Yves; me we now conen as I repentance ca nim, do no al fet mot me rich pathures of ** 11 ve te been sure gode aftray:" w record 10th the Sommerd and Bishop of me pray tout chers all, though far ef, my mi brangag, ni made one with us in IS Lord's declarations produced derent fenti- 15 terrers. Some turned away from him and in a contemptuous manner derided emoniac and a madman, unworthy of any sation. But there were thofe, who judged Mamblas's day. more more favourably of him, both from the doctrines he advanced, and the miracles he wrought. Thus, also, the faithful preaching of the Gospel generally creates a divifion. It is no uncommon thing for men to speak evil of what they understand not, and to vent their enmity against the zealous advocate for Christ, by fcornful reproaches fimilar to thofe, which were caft upon Him. And yet, fuch is the force of the truth, that, even in the midst of much oppofition, some will be fo impreffed with it, as to exert their influence in its fupport. Let us "take heed, how we hear," and examine for ourselves, without being biaffed by the objections of others. Jefus was walking in the portico, which furrounded the temple, probably soon after his preceding difcourse, when many of the Jews came about him, but with no friendly difpofition. They defired a ftill plainer declaration from himself, whether or no he was the Meffiah; and it is likely that they wifhed for it, as a ground of accufation against him. Jefus, therefore, reproved them for their unbelief, in difregarding his former very exprefs claims, and referred them to his works, for a full demonstration of his divine character. He fhewed their bafenefs in continuing to reject him, notwithstanding fuch accumulated evidence; by which they clearly proved, that they belonged not to that favoured company, the sheep of his flock, all of whom acknowledge him as their Leader and Commander, receiving his doctrines, and obeying his directions. Thefe, however reproached by men, he affirmed to be the objects of his peculiar notice, and fecure under the protection of his Almighty arm, from the affaults of their most powerful enemies. He has redeemed them to himself, and engaged to rescue them from every danger, and conduct them to the poffeffion of eternal life. He added, therefore, that the Omnipotence of the Father is pledged for their defence, fince he and the Father a tions towards the Saviour, nor yield him that reverence and fubmiffion, which he demands, unless you acknowledge, that he " is over all, God bleffed for ever *." For the present, he bears with your petulance and folly, in refifting his claims; but at length he will arife to vindicate his right, to the everlafting confufion of all his enemies. We have only to add, that, when Jefus with. drew from this perfecution at Jerufalem, he retired to a diftant part, even beyond Jordan, where John had formerly exercifed his miniftry. There many reforted to him, having been prepared, as it fhould feem, by the teftimony of the Baptift, to receive him. Thefe, therefore, without hesitation, believed on him, while the great and the learned at Jerufalem rejected him with fcorn. Thus the fin of fome perfons may eventually become the falvation of others. "The kingdom of God," when taken from those, who oppofe it, is given to fuch as will thankfully submit to it. Happy the people beyond Jordan, who were favoured with the prefence of the Saviour, becaufe they knew the time of their vifitation! Let us fear for ourselves and our country, left our perverseweis fhould provoke him to depart from us; and therere let us yield all, ferious attention to the word of which is fpoken unto us. O Lord, withdraw Gofpel of thy grace, nor the influence of thy from us! Fix thine abode among us, and s willing and obedient in the day of thy power. e be added, as faithful members, to thy Church and conducted to thy heavenly kingdom, behold thy glory, and praise thee as one with aer, world without end! Amen. * Rom. ix. 5. JESUS JESUS CHRIST. SECT. 29. Fefus answered enquiries about divorces-fhewed a tender regard to little children-replied to a young rulerwarned his difciples of the danger of riches --delivered the parable of the labourers in the vineyard-haftened to Jerufalem to fuffer-cured two blind men near Je richo. THE enemies of Chrift, even while they seem to prevail, are fubfervient to his purposes; for, by their oppofition to the truth, they are eventually the cause of its more extenfive promulgation. Thus, we have feen, when Jefus was driven away from Jerufalem, the people beyond Jordan received the benefit of his miniftry. To them he imparted his bleffings with a liberal hand: for he was followed by great multitudes, whom he inftructed in the myfteries of his kingdom, and healed of their various bodily diseases *. Hither, alfo, the malice of the Pharifees pursued him. They came, with an intention of drawing him into fome difficulty, or of prejudicing the people against him. They pretended to confult him on the fubject of divorces, and asked, whether it were allowable for a man to difmifs his wife for every trifling reafon. He knew their malevolent defigns, and yet VOL. III. *Mat. xix. I-12. U Mark x. 1-12. condefcended at large, for the ag a battening their ava ity laying fares are soals are facrifices for a acation. What aggravated cand scance in the same neighNegarded him with fuch veaze fed to him their tender not capable of profiting by his solemn benediction and cem * The difciples would nue them from him, unwilling Bould be occupied w more more important businesssever, fhewed much Sterpofition, and commance Dat : children hould be a we : inafmuch as the kingdom c t of fuch members. He declared. 12 one before, that no perion can b y community, who is not brought or difpofition, refembling that of a l With the greatest complacency, therefore, amiable condefcenfion, he took them up in and pronounced his bleffing on them. currence may feem trifling, but it is replete action. It fhould endear the Saviour to us, bfervefuch decifive proofs of meekness and Sea in his character. And, fince Jefus allows thofe of tendereft age to come unto him, them to be capable of being received into om, fhall we forbid their admiffion into , and exclude thofe, whom he has not exThe argument, drawn from this paffage in haptifm, though not direct, appears Mark x. 13-16. Luke xviii. 15-17. conclufive. |