THE GOSPEL WRITTEN THAT WE MIGHT BELIEVE IN JESUS AS THE LORD. 397 would they prove to be. plainly written, that ye But these things are briefly and might more readily believe this great and leading truth which they are intended to teach, That Jesus is the Christ, the only-begotten Son of God; g We are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and Eternal Life. 1 John v. 20. h There is none other name under heaven given and that, so believing, ye might have Eternal Life through among men, whereby we His all-prevailing name. AMEN. its great purpose of the good of mankind. Enough is given, even in this portion of the New Testament, for our guidance. Here may the root and foundation of every article of our Faith be found, and if we may be permitted to make any distinction between Books all alike inspired, we must chiefly honour those in which the Son of God speaks the most in His own Person. And here, in conclusion, let us observe of these Writers of Truth, how much (notwithstanding that each has his peculiar style) simplicity is the characteristic of all. They lay before us nothing but facts, and are at no pains to make them appear credible, or excite an interest in the reader. Equally certain of the truth of all which they advance, the most signal miracles and the most ordinary events are narrated in the same tone, as by faithful witnesses, whose business it was to testify and not to argue. They neither explain nor command, promise nor threaten, commend nor blame; but preserve one even tenour, report must be saved. Acts iv. 12. ing what was said or done by the enemies or friends of their Master, without any encomiums on the one, or invectives against the other. As to their Lord, they appear to consider His character as infinitely superior to any praise they could bestow they do not presume to offer even the tribute of their admiration, and instead of pointing out the wisdom and virtue of the Saviour's life, they leave it to speak for itself. Unlettered as they were, and indifferent to the ornaments of style, they have drawn for us a Pattern of Excellence, moral and intellectual, infinitely surpassing all that ever before has been, or ever will again be described: in their pages we see the developement of a Perfect Character, brightening in trial, and consunimated in death. The admired wish of the heathen, that Virtue should assume a human shape, has been fulfilled-the Divinity has "come down to us in the likeness of men.' 99 |