Exodus, ch. xix. & xx.

xxxiii. 17 to

22

2 Samuel,

vii.

tremendous manner. That they received them by the voice of God, attended with thunderings, lightnings, fire, smoke, and earthquakes: and they believed those laws were to end but with the world itself. They expected a Messiah, and in Jeremiah, him a mighty prince, who would fubdue all the Chapter Verfe nations of the earth; and then govern them by those very laws. Here comes a man, poor and friendless; whose origin they knew-Jesus the Chapter Verfe 'fon of Jofeph, a carpenter of Nazareth; despised, and thrust out by his own townsmen for his presumption, Accompanied by a few poor fishermen, whom he called his disciples: and by fome women of no great reputation, who ministered unto him. He tells them that he is the Meffiah predicted by their prophets: that indeed his kingdom was not of this world; but that was of little consequence, its duration being just at an end, and the kingdom of Heaven was at hand. He at first, told the Jews that he came not to destroy, but to fulfil their law, &c. But his fubsequent speeches and actions ran counter to that declaration; as I have noticed page 225. They had more than once, asked him for a fign from Heaven in confirmation of his miffion, if it was from thence. Such a fign would have been unequivocal; beyond the power of collufion: but these requests had been evaded *. Putting these

Chapter Verse things together, without fupernatural assistance; no wonder they exclaimed-He hath a devil, and is mad!

xi.

In the eleventh chapter, John records a miracle performed by Jesus in Bethany, unnoticed by the other three. Bethany was in the vicinity of Jerufalem, and seems to have been the habitation, or place of refort, for Jesus and his particular associates; into the neighbourhood of which he often retreated in cases of danger. There dwelt Lazarus, and his sisters, Martha and Mary, whom Jesus loved; Simon the leper, &c. Here Jesus was, when the costly anointing was performed by Mary: in a garden near this, he was betrayed; and near this was the spot, chosen by St. Luke, for his ascension into Heaven. Here Lazarus being fick, his sisters sent to Jesus, who was absent, to acquaint him therewith. Jesus, two days after he had received this intelligence, fat out for Bethany; and was met, upon his approach, by the two fisters and their friends, weeping: he also wept; but why, I know not. It is evident, from his conversation with the apostles three or four days before this; that he not only knew Lazarus was dead, but that he had determined to raise him again to life. It is said

He groaned in spirit, and asked-Where have

ye laid him?' Being answered come and see; he went with them to the cave, (convenient things for refurrections) ordered the stone to be taken

Chapter Verse 43

off; and cried with a loud voice-' Lazarus come xi. 'forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound

' hand and foot with grave clothes. Jesus faith unto

them, Loose him, and let him go.' The necefsity of loofing we will not difpute; but off he went, we may suppose, as we hear no more of him upon this occasion: but how happened it, that we hear no more of him? The benefit he then received, being the greatest huinan nature could receive, was surely worth thanks at least: but perhaps he had not recovered his senses, or his speech; he was cold, or he was hungry.

After the last supper, and previous to the apprehenfion; John, and John only, gives us (in chap. xiv, xv, and xvi,) a very long and interesting, but ambiguous discourse, made by Jesus to the eleven; preparing them for his departure, and its consequences. It begins-' Let not your xiv. ' heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe 'alfo in me. In my Father's house, there are

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many mansions. If it were not so, I would ' have told you: I go to prepare a place for you, ' and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that ' where I am, there ye may be also. And whither 'I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas (very properly) faith unto him; Lord we know

not whither thou goeft; and how can we know ' the way: Jesus faith unto him, I am the way, ' and the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto

44

I

2

3

4

5

6

7

xiv.

Chapter Verse the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye ' should have known my Father also and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Phi8 lip faith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, 9' and it fufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have ' I been fo long time with you, and yet thou haft ' not known me Philip? He that bath feen me, ' hath feen the Father: and how sayest thou then, ' shew us the Father.' And yet in this fame difcourse, he after this (verse 28) said to them

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My Father is greater than I :' and in chap. xv. v. 10. being a continuation of the said discourse, he said to them-' I have kept my Father's com'mandments.' Jesus had, in the presence of his disciples, repeatedly said-'No man can come to

6

me, except the Father draw him.' Here he tells them-' No man cometh unto the Father, 'but by me; asks-if he had been fo long with ' them without being known, and adds-He that ' hath seen me, hath seen the Father.' These, though they do not express it in plain terms; plainly enough imply, that he was God, and would have them believe that he really was so: and doth not this shew that the accusation, and resentment of the Jews was well warranted, when, in Solomon's Porch, he said to them-' I, and

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my Father are one *.' John, ch.x. v. 30. Το accelerate this belief in the minds of his disciples, and at the fame time reconcile them to his de

parture, though they knew not how, or when,

or where; he in the 12th verse says to them - Chapter Verse

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Verily verily I say unto you, he that believeth xiv. on me; the works that I do, shall be do also; and

greater works than these shall be do; because I go ' unto my Father.'

In these days, when we know no such power attends fuch belief: we cannot, without making an entire furrender of our intellects, receive it with that profound fubmiffion, which some would perfuade us is necessary to salvation. But in those days, and in many ages following; this promife operated in a way that possibly was not foreseen; and probably was not intended. Ignorant, and perhaps well-meaning enthusiasts, endeavoured to perfuade themselves that they poffefsed this belief; and, in course, the powers annexed to it. Their goodness of heart, or presumption, generally excited them to exhibit proofs of this power; but failing in the attempt, were exceedingly chagrined, and most likely had the additional mortification of being laughed at by the spectators. This being observed by some artful and designing knaves, and com. municated to others; there soon started to view a number of wonder workers; no wonder then we are told that many thousand miracles were performed by the lowest class of Christians. Devils were cast out, the fick healed, the lame walked, the blind faw; and even the dead were raised to life. Josephus was born in 37 and died in 93.

He

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