proper to cite those which appear to ua moat proba- ble, thouj^h the decision must bo entirely left to the reador. Some are of opinion, that he was induced to com- mit this villany by tho resentment of the rebuko given liim by his Master, for blaming the woman who camo with the precious ointment, and anointed the head of Jesus, as lie sat at meat in the house of Simon the Leper. Hut though this had, doubtless, its weight with the traitor, yet it could not, we think, bo his only motive, becatise the rebuke was in general given to all the disciples, who had, perhaps, been equall)' forward with him in censuring tho woman. Nor can we imagine, even if he had been rebuked alono, that so mild a reproof could provoke any person, however wicked, to the horrid act of murdering his friend, much less, Judas, whose co- vetous disposition must have disposed him to bear every thing from his Master, from whom he ex- pected the highest preferment when he openly de- clared himself the Messiah, and took the rpina of government into his own hands. Others think that Judas betrayed his Master through covetousness. But if we understand by covetousness, the reward given by the priests, this opinion is equally defective ; for the sum was too small for the most covetous wretch, to think equi- valent to the life of a friend, especially when he expected from him the hig^iest posts and advautagesj AND SAVIOUR JKSIJS CHRIST. 470 Othera attribute the perfidy of JudaH. to liin doubtiiipf whether his Master was the Meusiah : and that ho betrayed him in a fit of despair. But of all the KohitionH, this is the worst founded. For if Ju- das believed hia master to be an impostor, he must have observed something in his behaviour which led him to form such an opinion of him ; and ia this case, he would, doubtless, have mentioned it to the chief {)nesta and elders, when ho made the con- tract with them ; which it is plain he did not, as they would have reminded him of it, when became hack and expressed hia remorse ' what he had done. It should also be observed, that had Judas given them any intimation of this kind, they would doubt- less have urged them against our blessed Saviour himself, in the course of his trial, when they were at 80 great a loss for witnesses to support their accu- sations ; and against the apostles, afterwards, when they reproved them for speaking in the name of Jesus. Besides, had Judas thought his Master an impostor, and proposed nothing by his treachery, but the price he put upon his life, how came he to sell him for such a trifle, when he well knew that the chief priests and rulers would have given him any sum, rather than not have gotten him into their hands. In fine, the supposition that Judas believed his Master to be an impostor, ia directly confuted by the solemn declaration he made to the priests, when he declared the deepest conviction of the innocence of our great Redeemer. " I have sinned, said he, iu betraying the innocent blood." It must be remembered, that the remorse he felt for his crime, when he saw his Master condemned, was too Uitter to be endured : so that he fled even to the king of terrors for relief. 480 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD The evangelist, St. John, tells us, that he was of so covetous a disposition, as to steal money out of our Lord's bag ; and hence we have sufficient rea- son to believe, that he first followed Jesus with a view of obtaining riches, and other temporal advan- tages, which he expected the Messiah's friends would enjoy. It likewise authorizes us to think, that as he had hitherto reaped none of these advantages, he might grow impatient under the delay : and the rather, as Jesus had lately disencouraged all ambitious views among his disciples, and neglected to embrace the opportunity of erecting that kingdom which was offered him by the multitude, who accompanied hira into Jerusalem with shouts, and crying Hosanna to the Son of David. His impatience, therefore, be- coming excessive, inspired him with the thought of delivering his Master into the hands of the coun- cil, firmly persuaded that he would then be obliged to assume the dignity of the Messiah, and conse- quently be able to reward his followers. For as this court was composed of the chief priests, elders, and scribes, that is, the principal persons of the sacerdotal order, the representatives of the greatest families, and the doctorsof the law ; the traitor did not doubt but his Master, when brought before so august an assembly, would attest his pretensions to the title of the Messiah, prove his claim to their full conviction, gain them over to his interest, and immediately enter to his regal dignity. And though he must be sensible that the measures he took to compass this intention were very offensive to his Master, yet he might think the success of it would procure his pardon from so compassionate a Mae- ter, and even recommend him to favour. In the meantime his project, however plausible it may AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 481 appear to one of his turn, was far from being free from difficulty, and therefore while he revolved it m his own mind, many things might occur to stag- ger his resolution. At length, thinking himself affronted by the rebuke of Jesus, at the time when the woman anointed the head of his Master, he was provoked to execute the resolution he had formed of obliging him to alter his measures. Rising, therefore, directly from the table, he went imme- diately into the city, to the palace of the high-priest, where he found the council assembled, consulting how they might take Jesus by subtilty, in the ab- sence of the multitude. To them he made known his intention of deli- vering his Master into their hands ; and undertook, for a small sum of money, to conduct a band of armed men to the place where the Saviour of the !hl *T"*"^- ?^°' ^^'^ "'^^* ^i^h his disciples, where they might apprehend him without the least danger of a tumult. Some reasons may be offered in support of this opmion concerning the motives which induced Ju- das to betray his Master : First, from the nature and I will deliver him unto you ?" He did not flTh ^^ r?^^ ^'"^"^ *^'™ »P *« be put to death for though the priests had consulted among them- selves, how they might destroy Jesus, they had not been so abom.nably wicked as to declare their i^- tlZ ^i ""^ ' they only proposed to bring him and J'. A'"''"''"? *^^ character of the Messiah, and to treat him as it should appear he deserved, ihe offer, therefore, which Judas made to them of Uelivenng him up, was in conformity to their de- an v"n.K'^'?."."°"'; ^^^ *^'^ '^'^y understand it in any other light : for, had the prieste thought that I i i I 4a2 TFIE LIFK OF OUR LORD Ills design in this was to get his Master punished with death, they must also have thought he believed him to be an impostor ; in wliich case they would doubtless, have produced him as one of their prin- cipal evidences, no person being more proper. Also, when Judas returned to them with the money, de- claring that he had sinned in betraying the inno- cent blood, instead of replying, " Wiiat is that to us, see thou to that V It was the most natural thing in the world to have upbraided him with the stain he had put upon his Master's character, by the contract they had made with him. It is true, they called the money they gave him, " The price of blood :" but they did not mean this in the strictest sense, as they had neither hired Judas to assassinate his Master, nor can they be supposed to have charged themselves with the guilt of 1" Lirdering him. It was only the price of blood, consequently being the reward they had given to the traitor for putting it into their power to take away the life of Christ, under the colour and form of public justice. Now it may be doubted, whether Judas asked the money as a reward of his service. He covetously, indeed, kept it ; and the priest, for that reason, called it the price of blood. In short, Judas knew that the rulers could not take away the life of any person whatsoever, the Romans having deprived them of that power, and therefore could have no design of this kind in deli- vering him up : not to mention that it was a com- mon opinion among the Jews, that the Messiah could never die : an opinion that Judas might easily embrace, having seen his Master raise several per- sons, among the rest one had been in the grave no less than four days. Another reason which may be assigned, in con- AND SAVIOUR JESU9 CHRIST. 403 firraation of this opinion, is, the traitor's hanging himself, when he found liim condemned, not by the governor, but by the council, whose prerogative it was to judge prophets. Had Judas proposed to take away the life of his Master, the sentence of condemnation passed upon him, instead of filling him with despair, must have gratified him, being the accomplishment of his project, whereas the light wherein we have endeavoured to place his conduct, shows this circumstance to have been per- fectly natural. He knew him to be thoroughly innocent, and expected that he would have wrought such mira- cles before the council as should have constrained them to believe. Therefore, when he found that nothing of this kind was done, and that the priests had passed the sentence of condemnation upon him, and were carrying him to the governor to get it executed, he repented of his rash and covetous pro- ject, came to the chief priests and elders, the per- sons to whom he had betrayed him, offered their money again, and solemnly declared the deepest conviction of his Master's innocence, hoping that they would have desisted from the persecution. But they were obstinate, and would not relent ; upon which his remorse arose to such a pitch, that, unable to support the torments of his conscience, he went and hanged himself. Thus, it is probable that the traitor's intention in delivering up his Master, was not to get him pun- ished with death, but only to lay him under a ne- cessity of proving his pretensions before the gran- dees, whom he had hitherto shunned ; thinking, that if they had yielded, the whole nation would mimediately have been raised forthwith to the sum- mit of their expectations. 484 TIIR UVR OP OUR I.ORO This account of Judas* conduct is by no inoann calculated to Iohhoh the fijulnesa of his crime, which was the bhickest imaginable. For even in the light above mentionod, it implied both an insatiable avarice, and a wilful opposition to the counsels of providence, and rendered the actor of it a disgrace to human nature. 13ut it is calculated to set the credibility of the traitor's actions in a proper light, and to hhow that he was not moved to it by any thing suspicious in the character of his Master : because, according to his view of it, his perfidy, in- stead of implying that he entertained suspicions of his Master's integrity, plainly proves that ho had the fullest ctmviction of his being tho Messiah. Nor was it possible for any one, who had been pre- sent at the miracles which Jesus wrought, and the doctrines which ho delivered, to admit of a doubt of his being the Son of Qod, the Saviour of man- kind : uuiess blinded by the most obstiuate preju- dice. CHAPTER XXXIII. JKSUS INSTITUTES TIIR SACRAMENT IN COMMEMORA- TION OP HIS DEATH AND SUPFKRINQS. SETTLES A DISPUTE WHICH AROSE AMONG HIS DISCIPLES. PREDICTS PETER'S COWARDICE IN DENYING HIS MASTER. FORTIFIES HIS DISCIPLES AGAINST THK APPROACHING SHOCK. FORETELS PETKK's COW- ARDICE AGAIN. PREACHES TO AND PRAYS WITH HIS DISCIPLES, FOR THE LAST TIME. PASSION- ATE ADDRF-SS OP OUR LORD TO HIS FATHER, IN TUB QABDEN. The great Redeemer ever mindful of the grand de- sigD of his missioDj eveu tho salvation of lost and AXD HAVioirn jRscm cmunr. 4B5 perishing? wiiinerH, was nr»t in the least afTeoted by the treachery of thin apoHtate diBciple. For know- injf that ho must bt.come a Bacriflce for sin, &o. he inHtitutnd iheHncramentof hisHupper, to perpetuate the memory of it throughout all hges. Accordingly aa they were eating tlio j)aHchal Hupper, « JeftuM took bread, and bleuged it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, take eat : Thia is my body." Mat. xxvi. 26. Obnervo this rite no longer in remembrance of your deliverance from Egypt, but in remembrance of mo ; who, by dying for you, will bring you out of the spiritual bondage ; a bond- age far worse than the Egyptian, under which your fathers groaned, and will establish you in the glo- rious iiberty of the children of God. Do it in re- membrance of me, who, by laying down my life, will ransom you from sin, from death, from hell, and will set open the gates of heaven to you, that you may enter immortality in triumph. Having given the bread to his disciples, he also took the cup, and gave it to them, saying, « Drink ye all of it, for this is my blood of the New Testa- ment, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins." Mat. xxvi. 27, 28. All of you, and all of my disciples, in all ages, must drink of this cup, because it repnsf Ills my blood shed for the remission of the sins of mankind ; my blood by which the new covenant between God and man is ratified. It is, therefore, my blood of the new covenant ; so that this institution exhibits to your joyful meditation, the grand basis of the hopes of the children of men, and perpetuates the memory of it to the end of the world. He added, " I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." Mat. xxxvi. 29. 430 TUB LIFE OF OUll LORD .; The inauiftistution of the Son of God is the most illustrious, the most momentous event that is possi- ble to engage the muditutions of mankind. To his life and death, his resurrection and ascension into glory, we are indebted for our hopes and assurances of pardon, for our peace, for our ha))piness. To procure our benefit, he m.ide the most amazing condescension from the dignity ho enjoyed with his Father, by putting on the veil of flesh ; he poured divine instruction from his lips, and shone forth with an all-perfect, and all-lovely example. For our benefit, he submitted to a course of the most cruel treatment from his bitter enemies, to the agonies of the cross, and to the stroke of the king of teiTors. For our benefit he arose again with power and lustre, ascended into the mansions of eternal happiness, manages our aflairs with the Al- nughty, and holdeth the reins of government. With the greatest wisdom and goodness, therefore, this beneficent Jesus instituted a rite that should recal his love to our memories, and awake each pious passion in our breast ; a rite, which, by the break- ing of bread, and the pouring out of wine, should represent to us, in a striking manner, that most signal proof of the affection both of him and his heavenly Father, when his tender frame was ex- posed to wounds and bruises, when streams of the most precious blood issued from his sacred veins. The more we reflect on this instance of divine love, the more we shall perceive that there was a peculiar propriety in pointing out, by a particular ordinance, a fact of such immense importance, in the system of revelation. Nay, we may even ven- ture to assert, that in some dark and corrupt ages, when the scriptures were but little known by the common people, and hardly studied by the priests, AND SAVIOUR JliWUS CHRIST. 487 the death of our Saviour would have been almost forgotten, had not the remembrance of it been re- newed by the celebration of this sacred ordinance. It should alHo b3 remembered, that the vanities of the world, the alJureinents of sensual pleasure, the charms of ambition, the splendour of riches ; iu short, temptivtions from present objects of every kind, have often too fatal an inlluonce on our tem- per and conduct. Th(»y have a fatal aptitude to draw the soul aside to folly, and to obliterate the impression of things divine. It was, therefore, a wise, a kind intention of our great Redeemer, by a frequent repetition of the sacrament feast, to call back the wandering heart of man to a sense of his duty and obligations as a Christian. Besides, thongli the religion of the immaculate Jesus is altogether gentle, generous, and beneficent : though its whole tendency is to correct the pas- sions, sweeten the dispositions, and enlarge the affections of men, and though it enforces all this upon us by motives surprisingly powerful and af- fecting ; yet such is the perverseness of the human heart, tliat jealousies and contentions, envy, wrath, and malice, too often find adib'ttance there. Was it not then an instance of our Saviour's wisdom and benevolence, by uniting us together at the sacra- ment of his body and blood, to urge the putting away all bitterness^ anger, evil-speaking, and re- venge, and to inspire us with condescension, com* passion and love 1 How careful, therefore, ought we to be in per- forming this duty appointed by our dying Saviour ! We should, in order to receive it worthily, employ our meditation on the design and excellency of the gospel ; on the noble system of the doctrines an«l duties it contains ; on the illustrious, divine, anl l! 4S8 TUB LIFE OP OUR LORD complete example of the blessed Jesus ; on the im- portant privileges, the valuable promises, and the ravishing prospects his revelation affords : and on ihe bright and convincing evidence with which it is attended. We should contemplate that essential and unpa- ralled benevolence of the Father, in forming the means of our redemption ; on the readiness mani- fested by the Son of God in undertaking our cause ; and on his wonderful transactions in the prosecu- tion of this grand, this amazing work. Above all, we should impress upon our souls a strong sense of the special and immediat*^ purposes for which this sacrament was appointed. When we actually join in communion, we should be careful that our affections be properly directed and warmly engaged. To have our hearts fixed upon tho vanities, the profits, and the cares of this world, is a direct violation of the ordinance ; and therefore we should be extreriely careful to main- tain a right temper and behaviour at that time. We should study to abstract our thoughts as much as possible from every foreign, every terrestrial consideration, and to have our passions fervently employed in the solemn service. « Retire, O my soul (each of us should say) from this inferior sense of things : from all its pleasures, and all its pur- suits, and hold communion with the Almighty, and his Son the immaculate Jesus. Meditate upon that infinite grace of Omnipotence, which contrived the amazing plan, that displayed pardon, peace, and endless happiness, to so undeserving a creature as thou art. Recollect that surprising condescension and tenderness of thy compassionate Redeemer, which induced him to bring down from heaven sal- vation to the soas of men. Call to mind the ud- I! Ui AND SAVIOUR JKSUS CJIRIST. 489 mirable instructions he offered, the charming pat- tern he exhibited, the hard labours and sufferings he endured, in the course of his ministry ; espt cially call to mind the ignominy, the reproaches, the agonies he endured, when he hung upon the cross, and purchased for thee eternal mercy. Think upon these affecting subjects, till thine heart is hlled w:th sorrow for thine iniquities ; till thy faith becomes lively, active, and faithful ; till thy grati- ude and love are elevated to the highest pilch ; till thy obedience is rendered uniform, steady and com- plete Hast thou, Oh my God, the parent of uni- versal nature, hast thou so illustriously manifested thy compassion for sinners as not to spare thy own bon ? Hast thou sent the Saviour into the lower world, m order to raise the children of men to im- mortality, perfection and glory ? And am I now m thy presence on purpose to celebrate this insti- A .u* r"! "''^ requireth me to commemorate the death of the great Messiah : to declare my public acceptance of his excellent revelation, and my re- gard to my Christian brethren ? May then the re- membrance of his beneficence dwell upon my mind, and upon my tongue for ever and ever ! May I consider and comply with the intention of his gos- pel ; and may the sentiments of kindness and cha- rity towards all my fellow-mortals and fellow-disci- ples, reign in my breast, with increasing purity, with increasing zeal !" ^ ^ ^* Such are the views that should possess our souls, when we partake of this sacred ordinance ; but it will signify little to entertain these views, at that time, unless the effects of them are apparent in our future conduct and conversation ; for a transient now of affections, or sallies of immediate delicrhts were not principally intended in this institution. 4!)0 TIJE L!FE OF OUR LORD The blessed Jesus did not ordain it as a > ere- niony or charm, but as a proper method of estab* lishin;:; our hea •*« in the fear and love of God, who gave his only b« »ved Son to die for wretched sin- ners. Tlioujjh yo have, therefore, Oh Christians ! obeyed the Redeemer's command, in this appoint- ment, and found your passions greatly moved, yet this is not the whole required at your hands : it will justly be expected, that ye should live to the honour of your divine Master. As you have solemnly pro- fessed your faith in him, and your love towards him, the reality of your faith and love should be demonstrated by walking more strictly in the way of his precepts, and by abounding in that heavenly character and temper which his spotless example so engagingly recommends, Thus only will the sacrament become subservient to the most benefi- cial purposes. Thus only will it be instrumental in qualifying us for sharing in the dignity and feli- city possessed by our exalted Saviour. May, therefore, all the foilowei's of the Immacu- late Jesus, by uniting together at his sacred table, advance from holiness to holiness, till they arrive at the regions of eternal felicity ! Our blessed Saviour, after delivering the sacra- mental cup, and telling them that his blood was shed for them, mentioned the treachery of Judas, a second time. " Behold, he is at hand that doth betray me." Mat. xxvi. 46. This second declara- tion was made very properly after the institution of the sacrament, which exhibits the hi;:^he8t in- stance of our greu,t Redeemer's Ioto to iiv\t'Vand, his dying to obtain the remission c . t v; bii.a ; for it abundantly proves, that the person who could de- liberately be guilty of such an injury, to so kind a friend, must have been a monster, the fulness of AND gAVIOUtt JKSrS CHHI^1T. 411 whose ingratitude cannot be described by tlie force of language. Some of the disciples, particularly struck with horror at the thought of Judas' treachery, rebuked him, by asking him with surprise, how ho couhl betray his Master? Tliis aceusation Judas no doubt repelled by impudently denying the fact : buu consciousne.sH of guilt giving edge to the re- 1-r .aches of his brethren, and to every circumstance ot the affair, ho immediately left the company, ex- ceedins,^ly jlinpleased at thinking himself insulted and affronted. The important, the awful scene now approached, when the great work was to be finished. The traitor Judas was gone to the chief priests and elders, for a band of soldiers, to apprehend him ; but this did not discompose the Redeemer of mankind : he took occasion to nieditate on the glory that would accrue both to himself and to the Almighty, from those sufferings, and spake of it to his disciples. " Now (said he) is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him ?" lie also told them, that having already done honour to his Father, by the past actions of his life, and being about to honour him yet farther, by his sufferings and death, which would display his perfections, particularly his infi- nite love to the human race, in the most astonishing and amiable light, he was in his turn to receive honour from his father; intimating that his human nature was to be exalted to the right hand of Ora- ripotence ; and that his mission from God was to be supported by irrefragable attestations. But his disciples, imagining that he spake of the glory of a temporal kingdom^ their ambition was again I'evived, and they began to dispute with as much keenness as ever, which of them should be the greatest in 492 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD that kingdom. This contention Jesus suppressed by the arguments he had formerly used for the same purpose. Among the Gentiles, said he, they are reckoned the greatest who have the greatest power, and have exercised it in the most absolute manner : but your greatness shall be very different from theirs ; it shall not consist in being unlimited with reijard to tyrannical power, even though it should be joined with an affectation of titles, which denote qualities truly honourable ; but whosoever :2esireH to be great, or chief among you, let hira be so by his humility, and the service he renders to the rest, m imitation of me, your Master, whose great- ness consists in this, that I am become the servant of you all. Adding, as they had continued with lum m this temptation, he would bestow upon them such a kingdom as his Father had appointed for him. At the same time, to check their ambition, and lead them to form a just notion of his kingdom, he told them, that he was soon to leave them, and that whither he was going they could not at that time follow hira, for which reason, instead of con- tending with one another which of them should be the greatest, they would do well to be united among themselves, in the happy bond of love. For by loving one another sincerely and fervently, they would prove themselves his disciples, to the con- viction of mankind, who could not be ignorant that love was a distinguishing part of his cha- racter. This is termed a new commandment, not because mutual love had never been enjoined to mankind before, but because, it was a precept of peculiar excellency : for the word, translated New, in the HebreAv language, denotes excellency and truth ; he also called this a new commandment, because Vi AND SAVIOUR JESUS CfriUST. 493 thoy were to exercise it under a new relation, ac- cording to a new measure, and from new motives. They were to love one another, in the relation of his disciples, and in that degree of love which he had showed to them ; for they were to lay down their lives for their brethren. • This excellent doctrine, however, did not make such an impression on Peter, as the words which Jesus had spoken concerning a place where his disciples could not come. He therefore replied by asking where he was going ? To which Jesus an- swered, " Whither I go, thou canst not follow mo now, but shalt follow me afterwards." In order to make his disciples farther humble, watchful, and kindly affectionate one towards ano- ther, he assured them that Satan was seeking to ruin them all by his temptations. « And the Lord said, Sunon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he might sift you ns wheat : but I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not ; and when thou art converted strengthen thy brethren." Pe- ter was greatly offended that his Master should have singled him out as the weakest : for so he interpreted his praying for him, particularly : and supposing tiiat he mentioned Satan's seeking to sift him, as the thing which would hinder him from following his Master, replied. Why cannot I follow thee now? Is there any road more terrible than the dark val- ley of the shadow of death ? yet through these black and gloomy shades I am willing this moment to accompany thee. Jesus, knowing his weak, though sincere resolu- tion, answered, Art thou so very confident of thine own strength ? I tell thee, that this very night, before the cock crows, thou shalt thrice deny nje to be thy Master. Vi 494 THE LIFK OF OUR LORD Our blessed Saviour having finiRherl what he had to say to Peter in particular, turned himself to his other disciples, and put them in mind that when they were first sent out, he directed them to rely wholly upon t'le Almighty for assistance. When I sent you formerly, said he, to preach the gospel, you may remember I ordered you to go without any provision, either for your sustenance or defence, assuring you, that, though you would indeed meet with great opposition, yet Providence would dispose some men in all places to be your friends, and to furnish you with all neccFsaries ; and accordingly you found that you wanted for nothing, but were wonderfully supported, without any care or provision of your own, in the whole journey, and finished your work with success. But now the case is very different : the time of that greatest trial and distress, wherefore I have often forewarned you, is just at hand ; and you may now make all the provision in your power, aiid arm yourselves against it as much as you are able. I have finished the work for which I was sent into the world : and nothing now remains for me, but to undergo those sufferings which the prophets have foretold concerning me, and to complete this whole dispensation of Providence, by submitting at last to a cruel and ignominious death. The disciples, thinking their great Master meant that they should arm themselves in a literal sense, and endeavour to oppose the assaults that would shortly be made upon them by the Jews, answered, " Lord, here are two swords :" but the blessed Je- sus, who only intended to convey an idea of their approachig distress and temptations, and to arm them against the surprise, i-eplied, (It is enough) you need not trouble yourselves about any more weapons of this nature for your defence. AND SAVIOUR JESU8 CIimST. 491 Be not terrified and disconsolate, added the com- passionate Jeaus, because I Iiave told you that I must undergo great sufferings, and be taken away from you for a time. You have always been taught to believe in God, who is the Almighty Preserver and Governor of all things ; and to re!y on him for deliverance in every affliction and distress. Learn now, in like manner, to believe in me, who have all power committed to me, as a Preserver and Head of my Church : and trust in me to accom- plish fully all things that I have promised you. If you do this, and persist steadfastly in the belief in my doctrine, and in the obedience of my commands, nothing in this vale of misery, not even persecution, or death itself, shall be aide to hinder you from attaining the happiness 1 have proposed to you. For in heaven, my Father's house, there is abundant loom to receive you : otherwise I would not have filled your minds with the hopes and expectation of happiness. But as there are mansions sufficient for you, in another state, you may with confidence and assurance hope for the full accomplishment of my promises, notwithstanding all this present world may contrive to act against you. And ye ought also to bear patiently my departure from you, at this time ; since I only leave you to prepare a place, and open the portals of those eternal iiabita- tions, where I shall be ever with you. " VVlien I have prepared a place for you in that eternal state, I will again return and take you to myself. Nor shall you evermore be separated from me, but con- tinue with me to all eternity, in full participation of my eternal glory and happiness, in the blissful re- gions of the heavenly Canaan. You must now surely know whither I am going, and the way that leads to these happy seats of immortality." i hi 1 1 4nG Tlin LIFE OP OUR LORD But the disciples, whose minds were not yet fully weaned from the expectation of a temporal power and glory, did not understand this discourse of their great and beloved Master. Accordingly, Thomas replied, Lord we cannot comprehend whither thou art going, and therefore must needs be ignorant of the way. To which the blessed Jesus answered, I myself, as I have often told you, am the true and only way to life ; nor can any man go thither by any other way. If ye say ye do not know the Father, I tell you, that no man who knoweth me, can be ignorant of my Father, of his will, and the manner of pleas- ing him ; for my Father and I are one : so that if ye know me, ye must know the Father also. And, indeed, ye do know him, and have been sufficiently instructed in his precepts. Philip answered, Lord show us but once the Fa- ther, and we shall be fully satisfied. Jesus replied, have I been so continually with you, and dost thou not yet know me, Philip 1 I tell you, I and my Father are the same ; that is, we agree in one in respect to every thing I have deli- vered to you : 80 that to know one, is to be ac- quainted with both. What then can you mean by desiring to see the Father, as if you could be still ignorant of him, after being so long acquainted with me ? Do you not believe that the Father and I are one and the same? Whatsoever I speak is the declaration of his will, and whatsoever I do is the operation of his power. Believe me, that the Fa- ther and I are one. And if ye refuse to believe my own affirmation, yet at least, let my works convince you ; for they carry in them undeniable evidencea of a divine power. Surely then you have matter sufficient to com- AND SAVIOUU .JESUS CHRIST. 4.97 i once the Fa- [icient to com- fort anou concernmg the greatness of my love towards you, m choosing you to be my apostles, in revealine unto you he whole will of my Father, and in lav ? down my life for you ; 1 havi urged i.^ [„ uS § upon you for this reason chiefly, as I at first old you that ye may learn after my examifle, o l^o wi4 hatet", ''" ""'^^'^ ^"^-^' y^^ "lust expTc? whl hate and persecute you upon my account. But this you ought not to be surprised Ir ten^Hed at • knowing ,t ,8 no worse treatment than 1 myself have met with, before you. ^ Be not, therefore, surprised when ye meet with opposition ; nor think to find better La meVtii he wodd, than I myself have done, llemember vvhat I have already told you, that the disciple is not above Ins Master ; nor is he that is sent, greater than he that sent him. If men had geneiXand readily embraced my doctrine, you might, indeed; have ,onie reason to expect that they%ould will! ugly have received yours also. But since 1 myself have suffered great mdiguitiea and persecutions fiom wicked and perverse, from obstinate and in- corrigible men, only for opposing their vices, it is highly reasonable that you should expect to under! fl-u !? treatment upon the like account. In all which suffenngs you will, moreover, have this fur- I 1 1 t- j 506 TIIK LIFE OF OUR LORD i i ther comfortable consideration to support you, that the justice of your own cause, and the injustice of your persecutors, will, by that means, most evident* ly appear ; seeing ye are persecuted only for pro- fessing and preaching in my name the doctrine of true religion and virtue ; and they persecute you only because they know not God, and out of mere malice will not bear to be instructed in his com- mands. Indeed, had I not appeared to the world with all possible demonstrations of authority and truth, teaching men a most holy and undeniable doctrine, sufficient to reform their manners and amend their lives, and moreover demonstrating my divine com- mission by such proofs as ought to satisfy and con- vince the most doubting and suspicious minds, they might have had some plea and excuse of ignorance for their unbelief. But now, since all reasonable evidence has been offered them, and proper methods used for their conversion and salvation, and yet they wilfully and obstinately reject these means of grace, it is plain they have no excuse for their sin : but they oppose and persecute you only because they wiii not forsake their worldly lusts, and out of mere malice will not bear to be instructed in the commands of the Almighty. So that those who oppose and persecute you, as they have before p^'*- secuted me, show plainly that they are haters i God, and of his most holy commandments. Whicu is, as I have already told you, a plain evidence of the justice of your cause, and of the injustice of your persecutors. If I had not, I say, done such works among them as no man ever did, they might, indeed, have had some appearance of excuse for their sin. But now, having seen abundant proofs of my authority, and AM) SAVIOUU JKSUS CIIUIST. 507 undeniable evidence of tlie truth of my doctrine, and yet wilfully and obstinately persisting to oppose it, because inconsistent with their lusts ; it is plain that their dishonouring me is a dishonour done to God himself, and a direct contempt of his com- nmnds ; so that they are utterly inexcusable. But it is no wonder, when men have given themselves wholly up to be governed by worldly affections, passions, and vices, they should act contrary to all the reason and evidence in the world. For this is but the natural consequence of obstinate and habitual wickedness ; and hereby is only fulfilled in me what holy David long since prophetically complain- ed of, that they hated him without a cause. But notwithstanding all the opposition that wicked and incorrigible men will make against my doctrine, there will not be wanting powerful pro- moters of it, who shall effectually overcome all op- position. For the Comforter, whom 1 said 1 will send you from heaven, even that Spirit of truth, which Cometh forth, and is sent from the Father, shall, when he cometh, with wonderful eHicacy, bear testimony to the truth of my doctrine, and cause it to be spread through the world with incre- dible success. Nay, and ye yourselves, also, though now so weak, fearful, and doubting, shall ihen very powerfully bear testimony to the truth of all the things, whereof ye, having been all along present with me, have been eye-witnesses from the begin- ning. Thus have I warned you, beforehand, of the op- position and persecution ye must expect to meet with, in the world, that when it cometh, ye may not be surprised and terrified so as to be discouraged thereby from persisting in the performance of your duty. < I \ \ m Tllf-, LIFE OF OUR LORD \l 1 1 You must expect, particularly that the chief jinests, and rulers of the Jews, men of great hypo- crisy and superstition, zealous for their ceremonies and ritual traditions, but careless to know and obey the will of Omnipotence in matters of great and eternal obligation, and invincibly prejudiced against the spiritual holiness and purity of ray doctrine : these, I say, you must expect will excommunicate you as apostates, and cast you out of their societies, as the vilest of malefactors. Nay, to such an absurd height of malice will their superstition carry them, that they will even fancy they promote the service of God, and the cause of religion, when they most barbarously murder and destroy you. But I have warned you of ail this, beforehand, that ye may prepare and fortify yourselves against it ; and that when it cometh to pass, ye may remember, I fore- told it to you, and your faith iu me may thereby be strengthened. It was needless to acquaint you with these scenes of sufferings, while I was with yon. But now being about to leave you, T think it necessary to acquaint you what things are likely to come upon you after my departure, and also, at the same time, what comfort you may expect to support you under them. Now I must mention the melancholy part, namely, that I am going from you, and that great tempta- tions will befall you, in my absence ; this indeed, ye readily apprehend, and suffer your hearts to be overwhelmed with grief at the thoughts of it. But the comfortable part of my discourse, namely, that my departure is only in order to return to him that sent me, and that I will soon after send you the Holy Spirit, and the other advantages that will thence result to you, are neither considered, nor arc you solicitous about them. Nevertheless, if ye AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRISt. v.'ill listen, I will plainly tell you the truth. Ye aie 80 far from having reason to be dejected at the tiioujjhts of my departure, that on the contrary, it IS really profitable and expedient for you that I sitould now depart ; for such is the order and dis- l»f!nRation of Providerce towards you, and the {i].j)(.iiitinent of my Father's eternal and all-wise counsel, that before I go and take possession of my liHigdom, the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, cannot be sent unto you : but when I am departed from you, and have all power in heaven and earth committed unto me, then I will send him unto you. And when he cometh he shall abundantly support and comfort you under all your troubles : shall powerfully plead your cause against your ad- versaries, and shall with wonderful efficacy, cause the doctrine of the gospel to spread and prevail in the world against all opposition. He shall particu- larly, and in a most extraordinary and convincing manner, make the world sensible of the greatness and heinousness of a sin of which they were not aware ; of the righteousness and justice of a dispensation they did not understand, and of the execution of a most remarkable judgment they did not expect. First, by wonderfully attesting and confirming the truth of my doctrine, by the gift of tongues, and other wonderful signs, he shall convince the world of the greatness and heinousness of their sins, in disbelieving and rejecting me. Secondly, by demonstrating that my departure out of the woi'ld was not perishing and dying, but only returning to my Father, in order to be in- vested with all power both in heaven and earth, he shall convince the world of the righteousness and justice of my cause, and of the excellency of tiiat dispensation, which I preach and declare to niankind. B^ if 510 THE LIFE OP OUR LORD Wl J w Lastly, by mightily destroying the power of the devil and the dominion of sin, and propagating the doctrinef of true religion in the world, with wonder- ful efficacy and success, he shall convince men of my power and authority, to execute judgment upon mine enemies, for the establishment of my kingdom upon earth. There are yet many other things hereafter to be done in relation to the settling and establishing of my church, which if it were proper, I would now acquaint you with, but ye are not yet prepared to understand and recewe them. Howbeit, when the Spirit of truth, whom I pro- mised you, is come, he shall enlarge youi.' under- standings, remove your prejudices, and instruct you in all necessary and divine truths, to enable you to go through that great work which I have begun in person, and which I will carry on by your ministry, for the Spirit is not to begin any new work, or to found any new doctrine, of himself. But as I have taught and will teach you only iu my Father's name, so the Spirit shall instruct you only in mine and my Fatlier's will, and in things neces- sary to promote and carry on the same design. Every thing that he does shall be only in order to manifest my glory, and establish my religion in the world : even as every thing that I have done has been to manifest my Father's glory, and reveal his will to mankind. For as all that I have taught is only what I received from my Father, so all that the Spirit shall teach you, is only what he receives from me. Whatsoever I say, the Spirit shall teach you, is only what he receives from me : for receiving from my Father, I call receiving from me, and teaching his will, is teaching mine ; seeing all things tliat 3 receives AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. fiH the Father hath are common to me, and all power and doramion by him committed to me. And now be careful to remember what matter for comfort I have given you, and support your- selves with it under the approaching distress. It IS now, indeed but a very little while before I shall be taken away from you ; nevertheless let not this cause you to despair ; for after I am departed, it will be also a httle while before I appear to ;ou again ; forasmuch as my being taken away fi-om Fa'ther ""^^ P®"^^^"^' ^"t only returning to my a.lt]*''?^^^!' T''''*^!^^ *^^'"^' *^« disciples were greatly disturbed and troubled, not understanding his true meaning, that in a very short time he should be taken from them by death ; and that after having overcome death, by a glorious resur- rection, he r;ould appear to them again, before hia ascension into heaven. Not understanding this, I say, they inquired one of another, what can he niean by telling us, that in a very little time he shall be taken out of our sight ; and that in a very little time more we shall see him again, and this because he goeth to the Father ? We cannot un- derstand the meaning of all this. Jesus, observing their perplexity, and knowing that they were desirous of asking him, replied! Why are ye thus disturbed and perplexed about what I told you ? Is it a thing so very hard to be understood, that I said, within a very little time I Should be taken away from you, and that within a very httle time more I should appear to you again ? Verily, verily, I tell you, I must very soon depart out ot this world. Then the world, who are your enemies, will rejoice and triumph over you, as if they had destroyed me, and wholly suppressed you ; ^'1 I 6I'J TlIK Line or Ollll I.OHI) iiiijl yo fcir ytation, wliich hhall bofall you in my abHonco, will bo full of Horrow and anxiety of mind : but when I roturn to you a/,Mnn, thon HJiall yo rr y« J\ t that ti.no yo Hhall with firm aHKuranno pray to my ■ II these my servants to preach my doctrines with suc- cess ana eflicacy for the salvation of men. Neither pray 1 for these my apostles only, but for all others who shall, by their preaching and practice, promote thy true religion ; and being converted from the world, may, by their sincere endeavours, go on to reform others, convincing the world of the excel- lency of their religion, and consequently enforcing men to acknowledge the truth and divine authority thereof. For promoting which great end, I have communicated to ray apostles the same power and authority of doing mighty works for the confirma- tion of their doctrine, and the evidence of thy truth, as thou didst communicate to me : that so [ working in them, aa thou hast done in me, and thus confirmed with great efficacy and demonstration of the Spirit, they may declare the same doctrine winch I published in person ; the world may, by this evidence, be convinced that I was really sent by thee, and that my disciples act by the same di- vine commission. " Holy and Almighty Father, all those whom thou hast given me, who have heartily embraced my doctrine, and sincerely obeyed it, I desire that thou wouldst make them partakers of the same hap- piness with myself, and exalt them to behold the incomprehensible glory which I had with thee, in thy eternal love, before the foundation of the world. The generality of mortals, O righteous Father ! have not known thee, nor been willing to embrace and obey the revelation of thy will. But I have known thy will, and have made it known to my disciples, men of simplicity and honesty ; and they have em- braced and obeyed it. And I will continually make It known to them more and more, that they may grow up and improve iu faith, in holiness, and in all AND SAVIOUR JKSUS CI1IU8T. 519 good works, so ns iinally to arrive, and cause oihera to arrive, at that titornal liappiuesa wluch is tho oftuet of thy infinite love towards me, aud through 1110 towards tiieiii." Tliis pious and benevolent prayer being ended, Jesus and liis disciples eyiuo down fronr the mount of Olives, into a Held below, called (iethsemane, through which the brook of Cedron ran, aud in it, on tho other side of tho brook, was a garden, called the garden of (.Jethsenmne. Here he desired his disci|)le8 to bit down, till he should retire to pray, taking with him I'eter, James, and John, those three select disci ploa, whom he had before chosen to be witnesses of his transfiguration, aud now to be eye witnesses of his passion, leaving the other dis- ciples at the garden door, to watch the approach of Judas and his band. The HufferingH ho was on the point of undergo were so great, that the very prospect of them ex- cited this doleful exclamation : " My soul is ex- ceeding sorrowful, even uiua utu ii : tarry ye here, and watch." On this gn at occasion he sustained those grievous sorrows in liis soul, by winch, as well as by dying on the cross, he became a sin- offering, and accomplished the redemption of man- kind. He now withdrew from them about a stone's cast, and his human nature being overburdened beyond measure, lit found it necessary to retire and pray, that if it was possible, or consistent wi'h the salva tion- of tho world, he might be delivered from the sufferings which were then lying on him. (t was not the fear of dying on the cross which ina^lc him speak or pray in such a njunner. To suppose this, would infinitely degrade liis character. Make his sufferings as terrible as possible, clothe them , / ! J r»*H *.S^,,^i^^4^.^^»^»^,^^^^, ["tf^-**** # >* '• -.'A^ *m9*o 520 TMK LIFK OK OUR LORD With all the aggravating circumRtances of distregg ; yet the blessed Jesus, whose huiuun nature was itrengtheiied by being connected with the divine, could not but shrink at the prospect of such suffer- ings as he had to endure. He addresses his divine J^ather mtli a sigh of fervent wishes that the cup might, if possible, be removed from him. In the Crreek it is, « that thou wouldst remove this cup from lue !" And liaving first kneeled and prayed, lie fell prostrate on his face, accompanying his ad- dress with due expressions of resignation, addinjr, immediately, « Not as I will, but as thou wilt." Having prayed, he returned to his discioles, and finding them asleep, he said to Peter, ♦' Simon. Bleepest thou ? couldst thou not watch one hour ?" Ihou, who so lately didst boast of thy courage and constancy in my service, canst thou so soon forget thy Master ? ** But in his greatest distress he never lost sight of that kind concern he had for his disciples. "Watch ye, says he, and pray, lest ye enter into temptation." Neither was he, on those extraordinary occasions, in the least chagrined with the ofiFences which they had committed through frailty and human weak- ness ; on the contrary, he was always willing to make excuses for them ; alleging their defence, that the spirit truly was willing but the flesh was weak. It seems, from these particulars, that he spent some considerable time in his addresses ; be- cause his disciples fell asleep in his absence, and he himself retired again to pray ; for the sorrows of our Lord continuing to increase upon him, affected him to such a degree, that he retired a second time, and prayed to the same purpose, saying, «0 my i^ather, if this cup may not pass away from me. •xcept I drink it, thy will be done :" after which it if J J i AND SAVIOUR JKSUS CHItlST. M 21 he returned again to them, and found them asleep, tor their eyea wore heavy." He returned thus frequently to his disciples, that tuey, by reading his distress in hia countenance and gesture, might be witnesses of his passion, which proves that his pains were beyond description in- tense and complicated : for he went away the third time to pray, and notwithstanding an angel was sent from heaven to comfort and strengthen him, yet they overwhelmed him, and threw lum into an agony : upon which he still continued to pray more earnestly. But the sense of his suffering still increasing, they strained hia whole body to so violent a degree, that his blood, as it were, was pressed through the pores of his skin, which it pervaded, together with his sweat, and fell down in large drops on the ground. « And he left them, and went away again. And there appeared an angel unto him from hea- ven, strengthening him. And being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly : and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Thus did he suffer unspeakable sorrows in his soul, as lon^; as the divine Wisdom thought proper. At length he obtained relief, being heard on ac- count of his perfect and entire submission to the will of his heavenly Father. « And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow." This circum- stance shows how much the disciples were affected with their Master's sufferings. The sensations of grief which they felt on seeing his unspeakable dis- tress so overpowered them, that they sunk into a sleep. Our blessed Saviour, for the last time, came to 522 THIS LIII<: OF OUIl LOUD his disciples, and seeing them still asleep, he said, *' Sleep on now, and take your rest ; behold, the hour is at hand, und the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going : behold he is at hand that doth betray me." Mat. xvvi. 45, &c. Tlie event will soon be over, which causes your sorrow : I am betrayed, and ready to be delivered unto death. CHAPTER XXXIV. • THE BLESSED IIKDKEMKR IS TAKKN BY A BAND OF SOLDIKllS, AT TIIli: INJ'OUMATION OF THE TRAITOR JUDAS. mCALS A WOUND (JIVEN THE HlGH-nUESTS SERVANT, BY SIMON PETER. Judas, who had often resorted to the garden of Getusemane, with the disciples of our Lord, know- ing the spot, und the usual time of his Master's i'e[)airing thither, informed the chief priests and elders tliat the proper time for apprehending Jesus was now come. They therefore sent a band of sol- diers with him, and servants carrying lanterns and torches to show them the way ; because, though it was always full moon at the passover, the sky might be dark with clouds, and tlie place whither they were going was shaded with trees. At the same time a deputation of their immber accompanied the baud, to see that every one did his duty. Judas having thus received a band of men and officers from the chief pi'iests and Pharisees, they went thither with lanterns and torches, and wea- pons ; for they were exceeding anxious to secure and get him into their hands ; and the soldiers, '* tff tt*rjif^^ '^-.* i!*%s«i*,.*-- AND SAVlOUll JISSUS CIIIUST. 523 having, perhaps, never seen Jesus before, found it necesuary tiiat Judas should distinguish him, and point him out to them by some particular sign. The treacherous Judas went before the band, at u »inull distance, to prepare them for the readier execution of their oltice, by kissing his Master, which was the tolcen agreed upou, tliat they miglit not mistake liim, and seize a wrong person. " And he tliat was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus, to kiss him." Stung with remorse at the horrid engagement into which he h&d entered, and not being now able to retract from the execution of it, he determined to make use >' ?t in liis vile proceedings, and weakly imagine(^ ould deceive him whom he was about to betray, un a suppositi'"' that when he should give the kiss, it might be considered by his Master as a singular mark of his affection. When, there- fore, they approached near the spot, Judas (who was at the head of the band,) suddenly ran forward and coming up to Jesus, said, *' Hail, Master 1 and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him. Friend, wherefore art tiiou come 1 Betrayest tliou the Sou of man with a kiss V Before, however, Judas could make any reply, the band, (who had fixed their eyes on the person he had kissed,) arrived immediately, and surrounded Jesus. The artifice and wicked designs of the base and perfidious Judas are here manifestly displayed, la order to conceal his villany from his Master and disciples, he walked hastily ; and without waiting for the band, went up directly and saluted him ; wishing perhaps, to have that considered as a token of apprizing him of his danger. But Jesus did not fail to convince him that he knew the meaning and intei: of his salutation, saying, "Betrayest thou I 524 THE LIKE OF OUR LORD the Son of man with a kiss 1" Judas certainly con- cealed his treachery 80 well, that Peter did not sus- pect him, or it is probable he would have struck at hira rather than at Malchus, the high-priest's ser- vant. The appointed time of our Lord's sufferings being now come, he did not, as formerly, avoid his ene- mies ; but, on the contrary, on their telling him they sought Jesus of Nazareth, he replied, I am he; thereby intimating to them, that he was willing to put himself into their hands. At the same time, to show them that they could notappreheftd him with- out his own consent, he, i)i an extraordinary man- ner, exerted his divine power ; he made the whole band fall back, and threw them to the ground. " Jesus, therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, whom seek ye ? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said unto them, I am he. And Judas also, who betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground." But the soldiers and the Jews, imagining, perhaps, that they had been thrown down by some demon or evil spirit, with whom the Jews said he was in confede- racy, advanced towards hira a second time. « Then asked he them again. Whom seek ye 1 And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he," expressing again his willingness to fall into their hands. " If, therefore, ye seek me, let these go their way.'* If your business be with me alone, suffer my disciples to pass : for the party had surrounded them also. He seems to have made this request to the soldiers, that the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, <-' of them which thou gavest m© have I lost none." For as AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 525 he always proportioned the trials of his people to their strength ; so here he took care that the dis- ciples should escape the storm, which none but himself could sustain. At length one of the soldiers, more daring than the rest, rudely caught Jesus, and bound him ; upon which Peter drew his sword, and smote off the ear of the high-priest's servant, who probably was showing greater forwardness than the rest in this business. " Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it, and smote the high-priest*8 servant, and cut off his right tiar ; the servant's name was Malchus." The enraged disciple was on the point of singly at- tacking the whole band, when Jesus ordered him to sheatli his sword ; telling him that his unseason- able and imprudent defence might prove the occa- sion of his destruction. " Tiieu said Jesus unto him, Put up again ti^y sword into its place : for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." Mat. xxvi. 52. He told him likewise, that it implied both a distrust of God, who can al- ways employ a variety of means for the safety of his people, and also his ignorance in the scriptures : " Thinkest thou, said he, ihat I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels ? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be ?" Mat. xxvi. 53. The word legion was a Roman military term, being a name which they gave to a body of five rr six thousand men ; wherefore in regard that the band, which now surrounded them, was a Roman cohort, our Lord might make use of this term, by way of contrast, to show what an inconsiderable thing the cohort was, in comparison of the force he could summon to his assistance ; more than twelve k fi% run LIPK OK Oiril LORD '" lejjions, not of 8oUlier», but of angeln. He yet was tenderly inclined to prevent any bad conReiiuonceH which miKht hnvo flowed from Peter's rashnesH, by healing the Hervniit, and adding, in his rebuke to '•""» a l n I.OIID that IVter left the porch, whore the second denial happened, and was come a^aiu in*o the hall. " Here ono of the servaiitH of the high-prient (being his kinsman whose ear I'oter cut off,) baith, did 1 not see theo in the jjanlon with him { P.^ter then de- nied again, and immediately the cock crow." The words of Malnhns' kinHuian bringing to Peter's re- membrance what he had done to that man, threw him into such a panic, that when those that stood by repeated the diargo, he impudently denied it : " He oven began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak." For when they hoard Peter deny the charge, they supported it by an argument drawn from the accent with which he pronounced his answer. Surely thou art one of them ; for thou art a Cialilean, and thy speech agreeth thereto ; so that being pressed on all sides, to give his lie the better colour, he profaned the name of God, by imprecating the bitterest curses on himself if he was telling a falsehood. Perhaps lie hoped, by these acts of impiety, to convince them effectually that he was not the disciple of the holy Jesus. Thus the apostle denied hia Master, three distinct times, with oaths and asseverations, totally forget- ting the vehement protestations he had made, a few hours before, that he would never deny him. He was, probably, permitted to fall in this manner, to teach us two lessons : first, that the strongest reso- lutions formed in our own strength cauuot witli- stand the torrent of temptation ; secondly, that the true disciples of Christ, though they fall, may bo brought to a conviction of their sin ; for he no soouer denied his Master the third time than the cock crew, and first awakened in him a consciousness of his sin. "And the Lord turned and looked upon AND MAVroUft JKSirS CHRIST. 531 Petor ; and Peter renion»l)ere(l tlie wordn of the Lord, how ho had said unto hhn, JJeforo the cock crow, thou Hhalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wopt bitterly." St. Luke is the evange- list who particularly mentions this beautiful cir- cumstance of Christ turning and looking on Peter. Tho members of the council who sat on Jesus were placed at the upper end of the hall : at the other were the servants, with Peter, at the fire : so that Jesus being, probably, placed on 8on>e eminence, that U'lH judges, who were numerous, might see and hear him, could easily look over towards Peter, and observe him denying him, and in passionate terms, loud enough to be heard, perhaps, over all the place. The look pierced him, and, with the crowing of the cock, brought his Master's predic- tion fresh into his mind. Jje was stung with deep remorse, and being unable to contain himself, he covered his face with his garment, to conceal the confusion he was in, and going out into the porch, wept very bitterly. All this passed while tlie priests examined Jesus, with many taunts and re- vilings ; and while the most zealous of Christ's dis- ciples was denying him with oaths and imprecations, the people insulted him in the most inhuman man- l^er. Thus a complication of injuries, insults, and indignities, was at one time heaped upon the ulessed Redeemer, the meek and mild Jesus, in order to fulfil the prophecies concerriing him, and teach his followers a lesson of humility. n 532 TflE LI PR or OItU LOUD CHAPTER XXXVI. THE SAVIOUR OP TIIK WORLD IS ARP.AIONKD AT THE BAR OF THK SANHEDRi.M, AND TRIED BY THB JEWISH COUNCIL. Whrn the band of Boldiers arrived at the high- priest's, with Jesus, they found there all the chief priests, the Bcribes, and the eiders, assembled. " And as soon as it was day, the e lers of the people and the chief priests, and the scribes c;nne toge- ther, and led him into their council. And the high- priest asked Jesus of his disciples, and his doctrine." He inquired of him what his disciples were ? for what end he had gathered them ? whether it was to mako himself a king ? and what the doctrine was which he taught them ? In these questions there was a great deal of art ; for as the crime laid to our Saviour's charge was that he had set up for the Messiah, and deluded the people, t'.iey expected he would claim that dignity in their presence, and so would, on his own confession, have condemned him without any farther progress. This was unfair, as it was artful and ensnaring. To oblige a prisoner on his trial to confess what niight take away his life was a very inequitable method of proceeding ; and Jesus expressed his opinidn thereof with very good reason, and complained of it, bidding them prove what they had laid to Ins charge by witnesses. " Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world : I ever taught in the syna- gogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort ; and in secret have I said nothing. Why a^kest thou me ? ask them which lieard me, what I have said unto them : behold, they know what I AND SAVIOl'U JKSUS CHJirST. 633 Raid." It was greatly to the honour of our blesspd Redeemer, that all his actions were doue in public, under the oyo ev«n of hit) enemies : because had he been carrying; on any imposture, the lovers of goo had thus spok^a, ■ 'e of the officers, which stood by, struck Jef ur. v/itii the palm of his hand, saying, answerest tl oi. th*^ L',jh- priest so 1" To which he meekly replit. I, with r le greatest se- renity, " if I have spoken ev ' hvu** witness of the evil : but if well, why smitest thou me i" Show me, prove before this court, wherein my crime con- sists, or record it on the evidence on tiio face of my trial ; which, if you cannot, how can you answer this inhuman treatment to a defenceless prisoner, standing on his trial before the world, and in open court ? Thus Jesus became an example of his own pre- cept, " whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, tui'u to him the other also." Mat. v. 39 ; bearing the greatest injuries with a patience that could not be provoked. When the council found that Jesus declined an- swering the questions, whereby they expected to have drawn from him an acknowledgment of his being the Messiah, they proceeded to examine many witnesses, to prove his having assumed that charac- ter : as they considered such a pretension as blas- phemy in his mouth, wiio being only a man, ac- cording to their opinion, could not, without the highest affront to the divine Majesty, pretend to the title of the Son of God, as it belonged only to the Messiah. 531 TIIK t.lFK OK Ollll l.UUI) Hut ill tluH oxamiimtioii tliuy act»d liUo inter- eiUul iiDci oiirii^tMJ poi'HovutorH, rutlior (liaii an iinpaH.iiil ju(l|{H. howovt-r, diHuppointod thoni, Bomo of tht«m disa^rroinfj in their Htory, and othi^iH tnontioniiiK things of no manner of importance. At last, two pt'rHOHH a^^ref-d in their (h'ponitionH, nan»ely, in iiearing him Hay, tiuit ho wan able to dcNtroy tliu temple of (Jod, and to raise it in three days. Jhit tliiH teHtiniony was absolutely falHO ; for our great Kedeomer never Hai vain, said to him, J adjure you so- lomnty, by the droadtul and trcniondouH iiamo of (»od, in whoHG prcsonco you stand, that you toll mo, plainly and truly, whether you are the Messiah^ the Son of (iod. Tho c(>n'H«'([nonco attending the confession of tho truth, did not, intimidate tlie blosHed desuH : for being injured by tho chief magistrate, he immedi- atoly acknowle(igod the charge; adding, Ye sh.all shortly see a convincing evidence of ihin truth, in that wonderful and unparalleled destruction which 1 will send upon the Jewish nation ; in tho quick and powerful progreHs which tho gospel shall uuike upon the earth : »nd, finally, in my glorious appear- ance in tlie clouds of heaven, at tlie last day, tho sign you have so often dcmandod in conlirntation of my mission. Upon our blessed Saviour's making thirt answer, a number of them cried out at once. " Art thou the Son of Uod V To wliicdi our great iiedeenier replied, " Ye say that I am :" a manner of speak- ing anjong the Jews, which expret-sed a plain and strong alUruiation of the thing expresKed. When the high-priest heurd this second asser- tion, ho rent his clothes, with great indignation, and said unto the cxmncil. Why need we trouVde our- selves to seek for any more witnesses ? Yo your- .5 3*5 TIIK LIFR 01' OUR TORn selves, nay, this whole assembly, are witnesses, that he hath spoken manifest and notorious blasphemy : What think ye ? To which they all replied, that for assuming to himself the character of the Mes- siah, he deserved to be put to death. Then began the servants and common people to fall upon him as a man already condemnewioIe proceeding ; AND SAVIOUR JRSUS CHRIST. 541 and therefore they answered, We have no power to put any one to death, as this man certainly deserves, wlio has attempted not only to make innovations in our religion, but also to set up himself for a king. The eagerness of the Jews to get Jesus condemn- ed by the Roman governor, who often sentenced malefactors to be crucified, tended to fulfil the say- ing of our great Redeemer, who, during the course of his ministry, had often mentioned what kind of death he vvris, by the counsel of his Father, ap- pointed to die. Pilate finding it impossible to prevent a tumult, unless he proceeded to try Jesus, ascended again the judgment-seat, and commanded his accusers to pro* duce their accusations against him. Accordingly, they accused him of seditious practices, affirmmg that he had used every method in hi.s power to dis- suade the people from paying taxes to Caesar, pre- tending that he himself was the Messiah, the great king of the Jews, so long expected. But they brought no proof of these assertions. They only insinuated, that they had already convicted him of this assertion ; which was absolutely false. Pilate, however, asked him, Is it true what these men lay to your charge, that, you have, indeed, attempted to set up yourself as King of the Jews ? to which Je- sus replied, Have you ever during your stay in this province, heard any thing of me, that gave you rea- son to suspect me guilty of secret practices and se- ditious designs against the government 1 Or do you found your question only on the present cla- mour and tumult that is raised against me ? If this be the case, be very careful lest you be imposed on merely by the ambiguity of a word : for, to be King of the Jews is not to erect a temporal throne, iu opposition to that of Caesar, but a thing of a H] 542 TIIK 1,1 r-K OK OUU LORD yory diffoient nature ; tlio kingdom of the Messiah 18 a heavenly kingdoni. To which Pilate replied, Am I a Jew ? Can I tell what your (expectations are, and in what sense you understand tliuae words i the rulers and chiefs of your own people, who are the most proper judges of these particulars, have brought you before me as a riotous and seditious person ; if this be not the' truth, let me know what is, and the crime thou hast been guilty of. Jesus answeivd, I have, indeed, a kingdom, and this kingdom I have professed to establish. But then it m not of this world, nor have my endeavours to establish it any tendency to cause disturbances 111 the government. For, had that beep the case, my servants would have fought .for me, and not suffered me to have fallen into the hands of the Jew^. But I tell you plahily, my kingdom is wholly spiritual. I reign in the hearts of my people, and subdue their wills and affections into a couformitv to the will of God. ^ You acknowledge them, in general, answered 1 date, that you have professed to be a king ? To which the blessed JesutJ replied, b the sense I have told you, I have declared, and do now declare myself to be a king. For this very end 1 was born, and for this purpose I came into the world, that I should bear witI^es8 to the truth ; and whosoever sincerely loves, aad is always ready to embrace the truth, Will hear my testimony, and be convinced by it. Pilate answered, « What is truth ?" And imme- diately went out to the Jews, and said unto them 1 have agam examined this man, but cannot find turn guilty of any fault, which, according to the Koman law, is wori'hy of deatli. AND SAVroUR JK8US CHRIST. 5i3 TIlis G;en(?rouH declaration made by the governor, of the innocence of our bleased Saviour, had no effect on the superHtitioua and bigotted Jews. They even persiKtod in their accusatioiiH witli more ve- hemence than before, affirming that ho had at- tempted to raise a sedition in Galilee : " He Htirred up," Haid they, « the people, beginning from (Jalilee to this place." JeHus, however, made no answer at all to thia heavy charge. Nay, he continued Hilent, notwith- standing the governor hiniHolf exprcHwly required him to speak in hiu own dffenco. A conduct so extraordinary, in such ciroumHlanceH, aHtonished Pilate exceedingly : for he had groat rnaHon to be persuaded of the innocence of our dear Jledeemer. The truth is, ho was altogether ij^norant of the di- vine counsel, by which the whole affair was directed. There were many reasons which induced the blessed Jesus not to make a public defence. He came into the world purely to redeem lost and un- done sinners, by offering up himself a sacrifice for them ; but had he pleaded with his usual force, the people had, in all probability, been induced to aslc his release, and consequently his death had been prevented. Besides, the gross falsehood of the ac- cusation, known to all the inhabitants of Galilee, rendered any reply absolutely needlesH. In the meantime the chief priests continued to accuse him with great noise and tumult. And the meek and humble Jesus still continuing mute, Pi- late spake again to him, saying, Wilt thou continue to make no defence ? Dost thou not hear how ve- hemently these men accuse thee ? But Pilate, recollecting what the chief priests had said with regard to a sedition in Galilee, asked, if Jesus came out of that country ? and on being !m f H I . r>44 TiiK. M|.K oi" OUR loan ni i ■ liif »in, ,. i,e aiil, ho iiiiinodiaMy (.rdornd him (o ho uftm.id t(» Ilni'od, wh«) wnH alno then at Jorimaloni I Mo Kovonior HuppoHod that llorod, in who«o doinifiioiiH tho Hoditioii wan «uid to havo hoon raiHod, iiniHt ho a much hottor judjfo of tho umiir tiiaii him' neif. iioHidoH hw Imv^; a Jow, rondorod him more verHod in tho roli^ion of hiHown eoimtry, and ^avo him gioator inflitonoo ovor tho oliiof prioHtH and eldoi'H ; ho thoroforo oonHidoml him tin tho nioHt pmpor person to prevail on tho Jowiwh council to doHiHt from tlioir cruol proHocution. Hut if, contrary to all human prohahiliiy, ho Khould, at (heir wdicl- tation, condemn Johiim, Pilate liopiul to t-Hcapo tho pmlt and nifamy ofpultiuK an innocent perHon to death ilo nufrht niso propono hy this nctimj to ro^Miin llerod'H friendship, whiol, h.^ had iormerly i«»st, hy oncrouc .ing, in all probahility, on hi^ nrl- vileRes. * ' Ihit however that he, or whatever motive induced I ilato to send our ^'reat llodeomer to Ilorod the latter ffreatly rejoicc.l at tluH opportunity of H(«rniff .lesus, hoping to have the ph-.iHure of hoholdiiu' him }>erform Homo i^reat minicle. In thiH he was, however, disappointed : fornN ITo- rod had npostati/'Ml from the doetrine of .)„h„ ,ho I»apti8t, to whic lie was once prohi My a convorf, n • hau ..ven put IiIh Unuuwv to death, tho hi ssod Jesus, liowevor liberal of hin mirneles to the nons and 'liMi^MiterH of afHiction, vn„ld not work them to Kratily the (uirio. ,ly of a tymiit, nor even .umwer one of the many (pi('Hti<*:iH ho projiHod t.) him. Herod, finding ! , evpectation tln-M cut « Jl, or- dered our hl.-sed {Srviour to he eloLhei. with nn old robe, resemi,, ij i» ,,,>lour those mi by kinps. and pennitted his tU ^nts to inault l.im, " From Herod's dressing him in >! MS manner, it ASH HAVioiui .ii;hi;m ciiuist. mr, evidently uppcarH tlnit llu< cliicf nrioHtn iiiul old«>rH liad iKunmed him in notliiiijf, hut hiH havinjj nHMiiined the ohamctor of tht) MoHniah ; for the affront put upon him wan plainly in (ioriaion of that profeHMion. Tho other hoat daro to men- tion, UH Iforod could not faifof Jcnowinj; it to he a ffroHH and mnliiMoiiN faJHcdiood. And no crinio wor- thy of death hi.inp; ' lid to Ihh charno, llorod Hcnt him a^ain in Pihito. It h" ma, that though ho waH diK|tioaH(»d with tho gn-al .uMlocfmor of mankind f<»r rofuHin^' to woi-U a mirach? hfforo him, yot ho did not thill! propnr to comply with tho wibhoB of hiu oiiuniieH. CIIAI'. XXXVIII. TUK IIOMAN noVERNOR, FOR WANT OP KVIDRNrR, PROI'OSKS TO ACQUIT ANO RKMOAHK JKHIJH THRKK MEVFRAL TIIMICS ; HUT AT LICNOTII, AT TIIK I'RKS- SIN< NST iATlOV OT TIIK INVKTICRATH JEWH, IIK f'O N8 ANl, OKLrVKRS HIM UP. TiiR Roman ^'overnor, in order to acquire popular applauso, UHod generally, at tho foaHt of the paHHo- vfr, to ndeano a priHon«»r nominated by tho peoplo. At thifi femi there wan -; in priHon, named Ba has, who, at the \wm\ of number of robelH, lia his wifo, then witli him at •loruHaloni, and who had that morniiiLjbo(Mi gratly nflncted by a (h'oam, wiiicii «^avu hor i;r«at UacaHi- iiesH. The droani had so ^roat an afl'oet (.n thin Roman Lady, that Hho could not n^Ht till hIjo had Hont an arconnt of it to her hunband, who was tlicu Hittinp: witli tho trilmn.jj on tho pavoment, and bcj,'- pod him to huvo no hand in the death of tho riglito- ona porson ho wai-i thon judi^M'np;. Tho pooplo had not yet determined whotlier they would have JchUH or IJarrabbas released to them ; theroforo wjien Pilate received the moHsago from his wife, he called tho chief priests and rulers to-j;;:- ther, and, in the hearing of the multitude, made a Hpppch to thorn, in whieli ho gave them an account of tho examination which .[osua had undcrgon(> both at his own and Herod's tribunal, declaring, that in both courtH it had turned out honourably to bis character ; for which reason he proposed to tlieiu, that ho should be the object of the peojjle's favour. Pilate did tho priests the honour of desiriiig to know their inclinations in particular, perhaps with a design to soften their stony hearts, and, if possi- ble, to move thrrn for once to pity an injured, but innocent man. But he was persuaded that if pity was absolutely banished from their callous breasts, bis proposal ANii SAvfonit jKflrrs rFinisr. would havo beoii aeeopfnhlo to tho piMtpI .'547 •'xpccttMl woul.l Mnbraco tlio iivHt. r.pporfunify oJ dodannf; i„ |,i„ favour. Yet in tl.iH ho was diHap- who Ii»« of K "» IHH favour. Yet in tliiw lio was diHaf)- ponif,.(l. Thoy cried (nik all nf, onrn, « Away with this man, and r<«loaKo niiN) us Uarabhas." ApoHtato ujorfalM ! a few Iioui-h aj,'o ye listonml Willi rapturt! to IiIh hcaveidy diHcoursoH, beheld with transport tlio many Halntary mlraoloH wroiu'lifc by tins benevolent Son of tho Mont Ili^Mi, and eanie.stly nnportnncd bitn to take pohhohhIou of the throne anil ficoptro of David ! Now nothint; will Hatiato your infernal malice but his prci-ioiiH blood ! IJut ro- rrieniber, ye miseroants, ye uiouHterHin human form, that thin mme .J(>rus, whom ye beheld with such contempt bofore the tribunal of the Roman gover- nor ; this JoHUH, whoS(« blood your infernal nifMiths HO loudly re.iuosted, nhall one day come in the clouds of heaven to take veii^jeanco on'his enemies ! And ho'.v will ye be abhi to beiir the Rijrht of his appear- ance, when the V(;ry heavons themselves will melt at luH preKenoo, « The sun become black as sack- oloth of hnir," the moon be turned into bloml, and the stars fly from their spheres ? How will ye then repent of your unjust demand, and call to the mountains and rooks to fall on you, and hide voti from the presence of that immah 1*l««>v \v»u»t p»ii ii>ri(i|i(ii>lv tlttltti'iuliihij Im ImvH III III lllt«lhit|lM|, (llltf nMhvlMl»i| Hr>VMr«il IImikm (m illtitMliui lllm, tlll>V HMllltl IImI; IimHI' 11, lllfMlIlt^ |I|m||> lUjij,., HMUM'MlllOB ill lllill.HV, lIltlllHlt. illlll lllMlJftlM llllll'tllllln, IIHil PiMlllo(illi(«n ill Illi'itMio MilliM'ittii • |m tinoll >| |t||it|i \\*m\ lli««li' |>i»««tiuii«» niiirMl liv llu* im'hII hihI Mrlliii « mC (Im«Ii' |irlt>cii'4, rilii(it«, lliiiliiii^ i( lliMriii'i> III Vrtlii (m n(iu^|{|r> \\\{\\ llioir iM'»>|uill««»iM, <«m|I, iM'.vliiK •»'•• M' ll III' t »tt«UIO (lllh*. (Illll (III* |t||HMlltl|> lllMJ IIM llinll;, M|p| illlll ||0 llllllMttli wiin IlinnorMil mI' Ilim IiImmiK My ^liU nnliMii ttinl tli)olMi'iillMii, I'iliMn t*m^u\t\ (o IrtVi* illlnUilt^d iw iiinliit (Ml lllHU'r'BulMll Mil llu' .|«mv M\ |»Mpnl«»M». I»y oiiin|ilyliiK wllli tli« liinliliiliitii n| Mmhmh, wliioli Mi'ilni'n, ill oiinn Ml' MM iinltiittwM iiini' ilt^i'. ili«» p\:\v\'a of lliM lU'tiri'wIi I'ily In whuIi Hit i| lmiitl« ^M^ItU^»ly. iMiil MHV, " Oil!' liMtidM liiivtMiMl pIm'iI llii^ MoMil" hoiil. s\t. 7, Ami ill MtliiMimi luiliitt \:\\\, lliM Pwnliiiinl Biiyw, " I will wnili mitiM IimihIm in innuo0m»r»." AoomiiUmh, llitMt'lMi'n, Im iIim .l.'«inli I'lit*. Pilut«> imidn llm uum\ HMltniiii iiml iniltlitMU'ol.i iviHon of Ou> iiinottnuoM ol' oiu' iImmi' lioil »Mi|ii«'r. (Mill mI'IiU n'NMJiitl.in of li(iviii,j ni» lutml in lii« Hriiil Mut n»»l\vi{||MfnU)|iiij{ tlio mtlnniMily ul (liin (liciii riUlou, (ho ♦liMVrt oMiitinntMi liilloHihln. nml imIoiI niil with «»m» voio*^, •• II JH ttlMMil I )M ll|l(tn IIM IMItt Mill' »»lill«hv«.* hl'rftillnl ltli)>lvoiiliMii t ll iiliHphn li uwuily I An iiupiooHli.m wliloli Iumh^IiI, on llicni ANM tl4V|(M)M llm\<^ I'MKIHt, ^«(> lIlM lllnidirilt VMM(|I<(IIM«M III nillMl|llll»>Hl*M, Mint in Itltl) It llMMVy lliil'ilt t Mil tldll. |ltMl)l|iulN |ll I Till) ^iiVMi'iiiii'^ Diitlluji M, iMMiimqllilM (i« n\h*v ftMlf I'IimIom, i'i*|i'ii*i«m|<< tu l|M MMI|IM'|^rM io llM piiMif lll'ltlll, 'riii> milillMifi Inn lii(; Miiii)M'|/'"| .|»i«iti, mimI |'««m<)vm»| iii'ijititi (ii ticiiMHv liltii) «iii'»'|i't| IiImi into till' I'i'imI'i llllh), III' I'liiMtitiiii Itiill, wlti>i*< lJi«M)4 III llh |lllltiM|tll|MMl. ( Itil', KMln MM lilt H)|«, liy |MM<«IMI III' »Im« wlrlpMM lliMy liMiJ (tlVMM liliii, iltirhliiii III ItiM lii'liiff lt)iif.i; III lliM .)iii i'ii)l«i Ml tldllltlKIS llllll Itil lii|lt|lllin WMI'M llM'M, Mini \i'l» flilll* III! iiiiomi'imI Willi iiin nnml, |ii'»>iiiiitm liinnil, To llil<|iic« III' ill'* wi'Ktiili Ml'i'^inli iiiio IiIm l»iin|ili«n, Mini llioii Mpil, on tiiin io (•xpro^q Utoli' lli|;rlinM|, ••iin(i>l|t|ii. Tim i^ovMi'iior, wtioup olIloM olili|/iM| iiini In lio |m'o- noiil, mI< Iliit4 nliMiiliin^; mi'iiiim oI iniiiiiininii,y, wiiK i'KM'ly III liiiinl, Willi ininl'. Tlio ii)(/lii. Ill' nil inoiii!i'iil/ iiimI viriiiniin niMii li'*, ohdiinitc, Jiira/^od r had liniKJied liiHHpooch, •Jenns apptMired on tlu; puveinout, InHJinir, h in face, iiiH HhonlderH, all clotted with hlood, and the purple robe IxMlanhed with Hpillle. And that the rd^ht of .Joans in thin diHtrenH mi|^ht nuilce the ^n!at<'r ini- lu'CHHion on the pt'oj)l(', l*dat(», while ho waHcomiiijr forward, cried out, " Beiuild tho nnm I" Ah if ho had Haid, Will nothinj^ make you relent ? Have ye lo8t all the feelingH of humanity, and bowelH of conipaHHion 1 Can you bear to hoo tlie innocent, a Hon of Abraham, thuH iiijiuHtd'i Hut all thiH waH to no purjione. Tho priostB, whoHo rage and malice liad extin^niHhod not only theHcii- timentH of juHtice, and feelingH of pity natural tolhc human ]ieart, but aluo that love which countrynion bear for each other, no Hoonor Haw Jesus, than they beju;an to fear the fickle populace might relent ; and therefore laying decency anido, they led tho way to the nuiltititude, crying out with uU theii; might, Crucify him, ci'ueify him. I'ilate, vexed to see the JewiHh nilern thuB ob- stinately bent on the destruction of a person from I AND HAVIOUU .IKHIIH CIIKIHT. br>[ whom they hiui nothiiiu; to (oar that w;iH daiiKoroiiH, cithor with njf^anl to thoir nhurch «»r Htato, paKHioii- iitnly tohl thoin, that if thoy would havi him cruci- li(!(l, thoy iniiHt (h) it thoiUHolvoH ; hoeaiiMo h(s would not Hulloi' luH poopio to inuidci' a man who waH ;;uiity of no (M'iiiio. liut thin thoy aJHo r^(<. IJ(!Hiur sins, upon the tree, and submit untu death, even thw death of the cross, that we might live at tiie riglit hand of God, for ever and ever. AND SAVIOUR JKSIJS CHRIST. 555 Sditenc*} ])o'\n^ pronounced ngainst tlio bhjsm-d JeHiiH, the HoldiorH w«r« ordored to prepare for liin execution, n command which they rea«lily oheyed, Hiid after clotliinj? him in his own garmentH, led hiin away to crucify him. It in not Hsiid that tiiey took the crown of tlioniH from liiw ternpleH ; prohji- hly ho died weariiijj it, that the title placed over his head might he the hetter uiiderHtor)d. It is not to he expected tliat the ministers of Jewish malice remitted any of the circumstances of jiiHiction, which were ever laid on persons con- dcMMtied to he crucified. Accordingly Jesus was obliged to walk on foot to the place of execution, hcarlnir his cross. Hut the fatigue of the preced- ing night spent without sleep, th ' It was usual for the crime emninitted by malo- tni'tovB to be written on a white board, with black and placed over their heads, on the or. .38. In con- f^»muty to this custom, Pilate wrote a title in the iln'^""' ■*' n' ""'"^ ^**'" ^^"S^ ^^«' ^»'-*tall fo- itigners, as well as natives, mi-ht * e .ihlo to read it, and fastened it to the cross, over the head of Jesus ; and the inscription was, « This is the kin^r of the Jews." But when the chief -riests and elders had read this title, they were ^^'eatly d pleased ; because, as it represented the cr ne .; which Jesus was con.lemned, it insinuated J.it he lad been acknowledged for the Messiah. Be^ ides beinpr plH,ed over the head of one wh,> v s -'^ .{„,; nn llh "".f •"^■^»J'>"s punishment, it implied amt a 1 who attempted to deliver the Jews should perish in the same man :.er. The faith and hope of the nation, therefore, being thus publicly ridiculed, it is no wonder that the priests thought thems'elves highly affronted ; and accordingly came to Pilate, begging that the writing might bo altered. But as he had intended the affront in revenge for their forcing him to crucify Jesus, contrary both to his judgment and inclination, he refused to grant their Sn." '^''* ' ''''' ^^"^^^^" (-^^ ^' ) I have When the soldiers had nailed the blessed Jesus to the cross, and erected it, they divided his gar- ments among them. But his coat or vesture, being without seam, woven from the top throughout, they agreed not tx, rend it, but to cast lots for it, thkt the prediction of the prophet concerning the death and sutleringsof the Messiah, might be fulfilled, « Th-v parted my garments among them, and for my ves- m»-' AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 5r.9 turo (VuX tlioy c^nt lots " A sufficient indication tliat every circumstance of tlu death and passion of the blessed Jesus was Ions; before determined in he court of heaven ; and accordtugly lua beinjj cruci- f H^ between two malefactors was expressly fore- isgres- told, "and he was numbered with tho f'Hi BOTH." The common people, whom iIk 'iesta bad incen^,'d jrainst the blessed Jos , the mali- cious falsehoods they had spread c'erning him, arid which they pretended to found ,»n the depowi- sition of witnessi's : the common people, T say, seeii him hanj^ in so infamous a manner upon tiie cros- id reading the inscription that was placed over Ills head, expressed their indip^nation at him by Karcastical expressi<., , " Ah, thou, said they, that destroyest the temple, and buildnsf it in three days, save thyself, and come down from t lie cross." But the common people were not the only persons who mocked and derided tho blessed Jesus, whilo he was suflferinnj to obtain the remission of sins f(»r all mankind. The rulers, who now imagined they had effVctually destroyed his pretensions to the character of the Messiah, joined the populace, in ridiculing him, and with a meanness of soul, which many infamous wretches would have scorned, mocked him, even while ^'9 wr struggling with the agonies of death. They scof d at the miracles by which he demonstrated hv , elf to be the Messiah, and promised to believe ( . him, on condition of his proving his pretensions, by descending from the cior s. « He saved others, said they,' himself he cannot save ; if he be the king of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him." In tho meantime nothing could be more fal'e and IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) sr ^^ S°4^e 1.0 I.I 1.25 ^ ti& 12.0 12.5 2.2 1.4 1.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 m ,\ 'Q^^ ^9) V ■b' r^ ^ -%"■ w -* ^ ^ •^' V#/3^ V Lr*- 560 THE LIFR OF OUR LORD M h}T)ocntical than this pretension of the stiff necked Jews ; for they continued in their unbelief, notwith- standing they well knew he raised himself from the dead ; a much greater miracle than his coming down Irom the cross would have been ; a miracle attested by witnesses whose veracity they could not call in question. It was told them by the soldiers whom they themselves placed at the sepulchre, to watch the body, and whom they were obliged to bribe largely to conceal the truth. It is therefore abun- dantly evident, that if the blessed Jesus had des- cended from the cross, the Jewish priests would have continued in their infidelity ; and consequently that their declaration was made with no other in- tention than to insult the Redeemer of mankind, thinking It impossible for him now to escape out of their hands. ^ The soldiers also joined in this general scene of mockery, « If thou be the king of the Jews, (said they) save thyself." If thou art the great Messiah expected by the Jews, descend from the cross by a tovmeu' ^""^ '^^^'''^'' thyself from these excruciating Nor could even one of the thieves forbear mock- ing the great Lord of heaven and earth, though la- bouring himself under the most racking pains, and struggling with the agonies of death. But the other exercised a most extraordinary faith, at a time when our great Redeemer was in the highest affliction, mocked by men, and hanged upon the cross, as the most Ignominious of malefactors. This Jewish cri- minal seems to have entertained a more rational and exalted notion of the Messiah's kingdom, than even the disciples themselves. They expected nothing but a secular empire ; he gave strong intimations Of his having an idea of Ciirist's spiritual dommions j for at the cross, he he came member i Nor did I: Redeeme] sjiy unto 1 radise." But let blessed S events al member deemer, ti of men, a he did fc when we all along they folio country, i wildernes his discou I say, we at the coi opposite ( combined cruelty. When have Jesu very num appearan< as if they Roman sc declared 1 inhuman : culed him him with 66 -h-^^^'^Vri^^mrmff^] r'?».iMiiH,iil.t.i uunU, Mlui, Ml.,!, Iniiu» niI.,, Ill CM. nuinif (Hiia M M.v Mud. my (IimI. wIiv ImiM il lomilu'ii inn, ((M', DM tliM miiilM iiiny Im muipti My Uoil, my (joil, liow I li MlllOMI nio l<»i)^ II (linn (Jinii ||||i,| | IMII til I) III* (h Hoimi Im»IIpv« (lm(; • Mil' lilnntiMil HtlvliMII' rnjirintml l» I'ttl nln imilllll t it; lllivlll^ Ii,«t*ii t||„ „ll«hilil of (I ili'Wfl. Ill iiittltlM^ «|nuliiltiMm lo iiiMiiMoii only llm Hr„ ^voiMl« ol" IJhs imiiliii ui> MondiMi, whloli limy iMMnj. II W», KM ihiM pHtlllil tinlllllillM llin ,„um( I'MlliMlliilhln |»»H'»loiiliu-»» or our liixif M».(|m.in»»i''M imMMoii. liMhitf, r .I..7''!*\' .'^ '"••»|"«»"\V •'«' 'kll Mm» |»l't>|lll.M»lp« fPiullvi. M illn (M'OHM, lllO htlW mHMI|ll|l|lMl|. OOIM«0nil||^ iliM n «1. »»♦' M«l« Mmn. Im i»lm» t^niniiMloi liiN hMlini- ihii iwiHunimtioo Ml' nil Jlio in-oniiMOH \\0 liiiil i,„„|n, whoilini' (o lilni. or to iwiHtoplo.llioolil.il'ol' wliioli lu'o mionlml In Uim hi lull <>i purl of (ho pMtilni. Noiup of (ho iioopio u'lio Ntood l»y, whnii (J hoiinl out' liloMMott Suvioiii- pfoiioiniuo i\w «.... ^ ol (ho pnhIui, ti...iuuiloiMtitoil him j prolmhly [,,. nioir iio( hoHi«in« him illMMnoliy, oonolmlod (hat I 10 V vni won In I'tiiii in Olio ot' (Imm lllliiil n onllod fof MlittM, upon whioh ••pong,! with vinojjni', put. it on n ivpil, i»mi"Kii'i"o'|iiiii to «hmk ; holniif WonlrouM to koop him iitivo iih Ioiim |iH poMNililo, (o Hvo whothof MliiiM wonhloomoto (ulu« inm i(i4liiu Uimhm wnnin, lid oi'lntl wiMi MM (•MMMMtltiiii loinl voiitM I mimI ItfMf lliM mIiimiI. Iio iiiliti'MMHtiil liJM Aliitl((li(y (''iilltnr, in wui'*Ik wliioli riii'iii IImi liriMt, piiilMi'M of M mifoiiiiiimi- ilnlioi-v ))i'iiy»M', ni iIim lioiir of il»4Mtli, " i<'i»Uinr, tiitd lliy litiixU I iMiiiniKiMit my Mpli'llu" Ami Un,v\tiu iiH.MriMl llirnm wonlx, " Iim tiuwn*! Iiln li»*ii«l, mid yliihlMil iin dm (^liiiHt,/' liiifi Imlmlil t ni llm vni'y tiintitiil, (Jiitf, Urn l»lnMMiti| •ItiHiiN rfiMlumxl IiIm mimiI Into ilm liitmlM of IiIn Ut^n- viMily l''iiliit)i<, (,1m vmII oI' ilio l,(impl»i wm mlt'iuMi' ImiHfy I'Miit IVoiii ilm io|» io iJm lioMoiii { pfohitlily ill (Im iii<0MMmm of (Jm oflnNi, who lHirii(, tmmiiM*^ lit (Im lioly plimi*, nml wlio iIoiiIiIImmm pulillNimil ilm H(M«.vIoiii« fiMpti'nil ni (Jm iiliiili hour, (Jm vnry Uiiim of onWiiiK tim »«V(1lllllt( MNlU'llllHI. Nor wiiN tliJN (Im only iiiliimld itinfc Imppnimil Ai (Im ilonlJi of (ImKt'diif, MJoMMlnh { (Imoni'di (,i'(inihlf!il fi'oiii l(,M vni'v fouii«liU,ioiiN, iliM flinty rut^lm hiirMt nnniKlor, nml (Im Hiipiilnlii'nM Imwii In tlioiii worif opiMi ; iiidI iniiny SMMllnH of HiilniM dopoMilml timrn inviilimiriil iillni' IiIn i'(i*tiii'i'«iM(ion, fniiit ilm nlnnp of (loiiili, \pU, ilm ^^\in^my iiImiiiiIhu'n of ilm (^oiiih, wniit Into ilm ciliy of •liu'iiwiiltiiii, ami ?*i>p«iitra(l uiiio many. Ami liM ilm I'omllni^ ilm voll of iim itmifiln inii- titiiind, iliiii ilm onlrnimo into ilm holy iilimo, ilm (ypn of Imiiiv(iii, whm now liiiil opoii io nil iiniionM ; MO ilm I'tiMiii'i't^niloii of II niiinlttii' of MiiiniM from tIm (Iniul iliiiiioiiMifniod, ilint ilm pownr of (hmili nnd ilto umvo, wnM hi'olioii ; ilm M(in(( wnit luUtm from (Innth, niiucli as distinguished a real and unfeigned passion. Thus was demonstrated, by many awful tokens, the truth, the divinity, the power of our Redeemer's mission ; the blind, the obdurate Jews, were struck with horror, fully convinced that the person that they had cruelly [)ut to death, was nothing less than the Son and Serv^ant of God, the promised Mes- siah, the Saviour of the world. CHAPTER XL, THE BI-KS8i!D JESUS IS TREATED WITH INDIGNITY AFTKH Ills CIlUCIFIXiON. A PtOUS PERSON BEGS HIS UODY OK PILATE, IN ORDER FOR INTERMENT. It was expressly forbidden by the law of Moses, that the bodies of those who were hanged should remain all night on the tree. In conformity to this law, and because the sabbath was at hand, the Jews begged the governor, that the legs of the three persons cruciiied might be broken, to hasten their ', ; I .17'J tmc I. UK or mm i.oiin y luoUu.H. t|,„,. vv,,,,, onininiMl wifl, l.i,,,. o,,,, „,• 1 10.11, howovoi',oif|„.|. out ol- w.»nto..noNHoi'«ni«Ifv mn a Hp..Hr Into Iuh hMo, an,! out of tho wuu ,' iiowiMl I)Io(mI and wairr. * 'i'luH w «'• l. ." Hhafl not bo b..oko,f. ana tl ,y a loot on hnu whom thoy havo pioiwd " AniouK tl»« d'HolhloH of our hlmmil Josuh. waH '»»^> «'H I.H J.moph oi' Aihnathoa : a v^J^TlX rouwu'kjiblo for bin birth, fortune, an!l olZ7S imu., who waa not to bu inthnl.lato.l by tho mal ,« lirh:ri7'n'^ ""'^ 'If^'y ^« Pill, and tr !"»t «"»K oar fn,«, tho Uon.an Rovornor. who du - tiio gmUoBt inohnation to roUmBo hint : but he had miHoa to approhond that thiK action nHtdw upon h.m tho nialico of tho rulorn of the J^wh X li^^t i-"«/'>««' tho MoHHiah cSri; of hisCr' "" K»7V:**«T^ •'« ''"^ ^«r the renuii,m of his Manter, niado bun despise the mahoe of tlio Jews ; benig pei-suaded that Omnipotence would duleud lum, and cover his enemies with shame aud ANIt NAVIOllll .tKNim CIIHIHT. fi7'A C'tufiinioti. Ami lin wttll knnw, ilint if no fin i)(noiitiiii- oiihIv itiwi out. iinioii){ tlio (ixtmuttid iniiltil'iMiloi'M. I'iliit^i wtm at iii'Mt NUi'iitiHod at tlin rtMpitiNt of •JomijIi, tliiiihiiiK it liJKltly iinpt'oliablo tluit lio Rliould im doad iu no Nliort a iinio. Ilo had, indund, ){iv(*ii oi'dnfM for tlio Holdioi'H to ln'oak tlio Itign of tlio rruKJIitid \it*vmmH ; but ho know it waH couiuioii for tlioni to livo ttiatiy Iioui'n altor tlutt op75 But to return. The women of (Jaliico, who liad watched their dear Hedcwuier in his Inst momenta, and accompanied his body to the Hopulchre, observ- ing that the funeral ritoH wore performed in a hurry, agroed among themselves, as soon as the sabbath was passed, to return to the sepulchre, anri(mtH, liiivint; tlnm obtained af^nard of Ito- man Boldidi'M, nion lon^ aucnHiotnod to niiiitary dif tieH, and tlion^font tho nioHt propor for vvatchni|i( tho body, Kot out with thoni to tho Hrpnlchro ; anA I.KNK. AKTRIIW A ltI)H TO A COWI'ANV Ol' WOMKN. I'KTRIl MKKTH IIIH LOUD AND MASTIill AI'THIl H\» HERUIlllKCTION WifiLK Mary Magdnlone wa« pfoinjf to inform the (liHcipleR that tho utone waH rolled awny from tlio mouth of the sopulchro, and the mippowed body tjiken away, Mary and Salomo continued advancing townrdH tho §epiilchro, and at their arrival found what they expected, the body of their V)eloved Mas- ter Rono from the place where it liad been depoHit<'d by NIoodomuH and Joseph of Arimathea ; but at the fiame time beheld, to their great astoniHhmont, a beautiful yoimg man vn Hhininpf raiment, very glorioiiH to behold, witting on tho right aide of the sepulchre. Matthew tells us, that it was the anj^ol who had rolled away the stone, and frightened away the guards from the Hopulclire. It weems he had now laid awide the terrors, in which he was then arrayed, and assumed the form and dress of a human being, in order that these pious women, who had accom- panied our Saviour during the greatest part of tho time of his public ministry, might be as little terri- fied as possible. But notwithstanding his beauty and benign ap- pearance, they were greatly affrighted, and on tho point of turning back, when the heavenly messenger, to banish their fears, told them, in a gentle accent, that he knew their errand. " Fear not, (said he) for I know that yo seek Jesus which was crucified. 1 •■ J' II m) Tiiie uvK OP outi i.oiin lln ill not liara ; for lin Ih riiii^ii, im hn ntiUi :" nii«l tlimi liivitdd tlitini to coiiih down iiitollioNoiMilclim, luiil vlaw tho plnoo wlioro tlin Hon of (Jod iuid liiin ; tliKt in, to lk on tliu linon olotlioM* Mod tliH uiiiiliin timt lind limMi iiltont IiIm liund, Htid wliinli hit iiiul loft boliind him wlion Ito uroMo ft'oni tiio dtiad : int' to look nt tho |)Ia»o in tiny otiinr viow wonid not liiivn tondod to aontU'ni tlioir faitli of liiit rtmnrrnution. Tlio wonton ^nuitly onoonrjiji^iMl liy tlio ii,)(ni(«iili|(t iiewM, aN wolt UH Wy tlio j'tuniliar nouont witli wliich tiiii Hwecit nuiNHnnK«u' ii'()ni tiio henvonly (Uniiaii doliverml IiIh MpoeoJi, wontditwn into ilioHopulolint; wIkmi, bnliold unothtii' of tliu nn^ulio «)ioir apptMinMl ! Tliay did not, howavor, yot Mtmin to k>v«> v.vtuWi lo wlmt WAN told tliem by thu anf{al : nnd tlit^roforn (iio other K*^ntly chid thoni for H««kinf( tho living; ainonj^ tho dttad, with an intontion to do hini an olIUu) diio onlv to tho latter, and for not btdiuvin^ what wuh Cold them by a ine«MonKer from lioavon, or ratlior for not n^memberinK tho wordM widuh th«ir nvm*. MaHtur had hiniNtdf toid thoni with ro^ard to IiIh own reMorrection. " Why M«ck yo tho living anmiijf the dead 1 He is not here, but iMriMen : remundior how he auako unto you when lie waM yet in (Jaliluo, Haying, tlie Son of man niuHt be dolivured into tho handa of ainful men, and be crucified, and the third day riie again." when the women liad iiatiHfied their ourioiity by looking at tho place whore the Lord had lain, and whore nothing waH to be found but the linen elothitH, the angel, who first appeared to them, resumed tho disooumte, and bade thorn go and toll his diHoiph^H, particularly Peter, tho glad tidings of his Mastttr'n resurrection from the dead : that he was goin^ Ih^- fore them to Galilee : and that they should there have the pleasure of seeing him. ANI» MAVIOltll .ir.Hi;H CIIUIHT. ABl 'iMiH rmwm why tliH «IIm"1|)I«« w«r« oniwrwd to ^o iiiUt Ciallloo t4i iiH^ttt tlitilr Krtmt ami Imlovnd MaNt4)r, MiiHiiiN to be thlN : th»y w«ra now inont of th«m In .|ii|ii>i»l«Mii, colnbi'HlliiK tho paKMovor ; ami it tuny t.aHily l.ti liimKliuMl, that on r«o«lvhiK tho nowa of thiMr liord'a roMurn'ctlon, many, If not all of tlimn, would iMHolvo to tarry In .lMruaaI«in, In «x|»««tfttlon of ni«lvo8 to believe, when the resurrection wa« related to them. But they liad not yet the leaat aui*picion that he was riuen from the dead. These two diaciplos having thus satisned tlieni- Helves that what Mary Magdalene had told thorn waH really true, returned to their respective habi- tations ; but Mary continued weeping at the df)or of the sepulchre. She had, it seems, followed Peter and John to the garden ; but did not return with them, being anxious to iind the bociy. Accordingly, stepping down into the sepulchre to examine it onco more, she saw two angels sitting, the one at the Jjead and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesna had lain. They were now in the same posi- tion as when they appeared to the other women ; but had rendered themselves invisible while Teter and John were at the sepulchre. On her beholding these heavenly messengers dressed in the robes of light, she was greatly terri- fied. But they in the most endearing accent, asked her, "Woman, why weepest thou ?" To which she answered, " Because they have taken away my Lord, and 1 know not where they have laid him." On pronouncing these words, she turned herself about, and »aw Jesus standing near her ; but the terror she was in, and the gameut in which he was now dres- i. AND MVIOIJR JKHirS CIIIIIST. ftB3 nod, prevontod horfrom knowing liiin, for somo time. .Ihkiih r»*|>*«iit«(l the HHine (lueHtioii UHed before bv tJip HiiKeU, " Woman, why weopest thou 1" To which Mury, who now HUppoHod him to be the K»roHtle« : they not only abso- lutely rejected the matter, at firsr, as a thing incredible, but even after they were ac(iuainr,(^d with the accounts the soldiors had given of this great transaction ; nay, after they had seen the Messed Jesus himself, some of them were so un- reasonable as still to lnaat KmmauH, had prepared them for a discovery, l.y expounding to them on the road, the Heveral prophfciew concerning the MeHuiah, contained in the ( )ld ToHtamcnt. The women, on their arrival, told aB many of the diHcij)leB AH they could find, that they had neon at the Hepulchre a vision of angelH, who awHured thorn that.JoKUH was* risen from tlie dead. Thin new in- formation aMtoninhed the diHciple« exceedingly ; and, as they had before Hont Peter and John to ex- amine into the truth of what Mary Magdalene had told them, concerning tho body being removed out of the sepulchre, 8o they now judged it highly pro- per to send some of their number to see the angeln, and learn from tliem tho joyful tidings of that great tranHaction, of which the women had given them an account. That it was really the case appears from what the (liscipleH, in their journey to Emmaus, told their groat Lord and Master ; namely, that when the women came and told them that they had seen a viHJon of angels, certain of their number went to tlie Hepulchre, and found it even as the women had HJiid, but him they saw n(»t. The second deputation from tho apostles did not go ahuie ; for, as Mary Magdalene returned with Peter and J (din, who were sent to examine the truth of her information, ho the women who brought an account of the viaion of angels, m all probability, returned with those who were sent to be witnesses of the truth of their report. Besides curiosity, they had an errand thither. The angels had expressly i IH i mi TMK I, UK OK (Mill LUlU) nnluioil tlxnii to toll i\w 116WH to Polor in narticu- \nv ; loi- wliicli rojiHoii, wlioii tlit»y iindm'Mtood Mint ho wjiM Kono to tl»o Hopiiluhro, it \h iiftturiil to think thoy would rotnni with tluMliHuiploH to Muok him. Ahoiit th« tiino that tlio diKoipluH and wonuni Hot r, i)o«auHwt)d tho (liscipIoH, not happoningto meet Teterand John, went forward in «iuoHt of them. Jiut they luid not gone far from tho sepulchre, before Jesua himaolf met thom, and said, •' All hail I" On which they approached their groat Lord and MaHtor, " held him by tho feet and worshipped him." This favour of embracing his kneoH, JeHua had before AND MAVIOUil .IKSUH (JtilllKT. 5Rf) ut rffiiHP*! to Miu'y Mftp;r>r, ivutl thiit, rtftoi' NUNtainin^ tho |i;nmtoMt imiij(iii. ti«»N, I'opnmoli, luui eontonipt. fr»nn tho lualicn and iHn'voi'NonoHH of luanitinii, and ovm iitidoi'^oinK «>• »Ki>omiuiouH and «m'uoI doalh, ho niiould ho oxalt.«d toiv^hu'iouH mid otonml ld to tlioin, in ord(n', all tho prinoipal paMMaKOH, I'oth in tho hookw of that ^mU h'^lMlator, and tli»« writiiiRH of tho othor pmphotH, rolatinn to liis own mil!Vriu^, ath, aiul ^loriouM rtmuniHition. And thiw lio did witli mioh HurpriHing plHlnnoHs, clcnrnoNM, and utrotijuith, that tho two diHoipIos, n.x .V«t misptHninjf who ho was, wero im iiiuoh anui/..Mi to fhid a Htrani^tT ho woII ao(|naiiitO(l with all that Jt>8U8 did and Huftorod, an tlu^y at first woiuU.nMlut ANII NAVKMfll .MHIIH nifMNI. Mn U\» rt|»|miiiitn^ fit lilt Jofrtlly l«»Mirrtiil, of iJii'NM JnuN. rmlloiN. 'I'liny wi«in iiN(«»iilHlin,o luMir liiiii )ril,«ir prnt midI njipiy |,|,„ «,,rl|iMii'«m to ihriic pitiMdrit piir- ponn, with Miioli I'niiilliitiMM niui ronviiiniii)^ iHimriidNH • •r iiignniniif,, fiM mni(i«l wUli it a HlrniiKn nnil mi- uniihI iiiiUiofity uikI r-llli-iuiy. WUvu, llinnifoii., limy iMilitn to Mm viJlti^o wltiliii4 II' ho woiilil hiivn |mnN(, mi^ht bo an abiinra- tionH. Tho roMt of tho apoHtlow, thoroforo, told him, that th(\v had hoom tho liord, and rrpoatnd to liim tho wordH ho had dolivored in thoir hearing;, lint ThoumH replied, " TIiIh ovont Ih of huoIi j^roiit imimrtanco, thatunloHR, to nroventall impoHHibility of doooption, 1 roo him wirh msM- own oyon, and fcol him with mine own handn, putting my fin!j;*'rs into the print of the nailn, wiioroi>y he wnti faHtonod to tho croRR, and thriiRt my hand into hin Ride, which tho Roldior pierced with IiIh Hpoar, I will not believe that ho iu really and truly ribon from thu dead." ThuR have wo onumoratod, in the most cxidicit manner, the tranRaotiouR of that day on whicli tho ^roat Redeomer of mankind aroRo from the doad ; a day highly to be remembered by the cliildron of men throuj{hout all generationR. A day, in which wore fully completed and displayed the conce()tionR lodged in tho breast of infinite wiHdom from all eternity I even those thoughts of love and mercy, on which the salvation of tho world depended. Chri^iaiis have therefore the highest reason to so- AND HAVroUit JKMIIN (11 HINT. sm ItMniiizo (liiM otir nii^l K'^i'ift 'M* tliuiiiHolvcH to pntyiM', piimH iiiuditatioiiM, hiiiI otliur oxnroiH«N of r«li)(i(>ii. TliH I'oduiiiptioii of iimnkiiiil which thoy wnnkly coniiDoinomto aUortlM iiiutt tho boat, but wero forced to drag it alter them in tho water toward tho shore Jt WHjniH they had toiled all the preceding night to no purp(»Ho ; and therefore Buch remarkable buc" ccHH could not fail of causing various conjectureH among them with regard to the stranger on the nhore, who had given them hucIi happy advice. Some of tho apoHtles declared they could not ima- gine who he waH ; but others were persuaded that this person was no other than their great and be- loved Master. John was fully convinced of his being tho J^ord, and accordingly told his thoughts to Simon Peter, who making no doubt of it, girt on his fisher's coat, and leaped into tho sea, in order to got ashore sooner than the boat could be brought to land dragging after it a net full of large fishes. When tho disciples came ashore, thoy found a ■ ^ .^ » > .^ *-i. . I m ftui) Tiim MiHii III' Mnii Mirtit fli'tl MimIIoiI, Mll.l nil it M llhll I.I'OIIIMU, ftllii U. WMIIM lin.lMl. lint IIMilllMI' llMillK MutnMi«>ii(, I '••I' till, |«'MH|uui^., Ummn lii.l iliMMi lii'lng „,„„« „f |||.. || lti«ij' IiimI ihiw khiii^I hi _^ •ll«oi|»Ji.«» (lui vmlUy til' Id »»rt(lii wliio Mlloll IMI lMI|l|OVM tlKuill lu |||.« "" |»lt.« J u. roHJiiv „|' liu H.«iim.oll..n. h..i, only |.y Itf Willi IJu.MI. JMll. Uy WoHilliif I* IMlllMilM UK ' II nfi llio lu'ijiiMliiltf Ml' ltl lliti oiiiinliiiit I'nit |Mlll Ijioill, Mini lll|a|)OMlit| MiMiii • tW»>|>«. riiin wiM (Jut ii,i,,] ,(,„„ ,1,,^, J UMy i OHIIM H|»|mHI*.<| Ull.l Ol^ lu .|«|.mM.H| IMI- Ml' |||«,||«„j,,|»,« |„V ,„„, Mwi.l.'« lti.< «liMwlii« |,|,„«Mir HI. m.vMml Hum Ui i.iu' UOIlkl' IM'IWMIIH, npUII MIIMoilll MtillHKiMtlM. WliniiMioy |nn|„„|„„ I «>N||H I'diiiIimUmI |*m(.|i|>, |„,vv *H' Ut Wl|Ml •MltHJMit iuiil Moiiluii^ liM miikIiI, In Up j,| onl «• I tliM Hiniii Ml' IiIm ilniviiig him wlimi I rltMl hnlui'M (ho hiith Mi-ioMi, -HI "aid Mill' hJMHMMd Suviduv Im hi iM Win* inn w»uImii« mill iiil'ootioimtM in thy | I'luii Iho i.>»t, Ml" iiiv tliNiiiplMH r ' , i| HMHWMml, •« Vmu, Kmi'iI J ihiHI U iHim, mm iif .JiiiiiM,,' •)l, '* M'l ihlMI liiuio '•v« Imvviu'iIm nil.. To wl IMMI l*«Mi hmwmhI, Mihi, I |,,vo I \ . ' " '^"" <*^«'Hii«' iHoiln^fy liinl liillliliMnn. I h\n liitrt Inll i mnl ihoiol hiiMMoir Willi mMimi'm, ImiI. hlllllllj Mm^t ''I' H 05l||iiMi«inm«ii, Imi" III II) I o ,V H|>|mi»iI»mI III' liHi oiM WMiilil iim(, roini Minoonly mI' IiIm K'li'l to iiiiii. JoMm »Mi.*w«MMil, •• ICx|»r.*.M« iJuui il ovM lMw,in|« in.. Iiy tin, „a,.. ..r ,„y ||,m,|4 uoiiiinlti,. to IIIV IMIILI'irtK li'.wxl •.... I I... I.I I It'. IV ihyHmiuM. |..,o,| ,„v |h,„u. Kmi my «lu.„,,. Mi.pv ymii. lovo to mo. liy , |i,hi„^ ||,„ ' ^ ^',^, vi«Mou I ImvM mu'MmiiliHJ, ' « m * of raithriil holi 10 pliHliotl ; mill IiumIiiik iJtii noiilt HorixhoM, hill tmttiiiMii I vt'i'M, with thut. roiiit whioli lui or Mvtn' mill ««VMr ViU' I w»'il IviiMVv, iinlooil." oMiUiiiiiinl tjni IiIomnivI .li'miN, " thjit tliMi'i uilt iMiiii iit't'vl . fvt'ii uiiiil iloalh. I'la- (ho i\ lio mIiooIiI Oottlly («nli< i< nmi'tyi'ilton, for Miouloiy of tiui\, itml iJiu loMllinooy of lliM li'MlJi of iJio (^ii'htiun I'MJlgloii, 'I'lio Uinu lining now moiiih wIimii |J(m illMdiptHK WMi'o 1,0 niiMii tlittii' honl uml IV1(o«lni<, mmoi'iling up iliM niKMHKMOM liti IkkI Mont. Ilitiin liy tJto woiinoi, aioi In M.II )it'olmlilllly iiimolnlnd iifc (looio loi'inoi' N|»|tuni WDio (jHMnti'uil lo^oilou', oK|MMU,iiig llio joy< fill mI/^IiI, of llntif Ki'iiiii, MuMlnf, ufiof lift IiikI (i'inni|»lMtil ovtu' ,*f j^ 603 THE LIFE OF OUR LORD CHAPTER XLIV. oriR lord's ascension. the resurrection op JESUS asserted and vindicated against the objections of unbelievers, general revikw of the life and doctrines of the great redeemer. A FEW days before the feast of Penfeco'=)t, or the feast of weeks, the disciples went up to Jerusalem, where the blessed Jesus made his last appearanco to them ; and after instructing them in many par- ticulars concerning the kingdom of God, and the manner they were to behave themselves in propa gating the doctrine of the gospel, he put them in mind that, during his abode with them in Galileo, he had often told them, that all things written in the law, the prophets, and the psalms, concerninij him, were to be exactly accomplished. At the same time, (he opened their understanding), that is, he removed their prejudices, by the operation of his spirit, cleared their doubts, improved their memo- ries, strengthened their judgments, and enabled them to discern the true meaning of the scriptures. Having thus qualified them for receiving the truth, he again assured them, that both Moses and the prophets had foretold, that the Messiah was to Buffer in the very manner he had suffered : that he was to rise from the dead, on the third day, as he liad done ; and that repentance and remission of sins were to be preached in the Messiah's name, a'uong all nations, beginning with the Jews. He next delivered unto them their commission to preach the doctrine of repentance and remission 1.1 i i AND SAVIOUR JKSUS CHRIST. 6C3 of gins, in his name, among all nations, and to tcB- tify unto the world the exact accomplishment in hira, of all things foretold concerning the Messiah ; and to enahle them to perform this important work, promised to bestow on them the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, which he called the promise of his Fa- ther ; because the Almighty had promised them by his prophets. Having thus fortified them for the important work they were going to undertake, he led them on the mount of Olives as far as Bethany ; where standing on a hill above the town, he told them that he was now raised to the government of hea- ven and earth : for which reason they might go courageously through all the world, and preach the gospel to every rational creature ; assuring them- selves, that affairs in all countries should be so, as to dispose the inhabitants for the reception of the gospel : that they who believed were to be admit- ted into his church by the rite of baptism, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost ; a- i to be taught in consequence of their baptism, to obey all the precepts he had enjoined them ; that such baptized believers should receive the pardon of their sins, together with eternal life in the happy mansions of his Father's kingdom ; but such as refused to embrace the doctrine of the gos- pel should be for ever excluded from those happy regions, and have their portion in the lake that burnetii with fire and brimstone : that while they were employed in thi.. work, he would be with theui to the end of the world, to guide them by his coun- sel, to assist them by his Spirit, and to protect them by his providence. Finally, that those who should through their preaching, be induced to believe, should themselves work most astonishing miracles, M ■f ' .Jh 604 TifK i,ir'R OP OUR i.onn by whioli tlio ffospol ahotild be propagated with tlia greateot rapidity. Wlion tlio hloHHod JoRiw had upokon those thiii^jw, ho lifted up hiH haiidH and bloHMod thoin. And in tho action of bloHHinot thoin, ho was parted from them ni tlio uwUt of the (hiy, a nhining cloud re- ceiving him out of thoir Hight ; that is, thin brilliuiit clounrt, after having fin'mhod tlia gniud work whiolilieI«ftthehoHoinof liiH Father to oxetnito ; a work which (J«m1 hiinHolf, in tho rouu»toHt otornity oontomphitod with plnanure, which auK^Irt with joy doHcribod waH to hapiMMi, and wlsieh through all otornity to como shall at jioriodM, tho niont iin- niPns<^ly (r^tant from the time of its exociition, bo looked back upon with inoxproHHiblo 4h altoKother and be lost, when thoy aro removed far back by tlio endloHH |ivo|?reHHion of duration, this object in Huch, that no •listance iiowtwer can lesHcn it. The kinj^dom of heaven in erected on tho incarnation and Hulferin^a of the Son of (iod, the kingdom and the city of tho Almighty, ccmprehendiuK all tho people of (iod \n tho univ(U'He, nuvde happy by RoodnoHH and love, and, therefore, none of them can ever fin-^et the foundation on which their happiness stands esta- blished. The human species, in particular, reco- vered by the labour of tho Son of God, will view their Ih^liverer, and look back on his stupendous nndortakini; with the hiKhest rapture, while they are feasting without interrupti«»n on its delicious fruits. Tho rest of the nuunbers likewise of the city of ( Jod, will contemplate it with perpetual plea- sure, as the happy meansof recovering their kmdrod that were lost, and possibly the grand confirmation of tho whole rational system, in their subjection to him who reignoth for ever, and whoso favour w better than life itself. . u Thus have we followed our dear Redeemer through all the transactions of this life, and enlarged on tho stupendous miracle of his resurrection, as the whole Christian doctrine is founded on that glorious event. And from this history it is abundantly evident, that eo(j TIIK MFK OF OUR LORD cuir bleaaed Saviour Hhowed himKelf to hia disciples and friends only, not to the Jews in general. This circumstance gave Spinoza a pretence for raising an objection, which his disciples have considered as the strongest argument against our Lord's resur- rection. « If, say they, he really rose from the rtoad, to have showed himself to his enemies as well as to his friends, would have put the truth of his resurrection beyond all doubt, than which, nothing could be more n -cessary to the cause of Christianity • and therefore the resurrection to a few select friends only, renders the affair extremely suspi- cious and improbable." But this argument, however plausible it may ap- pear at first sight, is destitute of the least force • because it may be demonstrated, that if Jesus had showed himself to his enemies, and to all the people 111 general, these appearances, instead of putting the truth of his resurrection beyond all doubt, would have weakened the evidence of it, at least, in after ages ; and consequently, have been of infinite pre- judice to mankind ; for, upon the supposition that our blessed Saviour had showed himself openly, one of these two things must necessarily have happened, either his enemies, submitting to the evidence of their senses, would have believed his resurrection ; or, resisting that evidence, they would reject it altogether. We shall first consider the latter. Those enemies of the great Redeemer of mankind who resisted the evidence of their senses, or who, though really convinced, would not acknowled4 their conviction, must have justified their disbelief, by affirming, that the person who appeared to them, as risen from the dead, was not Jesus whom the' Roman governor had crucified, but an impostor who personated him. On any other foundation their f ! AND RAVIOUIl JKSUS tMIUIST. 607 iiifidolity wouM have been ridiculous nud abHurd ; but, if tlie believing Jews by our Lord'H appearing personally to tbem, would have been laid under a necessity of denying the reality of hia resurrec- tion, even though persuaded of it in their own niindH, the evidence of fact could have gained nothing by Buch public appearance : because the generality of the Jews were not capable of passing a judgment upon the falseliood which Christ's cneniieB must liave made use of to support their denial of his re- Hurreclion. IJeing unacquainted with Jesus, they could not certainly tell whether he was really the very person whom the Romans had crucified. Hia apostles, disciples, and acquaintance, who, by their long attendance on him, knew his stJiture, shape, air, voice, and manner, were the only proper per- sons by whose determination the point in dispute could be decided : consequently, if our Lord had appeared to all the people ; if any inconsiderable number of his enemies had continued in their in- fidelity, the whole stress of the evidence of his re- surrection must have rested on the evidence of the very persons, who, according to the plan pitched upon by Providence, bear witness to it now, and upon whose testimony the world has believed it. So that instead of gaining an additional evidence by the proposed method of showing Jesus publicly to all the people, we should have had nothing to trust to but the testimony of his disciples, and that clogged with this incumbrance, that his resur- rection was denied by many to whom he appeared, and who were not convinced thereby. But, in the second place, it may be supposed, that in case our blessed Saviour had showed him- self publicly, the whole nation of the Jews must have believed : that future generations would thus 1 cm Tnrc MFR or oiin t.oiin M have had the fulle»t evidonee of the truth of hin reHurrection. This, however, will not appear to bo the case, if we ooiiHider, that the j^rreatest part of our liord's onomies haviiijir not giv«n themselves the trouble of attendin;; him often, cannot bo nuppoHed to have been so well acquainted with hia person, as to iinow him with certainty. For which reason, though he had showed himself to them, even the belief of his resurrection must, in a great measure, have de- pended on the testimony of his disciples and friends. If so, it is not very probable that his appearing publicly would have had any great effect on the .lews, to persuade them to embrace a crucified Messiah. It is far more reasonabSo Uy believe, they would have rejected the whole, and continued in their infidelity. Hut to give the argument all the force the deists can desire, let us suppose, that, in consequence of our blessed Saviour's appearing to all the people of the Jews, the nation in general would have been convinced of the truth of his resurrection, and be- come his disciples ; what advantage would the cause of Christianity have repeated from such effects of our Lord's public appearance ? Would the evidence of his resurrection have become thereby the more unquestionable ? Or would the modern infidels have been the better disposed to believe in this crucified Jesus ? By no means. For we do not find that men of this class are at all the more ready to believe the miracles of Mosea in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and in the wilderness, because the whole nation were witnesses of them. The truth is, had our blessed Redeemer persuaded all the people of the Jews, by appearing personally to them, the objections against his resurrection would have beeu '. » Awn RAvrnirri .ifavh chihst. 609 i' ten tirrif^H more ntitnf>ruuH and forcible than they ure at preHent ; for would not the whole have been called a state trick, a JewiHh fable, a mere ])olitical contrivance, to piUch up their broken credit, after they had ho lonf; talked of a McsBiah, who was to come at that time ? HoHidcH, we nhould certainly have boon told, that the government being engajjod in the plot, a fraud of thiti kind might have eauily been carricul on, eHjtecially as the people in general would eagerly fall in with it ; because it was so exactly adapted to their prejudices, and because the few who had sagacity enough to detect the fraud, could have no opportunity of examining into it, or, if they did examine and detect the fraud, would not have dared to make any discovery of it, in op- position to the whole weight of the state : so that they would let it pass ({uietly, without once calling it in question. To say the truth, the resurrection of our great Redeemer, universally believed among the Jewn, and publisliod to the world, by the unanimous voice of the nation, would have been liable to an infinite number of objections, which are all effectually cut ff by the scheme made choice of by the wisdom of Providence : for as the people in general, and the rulers in particular, continued in their infidelity, the persons concerned in this supposed fraud, must have carried it on under the greatest disadvantages. The reason is, thatinstei-d of making many friends to assist them, which a fraud of this kind requires, all men were their enemies, and interested to dis- cover the cheat. The Jewish rulers, in particular, gave all possible jncouragement to make the strict- est scrutiny into the fact, and into all its circum- stances ; and many, doubtless, zealously made the inquiry with the utmost exactness. The apostlei O'G 2 (i <> ( ' j no Till', r.ine (ti' ouii i.nun who pi'i'iirhiMl thil roMiirn»ctioii, rxpoHod flinniHi'lvi'i to tlio Ht^rcoMt rnnmitiiKMit of tlio iiumi in \mwvr ; l)*»oftii«o th« niMurnujtiuii of our fjniftt llodeoinrr mMt thn |j;roiitoHt rrllooiioii npnH on tho life of tho blen8ed J chub, a life, tho groatcHt and best that wiiH over led by nun, or was over tlio Hubject of any history, Hiiico tho univorHo waH cuUod fn>iu itH original chaos, by tho powerful word of tho Al- mighty. Tho hinnan character of tho blossod Johuh, as it reHul^<) from tho account given of him by tho ovan- goliats, for thoy have not formally drawji it up, is entirely dliierent from that of all other mon what- Boever : for, whereas, they havo HoUibh paaHioim deeply rooted in their breastH, and are inriuenced by them in almost every thing they do, Jesus wiw «o ontiroly free from them, that tho moat sovci-c scrutiny cannot furnish ouo single action in thu ANI» WAVfOI'll JKHUH (MiniHr. fill W'li(il«« c(MirH<» of liin lil'o, wliisriMii h»j ronHullcd \uh own iiiti'i'dHt only. No, ho wim ititlitniicod by vory ilifl'oi'ont iiiotivoH ; tliu pi-i^Hoiit liuppiiioNH aiin to IiIh bitteroHt onoini«'H, ami iii tlio initlMt of tito most j^xynuMatiii;^ tonneiitH. Tim wonlH, « Fatlior forfj;ivo tlifin for thoy know not what thoy do," utti'nul by him whm Win oniMuion woro uailinjr him to tho cnwH, fitly oxju-ohh tlio tonipor which ho nuiintainod through tho wholo eoujHO of his lifo, even when assaultod V)y tho hoavioHt provoeationH. llo waH dostinod to sufFor- ing8 hero holow, in onlor that ho n»i),'ht raiHo his people to honour, glory, .md immortality, in tho roalms of bliss above ; and thcrcifore patiently, yea, joyfully, Hubmittod to all that tho malice of earth and hell could inflict. He was vilified, that wo might bo honoured : ho died, that we might live, for ever and over. To conclude : the greatest and bcHt men have discovered the degeneracy and corruption of hunian nature, and Hhown themselves to have been nothing more than men : but it waH otherwise with Jesus. llo was superior to all the mon that evc-r lived, both with regard to the purity of hia maiuiora, and the porfeotion of his virtu»js. lie wjih holy, harm- less, undefiled, and separated from Kinners. Whether w«« consider him as a teacher, or as a man, " he did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth." Ilia wholo life was perfectly free from spot or woaknoHH ; at the same time it was remark- able for tho greatest and most extensive exercises of virtue. But never to have committed the least sin, in word or in deed ; never to have uttered any sen- timent that could bo censured, upon the various AND «AVI(M/ll JKHUH (11 MIST r,\3 toploH of religion aixl morality, which wcrm «h() Waily Hiihjuct of hin (liHroiii'MOH ; uiid that thi'oiiuh tlio eourKH of a lifo fllhul with action, iiiul i«il uiuh-r tlio obMorvatioii of many onrmioH, who had always ucv.eHH to convorw' with him, and who oft««n camo to find fanlt. in a |»itch of porfetjtion ovidontly abovo tho roach of hunnm natnro ; and conH»Minontly ho who portHCHHcd it inuHt httvo hc«!n divine. Such wan tho pcrnon wIjo iH tho Huhjoct of the (!vanK«diciil liintory. If tho roador, by roviowinj; liiH life, doctrino, and miracloH, m thoy aro hor« r«*preHcntod to him, united intod education, it is usually with reluctance and opposition of mind. What inward struggles precede ! What bitter pangs attend their sinful excesses ! What guilty blushes and uneasy fears ! What frightful prospects and pale reviews ! " Terrors are upon them, and a fire not blown consumeth them." To make a mock at sin, and to commit iniquity without remorse, is an attainment that requires length of time, and much painful labour : more labour than is requisite to attain that habitual goodness which is the glory of the man, the ornament of the Christian, and chief of his happiness. The soul can no more be reconciled to acts of wickedness and injustice, than the body to excess, but by suffering many bitter pains and cruel attacks. The mouth of conscience may, indeed, be stopped for a while, by false principles : its secret whispers may be drowned by the noise of company, and stifled i V 618 TIIK MI'E OP OlMl LORD by entertainmentH of sonHo ; but thia principle of coiiRcience is so deeply rooted in Imtimn nature, and at t'e same time, her voice is so clear and Btron-r' that the BHiner'H arts will be unable to lull her into a laatinj? Beourity. When the hour of calamity arrives ; when Bick- iiess seizeth, and death approacheth the Hinner coHBCience then conHtrains him to listen to herac- cusatiouB, and will not Huffor the temples of his head totakeany rest. "There in no peace to the wicked :" the foundations of peace are subverted, they are at utterenmity with their reason, with their conscience, and with their God. ' Not so is the case of true religion. For when religion, pure and genuine, forms the temper, and governs the life, conHcience applauds, and peace takes her residence in the breast. The soul is in Its proper state. There are order an4 regularity both in the faculties and actions. Conscious of its own integrity, and sucure of the divine approbation, the soul enjoys a calmness not to bo described. But why do I call this happy frame calmness only { It IB far more than more calmness. The air may be calm, and the day overcast with thick mists and dark clouds. The pious and virtu- ous mind resembles a serene day, enlightened and enlivened with the brightest rays of the sun. 1 hough all without may be clouds and darkness, there is light in the heart of a pious man. « He is satisfied from himself, and is filled with peace and joy in believing." In the concluding scene, the awful moment of dissolution, all is peaceful and se- rene. The immortal part quits its tenement of clay, with the well-grounded hopes of ascending to hap- piness and glory. Nor does the gospel enjoin any duty but what AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. Glf) iH fit and reasonable. It calls upon all its profeHsors to practice reverence, submission, and gratitude to (jod J justice, truth, and universal benevolence to men ; and to maintain the government of our minds. And what has any one to object against this ? J^ rom the least to the greatest commandment of our dear Redeemer, there is not one which impartial rea- son can find fault with. « His law is perfect : his pre- cepts are true and righteous, altogether," not even tljose excepted which require us " to love our ene- imes, to deny ourselves, and to take up our cross." lo forgive an injury is more generous and manly than to revenge it : to control a licentious appetite, than to mdulge it : to suffer poverty, reproacli, and even death itself, in the sacred cause ol truth and mtegrity, is much wiser and better, than, by base compliances, to make '• shipwreck of faith and a good conscience." Thus in a storm at sea, or a conflagration on the land, a man with pleasure abandons his lumber to secure his jewels. Piety and virtue are the wisest and most reasonable things in the world :— vice und wickedness the most irrational and absurd. The all-wise Author of our being has so framed our natures, and placed in us such relations, that there is nothing vicious, but what is injurious ; no- thing virtuous, but what is advantageous, to our }) resent interest, both with respect to body and mind. iVleekness and humility, patience and universal charity, and grace, give a joy « unknown to trans- gressors." The divine virtues of truth and equity are the only bands of friendship, the only supports of society. Temperance and sobriety are the best preservatives of health and strength, but sin and debauchery im- pair the body, consume the substance, reduce to I II fi'JO Till': 1,1 Kic 01' oim t.oiif) povri'ty, iukI fonii tlio illroct natli tc» iiii iiiiiimtiiro luul iiiuiiMoly doatli. Now tliiH m t,li«» ciliiof oxc..|. lonoy of ull lawN ; iiiut what will alwiiyn n;av(» oxoolhtnt rnhm for tho r«»|j[nlation of nuurH nnuniorH ; but thuy wantod oithur tho honuHtv, or tliM (lonrago, to try thoir own arf^ninonts upon thoui- xolvoN. It waH a Htron|j^ (iruHuniption that tho yolio of tho HcriboK and phariHooK waH griovonn, wlni*nt,li (liut. \v« urn hut dimt," \h t'vor rcMuly to uMMiMt um, 'I'hn hnnthrii hhj^oh thoiii- HclvoH hail Moinn notioii of thJH aHHiHtaiic4% though f{ui(latoninKh, would Hi^nify nothing ; and duty and ohli.u;ati<>n would ho wordH without a m(«anin(r. 'JMio Spirit aMHiHtoih in inanntiraKruouhlo to tho franio of human naturo ; not ucuitrollin^ tho froo UHo of roanon, hut hy aHMistin^ tho undorHtand- in^, inilurnein;; tho will, and moderating thu affuc- tiouH. hut though wo nuiy not ho ablu to oxplaiii tho nu)do of his operatioim, tho ScriptnroH warrant tiH to aHHort, that, whon mon aro ronowc'd and pre- p.-irod for heaven, it i» ** through sanctiiication of tho Spirit, and belief of tho truth." How enliveninj; tho thou|j;ht ! how encouraglnjf tho motive ! W« aro not left to Htruji;j;lo alone with tiie diilicuitioK which attend the practice of virtue, in the prenont iniperf<;ot Htate. Tho inerciln! Fatlmr of our Hpi- ritH is ever near to hcdp our iuHrmitioH, to enlighten the miderHtandirjg, to Htrengthen good roHolutiouH, and, in concurrence with our own emieavourH, to ^ I 622 THR LIFB OP OUR LORD make us conqnerera over all opposition. Faithful IR he to hiH proiniaea, and will not suffer the sincere and well-diRposed to be tempted above what they are able to boar. What can be desired more than this 1 To promote the happiness of his people, every thing is done that is requisite, his jfrace is all-suflieient, his Spirit is able to conduct ua through this vale of tears, to never fading-bliss. We should also remember that the great doctrine of the gospel, concerning the propitious mercy of God to all penitents through Christ Jesus, greatly contributes to the consolation of Christians. Let it bo granted, that the hope of pardon is essential to the religion of fallen creatures, and one of its first principles, yet, considering the doubts and sus- picions which are apt to arise in a mind conscious of guilt, it is undoubtedly a great, and inestimable favour, to be relieved in this respect by a messen- ger from Omnipotence himself. This is our hap- puiess. We are not left to depend upon conse quential reasoning, which the bulk of mankind aro little used to ; but we aro assured, that upon our true repentance, we shall, « through tho mediation of Christ," receive tho " full remission of past sins," and be restored to the same state and favour with our Maker, as if we never transgressed his laws. Here the gospel triumphs. With these assurances It abounds. ^ Upon this head the declarations of our blessed Saviour and his apostles are so express and full, that every one who believes them, and knows himself to be a true penitent, must banish every doubt and fear, and rejoice with joy un- speakable. « Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Mat. xi. 28. « All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven uato men." Mat. xii. 31. « JJo Arlanted within us, is our duty : but as our natural desires, in this Htate of trial, are often irregular, wo are bc.nnd to restrain their excess, and not to induljje them, but; in i wtriet Hubsorviency to the integrity and peace of ourniinds, and to the order and happiness of human society established in the world. Those who allow the su- preme command to be usurped by sensual and bru- tal appetites, may promise themselves libert'^s, but are truly and absolutely the servants of cor uption. To be vicious, is to be enslaved. Wo beh >ld with pity those miserable objects that are chained in the ^allies, or confined in dark prisons and hjathsonio dungeons : but much more abject and vile is the slavery of the siiuier ! No slavery of the body is (iqual to the bondage of the mind : no chains press HO closely, or gall so cruelly, as the fetters of sin, which corrode the very substance of the soul, and fret every faculty. It must, indeed, be confessed, that there are somo {)rofligate8, so hardened by custom, as to be past all ioeling ; and, because sensible of their bondage, boast of this insensibility as a mark of their native freedom, and of their happiness. Vain men ! they might extol, with equal propriety, the peculiar happiness of an appoplexy, or the profound tran- quillity of a lethargy. Tliua have we endeavoured to place in a plain and conspicuous light some of the peculiar excel- lencies of the Christian religion ; and from hence, many useful reflections will naturally arise in tin? mind of every attentive reader. It is the religion of Jesus that hath removed idolatry and supersti- ANr> fiAVloiIR JKSLS CriUlHT. 027 tloriR, and hrounht iinmortHrKj to lij,'ht, when con- c«'al«(l iunl«r the veil of (hirkneHs ahnoHt impene- trable. ThiH liath Bot the poat truths of reU^ion m a clear and couHpicuoua point of viow, and pro- l»(»ged now and powerftd inotivcH to infitjonco our nniidH, and to dotormiue our conduct. — Nothing ia enjoined to be believed, but what iH worthy of God, uothing to bo practiBcd but what is friendly to man. — All the ('.octrines of the gospel are rational and consistent ; all its precepts are tmlv wise, juHt, and good. The gOHjel contains uoihsiif grievous to an ingenuous mind : it deba: j uh froi' nothing, but doing harm to ourselves, or to .ur fttljwcrea- tnres ; and permits u.^ to range a. v whr o, but in the paths of danger and destructi . It only re- quires us to act up to its excellent commajida, and to prefer to the vanishing pleasure of sin, the smiles of a reconciled God, and « an eternal weight of glory." And is this a rigorous exaction, a heavy burden not to be endured ? How cau sinful mortals harbour so unworthy a thought ? Surely no man who is a real friend to the cause of virtue, and to the interest of mankind, can ever be an enemy to Christianity, if he truly understands It, and seriously reflects on its wise and useful ten- dency. It conducteth us to our journey's end, by the plainest and securest path ; where the " steps are not straitened, and where he that runneth stumbleth not." Let us who live under this last, and most gracious dispensation of God to mankind, " count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord ;" and not suffer ourselves, by the slight cavils of unbelievers, to be " moved away from the hope of the gospel." Let us demonstrate that we believe the superior excellency of the Christian dispensation, by con- I f can Tini: Ml r. oi' ovn i.onu t'onuing to itH prourpiM. Lnt im hIiow that wn iiro ('linNtiiiiiM IikUmmI, iiiui ill tiutli, not by oikUohm (Um- ])UtUH ubotit triitoN, iiiid tlio ti'anM)ioftii of a blind /.oiil, bnt hy alKMiinliiiK in tlumn "IVnitw of riKhto- OUI4IU1HH, whioli aro, tliroii^li (JhriMt, to tlio praiao and ({lory of Cil(td/* From wiiat hath boon Raid, wo may cinarly por ooivo how gniniidhmH all tlnmo projiidiooH uro, which Homo oonuoii -) iiKaiimt i'oli;^ion, aM if it wan A poi^vinh, moi'oMo hoIumiio, burdoimotiio to human iiaturo, and inooiwiMtont with tlio trno oiij(»yinont of lifo. Snoh HontlmontH aro t«>o apt to prevail in iho boat of yinith, wlion tlio npiritw aro biiMlc and livoly, and tho pasHioiiM warm and iinjiotiKniH ; but it iH wholly a miHtako, and a tniMtako of tho moHt daiifijorouii ton(hincy. Tho truth Ih, tlioru m no ploaMure liko that of a j^ood coiiHoionco : no nml poaoe but what roHulf.H from a hoiiho of tho divino favour. ThiH onablos tho mind, and can alono Hupport it undor all tho varioim and unecpial Hconod of tho piHJsent utato of trial. ThiH lays a Huro foun- dation of an eany, comfortable life, of a Horono, lumccful death, und of otornal joy and happinnsH lioroafter ; whereas vice in ruinouH to all our inoHt valuable iiitereats ; Hpoiln the native beauty and aubvortH the order of the houI; rondern uh tho Boorn of man, the roieotod of (lod, and, without timely repentanoe, will rob u« of a hajipy eternity. Uoligion 10 the health, tlio liberty, and tho happi- noHH of the soul ; sin is tho disoaHe, the Horviludo, and doMtruction, of it. If this bo not sufficient to convince you, Lot mo lead you into tne chamber of an habitual rioter, the lewd debauchee, worn out in tho cause of ini- quity, "his bones full of tho sins of his youth," tW from his own mouth, as ho lios ou his expiring A,\i» wAvioiiii ,uwvn (riiiiiRT. 620 JmmI, you limy luarii that " tlio way of tratm^roHHorrt in hurast. T turn, and turn, and find no ray. Didst tbou feel half the mountain that is on me, thou wouldst struggle with the martyr for his stake, and bless heaven lor the flame ;— that is not an everlasting flame ; that is not an unquench- able fire." How we were stiuck ! yet, soon after, still n^ore. With what an eye of distraction ; what a fjice of despair he cried out, " My principles have poisoned my friend ; my extravagance has beggared my boy : my unkindneas has murdered my wife !— And is there another liell ? Oh ! thou blasphemed, yet most indulgent Lord God ! hell itself is a refuge if it hides mo from thy frown " Soon after his understanding failed ; his terrified imagination uttered horrors not to be repeated, or ever forgoten ; and before the sun (which I hope h I oaj TIIK III K Ol' (Mill I.OUn, &C. hiiH Hm«u fow Iil£«' him) aroHO, this gay, yoiuifr, iiohlc, inRenioiiH, accoinplibhod, mid moHt Wi'etched mor- tal, oxpirud. Itimwt, indood, boownod, itHomotimoM happenH, that moil who have lod very wickiMl Uvea, have gone out of tho worhl, ivn thoy have livod in it, defyiujr conscieiico, and doridiiif; a future judgmont aH an Jdlo fiction ; but thoHo iiiHtanceH are very rare, and only prove tliat there are moiiHtors in tho moral, as well as the natural world. ^ It will perhaps bo said, that tho sons of vice antl not have pleasurG in sonsual indulgences. Allowed ; but it is altogether of the lower Uind, empty, flooting' and transient : " like tho crackling of thorns under a pot, HO is tho mirth of the wicked." It makos a noiwe and a blazo for the preaent ; but soon van- ishes away into smoke and vapour. On tho other hand, tho pleasure of religion is solid and lasting : and will attend us through all, even the last stages of life. When we have passed the levity of youth, and have lost our relish for tho gay entertainments of seiiso ; when old age liteals upon us, and stoops us towards the grave, this will cleave fast to us, and give us relief, it will bo so fur from terminating at death, that it then commences perfect, and continually improves, with newadditions. Clad in this immortal robe, we need not fen r the awful summons of tho king of terrors, nor regret our retiring into the chambers of the dust. Our immortal part will wing its way to tho arms of its Omnipotent Uodertiner, and find rest in the heavenly mansions of the Almighty. And though our earthly part, this tabernacle of clay, returns to its original iluat, and is disHolved, our joy, our consolation, our confidence is, that « we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." AN EXIIOltTATION TO CHRISTIANS TO IMriATIC TIIK EXAMPLE OF OUR BLESSED LORD AND SAVIOUR JE8US CliULST, ^H niSI'LAVi;i) IN UIH UIK AND DOCTIIINKS. »♦,». *,,^^^^^„^,^,^^ ^^ 1 iiouoii 1 10 01(1 and New Tostatncnts exhibit iimny patterns of piety and virtue in the aceonntH of pa- tnarcha prophets, apoHtlcH, and other oniinont ser- vantH of (,od, a perfect example of holinesH and obodienco never appeared but in the porHon of the Messiah, who came upon earth for the expresH pur- pose of doing the will of his Father, respecting the Halvation of mankind. ** If we trace the life of the bleHsed Jesus, from the time of hiH incarnation to that of his exaltation, we snail find that every circumstance of it tended to that one grand and important end. At an early period he began to preach the great rtoctnno of repentance, and delivered his admirable Hormon on the mount, containing a complete system ot practical religion. I ^e afterwards gave proofs of Ins divniQ mission by working divers miracles, and rtisplayuig, in many instances, his power and good- ness. He then selected his disciples, instructed them in his holy doctrines, vested them with super- natural power, and commissioned them to preach the gospel of his kingdom. This done he persisted Inmself in the good work with indefatigable assiduity, recommending unfeigned piety towards God, and universal benevolence to mankind, by his preaching, Jus parables, and indeed by the whole tenor of IiIh 'lie and actions. Nor was there a virtue which he i 1 f y Q ^hi AN KXII(HITATU)N TO CMIUSTrANS. di«l not conntoiiftiico and oxujuplify ; or a vice 1«q (lid not cenHure or e>n(loinn. In a word, thn holy JeRUS went about doing jjood, according f > th?i Bcriptural phrawo ; that is, ho not only dicv mont iwHontial goiKl to tlu) soula and bodion of siifb hr presented thcmHelvrs to his view, nud sui)plicate(l Ilia divine aid, but hf* souglit out poor objoctn on whom ho might exercis'^ his pity and compasHion. IliH laat and mont ?0!! ortant work still remained to bo done. I le wuh to HufFor an ifjuomi \ioUH «loa(h, oven the death of the cro^s, to reconcsle offendinjjj man to an oftVnulod God. In tliis ho wu. to givo an i?;'u.Kuce of obedience of the divine vill, and love to (sinfvii OfiiJi, iM'yonil tho power of mortulH. ThiH ftwf.jj f?v«ujt ho predicted, and we find liim Btrng^iiriu witii tlio fecslings of human nature, and exc'aiivt'i <,^, '' (), sny I'^athor, if it bo possible, lof, thiH cup puHH from mo ; neverthelesH, not aw I will, but, an thou wilt." Mat. xxvi. 'M), At longth, after being betrayed by a iVuthlcKs diaciplo, and undergoing the most indign treatment, fr'»m a clan equally cruel and perverHC, ho was led to Calvary, the place of execution, there crucified, and having counnended his spirit into the hands of luH Father, gave up the ghost. His sacred body was committed to the tomb ; but through a divines [lower he soon burst the shackles of death, re ap- j)eared to his disciples and others, and having given them the most demonstrative proofs of his id<;ntity, he was parted from them, and carried np into hea- ven' Luke xxiv. 51. This summary account of the life of our blesse il Lord premised, wo shall proceed to enforce upon Christians the imitation of his example, from the following considerations : Ist. Conformity in his people to the example of himself was his grand design, ab well as the abso- AN KXIIOllTATION TO CIUUSTIA.NS, Jute will of Iiin Fatllor. ThonpoHtlo I' /' '> f oi r ntontioim aho aajfercd for u»i (nays that apostlo) leaTolnij us an example that we mhjht follow his atcps. Our bloHsed Saviour in called the waj/y the truths and the life ; that Ih, au ho redeemed our houIm from death by hiH atoning; naiMMfice, ho heiu the truth and );uido to our undorHtiindingH, and the life or ,'^rand actu- ating principle of our wills and affections, leading Ub> into those paths which terminate in ondlcHH felicity. It iH evident also from the whole tenor of our bloBsed Lord'o life and doctrinoH, that though the end of hiti inisHion was to dolivor mankind from the cnr.Me annexed to the violation of the moral law, he by no means meant its abrogatif)n ; nay, he pofli- tivoly d(?clare8, that he came not to annul, but to fulfil the law. Ho punctually adhered, not only to thoHo parts of it which respected the riuity to his example, under the idea of I'egenera- tion, that is, a change of the heart and conduct from evil to good, in his interview with Nicodemus, a man of great authority with the Jews, declaring ». i i I ( 6,%' AN KXIIORTATION TO CIIlltSTI ANS. to hini that cjtecpt a man he hnri) aqnin (Hpiritunlly conflidercd) he camwt fee tlie kitnjdoin of (iod. John iii. 3. 1 n a won!, if wo advert to the traiiHuc- iioim of his life, wo imiHt ho convinced, that they have one uniform undeviatiiig tendency to promote holinesR, ns a neceaaary evidence of a claim and title to the honofitapurehaHrd hy hiHdeuth andHufferinfjH, It appoarH fro n Hcriptunil evidence, that one of tlie groat purposes of (ii<»d, in the MeHHiah'H takin;^ upon him humpan nature, or hecounnR like unto uh in every instance, nin exoeptc«d, wan, tlint wo might also, aft far as our fallibility will admit, be Hke his Son ; or, in other words, that as ho, by taking our nature was like unto us, ho we, by imitating his example, might be like unto him, according to tho import of the words of the apostle. Rom. viii. 26. The word incarnate is the great example of all sin- cere genuine professors of the religion of Christ, and thence arose the precept of the last mentioned apostle, Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. xiii. 14. The allegory points out the duty, intima- ting, that as a garment is couiposed and made of the same fashion with the body, and applied to each part according to its respective proportion, so we should, put on Christ, or imitate, as far as possible, his character, conforming to every particular part, in order to demonstrate whose image and Bi.^>ur- scription we bear, atid be acknowledged as sons from our resemblance to our great head and repre- sentative, who disdained not to call us his brethren. The apostle John writes to the same purport in his first epistle, second clmpter, and sixth verse : He that saith he abideth in him (Christ) ought him- self also to walk even as he walked. Here it is evi- dently implied, that our actions should be framed according to the copy set us by our great Lord and Master, we should transcribe the original as nearly AN KXlIOllTATION TO (11 IIISTI A N». 6S7 as poHHiblo to the life. TIioho who cotiteniplate Heriously on the uifection, fervour, utul r«Hignatiou, which the blewsed Johuh evinced iii nil his devotioim, will thereby he tuuf^ht and excited to holy medita- tion and r«)li^iouH prayer. The HweotneaH of his dinpoHition, IiIh charity to his very eneuiioH, Ihh ro- prehensiong of the HcribeH and phariseos, his candid and in^enuoua behaviour to all men, inculcate poW' erfuUy the virtues of patience, humility, candour, and juHtice in all v)ur actions. Upon the whole, the life of our blessed Lord should not only be the sub- ject of our admiration, but also of our imitation. 2dly. The greatest blessings, both temporal and spiritual, are annexed to a holy and religious life, which essentially consists in following the example of the blessed Jesus. In the Old Testament, a lonj; and prosperous life wore the promises of the covenant. The hopes of the Israelites were built upon it, and it was the support of all their duty. See Exodus, xv. 26, and xxiii. 25, 2{). Solomon enjoins holiness and obe- dience upon the same principle, Fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall he health to thy navels and marroto to thy bones. Prov. iii. 7, 8 ; and a^^ain, verse 16, Lewjth of days is in her right hand, (that is, Wisdom) and in her left hand riches and honour. Under the /jjospel dispensation, the consideration is more particularly enforced. The apostle Paul calls children to observe the fifth commandment, from the same argument which was used in the first promulgation of it. Honour th^t father and mother (which is tho first commaiidinent vvith pro- mise) that it may be well with thee, and thou may- est live long upon the earth. Ephes. vi. 2, JJ. it is to be observed, that though the gospel is built upon better promises than the law, it annexes all the promises of the latter to obedience, according «)3a AV KKirORTATION TO CHIlIHTfXN.S. to the apostV ' w(>i'y effect, let us press forward towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. As we have borne the image of the earthh , may we also br^ar the image of the heavenly ; for let us remem- ber, that in vain we are called Christians, if we live not according to the example and discipline of Christ, the great author of the institution. The zeal of the primitive Christians, who were first de- nominated so at Antioch, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, in imitating the example of their great Master, was abundantly evident. Their very enemies were observed to say, "See how those Chris- tians love one another." No hardship, no threat- ening, not even death itself, could deter them from the prosecution of their duty. They might be said to follow their Master wherever he went, and many ol them sealed their profession with their blood. We live in happier days. We enjoy the free exercise of religion, and have constantly opportu- nities of doing and getting good. The sacred volume is expanded to our view, and the brightest example presented for our imitation, even that of the great and immaculate Redeemer. If we follow it, the reward is sure : if we wilfully neglect it, the punishment is certain. Therefore, my beloved brethren, let me, by way of conclusion' seriously exhort you to think on these things. WILLIAM MILNBB, PttlNTKB, ( HEAI'SIDB, HALIFAX. ( aIioiiM we fiml imple of I the 8a- sn lately y effect, lie prize As wo we also remein- , if we pline of . The first de- lie Acta )f their jirvcry B Chris- threat* m from be said dmany cod. he free pportu- >w, and itation, eemer. vilfuliy irefore, elusion, 9. FAX.